Day 1: Melbourne
On arrival at the airport, you will be met by our professional local representative, who will welcome you and assist you with your transfer to your hotel in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne for a three night stay. Day free to explore the city on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Melbourne
After your breakfast this morning, take a guided walking tour of the city, which includes Melbourne’s eclectic laneways and arcades. The afternoon is at leisure – perhaps join an optional tour to Phillip Island to see the charming Penguin Parade. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Melbourne
After your sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, on your final day in Melbourne, there’s a full day at leisure to explore the city and the local region as you choose – you might like to consider wine tasting in the Yarra Valley or heading along the Great Ocean Road. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Melbourne to Alice Springs
After your breakfast, you will be transferred to Melbourne airport early this morning for your flight to Alice Springs. On arrival, visit the School of Air, providing an educational facility for children living in remote areas; the Royal Flying Doctor Service, to see how this remarkable facility provides a service to the people of the Outback and the Telegraph Station, marking the original site of the first European settlers in Alice Springs. Finally, you’ll take in the views from the top of Anzac Hill. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Alice Springs to Uluru
After your breakfast, at the hotel, travel through the West MacDonnell and James Ranges, stopping to view the majestic flat-topped Atila (Mount Conner) before arriving at the Ayers Rock Resort. Late this afternoon you’ll watch a magical sunset over Uluru from the viewing area, perfectly accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Uluru
Rise early this morning to view Uluru at sunrise, watching as the rock changes in colour as the sun comes up. Afterwards, tour the caves at the base of the rock and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Later, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre before heading to the rock domes of Kata Tjuta for a walk through Walpa Gorge to enjoy sunset with a glass of sparkling wine. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Uluru to Cairns
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Our local partners have a trusted relationship with the Anangu tribe, and today you'll be privileged to meet a tribe member who will be your host during an introduction to Western Desert art. You'll get the opportunity to learn about the culture, interact with local Aboriginal artists and complete your own painting, which you can take home as a memento of your experience. This afternoon, transfer to Ayers Rock airport and fly to Cairns, with the late afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Cairns / Great Barrier Reef
After your breakfast, cruise by a high-speed catamaran to the remarkable Great Barrier Reef to view its wonderful corals and marine life from a semi-submersible vehicle. There’ll also be time for scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming. Even if you’re not a confident swimmer, a pontoon provides a great base from which you can make short snorkelling trips. A buffet lunch will be served on the pontoon before you return to Cairns. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Cairns
After your breakfast, you have the day at leisure. You might choose to relax by the lagoon, explore independently or perhaps join one of the area’s most popular excursions on an optional tour to Kuranda, which includes a scenic rail journey on the Kuranda Train, Skyrail Cableway ride above the canopy of the rainforest and visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Cairns to Sydney
Encounter native animals at the Cairns Wildlife Dome this morning, before flying to Australia’s most popular city, Sydney. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 11: Sydney
After your breakfast this morning, you’ll see the sights of this world class city. Visit the Opera House on a guided tour, and see the Royal Botanic Gardens and Bondi Beach before a Sydney Harbour Cruise. With the afternoon at leisure, you might choose to discover the Rocks district – Sydney’s oldest area, dating back to the time of the early settlers. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Sydney
Today is at leisure to explore further on your own. If you’d like to book an optional excursion, perhaps choose to travel to the Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters rock formation, or go wine tasting in the Hunter Valley. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Sydney
After your breakfast, you will be transferred to Sydney airport for your flight back home, with happy memories of your journey to Australia.
