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The Ultimate Australia Self-Drive Experience - Private

15 days
•
From Melbourne to Cairns
4.1 (70 reviews)
From
US $2,436 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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2027

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Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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Jul
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

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Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
Road Trip & Self-Drive
Hit the open road and travel at your own pace
Self-guided
Independent exploration, backed by expert advice and support
Medium Intensity
Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
All Ages Welcome

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Itinerary

  1. Intro

    Introduction

  2. Day 1

    Melbourne

    Melbourne
    Start point
    Melbourne Airport (MEL), Airport Dr, Melbourne, Victoria 3045, Australia (MAIN ENTRANCE, 01:00 - 23:55)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (The Victoria Hotel Melbourne)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Federation Square
    • Stroll along the Yarra River
    • Explore Queen Victoria Market
    • Tram ride to Royal Botanic Gardens
    • Visit Melbourne Museum
    Landmarks
    Federation Square
    Yarra River
    Queen Victoria Market
    Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
    Melbourne Museum
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 2

    Melbourne

    Melbourne
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (The Victoria Hotel Melbourne)

    Included Activities

    • Vehicle-based city sights tour with air-conditioned comfort
    • Informative historic photographs presentation accessible via QR code
    • Guided tour with experienced commentary
    • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
    Landmarks
    Parliament House Melbourne
    Queen Victoria Market
    Royal Exhibition Building
    St Patrick's Cathedral
    Fitzroy Gardens
    Cook's Cottage
    Federation Square
    Shrine of Remembrance
    National Gallery of Victoria
    Lygon Street
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  4. Day 3

    Melbourne

    Melbourne
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (The Victoria Hotel Melbourne)

    Optional Activities

    • City sightseeing tour
    • Wine tasting excursion in the Yarra Valley
    • Wildlife adventure to Phillip Island
    • Explore Federation Square
    • Visit Queen Victoria Market
    • Visit Royal Botanic Gardens
    Landmarks
    Federation Square
    Queen Victoria Market
    Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
    Yarra Valley
    Phillip Island
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 4

    Sydney

    Sydney
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (The Capitol Hotel Sydney)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Sydney Opera House
    • View Sydney Harbour Bridge
    • Explore The Rocks historic area
    • Visit St Mary's Cathedral
    • Explore Royal Botanic Gardens
    • Visit Bondi Beach
    • Explore Blue Mountains
    Landmarks
    Sydney Opera House
    Sydney Harbour Bridge
    St Mary's Cathedral
    Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
    Bondi Beach
    Blue Mountains
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  6. Day 5

    Sydney

    Sydney
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (The Capitol Hotel Sydney)

    Included Activities

    • Hotel pickup
    • Small group touring of city sights
    • Guided tour with informative commentary

    Optional Activities

    • Short coastal walk at Watsons Bay with views of South Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbour entrance
    • Visit to Bondi Beach promenade with optional coffee or cool drink
    • Lunch cruise boarding from Darling Harbour or Circular Quay
    Landmarks
    The Rocks
    NSW Parliament House
    Rum Hospital
    Hyde Park Barracks
    St Mary's Cathedral
    Mrs. Macquarie's Point
    Sydney Opera House
    Sydney Harbour Bridge
    Kings Cross
    Double Bay
    Rose Bay
    Watsons Bay
    Bondi Beach
    Tamarama Beach
    Bronte Beach
    Centennial Park
    Paddington
    Darling Harbour
    Circular Quay
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  7. Day 6

    Sydney to Blue Mountains

    Sydney to Blue Mountains
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Leisure Inn Spires)
    Landmarks
    Blue Mountains
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  8. Day 7

    Pokolbin

    Pokolbin
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Leisure Inn Pokolbin Hill)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Hunter Valley wineries
    • Explore Hunter Valley Gardens
    • Visit Potters Brewery
    • Walk the Great North Walk extension to Pokolbin
    Landmarks
    Hunter Valley Gardens
    Potters Brewery
    Brokenback Range
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  9. Day 8

    Port Macquarie

    Port Macquarie
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Macquarie Barracks Motor Inn)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Billabong Zoo and Africa Exhibit
    • Wine tasting at Port Macquarie wineries
    • Fishing at Port Macquarie spots
    • Dining and entertainment experiences
    Landmarks
    Billabong Zoo
  10. Day 9

    Byron Bay

    Byron Bay
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (The Sebel Byron Bay)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Byron Bay markets
    • Explore hinterland attractions
    • Beach swimming and surfing
    • Yoga retreats
    • Local music venues and night spots
    • Organic food experiences
    Landmarks
    Byron Bay
    Itinerary Image 1
  11. Day 10

    Byron Bay

    Byron Bay
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Oaks Gold Coast Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Guided sea kayak tour to Cape Bay Marine Park
    • Equipment provision
    • Guide services
    • Locker facilities
    • Complimentary drinks
    Landmarks
    Cape Bay Marine Park
    Australia's most easterly point
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  12. Day 11

