Australian Highlights
Sparkling waterfront cities and uniquely Aussie outback
This 12-night vacation package will take you on a grand tour of Australia's highlights! From Melbourne to Sydney with stops along the way in Uluru, and Cairns, you'll get a truly authentic Australian experience! Discover iconic sites like the Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, the Red Center, and more. Enjoy a handful of unique included tours, plus the services of a professional travel director, comfortable accommodations, and additional services and amenities to make your time Down Under comfortable and memorable.
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What's Included
- Roundtrip economy class airfare into Melbourne (MEL), out of Sydney (SYD)
- All airport transfers
- Accommodation in hotels listed, or similar:
- 3 nights in Melbourne at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Hotel
- 2 nights in Ayers Rock at the Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort
- 3 nights in Cairns at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina Cairns
- 4 nights in Sydney at the InterContinental Hotel
- Guided sightseeing as described in the itinerary, including the following:
- Melbourne sightseeing tour
- Visit to the School of the Air
- Uluru Sunrise Tour
- Western Desert Art experience with local artist
- Catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef- includes snorkeling and lunch
- Sydney sightseeing tour with Opera House & Bondi Beach
- Sydney Harbour Cruise with dinner
- Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 4 dinners
- Services of an experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- One-way economy class flight from Melbourne (MEL) to Ayers Rock (AYQ)
- One-way economy class flight from Ayers Rock (AYQ) to Cairns (CNS)
- One-way economy class flight from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD)
- Travel by luxury coach
Great Ways to Explore
-
Go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef!
Take a tour of the world-famous Sydney Opera House!
-
Discover the many cafes and culinary delights of Melbourne!
-
Watch a sunrise and sunset over Uluru!
-
Lounge in the sun at the iconic Bondi Beach.
This is an escorted tour. It’s perfect if you prefer not to do your own driving and want to see as many sights as you can during your vacation.
Pack your bags for the Australian adventure of your dreams! This 12-night itinerary will bring you through some of the most iconic sites and cities in the country.
Begin in Melbourne where you'll meet your travel director and travel companions! Your 3 nights here will include a welcome dinner, sightseeing tour, and independent exploration time. Consider taking a trip down the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles!
Board a flight to Uluru where you'll travel via motorcoach to experience Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta. Watch the sunrise and sunset over the massive sandstone monolith!
Your next flight brings you to Cairns! Cairns is a gateway to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef! You'll have the opportunity to board a catamaran cruise that'll take you to the reef for snorkeling! One final flight will bring you to Sydney. Here, you'll see some of the most famous sites Australia has to offer! Take a tour of the Sydney Opera House, cruise the harbor with views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit Bondi Beach, and more.
With additional optional excursions and a great blend of guided and independent exploration, this vacation will make all of your Aussie dreams come true!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Roundtrip economy class airfare into Melbourne (MEL), out of Sydney (SYD)
- All airport transfers
- Accommodation in hotels listed, or similar:
- 3 nights in Melbourne at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Hotel
- 2 nights in Ayers Rock at the Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort
- 3 nights in Cairns at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina Cairns
- 4 nights in Sydney at the InterContinental Hotel
- Guided sightseeing as described in the itinerary, including the following:
- Melbourne sightseeing tour
- Visit to the School of the Air
- Uluru Sunrise Tour
- Western Desert Art experience with local artist
- Catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef- includes snorkeling and lunch
- Sydney sightseeing tour with Opera House & Bondi Beach
- Sydney Harbour Cruise with dinner
- Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 4 dinners
- Services of an experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- One-way economy class flight from Melbourne (MEL) to Ayers Rock (AYQ)
- One-way economy class flight from Ayers Rock (AYQ) to Cairns (CNS)
- One-way economy class flight from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD)
- Travel by luxury coach
-
Go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef!
Take a tour of the world-famous Sydney Opera House!
-
Discover the many cafes and culinary delights of Melbourne!
-
Watch a sunrise and sunset over Uluru!
-
Lounge in the sun at the iconic Bondi Beach.
This is an escorted tour. It’s perfect if you prefer not to do your own driving and want to see as many sights as you can during your vacation.
Pack your bags for the Australian adventure of your dreams! This 12-night itinerary will bring you through some of the most iconic sites and cities in the country.
