Australia
Explore Australia’s larger-than-life natural and man-made wonders, from the sun-baked Outback, lush rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, to some of the world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.
What's Included
- Return scheduled flights
- Premium economy flight upgrades available at a supplement from Heathrow
- Stay in handpicked three, four and five-star hotels, with breakfast throughout
- Escorted by an experienced tour manager
Itinerary
Day 1
You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Melbourne via Singapore.
Day 2
From Singapore, take your connecting flight to Melbourne.
Day 3
Welcome to Australia! Melbourne is one of the world’s greatest cities and our home for three nights is the five-star Pullman on the Park in East Melbourne, just ten minutes’ walk from the centre with its free tramcar services.
Day 4
A morning city sightseeing tour includes Federation Square, the Victoria National Gallery, the Old Melbourne Gaol and the Exhibition Building built for the 1880 Great Exhibition. Our first stop is the spectacular Eureka Skydeck Tower with its sensational 88th floor viewing platform (the highest in the Southern Hemisphere) and ‘Edge Experience’ (at extra charge) – a glass cube sliding out from the building, with you inside! We enjoy free time to explore in Melboune - stroll along the Southbank Promenade or join your Tour Manager and discover some of Melbourne’s famed ‘laneways’.Our included early dinner is on Melbourne’s famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.
Day 5
The morning is free to relax or explore, with one option the bustling Queen Victoria Market that has served Melbourne for over a century. Early afternoon we drive into the Dandenong Ranges overlooking the city, riding on the historic ‘Puffing Billy’ steam train through lush mountainside from Belgrave to Emerald Lakeside. The evening is at leisure – why not take in one of Melbourne’s many theatrical productions.
Day 6
We set off early on the Great Ocean Road, Australia’s most spectacular coastal highway. We join the "Shipwreck Coast" that stretches through Port Campbell National Park and stop for photos of the Twelve Apostles - huge rock pillars shaped by the Southern Ocean - before continuing to the seaside town of Warrnambool. Our hotel for the night is the three-star superior Quality Suites Deep Blue Hotel & Spa. Dinner is included tonight.
Day 7
Today we head to the South Australian town of Mt. Gambier. Built on the slopes of an extinct volcano, it’s famous for its spectacular Blue Lake whose waters inexplicably change to a brilliant blue in summer. Back on the road, we pass through the wine growing region of Coonawarra and typical south Australian bush country (look out for kangaroos & emus!) before our afternoon arrival in Adelaide. We stay for two nights at the centrally located five-star Intercontinental.
Day 8
A morning tour of Adelaide includes the location where Colonel William Light planned the city in 1836. His simple blueprint – a one square mile centre surrounded by parks and open spaces – is still in evidence today. Leaving Adelaide mid-morning, we head to one of Australia’s most renowned wine regions – the Barossa Valley. We visit the historic Seppeltsfield winery, where you will enjoy a private tasting.
Day 9
We transfer to the airport for our flight to Alice Springs, capital of Australia’s ‘Red Centre’. A short drive includes ANZAC Hill for panoramic views of the town. This afternoon we visit the Old Telegraph Station, established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. Alice Springs is a major base of het Royal Flying Doctors Service and we’ll also visit the museum dedicated to it. Our hotel for two nights is the four-star Lasseters, with a pool and spa. Our authentic Outback dinner is at The Earth Sanctuary at the Quandong Homestead – enjoy a bush BBQ with music and entertainment, hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime and relax around the camp fire before returning to the hotel.
Day 10
Early risers have the option of an unforgettable hot-air balloon ride at sunrise. This afternoon, we explore the beautiful Western MacDonnell Ranges. We stop at Simpsons Gap, an important spiritual site for the Arrarnta Aboriginal peoples, and finish the day walking the picturesque gorge at Standley Chasm.
Day 11
We leave Alice Springs and head south, stopping off at some typical Australian ‘roadhouses’ as we enter the barren landscape of the ‘Red Centre’ - a vast desert plain dotted with spinifex and desert oaks. Mid-afternoon we arrive at Yulara, near Ayers Rock (traditional name Uluru), and check into the four-star Desert Gardens, with breakfast. In the evening we drive to ‘Sunset Strip’, pop some bubbly and enjoy Uluru’s remarkable light show as the Rock changes colour … utterly breathtaking.
Day 12
It’s an early start to reach the viewing area to watch the sun rise above Uluru. A guided ‘Mala’ walk around the Rock’s base reveals its spiritual significance through Dreamtime stories and Anangu rock art before an opportunity to purchase lunch at the Cultural Centre. Early afternoon, we visit the Kata Tjuta rock formations and take a short walk into the beautiful Mount Olga Gorge. Back at the resort you can visit the Yulara Village.
