Ultimate Australia

Your Australian adventure begins when you meet the Tour Manager at our hotel in Sydney's Darling Harbor, an ideal centrally located base to get to know this exciting city during our four-night stay. After checking in this afternoon, you are free to unwind.

Sydney is a dynamic city with a buzzing atmosphere, a striking harbor and streets lined with grand historical buildings and impressive skyscrapers. There's a chance you've just flown in on a long-haul flight but, if you're ready to step out and get to know your surroundings, Darling's harbor area offers several waterfront restaurants and is close to Sydney's Central Business District where you'll find many attractions and inviting places to eat.

Overnight Sydney

After a free morning getting to know Sydney at your own pace, we're taken on a guided sightseeing tour of the city's famous landmarks and its eastern suburbs. Our tour takes us by coach through different neighborhoods and along the scenic coastline to one of Australia's most familiar locations - Bondi Beach, frequented by sun-kissed surfers and known for its laid-back vibe.

The name Bondi originates from the Aboriginal word for 'surf' - and there's time at leisure here to enjoy this relaxed beach resort, its expansive beach, cafés and restaurants, over lunch and into the afternoon. Later, on our return to the city, we visit a landmark known as 'Mrs Macquarie's Chair' - a sandstone bench hand-carved by convicts in 1810 for the wife of Governor Macquarie. Set on the scenic peninsula between the Opera House and the Botanical Gardens, this look out spot offers one of the best views of Sydney Harbor.

This evening, we mark the first full day of our Australian holiday with a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight Sydney

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a free morning, we embark on a highlight of the holiday: a cruise around Sydney Harbor. With a buffet lunch on board, this is a superb way to see some of the most iconic sights of the city. The most prominent is Sydney's stunning Opera House, the jewel in the city's crown and an architectural masterpiece. We also pass under one of Australia's most renowned landmarks, Sydney Harbor Bridge, the largest steel-arched bridge in the world.

The rest of your day is free and there's plenty to see and do in this exciting city. You could wander down to the Rocks, one of the first European settlements of Australia and the place where Sydney's original convicts settled, whose old pubs and warehouses are now converted into modern buildings.

A scenic walk takes you along the waterfront of the harbor to the Opera House, where you can continue to the remarkable 200-year-old Royal Botanic Gardens with its incredible trees - including Moreton Bay fig trees, exotic flowers and birdlife. Sydney's harbor area has several museums, art galleries and historic buildings to discover.

Overnight Sydney

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today brings a journey into the beautiful Blue Mountains by rail. Just 30 miles outside of Sydney, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed area is named for its dense eucalyptus forests which create a blue haze when the sunlight hits.

First, we visit the unique 'Three Sisters' rocks at Echo Point, overlooking the vast Jamison Valley. These striking rock formations inspired an Aboriginal legend in which three sisters were turned to stone by their father to protect them from a tribal war. We continue to a charming Victorian-era village named Leura, where there's free time to find lunch in a quaint café or to browse the galleries and shops. Our excursion continues with a trip on the world's steepest incline railway, the Katoomba Scenic Railway. This short but dramatic trip passes sheer sandstone cliffs and enters a rock tunnel, before emerging into the ancient rainforest. After walking through the tall rainforest we return to the top, where we join the glass-bottom Scenic Skyway ride for an aerial trip above this magical lush valley.

Traveling back to Sydney by coach, this evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.

Overnight Sydney

• Breakfast

This morning, we transfer to Sydney Central Station where we join the cross-country train to Melbourne.

Travelling in First Class, lunch and dinner is available for you to buy on the train, and it may be advisable to order your meals early in the day. This day-long rail journey takes us past the open plains of Australian bush and farmland, mostly cattle and dairy farms, with stops at remote stations and towns with distinctive names, such as Wagga Wagga. As we approach Melbourne, the landscapes passing our windows change from semi-arid stretches to fields of green and gold.