Begin in Melbourne where you'll meet your travel director and travel companions! Your 3 nights here will include a welcome dinner, sightseeing tour, and independent exploration time. Consider taking a trip down the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles!
Board a flight to Uluru where you'll travel via motorcoach to experience Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta. Watch the sunrise and sunset over the massive sandstone monolith!
Your next flight brings you to Cairns! Cairns is a gateway to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef! You'll have the opportunity to board a catamaran cruise that'll take you to the reef for snorkeling! One final flight will bring you to Sydney. Here, you'll see some of the most famous sites Australia has to offer! Take a tour of the Sydney Opera House, cruise the harbor with views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit Bondi Beach, and more.
With additional optional excursions and a great blend of guided and independent exploration, this vacation will make all of your Aussie dreams come true!
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Melbourne!
Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Check in, freshen up, and get ready for your Melbourne introduction! Tonight you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travel companions at a special dinner at the South Wharf riverside pub, The General Assembly. It’s a great way to get to know everyone in a unique setting!Â
Transfer from Melbourne Airport to hotel
Check-in - Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
Located on the Yarra River, Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne offers a comfortable and convenient choice hotel. Guests will enjoy free WiFi, premium bedding, complimentary toiletries, and more. Clarendon St Grill offers simple and fresh dishes for breakfast and dinner, while the Lobby Bar is the perfect choice for a pre-dinner cocktail or business lunch. The hotel features a fitness center, pool, and business center to meet the needs of every type of guest. Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne is within walking distance to many of Melbourne's finest attractions, including Bourke Street, Flinders Street Station, St. Paul's Cathedral, and so much more!
Day 2. Melbourne
Today, you'll discover Melbourne through a sightseeing tour! Enjoy seeing the city sights, and then exploring arcades and alleyways on a private walking tour. The rest of your day is at leisure. We recommend an optional excursion to Phillip Island to see the world's smallest penguins! If you'd rather relax near the hotel, you can wander around to find a delicious-looking restaurant to dine in.Â
Day 3. Melbourne
Spend today exploring beautiful Melbourne as you please! Perhaps you'll join an optional excursion to the Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles. Consider also a trip to St. Kilda Beach, which is easily accessible via train from Melbourne CBD. You can also explore the theater scene in Melbourne by taking in a production at night!
Day 4. Melbourne - Uluru
Get excited for a bucket list experience today as you depart Melbourne to the sacred, ancient site of Uluru. Fly over dry salt lakes and red desert before your first of many visits to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park over the next two days. In Aussie’s cultural heartland amidst the rusty red landscape, you’re treated to a classic Uluru sundowner of nibbles and sparkling wine. Sit back and watch the sky ignite in red, yellow, and purple gazing at the massive and powerful Uluru. At 1,140 feet high, ‘The Rock’ is taller than the Eiffel Tower and is a magnificent sight to behold. You’ll conclude your epic day at the Desert Gardens Hotel, an indigenous-owned hotel surrounded by desert trees and distant Uluru, which showcases the natural beauty of the landscape.
Transfer from hotel to Melbourne Airport
Fly from Melbourne to Ayers Rock
Transfer from Ayers Rock Airport to hotel
Check-in - Desert Gardens Hotel
Desert Gardens Hotel is the only hotel with rooms offering views of Uluru! Guests can enjoy free WiFi, complimentary toiletries, television, air-conditioning, coffee/tea making facilities, and more in every room. Enjoy a lite bite at Mangata Bistro & Bar for any meal, or dine at Arnguli Grill & Restaurant for a more hearty, indigenous Australian meal. Sit poolside and enjoy the Australian sunshine, or take a stroll through the gardens.
Day 5. Uluru & Kata Tjuta
This morning you'll have the opportunity to witness a sunrise over Uluru! After, tour the caves at the base of the sandstone monolith and see the ancient rock art there. Continue on to Kata Tjuta where you'll walk through two of the tallest domes of this rock formation. Watch the sun set over Kata Tjuta with your travel companions while sipping sparkling wine tonight!
