Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive in Melbourne and check into your hotel right on the Yarra River's edge. Later this evening, meet your Travel Director at South Wharf riverside for dinner at one of the popular restaurants in the area. It's a good opportunity to get to know the rest of your tour group in a nice setting by the water.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a popular restaurant in South Wharf area)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne)
Landmarks Yarra River South Wharf 
- Day 2
Melbourne
This morning, join your Travel Director for a city tour that includes a private walk through Melbourne's famous hidden laneways. You'll find eclectic little lanes, arcades, and lots of cafes tucked away throughout. After that you have free time to wander around the city on your own, relax at your hotel, or take an optional trip out to Phillip Island if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne)
Included Activities
- Private walk through Melbourne's hidden laneways
- City sights tour
Optional Activities
- Phillip Island Penguin Parade viewing
Landmarks Phillip Island 
- Day 3
Melbourne
Today you have complete flexibility to do what appeals to you. Check out Melbourne's boutiques, galleries, and suburbs at your own pace, or try the History and Donuts Walking Tour of the city. If you want something further afield, the Great Ocean Road is a legendary coastal route with dramatic views throughout the drive and makes for a full day trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne)
Optional Activities
- History and Donuts Walking Tour
- Great Ocean Road journey
Landmarks Great Ocean Road - Day 4
Melbourne to Ayers Rock
You'll head out from Melbourne toward Ayers Rock Resort with Uluru rising as your dramatic backdrop. Your guide will lead you to the perfect spot to watch the sun drop behind Uluru, and you'll have a glass of bubbles to celebrate the moment as the light changes across the rock.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Desert Gardens)
Included Activities
- Uluru sunset viewing with guide
Landmarks Uluru - Day 5
Uluru
Wake up before dawn to see the sunrise at Uluru, a spiritual place where an Anangu guide shares stories about the land and its significance. Later, you'll meet an Anangu artist who'll teach you about Western Desert art, including totems and symbols. After that, walk through the towering sandstone domes at Kata Tjuta's Walpa Gorge, then wrap up the day with a celebration of what you've experienced.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Desert Gardens)
Included Activities
- Uluru sunrise
- Guided Uluru Base Tour with Anangu stories
- Anangu artist introduction to Western Desert art and Aboriginal dot painting
- Walk through Kata Tjuta at Walpa Gorge
Landmarks Uluru Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge - Day 6
Ayers Rock to Cairns
On your final morning at Uluru, there's an optional trip to see the Field of Light art installation with 50,000 glowing spindles across the desert at sunrise. You can climb to the top of a sand dune to take in the whole thing. Later in the day, you'll head to tropical Cairns.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Optional Activities
- Field of Light art installation by Bruce Munro at sunrise
Landmarks Uluru Field of Light - Day 7
Cairns
Multiple options are available in Cairns today. Take the historic Scenic Railway into World Heritage rainforest to reach Kuranda village, then return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over some of the oldest rainforest around. Add on a visit to Hartley's Crocodile for a wetlands cruise through the ecologically significant Melaleuca wetlands if you like. By evening, head to Salt House on Cairns' waterfront for regional seafood dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Regional seafood dinner at Salt House on Cairns waterfront)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- Scenic Railway ride to Kuranda
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway return
- Dinner at Salt House on Cairns waterfront
Optional Activities
- Hartley's Crocodile wetlands cruise
Landmarks Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Hartley's Crocodile Melaleuca wetlands Cairns Esplanade - Day 8
Great Barrier Reef
A catamaran takes you out to explore the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest living organism. You'll see over 1,500 fish species, marine turtles, dolphins, and so much more beneath the surface. Snorkel or visit the underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. A tropical buffet lunch is served onboard before you head back to Cairns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Tropical buffet lunch served onboard)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- Great Barrier Reef catamaran cruise
- Snorkeling or underwater observatory visit
- Tropical buffet lunch onboard
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef - Day 9
Cairns to Sydney
You'll arrive in Sydney, Australia's largest city. The day is yours to spend however you like. Stroll along the harbour, check out one of the many bars, pubs, or restaurants, or relax at one of the famous beaches. Sydney has plenty to offer, so you decide what works best for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (InterContinental Hotel Sydney)
Landmarks Sydney Harbour 
- Day 10
Sydney
Start with a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House that covers its architectural secrets and performance history. Then experience the city from the water on a Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise where you'll have local food and wine. This afternoon, head to Bondi Beach for a walk along the sand with Sydney's beach culture all around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise with local food and wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (InterContinental Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise with local food and wine
- Bondi Beach visit
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Sydney Harbour Bridge Bondi Beach 
- Day 11
Sydney
You can choose to explore more of Sydney at your own pace, or venture to the Blue Mountains about an hour away. The Blue Mountains cover 11,400 square kilometres of World Heritage wilderness with dramatic sandstone escarpments and rainforest valleys with waterfalls, so it's a full day trip if you go that direction.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (InterContinental Hotel Sydney)
Optional Activities
- Blue Mountains excursion
Landmarks Blue Mountains 
- Day 12
Sydney
Take your morning at leisure and sleep in or take an early walk around Circular Quay for final views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Late morning, walk through Royal Botanic Garden and then head to the Art Gallery of NSW for a guided tour focused on First Nations and Australian art. Lunch afterwards features native Australian flavours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch infused with native Australian flavours at Art Gallery of NSW)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (InterContinental Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Art Gallery of NSW with focus on First Nations and Australian art
- Lunch with native Australian flavours at Art Gallery of NSW
Landmarks Circular Quay Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bridge Royal Botanic Garden Art Gallery of New South Wales - Day 13
Sydney Departure
Your journey through Australia ends today as you depart from Sydney. You'll leave with memories of diverse destinations across less than two weeks of travel.
