Australian Explorer
Melbourne, VIC
Discover the beauty of Australia on a journey through the country's most diverse landscapes and iconic sights. Experience the eclectic laneways of Melbourne, the spirituality of the Red Centre, and the iconic sites of Sydney, before visiting tropical Cairns.
Highlights
- Discover Melbourne’s hidden gems on a walking tour
- Experience sunset & sunrise at Uluru
- Discover Aboriginal rock art & learn about sacred sites at Uluru
- Explore Kata Tjuta & hike through Walpa Gorge
- See the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and famous Bondi Beach
- Encounter native Australian animals at Harley's Crocodile Adventures
- Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway through the tree tops and the Scenic Rail from the beautiful village of Kuranda, or cruise to the Great Barrier Reef on an optional tour
- Day 1 - Welcome to Melbourne
- Day 2 - Melbourne
- Day 3 - Melbourne - Uluru
- Day 4 - Uluru - Sydney
- Day 5 - Sydney
- Day 6 - Sydney Free Time
- Day 7 - Sydney - Cairns
- Day 8 - Cairns Free Time
- Day 9 - Farewell from Cairns
- Additional Information
Welcome to Melbourne! On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening you will meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone.
Meals Included: DinThe Victoria Hotel Melbourne
With a stay at ibis Styles Melbourne, The Victoria Hotel, you'll be centrally located in Melbourne. The historic hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Bourke Street shopping mall and Federation Square. It features a restaurant, a swimming pool, a sauna and a rooftop fitness centre. Rooms at The Victoria Hotel offer classical-style furnishings. All rooms include air conditioning, a modern en-suite bathroom and a work desk. Guests can relax at Vic's Bar and Pool Room. There is tram stop at the corner of Bourke Street and Swanston Street, just 2 minutes’ walk away and Crown Casino is a 25-minute walk away.
Melbourne is known for its eclectic little laneways, arcades, café culture and street art. This morning, your Travel Director will show you these hidden gems on a private walking tour. The rest of your day is free, and your Travel Director will point you in the right direction for you to explore the city on your own terms. You might want to use the free CBD trams and explore The Queen Victoria Markets to try gourmet foods and fresh local produce. This evening is your chance to experience some of Melbourne's well known restaurants or you could take in a show at one of the many theatres.
Meals Included: Bed and BreakfastThe Victoria Hotel Melbourne
With a stay at ibis Styles Melbourne, The Victoria Hotel, you'll be centrally located in Melbourne. The historic hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Bourke Street shopping mall and Federation Square. It features a restaurant, a swimming pool, a sauna and a rooftop fitness centre. Rooms at The Victoria Hotel offer classical-style furnishings. All rooms include air conditioning, a modern en-suite bathroom and a work desk. Guests can relax at Vic's Bar and Pool Room. There is tram stop at the corner of Bourke Street and Swanston Street, just 2 minutes’ walk away and Crown Casino is a 25-minute walk away.
Today you fly from Melbourne to Uluru. After checking into your hotel at Ayers Rock Resort we traverse the vast outback with Kata Tjuta looming into focus. Walking into the rising walls of Walpa Gorge you will feel and hear why this is such a significate place to the local people. Stay longer in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for sundowners and nibbles as you witness the striking colour changes of a spectacular sunset over Uluru.
Meals Included: Bed and BreakfastOutback Pioneer
Outback Pioneer Hotel offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms, less than 15 km from Ayers Rock (Uluru). It includes a garden with a barbecue area and an outdoor swimming pool. Each room at Outback Pioneer Hotel includes tea/coffee making facilities and a private bathroom. The Bough Restaurant serves a traditional Australian breakfast each morning, featuring Australian cuisine and regional dishes.
Rise early to experience the desert awakening and the spectacular sunrise over Uluru. Dive into the culture and gain insight in to the traditional aboriginal owners of the land as you discover the Uluru Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Explore aboriginal rock art caves and through to waterholes under immense Uluru. In the afternoon you will fly from Uluru to Sydney.
Meals Included: Bed and BreakfastNovotel Sydney City Centre
Travelodge Wynyard is one of the best-placed Sydney hotels for the smart traveller who appreciates great value.
Sydney is full of iconic sights and this morning you will see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and the beautiful Bondi Beach. On this morning’s city sights tour you will not only see the iconic sights but also some hidden gems. Then you will do what the locals do and hit the water on a Sydney Harbour Cruise. This afternoon you have free time to explore Sydney sights the way you want.
Meals Included: Bed and BreakfastNovotel Sydney City Centre
Travelodge Wynyard is one of the best-placed Sydney hotels for the smart traveller who appreciates great value.
Wake up to another day to explore Sydney. Today you have the flexibility to explore the city any way that you want. You might want sleep in or choose an optional activity to travel further afield to the beautiful Blue Mountains or climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for spectacular views of the city. Your Travel Director will be able to assist you to get the most out of your day.
Meals Included: Bed and BreakfastNovotel Sydney City Centre
Travelodge Wynyard is one of the best-placed Sydney hotels for the smart traveller who appreciates great value.
This morning you will fly from Sydney to tropical Cairns. After some free time for lunch and a bit of a wander around this tropical city, you will journey to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals. After getting up close to a crocodile you will join your fellow travellers to give back and plant a tree as part of our rainforest restoration project.
Meals Included: Bed and BreakfastPacific Hotel Cairns
The Pacific Hotel Cairns is a prominent hotel located in Cairns, Australia. Situated in the heart of the city, it offers stunning views of the Coral Sea and the surrounding tropical landscapes. The hotel is known for its modern amenities, comfortable accommodations, and convenient access to popular attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Guests can enjoy a range of facilities, including restaurants, a pool, and meeting spaces.
Today is a day to explore the best of the Cairns region. You might choose to tick off the Great Barrier Reef of your bucket list or if getting on the water isn’t your thing, your Travel Director can find you something more your style. You could take to the rainforest and join the Skyrail ride through the tree tops and a scenic railway journey from the beautiful town of Kuranda. After another day of exploring the way you want, you will join your fellow travellers for a waterfront farewell dinner.
Meals Included: Bed and BreakfastPacific Hotel Cairns
The Pacific Hotel Cairns is a prominent hotel located in Cairns, Australia. Situated in the heart of the city, it offers stunning views of the Coral Sea and the surrounding tropical landscapes. The hotel is known for its modern amenities, comfortable accommodations, and convenient access to popular attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Guests can enjoy a range of facilities, including restaurants, a pool, and meeting spaces.
This morning you say goodbye to tropical Cairns and your fellow travellers as your trip comes to an end after breakfast.
Meals Included: Bed and BreakfastFlight information
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.30pm into Melbourne Airport
Day 9 – flights to depart anytime from Cairns Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price.
Internal-holiday flights: Land Only price requires the following internal-holiday flights to be purchased separately in order to fulfil the holiday itinerary:
Day 3 – Melbourne to Ayers Rock: JQ664
Day 4 – Ayers Rock to Sydney: VA1628
Day 7 – Sydney to Cairns: OF922
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