13 Day Australian Highlights Tours

Day 1: Arrive Melbourne

Transfer from the airport to your hotel where you’ll enjoy a welcome reception before dinner onboard the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant as you tour the city.

Day 2: City Sights

A private walking tour provides the chance to visit some of the sights of the city before an afternoon spent at leisure, with the option of an additional tour to Phillip Island to witness the famous Penguin Parade.

Day 3: Melbourne at leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure enjoying the many sights that Melbourne has to offer, with optional extras including the chance to head into the Yarra Valley for a spot of wine tasting.

Day 4: Melbourne – Alice Springs

Rise early for a morning flight to Alice Springs where you’ll spend time visiting the School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Telegraph Station. A trip to the top of Anzac Hill provides fine panoramic views of both the town and surrounding ranges before an outback dinner and tour of the night sky at the Earth Sanctuary Nature Centre – where you can also enjoy a sing-a-long accompanied by the didgeridoo!

Day 5: Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Travel through the picturesque West MacDonnell and James Ranges before pausing to admire Mount Connor as you head for Ayers Rock resort, where you can enjoy watching the striking colour changes of Uluru at sunset with a glass of sparkling wine.

Day 6: Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Kata Tjuta (Olgas)

Rising early to see the sun come up and illuminate Ayers Rock, you’ll tour the caves below Uluru before visiting the nearby Uluru – Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. In the afternoon, journey through the Kata Tjuta desert plains and take in the magic of the Walpa Gorge with a walk through the natural creek bed. The day ends enjoying a glorious sunset at the Olgas – a series of large domed rock formations – with a glass of sparkling wine.

Day 7: Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Cairns

A day of interaction with local Aboriginal artists provides the chance to gain an introduction to Western Desert Art and learn more about the local culture, with the opportunity to create your own painting to take home as a unique momento of your trip. Later take a flight to Cairns for the next leg of your adventure.

Day 8: Great Barrier Reef

In one of the highlights of the tour, take a cruise around the Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran, with the opportunity to view the coral, partake in a spot of fishing or go snorkelling in the clear waters (snorkelling gear included, extra charge for scuba). Also enjoy a reef education presentation as well as a tropical buffet lunch.

Day 9: Cairns 'free time'

A day to spend exploring Cairns at your leisure, although optional tours are available.

Day 10: Cairns – Sydney

Meet an array of wildlife with a trip to the spectacular Cairns Wildlife Dome before taking a flight to Sydney, where the remainder of the day is spent at leisure.

Day 11: City sights & Harbour Cruise

See the sights of Sydney with a tour of the famous Opera House followed by visits to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Kings Cross before taking a wander along the shoreline on a trip to Bondi Beach. Later on, gain an alternative view of the city with a cruise around Sydney Harbour, where you can also learn about Australia’s national gemstone, the opal.

Day 12: Sydney at leisure

Explore Sydney at leisure on a free day, although optional tours are available, including a visit to the Blue Mountains. Meet your tour director and fellow travellers for dinner.

Day 13: Depart Sydney

Transfer to Sydney airport for your return flight.