I am booked on the Contrasts of Australia tour and I am looking at the international airfare tickets. Right now it looks like possibly a 0930 arrival time on the 26th which is the first day of the tour, where the only thing on the schedule is dinner. Do you foresee any problems with that for an arrival time? Do you know what time we could check into the Crowne Plaza?

The tour is scheduled to begin in Melbourne (MEL) at 15:00 on March 26, 2026, so flights should arrive prior to 12:00 noon. With a 09:30 arrival, you'll have plenty of time and there should be no issues joining the tour later that day. Regarding hotel check-in, official times vary by property, but rooms are typically available from 2:00–3:00 PM. If you arrive at the hotel earlier, your room may not yet be ready. While hotels do their best to accommodate early arrivals, check-in times cannot be guaranteed. In the meantime, the Crowne Plaza staff will be happy to suggest ways to spend your free time whether sightseeing, relaxing, or enjoying local restaurants until your room is prepared.

Could you kindly let us know about your availability for late February?

February 12, 2026 is currently open for booking. Once booked, it will be placed on request status, and confirmation or notice of unavailability may take 3 - 4 business days. Please be aware that availability and pricing are subject to change until your booking is made.

Is there an option to scuba at the Great Barrier Reef? We have 2 certified divers

Optional experience for scuba diving is offered for AU$198.00 per person. Optional experiences cannot be pre-booked and will be offered by Travel Director at the beginning of trip.

Is a visa required for U.S. passport holders traveling to Australia?

Yes, U.S. passport holders need an ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization for Australia.

Wondering about available dates for december 2025 closer to christmas and new years. Need a triple room for client traveling with two minors.

Only available departure date for December 2025 is December 4. No other departures in December 2025 closer to Christmas and New Year's. Happy to help find alternative tours in other destinations if interested.

What is the price for this trip with the single supplement? Can additional days be added at the beginning and/or end of the trip?

The Single Supplement cost is 1,350.00, which would bring the cost to a total of USD 6,317.51 in a Single Room. We can definitely arrange pre and post accommodation for you at the start and end of the tour with breakfast already included.

What kind of accommodation options are available on the tour?

You have the option to either have your own room or share a room with the same sex as you and of a similar age.

Can we customize this tour package for Sydney and Cairns.

For tour customization, it's only possible if they're given a free time or if they choose not to do our optional experiences to do their own activity. However, most of the time this tour will be guided, and they have a planned itinerary to follow.

Can we get a room with either a queen or King bed? We do not want twin beds. What is the cost for flights between cities?

Regarding the bed size, we can certainly request a king or queen bed for you; however, please note that this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, internal flights for this trip will be automatically added upon booking, costing $1,273.01 per person. This brings the total cost to $5,150.01 per person for a twin room.

What are the $805 additional fees for this trip?

Is the trip price locked in if we start payments and the price changes?

From

$3,980

US $3,582 per person

Contrasts of Australia

9 days

•

From Melbourne to Sydney

5.0

3 traveler reviews

View all
Great trip! The only thing I would Recommend is booking restaurants with more of a vegetarian variety.
tara, traveled in November
5.0
View all

From

$3,980

-10%

US $3,582 per person

+ $1,030 additional upfront costs

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: Trafalgar
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 20 - 50
All Ages Welcome

