Country
Australia
Duration
13 Days/12 Nights
Travel Type
Escorted Tour
 

Highlights

  • Specialist team of two highly experienced travel director and driver guide
  • Local specialists (guides)
  • Centrally located premium hotels


    • With AAT Kings

    Picture Australia: the Coral Sea’s turquoise, the intense rainforest green, powdery white sand, the Red Centre’s ochre soil. These are your palette on this Melbourne to Sydney tour, spanning glittering cities and the outback, World Heritage Sites – Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Great Barrier Reef – and exclusive experiences. Whether Melbourne’s cafes or a barbeque, food is a focus, because this is Australia; eating well is in our DNA.

    Inclusions

    12-night accommodation in double occupancy
    Return airport transfers
    Travel by luxury coach
    English-speaking experienced travel director and driver guide
    18 meals: 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, 1 farewell dinner
    Visits and sightseeing as per itinerary

    Exclusions

    International/domestic flights and airport taxes – Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides and drivers – Optional excursions – Beverages unless noted in the itinerary – Any other services not specified in the inclusions.

    1

    DAY 1 MELBOURNE

    Is there such a thing as too much time in Melbourne? Arrive early before meeting your fellow adventure-seekers over a beverage or two. (Dinner with wine)

    Meals : Dinner

    Accommodation : Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4* or similar

    2

    DAY 2 MELBOURNE

    Melbourne is known for its cool cafés – we recommend grabbing a coffee to fuel you through a walking tour exploring the city’s most eye-popping laneways. This afternoon, you decide. Perhaps a nature-based sojourn to Phillip Island to see penguins waddle from the ocean to the sand? We wouldn’t blame you for lingering and taking a deep dive into Melbourne’s culinary offerings. Ask us for tips on the hottest spots to drink and dine.

    Meals : Breakfast

    Accommodation : Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4* or similar

    3

    DAY 3 MELBOURNE

    If you’re still getting your Melbourne bearings, linger in town to explore boutiques, galleries, and eclectic suburbs. But if it’s time to venture further afield, you might want to 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. Wherever you wander, be sure to take in a show at one of the city’s glorious theatres. We can assist with tickets.
    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.

    Meals : Breakfast

    Accommodation : Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4* for 3 nights or similar

    4

    DAY 4 MELBOURNE - ALICE SPRINGS

    Some parts of Australia are so remote that the only way kids can get an education is remotely via the School of the Air. Your next stop is the birthplace of the Alice Springs township, the historic Telegraph Station. Being this far flung also means there’s no light pollution from cars or skyscrapers. The result? Unrivalled stargazing (and a BBQ feast) with the Falzon family at their eco-oriented Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre.

    Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation : Mercure Alice Springs Resort 4*, Alice Springs

    5

    DAY 5 ALICE SPRINGS - 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, at sunset watching the shifting colours transform the desert with every last ray (sparkling wine essential).

    Meals : Breakfast

    Accommodation : Desert Gardens Hotel - Ayers Rock Resort, 3* or similar

    6

    DAY 6 ULURU ET 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. What an honour to glimpse it. The ochres and silvery greens of the NT outback follow you to Kata Tjuta, where Walpa Gorge humbles with its soaring cliffs. Wander through the tallest domes before yet another sparkling sunset (and sparkling wine).

    Meals : Breakfast

    Accommodation : Desert Gardens Hotel 4*, Ayers Rock Resort or similar

    7

    DAY 7 ULURU - CAIRNS

    Ok, so the other reason to get up early is to view artist Bruce Munro’s installation Field of Light at dawn – 50,000 glowing spindles of light blanketing the desert. Clamber to the top of a sand dune to marvel in 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. Head to your next stop in sunny Cairns.

    Meals : Breakfast

    Accommodation : Hilton Hotel Cairns, 5* or similar

    8

    DAY 8 CAIRNS

    If you’re in the habit of getting up early now, you may wish to begin your day with an optional horizon-bending hot-air-balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands. Prefer to stay grounded? Sign up for a guided walk through the Daintree Rainforest, or surround yourself with nature riding the Scenic Railway to Kuranda returning on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – perhaps with a side visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for wetlands cruise? Tonight, celebrate the end of an incredible day at dinner on Cairns’ waterfront at Salt House for regional seafood plucked straight from the ocean, highlighting fresh, local ingredients, and prepared on their custom-built Argentinian wood fired grill.

    Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation : Hilton Hotel Cairns, 5* or similar

    9

    DAY 9 CAIRNS - GREAT BARRIER REEF - CAIRNS

    The world’s largest living organism, 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.

    Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

    Accommodation : Hilton Hotel Cairns, 5* or similar

    10

    DAY 10 CAIRNS - SYDNEY

    Touch down in Australia’s largest city, and spend time at leisure in the buzzing metropolis of Sydney. Take a stroll along the iconic harbour, visit one of the city’s many bars, pubs, or restaurants, or simply while away the day at the beach. You decide how best to enjoy this bustling city of delights.

    Meals : Breakfast

    Accommodation : InterContinental Sydney, 5* or similar

    11

    DAY 11 SYDNEY

    Bring your stamina: today is one of innumerable highlights. Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, discovering its architectural and performance secrets. If these sails could talk. Then see the city from the water on a Sydney Harbour Highlight Lunch Cruise enjoying a menu focusing on local food and wine. One icon to another: The world’s most famous beach beckons this afternoon, with your chance to pad along the sand at Bondi with Sydney’s beautiful people.

    Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

    Accommodation : InterContinental Sydney, 5* or similar

    12

    DAY 12 SYDNEY

    You could spend weeks exploring Sydney. Months even. But you have today, so get set for a wild ride. Your agenda is completely up to you, but we have more than a few ideas. Perhaps a ferry ride to Manly for fish-n-chips on the beach? And ideally a stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, which offers so many lookouts for sparkling harbour views. This evening, celebrate your holiday at a Farewell Dinner at Midden restaurant at the Sydney Opera House. Talk about ending on a high.

    Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation : InterContinental Sydney, 5* or similar

    13

    DAY 13 FAREWELL FROM SYDNEY

    What an epic journey, with so many destinations explored in less than two weeks. Now you just have to sort through the photos…
    This morning you say goodbye to Australia when your trip comes to an end after breakfast.

    Meals : Breakfast

    HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

    Melbourne

    Crowne Plaza, 4*

    Alice Springs

    Mercure Alice Springs Resort, 4*

    Uluru

    Desert Gardens, 4*

    Cairns

    Hilton Hotel, 5*

    Sydney

    InterContinental, 5*

    Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy 

    		 Land Package
    Departures 2024-2025-2026 4* and 5*
    March 17, 2024 8445
    March 24, 2024 9550
    April 7, August 4, November 10, 17, 24, 2024 11225
    June 23, August 25, December 8, 2024 9973
    September 22, October 6, 27, November 3, 2024 10808
    January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 16, 23, 2025 11480
    April 6, May 25, June 22, August 24, September 7, 21, October 5, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, December 7, 2025 11785
    January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2026 12035
     
    Single room supplement On request

    **Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

    Australian Highlights – Detailed itinerary
    Australian Highlights – Detailed itinerary