Australia: Rock, Reef and Wildlife with Sydney City Stay

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Melbourne.

On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Relax in the evening at your hotel.

This morning you will experience the beautiful sights of Melbourne. Hear about its wonderful history, famous buildings, sensational shopping, great sporting centres, and universities. Stopping to explore the Fitzroy Gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. As you travel over the Westgate Bridge, you’ll drive along the Grand Prix track and admire the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, St Paul's Cathedral, the Arts Centre, Crown Casino and Port Phillip Bay. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, before welcome drinks in the evening.

With a day at leisure, you can spend some time exploring the most stylish and fashionable city in Australia at your own pace. Wander through Melbourne’s maze of hidden laneways and independent cafes, shops, and bars; browse the Queen Victoria Market or ride the free City Circle tram to see the sights of the city centre. In the evening, witness the famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade: watch as the world's smallest penguins emerge from the sea and waddle ashore to their sand dune burrows, a truly unforgettable wildlife experience. Elevated boardwalks and viewing stands allow you to enjoy the action without disturbing the penguins or their burrow homes.

Depart Melbourne to travel along the scenic Great Ocean Road, stretching along 250km of Australia’s windswept south-west coast. A verdant playground for adventure lovers, wind through Otway National Park’s vast hinterlands and thundering waterfalls, before returning to the coast to feast your eyes on a mind-blowing collection of solitary rock formations in Port Campbell National Park. Rising elegantly from the crashing waves of the ocean, marvel at the eight remaining limestone structures of the iconic Twelve Apostles, take a short drive to the charming, sheltered cove of Loch Ard Gorge before arriving in Portland for a relaxing evening.

Continue along the coast to the charming town of Robe with scenic stops along the way, including Mount Gambier, renowned for the Blue Lake and Umpherston Sinkhole, and the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park, home to stunning cave formations. Arrive in Robe, a picturesque seaside village that transforms into a bustling holiday hotspot each summer, when holidaymakers soak up the sun on Robe’s long sandy beaches and relax in the towns’ cosmopolitan cafes.

Travel along South Australia’s Southern Ocean Drive, enjoying the change of scenery as towering sand dunes give way to snow-white beaches. The route encompasses saltwater lagoons and wildlife-rich wetlands, as well as the nearby home of the oldest recorded cabernet sauvignon vines in the world, Langhorne Creek. Your day ends in Victor Harbour, well-known for its early colonial architecture and fantastic opportunities for whale-watching. Enjoy the town’s relaxed charm, beautiful coastal views, and rich maritime history.

Today, enjoy a visit to Kangaroo Island, ideal for wildlife-spotting and often referred to as a ‘zoo without fences. Here you’ll find expansive bushland that provides a habitat for kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and koalas, as well as a large colony of sea lions and wide variety of reptiles, birds, and insects. Admire dramatic coastal scenery such as the surreal Remarkable Rocks, sculpted by the wind over millennia into unique shapes, before continuing to Adelaide.

Enjoy a tour of the delightful city of Adelaide, surrounded by parklands with a blend of historic buildings, wide streets, high-quality cafes, and sophisticated restaurants. See Adelaide's cultural precinct – the North Terrace, National Wine Centre, Botanic Gardens and beautiful Botanic Park, home to the Bicentennial Conservatory and the Adelaide Zoo. Continue through historic North Adelaide’s tree-lined streets, admiring mansion houses and historic buildings, the iconic St Peter’s Cathedral, and newly developed Adelaide Oval. The afternoon is free to explore the city further at leisure.

A full day at leisure in this remarkable city allows you to explore at your own pace. Discover Adelaide’s highlights or opt to take a tour of the nearby Barossa Valley, one of the world’s top winegrowing regions. You might consider a tour of the German Village of Hahndorf or an enchanting river cruise or simply spend the day relaxing ahead of your next adventure.

