A whistle-stop tour of the most important and vibrant cities in Eastern Australia! Soak up the atmosphere of stylish Sydney,home of the iconic Opera House, and discover the abundant Great Barrier Reef in Cairns in Queensland. Finally, explore the trendy art scene and diverse cultures of Melbourne in Victoria.
Overview
A whistle-stop tour of the most important and vibrant cities in Eastern Australia! Soak up the atmosphere of stylish Sydney,home of the iconic Opera House, and discover the abundant Great Barrier Reef in Cairns in Queensland. Finally, explore the trendy art scene and diverse cultures of Melbourne in Victoria.
Itinerary
It's time for an adventure Downunder! Pack your bags and head to your departure airport, ready for a flight to Sydney. Night on board.
It's time for an adventure Downunder! Pack your bags and head to your departure airport, ready for a flight to Sydney. Night on board.
Arrive in Sydney, one of Australia's biggest cities, known for its Opera House and vibrant culture. Make your own to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing after your journey or exploring the city.* A drink in one of the cafes and bars by the harbour waterfront is the perfect way to begin your holiday! Overnight stay in Sydney.
* You will have the option to add a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in the next step of the booking process.
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure. Why not indulge in some shopping or make like a local and head down to Bondi Beach to watch the surfers and kick-back on the beach. We recommend an optional panoramic tour to get to know the city better.* In the evening, don't miss out on the brilliant and varied cuisine on offer in Sydney's wide range of restaurants, or opt for an incredible sunset dinner cruise to discover the city from a different perspective!** Overnight stay in Sydney.
* Optional Panoramic Sydney Tour: Get picked up from your hotel and set off on a panoramic tour of the city, starting with the historic Rocks areas before soaking up the views of the magnificent Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the city centre and the charming neighbourhood of Paddington before arriving at the Pacific Coast to visit Bondi Beach promenade. Spend some time soaking up the views at your leisure before heading back to the city via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquaries's Point. Please note: This tour does not operate on Anzac Day, Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
* Optional Sydney Sunset Dinner Cruise: Board the ship at King Street Wharf/Circular Quay Wharf to embark on an unforgettable sunset cruise. Tuck into a delicious 3-course al la carte menu against the backdrop of the setting sun, and enjoy the onboard bar to purchase drinks. Please note: This tour does not operate on Easter, Australia Day, Valentines Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day.
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, sampling the many varied and delicious cuisines of the city or enjoying more sightseeing at the city's numerous museums and galleries. We recommend an optional excursion to the Blue Mountains to explore this incredible region of natural beauty!* Overnight stay in Sydney.
* Optional Full-Day Blue Mountains Canyons & Wildlife Excursion: Set off on an unforgettable full-day excursion to the breathtaking Blue Mountains! Pay a visit to Calmsley Hill Farm to enjoy an interactive animal experience and a morning tea break. Your journey continues as you travel on the Blue Mountain circle route, taking in the dramatic landscapes of this rugged region before visiting Eaglehawk Lookout for views of the famous Three Sisters Rock Formation. Stop for lunch at the prestigious Hydro Majestic Hotel (own expense) before spending the afternoon visiting a selection of scenic lookouts such as Govett's Leap waterfall. The final stop of the day is Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine before heading back to the city. Please note: This tour does not operate on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Sydney* to catch a flight to Cairns**, the famous gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and a haven of beaches, culture and laid-back living. Arrive and transfer by coach to the hotel. If time allows, enjoy the rest of the day discovering Cairns at your own pace. Why not get involved with the city's thriving cafe culture and spend the afternoon sampling some of the best coffee and barista creations at any number of trendy cafes that are dotted around the city, particularly around Grafton and Spence streets. A stroll along the coastal promenade is the perfect way to end the day. Overnight stay in Cairns.
* You will have the option to add a private transfer from your hotel to the airport in Sidney in the next step of the booking process.
** You will have the option to upgrade to return private airport transfers in Cairns in the next step of the booking process.
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to get to know Cairns at your own pace, exploring the local museums and art galleries or simply relaxing. To experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef up close, we recommend an optional Silverswift Day Cruise.* Overnight stay in Cairns.