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Melbourne
Meals
Dinner (Popular restaurant on Yarra River's South Wharf)
Accommodation
Hotel (Crowne Plaza)
Included Activities
- Dinner at a popular restaurant on Yarra River's South Wharf
Landmarks
Yarra River
South Wharf
Day 2
Melbourne
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Crowne Plaza)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Melbourne lanes, arcades and cafes
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience - Koorie peoples and cultures walk at Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery
Optional Activities
- Little Penguins viewing on Phillip Island wildlife experience
Landmarks
Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery
Phillip Island
Day 3
Melbourne to Cairns
Meals
Breakfast (Boxed breakfast provided if departing on early flight from Melbourne)
Accommodation
Hotel (Hilton)
Included Activities
- Flight Melbourne to Cairns
- Private wildlife boat cruise at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures with Local Specialist
- Rainforest regeneration experience in Wangetti Valley
Optional Activities
- Cairns Night Markets exploration
Landmarks
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Wangetti Valley
Cairns Marina
Cairns Night Markets
Day 4
Great Barrier Reef
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Buffet lunch on board)
Accommodation
Hotel (Hilton)
Included Activities
- Full day Great Barrier Reef exploration on high-speed catamaran
- Snorkel experience with equipment provided
- Alternative semi-submersible craft with underwater observatory
- Buffet lunch
- Afternoon tea and coffee
Landmarks
Great Barrier Reef
Day 5
Cairns
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Australian cuisine featuring best local produce at Ochre Restaurant)
Accommodation
Hotel (Hilton)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Ochre Restaurant with Australian cuisine
Optional Activities
- Kuranda Scenic Railway through rainforest, gorges, and waterfalls
- Kuranda village exploration - trails, wildlife sanctuaries, shops, and markets
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway return journey
Landmarks
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Kuranda
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Ochre Restaurant
Day 6
Cairns to Sydney
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Flight Cairns to Sydney
Optional Activities
- Walk to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for Opera House and Harbour Bridge views
- Explore Circular Quay
- Explore the Rocks District
Landmarks
Mrs. Macquarie's Chair
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Circular Quay
The Rocks District
Day 7
Sydney
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Be My Guest meal at Bondi RSL Club with beach views, hosted by Surf Club member with local flavour)
Accommodation
Hotel (Sofitel Sydney Wentworth)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sydney Opera House
- Behind-the-scenes visit to Bondi Surf Life Saving Club with local guide
- Be My Guest lunch experience at Bondi RSL Club with views and local stories
- Sydney Harbour cruise viewing Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Landmarks
Sydney Opera House
Bondi Beach
Bondi Surf Life Saving Club
Bondi RSL Club
Sydney Harbour
Day 8
Sydney
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration dinner with fellow travellers)
Accommodation
Hotel (Sofitel Sydney Wentworth)
Included Activities
- Dinner with fellow travellers to celebrate the tour
Optional Activities
- Blue Mountains visit for mountain scenery
- Sydney Harbour Bridge climb experience
- Royal Botanic Garden exploration along harbour foreshore
Landmarks
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Blue Mountains
Royal Botanic Garden
Day 9
Sydney
Meals
Breakfast

Landmarks
Yarra River
South Wharf

Landmarks
Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery
Phillip Island

Landmarks
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Wangetti Valley
Cairns Marina
Cairns Night Markets

Landmarks
Great Barrier Reef

Landmarks
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Kuranda
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Ochre Restaurant

Landmarks
Mrs. Macquarie's Chair
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Circular Quay
The Rocks District

Landmarks
Sydney Opera House
Bondi Beach
Bondi Surf Life Saving Club
Bondi RSL Club
Sydney Harbour

Landmarks
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Blue Mountains
Royal Botanic Garden

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

Crowne Plaza
Hotel
Days 1, 2
Hilton
Hotel
Days 3, 4, 5
Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
Hotel
day 6
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Hotel
Days 7, 8

Operated by

Trafalgar

4.5

(2,205 reviews)

Number of tours

447

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

11 hours

Response rate

92%

Trafalgar has been hand crafting unique guided holidays for nearly 70 years....

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Other

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

5.0

Overall rating based on 3 Reviews

Itinerary
4.0
Transport
5.0
Guide
5.0
Accommodation
5.0
Food
3.5
Tour Operator
4.5

