13 days,
12 nights |
from $6515 per person*
TOUR CODE: IMSE
Experience Australia on a 12-night guided vacation that reveals sprawling red desert landscapes, turquoise tropical waters and buzzy cosmopolitan cities, this diverse journey is one that ticks all the boxes.
Wander through Melbourne’s lively cobblestoned laneways and discover the sights of the city. There is plenty of free time for optional experiences including the famous Penguin parade, a journey along the Great Ocean Road or perhaps a visit to the Yarra Valley.
Experience Australia’s Red Centre starting in Alice Springs with a visit to the School of the Air and the Overland Telegraph Station. Enjoy dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre to learn about ecology, astronomy and local culture before traveling the Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Witness first-hand how its rusty walls change color as the sun dips below the horizon. Discover the Kata Tjuta and experience the ethereal Field of Light installation. Meet local indigenous artists for cultural insights.
Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park. Enjoy discovering the reef on a full-day cruise to view the spectacular coral and tropical fish for yourself. A free day allows you to experience the city, rainforest or tablelands for yourself.
Take a behind the scenes tour of Sydney Opera House and cruise Sydney Harbour. Experience more of the city with a BridgeClimb or an optional tour to the Blue Mountains.
Experience Australia and the icons on this guided vacation.
Local Connection: Sustainability and stars unite at a pioneering eco-property in the Northern Territory outback. Let the owners decode the night sky.
Inside Knowledge: Melbourne’s best bars, restaurants and boutiques are hidden down graffiti-clad laneways. Our in-the-know guide shows you where.
Cultural Immersion: Once you’ve seen the sails of the Sydney Opera House, go backstage with a cultural enthusiast to see magic being made.
Sustainable Footprints: Some of Australia’s legendary wilderness areas – Uluru, Kakadu and Litchfield – are its most fragile. Your National Parks fees preserve them for posterity.
Australian Domestic flights are included. Please call our team for international flights from the US to Australia
2022 : Apr 10; May 29; Jun 26; Aug 7, 28; Sep 11, 25; Oct 9, 30; Nov 6, 13, 20, 27; Dec 11, 25
2023: Jan 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar 5, 12, 19, 26
Please click here for full Booking Conditions.
All trips include 24-hour emergency travel assistance.
Book by:
November 30, 2022
Valid for travel between:
Select dates 2022-2023
Additional dates, gateway cities and airlines may be available.
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Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne (DW)
Get to know your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening at a Welcome Reception and dinner at a restaurant by the waterfront. Hotel: Crowne Plaza, 3 nights.
Day 2: Melbourne (B)
Explore Melbourne on a city-sights tour this morning, then discover its gracious arcades, eclectic laneways, and vibrant street art on a private walking tour. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You might like to take an optional experience. Perhaps visit Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade, where the world’s smallest penguins return from the ocean and waddle endearingly up the wide beach to their sand-dune burrows. Or you may prefer to simply relax, explore the galleries, or experience some of the city’s celebrated eateries.
Day 3: Melbourne Free Time (B)
Today is free for you to further explore the delights of Melbourne. Alternatively, you could take an optional experience along the renowned Great Ocean Road to discover a stunning coastline and the towering limestone arches of the Twelve Apostles. In the evening, you might like to take in a production at one of Melbourne’s renowned theatres.
Day 4: Melbourne – Alice Springs (B, BG)
Fly to Alice Springs this morning and visit the unique School of the Air to learn how this school-with-a-difference delivers education to children living in remote outback areas. Pause at the historic Overland Telegraph Station, connecting Australia’s north and south – with a single wire. This evening, join the Falzon family at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre for a home-cooked gourmet Be My Guest BBQ dinner. Later, listen as brothers Tom and Danny speak of their passion for ecology, astronomy and local
culture and even lead you on a sing-along accompanied by the didgeridoo and guitar. Hotel: Mercure Alice Springs Resort.
Day 5: Alice Springs – Uluru (B)
Travel through the red quartzite peaks and gorges of the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges to Ayers Rock Resort, located just a stone’s throw away from the sacred, ancient monolith that is known as Uluru by its
traditional caretakers, the Anangu people. Journey to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in time for sparkling wine and a chance to witness first-hand how its rusty walls change color as the sun dips below the horizon. Hotel: Desert Gardens, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights.
Day 6: Uluru & Kata Tjuta (B)
This morning, witness the magical Uluru sunrise, then tour the caves at the base of Uluru and marvel at the ancient rock art to be found there. Later, travel over red desert plains to Kata Tjuta, and take a walk at Walpa Gorge through two of the tallest domes of this majestic rock formation. Enjoy sparkling wine with your traveling companions as the sun sets over Kata Tjuta.
Day 7: Uluru – Cairns (B)
Rise early to experience the ethereal Field of Light art installation. Wander through the paths surrounding 50,000 hand-crafted frosted glass spheres of light. As the sun rises, join your fellow travelers on top of a sand dune to watch the desert awakening over Uluru. Meet an Indigenous artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. Your Anangu artist will provide you with cultural insights, explaining the meanings of local totems and assisting you to complete your own painting to take home as a memento of your experience. In the afternoon board your flight to tropical Cairns. Hotel: Shangri-La, 3 nights.
Day 8: Cairns Free Time (B)
On this free day why not take in the view with an optional balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands? Or explore the Daintree Rainforest on a guided walk. See the rainforest on a Scenic Railway journey to Kuranda returning on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Pair your trip to Kuranda with a visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for a wetlands cruise.
Day 9: Great Barrier Reef (B, L, DW)
Board a sleek, high-speed catamaran today and cruise out to the natural wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkeling (equipment provided) or view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board before you return to Cairns. After some time to relax, join your traveling companions for an evening meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront.
Day 10: Cairns – Sydney (B)
After a leisurely start, this afternoon fly to Sydney, where your evening is at leisure. Hotel: InterContinental Sydney, 3 nights.
Day 11: Sydney Free Time (B)
Today is all yours to explore Sydney. The energetic might tackle the iconic Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb, or perhaps you’d prefer to take an excursion to the majestic Blue Mountains to see the soaring Three Sisters rock formation.
Day 12: Sydney (B, L, FD)
Kick off your Sydney discovery with a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Then see the city from the water on a Harbour Lunch Cruise enjoying a menu focusing on local food and wine. Visit Bondi Beach and soak up the surfer life. This evening, celebrate your vacation with your Travel Director at a Farewell Dinner.
Day 13: Farewell from Sydney (B)
Say farewell when your vacation comes to an end this morning after breakfast.
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*Terms & Conditions: Pricing is per person based on double occupancy. All prices are in US dollars and correct at time of posting for travel during specified travel dates. Single supplements, black-out dates and seasonal supplements may apply. Airfare is not included unless indicated. Prices may differ when you book your travel and are not guaranteed until full payment is received. Airline and hotels frequently change their prices as a result of fare increases and/or fuel surcharges. Prices may increase before full payment for those and other reasons. Package is not combinable with any other offer or discounted vacation package. After full payment, prices are guaranteed except only due to an increase in government-imposed taxes or fees. By paying your deposit, you affirmatively agree to the possibility of such increases. Package is strictly subject to availability, not retroactive and not combinable with any other special or vacation package offer. Minimum night stays or required room types may apply. All prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change without notice. Please call for our current prices. CST#2001136-20
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