* Optional Silverswift Day Cruise: Board Silverswift, a 29-metre catamaran for an exciting full-day cruise. Visit 3 different sites on the Outer Barrier Reef to discover the rich underwater world up close! A guided snorkel tour is included, along with lunch on board. Drinks can be purchased at the onboard bar. Please note: This tour does not operate on Christmas Day.
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day to relax at your leisure, perhaps doing some shopping in the city centre. If you're blessed with warm weather, why not pay a visit to Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon, a popular local swimming and leisure spot with beautiful sea views. Whatever you choose to do, Cairns is all yours to discover. Why not explore the tropical rainforests of Kuranda on an optional full-day excursion?* Overnight stay in Cairns.
* Optional Full-Day Kuranda Rail & Skyrail Excursion: Set off on the scenic Kuranda Railway for spectacular views of the mountains, forested hillsides and Barron Gorge. Spend some time exploring Kuranda, a charming mountain town known for its relaxed, bohemian atmosphere where you can enjoy discounted entry to several attractions, including Rainforestation Nature Park and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Finally, enjoy an unforgettable ride over the rainforest canopy on the scenic Skyrail Cableway! Please note: This tour does not operate on Christmas Day.
Breakfast at the hotel. Continue your adventure as you transfer to the airport by coach for a flight to Melbourne*, the garden city of Australia. Spend the day enjoying cosmopolitan Melbourne at your leisure. We suggest visiting its lively centre to discover its cafes, bars and boutiques. At dusk, why not enjoy a delicious Chinese meal in Little Bourke Street or Italian specialities in a trattoria and listen to live jazz in one of the many jazz bars. Overnight stay in Melbourne.
* You will have the option to upgrade to return private airport transfers in the next step of the booking process.
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore the atmospheric streets and cultural sights of Melbourne. We recommend an optional excursion to Phillip Island and the Moonlit Sanctuary.* Overnight stay in Melbourne.
* Optional Full-Day Phillip Island & Moonlit Sanctuary Excursion: Set off for Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park to meet native wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies and adorable koalas. After meeting the adorable animals, continue to Phillip Island and, depending on the weather, admire the skill of local surfers at Woolamai Surf Beach. During the summer months, you will enjoy some free time in the town of Cowes. Next, head to the amazing Penguin Parade, where you can watch the playful colony of penguins enjoying the waves and stroll along the boardwalk. Please note: This tour does not operate on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve.
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure in Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria. We recommend exploring the Melbourne Arts Precinct, home to the National Gallery of Victoria, or kicking back on the city's golden sand beaches. To explore further afield, we recommend an optional excursion to the famous Great Ocean Road or a Yarra Valley Wine Experience, an unmissable opportunity for wine lovers!* Overnight stay in Melbourne.
* Optional Full-Day Great Ocean Road Excursion: Take a journey of a lifetime today as you discover the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most spectacular and naturally stunning coastal drives. Take in all the famous sights of the Great Ocean Road and look out for local wildlife. Visit the striking Split Point Lighthouse and the quaint seaside town of Apollo Bay where you can enjoy some free time to eat. Stroll through pristine forests before arriving at the iconic Twelve Apostles rock formation and Loch Ard Gorge. Return to Melbourne along the dramatic Shipwreck Coast. Please note: this tour does not operate on Anzac Day, Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
* Optional Full-Day Yarra Valley Wine Experience: Visit four premium wineries in the Yarra Valley for a full day of wine tasting! Enjoy the views from Greenstone Vineyard, nestled in the base of the Christmas Hills. Travel to Balgownie Estate to indulge in a guided tasting session followed by lunch including a glass of wine. After lunch, visit Yering Farm, a fantastic environment to enjoy superb wines made with traditional winemaking techniques. The final stop is Soumah of Yarra Valley, known for its fantastic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties. Please note: The wineries visited on this tour are subject to change. Children (5-11 years).
Please note: You can only choose one of the optional excursions today.
Includes/Excludes
Price Includes
- Departure from the main US airports.
- International flights: US - Sydney, Melbourne - US.
- Internal flights: Sydney - Cairns, Cairns - Melbourne.*
- 9 nights hotel accommodation in Superior and Luxury category hotels.
- 9 breakfasts.
- Transfers between airports and hotels by shared coach.
- All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
- This itinerary is independent and you will not be accompanied by a guide.
Price Does Not Include
- The transfers are not included in Sidney, you can book the private transfers.
- Visa (required), drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
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