    Gold Coast

    Gold Coast
    Meals
    Lunch (Tropical buffet lunch on sightseeing cruise featuring fresh local ocean king prawns, maple-glazed baked ham off the bone, lightly seasoned roasted chicken pieces, summer garden salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, classic coleslaw, damper-style bread rolls, sliced seasonal melons and tropical fruits, pavlova with berry coulis and fresh cream)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Oaks Gold Coast Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • 2-hour sightseeing lunch cruise on Spirit of Elston
    • Tropical buffet lunch featuring ocean king prawns
    • Spacious modern vessel with air-conditioned dining deck and open-top sundeck
    • Fully licensed bar with local wines, craft beers, and cocktails
    • Entertaining and informative commentary
    • Complimentary activity pack for kids
    Landmarks
    Gold Coast Broadwater
    Sea World
    Marina Mirage
    Palazzo Versace
  13. Day 12

    Cairns

    Cairns
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Heritage Cairns)

    Optional Activities

    • Rainforest boardwalk at Centenary Lakes
    • City Botanic Gardens
    • Lake Placid
    • Mount Whitfield Conservation Park
    • Northern beaches visit (Trinity Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Palm Cove, Holloways Beach, Kewarra Beach, Clifton Beach)
    • Smithfield Conservation Park
    • Cairns Regional Gallery
    • Cairns Museum
    • Great Barrier Reef visit
    • Copperlode Dam
    • Atherton Tablelands
    • Daintree Rainforest
    Landmarks
    Centenary Lakes
    City Botanic Gardens Cairns
    Lake Placid
    Mount Whitfield Conservation Park
    Trinity Beach
    Yorkeys Knob
    Palm Cove
    Holloways Beach
    Kewarra Beach
    Clifton Beach
    Smithfield Conservation Park
    Cairns Regional Gallery
    Cairns Museum
    Great Barrier Reef
    Copperlode Dam
    Atherton Tablelands
    Daintree Rainforest
  14. Day 13

    Cairns to Moore Reef - Fitzroy Island

    Cairns to Moore Reef - Fitzroy Island
    Meals
    Lunch (Tropical Buffet Lunch at Fitzroy Island)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Heritage Cairns)

    Included Activities

    • Air-conditioned catamaran transport to Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island
    • 2 hours of reef time at Moore Reef Pontoon
    • Snorkelling with all equipment provided (mask, snorkel, fins, Lycra suit, buoyancy vest)
    • Glass-bottom boat tours
    • Sunlover waterslide access
    • Enclosed ocean pool for children
    • Underwater observatory
    • Fish feeding presentation
    • Marine naturalist presentation
    • Complimentary tea and coffee on boarding and while at reef
    • 3 hours of island time including lunch at Fitzroy Island
    • Tropical buffet lunch
    • Snorkelling equipment at Fitzroy Island
    • Access to self-guided National Park walks and pristine beaches at Fitzroy Island
    • Full bar facilities
    • Freshwater showers and change rooms
    • Free WiFi on board
    • Upper-level sun deck

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Snorkel Safari at Moore Reef Pontoon (35 minutes, maximum 6 guests per tour, suitable for non-swimmers, minimum age 5 years)
    • Seawalker Helmet Dive at Moore Reef Pontoon (20 minutes underwater, includes all equipment and wetsuit, minimum age 12 years)
    Landmarks
    Moore Reef Pontoon
    Fitzroy Island
    Great Barrier Reef
  15. Day 14

    Cairns to Hartley's Crocodile Park

    Cairns to Hartley's Crocodile Park
    Meals
    Breakfast (Hot Australian breakfast with koala and keeper)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Heritage Cairns)

    Included Activities

    • Breakfast with koala and keeper
    • Boat cruise on Hartley's Lagoon with crocodile feeding
    • Access to wildlife viewing areas
    • Entertaining and educational wildlife presentations
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Transport by air-conditioned minivan

    Optional Activities

    • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
    Landmarks
    Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
    Hartley's Lagoon
  16. Day 15

    Cairns to Cairns Airport

    Cairns to Cairns Airport
    End point
    Cairns Airport (CNS), Airport Avenue, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia (Main Entrance, 00:05 - 23:55)

    Included Activities

    • Transfer from hotel to Cairns Airport

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Vio Travel

Silver Operator
Rating
4.1 (70 reviews)
Response time
6 hours
Response rate
100%
Cancellation policy
Learn more

Reviews from other tours by Vio Travel

  • Jennifer5.0•July 2026
    Essence of Australia tour was fabulous! We got to experience four different amazing places in such a short time...
    Show more
  • Mary5.0•June 2026
    Ngoc and team were great in organizing everything and in also keeping touch with reminders and notices throughout the...
    Show more

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Dates & Prices

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2028

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Apr
May
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

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Trip essentials

Good to know

Tour ID: 274770

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  • Pay in installments

    Spread the cost in interest-free biweekly installments of $99.

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  • $ - Australian Dollar

    You’ll encounter Australian Dollar in Australia.

  • Plug type I

    You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in Australia.

  • Currency

    $
    Australian Dollar

    Australia

  • Plugs & adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.

    • Type I

      Used in Australia

  • Visa

    Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and how long you stay. We can’t process visas for you, but here’s a quick indication for this trip.

    This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.

  • Payment information

    Pay now
    A 20% deposit
    Balance due
    60 days before departure
    Installments
    Interest-free, every two weeks
    Currency
    USD
    Booking fee
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    Book now with just a 20% deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $99 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before December 5th, 2026 will need to be paid in full at checkout.

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From
US $2,436 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec