Highlights
- Visit Sydney's highlights and explore the Blue Mountains National Park
- Snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef before discovering Daintree Rainforest
- Experience an authentic outback dinner under the stars at Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Learn about Melbourne's landmarks before cruising down the Great Ocean Road
- Discover Tasmania's wildlife and spend time on Kangaroo Island with its residents
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 2 | Panoramic Sydney Sights Tour, Sydney Opera House Tour | Sydney |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to the Blue Mountains National Park | Sydney |
| Day 4 | Fly to Cairns, Transfer to Port Douglas | Port Douglas |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour | Port Douglas |
| Day 6 | Visit Daintree National Park | Port Douglas |
| Day 7 | Full-Day Kuranda Rail & Skyrail | Port Douglas |
| Day 8 | Fly to Uluru, Field of Light Dinner | Uluru |
| Day 9 | Mount Conner Outback 4WD Adventure | Uluru |
| Day 10 | Fly to Melbourne, Tour Melbourne's Nightlife with Dinner | Melbourne |
| Day 11 | Melbourne Lanes & Arcades Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 12 | Great Ocean Road Day Trip | Melbourne |
| Day 13 | Fly to Hobart & Tasmania, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Night Tour | Hobart |
| Day 14 | Wilderness Cruise, Hobart Walking Tour & Old Hobart Pub Tour | Hobart |
| Day 15 | Full-Day Bruny Island Tour | Hobart |
| Day 16 | Fly to Adelaide, Evening Wine & Dine Discovery | Adelaide |
| Day 17 | Transfer to Kangaroo Island, Kangaroo Island Life Tour | Kangaroo Island |
| Day 18 | Kangaroo Island's Finder Chase Focus Tour, Return to Adelaide | Adelaide |
| Day 19 | Adelaide Central Market Lunch Tour | Adelaide |
| Day 20 | Depart Adelaide |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sydney
Welcome to Sydney! Often mistaken as Australia's capital (that would be Canberra), this city feels like the country's central metropolis. This is due to its iconic sights, historic neighborhoods, world-class culinary and nightlife scenes, prime waterfront location, and an array of pristine beaches. Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to your hotel, where you can take some time to relax and unwind. You're free to explore on your own today, so start with a visit to Sydney's iconic harbor and enjoy a drink at a waterfront bar amid stunning city views.
If you're feeling adventurous, take a surf lesson at famous Bondi Beach, or, for a calmer pastime, go swimming in the tranquil waters of Coogee. Travel to historic neighborhoods and lose yourself in the cobblestone laneways of The Rocks, or browse the markets, boutiques, cafés, and pubs of upscale Paddington, whose distinctive terrace houses date to the Victorian era. Take a walk through the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens along the harbor and stop at Mrs Macquaries Point for the best view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the opera house.
Day 2: Panoramic Sydney Sights Tour, Sydney Opera House Tour
Meet your guide for a city tour this morning, starting with a visit to the historic The Rocks area to hear about its early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Take a coastal cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte beaches, then continue to Bondi Beach, visit the beachfront promenade, and enjoy a coffee or cool drink. Return to the city by strolling along Double Bay and Kings Cross. Your tour concludes at either Circular Quay or Darling Harbour/King St Wharf precinct.
You'll be free for lunch, and then, in the afternoon, you'll get to see inside the world's most recognizable sails with a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House. Learn how this iconic architectural feat came into existence against impossible odds to become one of the world's most famous performing arts centers. Your guide will take you on an unforgettable journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns.Day 3: Day Trip to the Blue Mountains National Park
Get an early start today as you set out on a guided adventure in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales's most visited national park. Located just an hour west of Sydney, this UNESCO-listed area is named for the dense eucalyptus forests that give the mountains a distinctive bluish hue. Along the drive, you'll stop at Calmsley Hill, a working farm where you'll find koalas, wombats, emus, and kangaroos. Enjoy tea here and some free time to explore before continuing the journey with stops en route at a viewpoint over the Jamison Valley.
At Eaglehawk Lookout, appreciate a view of the Three Sisters rock formation without the crowds, then relax over lunch amid the stunning scenery of Blackheath. This will set you up for an afternoon visiting a selection of fantastic lookouts. A highlight will be Govetts Leap, one of the most famous vistas in Australia with a waterfall where you can gaze down the valley to the Grose Wilderness. Your last stop is the beautiful Blue Mountains Botanic Garden for a cold drink and sweeping views of Sydney before returning to your hotel down the famed Bells Line of Road.
