Australia Encompassed: Sand Islands & Sunsets
25 days from Sydney to Melbourne
From $ 5099
Duration25 days
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Sydney, Melbourne, Fraser Island, the Whitsundays — your crash course in all things Australia starts now. For 25 days, you’ll head up the East Coast (and participate in surf lessons, and maxi yacht sailing), fly to Alice Springs, then go down south to Kings Canyon, Uluru, and Adelaide, just to name a few destinations. The Great Ocean Road will eventually lead you to Melbourne, and a wide variety of activities along the way will keep things exciting. With a competitive price and small tour group, there’s never been a better time to discover the Land Down Under.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 25 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Sydney
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Melbourne
    Ages: 18+
Australia Encompassed - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Sydney

Start place: Sydney

There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city.

If you arrive early enough, head down to the harbour's edge to 'The Rocks' historic area and the Opera House.
Arrive at any time. Want to start your Down Under adventure with an adrenaline rush? Add the 'Sydney Adrenaline Bundle' or 'Sydney Bridge Climb' extra to your tour. Get an incredible view of the iconic Sydney Harbour from the top of the Harbour Bridge, then zip through the waterways on a jet boat ride if you book the 'Adrenaline Bundle'. PLEASE NOTE: If booking either of these extras, a pre-night in Sydney is highly recommended as the Bridge Climb starts early in the morning on Day 1.

End place: Sydney

Day 2: Sydney

Start place: Sydney

Opt to pre-book the "Sydney Bridge Climb" or "Sydney Adrenaline Bundle" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include one of these optionals on your tour.
Enjoy a free day to explore Sydney. Opt to chill out at Bondi Beach.

End place: Sydney

Day 3: Sydney/Arrawarra

Start place: Sydney

Today travel from Sydney to Spot X Surf Camp, hidden away in Arrawarra on the New South Wales North Coast. En route, stop at the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie to get insight into this unique native animal, and conservation efforts being made to protect it.

End place: Arrawarra

Meals: B, D
Day 4: Arrawarra

Start place: Arrawarra

This morning, hit the beach for an included surf lesson, before heading out on a kangaroo trek. Enjoy a free afternoon.

End place: Arrawarra

Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Arrawarra/Byron Bay

Start place: Arrawarra

After breakfast, travel the coastal road to the stunning surf and arts town of Byron Bay. Enjoy plenty of free time to experience the hippie surfing town.
Enjoy a scenic drive from Arrawarra to Byron Bay, stopping at Cape Byron Lighthouse - the easternmost point in Australia. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of migrating whales and pods of resident dolphins. After free time for lunch, check in to your accommodation for a relaxing two night stay.

End place: Byron Bay

Meals: B
Day 6: Byron Bay

Start place: Byron Bay

The free time is yours to explore. Walk along the long stunning beach, play in the surf, or simply hang out at the Byron Bay Brewery and people watch. Want to get your adrenaline pumping? Go skydiving, try sea kayaking, or go on a dolphin watch.

Opt to pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Enjoy free time to hit the beach. Opt to get a massage.

End place: Byron Bay

Day 7: Byron Bay/Brisbane

Start place: Byron Bay

Travel north, and opt for a night out in Queensland's capital. Stop along the way to Brisbane for a quick break at one of the many surf spots such as the Gold Coast.

End place: Brisbane

Meals: B
Day 8: Brisbane/Noosa Everglades

Start place: Brisbane

Set off to the Noosa Everglades for an evening surrounded by stunning wilderness. Please note that due to operational reasons, this night and the following night may be reversed. All activities and inclusions will remain the same.

End place: Noosa River

Meals: B, L
Day 9: Noosa Everglades/Fraser Island

Start place: Noosa River

Once on the island, enjoy a 4x4 tour of Fraser Island, driving along over 100km of beach. Go for a swim in Lake McKenzie, and enjoy a rainforest walk along the way.
Travel by private vehicle and ferry to reach Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Explore the island by 22-seat 4x4 truck. While on Fraser Island, main luggage will be stored in a secure storage facility. Each person will need to pack an overnight bag with max weight of 5kg, as access to main luggage will not be available again until the next day. This is due to luggage capacity restrictions in 4x4 vehicles.