Iveta
January 10th, 2024
5
Everything was Excelent
Traveled in December 2023
Reply from: Trafalgar
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback and positive rating. It was our pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back again.
Show more
tara
November 28th, 2023
5
Nellie was an amazing tour guide and I had the best time ever! Great trip! The only thing I would Recommend is...
Nellie was an amazing tour guide and I had the best time ever! Great trip! The only thing I would Recommend is booking restaurants with more of a vegetarian variety but everything was great! My favourite part was swimming the Great Barrier Reef I was nervous but Nellie took me out and showed me and stayed with me until I was comfortable! Thank you for such a great experience!Show more
Traveled in November 2023
Reply from: Trafalgar
Thank you for taking the time to share your review with us. We sincerely appreciate your feedback and are delighted to hear you had a great experience with us. Our Travel Directors are highly committed to providing exceptional service and professionalism to our customers, and we're thrilled to learn that they delivered on that promise during your trip. We also want to thank you for your food recommendation. Our Product Team will review it and take necessary actions. We would like to express our gratitude for choosing Trafalgar as your travel partner, and we look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you on tour again.
Show more
Michael
February 22nd, 2020
5
A wonderful trip with a knowledgeable, personable guide. Enjoyed all the stops and excursions.
Traveled in January 2020
Reply from: Trafalgar
Thank you for putting through such great feedback as well as your lovely photos. Our Travel Directors are trained to the highest standards and pride themselves on the care and consideration that they provide to our guests at all times. With that being so, it's wonderful to read that you enjoyed our hand-picked destinations and activities, while your thoughtful Travel Director helped to provide a truly memorable experience. It was certainly our pleasure to welcome you on this journey, and we hope that you will join us for another shared adventure soon.
Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!

Ends in0d0h40m44s

-15%
From Thursday
26 Mar, 2026
To Friday
3 Apr, 2026
English
Almost Sold Out
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
$4,270
US $3,630 per person
Multiple Room Types
Additional Upfront
$1,030
From Thursday
9 Apr, 2026
To Friday
17 Apr, 2026
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US $4,179 per person
Additional Upfront
$845
See Similar Tours For These Dates
From Thursday
25 Jun, 2026
To Friday
3 Jul, 2026
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US $3,980 per person
Additional Upfront
$845
See Similar Tours For These Dates
1 Other Unavailable Departure
Instant Confirmation
From Thursday
27 Aug, 2026
To Friday
4 Sep, 2026
English
Filling Fast
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US $3,980 per person
Multiple Room Types
Additional Upfront
$845
From Thursday
24 Sep, 2026
To Friday
2 Oct, 2026
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US $4,179 per person
Additional Upfront
$845
See Similar Tours For These Dates
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Thursday
8 Oct, 2026
To Friday
16 Oct, 2026
English
Filling Fast
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$3,980
US $3,582 per person
Multiple Room Types
Additional Upfront
$845
From Thursday
5 Nov, 2026
To Friday
13 Nov, 2026
English
Almost Sold Out
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US $4,394 per person
Multiple Room Types
Additional Upfront
$845
From Thursday
19 Nov, 2026
To Friday
27 Nov, 2026
This departure date is not available or sold out
Sold out
From:
US $4,185 per person
Additional Upfront
$845
See Similar Tours For These Dates
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Thursday
26 Nov, 2026
To Friday
4 Dec, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$4,185
US $3,767 per person
Multiple Room Types
Additional Upfront
$845
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Thursday
3 Dec, 2026
To Friday
11 Dec, 2026
English
From:
$4,185
US $3,767 per person
Multiple Room Types
Additional Upfront
$845

