Day 1

Welcome to Melbourne

Welcome to stylish and elegant Melbourne! (Flights to arrive prior to 12pm). You'll be transferred to your hotel located on the banks of the Yarra River before starting your travels on a high note, getting to know your Travel Director and fellow travellers over a Welcome Reception at The General Assembly. Set on Yarra River’s South Wharf, this modern pub will have you feast on specialties such as Fisherman’s bend pie, schnitzel, and mac & cheese croquettes, washed down with your choice of beverage including local wine or your choice of the 15 beers on tap. The General Assembly’s waterfront setting is a picturesque welcome to your Australia highlights tour.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Crowne Plaza

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Welcome Reception

Day 2

Discover Melbourne's Sights

Start your first full day seeing the best of Melbourne on a private walking tour with your Travel Director sharing their in-depth knowledge of the city. You’ll stroll past postcard-worthy Victorian architecture, arcades, and eclectic little laneways filled with colourful street art. As Melbourne’s signature coffee aroma wafts through the air, head to grand Federation Square, filled with shops, galleries, and exhibits and home to many cultural events. Have a look at the nearby neighbouring 19-century neo-gothic cathedral, St Pauls and see the famous Hosier Lane full of more unique street art. After a big morning getting acquainted with the city, you have the rest of the day free to explore more tempting haunts and eateries or join an Optional Experience such as a trip to Phillip Island to see the famous penguin parade. Here you’ll watch the Little Penguins make their daily trip from the sea to their onshore burrows. It’s a once in a lifetime wildlife viewing experience. Don’t miss it!

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 3

Melbourne, there's More to It!

You have a free day in Melbourne to explore as you like. Stroll this stylish city browsing antique shops, checking out Brunswick Street’s quirky boutiques, and taking in the town at one of the many cafés or world class eateries. Foodies will want to be sure to visit the historic Queen Victoria Market stopping for nibbles at one of the many stalls. If you’d rather venture outside of the city, join an Optional Experience taking the ultimate road trip on the Great Ocean Road. Driving along this stunning coastline, you’ll be in awe of breathtaking scenery from one moment to the next. Admire the famous Twelve Apostles towering limestone formations jutting out of the sea against jagged cliffs. From sea-hugging structures to seaside towns, you’ll also stop in the quaint towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay. Whether you adventure in the city or along the sea, there’s so much to experience in Melbourne and its surroundings.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 4

Journey to Spiritual Uluru

The rusty red landscapes of Uluru beckon as we leave Melbourne for Ayers Rock Resort, near the sacred ancient site of Uluru and your home for the next two days in Aussie’s cultural heartland. You’ll fly over dry salt lakes and red desert before your first of many mesmerizing encounters with ‘The Rock,’ as you MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® through your visit to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. As the desert sun begins to set, you’re treated to a classic Uluru sundowner: nibbles and sparkling wine amidst the red dirt and blowing spinifex grasses as the Outback sky ignites in shades of red, yellow, and purple. Gazing at massive Uluru - which at 348 metres high is taller than the Eiffel Tower - you'll experience a kind of magical connection to the land. Relaxed and happy, you’ll make your way to the Desert Gardens Hotel for a Stays With Stories experience. Surrounded by desert trees and distant Uluru, this indigenous-owned hotel showcases the natural beauty of the landscape. Stay in this evening or, after sunset, join an Optional Experience Uluru BBQ Dinner as you watch the changing desert colours and are treated to an informative star talk in one of the best places to view the southern night sky.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Desert Gardens

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 5

Magical Uluru Sunrise and Kata Tjuta

Watch night turn to day as you head to the National Park at dawn - hot cocoa in hand - to witness a magical sunrise as the dawn creeps across the desert and lights up Uluru. Then, day underway, hear stories about the Anangu, caretakers of this remote arid landscape, touring the base of Uluru to discover its ancient rock art with your Travel Director. You’ll be amazed at their deep knowledge and passion for this land through stories that enhance the natural beauty you surely can’t get enough of. Enjoy free time this afternoon relaxing by the pool or checking out the art galleries and Town Square shopping village before grabbing your walking shoes and continuing your journey through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta. Walk amidst its towering, mindboggling domes through Walpa (meaning “wind”) Gorge to a lookout. From sunrise to sunset, tonight you’ll marvel over a magnificent sunset over Kata Tjuta paired with sparkling wine. Without many of the crowds at Uluru, you may have the beauty of this Hidden Gem to yourself.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Desert Gardens

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 6

Head to Tropical Cairns

Rise with the birds on an exclusive visit to the kaleidoscopic Field of Light art installation of artist Bruce Munro. Set against the darkened desert, walk through the lights, and watch the changing colours of this innovative art bring the land to life, feeling as if you’re in a field of multi-coloured flowers against the backdrop of a magnificent Uluru sunrise. This eerily silent, soul-stirring start to your morning gives way to yet another exclusive experience on top of a sand dune to watch the desert awaken over Uluru with a hot drink in hand. That’s just the beginning of your day! Next up Dive Into Culture joining your Local Specialist Aboriginal artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art at Maruku Arts Dot Art Experience. Indigenous artists share meanings of the dot art before you get hands on crafting your story, painting your own piece of Australian aboriginal art as a memento. Learning from the artists and creating personalized art is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that will leave you enriched and enlightened as head to your next stop in sunny Cairns.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 7

