Australian Highlights 13 Days
Tour overview:
Say G’day to the highlights of Australia on this 13-day tour. Your Aussie adventure starts in cosmopolitan Melbourne before flying to the Red Centre. View the incredible changing colors during sunset and sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Fly over to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest organism. Last stop will be to exciting Sydney where you sail in the Sydney Harbour and have a behind the scenes tour of the Opera House.
Day 1 - Arrive Melbourne
On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. (Arrive prior to 12:00pm). This evening we will have a welcome dinner. D
Day 2 - Melbourne – City Sights
Enjoy a morning tour of Melbourne including the Royal Botanic Gardens, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take an optional tour to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade. B
Day 3 - Melbourne
Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. Perhaps join an optional tour and ride on Puffing Billy followed by wine tastings in the Yarra Valley or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road. B
Day 4 - Melbourne / Alice Springs
You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your early morning flight to Alice Springs (required flight quoted separately). Some parts of Australia are so remote that the only way kids can get an education is remotely via the School of the Air. Your next stop is the birthplace of the Alice Springs township, the historic Telegraph Station. Being this far flung also means there’s no light pollution from cars or skyscrapers. The result? Unrivalled stargazing (and a BBQ feast) with the Falzon family at their eco-oriented Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. BD
Day 5 - Alice Springs / Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Overland transfer to Ayers Rock. This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at Ayers Rock Resort. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while watching sunset at Uluru (Ayers Rock) from the viewing area known as the ‘sunset strip’. The subtle colour changes are truly amazing. B
Day 6 - Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
If there’s one thing worth getting out of bed early for, it’s sunrise over Uluru. Incredibly, the Rock’s base caves are home to First Nations art that dates back tens of thousands of years. What an honour to glimpse it. The ochres and silvery greens of the NT outback follow you to Kata Tjuta, where Walpa Gorge humbles with its soaring cliffs. Wander through the tallest domes before yet another sparkling sunset (and sparkling wine). B
Day 7 - Uluru (Ayers Rock) / Cairns
Ok, so the other reason to get up early is to view artist Bruce Munro’s installation Field of Light at dawn – 50,000 glowing spindles of light blanketing the desert. Clamber to the top of a sand dune to marvel in the morning unfolding over this very special part of the world. An Anangu artist will explain just what makes it so spiritual over an introduction to Western Desert art, introducing totems and symbols important to the region and represented in paintings and installations. Head to your next stop in sunny Cairns (required flight quoted separately). B
Day 8 - Cairns
Today is at leisure in Cairns to relax by the hotel pool or go shopping. You may like to join an optional tour to Kuranda including a scenic rail journey on the Kuranda Train, Skyrail Cableway ride above the canopy of the rainforest. Tonight, celebrate the end of an incredible day at dinner on Cairns’ waterfront at Salt House for regional seafood plucked straight from the ocean, highlighting fresh, local ingredients, and prepared on their custom-built Argentinian wood fired grill. BD
Day 9 - Cairns – Great Barrier Reef
The world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef, never fails to dazzle. Set out on a catamaran to explore a kaleidoscope of colour: over 1,500 species of fish, 215 different birds, 3,000 molluscs, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, and 30 species of dolphins and whales are residents. Strap on a snorkel or visit an underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft to take in the menagerie without getting your hair wet. Tonight, celebrate the end of an incredible day at dinner on Cairns’ waterfront at Salt House for regional seafood plucked straight from the ocean, highlighting fresh, local ingredients, and prepared on their custom-built Argentinian wood fired grill. BL
Day 10 - Cairns / Sydney
You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney (required flight quoted separately). On arrival at Sydney Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. Touch down in Australia’s largest city, with a harbour you could gaze at all day long. B
Day 11 - Sydney – City Sights with Opera House
Bring your stamina: today is one of innumerable highlights. Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, discovering it’s architectural and performance secrets. If these sails could talk. One icon to another: The world’s most famous beach beckons this morning, with your chance to pad along the sand at Bondi with Sydney’s beautiful people. From Worked up an appetite? A local Surf Life Saver will take you into the members-only Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club. Learn about this historic club and gain an understanding of the important work that is done here saving lives on this famous beach. Next, we will enjoy lunch with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Afternoon at leisure. BL
Day 12 - Sydney
Explore the beautiful harbour city of Sydney at you leisure. Perhaps take an optional tour to the Blue Mountains to see the spectacular Three Sisters or enjoy some wine tasting in the Hunter Valley. This evening, celebrate your holiday at a Farewell Dinner at Midden restaurant at the Sydney Opera House. Talk about ending on a high. BD
Day 13 - Depart Sydney
You will be transferred to Sydney Airport to connect with your onward flight. B (Departure flight can be anytime from Sydney)