Itinerary
Day 0 - January 21 - Board your overnight flight (crossing international dateline) arrive in Melbourne on January 23
Day 1 – 23 January (Thu) – Arrive Melbourne, Australia
Welcome to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia! A group transfer is provided from airport to your hotel (normal check-in times apply.) The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Tonight, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for welcome dinner at a popular restaurant. (Dinner)
Day 2 – 24 January (Fri) – Melbourne. Excursion to Phillip Island
Your morning guided sightseeing tour includes Federation Square, St. Patrick’s Park, Queen Victoria Market (when open), Albert Park Lake, the Shrine of Remembrance, and St. Kilda Beach. Your tour ends at the EUREKA SKYDECK for awe-inspiring views of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform. Later, join your RANGER GUIDE for an informative journey through the penguin colony, enjoying the commentary via your personal headset. Take your seat in the wonderfully located beachfront viewing stand offering superb viewing of the penguins emerging from the water and crossing the beach. Use the supplied binoculars to try and spot the penguins gathering in the water before they make their way across the beach to their burrows. Witness THE MAGICAL PENGUIN PARADE on Phillip Island. On your Penguins Express evening tour, watch the penguins' arrival on Summerland Beach with premium viewing where you are guaranteed to see these little penguins waddling right past you. Walk with them from elevated boardwalks and see if their burrow is nearby! At the Visitor's Information Centre, visit the “Penguin Experience" exhibit and learn more about the life of these little flightless birds. Dinner is available (though not included) from the Penguin Parade Restaurant. (Breakfast)
Day 3 – 25 January (Sat) – Melbourne. Great Ocean Road Excursion
Experience the majestic Great Ocean Road in style, with time to really appreciate the wonders of Australia's most scenic drive. Be sure your camera battery is fully charged, because there's plenty to see and photograph throughout the day. In the company of an expert Local Guide, watch for animal life, including whales, dolphins, echidnas, and bandicoots. Stroll along the beaches or grab a coffee at the striking Split Point Lighthouse, and take in the awe-inspiring scenery. Next, stop at Apollo Bay, a tranquil seaside town.Gain exclusive access to the Great Ocean Ecolodge's eucalyptus forest for close encounters with koalas, kangaroos, and native birds. Your adventure concludes with a visit to the ancient Twelve Apostles rock formations and dramatic Loch Ard Gorge. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4 – 26 January (Sun) – Melbourne – Port Douglas
Today catch your FLIGHT to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Continue to Port Douglas, a beachside town surrounded by rainforest and the Coral Sea. Enjoy a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. (Breakfast)
Today, prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran to take you out to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. From here, you’ll have the opportunity to CRUISE the Great Barrier Reef on a Glass Bottom Boat and maybe even go snorkeling. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Return to Port Douglas, where the evening is at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 6 – 28 January (Tue) – Port Douglas. Excursion to the Wildlife Habitat
A highlight today is a visit to WILDLIFE HABITAT, an interactive zoo with koalas, kangaroos, birds, reptiles & more. You’ll have plenty of free time to enjoy the Wildlife Habitat and all it has to offer. Return to Port Douglas, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (Breakfast)
Day 7 – 29 January (Wed) – Port Douglas – Sydney
Today, catch your FLIGHT to beautiful Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Later today, walk in the footsteps of the Australia's early convicts, mischievous gangs and locals of the past as you SHARE A DRINK in four of Sydney's oldest pubs. Between watering holes, your guide will take you through the alleys and cobbled streets of THE ROCKS as they share the gossip, legends and stories of Australia's first European settlement. Learn about the fight for the title 'Sydney's Oldest Pub', what is the 6 O'clock Swill, how beer quelled the rum rebellion, and more stories, myths, and legends. (Breakfast)
Note: Intra-tour flight included this day.
Day 8 – 30 January (Thu) – Sydney
Start your day with a city sightseeing tour, including such landmarks as 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 for an insider’s tour of BONDI SURF BATHERS’ LIFE SAVING CLUB with one of the lifesavers. Lunch today is at the historic North Bondi Returned Servicemen’s Leagues Club, located on Bondi Beach. Learn about the history of this special place and the courageous “Rats of Tobruk” while enjoying sweeping waterfront views and delicious food. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 9 – 31 January (Fri) – Sydney
Enjoy a day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps join our optional excursion to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience 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 have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special SYDNEY HABOUR FAREWELL DINNER CRUISE. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10 – 01 February (Sat) – Sydney
After breakfast a group transfer is provided to the port for your independently arranged cruise. (Breakfast)
TOUR DIRECTOR |
The services of a professional, multilingual Tour Director will be provided throughout. |
MEALS |
9 Breakfasts 3 Lunches 2 Dinners |
QUALITY HOTELS |
Melbourne Port Douglas Sydney |
GROUND TRANSPORTATION |
Motor coaches are fully air-conditioned everywhere while touring. |
SIGHTSEEING | Sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary with inside visits (including admission charges) and special features shown in UPPER CASE in the tour description. Sightseeing with local guides where applicable. |
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Internal Australia Flight Schedule - Subject to change
QF1709 29JAN CNSBNE 935A 1145A
QF 533 29JAN BNESYD 105P 340P