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Australia at its best - from the golden beaches of Bondi and shared stories of Aboriginal Dreamtime, to an astounding underwater wonderland and fiery Uluru sunset lighting up the Outback sky.
On arrival in the stylish Victorian capital of Melbourne, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure (flights to arrive prior to 12pm). Later, you'll join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and Regional Dinner at a restaurant by the waterfront.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
'Dive into Culture' and wander through the labyrinthine laneways, arcades and grand boulevards that reveal some of the world's most edgy street art and well-preserved Victorian architecture. Spend the rest of the day exploring on your own. Perhaps take a stroll along the Yarra River.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Melbourne Free Time
A full free day awaits to sample the cosmopolitan flavours of Melbourne - its coffee culture and farm-to-table food experiences at the bustling Queen Victoria Market. Or, consider an Optional Experience following one of the world's most scenic coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road with its famous Twelve Apostles.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Melbourne - Alice Springs
Journey to the heart of the Outback and the gateway to Australia's Red Centre. On arrival in Alice Springs, join a 'Local Specialist' for a visit to the School of the Air and learn how it delivers education to children living in remote areas. Your next stop is the historic Overland Telegraph Station, connecting Australia's north and south - with a single wire. Later, 'Connect With Locals' at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, where you'll meet the celebrated Outback Paramedic Falzon brothers for dinner and hear about the sustainable lifestyle they've established.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Mercure Alice Springs Resort
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 5
Alice Springs - Ayers Rock (2 Nights)
Cross rugged landscapes to Ayers Rock Resort, located just a stone's throw 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 sundowners and a chance to witness first-hand how its rusty red walls change colour as the sun dips below the horizon. We spend the night in one of Trafalgar's 'Stays with Stories', which blends seamlessly into its splendid natural surrounds. Tonight, consider an optional authentic Aussie BBQ Dinner under the glittering southern-night sky.
Watch as the desert awakens - the rising sun lighting up Uluru in a spectacular golden hue. 'Dive Into Culture' next and gain insights into the culture, history, art and traditions of the Aboriginal caretakers of the land on a tour of the base of Uluru. This afternoon travel to Kata Tjuta. Your Travel Director will take you on a walk deep into Walpa Gorge, where you'll hear about the area's distinct geological and cultural history. Toast to a mesmerising Outback sunset over the rusty red domes of Kata Tjuta with sparkling wine.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 7
Ayers Rock - Cairns (3 Nights)
Rise early to experience the ethereal Field of Light art installation before sunrise. As the sun rises, join your fellow travellers on top of a sand dune to watch the desert awakening over Uluru.'Dive Into Culture' with an Aboriginal artist this morning, gaining insights into the ritual of Dreamtime and the meanings of the Anangu totems in indigenous art. Tell your very own Outback story as a memento of your experience, putting paint to canvas, then fly from Ayers Rock to the tropical city of Cairns.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Shangri-La
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 8
Cairns Free Time
Ease into laidback living in the spirit of the locals or consider an Optional Experience to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park on this full day at leisure to explore this east coast gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You could discover the secrets of ancient Aboriginal culture through theatre, didgeridoo and fire-making demonstrations or visit Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an up-close encounter with the resident crocs. Perhaps take a trip to Kuranda, the 'village in the rainforest', on the historic Kuranda Scenic Rail and return to the lowlands through some of the oldest rainforest in the world - the choice is yours.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 9
Great Barrier Reef
An underwater wonderland awaits as you board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Take to the tropical waters and snorkel alongside a dazzling array of colourful marine-life (equipment provided) or explore the sparkling blue coral sea from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft, just one metre underwater. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on the water before returning to Cairns, where this evening you'll enjoy a Regional Dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
A leisurely start to your day means there's time for a final exploration of Cairns before flying south to Sydney. Wine and dine in the city's famous Rocks District, visit China Town for some tasty yum cha or take a stroll around Circular Quay.
