Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive in Melbourne with your hotel room ready for immediate check-in. Aim to get there by 3pm so you can join the welcome briefing and dinner this evening. It's a good chance to settle in and meet other travelers before the tour officially kicks off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Day 2
Melbourne
Start your day checking out Melbourne's iconic landmarks like Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance. From there, you'll head to Fitzroy Gardens to see the Victorian Arts Centre and botanical highlights around the area. Later in the afternoon, you'll have special high tea with treats, specialty teas, coffee, and champagne. If you're interested, there's an optional evening trip to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Melbourne landmarks including Parliament House
- Visit Shrine of Remembrance
- Explore Fitzroy Gardens
- Drive past Botanic Gardens
- See Victorian Arts Centre and architectural landmarks
- High tea with specialty teas, coffee, and champagne
Optional Activities
- Evening excursion to Penguin Parade on Phillip Island to see little penguins returning at sunset
Landmarks Parliament House Shrine of Remembrance Fitzroy Gardens Botanic Gardens Victorian Arts Centre Penguin Parade, Phillip Island - Day 3
Melbourne
You've got the whole day to explore Melbourne at your own pace. The multicultural food and wine scene here is worth your time, so consider strolling Chapel and Brunswick Streets for shopping or trying out local restaurants. If you want something more organized, optional excursions can take you to the Yarra Valley wine region or down the Great Ocean Road.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Trip to Yarra Valley to sample award-winning wines
- Drive along Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles
- Explore Chapel Street shopping
- Explore Brunswick Street shopping
- Dine at local restaurant
Landmarks Twelve Apostles - Day 4
Melbourne to Hobart
You'll fly into Hobart and meet your Tour Director at the waterfront. Walking through the historic district, you'll see Georgian buildings and colonial cottages that reflect the city's convict heritage. The architecture tells you a lot about Tasmania's early settlement. Later this evening, head to a local pub for dinner where you can try fresh seafood and produce sourced from the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a historic local pub featuring local seafood and produce)
Included Activities
- Guided walk in Hobart's waterfront district with Tour Director
- Dinner at a historic local pub
- Day 5
Hobart
Head out to the remote Tasman Peninsula to see scenic coastal formations like the blowhole, Devil's Kitchen, and Tasman Arch. You'll then visit Port Arthur Historic Site, a former convict prison from the 1830s. After that, you'll meet Tasmanian Devils at the Unzoo facility, watch a feeding presentation, learn about conservation efforts, and walk bushland trails where you might spot kangaroos, wallabies, and native birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Travel to Tasman Peninsula
- Visit scenic blowhole
- Visit Devil's Kitchen
- Visit Tasman Arch
- Private guided tour of Port Arthur Historic Site
- See 30 historic buildings and heritage gardens at Port Arthur
- Visit Tasmanian Devil Unzoo
- Witness Tasmanian Devil feeding presentation
- Explore bushland trail at Unzoo featuring kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and bird species
Landmarks Tasman Peninsula Port Arthur Historic Site Tasmanian Devil Unzoo - Day 6
Hobart to Adelaide
You'll fly via Melbourne to Adelaide, South Australia's capital. After arriving, you'll get a brief orientation tour of the city's wide, tree-lined streets and manicured gardens. The rest of the day is yours to explore this hub of art, live music, restaurants, and nearby wineries at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Adelaide
- Brief orientation tour of Adelaide including tree-lined streets and gardens
- Day 7
Adelaide
Early morning departure by motorcoach and ferry takes you to Kangaroo Island, one of the world's last unspoiled habitats. At Seal Bay Conservation Park, a ranger leads you on a private tour to see Australian sea lions in their natural environment. You'll explore Flinders Chase National Park and Remarkable Rocks with sea views, then visit Admirals Arch rock formation and a New Zealand fur seal colony. You won't return to Adelaide until late evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Travel by motorcoach to Kangaroo Island
- Travel by ferry to Kangaroo Island
- Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park
- Private guided tour of Australian sea lion colony with Park Ranger
- Visit Flinders Chase National Park
- Walk on Remarkable Rocks
- Visit Admirals Arch
- See New Zealand fur seal colony
Landmarks Kangaroo Island Seal Bay Conservation Park Flinders Chase National Park Remarkable Rocks Admirals Arch - Day 8
Adelaide to The Ghan Train
Midday departure from Adelaide puts you aboard the historic Ghan train for an overnight journey heading north through the Outback. You'll have access to the lounge car where you can relax and watch the landscape change around you. Meals happen in the restaurant car, so you can eat while taking in the scenery as the train moves deeper into Australia's interior.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Journey on the historic Ghan train
- Meals served in the restaurant car
- Access to the lounge car
- Day 9
The Ghan Train - Marla - Alice Springs
The train stops in Marla early morning, giving you time to step outside and feel the stillness of the Outback. Grab a coffee and breakfast sandwich as the sun rises over the landscape. After reboarding, you'll have brunch in the dining car before arriving in Alice Springs by midday. From there, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station. Your evening is free to spend however you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Coffee and breakfast sandwich at Marla), Brunch (Brunch served onboard before arriving Alice Springs)
Included Activities
- Stop at Marla to stretch legs and enjoy coffee and breakfast sandwich
- Brunch served onboard
- Visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service
- Visit to the Old Telegraph Station
Landmarks Royal Flying Doctor Service Old Telegraph Station - Day 10
Alice Springs to Uluru
Travel through the heart of the Outback, watching for red kangaroos, dingoes, camels, and wild horses called Brumbies. You'll visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological formation of 36 brilliant domes. Dinner happens under the Outback sky with canapés, sparkling wine, bush tucker menu, and a star talker decoding the southern night sky.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with canapés, sparkling wine, bush tucker menu, Australian wines and beers, overlooking Uluru with didgeridoo performance and star talker session)