On arrival into Melbourne this evening, we walk across the road from the Southern Cross Station to check in to our central hotel for four nights. This is the hub of Melbourne's buzzing central business district, which offers high-end shopping and a fantastic choice of restaurants including Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, French and Italian, alongside Australian fare - a healthy and inventive fusion of local and international cuisine.

Overnight Melbourne

• Breakfast

This morning is free to explore Melbourne at your own pace, maybe browsing independent shops in the city's 'laneways' and arcades, and stopping for an early lunch at an inviting café or restaurant.

This afternoon, a guided tour takes us past key highlights of Melbourne, including the city's Docklands, Botanic Gardens and Melbourne Cricket Ground - Australia's largest stadium. Afterwards, we experience the mighty Yarra River, on an hour-long sightseeing cruise aboard one of Melbourne's most popular vessels, seeing the city's skyline from a fresh perspective and discovering hidden gems along the riverbank.

After stepping off our cruise boat, we take a short walk to the Melbourne Skydeck for panoramic views across the city. The rest of your afternoon is free, and, if you're curious about local history and culture, you could visit the Melbourne Museum. Alternatively, the National Gallery of Victoria is one of Australia's oldest and most visited museums, featuring a wide variety of art including an impressive indigenous collection. The Southbank area along the Yarra River next to our hotel offers a great choice of restaurants, perfect for dinner this evening.

Overnight Melbourne

• Breakfast

Today brings an excursion along one of the world's most scenic roads, a journey along the breathtaking Great Ocean Road. Travelling by coach, this spectacular route takes us past verdant forest, rushing waterfalls and glittering ocean. We're highly likely to see surfers along the way, and we may even spot native birds or other coastal wildlife.

We make a short stop at a seaside town called Lorne. Then, at the laid-back beach town of Apollo Bay, we break for lunch, then continue to the scenic Loch Ard Gorge along the coast. Enroute, we pass the Twelve Apostles, a collection of dramatic limestone rocks set along the coast standing out above the crashing waves. At Loch Ard Gorge, there is some free time before we retrace our coastal journey back to Melbourne.

Arriving back at our hotel this evening, you are free to dine independently at one of the many appealing restaurants in our local neighborhood.

Overnight Melbourne

• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning after breakfast, we drive through Melbourne's leafy suburbs before arriving at Belgrave Station. Here, we board the nostalgic Puffing Billy steam train, a beloved heritage railway dating back to 1900. On this journey, we glide through the tranquil rainforest and fern-filled gullies of the spectacular Dandenong Ranges, spotting wildlife enroute.

Our train ride takes us to the peaceful Lakeside Visitor Centre, where we enjoy lunch overlooking the serene lake surrounded by tall, flowering trees. Afterwards, we board the Puffing Billy for the return trip to Belgrave Station, then transfer back to our Melbourne hotel.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to relax or explore. Melbourne is known as Australia's cultural capital and, in the downtown area, besides dazzling skyscrapers, you'll find many museums, art galleries and elegant Victorian-era buildings. If you're more inclined to seek out nature, follow the walkway beside the Yarra River into Queen Victoria Gardens, and continue to the magnificent Royal Botanic Gardens.

Overnight Melbourne

• Breakfast, Lunch

There's an early start this morning as we join the Overland train on a journey heading west to another coastal and cultural city, Adelaide. Breakfast and lunch are served on board as we travel through broad plains, rolling farmland and the shifting colors of rural Victoria and South Australia's landscape.

This attractive city was Australia's first major settlement, planned in 1836 as a free city. Known as the 'city of churches', Adelaide is also celebrated for its elegant architecture, natural landscapes and relaxed charm.

On arrival in Adelaide this evening, we check in to our hotel in the heart of the city, overlooking Victoria Square. With a reputation for good food and wine, there are plenty of tempting places to eat this evening. Chinatown is just around the corner and Gouger Street, Adelaide's popular restaurant precinct, is close by.