Day 13
We transfer to the airport for our flight to Cairns. Your Hotel is the four-star superior Pullman International in Cairns for four nights with breakfast.
Day 14
This morning we join the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway for a trip through tropical rainforest, ravines and spectacular gorges in the magnificent Barron Falls National Park. Surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest, Kuranda itself brims with arts and crafts shops. We return to the coast via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, skimming over the top of the rainforest canopy.
Day 15
After breakfast we head out to Michaelmas Cay with Ocean Spirit Cruises. One of the world’s great natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest expanse of living coral on earth. The sand bar at Michaelmas Cay offers the opportunity to snorkel with parrot fish, giant clams and even sea turtles! The cay is also home to over 20,000 migratory terns and gannets. You will enjoy snorkelling (equipment provided), a semi-submersible tour, a glass-bottom boat trip, and a buffet lunch before returning to Cairns.
Day 16
Today is at leisure in Cairns. Trips are available on the scenic Cook Highway to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree rainforest; to the Atherton Tablelands; a night-time tour of Cairns zoo or helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 17
After our flight from Cairns to Sydney we transfer to the four-star superior Parkroyal Darling Harbour with breakfast for four nights.
Day 18
Our tour of Australia’s largest city takes you through the historic ‘The Rocks’ area followed by a stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for fantastic views of Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. We continue through Double Bay and on to famous Bondi Beach for a stroll along the promenade. This afternoon will be unforgettable – a cruise in the world’s most picturesque harbour.
Day 19
We travel inland to the dramatic Blue Mountains that encompass steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and pretty villages. You’ll see the stunning Three Sisters rock formation and enjoy views of the Jamison Valley below. You can take a short cliff-side walk (or the coach) to the Scenic Skyway cable car 270m above. You then take the world's steepest incline railway to descend 415m at a gradient of 52 degrees. At the bottom, a path takes you through lush eucalyptus forest teeming with plants and birdlife. We return to Sydney in the late afternoon.
Day 20
Today is at leisure in Sydney. The opportunities are endless – enjoy the beaches, tour the Opera House, take a sea-plane trip over the city or even climb the famous Harbour Bridge!
Day 21
The morning is free before transferring to the airport for our flight home, via Singapore.
Day 22
Arrive back at your selected airport.
Intercontinental
the five-star Intercontinental is located in a very central location overlooking the riverbank promenade and the Adelaide Oval. The imposing lobby atrium leads to the popular bar and Riverside...
Lasseters
the four-star Lasseters is located on the outskirts of Alice Springs, close to the Todd River and backing on to the local golf course. The attractive outdoor heated pool has an informal café;...
Desert Gardens Resort
the four-star Desert Gardens Resort is part of the Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, the only place to stay near Uluru, and is made up of a several hotels and a campground. Set in spacious gardens and...
Pullman Cairns International
the five-star Pullman Cairns International is perfectly located in the centre of Cairns within an easy stroll of the harbour, the beach-front promenade and numerous dining choices. The hotel boasts a...
Parkroyal Darling Harbour
the four-star superior Parkroyal Darling Harbour is located just round the corner from Darling Harbour, one of Sydney’s most popular dining areas. There’s a huge variety of bars and...
Pullman on the Park
the five-star Pullman on the Park is beautifully located right next to Fitzroy Gardens, one of Melbourne’s largest and best parks and opposite Melbourne’s best-known sporting venues. A...
Quality Suites Deep Blue Hotel & Spa
the three-star superior Quality Suites Deep Blue Hotel & Spa is located in a quiet residential area close to the sea. There is an open-plan lobby, bar & dining area, as well as a fitness room and...
Price Includes
The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. It includes scheduled flights to Melbourne and returning from Sydney and all domestic flights within Australia; all transfers;18 nights nights accommodation on the 21-day tours and 21 nights accommodation on the 24-day tours inthree, four and five-star hotels; daily breakfast and three meals (or four meals on 24-day tour); citysightseeing in Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs and Sydney; Puffing Billy train trip; wine tasting in the Barossa Valley; walk at The MacDonnell Ranges and at the base of Uluru; visit to the Olgas; trip on theKuranda Railway and Skyrail; Ocean Spirit catamaran trip to Michaelmas Cay; trip to Blue Mountains and Sydney Harbour cruise; tours extending to Darwin include Jumping Croc, Yellow Waters and KatherineGorge river cruises, Aboriginal cultural experience & visit to Litchfield National Park; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera tour manager.
Holiday Provided By
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Original Price
£0
from
£5,299
Based on: London Heathrow Airport, 21st May 2019