Best of Australia: Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns & Sydney - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Melbourne, Optional Activities

Welcome to Melbourne, the capital of the Australian state of Victoria. Upon arrival, your driver will transfer you to your hotel. Get settled in, then head out and explore. This city of over five million people is a melting pot of diversity and a paradise for lovers of fine food and wine. In Melbourne, hidden enclaves and back-alley laneways hold the keys to the most exciting nightlife, trendiest boutiques, and liveliest bars in the city.

The most efficient way to experience Melbourne's highlights is to hop on the City Circle, a free tram running throughout the central districts and the waterfront. On these routes, you can visit attractions like the neo-Gothic St Paul's Cathedral, the neoclassical Parliament House, and the 19th-century Royal Exhibition Building. For great views of the city, head over to the Shrine of Remembrance, a stately war memorial adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. This 89-acre (36 ha) botanical garden contains more than 8,500 species of plants from around the world. 

Day 2: Great Ocean Road Trip

Wake up early and embark on a full-day road trip along one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world: the Great Ocean Road. This stretch of highway runs 150 miles (240 km) down Victoria's southwest coast, passing national parks, limestone rock formations, seaside bluffs, coastal mountain ranges, and incredible beaches. Throughout the excursion, you'll have ample time to stop and enjoy the highlights. 

During the drive, keep an eye toward the coast, as you're likely to spot whales and dolphins; on the inland side, you might even see echidnas and bandicoots. Stop for lunch at Apollo Bay, a tranquil seaside town in the rolling coastal hills. You can also stretch your legs on a forest hike through the mountains of the famous Otway Ranges. After visiting the romantic cove at Loch Ard Gorge, cap the adventure at the Twelve Apostles, a group of incredible limestone rock formations rising out of the sea. Afterward, you'll return to Melbourne.

Day 4: Melbourne Laneways & City Tour

This morning begins with a guided tour of Melbourne's historic laneways, back streets, and shopping arcades. After passing some famous city sights, you'll arrive at Degraves Street, a popular pedestrian laneway home to a wide array of boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Browse the heritage Royal Arcade, which dates to 1870 and is the oldest surviving arcade in Australia. Then, stop at Flinders Lane—known for its contemporary art galleries, chic bars, and fine-dining restaurants—before arriving at Hosier Lane, which pops with colorful street art. 

After the laneway tour, board a bus and further explore the city. You'll pass municipal landmarks like the State Library and visit the Law Courts Precinct, home to the Supreme Court of Victoria. You'll also travel to the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, which hosts some of the biggest domestic and international sporting events, including the Australian Open. Another highlight is a stop at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where you might spot star athletes in the middle of training. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 5: Fly to Uluru

In the morning, your driver will transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch a three-hour flight north to Uluru (Ayers Rock). This is the spiritual heart of Australia's Red Centre desert plains. Here, you'll find Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, whose two major features are the sandstone Kata Tjuta and Uluru rock formations. Uluru is the country's most recognized natural wonder and is home to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara tribes, the area's traditional landowners. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel.

Day 6: Sunrise Tour of Uluru, Kata Tjuta Hike, Field of Light Dinner

It's an early start today. The excursion begins before the first light with a transfer to Talinguru Nyakunytaku, the Uluru viewing area. Here, you'll marvel at the incredible sight of the morning sun as it ignites Uluru a fiery, bright red color. Afterward, drive 28 miles (45 km) to the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta and Walpa Gorge, another area sacred to the First Nations people. Embark on a one-hour hike through the gorge, which follows a natural creek between two of the tallest domes.

After some free time, head back to the desert in the evening for an unforgettable dining experience. This alfresco dinner takes place at a prime vantage point in the desert, looking out to the Uluru monolith. As darkness falls, the ground will come alive with over 50,000 glass spheres mounted on flower-like stems, which light up in various colors. These LEDs are connected by optical fiber cables and create the effect of tendrils of light spreading root-like across an area of 527,431 square feet (49,000 sq m).

Amid this incredible art installation, you and your fellow guests will enjoy a three-course menu infused with Indigenous "bush tucker" flavors. After the meal, do some stargazing as you listen to your host reveal the significance these constellations have to the First Nations people. Your host will also provide insight into the origin of the art installation, after which you'll head out for a stroll along its glimmering pathways. Once the experience is over, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 8: Kuranda Rainforest Tour

Today's full-day tour starts when you hop on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a train that runs from Cairns up into the Eastern Highlands to the town of Kuranda. Enjoy the ride on this historic train, which snakes along hillside tracks built by the early settlers and features breathtaking views of waterfalls, the cane fields of Cairns, and the Barron Gorge as you rise from sea level to 1,072 feet (327 m).

Upon arrival, explore the rainforest village of Kuranda and browse its arts and crafts markets. There are also unique activities here. You can board the World War-era Army Duck amphibious craft for a jungle tour across land and water. Perhaps hike through the rainforest accompanied by an experienced guide who will point out the diverse flora and fauna. Afterward, visit the Koala and Wildlife Park to cuddle a koala and hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies.

At the end of the Kuranda portion of the tour, return to Cairns via a 90-minute trip on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Snap plenty of photos as you glide over the canopy of one of the world's oldest rainforest ecosystems. Upon arriving back in Cairns, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 9: Outer Barrier Reef Cruise

This morning, you'll embark on the Great Barrier Reef experience of a lifetime. Board a high-speed catamaran to zip across the water to a reef at the outer edge of Australia's continental shelf. Then, dive off the boat and snorkel around an underwater world abounding with exotic marine life. Swim next to sea turtles as they glide gracefully through the water and marvel at the 1,500 fish species that inhabit this marine park. These include everything from sergeant majors and parrotfish to moray eels and reef sharks.

Or, stay dry and view this underwater kingdom from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft. The cabin you'll sit in is below deck, 3 feet (1 m) underwater. You can watch fish feeding in colorful coral gardens formed over thousands of years through large windows on all sides. Other optional activities include scuba diving, snorkeling with a marine biologist guide, and helicopter flights over the reef. 

Day 12: Day Trip to the Blue Mountains

About a two-hour drive inland from the urban jungle of Sydney are the dramatic Blue Mountains, a region known for rugged cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and cascading waterfalls. Lace-up your hiking boots for a full-day, small-group excursion to see the best of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After transferring here, you'll visit a working farm and meet local wildlife like kangaroos, emus, wombats, and koalas. Then, hike across valleys and sandstone ridges to viewpoints of the towering Three Sisters rock formations.

As you reach Govett's Leap, one of the country's most famous lookouts, marvel at the sweeping vistas across Grose Valley, Australia's answer to the Grand Canyon. Your final stop is 3,280 feet (1,000 m) above sea level at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden. Here, you'll see hundreds of international plant species as well as the exotic critters that call this sanctuary home, including various birds, reptiles, and insects.

Day 13: Depart Sydney

All good things must end, which is why in the morning, you'll board a shuttle bus to the Sydney airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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