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

We couldn't find results

Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

L
Lori
Asked on January 12th, 2026
I am booked on the Contrasts of Australia tour and I am looking at the international airfare tickets. Right now it looks like possibly a 0930 arrival time on the 26th which is the first day of the tour, where the only thing on the schedule is dinner. Do you foresee any problems with that for an arrival time? Do you know what time we could check into the Crowne Plaza?
Accommodation
Flights / Transfers
- TrafalgarOperator•Written January 2026
  The tour is scheduled to begin in Melbourne (MEL) at 15:00 on March 26, 2026, so flights should arrive prior to 12:00 noon. With a 09:30 arrival, you'll have plenty of time and there should be no issues joining the tour later that day. Regarding hotel check-in, official times vary by property, but rooms are typically available from 2:00–3:00 PM. If you arrive at the hotel earlier, your room may not yet be ready. While hotels do their best to accommodate early arrivals, check-in times cannot be guaranteed. In the meantime, the Crowne Plaza staff will be happy to suggest ways to spend your free time whether sightseeing, relaxing, or enjoying local restaurants until your room is prepared.
C
Craig
Asked on November 27th, 2025
Could you kindly let us know about your availability for late February?
Price / Availability
- TrafalgarOperator•Written November 2025
  February 12, 2026 is currently open for booking. Once booked, it will be placed on request status, and confirmation or notice of unavailability may take 3 - 4 business days. Please be aware that availability and pricing are subject to change until your booking is made.
L
Lorraine
Asked on July 27th, 2025
Is there an option to scuba at the Great Barrier Reef? We have 2 certified divers
Tour Details
- TrafalgarOperator•Written July 2025
  Optional experience for scuba diving is offered for AU$198.00 per person. Optional experiences cannot be pre-booked and will be offered by Travel Director at the beginning of trip.
A
Ali
Asked on March 8th, 2025
Is a visa required for U.S. passport holders traveling to Australia?
Visa
- TrafalgarOperator•Written March 2025
  Yes, U.S. passport holders need an ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization for Australia.
R
Ronald
Asked on March 3rd, 2025
Wondering about available dates for december 2025 closer to christmas and new years. Need a triple room for client traveling with two minors.
Accommodation
Tour Details
- TrafalgarOperator•Written March 2025
  Only available departure date for December 2025 is December 4. No other departures in December 2025 closer to Christmas and New Year's. Happy to help find alternative tours in other destinations if interested.
A
Adrian
Asked on February 7th, 2025
What is the price for this trip with the single supplement? Can additional days be added at the beginning and/or end of the trip?
Price / Availability
Single supplement
- TrafalgarOperator•Written February 2025
  The Single Supplement cost is 1,350.00, which would bring the cost to a total of USD 6,317.51 in a Single Room. We can definitely arrange pre and post accommodation for you at the start and end of the tour with breakfast already included.
H
Hans Alfred
Asked on January 16th, 2025
What kind of accommodation options are available on the tour?
Accommodation
- TrafalgarOperator•Written January 2025
  You have the option to either have your own room or share a room with the same sex as you and of a similar age.
C
Cathy
Asked on October 24th, 2024
Can we customize this tour package for Sydney and Cairns.
Tour Details
- TrafalgarOperator•Written October 2024
  For tour customization, it's only possible if they're given a free time or if they choose not to do our optional experiences to do their own activity. However, most of the time this tour will be guided, and they have a planned itinerary to follow.
L
Liam
Asked on August 28th, 2024
Can we get a room with either a queen or King bed? We do not want twin beds. What is the cost for flights between cities?
Accommodation
Flights / Transfers
Price / Availability
- TrafalgarOperator•Written August 2024
  Regarding the bed size, we can certainly request a king or queen bed for you; however, please note that this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, internal flights for this trip will be automatically added upon booking, costing $1,273.01 per person. This brings the total cost to $5,150.01 per person for a twin room.
C
Chelsea
Asked on July 22nd, 2024
What are the $805 additional fees for this trip?
Price / Availability
- C
  Chelsea
  Traveler•Written July 2024
  Is the trip price locked in if we start payments and the price changes?
- TrafalgarOperator•Written July 2024
  The additional cost of $805.00 per person is for internal flights from Melbourne to Cairns. This cost will be automatically added to the base price. The price of the trip at the time of your booking will be locked in. The required deposit is $350.00 per person, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure.

From

$3,980

-10%

US $3,582 per person

+ $1,030 additional upfront costs

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 87582

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
Australia
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Australia. Ideally 10 days before travel.
- Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Australia. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before June 20th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 20th, 2026, a minimum payment of $200 is required to confirm your booking with Trafalgar. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Trafalgar will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Trafalgar" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Trafalgar. Please familiarize yourself with the Trafalgar payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Contrasts of Australia

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Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

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What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Sustainability Initiatives

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

Travel Insurance

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Availability

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