13 Days Australian Highlights (IMSE)

Welcome to Melbourne

On arrival at Melbourne Airport you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Early evening join your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner on board the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, for what is not only a culinary delight, but a trip into a little piece of Victoria’s history. As you cruise the city streets of Melbourne, you’ll enjoy a seasonal menu and quality Australian wines. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.

Melbourne

Explore Melbourne on a city sights tour then discover its eclectic little laneways, arcades, café society and fascinating street art on your private walking tour. The rest of your day is free for you to do as you please. You may like to take an optional experience to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade on Summerland Beach or maybe you’d prefer to relax or even experience some of Melbourne’s well-known food and culture.

Melbourne ‘Free Time’

Today is free for you to explore the delights of Melbourne. You may like to take a full day optional experience to the Great Ocean Road to discover the stunning coastline and the Twelve Apostles. Or maybe treat yourself to a theatre production or indulge in some world class fare at one of the city’s famous eateries.

Melbourne – Alice Springs

Today you fly to Alice Springs. On arrival visit the School of the Air and hear how it delivers education to children living in remote areas. Next stop is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where you’ll learn how this facility provides a ‘mantle of safety’ to the people of the outback. Be my guest dining experience This evening join Joe, Dan, Tommy and Ben Falzon for a Be My Guest homecooked gourmet BBQ dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. They’ll share stories of ecology, culture and astronomy, you’ll hear about their sustainable lifestyle, and they may even lead you on a sing-a-long with didgeridoo and guitar. It will be a night to remember.

Alice Springs – Ayers Rock

Travel through the West MacDonnell and James Ranges and pause to view majestic Atila (Mt. Conner) often mistaken for Uluru, before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the resort’s facilities. Later, travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Witness and photograph the striking colour changes of Uluru at sunset while enjoying nibbles and sparkling wine.

Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

This morning experience the magical Uluru (Ayers Rock) sunrise. Afterwards, gain an insight into the traditional owners of the land, the Anangu, as you tour the caves at the base of Uluru discovering ancient rock art and hearing stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Take a walk at Walpa Gorge and later experience a Kata Tjuta sunset while enjoying sparkling wine and nibbles.

Ayers Rock – Cairns

Join a local Aboriginal artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. Your Anangu artist will explain the meanings of their totems, before assisting you to complete your own painting to take home as a memento of your experience. In the afternoon you will fly from Ayers Rock to Cairns.

Great Barrier Reef

Get ready for an experience of a lifetime – board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided) or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft, just one metre underwater. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns. This evening you’ll dine at Dundee’s Restaurant on the Cairns waterfront.

Cairns ‘Free Time’

Spend your free day relaxing or exploring. Perhaps take an optional experience to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to discover the secrets of this ancient culture through theatre, didgeridoo and firemaking demonstrations and the famous Tjapukai dance. Or visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals. You could travel to Kuranda, the ‘village in the rainforest’, on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway and experience the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway as you return to the lowlands above the breathtaking canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park, through some of the oldest rainforest in the world.

Cairns – Sydney

Today you’ll fly to Sydney. This evening is free for you to do as you wish. Your Travel Director will give you hints and tips on the best places to eat, and after dinner why not take a stroll along the beautiful waterfront.

Sydney

A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Join a local guide for a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House before discovering Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and putting your feet in the sand on famous Bondi Beach. Then take to the water on a Captain Cook highlight lunch cruise, sailing around the glistening harbour while you enjoy a fresh seasonal menu. Spend the rest of your day seeing the sights of your choice or relax and take a stroll around the harbour front. Maybe even take an optional experience to see a performance under the famous sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney ‘Free Time’

Enjoy a free day in exciting Sydney. Maybe take an optional experience to the spectacular Blue Mountains. You’ll visit the charming village of Leura, see the famous Three Sisters rock formation and visit Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you can pat a cuddly koala. You’ll also see our amazing Australian animals including kangaroos and crocodiles. Or if you’ve always wanted to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, today could be your chance on a thrilling ‘BridgeClimb’. Tonight celebrate your holiday at a farewell dinner with your Travel Director and new-found friends at a local restaurant by the water.

Farewell from Sydney

This morning after breakfast say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your memorable holiday throughout Australia comes to an end. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.