This site is not fully supported in Internet Explorer 11 (and earlier) versions. Please upgrade your browser to Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Safari or other latest browser.
You are viewing the consumer version of the trip page.Please click here to return to search results where you can access the agent version of these trip pages.
Contrasts of Australia
9 Day Australia Tour to Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney
Ticking off favourites along the East Coast and Melbourne, this Australia sightseeing tour explores dazzling cities, sundrenched shores, and stunning scenery. Ride a catamaran across the Great Barrier Reef, ride through rainforests, and taste Sydney’s flavours from land and sea with this trip that gives you a taste of everything.
W T T C Safe Travels Stamp Icon
Trip code
ACANA
Contrasts of Australia
9 Day Australia Tour to Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney
Ticking off favourites along the East Coast and Melbourne, this Australia sightseeing tour explores dazzling cities, sundrenched shores, and stunning scenery. Ride a catamaran across the Great Barrier Reef, ride through rainforests, and taste Sydney’s flavours from land and sea with this trip that gives you a taste of everything.
Melbourne extends a friendly welcome! (Flights to arrive prior to 12pm). Lucky for you you’re staying in the heart of it all on the banks of the Yarra River. Check into your hotel and meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers over a Welcome Reception at The General Assembly. At this modern pub on the Yarra River’s South Wharf, you’ll feast on a three-course dinner with specialties such as Fisherman’s bend pie, schnitzel, and mac & cheese croquettes, washing it down with your choice of local wines and 15 beers on tap. It’s a delicious introduction to Melbourne’s cosmopolitan vibe.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
Get out and see the sights today on a guided walk with your Travel Director discovering the little lanes, arcades, and café society of stylish Melbourne. Gaze up at the beautiful Victorian façades lining grand boulevards. Stroll past famous, edgy street art that shows a stylish contrast to federation buildings and churches as Melbourne’s coffee aroma wafts overhead. After your orientation, the days is yours to relax back at your hotel, go for a scenic stroll, do a little souvenir shopping, or find a spot on the banks of the Yarra River to grab a drink. Or choose to venture outside of the city on an Optional Experience such as the viewing of the incredible Little Penguins on Phillip Island. On this rare wildlife viewing experience you’ll watch the tiny, adorable penguins make their daily trek from the sea to burrows on the beach.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Tropical City of Cairns
Go from city to tropics today as you as you fly north to sunny Cairns. At Hartley's Crocodile Adventures you’ll team up with a Local Specialist for a private, wildlife-rich boat cruise. They will give you the inside scoop on the life and habits of the crocs you’ll see popping up from the murky waters or lazing on the bank. Now that you’ve appreciated the beauty of the area, you can put your passion into practice on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helping with a Rainforest Restoration project to protect the natural wonder of the nearby Notophyll Vine Forest, an area older than the Amazon. By jumping in and helping the team plant trees, you’re supporting the protection of this rare type of dry rainforest from development and restoring it to an important wildlife corridor of native birds - a mission you’ll feel good contributing to. After a day in the wild, you’ll travel back to Cairns for a free evening to try some of the city’s famous seafood around the Cairns Marina. If you’re looking to browse among a lot of options, visit the Cairns Night Markets and have your pick of over 70 open-air stalls of local specialities.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hilton
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Great Barrier Reef, a Natural Wonder
Go from city to sea today on a full day bucket list exploration of the world’s largest coral reef system in the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set sail on a high-speed catamaran for these tropical waters then explore this underwater wonderland up close donning your mask and fins for a snorkel (equipment provided). You’ll feel like a fish in an aquarium weaving through the rainbow of reefs and fish. Or, choose to stay dry in your semi-submersible, air-conditioned craft with an underwater observatory to have a different view of these tropical species. However you choose to explore, you’ll love learning the insights on the reef the colourful fish and plants that call it home from your local guide. On board you’ll be treated to lunch and afternoon tea and coffee to soak up the Aussie sun before you cruise back into Cairns.
