Best of the Red Centre & Eastern Australia
25 days
from Melbourne to Sydney
From
$ 7299
Duration25 days
Australia is over 7 million sq km (4.35 sq mi) of sand, reef, rock, koala, wine, sailing, ocean, city, culture, Dreamtime, and so much more than we could possibly list here. It would take several lifetimes to explore it all. This sprawling 25-day adventure comes pretty close, though. Kick things off in cosmopolitan Melbourne by discovering the city's hidden laneways. Then head up the Great Ocean Road to a couple of national parks before journeying deep into the fabled Outback for a rendezvous with the iconic Uluru. Next, meet the Great Barrier Reef from Cape Tribulation, cruise the glorious Whitsundays, visit a G Adventures-supported cultural centre, learn to surf, and explore Sydney. Exhausted yet? Just wait’ll you’re actually there!
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 25 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: MelbournePhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: SydneyAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Melbourne
Start place: Melbourne
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, head into the city to take in the 'cultural capital of Australia'. Get lost in the city's famous laneways, go on the hunt for the perfect flat white (hint: Melbourne loves its coffee shops), catch the tram to St. Kilda, or wander around the über-cool Fitzroy neighbourhood.
Arrive at any time.
End place: Melbourne
Day 2: Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula
Start place: Melbourne
Although fairly small in size, the Mornington Peninsula packs a big punch with the amount of things to do here. Be awed with the stunning coastal scenery while driving through quaint towns and past stunning beaches.
Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture before travelling to the Mornington Peninsula. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.
Meals: B
Day 3: Mornington Peninsula
Enjoy a free day in the Mornington Peninsula. Opt to visit a winery or hit one of the many incredible beaches in the area.
Day 4: Mornington Peninsula/Port Campbell
Hop on a ferry to Queenscliff before spending the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, enjoy views of the 12 Apostles, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.
End place: Port Campbell
Meals: B
Day 5: Port Campbell/Halls Gap
Start place: Port Campbell
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. Walk to the stunning Balconies and visit MacKenzie Falls.
End place: Halls Gap
Meals: B, D
Day 6: Halls Gap/Adelaide
Start place: Halls Gap
Visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre before continuing on to Adelaide. The CEO will point out important highlights of the city while driving in, before free time to explore the city.
End place: Adelaide
Meals: B
Day 7: Adelaide/Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Start place: Adelaide
Stop in the Clare Valley for a wine tasting and light gourmet lunch featuring regional produce. Afterwards, drive through the Flinders Ranges.
End place: Flinders Ranges
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Start place: Flinders Ranges
Visit Wilpena Pound, a 800-million-year old natural amphitheatre, before enjoying free time for optional activities in the Flinders Ranges like hiking or a 4WD tour of the rugged area.
End place: Flinders Ranges
Meals: B, D
Day 9: Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Coober Pedy
Start place: Flinders Ranges
Travel to the unique opal mining town of Coober Pedy, where people live underground to avoid the heat. A guided mine tour gives insight to the mining process and the importance of opals to the area.
Travel to Coober Pedy, the world's opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground.
End place: Coober Pedy
Meals: B, L
Day 10: Coober Pedy/Uluru
Start place: Coober Pedy
Cross the border into the Northern Territory, where Australia's most iconic view awaits.
Travel further into the Outback and experience a colourful sunset at Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand.
End place: Uluru
Meals: B
Day 11: Uluru
Start place: Uluru
Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aborigines.
End place: Uluru
Meals: B
Day 12: Uluru/Cairns
Start place: Uluru
Fly to the oceanside city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
End place: Cairns
Day 13: Cairns/Cape Tribulation
Start place: Cairns
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
End place: Cape Tribulation
Meals: B, L
Day 14: Cape Tribulation
Start place: Cape Tribulation
Up for a ziplining adventure? Opt to pre-book the "Jungle Surfing Through The Daintree Rainforest" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
End place: Cape Tribulation
Meals: B
Day 15: Cape Tribulation/Cairns
Start place: Cape Tribulation
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city.
End place: Cairns
Meals: B
Day 16: Cairns/Airlie Beach
Start place: Cairns
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach with time to explore the town.
End place: Airlie Beach
Meals: B, L
Day 17: Airlie Beach
Start place: Airlie Beach
Set sail for a day in the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.
End place: Airlie Beach
Meals: L
Day 18: Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Start place: Airlie Beach
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.
Please note that due to operational reasons the following departures will be staying in Kingscliff instead of Byron Bay:
Best of Australia - Nov 21, 2019 & Dec 26, 2019
Best of the Red Centre & Eastern Australia - Nov 10, 2019 & Dec 15, 2019
Australia & New Zealand Encompassed - Dec 15, 2019
Australia & New Zealand Discovery - Dec 26, 2019
Best of Australia - Nov 21, 2019 & Dec 26, 2019
Best of the Red Centre & Eastern Australia - Nov 10, 2019 & Dec 15, 2019
Australia & New Zealand Encompassed - Dec 15, 2019
Australia & New Zealand Discovery - Dec 26, 2019
End place: Byron Bay
Day 19: Byron Bay
Start place: Byron Bay
Spend the day wandering the town or taking part in a multitude of optional activities like skydiving, visiting Cape Byron Lighthouse, or relaxing on the beach.
If staying active is more your speed, why not try sea kayaking? Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
If staying active is more your speed, why not try sea kayaking? Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
End place: Byron Bay
Day 20: Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
Start place: Byron Bay
Hit the waves with an included surf lesson. Head to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.
End place: Port Macquarie
Day 21: Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
Start place: Port Macquarie
En route to the Blue Mountains, opt to stop at the Koala Hospital to learn about vital wildlife conservation work in the area.
End place: Blue Mountains
Day 22: Blue Mountains
Start place: Blue Mountains
Explore the area around Leura and Katoomba including the Three Sisters. Visit the Jenolan Caves, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.
End place: Blue Mountains
Day 23: Blue Mountains/Sydney
Start place: Blue Mountains
Travel to Sydney and enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.
End place: Sydney
Day 24: Sydney
Start place: Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional final night out with the group.
For a rush of adrenaline, opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or zip through the harbour on a jet boat. Pre-book the "Sydney Bridge Climb" or "Sydney Adrenaline Bundle" activity on the checkout page to add these optionals to your tour.
For a rush of adrenaline, opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or zip through the harbour on a jet boat. Pre-book the "Sydney Bridge Climb" or "Sydney Adrenaline Bundle" activity on the checkout page to add these optionals to your tour.
End place: Sydney
Day 25: Sydney
Start place: Sydney
Depart at any time.
End place: Sydney
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Wine Tasting, Clare Valley Your Discover Moment: Byron Bay Your Hands-On Moment: Surfing Lesson, Byron Bay
- Melbourne laneways walk
- Brighton bathing boxes visit
- Rainforest walk in Great Otway NP
- 12 Apostles visit
- Loch Ard Gorge Visit
- Hike at Grampians NP
- Tower Hill State Wildlife Reserve Visit
- Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre Visit
- Wilpena Pound visit
- Underground mine tour (Coober Pedy)
- Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru
- Mala Walk around Uluru and cultural centre visit
- Guided Daintree Rainforest walk
- Whitsunday Islands sailing excursion
- Blue Mountains stay with hikes
- Jenolan Caves visit
- Scenic Railway
- Jamison Valley walk
- Orientation walk in Sydney
- Free time in Cairns, Byron Bay, and Sydney
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry, Sailboat, Plane, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (21 nts), Underground hotel (1 nt), Rainforest cabin (2 nts)