Day 4: Fly to Cairns, Transfer to Port Douglas
Switch gears today as you head north up the coast to the beaches and jungles of Queensland. A driver will pick you up from your Sydney hotel this morning and transfer you to the airport for a three-hour flight north to Cairns, where another driver will be waiting to transport you to your hotel in Port Douglas. Located just north of Cairns, this resort town on the Coral Sea is the perfect base for excursions into the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics National Parks, the Daintree Rainforest, and the scenic coastal headland of Cape Tribulation.
Your day is free, so spend it browsing Port Douglas' charming boutiques, dining in its exquisite al fresco restaurants, and taking excursions to the postcard-perfect coral cays (islets) of the nearby Barrier Reef. A visit to the nearby Four Mile Beach is also essential for any visitor. Here, you can laze on the golden sands of this palm-fringed crescent beach without a care in the world.
Day 5: Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Today's Great Barrier Reef adventure starts with an early departure from the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas. Relax on deck as you sail along a stunning coastline to reach the outer reef, Mackay Coral Cay, with its pristine white sand and epic snorkeling spots at Undine Reef. Enjoy views of the Daintree Mountains' soaring peaks. Once at the protected site, take a snorkeling tour led by a marine biologist and discover an underwater world brimming with life. Swim with sea turtles as they glide through the water and marvel at the 1,500 fish species that inhabit this marine park.
See everything from sergeant majors and parrotfish to moray eels and reef sharks. You can also enjoy a coral-viewing tour on a glass-bottom boat as you sit in the cabin below deck. Watch fish feeding in colorful coral gardens formed over thousands of years through large windows on all sides. On deck, you'll have plenty of time to soak up the sun and enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings before breaking for a tropical buffet lunch onboard. Spend the remainder of the afternoon snorkeling and swimming, then head back to the marina in time for a spectacular sunset.
Day 6: Visit Daintree National Park
Your guide and driver will be waiting in the hotel lobby today to take you on a tour visiting culturally-significant sights and attractions between Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation. Most notable is a stop at Daintree National Park to learn about the amazing relationship the Kuku Yalanji people still have with their land. Gain insight into the history, culture, and traditions of the forest's Indigenous inhabitants and traditional owners.
Walk through the world's oldest living rainforest and see natural wonders such as the majestic Daintree River, where the rainforest meets the reef and coastal habitats. Discover the environment, different foods, and medicines utilized from the forest. Sample some bush tucker, and swim at one of the pristine freshwater streams nearby. Upon completion of your tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Port Douglas.
Day 7: Full-Day Kuranda Rail & Skyrail
Begin your day with a transfer from your hotel to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Here, you'll hop aboard a gondola lift and ascend over the Barron Gorge's jungle canopy to the rainforest village of Kuranda. Along the way, stop at the rainforest boardwalks and the CSIRO Interpretive Centre, which showcase Australian science history. Reach Kuranda, and you'll have time to explore this fascinating village. See the Heritage Market, which is full of handmade arts and crafts. You can also visit Birdworld, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, or Kuranda Koala Gardens.
Later in the day, you'll board the Kuranda Scenic Rail train line for the return to Port Douglas. Your Gold Class ticket and preferential seating mean you can skip the long lines and ride in style, enjoying complimentary refreshments. As you descend the mountains, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the tropical rainforest and across the cane fields of Cairns. Upon arrival at Freshwater Station, you'll return to your hotel.Day 8: Fly to Uluru, Field of Light Dinner
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Meet your driver at your hotel for private transport to the Cairns Airport, where you'll catch a three-hour fly to Uluru. Upon arrival, a driver will take you to your resort. The spiritual heart of Australia's Red Centre desert plains, Uluru (Ayers Rock), is a large sandstone monolith in the southern part of the Northern Territory. This region is home to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, whose two major features are the Kata Tjuta and Uluru rock formations. Uluru is the country's most recognized natural wonder, home to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara tribes, the area's traditional landowners.