Your last day in Cairns is all yours to kick back at the hotel pool, check out more of the city sites, or venture out of town for more adventures. One popular Optional Experience is taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway through a lush forests, past gorges, ravines, and waterfalls to Kuranda’s 'village in the rainforest.' After an epic train ride, you have time to explore this quaint village’s trails, wildlife sanctuaries, shops, and markets all within a World Heritage rainforest. Your return trip will be just as scenic taking the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway soaring above the canopy back to the lowlands. After a big day out or in town, meet up with the group for a Regional Dinner at Ochre Restaurant. Here you’ll watch the boats come in over the Harbour Lights’ boardwalk with views of the inlet and mountains as you enjoy Australian cuisine featuring the best local produce. Choose a craft beer, glass of wine from their extensive list, or cocktail highlighting their largest selection of Australian spirits in the region and try their dry old Tablelands beef or Salt and Pepper Prawns.
Your Australia sightseeing takes an exciting turn as you leave Cairns’ beaches for Sydney, Australia’s largest city, harbour, and fun-loving metropolis. Settle into your ideal spot to explore, lively Darling Harbour, before taking to the water on a Sunset Harbour Cruise. One of the best ways to see the city, you’ll watch day turn to night from their spacious decks or inside expansive windows as you enjoy a Regional Dinner on the water with a backdrop of spectacular views. See Circular Quay and Shark Island as well as magnificent waterfront homes, beaches, and parklands. You’ll also be dazzled by two of Sydney’s most famous attractions, the Opera House’s grand sails and the Sydney Harbour Bridge lighting up the night sky.
After an easy morning start, you get to check out another side of the city in a couple of local communities. Your first stop is Newtown, rich with culture and colourful street art. Then make your way to the suburb of Marrickville, recently crowned the 10th “coolest” and most liveable neighbourhood in the world, before arriving at Dear Delicious Café in Dulwich Hill to Connect With Locals. You’ll enjoy the cafe’s bountiful, sustainable garden with the owner Greg as you learn how he’s brought urban farming to the community. Then enjoy a fresh and local Be My Guest experience, your lunch showcases his produce such as beets, kale, and aromatic mushrooms. Then learn about and taste some local brews at Batch Brewery meeting the founder Andrew and joining in a masterclass to see how his team creates inspired limited release batches like Mole Poblano Choco Chilli Stout using sustainable practices. Sample one of their specialties like Pash the Magic Dragon or Tasman Tango South Pacific Ale before heading back to Sydney. After a big day of food and drink, the evening is yours to check out the sites of Darling Harbour or relax before another big day.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 8
The Other Side of Sydney Harbour
Kick off your last day in Sydney soaking in the beautiful blooms of Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay. At this tucked away retreat overlooking Sydney Harbour, meet a local volunteer and learn the story of how the garden was transformed, beginning in 1992 from unused railway land at the foot of founder Wendy’s house into a beautiful, whimsical secret spot. Take a walk around the grounds among the shrubs, herbs, and towering trees lining meandering paths, eyes peeled for the resident parrots, gulls, kookaburras and wagtails. Take a moment to enjoy the serenity of the garden, knowing that your visit, proudly a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, helps by contributing to the ongoing maintenance by volunteer gardeners of this enchanting garden. Then it’s time to celebrate your travels over a Farewell Dinner on the waterfront with your newfound friends and travel mates.
It’s been a glorious nine days of Australia sightseeing, but all good things must come to an end. Fill up on your last breakfast before bidding farewell to your travel mates and your transfer to the Sydney airport (flights anytime).
A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney
Experience Tick Thin Icon
All land transport shown. All transfers shown
Experience Tick Thin Icon
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Experience Tick Thin Icon
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews
Contrasts of Australia 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.
Overall rating
4.7
Out of 5
Based on 90 independent reviews
Trip rating
Customer experience
Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.4
Out of 5
5
Review Star Icon
54
4
Review Star Icon
28
3
Review Star Icon
3
2
Review Star Icon
3
1
Review Star Icon
2
Customer experience is the standard of service you receive
As mentioned earlier the final hotel had several issues. The room was poorly laid in particular the bathroom which had very limited counter space and a shower that needed work. There was no room service after the first night and no USB charging ports were available. The breakfast buffet was outstanding the best I have experienced.
The travel director was a force of nature. Nellie did everything in her power to make the tour exceptional. My only issues were with the staff prior to the tour and the room at the Hilton where there were no USB power ports and no room service the first night.
Why not book a night’s accommodations in Melbourne before Day 1 of your trip, so you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed.
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. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
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 traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
Navigation Close Icon
Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
Navigation Close Icon
What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them. What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.