Visit Bondi Beach then head to the Sydney Opera House for a privately guided tour with a 'Local Specialist' and 'behind-the-scenes' look at the building's inner workings. Prime your sea legs next as you board a lunch cruise, sailing past parklands, waterfront homes and the iconic sights for which Sydney Harbour is so famous. Spend the rest of the day on your own or consider an Optional Experience and ascend the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Get your final Sydney fix today as you enjoy a full free day to explore the city on your terms. Consider an Optional Experience to the Blue Mountains whose eucalypt haze you'll see looming in the distance as you depart Sydney en route to the village of Leura, the famous Three Sisters rock formation and Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to Australia's cuddly, and not so cuddly, creatures. Your effortlessly delivered journey nearing its end, you'll join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a Farewell Dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
Say farewell to your fellow travellers after breakfast as your memorable Australian holiday concludes. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).
12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners (Including Connect with Locals)
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On-trip Transport
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The Trafalgar difference
Connect With Locals
Earth Sanctuary is Central Australia's first 100% carbon neutral venue. The centre was created by the Falzon family who have entertained and informed thousands of visitors for 16 years in the Outback of Australia. At Earth Sanctuary's Spirit of the Outback Dinner and Show you will hear stories of ecology, culture and astronomy and will learn about the sustainable lifestyle the family has established. (Day 4)
Dive Into Culture
Discover Melbourne's eclectic hidden lanes, arcades and fascinating street art. (Day 2)Tour the waterholes at the base of Uluru and learn about the traditional owners of the land, the Anangu. (Day 6)
Local Specialist
For included sightseeing in Melbourne, Ayers Rock and Sydney (Days 2, 6, 11).
Stays With Stories
You'll discover the stunning heart of the Red Centre from the Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock. Revealing the natural beauty of this unique landscape, the hotel offers incredible views of towering gums, flowering native shrubs and glowing red dunes. (Days 5 & 6)
Sightseeing highlights
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CITY TOUR in Melbourne, Alice Springs, Sydney
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CRUISE on Sydney Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef
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VIEW spectacular outback sunsets at Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the renowned Field of Light installation in Uluru
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VISIT Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted
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Handcrafted Highlights
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and local charges included
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and separate Driver, Driver Guide only on Mini-Stays
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
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VIP entry to many sights
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A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Melbourne to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney
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LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
Australian Highlights Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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5
Wonderful itinerary and covered all the highlights one wanted to see while visiting Australia. Many good choices on optional trips
Christin and various drivers knew their information well and managed the group so we stayed as planned. They were not overwhelmed with issues that might arise (traffic, weather & such things). They seemed to have anticipated success! Group entries were well run- minimal lines, seating, service. Yes- I’d recommend Trafalgar.
We had a wonderful Australia experience! Our tour guide was really knowledgeable, organized and very helpful! We were with a great group of people and had a lot of fun! We would recommend this trip to friends and family. Our trip however ended badly. We found out the morning of our departure from our travel insurance, not the Airline or Trafalger, that our flight was cancelled. Just about everyone from our tour had already departed and we could not get reach Quantas (2 hours hold time) so we reached out to our travel agent in Summerville, who fortunately was at the AAA office. We found out that we could not fly out until the next morning which meant an extra night in the hotel in Sydney. The next day our flight from Sydney was delayed which lead to missing our connecting flight in Dallas and another overnight. We arrived at home two days late. We understand that a flight being cancelled is part of traveling. We would suggest that a Trafalgar phone number be available to call when the unexpected happens. Especially when you are in a different county.
Air: Please note that pricing does not include internal flights, with the exception of guests booking and travelling from the USA and Canada. Land Only price requires the following intra-trip flights to be purchased separately in order to fulfil the trip itinerary: Day 4 from Melbourne to Alice Springs – QF796; Day 7 from Ayers Rock to Cairns – QF1854; Day 10 from Cairns to Sydney – VA1418. Trafalgar guarantees to quote you the lowest possible airfare available to us on the day that you book.
Explore Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park and discover how your visit helps support not only the environment, but the traditions of the native Mutitjulu community. (Day 6)
This trip is operated in conjunction with our sister company and South Pacific Specialists - AAT Kings.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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