American breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 6 dinners including a welcome dinner in Melbourne, an Outback barbecue at Uluru (Ayers Rock), and a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant in Sydney
Itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
G’day—welcome to Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 3 pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner at your hotel.
Dinner
Day 2 MELBOURNE
Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful FITZROY GARDENS, then drive past the lush Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll discover the city’s differing architectural influences as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Tonight’s optional excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is highly recommended.
Breakfast
Day 3 MELBOURNE
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take a trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.”
Breakfast
Day 4 MELBOURNE–HOBART
Fly to Hobart, Tasmania, home of the famed Tasmanian devil. Enjoy a WALKING TOUR of Hobart’s historic waterfront district followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 5 HOBART. EXCURSION TO THE TASMAN PENINSULA
Tour the scenic Tasman Peninsula with its blowhole, Devil’s Kitchen, and Tasman Arch coastal formations. Visit PORT ARTHUR HISTORIC SITE, which began housing convicts in the 1830s. On a guided tour of the penal settlement, see the ruins of the penitentiary and the model prison—grim reminders of Australia’s days as a penal colony. Stop at the TASMANIAN DEVIL UNZOO to see the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 6 HOBART–ADELAIDE
Today, fly via Melbourne to Adelaide. Upon arrival, take a brief orientation tour along the wide, tree-lined streets, and well-manicured gardens. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Breakfast
Day 7 ADELAIDE. EXCURSION TO KANGAROO ISLAND
Early this morning, depart Adelaide and travel by motorcoach and ferry to 
KANGAROO ISLAND, one of the world’s last unspoiled habitats. Visit SEAL BAY CONSERVATION PARK with a national park ranger to see a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Explore FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK, a sanctuary for native Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. Stop here for a walk on REMARKABLE ROCKS, with stunning views of the sea. You will also take a boardwalk down a rugged cliff face to ADMIRALS ARCH, a unique rock formation and home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals, which can be seen resting on the rocks and playing in the waves. Return to Adelaide late this evening.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 8 ADELAIDE–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)
Fly this morning from Adelaide to the “Center of Australia.” This evening, visit Ayers Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known also by its Aboriginal name: Uluru. This massive sandstone monolith is one of the world’s most mysterious and religious sites. Enjoy a DRINK as you watch the sunset and the changing colors as they fall across the landscape. Later, enjoy a truly unique Aussie experience: an OUTBACK BARBECUE featuring a meal of typical campfire fare and awe-inspiring Outback ambiance.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 ULURU
For an unforgettable experience, you may choose to rise early for an optional camel ride to watch the sunrise at Uluru. Today, enjoy a TOUR at the base of the rock, learning of its significance to the Anangu Aboriginal people. Time to relax at your resort before the afternoon takes us to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent KATA TJUTA (the Olgas), a geological splendor of views of some 36 brilliant domes. This evening is at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 10 ULURU–ALICE SPRINGS–GHAN TRAIN
Today, travel through the heart of the Outback, keeping a lookout for red kangaroos, dingoes, camels, and feral horses, known as “brumbies.” Arrive in Alice Springs and board the GHAN TRAIN, Australia’s legendary rail journey. Taking its name from the intrepid Afghan cameleers, The Ghan has become a symbol of nationhood and pioneering spirit. NOTE: Plan to pack an overnight bag with necessities for the train portion of this tour, including medications, eyeglasses, and other important items. Your other baggage will be checked and you will not be able to access it until arrival in Darwin.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 11 GHAN TRAIN–KATHERINE–DARWIN
This morning, the train stops at Katherine with a visit to nearby KATHERINE GORGE. Located in Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine Gorge is home to incredible scenery, Aboriginal history, and unique birds and animals. Choose between an included scenic CRUISE in the gorge, a CRUISE that features indigenous rock art dating back 40,000 years, or a visit to a working Outback CATTLE STATION to learn about the history and inner workings of the cattle industry. Arrive this evening in Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory. NOTE: Off-train experiences are subject to change and will be advised by the Tour Director while on tour.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 12 DARWIN–KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
This morning, travel to KAKADU NATIONAL PARK, Australia’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to exceptional natural beauty and a unique biodiversity. Upon arrival, take a CRUISE on the unspoiled waterways of the Yellow Water Billabong. Enjoy incredible scenery with the opportunity to spot water buffalo, crocodiles, and an abundance of bird species such as Whistling Ducks, Magpie Geese, and Sea Eagles. An optional light-aircraft flight over the park should not be missed. NOTE: During the wet season (December through April), it can be difficult to see crocodiles in the wild.
Day 13 KAKADU NATIONAL PARK–DARWIN
Return to Darwin and experience a JUMPING CROCODILE CRUISE which takes you right into the crocodile’s natural habitat to witness these amazing creatures. It’s an experience not to be missed! Then, enjoy an orientation tour and a visit to the DARWIN MUSEUM to learn more about the important role the city played in World War II.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 14 DARWIN–CAIRNS
Today, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef” and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 15 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
Be prepared for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and CRUISE to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS-BOTTOM-BOAT TOUR, view the reef from an underwater observatory, and watch a fish feeding.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 16 CAIRNS
A full day at leisure in this tropical paradise. For a truly amazing experience, consider our optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey, you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway—or maybe spend the day in the magical Daintree Rainforest, thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest.
Breakfast
Day 17 CAIRNS–SYDNEY
This morning, enjoy a special visit to KOALA GARDENS for your chance to see koalas doing what they do best—eating, sleeping, and looking adorable—with the chance to meet some of Australia’s other native animals. Before your visit ends, you’ll have your PHOTO taken with a koala—the perfect souvenir! Afterward, fly to Sydney, the largest city in Australia.
Breakfast
Day 18 SYDNEY
Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interior and theaters. Travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s BOTANIC GARDENS for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Visit world-famous BONDI BEACH with time to explore on your own. Afterward, a CRUISE on Sydney Harbour highlights some of the city’s best views.
Breakfast
Day 19 SYDNEY
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join our optional excursions to the Blue Mountains or to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! Your Tour Director will help you make the most of this exciting city. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at a WATERFRONT RESTAURANT overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 20 SYDNEY
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast