Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive in Melbourne and get settled into your hotel once check-in opens at 3 pm. By 6 pm, meet up with the group for a welcome drink to start things off.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
- Day 2
Melbourne
This morning includes a guided city tour where you'll see the neo-Gothic St. Patrick's Cathedral, walk through Fitzroy Gardens, and check out the Parliament of Victoria. After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is yours to spend however you like exploring shopping districts, visiting museums, or taking an optional boat trip on the Yarra River if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour including St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Visit to Fitzroy Gardens
- Visit to Parliament of the State of Victoria
Optional Activities
- Stroll through shopping streets
- Visit museums
- Boat trip on the Yarra River
- Penguin Parade excursion at Phillip Island
Landmarks St. Patrick's Cathedral Fitzroy Gardens Parliament of the State of Victoria Yarra River - Day 3
Melbourne to Great Ocean Road
Head west toward the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic coastal drives around. You'll pass through Geelong and drive along coastal towns and sandy beaches, stopping to see Loch Ard Gorge and the iconic 12 Apostles rock formations shaped by wind and waves. Back in Melbourne by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Great Ocean Road scenic drive
- Visit to Loch Ard Gorge
- Visit to the 12 Apostles
Landmarks Great Ocean Road Loch Ard Gorge 12 Apostles 
- Day 4
Melbourne to Sydney
Transfer to the airport and fly to Sydney. After you arrive and get to your hotel, the rest of the day is open for you to walk around the city at your own pace and get a feel for the place.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 5
Sydney
A guided city tour takes you to Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the Botanic Gardens where you get views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Then it's off to Bondi Beach to walk on the sand and watch surfers. Around lunchtime, you'll board a scenic boat cruise through Sydney Harbour with lunch included on the boat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board scenic boat cruise)
Included Activities
- City tour with stop at Mrs Macquarie's Chair
- Visit to Botanic Gardens
- Visit to Bondi Beach
- Scenic boat cruise through Sydney Harbour with lunch on board
Landmarks Mrs Macquarie's Chair Botanic Gardens Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bridge Bondi Beach - Day 6
Blue Mountains
Spend the full day in the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site west of Sydney. The eucalyptus forests create a pale blue mist that gives the area its name. You'll explore the dramatic canyon landscape, see the Three Sisters rock formation, visit waterfalls, and wander through charming villages. The cool high-altitude air provides a nice break from the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Blue Mountains day trip
- Visit to Three Sisters rock formation
- Waterfall viewing
- Visit to villages in the Blue Mountains
Landmarks Blue Mountains Three Sisters - Day 7
Sydney to Alice Springs
Fly from Sydney to Alice Springs in the outback. After landing, take an orientation drive through town and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to see how medical care reaches remote areas. Later, explore the Old Telegraph Station to learn about outback history, then head to the Desert Park to see native Australian wildlife and birds in open-air enclosures plus nocturnal animals in darkened exhibits.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Orientation drive in Alice Springs
- Visit to Royal Flying Doctor Service
- Visit to Old Telegraph Station
- Visit to Desert Park
Landmarks Royal Flying Doctor Service Old Telegraph Station Desert Park - Day 8
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
Drive through the Red Center to Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon. The landscape has red rocky cliffs rising about 100 meters high with surprisingly green vegetation where water is available. Take a short hike of roughly 45 minutes along the canyon floor to get a sense of the area and see if you're ready for a longer hike tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive through the Red Center
- Visit to Watarrka National Park
- Visit to Kings Canyon
- Short hike along canyon floor (approximately 45 minutes)
Optional Activities
- Longer circular hike around Kings Canyon (next day decision)
Landmarks Kings Canyon Watarrka National Park 
- Day 9
Kings Canyon to Uluru
Start early for a challenging 3-hour hike up to the rocky plateau above Kings Canyon for great desert views. Then head to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and circle the monolith in an air-conditioned coach with short walks available at scenic spots. As the day winds down, reach a viewpoint for sparkling wine at sunset and watch the rock shift through shades of red.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Challenging hike to Kings Canyon plateau (approximately 3 hours)
