The 12-day Highlights of Australia tour offers a comprehensive and economical experience that begins in Melbourne and takes you to both the iconic sights in Australia as well as exploring many off the beaten path locations. It features Sydney, Cairns, the Outback, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. View the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders and observe magnificent wildlife, such as kangaroos, koala bears, dingoes and wild horses.
Highlights of this tour include a sightseeing trip in Melbourne, that includes such popular landmarks as Flinders St. Station, beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. Take a day tour to the Great Ocean Road and view the “Twelve Apostles” or travel to Phillip Island and see the delightful Penguin Parade. Fly to the Outback and in Alice Springs, visit the acclaimed School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station. Set amid lush rainforests and the ocean, Cairns offers a host of attractions, such as a scenic railway and a cable car that glides over the World-Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy. See the brilliant colors of the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef on a cruise, glass-bottom boat or while snorkeling. Boasting one of the world’s most beautiful harbors, view the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous Sydney Opera House with its incredible architecture. Take a tour around the base of Uluru, also called Ayers Rock, located with the Kata Tjuta National Park, which also includes the 36 red-rock domes of the Kata Tjuta (“The Olgas”) formations. Tour the caves of Uluru, where you can have an unforgettable sunset toast while watching them change colors for an unforgettable experience! Enjoy all this and more on your Highlights of Australia tour which is sure to be the best vacation you ever had!
12 Days • fr. $5,287
Welcome to Australia! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or start exploring this vibrant city.
Citadines on Bourke Hotel
This morning begins with a welcome briefing to meet fellow passengers and your Tour Director. Then, enjoy a city sightseeing tour which includes landmarks such as Flinders St. Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fitzroy Gardens, the Botanic Gardens, and the Shrine of Remembrance.
The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.
Citadines on Bourke Hotel
A full free day to explore more of Melbourne on your own. You may wish to consider a day tour to the scenic Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles” or travel to Phillip Island and see the famous Penguin Parade.
Citadines on Bourke Hotel
Today, fly to the Outback and visit the SCHOOL OF THE AIR and ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE to learn how education and medical services are provided in remote regions (subject to opening times). Also, visit the Old Telegraph Station to discover how early settlers developed communications.
Mercure Alice Springs Hotel
Today, journey through the heart of the Outback, keeping a lookout for red kangaroos, dingoes, camels, and feral horses, known as “Brumbies.” Upon arrival, travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant domes. Later, visit the Sunset Strip, where you will enjoy a champagne toast while experiencing one of the world’s greatest spectacles—Uluru at sunset.
Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge
Enjoy a tour at the base of Uluru, the extraordinary monolith whose circumference is studded with caves decorated with Aboriginal paintings. In the afternoon, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef."
Park Regis City Quays Hotel
The world’s largest coral reef, made up of over 3,000 individual reefs and over 1,250 miles long, is one of our planet’s most amazing natural wonders. Board a CATAMARAN CRUISE to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Experience this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to snorkel, take a glass-bottom-boat tour, view the reef from an underwater observatory, and watch a fish feeding. Return to Cairns, where your evening is at leisure.
Lunch
Park Regis City Quays Hotel
Today is yours to relax and explore. Set amid lush rainforests, soaring peaks, and the ocean, Cairns is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. It has many attractions including a scenic railway, which runs to the picturesque market town of Kuranda and a cable car that glides over Australia’s World-Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy.
Park Regis City Quays Hotel
Board your flight to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Tonight, you may wish to enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
Travelodge Wynyard Hotel
Sydney boasts one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, home to the instantly recognizable Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous architectural wonder - the Sydney Opera House. This morning, your sightseeing tour will take you through the commercial and shopping heart of Sydney. End the day with a habor cruise along Sydney Harbour for uninterrupted views of the city skyline.
Travelodge Wynyard Hotel
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. You may wish to wander the cobblestone streets of the Rocks district, explore vibrant Darling Harbour, or climb to the top of Sydney's Harbour Bridge. Your tour director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city.
Travelodge Wynyard Hotel
Your vacation ends this morning.
All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.