Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive in Melbourne and have time to explore at your own pace. Wander through the art-filled laneways, check out independent galleries and boutiques, or hop on the free tram to see the sights around the city. This evening you'll meet your group at a welcome dinner to connect with your travelling companions.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore art-filled laneways
- Visit independent galleries
- Shop at boutiques
- Ride free tram around city
- Day 2
Melbourne
This morning you'll take a walking tour along the Yarra River guided by First Nations guides from Koorie Heritage Trust. They'll share Dreaming stories as you walk, and then you'll head to Big Esso for contemporary Torres Strait Islander cuisine. After lunch, visit the Ian Potter Centre to see significant First Nations art collections on display.
- Meals
- Lunch (Big Esso by Mabu Mabu - contemporary Torres Strait Islander cuisine with native Australian bush flavours)
Included Activities
- Birrarung Wiliam (River Camp) Walk with Koorie Heritage Trust
- Lunch at Big Esso by Mabu Mabu
- Visit Ian Potter Centre (NGV) First Nations art collection
Landmarks/POIs Koorie Heritage Trust Federation Square Yarra River Big Esso by Mabu Mabu Ian Potter Centre (NGV) - Day 3
Melbourne
You have flexibility today to explore Melbourne however you like. Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens with an Aboriginal guide, head to the Melbourne Eureka Skydeck for panoramic views of the city, or venture out on either a full-day Great Ocean Road tour or Phillip Island wildlife experience depending on what appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Royal Botanic Gardens with Aboriginal guide
- Melbourne Eureka Skydeck
- Great Ocean Road full-day tour with AAT Kings guide
- Twelve Apostles
- Gibson Steps
- Loch Ard Gorge
- Phillip Island wildlife and penguin viewing
Landmarks/POIs Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Eureka Skydeck Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles Gibson Steps Loch Ard Gorge Phillip Island - Day 4
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
You'll fly to Uluru and explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with your Travel Director. Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, learn Creation stories, and discover rock art and bush foods. Later, watch the sunset paint the outback in fiery colours, then settle in for an exclusive barbecue dinner under the stars.
- Meals
- Dinner (Exclusive Barbecue dinner within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with champagne)
Included Activities
- Kuniya walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole
- Rock art viewing
- Bush foods exploration
- Sunset viewing at Uluru
- Exclusive Barbecue dinner within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Landmarks/POIs Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Uluru Mutitjulu Waterhole - Day 5
Uluru
Meet Aboriginal artists and sculptors at Maruku Arts and take part in an art class capturing outback scenes. You'll visit the Gallery of Central Australia to see authentic, ethically sourced Aboriginal art. If you're interested, take a scenic flight over the landscape, then wander Walpa Gorge and toast the sunset with bubbles.
Included Activities
- Maruku Arts visit and art class with Aboriginal artists
- Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA)
Optional Activities
- Helicopter scenic flight
- Plane scenic flight
Landmarks/POIs Maruku Arts Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA) Walpa Gorge Kata Tjuta - Day 6
Uluru to Sydney
Start early to experience the Field of Light art installation at sunrise with 50,000 lights creating a surreal glow over the Uluru countryside. You'll fly to Sydney in the afternoon and have the evening to explore the city at your leisure. Your Travel Director has restaurant recommendations if you need suggestions.
Included Activities
- Field of Light sunrise experience
Optional Activities
- Restaurant dining in Sydney
Landmarks/POIs Field of Light Uluru - Day 7
Sydney
Explore Sydney's Harbour City with a full day of activities. Tour the iconic Sydney Opera House to learn about its architecture and performers. Walk through the Rocks district with an Aboriginal guide from Dreamtime Southern X, discovering stories about Sydney's Aboriginal history. You'll finish with a harbour cruise to see Sydney from the water.
Included Activities
- Sydney Opera House tour
- Walking tour with Aboriginal guide through the Rocks district
- Sydney Harbour cruise
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Opera House The Rocks Sydney Harbour - Day 8
Sydney
You have a free day to explore Sydney however you'd like. You might scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge on BridgeClimb for fascinating stories and panoramic views, spend the day exploring the Blue Mountains with an AAT Kings guide, or experience Dave's Rocks Pub Tour visiting historic pubs with harbour views. Your Travel Director can help with bookings.
Optional Activities
- BridgeClimb Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Blue Mountains tour with AAT Kings guide
- Dave's Rocks Pub Tour
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Harbour Bridge Blue Mountains - Day 9
Sydney
Another free day to explore Sydney at leisure. Spend hours at Bondi Beach, catch the ferry to Manly, or join the historic Rocks Pub Tour visiting 4 of Sydney's oldest pubs. You'll walk in the footsteps of convicts and locals from the past while sharing drinks in these historic venues.
Optional Activities
- Bondi Beach visit
- Ferry to Manly
- Rocks Pub Tour
Landmarks/POIs Bondi Beach Manly The Rocks - Day 10
Sydney to Cairns
You'll fly from Sydney to Cairns and have a free afternoon to soak up the tropical climate. Explore the vibrant esplanade or relax by your hotel pool and get acclimated to the warm weather.
Optional Activities
- Explore esplanade
- Relax by hotel pool
Landmarks/POIs Cairns Esplanade - Day 11
Great Barrier Reef
Cruise to Moore Reef on a Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel catamaran. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea rangers share 65,000-year-old Dreaming creation stories about the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. You'll snorkel among 1,500 species of fish in the warm water, then return to the boat to view Aboriginal artefacts and hear didgeridoo performances.
Included Activities
- Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel catamaran tour to Moore Reef
- Snorkelling at Great Barrier Reef
- Didgeridoo performance
Landmarks/POIs Great Barrier Reef Moore Reef - Day 12
Cairns
This free day lets you explore Tropical North Queensland at your own pace. Optionally join a tour featuring the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway through the rainforest, or discover native bush tucker on a Cape Tribulation, Mossman and Daintree tour through one of the world's oldest rainforests. End with a farewell dinner at Ochre Restaurant featuring native game and Indigenous products.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell Dinner at Ochre Restaurant on the Cairns waterfront - menu showcases native game, herbs and products)
Included Activities
- Farewell Dinner at Ochre Restaurant
Optional Activities
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
- Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Cape Tribulation tour
- Mossman tour
- Daintree rainforest tour
Landmarks/POIs Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Kuranda Scenic Railway Cape Tribulation Mossman Gorge Daintree Rainforest Ochre Restaurant - Day 13
Cairns Departure
You'll depart Cairns today as a more thoughtful traveller, enriched by this immersive cultural itinerary and the generosity of Australia's Aboriginal guides who shared their time and stories with you throughout the journey.