Overnight Adelaide

• Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast this morning, we travel by coach to the renowned Barossa Valley, one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions. Adelaide is recognized as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the World, and we delve into its rich wine heritage with visits to some of the area's most well-known vineyards.

Our day includes tours and tastings at iconic wineries such as Lambert Wines and the historic Seppeltsfield Estate, famed for its fortified wines. We enjoy a relaxed lunch amid these picturesque surroundings, pairing local flavors and world-class wines.

On our return journey to Adelaide this afternoon we visit Hahndorf, the oldest German settlement in Australia in the scenic surrounds of the Mount Lofty Ranges, where there's free time to look around. Back in the attractive city of Adelaide you are free to dine independently, and could try local specialties such as fish or seafood, or choose from a wide selection of restaurants.

Overnight Adelaide

• Breakfast, Lunch

Exploring Adelaide on a guided tour after breakfast, the city's key sights are brought to life through fascinating local stories from our local guide. Highlights of our tour include Montefiore Hill, offering sweeping views of the city, the historic Adelaide Oval and the striking St Peter's Cathedral.

Afterwards, enjoy a free afternoon to explore beautiful Adelaide at your own pace. You might choose to wander the Adelaide Botanic Garden, home to elegant tree-lined avenues, native plant displays, a Victorian glasshouse and the distinctive Art Deco Palm House. Art lovers may prefer to visit the Art Gallery of South Australia or the South Australia Museum, which features impressive fossil collections, Aboriginal artefacts and tales of Antarctic exploration. Just a short distance from our hotel is Adelaide's Central Market, a great spot to browse artisan stalls and sample some of the finest local produce over lunch.

This evening, you are spoilt for choice and can take your pick from one of the city's many excellent restaurants for dinner.

Overnight Adelaide

• Breakfast

Today begins with an early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Alice Springs, a remote town in the Northern Territory described as the beating heart of Australia's Red Centre. On arrival, we check in to our hotel for the night.

Afterwards, we visit one of the most visited landmarks in Alice Springs - Anzac Hill - a cenotaph and memorial commemorating those who died in World War One. Its position also provides sweeping views across the town and to the MacDonnell Ranges. Next, we continue to the Old Telegraph Station for a tour. The station marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs, established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. We also visit Alice Springs' School of the Air, where children across the vast outback region are taught over the air by radio.

Our tour continues to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum, an institution in the vast Australian Outback. We learn about the life-saving work of this air medical service, and the people who fly out to treat people in remote areas. We return to our hotel and this evening you are free to dine locally in Alice Springs.

Overnight Alice Springs

This morning, we leave Alice Springs and travel by coach through Australia's vast Red Centre towards the spiritual heart of the Outback - Uluru. This iconic rock is the world's largest monolith, an incredible sight to behold as it rises 1,142 feet above the surrounding flat desert floor.

As we travel, we take in the scenery of the desert landscapes, ochre sands and rugged mountain ranges, before stopping along the way for lunch.

We arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon and check in, with time to relax or enjoy the hotel facilities. This evening, we experience a magical Uluru sunset, watching as the rock changes color in the fading light. With drinks and snacks supplied, we witness the breathtaking spectacle as the golden light illuminates Uluru to a glowing orange, before the hues darken to bronze, creating a dramatic contrast against the desert sky.

Overnight Uluru

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today we explore the natural beauty of the Uluru area. The day begins with a sunrise visit to Uluru, watching the sun's first rays dance across the vivid orange rock, before we return to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast.

Next, we embark on a guided tour of the spectacular Olgas, the huge domed rock formations of Kata Tjuta National Park. These sacred sites hold deep spiritual significance for the Anangu people and are used for cultural ceremonies. The afternoon is free to relax by the pool, enjoy the hotel facilities or possibly visit the local shops in the Uluru hotel complex.

