Your itinerary
1
and 2. London to Singapore and Melbourne
Your door-to-door driver takes you to London Heathrow for your
Qantas flight, via Singapore, to Melbourne.
3. Melbourne
Arrive in Melbourne early this morning and head straight to the
4 diamond Holiday Inn on Flinders Hotel (or similar) in the
entertainment district, your home for three nights. Enjoy an
afternoon tour of Victoria's charming capital, passing Toorak
Village, the Shrine of Remembrance and Fitzroy Gardens.
4. Dandenong Ranges
Journey into the Dandenong Ranges today for a boxed lunch and a
ride aboard the Puffing Billy, a genuine turn-of-the-century steam
locomotive, bound for the Healesville Sanctuary which houses more
than 200 species of native Australian wildlife. L
5. Melbourne
Enjoy an optional tour to Phillip Island, home to Fairy
Penguins, or, alternatively, enjoy free time.
6. Melbourne to
Hamilton
Leave early for the journey through Colac to Port Campbell with
incredible views of the national park's coastline: its distinctive
features include the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard
Gorge. Continue through Warrnambool into Hamilton where you'll be
collected by your Farmstay host for a home-cooked meal and an
overnight stay (3 diamond). D
7. Hamilton to
Adelaide
Lend your hosts a hand before travelling through the Coonawarra
wine-producing area, via Cularain and Casterton. Reaching Penola,
visit a winery for a tour, wine tasting and lunch before continuing
through Naracoorte, Keith and Murray Bridge into Hahndorf. Finally,
journey through the Adelaide Hills into South Australia's capital
for two nights at the 4 diamond Saville Park Suites (or similar),
close to the shopping and entertainment areas. B L
8. Adelaide
Fly to Kangaroo Island on today's optional trip and see a wealth
of wildlife in its natural habitat. Otherwise, your day is free in
Adelaide.
9. Adelaide and the Ghan
train
From North Adelaide to the vibrant seaside resort of Glenelg,
today's city tour reveals a unique blend old-world charm and
new-world sophistication. This afternoon, board the famous Ghan (3
diamond) for the overnight rail journey to Australia's Red Centre,
crossing some of world's most inhospitable and ancient terrain.
D
10. Alice Springs
Arriving in Alice Springs this morning, discover how the
Aboriginal people both exploit and protect the land before an
afternoon with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This evening, the
Aboriginal Arts and Culture Centre presents the Red Centre Dreaming
Dinner and Show, including Aboriginal music and dancing. Relax for
the next two nights at the 4 diamond Crowne Plaza Alice Springs
Hotel. B D
11. Alice Springs
A chance to get right into the outback today with a visit to the
Western MacDonnell mountain ranges. You'll have views of Simpson's
Gap, Ellery Creek Gorge and Standley Chasm.
12. Alice Springs to Ayers
Rock
Visit a Camel Farm this morning before heading for the red rock
domes of the Olgas, or 'Kata Tjuta'. This evening relax at the
Ayers Rock sunset viewing area to see the world's largest monolith
change colour in spectacular style. Retire to the 4 diamond Desert
Gardens Hotel, part of the self-contained Ayers Rock Resort, for
your two-night stay.
13. Ayers Rock
Watch the sun rise over Ayers Rock this morning before a tour
around the base to explore ancient caves adorned in Aboriginal art.
Find out more at the cultural centre. Your afternoon is at
leisure.
14. Ayers Rock to
Cairns
Today, fly to the tropical north of Queensland, Cairns - the
gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Rain
Forest Region. Unpack for four nights at the central Pacific
International Hotel (4 diamond), which overlooks the
waterfront.
15. The Great Barrier
Reef
Spend the day at the Great Barrier Reef's Michaelmas Cay, a
sandy cay surrounding a seabird sanctuary. Discover the coral
gardens and colourful marine life from the decks of the
award-winning Ocean Spirit with guided snorkelling tours,
presentations by marine biologists and optional scuba dives. L
16. Kuranda
Join the Kuranda scenic railway as it winds through the dense
tropical forests. This afternoon, board the Skyrail, the world's
largest gondola cableway, for an amazing ride just above the
rainforest canopy, before visiting the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture
Park to meet some of the local Aboriginal people and discover more
about their rich cultural heritage.
17. Cairns
A day at leisure to explore the resort of Cairns or check out
some of the nearby coastal islands, steamy rainforest and miles of
perfect beaches on one of the optional tours that can be booked
locally.
18. Cairns to Sydney
Head to the capital of New South Wales by air - Sydney, a
cultural melting-pot and Australia's largest city. Relax within
easy walking distance of the harbour and opera house at The Grace,
your 4 diamond home for four nights.
19. Sydney
See the bridge, the opera house and several stunning waterfront
homes from the harbour on a morning cruise. This afternoon, take in
many of the highlights on a city tour, including some exclusive
suburbs and a walk on Bondi Beach.
20. Sydney
Your day is at leisure to enjoy the city's attractions: the
harbour bridge, where you can take part in an exciting optional
Bridge Climb; Sydney Aquarium; and Pitt Street Mall, site of the
AMP tower, which offers spectacular views over the city.
21. Sydney
Visit the forested valleys, canyons, waterfalls and abundant
wildlife of the World-Heritage-listed Blue Mountains on an optional
tour, or take advantage of some more free time.
22. Sydney and flight home via
Bangkok
Fly from Sydney on your overnight Qantas flight to London
Heathrow via Bangkok.
23. London
Your door-to-door driver will take you home.
Travel
notes We show you the best bits while leaving you plenty
of free days to explore on your own. And with only two overnight
stops, the pace is never hurried. We cross the red desert centre on
the famous Ghan - an overnight train that runs from Adelaide to
Alice Springs. A comfortable sleeper, with dinner included, the
train will deliver you fresh and bright in the morning with some
beautiful desert scenes on the way. In Hamilton, your time with a
true Aussie farming family in smaller groups is definitely a tour
highlight. As accommodation may vary, private facilities cannot be
guaranteed.
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