Australian Highlights

Welcome to Melbourne

Arrive early and check in to your hotel for a three-night stay, before meeting your fellow adventure-seekers over a beverage or two. The following two days are at your leisure to explore Melbourne, from its boutiques and galleries, to its eclectic suburbs. Why not sign up to discover the Great Ocean Road, a stretch of coastline that deserves its reputation as one of the most scenic touring routes in the world.

Melbourne – Uluru

Spiritual, sacred and spectacular, the world’s largest rock monolith will give you goosebumps. In Australia’s Red Centre, Uluru has been home to the Anangu people for millennia. Their connection is palpable, as you’ll discover when you arrive at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Experience a memorable sunset watching the shifting colours transform the desert with every last ray.

Uluru & Kata Tjuta

If there’s one thing worth getting out of bed early for, it’s sunrise over Uluru. Incredibly, the Rock’s base caves are home to First Nations art that dates back tens of thousands of years. The ochres and silvery greens of the outback follow you to Kata Tjuta, where Walpa Gorge humbles with its soaring cliffs.

Uluru – Cairns

Rise early to view artist Bruce Munro’s installation Field of Light at dawn. Internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro is noted for his immersive site-specific installations that employ light to evoke emotional response. His Field of Light, inspired by a trip to Uluru over 30 years ago, is installed in a remote desert area within sight of majestic Uluru. It is his largest installation to date and truly a magical sight to behold.

Climb to the top of a sand dune to marvel at the morning unfolding over this very special part of the world. An Anangu artist will explain just what makes it so spiritual over an introduction to Western Desert art, introducing totems and symbols important to the region and represented in paintings and installations.

Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns.

Cairns

Today is at your leisure to explore, why not sign up for a guided walk through the Daintree Rainforest, or surround yourself with nature riding the Scenic Railway to Kuranda? 

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef never fails to dazzle. Set out on a catamaran to explore a kaleidoscope of colour: over 1,500 species of fish, 215 different birds, 3,000 molluscs, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, and 30 species of dolphins and whales are residents. Strap on a snorkel or visit an underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft to take in the menagerie without getting your hair wet. Tonight, celebrate the end of an incredible day at dinner on Cairns’ waterfront at Salt House.

Cairns – Sydney

Touch down in Australia’s largest city for a four-night stay. Freshen up and join your Travel Director and travel mates on a dinner cruise around Sydney Harbour against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Sydney

Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, discovering its architectural and performance secrets. The world’s most famous beach beckons this morning, with your chance to pad along the sand at Bondi. A local Surf Life Saver will take you into the members-only Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club. Learn about this historic club and gain an understanding of the important work that is done here saving lives on this famous beach. Enjoy lunch with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Sydney

The next two days are at your leisure. Explore more of Sydney or head to the Blue Mountains, 11,400 square kilometres of World Heritage listed wilderness, a place where sandstone escarpments appear to cleave off the edge of the Earth and waterfall-cooled valleys of rainforest slip dreamily from the pages of a fairytale.

On day 13 your epic journey comes to an end, with so many destinations explored in less than two weeks.

Depart Sydney