- Drive around Uluru
- Short walks around Uluru base
- Sunset viewing at Uluru with sparkling wine
Landmarks Uluru 
- Day 10
Uluru to Cairns
Wake early to see the sunrise at Uluru, then visit the Aboriginal Cultural Center to learn about the spiritual importance of the monolith to Aboriginal people. From there, drive to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), the impressive dome-shaped rock formation nearby, and take a walk to get close to it. Later you'll fly to Cairns and transfer to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Uluru sunrise viewing
- Visit to Aboriginal Cultural Center
- Visit to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
- Walk around Kata Tjuta
Landmarks Aboriginal Cultural Center Kata Tjuta - Day 11
Great Barrier Reef
Board a fast excursion boat for a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef's Outer Reef. You'll see colorful coral reefs and exciting marine life while swimming, snorkeling, or diving in this underwater environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Great Barrier Reef day trip on excursion boat
- Snorkeling or diving at the Outer Reef
- Swimming in the coral reef waters
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef 
- Day 12
Cairns to Airlie Beach
Travel on a historic train through the rainforest to the Atherton Tablelands with sweeping views of the Pacific coast and Great Barrier Reef. Stop in the jungle village of Kuranda to learn about indigenous history, mythology, and traditional ways of life. Float back over the rainforest treetops on the longest cable car in the southern hemisphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Historic train journey through rainforest to Atherton Tablelands
- Visit to Kuranda village
- Cultural learning about indigenous history and traditions
- Cable car journey over rainforest (longest in southern hemisphere)
Landmarks Atherton Tablelands Kuranda 
- Day 13
Cairns to Airlie Beach
This morning head to the train station and board the Spirit of Queensland for a scenic journey through sugar cane fields and mango plantations. The train reaches Proserpine by day's end, then it's a short drive to Airlie Beach, your starting point for the Whitsunday Islands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Train journey on Spirit of Queensland through sugar cane fields and mango plantations
Landmarks Whitsunday Islands - Day 14
Whitsunday Islands
Experience a full-day boat trip through the Whitsundays sailing through azure waters and hiking to Hill Inlet. You'll snorkel on a coral reef and have a BBQ lunch on the boat. The day includes a visit to Whiteheaven Beach with its white siliceous sand and shimmering blue water, one of the world's top beaches.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (BBQ lunch on boat)
Included Activities
- Full-day Whitsunday Islands boat trip
- Hike to Hill Inlet
- Snorkeling on pristine coral reef
- Visit to Whiteheaven Beach
- BBQ lunch
Landmarks Whitsunday Islands Hill Inlet Whiteheaven Beach 
- Day 15
Airlie Beach to Sunshine Coast
Fly to Brisbane and drive to the Sunshine Coast, where 60 kilometers of sandy beaches are waiting. This region combines white sandy beaches and pristine waterways with lush rainforests and World Heritage-listed national parks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Landmarks Sunshine Coast - Day 16
Sunshine Coast
Enjoy a relaxed day at the tropical Sunshine Coast. Take walks along the beaches, watch surfers, or stroll through shopping streets at whatever pace you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walks on the beach
- Watch surfers
- Stroll through shopping streets
- Day 17
Sunshine Coast to Brisbane
Explore the interior's natural areas with great viewpoints and historic villages. Walk through Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve to see Sunshine Coast rainforest and get views of the Glasshouse Mountains. Then continue to Brisbane, Queensland's capital, where you'll have the evening free to explore on foot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Walk in Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
- Rainforest viewing at Mary Cairncross
- Views of Glasshouse Mountains
Optional Activities
- Explore Brisbane on foot
Landmarks Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Glasshouse Mountains - Day 18
Brisbane
Take a guided city tour to see Brisbane's highlights including Mt. Coot-tha, Newstead House, Government House, and other local attractions. The afternoon is yours to relax on the city beach, stroll along the Brisbane River, or visit cafes and restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Brisbane
- Visit to Mt. Coot-tha
- Visit to Newstead House
- Visit to Government House
Optional Activities
- Relax on city beach
- Stroll along Brisbane River
- Visit cafes and restaurants
Landmarks Mt. Coot-tha Newstead House Government House - Day 19
Brisbane Departure
Your round trip through Australia concludes after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