This evening you'll transfer to the remote desert location with majestic views of Uluru to have an experience that combines a "Sounds of Silence" dinner under the outback sky with a view of the Field of Light art installation. After a colorful sunset, watch darkness fall, and 50,000 colored glass spheres set the desert floor aglow. Enjoy an exceptional three-course menu infused with local "bush tucker" flavors, then settle back and listen as a "star talker" points out constellations in the clear night sky.
Day 9: Mount Conner Outback 4WD Adventure
Be sure to have a big breakfast before being picked up at your hotel and taken to Mount Conner, located 60 miles (100 km) east of Uluru, on a vast, fully operational cattle station called Curtin Springs Station. While the dams on the property were constructed for watering cattle, you'll find that this is the perfect spot to hop in a 4WD and witness the natural habitat for red kangaroos and a vast array of birds and reptiles of the Red Centre. You'll also discover an ancient inland salt lake and learn about the European history of the region.
Day 10: Fly to Melbourne, Tour Melbourne's Nightlife with Dinner
It's on to Melbourne today as your driver transfers you to the airport for the 2.5-hour flight southeast to the thriving capital of Victoria. On arrival, another driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. You're free to explore today, and there is a lot to love about Melbourne. Famous for its vibrant energy, restaurants, café-filled laneways, trendy bars, unbeatable galleries, spacious parks, and village-like suburbs, you'll find each neighborhood has its own distinct character. Modern, cutting-edge designs add to the fascinating mix of heritage architecture and ensure the skyline is constantly changing.
This evening's tour takes you into the heart of Melbourne's elegant and lively nightlife. It's a stark contrast with the city's dark past, which was shaped by curious characters on both sides of the law. Begin with a dinner that reflects Melbourne's fantastic culinary scene, and learn about the city's history from a local guide. Next, visit some of the best spots in town, many of which are deliberately hard to find, and you can enjoy this firsthand insight into all that Melbourne has to offer.
Day 11: Melbourne Lanes & Arcades Tour
This morning you'll enjoy a stroll through Melbourne's beautiful laneways. On this small-group tour, your guide will take you to quintessential shopping arcades and back alleys like the Block Arcade, Centre Place, and AC/DC Lane, where the spirit of rock 'n' roll is alive and well. Marvel at cutting-edge street art, browse the boutiques of local fashion designers and pass the city's coolest wine bars and pubs. You'll also stop at some quirky cafés and experience Melbourne's famed coffee scene, plus sample artisanal chocolates.
The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Melbourne at your own pace. Take a bicycle ride along the Yarra River, browse the halls of the National Gallery of Victoria, or take a walk through the Queen Victoria Market. This expansive commercial center has been in operation since 1878 and covers about 2.5 acres (1 ha), making it the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.
Day 12: Great Ocean Road Day Trip
Today you'll wake up early and pick up your rental car for a spectacular 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. Since you'll be behind the wheel, you'll have ample time to stop wherever you'd like and enjoy the highlights. Keep an eye on the coast during the drive, as you're likely to spot whales and dolphins. You might even see koalas and bandicoots.
Day 13: Fly to Hobart & Tasmania, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Night Tour
Give a brief farewell to the mainland today as a driver transfers you to the airport to catch an hour's flight to Hobart in the island state of Tasmania. Located just 150 miles (240 km) south, it's known for having the cleanest air in the world and some of the best scenery and wildlife in Australia. A driver will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. After settling in, step out in Hobart, the island's harbor capital. Discover the city's colonial architecture and explore the surrounding landscapes of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, which offer exceptional sunset views.
Day 14: Wilderness Cruise, Hobart Walking Tour & Old Hobart Pub Tour
Today you'll take to the seas for a cruise along the dramatic coastline between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck in southern Tasmania. Explore Tasman National Park as you sail beneath the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar, discovering rock formations, stone archways, waterfalls, and sea caves. Along the way, you're likely to spot plentiful wildlife, including seals, marine birds, and migrating whales. Keep your camera close as you pass flocks of gannets, soaring albatross, and sea eagles, and watch for pods of dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
Once you disembark, trade your sea legs for land as you set out on a walking tour to discover Hobart, Salamanca, and Battery Point. Hear the fascinating stories of how Tasmania's capital was established and became the vibrant waterfront city it is now. Follow your local guide to visit the many heritage-listed buildings and hear stories of the characters and events that shaped early Hobart. After the tour, return to your hotel and rest up for this evening's activity.
