Day 1
Melbourne (arrival prior to 1200)
Arrive in Melbourne and transfer to the hotel for check-in. After meeting with your tour guide and group, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner in a riverside restaurant. A great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne (Dinner with wine included)
Day 2-3
Melbourne free time
Take in the sights today with a private walking tour through the city – the remainder of the day can be spent as you wish, making the most of Melbourne’s wonderful shops, galleries and cafés. On day 3, explore at leisure with a full day of free time. This amazing city has so much to offer in the form of museums, markets, restaurants and parks.
If you’d like to explore a little further afield, why not take a trip to the famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island where you can watch penguins march along to their nesting sites. Alternatively, you may prefer to take a ride along the Great Ocean Road to discover the coastline and see the Twelve Apostles or visit the Yarra Valley’s wineries.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne (Breakfast included both days)
Day 4
Alice Aprings
Fly to Alice Springs where your next stop is the historic Telegraph Station. This remote location ensures there is minimal light pollution caused by vehicles or tall buildings. The outcome? Exceptional stargazing opportunities and a delicious barbecue meal hosted by the environmentally-conscious Falzon family at their Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre.
Overnight: Mercure Alice Springs Resort (breakfast and dinner included)
Day 5
Alice - Uluru
Today is free for you to enjoy the many facilities at the resort before making your way to the Uluru viewing area to watch the sunset cast various colours over Uluru itself, whilst enjoying canapés and sparkling wine.
Overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort (breakfast included)
Day 6
Uluru and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
Witness Uluru at sunrise before touring the caves at the base and hearing stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Afterwards, visit the Uluru Cultural Centre. In the afternoon, travel through the desert plains to reach Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). These 36 behemoth domes are astonishing – take a walk through the Walpa Gorge as you follow the natural creek bed between two of the tallest domes. Afterwards, enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles as you watch the sunset.
Overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort (breakfast included)
Day 7
Ayers Rock to Cairns (QF830/1198/1196)
Start your morning with a early visit to the Field of Light at dawn by artist Bruce Munro. Watch the glorious sunrise from the top of a sand dune. Spend time with a local Aboriginal artist learning about the Anangu culture and how this culture is expressed through artwork and find out the meanings of their totems before transferring to the airport for your flight to Cairns later on.
Overnight: Hilton Cairns (Breakfast included)
Day 8
Cairns free time
Today can be spent at leisure making the most of Cairns. You may wish to join an optional experience to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals. Alternatively, visit Kuranda the 'village in the rainforest' which includes a scenic railway journey and a ride on the Skyrail Cableway over the rainforest treetops with breathtaking views of the canopy.
Overnight: Hilton Cairns (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 9
Cairns
Today you will be cruising on a high-speed catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef to view the colourful fish and coral. Go snorkelling to get up close to the stunning natural living wonder (equipment provided) or simply enjoy the reef and explore from the semi-submersible craft if you prefer to stay dry (1 metre underwater). Enjoy learning about the tropical surrounding before dining on a tropical buffet lunch aboard the boat.
Overnight: Hilton Cairns (Breakfast and lunch included)
Day 10
Cairns to Sydney (VA1418)
Today, fly onwards to Sydney where you'll have some free time at leisure. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the renowned harbor, explore one of the city's numerous bars, pubs, or dining establishments, or simply relax on the beach. The choice is yours for experiencing this vibrant city.
Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney (Breakfast included)
Day 11
Sydney
Enjoy a tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House this morning with a local guide before heading to the famous Bondi beach where you can wander along the shore and dip your toes in the refreshing water. Be My Guest Experience at Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club hosted lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring at your leisure, take a stroll around the harbour front and perhaps watch a performance under the famous sails of the Sydney Opera House.
Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney (Breakfast and lunch included)
Day 12
Sydney Free time
Spend some more time exploring Sydney today at leisure – make the most of your time here with an optional trip to the picturesque Blue Mountains to see the famous Three Sisters rock formation. Today is also your chance to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge if this is something you wish to do! End the day with a farewell dinner at the Midden Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House.
Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney (Breakfast and farewell dinner included)
Day 13
Sydney farewell
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before making your way to the airport for your onward flight.
(Breakfast included)
