Highlights
- Go snorkeling among marine life in the famous Great Barrier Reef
- Experience a stunning sunrise and sunset over Ayers Rock in Uluru
- Embark on an all-day wine tasting tour of Hunter Valley
- Visit the best landmarks in Sydney, from Bondi Beach to the Sydney Opera House
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef | Cairns |
| Day 3 | Cairns - Free Day | Cairns |
| Day 4 | Travel to Uluru | Uluru |
| Day 5 | Uluru - Free Day | Uluru |
| Day 6 | Travel to Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Sydney - City Tour | Sydney |
| Day 8 | Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Trip | Sydney |
| Day 9 | Sydney - Free Day | Sydney |
| Day 10 | Depart From Sydney |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairns
Welcome to Australia! You'll arrive in tropical Queensland, where the rainforest meets the sea.
Then, you will travel to Cairns, and the day will be at your leisure. You can rest after your international flight or do some exploration. Bookmark some of the following destinations:
- Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park: Enjoy a meal at this sprawling eatery in an indigenous cultural center, which delivers homestyle meals and a buffet
- Australian Butterfly Sanctuary: Located in Kuranda, this locale is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as Australia’s largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit
- Cairns Lagoon: Visit this iconic swimming pool, which is located in the business district, and then relax on the grassy knoll
Following your self-guided tour of Cairns, the evening will be yours to enjoy.
Day 2: Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran for a full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. One of Australia’s most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. The reef contains an abundance of marine life and is home to more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays. Surrounding the reef are hundreds of picturesque tropical islands that contain some of the best golden beaches. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most sought-after tourist destinations.
Enjoy morning tea and a lunch buffet aboard the catamaran. Following the reef tour and some snorkeling, return to your hotel in the late afternoon, and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Day 3: Cairns - Free day
Today, enjoy a free day in Cairns to do as you wish.
Explore some of the local wildlife exhibits, like the Koala Gardens. Hold a koala and visit with other native animals, including wombats and kangaroos.
Next, stroll through Cairns Aquarium, a landmark rich with Tropical North Queensland species. Then, have a meal at a restaurant with its own near-2,000-gallon Under the Pier Shark Habitat.
In the afternoon, ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This 4.66-mile scenic ride goes up to Kuranda, which passes over Barron Gorge National Park for incredible views.
The evening is yours to enjoy, as well.
Day 4: Travel to Uluru
This morning, transfer to the Cairns domestic airport to board your flight to Uluru. Upon arrival, a transfer will drive you to your hotel.
In the afternoon, discover the Ayers Rock region. Sacred to the indigenous people of Australia, this area is projected to have formed somewhere around 550 million years ago. Explore your surroundings within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which includes a tour of the Olgas (the domes of Kata Tjuta) and the Uluru monolith.
Then, relax and enjoy the sunset over the Red Centre, along with the evening on your own.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Uluru - Free day
Awake in The Outback and enjoy the morning in the Red Centre. Travel to the nearby sunrise viewing area in Uluru to greet the first sunlight of the day as it travels across the desert plains. Enjoy a warming cup of tea or coffee as the morning sun slowly changes the color of Uluru.
Then, it will be time to transfer back to the resort to enjoy the rest of the day discovering the region at your own pace.
Day 6: Travel to Sydney
Today, catch a flight to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales. Take advantage of free time to explore the city. Some destinations to bookmark that don't overlap with your later sightseeing tour include the following:
- Royal Botanic Garden: Visit the Australian Rainforest Garden, along with the Palace Rose Garden, which is home to 1,800 roses
- Art Gallery of New South Wales: View indigenous, colonial, and contemporary collections of art, from Picasso paintings to aboriginal works
- St. Mary’s Cathedral: Tour the Gothic Revival-style architecture, stained glass windows, and the crypt with its mosaic flooring
Then, the evening will be at your leisure to enjoy a nice dinner and the Sydney nightlife.
Day 7: Sydney - City tour
In the morning, embark on a local sightseeing tour. Visit many notable destinations around Sydney, such as the historic area known as The Rocks and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for scenic views of the harbor. Continue on past Kings Cross and Double Bay, through to Watson’s Bay and the famous Bondi Beach, where you will have free time to discover the area.
In the afternoon, return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure.
Day 8: Hunter Valley wine tasting day trip
Enjoy a full-day wine tasting in the Hunter Valley region. Indulge in a relaxing, two-course lunch, accompanied by a glass of wine, of course.
After lunch, travel to Keith Tulloch Winery. This small, family-owned winery and vineyard produces varietals that express the unique terrain and climate from the ancient soils of the Brokenback Range. Here, enjoy a unique wine tasting experience, in collaboration with the artisan chocolatier, Cocoa Nib. Sample five, handmade praline chocolates matched with the winery’s current releases for a sweet ending to the day trip.
Day 9: Sydney - Free day
Enjoy a free day to explore Sydney. First, consider making your way down to the BridgeClimb to reach the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge—440 feet above sea level—for an uninterrupted panorama of the city and its surroundings. From the top, soak up the world around you while your climb leader captures your photo. After completing your BridgeClimb, stop by the visitor center, located at the base, to learn more about the history, preservation, and celebration of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Following the BridgeClimb excursion, enjoy lunch, and then plan to visit one of Sydney's most famous landmarks: the Sydney Opera House. Enter beneath the iconic sails to discover what makes the venue so awe-inspiring. Uncover the stories, history, and magic of the Sydney Opera House with an educating guided tour.
Following the tour, head back to your hotel, and enjoy the rest of the day and evening on your own. Toast to your final night in Sydney, before your departure tomorrow.
Day 10: Depart from Sydney
Today, it is time to bid farewell to Sydney. Depending on your flight departure time, a driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport to catch your international flight home. Safe Travels!
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