Classic Australia Tour

Itinerary

• Day 1: Sydney, Arrival

  Touch down at Sydney Airport, the gateway to a fascinating coastal city of beaches, harbor, and iconic sights. Transfer to your hotel, settle in and relax - your Australian adventure begins tomorrow!

  • Sydney

• Day 2: Sydney City Tour: Unfolds Sydney's Harbor Soul

  Begin your immersion in Sydney's harbor soul at Circular Quay, a bustling port where ferries intersect with street life, immersing you in Sydney Harbor's stunning panorama of harbor, bridge, and opera house. Follow the harborside walkway to reach the Sydney Opera House perched majestically on the water's edge. Taking a 1-hour join-in guided tour inside, you will discover the magic beneath the sails.

  Later, board the Sydney Harbor Lunch Cruise and enjoy the city from a different perspective as you marvel at the sights fringing the coastline. Disembark and conclude the day with a stroll around the nearby Rocks, Sydney's oldest district filled with sandstone buildings and cobblestone lanes.

  The daring ones may participate in one of Sydney Harbor Bridge Climbs, spending 2.5 to 3.5 hours conquering Australia's most iconic steel arch bridge, learning the stories about its construction, and catching 360-degree views of Sydney, including the distinctive opera house.

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  • Sydney

• Day 3: Blue Mountains Tour and Three Sisters

  Your Blue Mountains tour begins with a scenic two-hour drive west of Sydney. In Glenbrook, marvel at ancient stenciled handprints left by Aboriginal Australians. At Jamison Valley and Wentworth Falls, capture the magic misting waterfalls and panoramic views - enough to fill your memory card! Continue to enchant Katoomba. Savor afternoon tea and exquisite handmade chocolates at the Paragon Café - a century-old gem. For extra indulgence, sip champagne in the elegant Champagne Charlies bar at the historic Carrington Hotel. At Echo Point, gaze at the hazy horizon and behold the Three Sisters - the famed rock formation rising from the cliffs.

  Alternatively, wine lovers may prefer a day tour of Hunter Valley, Australia's Oldest Wine Region.

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  • Sydney

• Day 4: Sydney - Melbourne, Melbourne City Tour

  Fly to Melbourne this morning.

  Start your Melbourne day in its beating heart - Parliament House, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Royal Exhibition Building. Next, stroll the bustling Queen Victoria Market and grab a coffee from Market Lane.

  Proceed to Federation Square, Melbourne's cultural heart. Enter the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to confront swirling video installations. Then delve into the Ian Potter Centre's profound collection of Aboriginal works. At the Koorie Heritage Trust, immerse yourself in sacred artifacts, guiding local Koorie culture for millennia.

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  • Melbourne

• Day 5: Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles

  Hit the road in the morning to take in the breathtaking scenery along the Great Ocean Road. Stop at Torquay, the surf haven and gateway to this famed coastal drive. The winding road unspools, unveiling sweeping vistas of the Southern Ocean at every turn. Refuel in Lorne, a small town filled with a row of cute coffee shops, restaurants, and pubs with outdoor seating space. You can spend some more time wandering around this tiny town.

  Move on to the Maits Rest Rainforest within the Otway Ranges, home to towering eucalypts that brush the forest canopy. Here you will be lucky to find wild koalas as you hike through the paths. Finally, you will hit the jackpot - the iconic Twelve Apostles - with the background of sunset. Overnight in Port Campbell.

  For those looking for a bird's-eye view of the diverse landscapes along the Great Ocean Road, we suggest a 25-minute Scenic Helicopter Flight. Winging your way along the sweeping beaches and cliff tops, you will marvel at the 12 Apostles, the London Bridge, the Loch Ard Gorge, the Bay of Islands, and many other representative sites high above.

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  • Port Campbell

• Day 6: Great Ocean Road and Back to Melbourne

  Spend the morning visiting Port Campbell National Park. Climb steps to clifftop lookouts for spellbinding views of one of Australia's most photographed natural wonders. The Archway, Razorback, and Dumpling Rocks emerge from the surf while tales of shipwrecks from another age echo along the coast.

  If you wish, board the helicopter and enjoy the most beautiful coastal roads and spectacular limestone cliffs from the air (at an extra cost). After that, return to Melbourne through the inland road, along with the idyllic scenery.

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  • Melbourne

• Day 7: Phillip Island Day Tour: A Day with Native Wildlife

  Just 90 minutes from Melbourne lies Phillip Island with its wealth of Australian wildlife and captivating coastal landscapes.

  Begin your day at Koala Conservation Centre. Wander the tree-top boardwalks and come face-to-face with koalas nestled in gum trees - right in their natural habitat. Not only koalas, but wallabies, birds, and echidnas also call this six-hectare sanctuary home.

  Next, board an eco-cruise to take in majestic views of one of Australia's largest fur seal colonies as they cavort, play, and frolic on the rugged beaches along the wild coast.