End the evening with a fun pub walking tour and enjoy drinks as you learn of Hobart's underbelly through stories of pubs, brothels, smugglers, convicts, and characters who played a pivotal role in the colorful history of Tasmania.
Day 15: Full-Day Bruny Island Tour
Leave Hobart by ferry this morning to spend the day on Bruny Island. Located just 15 minutes off the southeastern coast of Tasmania, the island's wild and diverse landscapes include farmland, forests, and beaches, with numerous tranquil bays dotting the coast.
Today's full-day excursion will introduce you to this island paradise with the help of an informative guide, and you'll cap the day off with a boat trip around the coast. Cruise past soaring sea cliffs and towering crags to the blowhole of Breathing Rock and pass through the narrow gap between the coast and the Monument, a magnificent rock formation shaped by the ocean's waves. Feel the power of nature at the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean, and look out for abundant coastal wildlife such as seals, dolphins, migrating whales, and sea birds.
Day 16: Fly to Adelaide, Evening Wine & Dine Discovery
Return to the mainland today as you catch a 2.5-hour flight to Adelaide. Upon arrival, a driver will transfer you to your hotel. You'll have the day free to discover South Australia's capital at your own pace. This former British colonial hub is laid out in a grid pattern on the lovely River Torrens and is surrounded by green parklands. It's a progressive city famous for its many festivals, fine food, and wine. Visit some of the city's historic buildings, such as the Adelaide Arcade, Town Hall, and the French Gothic St Peter's Cathedral.
This evening, your host will meet you at your hotel to lead you on a night of food and wine discovery. Walk to one of the city's lesser-known local wine bars for a few starters and learn about some of the region's best wines. Next, discover another hidden tavern to discuss local spirits and creative cocktails. You'll share a few plates and chat with the owner about innovators who have shaped this distinctive Australian city. Finish the night with a digestif, cheese, and some sweets at a final establishment unique to the city's night culture. Afterward, your guide will walk you back to your hotel.Day 17: Fly to Kangaroo Island, Kangaroo Island Life Tour
A driver will pick you up early from your hotel today and transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch a quick 40-minute flight southwest to Kangaroo Island. Upon arrival in the town of Penneshaw, your guide will meet you at the airport. After checking in to your hotel, you'll board a bus and enjoy the first day of tours around this highlight locale of South Australia. A third of the island's total area comprises protected wildlife reserves, so you'll see some incredible sights. Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you'll enjoy a guided beach walk at a breeding colony of wild sea lions.
Day 18: Kangaroo Island's Flinders Chase National Park, Return to Adelaide
Enjoy breakfast this morning before meeting your guide for a full-day sightseeing tour. Travel through the island's northwest and visit Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, an important wildlife reserve. Learn about the programs for protecting endangered mammals and get an introduction to the Australian bush. You'll also get a chance to feed kangaroos and mingle with koalas.
After lunch, travel to Flinders Chase National Park and explore the massive shapes of the Remarkable Rocks, a natural sculpture perched precariously atop a dome of granite rising from the ocean. Continue on to Admirals Arch, a coastal grotto that shelters a thriving colony of long-nosed fur seals, who you'll see frolicking in the waves and basking on the shore. After your tour, you'll be transferred to Kingscote's airport for a return flight to Adelaide.
Day 19: Adelaide Central Market Lunch Tour
Start your day in Australia's foodie capital with a 1.5-hour tour of the city's famed Adelaide Central Market. Established in 1869 and steeped in history, every morning the market comes alive with bustling stalls and mouthwatering offerings. On today's guided experience, one of South Australia's noted food experts will lead you through a delicious selection of foods from South Australian artisan food producers, and you'll meet the suppliers, stallholders, and producers whose families have traded at the market for generations.
The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Adelaide at your own pace and savor the final day of your trip. For more culture, visit the Art Gallery of South Australia to browse some 47,000 artworks on display from around the world. For something farther afield, head into the vineyards of the nearby Adelaide Hills on a wine tour. If you're looking for a more relaxed pace, grab a picnic at the market and head to one of the city's countless parks and green spaces for a tranquil afternoon under the trees.
Day 20: Depart Adelaide
It's time to say goodbye to Adelaide and Australia today. This morning, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport. Safe travels!
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