This evening, we set off for a magical Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert, with Uluru's iconic red rock as our backdrop, glowing as it shifts color with the setting sun. Our meal begins with sparkling wine and canapés, followed by a barbecue buffet featuring a bush-inspired menu, selected drinks and dessert. Later, under the clear desert skies, a 'star talker' guides us through a captivating stargazing experience, revealing planets, constellations and galaxies visible in this extraordinary environment.

Overnight Uluru

• Breakfast, Dinner

We transfer to the airport this morning before boarding a flight to the wonderful town of Cairns, on Australia's Far North Queensland coast, arriving in the early afternoon. After a transfer to our hotel, which is ideally situated overlooking the Trinity Wharf, we check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in this tropical haven.

Known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a nature-lover's paradise, surrounded by mountainous rainforests, spectacular reefs and pristine beaches. You might be tempted to take a dip in the lagoon, walk along the waterfront promenade or simply relax at the hotel swimming pool or on the beach.

This evening, you could wander along the boardwalk of the Esplanade where there are several inviting al fresco restaurants to choose from for dinner.

Overnight Cairns

• Breakfast

Today is a full-day excursion into the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest and most complex coral reef system. From the harbor at Cairns, we board an air-conditioned catamaran for a cruise into this marine paradise, one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Our first stop is Green Island, a 'coral cay' (a small sandy island on a coral reef) where we have two hours at leisure to explore this idyllic setting on a self-guided walk.

Continuing into the Great Barrier Reef, we moor alongside a pontoon for an onboard reef presentation and a buffet lunch, followed by an afternoon of viewing the unique wildlife and coral reefs from an underwater observatory. You can also experience the brilliant marine life close-up during a snorkeling session, or catch a glimpse of tropical fish, giant clams and sea turtles from a glass-bottom boat.

We return to Cairns with a free evening to dine independently and you may like to wander through the Cairns Night Market, open each day from 4:30pm to 10pm.

Overnight Cairns

• Breakfast

This morning brings a unique experience as we transfer by coach to Rainforestation Nature Park, located within the beautiful tropical rainforest. There, we take a trip on a World War Two amphibious military transport unit known as an Army Duck, driving among the flora. Next, on a guided Dreamtime Walk, we learn how indigenous Australians understand the world and its creation, before experiencing a 'pamagirri' dance performance.

Afterwards, we travel to Kuranda village in the rainforest, where there's time to look around the local craft market before heading to the station. Here, we board refurbished heritage carriages in Gold Class for a journey along the 125-year-old Kuranda Scenic Railway into the rainforest, through the stunning Barron River Gorge with its tropical vegetation and tumbling waterfalls.

After returning to Cairns along the same scenic route, you are free this evening to dine independently.

Overnight Cairns

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you have a full day at leisure to explore this tropical city at your own pace.

If you're feeling adventurous, there are plenty of outdoor activities available locally, from horse riding on the beach to scuba diving. Other options are to visit the Flecker Botanic Gardens or the wonderful Cairns Aquarium where you can view some of the colorful marine life and aquatic creatures of the reef, which can usually only be seen by experienced divers. Of course, you may be content to make the most of the facilities at our hotel including the outdoor swimming pool.

This evening, we mark the final night of our vacation in Australia with a group dinner at the hotel.

Overnight Cairns

• Breakfast, Dinner

This epic Australian adventure has taken us from the wondrous cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to the sensational natural sites of Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, as we have absorbed the views and culture of this spectacular country. With journeys on scenic railroads through the Blue Mountains and Queensland rainforest, and an iconic Sydney Harbor cruise, we have travelled across thousands of miles of Australia's vast and inspiring land.

Following breakfast at our hotel in Cairns you could choose to do some final sightseeing or buying souvenirs. Alternatively, you may like to take a relaxing walk along the harbor, soaking up views of the Coral Sea. After checking out of our hotel, your vacation reaches its conclusion and you are free to make your own way home or to continue exploring this amazing country independently.

• Breakfast