  Finally, make your way to the renowned Penguin Parade to witness the endearing march of little penguin families waddling across the beach to their burrows as the sun sinks into the sea, ending your wildlife-filled day on this enchanting island.

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  • Melbourne

• Day 8: Melbourne - Cairns

  This morning, bid farewell to Melbourne and fly to Cairns, a laid-back city and gateway to Queensland's tropical north.

  Upon arrival, why not discover the Esplanade Boardwalk? The soothing sound of the waves washing up on the shore accompanies your leisurely walk, refreshing your soul.

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  • Cairns

• Day 9: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Adventure

  Step aboard an exciting catamaran adventure to explore the marine wonders of Green Island and the pristine outer Great Barrier Reef. Spend two hours soaking up the tropical paradise of Green Island, a tiny coral cay ringed by pure white beaches and lush rainforest. Spot tropical fish darting through the crystal-clear lagoon and bird life flourishing amidst the native trees.

  Then, board the spacious activity platform of Great Adventures, moored right over the vibrant coral reef. Spend the next three hours immersed in the underwater wonderland of the outer reef. You may see tropical fish dazzle in a dizzying array of hues as they flit between coral structures, or Jellyfish drift by in beautiful disks of translucent wonder.

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  • Cairns

• Day 10: Kuranda Classic Tour: Sky Rail, Wildlife, and BBQ

  Board the Sky rail Rainforest Cableway, gently floating 90 minutes above the canopy. Two mountaintop stations within the rainforest allow you to walk among palms and ferns. At Barron Falls Station, the Edge Lookout unveils awe-inspiring views of Barron Falls tumbling violently into the chasm below.

  Next, hop aboard the Army Duck Rainforest Tour for an insider's tour of the rainforest interior. Your guide points out all manner of curious creatures that call the jungle home. At the journey's end, tuck into a delicious rainforest BBQ buffet spread.

  Later, board the scenic Kuranda Scenic Railway back to the city, taking in waterfalls, gorges, and pockets of dense rainforest as the train snakes gracefully over old bridges spanning forest valleys.
  Next, stroll along the Esplanade - a palm-lined promenade overlooking the Pacific. Take in the scene while sipping a cocktail at one of the rooftop bars, gazing at Cairns city and the infinite Coral Sea as the sun slips below the horizon, casting a golden glow.

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  • Cairns

• Day 11: Cairns - Gold Coast

  Today, The siren song of Gold Coast beckons.

  Fly to the Gold Coast and take in the glorious panorama from the Sky Point Observation Deck atop the 230-meter Q1 Building. Gaze at the glittering coastline, skyscrapers, and beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. Descend to a relaxed lunch overlooking the waves at the legendary Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. Savor the casual beachside atmosphere and coastal menu as surfers catch waves just beyond the boardwalk.

  Spend the afternoon swimming and strolling the endless expanse of golden sand that makes up Surfers Paradise Beach. Stretching over two kilometers, this iconic beach awaits with fine white sand, gentle surf, and inviting turquoise waters. Take a leisurely wander along this sun-kissed beachfront city famed for its thrilling theme parks, stylish boutiques, alfresco cafés, and the quintessential Australian beach experience.

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  • Gold Coast

• Day 12: A Beachy Burleigh Head Day

  Begin your day strolling the forested walking trails through Burleigh Head National Park, taking in the lush coastal landscape and scenic ocean views. Take either the gently undulating Oceanview Track along the edge of the park for views of Tallebudgera Creek, or climb steeply up the Rainforest Track through lush jungle to the panoramic Tumgun Lookout perched high in the treetops.

  Next, relax beneath the swaying palms on the wide expanse of the beachfront. As the sun sinks low in the horizon, climb Burleigh Hill for sweeping panoramic views of the coastal town dotted with gleaming rooftops. Settle onto a timber bench carved in the shape of a surfboard and watch the sun disappear into the surf in a symphony of gold and orange.

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  • Gold Coast

• Day 13: Lamington National Park Hike & Vineyard

  Embark on an unforgettable four-wheel-drive eco-tour!

  Drive an hour west to the vast Lamington National Park. Walk beneath towering rainforest trees on O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walkway. Take in views of dense, green jungle and distant, gleaming valleys. Or enter the cool cave at Natural Bridge. Marvel at the rushing waterfall cascading through the natural stone arch into a shimmering pool below.

  At O’Reilly’s vineyard, taste award-winning wines overlooking Canungra Creek then walk alpacas at Mountview Alpaca Farm, taking in the bucolic vineyard grounds. Return refreshed: indulge at a Gold Coast spa, browse handmade treasures at Surfers Paradise markets, and dine on international cuisine under the glow of an elegant chandelier at one of Surfers Paradise's finest restaurants.

  After dark, soak up the neon glow of the Gold Coast's party scene. Listen to live bands under twinkling lights at Elsewhere Bar or sample cold craft brews at House of Brews.

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  • Gold Coast

• Day 14: Gold Coast, Departure

  Board your onward flight departing from Gold Coast Airport, enjoying one last glimpse of Australia's vivid coastal scenes.

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