Included Activities
- Travel through Outback
- Visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
- Dinner with canapés and sparkling wine overlooking Uluru
- Didgeridoo performance
- Bush tucker inspired dinner with Australian wines and beers
- Star talking session about southern night sky
Landmarks Kata Tjuta Uluru 
- Day 11
Ayers Rock - Alice Springs - Darwin
If you're interested, there's an optional sunrise helicopter ride over Uluru available early in the day. Watching the rock change colors as the sun comes up is something many people find memorable. Later on, you'll head back to Alice Springs and catch your flight to Darwin.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional sunrise helicopter ride at Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Landmarks Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Day 12
Darwin
You'll get an orientation tour of Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, seeing elegant colonial architecture that survived Cyclone Tracey in 1974. The day includes the splendid Botanic Gardens and East Point, then the Darwin Museum where you'll learn about the 1942 Japanese attack and the city's WWII role through interactive displays and military vehicles. An optional dinner cruise in Darwin Harbour is available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Darwin
- Visit Botanic Gardens
- Visit East Point
- Visit Darwin Museum
Optional Activities
- Optional dinner cruise in Darwin Harbour
Landmarks Darwin Botanic Gardens East Point Darwin Museum - Day 13
Darwin to Kakadu National Park
You'll journey to Kakadu National Park, Australia's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A scenic cruise on Yellow Water Billabong lets you spot water buffalo, Whistling Ducks, Magpie Geese, Sea Eagles, and possibly crocodiles. You'll explore ancient Aboriginal rock petroglyphs at Nourlangie Rock and visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the area's rich history. Late this evening you'll head back to Darwin.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Journey to Kakadu National Park
- Scenic cruise on Yellow Water Billabong
- Explore Nourlangie Rock and ancient Aboriginal rock petroglyphs
- Visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Landmarks Kakadu National Park Yellow Water Billabong Nourlangie Rock Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre 
- Day 14
Darwin to Cairns
You'll fly to Cairns, the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Since flights are limited in this remote location, you might arrive late in the evening on a connecting flight. You'll have free time to explore Cairns' mild winter climate, vibrant nightlife, and attractions like the Cairns Night Markets with souvenirs, local foods, and artisan goods.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Cairns
Optional Activities
- Browse Cairns Night Markets
Landmarks Cairns Night Markets - Day 15
Cairns
Board a catamaran cruising to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This underwater area features over 3,000 individual reefs spanning 350,000 square kilometres. You can choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible tour, attend a marine biologist presentation, or simply relax. You'll return to Cairns late afternoon with evening at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Catamaran cruise to Outer Great Barrier Reef
- Access to reef exploration activities
Optional Activities
- Snorkel amid coral and fish
- Semi-submersible watercraft tour
- Attend marine biologist presentation
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef 
- Day 16
Cairns
Cairns is yours to explore today with no scheduled activities. The Esplanade has shops and art galleries if you want to wander around, or you can swim in the man-made Esplanade Lagoon. Alternatively, just relax at your resort pool and take things easy after traveling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional trip to Kuranda via old scenic rail route
- Optional 4 wheel-drive excursion into the Daintree Rainforest
- Stroll Cairns' famous Esplanade with shops and art galleries
- Swim or sandcastle building at the man-made Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
- Night swim in the glowing water of Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, illuminated by underwater lights
Landmarks Cairns Esplanade Daintree Rainforest Kuranda - Day 17
Cairns to Sydney
You'll fly to Sydney, Australia's largest city. After arriving, the afternoon and evening open up for you to use as you wish. There are first-class restaurants throughout the city if you want a good meal, or check out the shopping arcades that the city is known for.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Dining at first-class restaurants
- Shopping in grand shopping arcades
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Taronga Zoo - Day 18
Sydney
A private guided tour takes you through the Sydney Opera House, including inside the theaters and main spaces. From there, head to Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the botanic gardens where you'll get sweeping views of the harbor and plenty of photo opportunities. Spend some time at Bondi Beach on your own to explore at your pace. Later, board a harbor cruise to see the city's skyline and landmarks from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private guided tour of the Sydney Opera House with interiors and theaters
- Visit to Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the botanic gardens
- Time to explore Bondi Beach on your own
- Cruise on Sydney Harbour
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Mrs Macquarie's Chair Bondi Beach Sydney Harbour Bridge - Day 19
Sydney
You've got the full day at leisure in Sydney. This evening you'll join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a festive farewell dinner. If you want more activities, optional excursions include the Hunter Valley wine region, a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb for city views, or a guided tour of the historic Rocks District.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Festive farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Festive farewell dinner with Tour Director and fellow travelers
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Hunter Valley wine-growing region
- Optional climb to top of Sydney Harbour Bridge for city and harbour views
- Optional Rocks District Pub tour exploring early convict history
Landmarks Hunter Valley Sydney Harbour Bridge The Rocks District - Day 20
Sydney
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. You can choose to extend your time in Sydney and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase if you'd like to stay longer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