This morning, depart for your flight to Alice Springs. On arrival, visit the School of the Air, which provides an innovative educational service for children living in remote areas. Stop at the historic Telegraph Station and the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn how this marvellous facility operates to provide a 'mantle of safety' to people in the Australian Outback. Your tour concludes at the top of Anzac Hill, offering panoramic views of Alice Springs and the dramatic East MacDonnell mountain ranges.

Travel from Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Observe the rugged desert landscapes of the region, travelling via Erldunda, Mount Ebenezer & Mount Conor. While traversing this remote countryside, learn about the natural and geological history of the region, as well as the unique flora and fauna of the Australian desert, such as the Perentie monitor lizard, the thorny devil, and the red kangaroo. Discover the traditional customs and beliefs of local Aboriginals as you enjoy a tour of the base of Uluru, followed by a visit to Kata Tjuta for one of the best sunset experiences in Central Australia. A sacred site and stunning natural wonder, admire views of the immense, dome-shaped rocks of Kata Tjuta while you take in a magnificent outback sunset before returning to your hotel.

A very early start allows you to experience the Uluru Sunrise and Field of Light. Listen to an informative commentary on internationally renowned artist Bruce Monroe before you arrive to see his latest artistic endeavour. Beginning in complete darkness, feel awe-struck by the site of 50,000 globes of light illuminating the desert, before making your way up the hill to the Field of Light viewing platform. Watch the sun rise in the distance behind Uluru, flooding the landscape, including Kata Tjuta behind you, with golden light. Take some amazing photos of this unique, unforgettable experience, viewing both Kata Tjuta and Uluru in all their natural glory. After the tour, transfer to Ayers Rock Airport for your afternoon flight to Cairns, where you’ll enjoy a short orientation tour on arrival.

The morning is free to explore the sights of Cairns at leisure. Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda village for an amazing experience over Australia’s World Heritage listed tropical rainforest canopy. Spend time at the two rainforest mid-stations, enjoying Ranger guided boardwalk tours, and visit the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, lookouts, and historical displays. Return to Cairns on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, travelling in authentic timber carriages, some of which are up to 100 years old. Sit back and admire the scenery, including the picturesque Barron Falls.

Today, embark on a cruise to the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef. Set sail and experience the area’s unique environment, where pristine sands and fringing reefs provide a protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds. Enjoy all of the included activities onboard, snorkelling, cruising in a semi-submersible for a diver’s view of the reef, watching a fish feeding presentation, and observing island bird life. For the adventurous there is also the option of scuba diving.

Today is at leisure to enjoy the vibrant city of Cairns, with its laid-back outdoor lifestyle, you could choose to visit the Cairns Aquarium, Art Gallery, or Esplanade Lagoon, or simply relax and unwind by your hotel pool. A visit to a nearby crocodile farm is also optional.

Board your flight to Sydney, where you’ll take a city tour on arrival. Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour, Hyde Park, St Mary’s Cathedral, and Parliament House. Stop at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and stroll along Darling Harbour, with its collection of waterfront restaurants, alfresco cafes and trendy bars.

After a morning to relax or explore at your own pace, board a scenic cruise on the famous Sydney Harbour. Sail past sightseeing highlights including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, and Luna Park, with spacious outer decks providing uninterrupted views and wonderful photo opportunities. Enjoy a buffet lunch onboard.

Travel to the spectacular Blue Mountains and discover the region’s native wildlife whilst you explore the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Visit Scenic World, where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the rugged Jamison Valley. Stop at Echo Point, perched on the edge of a 170-metre cliff face, offering views stretching across to the famous Three Sisters, a trio of rocky pinnacles towering above the valley. Learn about the site’s deep connection to local Aboriginal Dreamtime legends.

Today is at leisure to relax or further explore the highlights of Sydney before a farewell dinner.

Enjoy your extended stay in Sydney, where you can unwind and explore the city’s world‑famous sights, beautiful harbour, and lively culture entirely at your own pace.

Transfer to airport for your flight home.