Explore Cairns in Your Own Time

Ease into the laidback lifestyle of Cairns with a full free day to explore this tropical city or take your pick of the many tempting Optional Experiences. There’s something for everyone, no matter what you’re looking for. Take to the skies for a bird’s eye view with a balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands, the hot air ballooning capital of the southern hemisphere. Or, dive into nature learning traditional hunting and gathering skills as you search for bush tucker of mud crabs, fish, and mussels in the Daintree Rainforest. Taste and share your catch before a guided interpretive walk through the ancient rainforest. Another option is to take a historic rail journey winding across bridges and through tunnels to Kuranda village, nestled in a tropical rainforest to explore its colourful and interesting arts and crafts. Then, return via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway immersing yourself in this iconic rainforest. You can also choose to pair your trip to Kuranda with a visit to Hartley’s Crocodile for a wetlands cruise through the ecologically significant Melaleuca wetlands, the home of the saltwater crocodile. Top off your day with an Optional Experience dinner at Ochre Restaurant enjoying local fare using native ingredients.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Shangri-La

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 8

Great Barrier Reef Up-Close

Get ready for a bucket list adventure today as you board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. It’s up to you how you’d like to experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site and underwater wonderland: Don your mask and fins (equipment provided) for an up-close encounter with a kaleidoscope of fishes and reef or stay dry and explore the world’s largest living reef system from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft. Whichever you choose, your local guide enhances your time on board with plenty of insights on the local ecology and the importance of preserving this fragile environment. Before your return to Cairns, you’ll enjoy an onboard tropical lunch under the glorious Aussie sunshine. This evening, celebrate the end of an incredible day at a Regional Dinner on Cairns’ waterfront at Salt House for a regional seafood plucked straight from the ocean highlighting fresh, local ingredients and prepared on their custom-built Argentinian wood fired grill.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Regional Dinner

Day 9

Sydney, the Harbour City

We say farewell to Cairn’s flying south to Sydney and spend the rest of the day exploring the beauty of this harbour city. From your centrally located hotel, take a stroll around the waterfront Circular Quay enjoying the peaceful Royal Botanic Garden, visit of one of the city’s many museums viewing aboriginal artefacts, or go local checking out the Paddington and Surry Hills and wander the cute collections of boutique shops and little cafes. Whether you’re called by land or sea, Sydney is walkable and offers something for everybody. Stopping for a bite is its own adventure, wining and dining in the famous Rocks District dating back to before the arrival of British settlers in the late 1700s, visiting Chinatown for some tasty yum cha, popping into one of city’s many craft breweries, or finding the perfect rooftop bar to sit back and take it all in. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a Regional Dinner cruise around Sydney Harbor against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - InterContinental

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 10

Discover Sydney

A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Begin your day with a behind-the-scenes (entering through the stage door!) guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House with a Local Specialist, delving into the story of a building 'that changed the image of an entire country' and learning the history of this iconic structure. Now it's off to the beach to wiggle your toes in the sand at breathtaking Bondi, checking out the iconic Bondi Icebergs’ ocean pools as the surf rolls in. A local Surf Life Saver will take you into the members-only Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club. Connect with Locals as you learn about this historic club and gain an understanding of the important work that is done here saving lives on this famous beach. Next, A Be My Guest lunch with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - InterContinental

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest, Lunch

Day 11

Sydney, the Choice is Yours

Enjoy a full free day to explore Sydney or consider joining an Optional Experience to discover even more further afield. Take a day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains, whose eucalypt haze you’ll see looming in the distance, for fresh mountain air and stunning natural scenery. You’ll see the famous Three Sisters rock formation - each of which stands over 900 metres high - and hear the Aboriginal legend behind these massive structures. Animal lovers will not want to miss a visit to the Sydney Zoo to see some of Australia’s unique native animals including the wombat, Tasmanian devil, and yes, the koala. You can even sign up for a special encounter to get up close to visit with some of the animals. This evening, spend some time getting to know this spectacular city. Keep it close to the hotel and dine overlooking the sparkling harbour, or ask your TD for something else, depending on how you’re craving. Love a good view? Head to SkyFeast at Sydney Tower. On this sky-high dining experience, you’ll indulge in international cuisine while seeing the city from 82-floors up with rotating, 360-degree views.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 12

Sydney Through Your Eyes

Now you’ve found your bearings in Sydney, you have a final day in the city for more sightseeing. Perhaps begin in the Rocks District, dating to before the arrival of British settlers in the late 1700s, to explore the historic buildings or view Aboriginal artefacts at one of the city’s museums? Consider joining an optional experience climbing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Guided by a professional Climber Leader, you’ll ascend 134 metres above Sydney Harbour for priceless views at the top. This evening, gather with your Travel Director for a celebratory Farewell Dinner at Portside Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House.

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 13

Farewell Sydney

It’s been an incredible trip of wildlife, wild places, and stellar city sites but sadly your journey comes to a close today. Enjoy one last breakfast with your travel mates before saying goodbye before your transfer to Sydney Airport (flights anytime).

Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast