Explore Australia
12 days
from Sydney to Melbourne
From
$ 5549
Duration12 days
Discover Australia’s legendary highlights on a 12-day loop of the country. Explore world-class cities and the outback’s sacred Red Centre, the Great Barrier Reef, and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Enjoy meaningful cultural experiences and a guided foodie walk through Melbourne. With all of the details taken care of — and your flights in Australia included — you’ll find yourself on top of the world Down Under.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 12 daysService level: Upgraded
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Starts in: SydneyPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: MelbourneAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney
Start place: Sydney
Please make your own way to the joining hotel. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and enjoy exploring the city before joining the welcome meeting at 6pm.
If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city to visit The Rocks neighbourhood, the Australian Museum, Bondi Beach, or Darling Harbour.
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.
If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city to visit The Rocks neighbourhood, the Australian Museum, Bondi Beach, or Darling Harbour.
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.
Arrive at any time.
Please try to arrive before 6:00pm for an important group welcome meeting where you can meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members.
This is a busy trip with a lot of early mornings to catch connecting flights, enabling you to see as much of Down Under as possible.
This is a busy trip with a lot of early mornings to catch connecting flights, enabling you to see as much of Down Under as possible.
End place: Sydney
Day 2: Sydney
Start place: Sydney
Enjoy a traditional Aboriginal welcome and a walkabout around The Rocks area and Sydney Harbour to learn the history of the Aboriginal people’s saltwater heritage and their spiritual connection to the area. In the afternoon, board a private vessel and enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise with a barbecue dinner. While navigating the bays and coves, sit back and enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
End place: Sydney
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Sydney/Port Douglas
Start place: Sydney
We catch a very early flight to ensure we make the most of the day.
Fly to Cairns then travel up the coastal road to Mossman Gorge. Take an interpretive walk with a local Aboriginal guide and learn about traditional ways of life and survival techniques in the Daintree Rainforest. Continue on to the resort in Port Douglas, our home for the next two nights.
Please note that the max luggage allowance on domestic flights within Australia is 1 checked bag (20 kgs) and 1 carry on (7 kgs) per person. Any additional luggage is subject to airline fees and is not included.
End place: Port Douglas
Meals: B
Day 4: Port Douglas
Start place: Port Douglas
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 the colourful resort town of Port Douglas. Take time to stroll the main streets and enjoy the beach.
End place: Port Douglas
Meals: B
Day 5: Port Douglas/Cairns
Start place: Port Douglas
Return to the tropical city of Cairns. Take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the James Cook University research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic grant recipient Dr Jamie Seymour. Enjoy a private tour of the facility and get an up close look at some of these marvelous creatures. We'll also hear about the latest research from Jamie or one of his colleagues.
End place: Cairns
Meals: B
Day 6: Cairns
Start place: Cairns
Enjoy a free day to relax at the beach. Opt to explore North Queensland’s tropical rainforests or get your adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or bungee jumping.
End place: Cairns
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Cairns/Uluru
Start place: Cairns
Accommodations in Uluru are limited and of varying amenities. We do our best to secure a mid-range hotel, but on occasion a more simple accommodation with fewer amenities may be used.
Catch a flight to Uluru. Visit the cultural centre and learn about ancient beliefs and traditions portrayed in art, food, and music before witnessing an incredible sunset with a glass of bubbly.
Airline schedules and flight availability are outside of our control and are always subject to change without notice. While we do our best to book direct flights, on occasion we may have to connect though another city.
End place: Uluru
Meals: B
Day 8: Uluru
Start place: Uluru
View the spectacular scenery from above and opt pre-book the "Uluru & Kata Tjuta Helicopter Ride" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
Or, opt for a unique dining experience while watching the sunset over Uluru. Find details below and pre-book the "Sounds of Silence Dinner" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your trip.
Or, opt for a unique dining experience while watching the sunset over Uluru. Find details below and pre-book the "Sounds of Silence Dinner" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your trip.
Awake before sunrise to watch the colours change over Uluru. Continue on with a guided Mala Walk around the base of Uluru, gaining insight into its significance to the local Aboriginal people. Later, take a walk in Kata Tjuta National Park and view the beautiful red-domed rock formations. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Between November and March, there is extreme heat with temperatures averaging between 43-46°C (109-115°F) in the middle of Australia, especially around Uluru. This can lead to heat exhaustion and potentially become very dangerous. Be sure to drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes by drinking sports drinks, coconut water or water mixed with electrolyte powder packets.
The Mala Walk at Uluru is not permitted if temperatures exceed 36°C (98°F). During these hot months, we try to offer all walks early in the day to avoid the midday sun. Our CEOs will monitor the weather conditions to gauge the safety of any included walks and may need to call off a given day's walk due to extreme heat.
The Mala Walk at Uluru is not permitted if temperatures exceed 36°C (98°F). During these hot months, we try to offer all walks early in the day to avoid the midday sun. Our CEOs will monitor the weather conditions to gauge the safety of any included walks and may need to call off a given day's walk due to extreme heat.
End place: Uluru
Meals: B
Day 9: Uluru/Melbourne
Start place: Uluru
Enjoy another sunrise over Uluru before flying to Melbourne for the night.
Flight times today can very depending on airline schedules.
End place: Melbourne
Meals: B
Day 10: Melbourne
Start place: Melbourne
Enjoy a full free day in Melbourne. Opt to visit wineries, explore the Great Ocean Road, or discover hidden gems in the city's famous laneways.
End place: Melbourne
Meals: B
Day 11: Melbourne
Start place: Melbourne
Go on a guided foodie walk through the laneways of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller for a three-course progressive lunch. Later, enjoy free time to explore Melbourne.
Occasionally Monique Bayer may not be available for the Melbourne Foodie Walk. In the event this happens, an equally qualified guide will lead the walk.
End place: Melbourne
Meals: B, L
Day 12: Melbourne
Start place: Melbourne
If you want more time to explore Melbourne, we recommend booking post nights with your agent
Depart at any time.
End place: Melbourne
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming and Welcome Tour, Sydney Your Journeys Highlight Moment: James Cook University Research Aquarium, Cairns Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Melbourne Foodie Walk, Melbourne Your Discover Moment: Cairns
- Sydney Harbour cruise
- Aboriginal dreamtime walk through the Daintree Rainforest at Mossman Gorge
- Sunrise interpretive walk at Uluru
- Walk through Walpa Gorge in Kata Tjuta
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Plane, Boat, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (11 nts)