End place: Fraser Island

Meals: B
Day 10: Fraser Island/Airlie Beach

Start place: Fraser Island

Enjoy a morning of exploring by 4x4 to hit the remainder of Fraser Island's highlights, before hopping an overnight train north to Airlie Beach.

End place: Airlie Beach

Meals: B, L
Day 11: Airlie Beach/Whitsunday Islands

Start place: Airlie Beach

After arriving in Airlie Beach and some time for brunch, head to the marina and embark on a maxi yacht which will be our home for the next two nights. Set sail to a secluded cove in the Whitsunday Islands where you will drop anchor for the night.
Embark on a 3-day maxi yacht sailing adventure. Enjoy beach visits, island bush walks, and time to snorkel the reefs. Anchor off of secluded tropical islands at night.

End place: Whitsunday Islands

Meals: D
Day 12: Whitsunday Islands

Start place: Whitsunday Islands

The sailing route today allows us to follow part of Captain Cook's route up through the Whitsunday Islands.

Planeterra has partnered with Reef Ecologic, a nonprofit specialized in creating innovative solutions to challenges facing coral reefs. In the Whitsundays they are working to engage the community and travellers to restore the reef following the 2017 cyclone. Reef Ecologic's new coral gardens in the Whitsundays foster natural coral fragments to be replanted into the reef for a healthy marine environment.
Hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand, then enjoy free time on the famous beach. Learn about community efforts to protect and restore coral in the Great Barrier Reef before heading out to snorkel over a Planeterra-supported coral garden. Anchor off of a secluded tropical island at night. Please note that snorkelling over the Reef Ecologic Coral Restoration project may occur on the first or last day of your Whitsunday Islands excursion, if weather conditions or tides are not ideal on this day.

End place: Whitsunday Islands

Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach

Start place: Whitsunday Islands

After three days at sea, we sail back to Airlie Beach for a night on land in a local beach hostel. Feel free to relax by the pool at the end of the day.
Continue sailing through the gorgeous backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands. Sail to the resort town of Airlie Beach for a night on the town.

End place: Airlie Beach

Meals: B
Day 14: Airlie Beach/Cairns

Start place: Airlie Beach

Admire the scenery on the train north to Cairns. Get ready for an early morning wake-up today for the journey to Cairns. Make sure to stock up on snacks and bring personal entertainment – it may be one of the longer travel days on this trip, but it's worth it to reach The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef!

End place: Cairns

Day 15: Cairns

Start place: Cairns

Opt to pre-book the "Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Enjoy a free day to visit the Great Barrier Reef or get the adrenaline pumping by whitewater rafting or bungee jumping. Cap it all off with a Big Night Out in Cairns.

End place: Cairns

Day 16: Cairns/Alice Springs

Start place: Cairns

New travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. Consider sitting in on the welcome meeting, and get to know everyone at an optional dinner.
Fly to Australia's interior and transfer to the hostel.

End place: Alice Springs

Meals: B
Day 17: Alice Springs/Kings Creek

Start place: Alice Springs

Depart Alice Springs to journey to Kings Canyon. Spend your first night under the stars in a true Aussie desert swag (padded bed roll). From late October - early March, if the temperature is forecasted to be 35°C or above we will be following the summer itinerary and visiting the West MacDonnell Ranges instead of Kings Canyon.

End place: Kings Creek

Meals: D
Day 18: Kings Creek/Uluru

Start place: Kings Creek

Enjoy a morning walk through the gorges and valleys of Kings Canyon. Drive to Uluru, where Australia's most iconic view awaits. Experience the colourful sunset at Uluru while enjoying a glass of bubbly.

