Grand Tour of Australia
£7,467.00
Spotting all manner of birdlife in Kakadu National Park
Australians are renowned for their love of the outdoors, and you’ll quickly discover why on this all-encompassing trip of a lifetime. Soak up the sunshine in the country’s greatest cities, sample shiraz in its finest wine regions and meet the diverse wildlife as we delve into Outback, rainforest and parkland. We&ve devoted 30 days to these Australia escorted tours, so we’re able to see even more highlights, from the creeks of the ‘Top End’ to the bohemian beach town of Noosa.
- 21 excursions & visits
- 31 meals
- Adventurer pace
Your itinerary
Day 1 – In flight
Our door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Perth.
In flight
Day 2 – Perth
On arrival, the evening is at leisure.
InterContinental Perth City Centre (5-star)
Day 3 – Fremantle
We start our day with a tour of Perth and then make our way towards the ocean to spend time in Fremantle – an eclectic, arty suburb that has retained an element of its historic, colonial precinct. We also visit Fremantle Prison, a World Heritage Site which offers fascinating insight into the transportation of prisoners from Britain to Australia.
InterContinental Perth City Centre (5-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Tour of Perth and Fremantle, including Fremantle Prison (morning)
Breakfast
Free time
Day 4 – Perth
Today is free to explore Australia’s sunniest capital. Maybe follow a nature trail, take an Indigenous Heritage Tour in Kings Park, find adventure on the river or visit the Art Gallery WA to see one of the world’s finest collections of indigenous art. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to Rottnest Island. It’s of great spiritual significance – known as Wadjemup to the Aboriginal people who have inhabited this island for more than 6,500 years. This car-free island has stunning beaches, incredible pink salt lakes and an abundance of wildlife including the adorably cheerful quokkas. Wadjemup Lighthouse, still operating today, offers fantastic views over Rottnest and the sapphire ocean. Kings Park is a wonderful spot to end your day, strolling through 400 hectares of beautiful gardens and protected bushland, before watching the sun set over the city.
InterContinental Perth City Centre (5-star)
Today includes…
Breakfast
Free time
Day 5 – Darwin
Fly to Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory. We’ll stay close to the ocean and an easy walk from the city’s highlights.
Novotel Darwin CBD (4-star)
Today includes…
Breakfast
Day 6 – Kakadu
We spend a full day touring Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest national park and home to Aboriginal people for over 50,000 years. Look out for native wildlife and huge termite mounds along the roadside as we traverse stunning scenery and landscapes.
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (3-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Kakadu National Park (all day)
Breakfast
Day 7 – Kakadu – Katherine
Cruise Kakadu’s wetlands, an ever-changing landscape. More than 10,000 saltwater crocodiles live in the park, as well as an uncountable number of bird species, including the whistling duck, jabiru and white-bellied sea eagle. Experienced guides will give fascinating insights into the region’s wildlife, Bininj people and survival through the seasons. Later, we travel to Katherine.
Contour Hotel Katherine (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Yellow Water cruise (morning)
Breakfast
Day 8 – Katherine – Darwin
Nitmiluk National Park includes a breathtaking series of towering gorges along the Katherine River. This morning we’ll take a leisurely cruise on its tranquil waters, before returning to Darwin.
Novotel Darwin CBD (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Nitmiluk Gorge cruise (morning)
Breakfast
Day 9 – Darwin
This morning we take a tour of this tropical capital, including entrance to the Darwin Military Museum, which tells the story of Japan’s devastating air raids on 19 February 1942. They dropped more bombs here than on Pearl Harbor. The afternoon is at leisure. Maybe visit the wonderful markets or the superb Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Novotel Darwin CBD (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Tour of Darwin, including Military Museum (morning)
Breakfast
Free time
Day 10 – Alice Springs
Fly early to Alice Springs, where our tour includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctors Service Base, founded to provide medical care for residents in over 1.5 million square kilometres of isolated bushland; and the Old Telegraph Station, built in the 1870s to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide.
Queenstown
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Tour of Alice Springs (morning)
Breakfast
Day 11 – Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) – Uluru
Our journey continues to one of Australia’s natural highlights, Uluru. We head to the Olgas, a collection of rounded rocks known to Aborigines as Kata Tjuta (‘Many Heads’), and then continue closer to Uluru to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset. Please note: The order of excursions at Uluru is subject to change.
Desert Gardens Hotel, Uluru (3.5-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Kata Tjuta (afternoon)Uluru sunset viewing (evening)
Breakfast
Day 12 – Uluru – Cairns
Early this morning we travel the short distance back to Uluru to watch this phenomenal rock change as the sun rises, before flying to Cairns.
Bailey Hotel, Cairns (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Uluru sunrise viewing (morning)
Breakfast
Day 13 – Cairns
Today is free to explore Cairns. The Esplanade lagoon or the Pier marina, are the places to head to if you want to spend time on the coast. Despite the lack of beach, this small town is still popular for boardshort-clad tourists, and for those looking to experience the great outdoors.
Bailey Hotel, Cairns (4-star)
Today includes…
Breakfast
Free time
Day 14 – Great Barrier Reef
Today we experience another of Australia’s incredible natural wonders – the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an unforgettable cruise to Michaelmas Cay, a small sand island on the outer reef. You can choose to remain on deck, take a tour on a semi-submersible vessel, or experience the warmth of the water as you snorkel between the corals in search of tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles.
