Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll land at Melbourne International Airport where a local representative meets you for the drive to your city center hotel. From there, the day is open for settling in and getting a feel for the city on your own terms.
- Start point
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Melbourne Intl (MEL), 00:00 - 23:55)
- Accommodation
- (The Victoria Hotel Melbourne)
Optional Activities
- Wander through hidden alleyways filled with street art
- Visit award-winning cafés
- Explore bustling markets
- Browse galleries
- Experience live music venues
- Visit St Kilda coastline
- Discover Queen Victoria Market
- Day 2
Melbourne
A guided vehicle tour takes you through Melbourne's main attractions, including the laneways with street art, historic buildings, gardens, and the waterfront. You'll get commentary about the city's history and culture while traveling in a vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi.
- Accommodation
- (The Victoria Hotel Melbourne)
Included Activities
- Vehicle-based city sights tour with air-conditioned coach and experienced guide
- Learn about Melbourne's founding fathers and city establishment
- View Melbourne's Sporting Precinct with world-class stadiums
- Visit Fitzroy Gardens, Cook's Cottage, and the Conservatory
- Visit the Shrine of Remembrance with guided walk to the top for views of Melbourne
- View St Patrick's Cathedral
- Explore Parliament Hill including Treasury Building and House of Parliament
- Travel along the 'Paris End' of Collins Street and the Golden Mile
- Visit Queen Victoria Market
- Explore Lygon Street (Melbourne's Little Italy)
- View Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
- Visit Federation Square with Flinders Street Station and St Paul's Cathedral
- Explore Melbourne's Arts Precinct including National Gallery of Victoria, Victorian College of the Arts, and Hamer Hall
- Access to informative historic photographs presentation via QR code
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Landmarks/POIs Parliament House Treasury Building Windsor Hotel Collins Street Queen Victoria Market Lygon Street Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens Melbourne Cricket Ground St Patrick's Cathedral Fitzroy Gardens Cook's Cottage Federation Square Flinders Street Station St Paul's Cathedral Shrine of Remembrance National Gallery of Victoria Hamer Hall 
- Days 3 - 4
Melbourne
Two full days to explore at your own pace. Walk through the laneways seeing street art and cafes, check out shops and historic architecture, or head to the botanical gardens and beaches at St Kilda. You can also try different restaurants and experience the arts scene however you like.
- Accommodation
- (The Victoria Hotel Melbourne)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through iconic laneways with street art
- Visit Royal Botanic Gardens
- Take scenic tram ride to St Kilda
- Beach relaxation at St Kilda
- Explore world-class shopping
- Visit vibrant arts venues
- Dine at award-winning restaurants
- Discover local hidden gems
Landmarks/POIs Royal Botanic Gardens St Kilda Beach - Day 5
Melbourne to Cairns
You'll fly from Melbourne to Cairns and get transferred to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is yours to relax, walk around the waterfront, or simply adjust to the tropical climate.
- Accommodation
- (Pacific Hotel Cairns)
Optional Activities
- Explore the Cairns waterfront
- Browse local shops and cafés
- Relax by the tropical setting
- Day 6
Cairns
A full day on the Great Barrier Reef aboard a catamaran where you'll snorkel and see turtles and fish. Morning and afternoon tea are included, and there's a chef-prepared buffet lunch with hot and cold options plus fresh tropical fruit. Naturalists with eco credentials share information about the marine environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Morning tea), Lunch (Chef-prepared tropical buffet lunch with hot and cold dishes including fresh tropical fruit and prawns), Snack (Afternoon tea)
- Accommodation
- (Pacific Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- Cruise from Cairns at 8:00am aboard Passions of Paradise catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef
- Visit two unique outer reef locations
- Snorkelling equipment provided including fins, mask, and snorkel
- Free guided Snorkel Tour with instruction
- Semi-submarine reef discovery tour with commentary
- Underwater Observatory and Eco Reef Talk
- Three (3) hours at Outer Reef platform
- Use of buoyancy vests and lycra suits
- Relax on stylish upper deck or netted deck trampoline at bow
- Morning tea provided
- Afternoon tea provided
- Chef-prepared tropical buffet lunch with hot and cold dishes including fresh tropical fruit and prawns
- Meet with Eco accredited marine naturalist presentations on coral, fish, and marine life
- Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax) included
- Return cruise to Cairns departing reef at approximately 5pm
Optional Activities
- Introductory scuba diving
- Certified scuba diving
- Seawalker helmet diving
- Boat snorkel trip
- Scenic helicopter flights
- Wetsuit, optical mask, and lycra suit hire
- Beach hire (parasailing, canoes, windsurfers, beach chairs)
- Marineland Melanesia (crocodile habitat)
- Oiled Massage Salon at Green Island Resort
Landmarks/POIs Great Barrier Reef - Day 7
Cairns
Your day in Cairns is completely free. Wander the Esplanade, relax by the lagoon, browse local shops and cafes, or take optional tours like snorkeling, diving, visiting the Daintree Rainforest, or riding the Kuranda Skyrail if you're interested.