End place: Uluru

Meals: B, L, D
Day 19: Uluru

Start place: Uluru

Visit the Aboriginal Cultural Centre to get a better understanding of the area before embarking on the Mala Walk around part of the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Learn the significance behind this iconic destination for the local people.
Visit an Aboriginal culture centre and enjoy the informative Mala Walk at Uluru. Camp under the stars of the night sky—the only way to really experience the Outback.

End place: Uluru

Meals: B
Day 20: Uluru/Alice Springs

Start place: Uluru

Travel to the rock formations of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and, temperature permitting, walk through the Valley of the Winds to explore the surrounding area before continuing onto Alice Springs.
Discover more of the Red Centre with a hike through the beautiful Valley of the Winds in Kata Tjuta, before travelling on to Alice Springs.
Meals: B
Day 21: Alice Springs/Adelaide
Board your flight for Adelaide, capital of South Australia and renowned for its churches and gardens. Free time this afternoon to explore the city, before heading out for the final night with your group.

End place: Adelaide

Meals: B
Day 22: Adelaide

Start place: Adelaide

With an emerging art scene, natural beauty and attractions, and incredible restaurants, Adelaide has tons to see and do. Get out and discover the hub of South Australia!

If you're travelling between mid-September to late-April, opt to pre-book the "Dolphin Swim and Cruise" activity on the checkout page, to include this optional on your tour.
Enjoy a free day to discover Adelaide. Opt to check out more wineries.

End place: Adelaide

Day 23: Adelaide/Halls Gap

Start place: Adelaide

Depart early and travel inland to Grampians NP, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Walk to the stunning Balconies and visit MacKenzie Falls.
Set off early and travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife.

End place: Halls Gap

Meals: B
Day 24: Halls Gap/Port Campbell

Start place: Halls Gap

Enjoy an early morning walk in Grampians NP, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Opt to visit an Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the significance of the area to the indigenous people. Drive along the Great Ocean Road, viewing sites including the collapsed London Arch.
Enjoy an early morning walk in Grampians NP and visit an Aboriginal cultural centre (time permitting). Stop for a visit to the Arch along the Great Ocean Road.

End place: Port Campbell

Meals: B
Day 25: Port Campbell/Melbourne

Start place: Port Campbell

Explore the scenic attractions of the Great Ocean Road including the picturesque Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles formations. Stop at the Great Otway National Park for an included rainforest walk en route to Melbourne.
Travel along the Great Ocean Road. Visit Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles, then travel past world-famous surf beaches. Walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park. Tour ends upon arrival to Melbourne in the evening. Tour ends upon arrival in Melbourne in the afternoon. Consider booking post-tour accommodation in Melbourne to explore the city.

End place: Melbourne

Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Reef Ecologic Coral Restoration, Whitsunday Islands Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Hands-On Moment: Surfing Lesson, Spot X Your Discover Moment: Byron Bay Your Discover Moment: Cairns Your Big Night Out Moment: Cairns Your Discover Moment: Adelaide
  • Sydney orientation walk
  • Fraser Island 4x4 excursion
  • Noosa Everglades overnight experience
  • Noosa Everglades canoeing excursion
  • Whitsunday Islands sailing excursion (3 days)
  • Whitehaven Beach visit
  • Rainforest walk in Great Otway National Park
  • Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru
  • Mala Walk at Uluru and visit to the culture centre
  • Walks at Kings Canyon and Grampians National Park
  • Koala hospital visit in Port Macquarie
  • Kangaroo trek in Arrawarra
  • Entrance fees to Cooloola Recreation Area, Fraser Island/Great Sandy NP, Uluru NP, Grampians NP, 12 Apostles/Port Campbell NP
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Train, Maxi yacht, 4x4 vehicle, Ferry, Plane, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hostels (16 nts), Swag camping (3 nts), Maxi yacht (2 nts), Cabins (2 nt), Overnight train (1 nt) All nights multi-share

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