Day 6. Uluru - Cairns
Rise early to experience the ethereal Field of Light art installation. Wander through the paths surrounding 50,000 hand-crafted frosted glass spheres of light. As the sun rises, join your fellow travelers on top of a sand dune to watch the desert awakening over Uluru. Join an Indigenous artist today for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art, before painting your own piece of aboriginal art as a memento. Later that day, board your flight to tropical Cairns, the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Transfer from hotel to Ayers Rock Airport
Flight from Uluru to Cairns
Transfer from Cairns Airport to hotel
Check-in - Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina Cairns
Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina Cairns offers spectacular views of the Cairns Marina. Guest rooms are equipped with free WiFi, complimentary toiletries, television, and coffee/tea making facilities. The hotel features a restaurant, two bars, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center. The Cairns Airport is just a 10 minute drive from the hotel. Many attractions are within walking distance, including the Pier Shopping Center and the Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal.
Day 7. Cairns
Today is free for you to pursue your own interests in this vibrant tropical city. You may choose to gain some insights into the Indigenous culture at the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, or travel to Kuranda, the ‘village in the rainforest’ on the historic Scenic Rail. Alternatively, just relax and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 8. Great Barrier Reef
Board a sleek, high-speed catamaran today and cruise out to the natural wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkeling (equipment provided), or view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board before you return to Cairns. After some time to relax, join your traveling companions for an evening meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront.
Day 9. Cains - Sydney
It’s ‘farewell, Cairns’ and ‘hello, Sydney’ on the last leg of your Australia highlights tour. Check into your Sydney hotel before discovering the delightful Sydney Harbour from the water on a Dinner Cruise. Not only will you cruise past the world-famous Opera House and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but you'll also enjoy a menu focusing on local food and wine as you’re rewarded with these stellar views.
Transfer from hotel to Cairns Airport
Flight from Cairns to Sydney
Transfer from Sydney Airport to hotel
Check-in - InterContinental Hotel Sydney
InterContinental Hotel Sydney is located in Circular Quay, within walking distance to many of Sydney's top attractions. Guests can enjoy free WiFi in air-conditioned rooms. Cafe Opera serves buffet-style meals with international flare, while Meat and Wine Co serves a la carte meals. The Cortile offers a variety of beverages to suit your needs morning, noon, and night. Indulge in a luxurious spa treatment, take a dip in the pool, and relax in your spacious room. Then, put your walking shoes on and venture to the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge, Mrs. Macquaire's Chair, and the Royal Botanic Gardens!
Day 10. Sydney
There's plenty to discover in Sydney today and you’ll kick it off on a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Entering through the stage door, you’ll hear the story of a building 'that changed the image of an entire country' as you learn the history of this iconic structure and appreciate its beauty from another perspective.
Next up is another iconic Sydney site: Bondi Beach. Not only will you get to see the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool, dip your toes in the sand, and soak up the surfer life, but you will have a local Surf Life Saver take you into the members-only Bondi Surf Life Savers Club, giving you an in-depth understanding of the important work that these members do in saving lives on this famous beach. Your hosts will take you to a celebrated Bondi Beach restaurant for lunch, with views over this stunning beach.
Day 11. Sydney
Today is yours to explore Sydney. The energetic might tackle the iconic Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb, or perhaps you’d prefer to take an excursion to the majestic Blue Mountains to see the soaring Three Sisters rock formation. Wherever you venture, there are dining options aplenty from the waterfront Circular Quay to Chinatown’s famous yum cha to a rooftop bar for dazzling views of the harbour.
Day 12. Sydney
Now that you’ve gotten your bearings in beautiful Sydney, you have a final day in town for more of your own exploring. Why not begin in the famous Rocks District dating back to before the arrival of British settlers in the late 1700s for a look at the historic buildings and pubs? Or, take in the culture by viewing aboriginal artifacts at one of the city’s many museums. For a peaceful break among the flowers, check out the tucked-away Royal Botanic Gardens. And if you’re looking for more of a local scene lined with boutiques and cafes, the hot spot neighborhoods of Paddington and Surry Hills are a great choice. However you chose to spend your day, you’ll end by gathering with your travel companions and Travel Director for a celebratory three-course Farewell Dinner at Portside Sydney Opera House to recap your favorite sites in Australia.
Day 13. Depart Australia
This morning, you'll be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight home!