- Accommodation
- (Pacific Hotel Cairns)
Optional Activities
- Wander the scenic Esplanade
- Unwind by the lagoon
- Browse local shops and cafés
- Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef
- Diving at the Great Barrier Reef
- Daintree Rainforest tour
- Kuranda Skyrail scenic ride
- Day 8
Cairns to Gold Coast
You'll travel south from Cairns to the Gold Coast and get transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day settling in, walking along the beachfront, or checking out shops and cafes around the Surfers Paradise area.
- Accommodation
- (voco Gold Coast by IHG)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along the beachfront
- Discover shops and cafés along Surfers Paradise
- Explore the coastal area
Landmarks/POIs Surfers Paradise Beach 
- Day 9
Gold Coast
A guided half-day rainforest walk takes you through Springbrook National Park, a World Heritage site with ancient rainforest going back over 100 million years. You'll see up to five waterfalls including Purling Brook Falls, check out the Natural Bridge, stand at an extinct volcano's edge, and get views of the Gold Coast and surrounding landscape.
- Meals
- Snack (Light refreshments)
- Accommodation
- (voco Gold Coast by IHG)
Included Activities
- Half-day rainforest walk tour to Natural Bridge and Springbrook
- Guided tour through World Heritage Rainforests of Springbrook
- View up to 5 stunning waterfalls including Purling Brook Falls and Natural Bridge
- Explore Numinbah Valley
- Learn about region history, culture, and stories on fully guided rainforest walk
- Stand on the edge of an extinct 23 million year old volcano
- Panoramic views at famous lookouts across to Gold Coast, Mt Warning, and Green Cauldron of Northern NSW (weather dependent)
- Expert tour guide
- In vehicle and guided walk commentary
- Light refreshments
- National Park fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Small group experience
Landmarks/POIs Springbrook National Park Purling Brook Falls Natural Bridge Numinbah Valley - Day 10
Gold Coast
You have a full free day on the Gold Coast to spend however you like. Lie on the beach at Surfers Paradise, shop at world-class stores, visit theme parks, explore hinterland and scenic lookouts, or hang out at beachside cafes and enjoy the esplanade.
- Accommodation
- (voco Gold Coast by IHG)
Optional Activities
- Sunbathing on golden sands of Surfers Paradise
- World-class shopping
- Theme park adventures
- Hinterland exploration
- Scenic lookout visits
- Beachside café dining
- Esplanade strolls
- Day 11
Gold Coast to Sydney
You'll travel to Sydney and get transferred to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is open to relax, explore the harbour area, check out the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, or take an evening walk if you want.
- Accommodation
- (The Capitol Hotel Sydney)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Circular Quay
- View Sydney Opera House
- Walk over Harbour Bridge at sunset
- Explore the city
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bridge Circular Quay - Day 12
Sydney
A guided half-day tour covers Sydney's main highlights, including The Rocks historic area, the CBD, Macquarie Street, and Mrs Macquarie's Point for Opera House and bridge views. The tour drives through the Eastern Suburbs, stops at Bondi Beach, and ends at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.
- Accommodation
- (The Capitol Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off at Circular Quay or Darling Harbour
- Small group touring as per itinerary
- Explore historic Rocks area with early convict history
- Tour Central Business District (CBD) and Macquarie Street
- View 18th century sandstone architecture including NSW Parliament House, Rum Hospital, Hyde Park Barracks, and St Mary's Cathedral
- Stop at Mrs Macquarie's Point for magnificent views of Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
- Tour Sydney's Eastern Suburbs
- Stop at Kings Cross and Double Bay
- Visit Watsons Bay with optional short coastal walk with views of South Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbour entrance
- 30-minute stop at Bondi Beach with beach promenade, sand, and opportunity for coffee or cool drink (own cost)
- Pass through Tamarama and Bronte Beaches
- Return via Centennial Park and Paddington
- Stop at Darling Harbour
Optional Activities
- Optional Harbour Lunch Cruises departing from morning tour
Landmarks/POIs The Rocks Parliament House Rum Hospital Hyde Park Barracks St Mary's Cathedral Mrs Macquarie's Point Kings Cross Double Bay Watsons Bay Bondi Beach Tamarama Beach Bronte Beach Centennial Park Paddington Darling Harbour - Day 13
Sydney
Your entire day is free to explore Sydney as you choose. Wander through The Rocks, relax on Bondi Beach, take a ferry to Manly, visit galleries, or spend time at trendy cafes, waterfront restaurants, and local markets throughout the city.
- Accommodation
- (The Capitol Hotel Sydney)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through historic lanes of The Rocks
- Relax on Bondi Beach
- Ferry ride to Manly
- Explore world-class galleries
- Visit trendy cafés
- Waterfront dining
- Browse local markets
- Day 14
Sydney Departure
After checking out, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure. Before you go, grab breakfast with Opera House views, take one last walk through The Rocks, or sit by the water at Circular Quay to remember your time in Australia.
Optional Activities
- Leisurely breakfast with Opera House views
- Final stroll through The Rocks
- Relax by the water at Circular Quay
