13 day Australian Highlights

• Discover Melbourne’s colourful hidden laneways
• Toast an Uluru sunset with gourmet canapés and wine
• Experience a spectacular Red Centre sunrise
• Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
• Enjoy a lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour
• Dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean at Bondi Beach
• Experience the Sydney Opera House on a guided tour

Day 1: Arrive Melbourne Transfer to your hotel on arrivel. Later meet your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner. (D) Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne (3 nights)

Day 2: Melbourne Explore Melbourne on a city sights tour and discover its eclectic little laneways, arcades and street art. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 3: Melbourne free time Today is free for you to further explore the delights of Melbourne or enjoy an optional excursion along the Great Ocean Road. (B)

Day 4: Melbourne – Alice Springs Fly to Alice Springs and visit the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, learning of the vital services they provide to outback communities. Later join a discovery tour at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre before enjoying an Aussie barbecue dinner. (BD) Chifley Alice Springs Resort

Day 5: Alice Springs – Uluru (Ayers Rock) Travel through the West MacDonnell Ranges to Uluru. In the afternoon, witness the striking colour changes of Uluru at sunset while enjoying a glass of sparkling wine. (B) Desert Gardens Hotel (2 nights)

Day 6: Uluru & Kata Tjuta touring Today experience sunrise before a tour with local guides at the base of Uluru. At Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), walk through the majestic rock domes before witnessing a Kata Tjuta sunset while enjoying a sunset drink. (B)

Day 7: Uluru – Cairns Visit the magical Field of Light this morning before breakfast. Then enjoy an informative dot painting workshop at Maraku Arts before your flight to Cairns. (B) Shangri-La, The Marina (3 nights)

Day 8: Cairns free time With a full day at leisure today, relax in Cairns or consider an optional excursion to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park or on the Kuranda scenic railway. (B)

Day 9: Great Barrier Reef Enjoy a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef today where you can snorkel (equipment provided) or stay dry and view the reef from the underwater observatory or a semisubmersible craft. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a delicious evening meal overlooking Cairns waterfront. (BLD)

Day 10: Cairns – Sydney After a morning at leisure, fly to Sydney where you will have an evening free to do as you please. Your Travel Director will have plenty of hints and tips on the best places to eat. (B) Intercontinental Sydney (3 nights)

Day 11: Sydney Join a local guide for a guided tour of Sydney Opera House before discovering Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and the famous Bondi Beach. Enjoy lunch aboard a Captain Cook cruise on Sydney Harbour before spending the rest of your day exploring the city at leisure. (BL)

Day 12: Sydney free time Enjoy one final day exploring Sydney and beyond. Optional excursions include the majestic Blue Mountains and a trip to the wineries of the Hunter Valley. Join your fellow travellers this evening for a farewell dinner overlooking Sydney Harbour. (BD)

Day 13: Depart Sydney Transfer to the airport after breakfast for your onward flight. (B)