Bailey Hotel, Cairns (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Great Barrier Reef cruise (all day)
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 15 – Kuranda
We’ll journey up to Kuranda on the Skyrail, gliding above the rainforest canopy as we ascend. We’ll spend some time at leisure – Kuranda Railway Station is particularly lovely, with original wooden structures and bridge decked out with tropical flowers and ferns. On a scenic railway ride, we’ll trundle through the rainforest and back down the mountainside. The track twists and turns across chasms and next to frothing waterfalls (the dramatic Barron Falls is a highlight), passing through 15 tunnels along the way.
Bailey Hotel, Cairns (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Skyrail journey (morning)Kuranda Scenic Railway (afternoon)
Breakfast
Day 16 – Cairns – Brisbane – Noosa
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Noosa – the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
The Sebel Noosa (4-star)
Today includes…
Breakfast
Day 17 – Noosa
After a free morning, we’ll spend the afternoon cruising through the Noosa Everglades on a Serenity Cruise. We’ll have opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife in their natural habitat, as we glide through the mirrored waterways sipping a glass of bubbles, beer or juice.
The Sebel Noosa (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Serenity Cruise through the Noosa Everglades (afternoon)
Breakfast
Free time
Day 18 – Noosa
Spend your free day relaxing in the tropical town of Noosa. Maybe take to the expansive golden beaches or stroll to beautiful Noosa Heads for gorgeous views and a chance to spot koalas in the eucalyptus trees at Noosa National Park. There’ll also be an optional excursion to explore the huge sand island of Fraser Island.
The Sebel Noosa (4-star)
Today includes…
Breakfast
Free time
Day 19 – Noosa – Brisbane
We drive to Brisbane for a tour of this booming city, including a visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The world’s largest koala sanctuary has over 130 of these gentle marsupials, as well as kangaroos, possums and wombats.
voco Brisbane City Centre (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Tour of Brisbane, including koala sanctuary (morning)
Breakfast
Day 20 – Brisbane
Today is free to spend time in Brisbane’s historic precinct, the delightful Botanic Gardens or the world-class galleries along the South Bank. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island – a 75-minute cruise from the mainland. This protected island offers fabulous opportunities: hand feed wild bottlenose dolphins; or snorkel amongst wrecks which have become home to reef fish.
voco Brisbane City Centre (4-star)
Today includes…
Breakfast
Free time
Day 21 – Pacific Coast – Byron Bay – Coffs Harbour
We head south along the legendary Pacific Coast. We stop to see the fun-filled Gold Coast, where a virtually unbroken 40km beach braces for the waves of renowned surf spots; and Byron Bay, a small hippy town at the end of a beautiful sweeping bay, at mainland Australia’s most easterly point. We continue to Coffs Harbour, where the Great Dividing Range meets the South Pacific Ocean. A tasty BBQ dinner awaits this evening.
BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour (3.5-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Pacific Coast drive, stopping at Gold Coast & Byron Bay (all day)
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 22 – Hunter Valley
Travel into New South Wales’ best-known wine region – Hunter Valley. Spend this afternoon on a winery tour and sample specialities such as semillon and shiraz.
Mercure Resort Hunter Valley (3.5-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Hunter Valley winery tour (afternoon)
Breakfast
Day 23 – Sydney
Board our coach to Sydney, where we take a tour to see the city’s highlights. Enjoy a seafood lunch on a harbour cruise while we witness iconic views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Tour of Sydney and harbour cruise (afternoon)
Breakfast and Lunch
Days 24-25 – Sydney
You have two free days to experience the delights of Sydney. There’s a vast choice of galleries and historical museums, the gorgeous Botanical Gardens and The Rocks – the fabulous heart of historic Sydney where Captain Arthur Phillip proclaimed the establishment of Australia’s first European settlement in 1788. Maybe see a performance at the Royal Opera House, climb the Harbour Bridge or ascend the Sydney Tower for impressive views. Although the city is walkable, there is a fantastic transport system which can also take you to more distant attractions such as Bondi Beach, North Head Sanctuary in Manly or Botany Bay.
Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)
Today includes…
2 Breakfasts
Free time
Day 26 – Sydney – Melbourne
After a flight to Melbourne, we take a tour of the city, including entrance to Cooks Cottage, which was built in Yorkshire by Captain James Cook’s parents, painstakingly disassembled, shipped to Australia and rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934.
Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, an IHG Hotel (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Tour of Melbourne (afternoon)
Breakfast
Day 27 – Dandenong – Rochford Winery
We’ll head into the Dandenong Ranges for a trip on Puffing Billy steam train. The view of the Dandenong Ranges can often be seen under a blue haze, created by the eucalyptus trees that cover much of the area. We&ll then continue to Rochford Winery for a delicious lunch and wine tasting.
Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, an IHG Hotel (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Excursion to Dandenong Ranges and Puffing Billy train ride (morning)Rochford Winery wine tasting (afternoon)
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 28 – Melbourne
There’s plenty to see on a free day in Melbourne, including the beautiful Victorian façades of Flinders Street Station and Old Customs House, Queen Victoria Market and the Old Melbourne Gaol, now a museum dedicated to Melbourne’s most dangerous offenders, including Ned Kelly. Alternatively, join us for an optional excursion along the Great Ocean Road, a stunning coastal route that includes the Twelve Apostles; or travel to Phillip Island, best known for the enchanting parade of adorable little (fairy) penguins that waddle across the shores at dusk to nest.
Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, an IHG Hotel (4-star)
Today includes…
Breakfast
Free time
Day 29 – Melbourne – In flight
Enjoy a second free day in this exciting city before we transfer to the airport this evening for your return flight.
Melbourne – In flight
Today includes…
Breakfast
Day 30 – Departure
Upon arrival, our vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.