Highlights

• All inclusive
• Luxury coach travel
• 3 – 4 star accommodations
• Hotel porterage (we’ll handle your luggage for you!)
• Welcome Reception

Inclusions

• Accommodation – Melbourne – Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne (2 Nights), Adelaide – Stamford Plaza Adelaide (1), Kangaroo Island – Aurora Ozone Hotel (1), Adelaide  – Stamford Plaza Adelaide (1), Alice Springs – Mercure Alice Springs Resort (2), Ayers Rock – Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort (2), Darwin – Mantra on the Esplanade Darwin (1), Kakadu National Park  – Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Jabiru (1), Darwin – Mantra on the Esplanade Darwin (1), Cairns – Hilton Hotel Cairns (3), Sydney – Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour (3)
• Meals – 17 Full buffet breakfasts, 1 Boxed breakfast, 7 Lunches, 1 Dinner
• US Domestic Flights – Not included, but can be added to your quote
• International Flights – Not included, but can be added to your quote
• Internal Flights – Melbourne to Adelaide, Adelaide to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock to Darwin, Darwin to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney (Not included, but can be added to your quote)
• Transfers – Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport
• All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)

Tour Itinerary

As a free independent traveler on an Independent Holiday, you won’t be escorted by a Travel Director for the duration of your trip, rather you’ll meet different Driver Guides and like-minded travelers each day as you explore different destinations. We’ve taken care of all of your arrangements such as hotel reservations and airport transfers so you don’t have to worry about the nitty gritty,  and we’re only ever a phone call away if you have any questions throughout your holiday.

Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne

On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city.

Hotel Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne (2 nights)

Day 2: Great Ocean Road

View the popular coastal townships of Torquay and Lorne. See fern filled gullies and river inlets along the way. Travel the length of the Great Ocean Road passing towering limestone cliffs, sweeping white beaches and stunning forest scenery. See the amazing Twelve Apostles. These limestone stacks rise dramatically from the Southern Ocean. Enjoy the scenery from various viewing platforms along the boardwalk. See Loch Ard Gorge and be swept away by the romantic and tragic story of love and lives lost aboard the Loch Ard. Discover the tragic history of over 50 ships wrecked along this rugged coastline before continuing beyond Port Campbell to the remnants of London Bridge.

Breakfast included

Day 3: Melbourne – Adelaide

Discover the charm of Melbourne. See Cook’s Cottage, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens and Albert Park, home to the Australian Grand Prix. Stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens; see the Royal Exhibition Buildings and Federation Square. Visit the Shrine of Remembrance and see the Southbank waterfront precinct. See some of the city’s architecture including St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Princess and Regent Theaters. This afternoon fly to Adelaide.

Hotel Stamford Plaza Adelaide

Breakfast included

Day 4: Adelaide – Kangaroo Island

Enjoy a scenic drive to Cape Jervis to board the ferry to Kangaroo Island. First stop is Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery and Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Then see a colony of sea lions with a local guide. See the Birds of Prey show at Raptor Domain wildlife refuge.

Hotel Aurora Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island

Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 5: Kangaroo Island – Adelaide

Visit Clifford’s Honey Farm. At Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary see koalas, echidnas, bats and possums. In Flinders Chase National Park marvel at the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch and a colony of New Zealand fur seals. Return to Adelaide late evening.

Hotel  Stamford Plaza Adelaide

Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 6: Adelaide – Alice Springs

This morning you’ll fly to Alice Springs. Tour the sights of ‘the Alice’ including the historic Telegraph Station and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Stop at the Alice Springs Reptile Center where you can see unique central Australian reptiles. Stop for a panoramic view of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill.

Hotel Mercure Alice Springs Resort (2 nights)

Breakfast included

Day 7: West MacDonnell Ranges

Travel through outback scenery and experience the grandeur of the West MacDonnell Ranges. First stop is Angkerle (Standley Chasm), where you can walk along the stony watercourse and admire the rich plant and birdlife. Witness the amazing geology at Ellery Creek Big Hole. Explore the Ochre Pits and learn about ochre’s importance, having been used for thousands of years by Aboriginal people for medicinal and magical purposes. Visit Ormiston Gorge, then sip on a glass of wine and enjoy a Ploughman’s lunch at Glen Helen Homestead Lodge with time to visit Glen Helen Gorge. Top off the day with a visit to incredible Simpsons Gap. Walk through the Gap to the waterhole, keeping an eye out for the elusive black-footed rock wallaby. Enjoy the late afternoon sun reflecting on the MacDonnell Ranges as you return to Alice Springs.

Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 8: Alice Springs & Ayers Rock

Journey south through the MacDonnell and James Ranges to Ayers Rock Resort. This afternoon travel around the base of Uluru with a local Driver Guide. Learn about the native flora, fauna and intriguing cultural traditions of traditional owners, the Anangu, and discover an array of fascinating sacred sites. Join your Driver Guide for a walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole. You’ll explore a number of caves and view Aboriginal rock paintings as your Guide interprets their meaning and significance. Later visit Uluru – Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre where there is time to purchase some locally made Aboriginal art and learn more about the Western Desert region. Travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area and enjoy sparkling wine as the sun sets over the western horizon. Continue to our exclusive venue for an Aussie barbecue dinner. There is time for stargazing (weather permitting).

Hotel Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort (2 nights)

Breakfast & Dinner included

Day 9: Kings Canyon

Drive through sandhill country into Watarrka National Park. Now get ready for spectacular sightseeing. You’re off on a 3.7 mile rim walk exploration of Kings Canyon, which will reward you with marvelous views of Watarrka National Park. You’ll be able to see as far as the horizon and get a real feel for the grand scale of this natural wonder. An easier walk along the boulder-strewn canyon creek bed is also available.

Breakfast included

Day 10: Ayers Rock – Darwin

Travel to the sunrise viewing area at Uluru and watch the first rays of sunlight creep across the desert plains. Afterwards, you’ll fly to Darwin, where the rest of your day is free for you to do as you choose.

Hotel Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin

Breakfast included

Day 11: Darwin – Kakadu National Park

Travel on Stuart Highway into Kakadu National Park for a cruise on the serene Yellow Water Billabong. This afternoon you’ll stop at Nourlangie to see Aboriginal rock art.

Hotel Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Jabiru

Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 12: Kakadu National Park – Darwin

Travel to Ubirr for a guided walk to see Aboriginal rock art and later, visit the Bowali Visitor Centre. Then join the Guluyambi Cruise along the East Alligator River in search of saltwater crocodiles.

Hotel Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin (Superior)

Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 13: Darwin – Cairns

Transfer to Darwin Airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel.

Hotel Hilton Hotel Cairns (3 nights)

Breakfast included

Day 14: Great Barrier Reef

Board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef for an unforgettable day. See a myriad of coral and tropical fish from an underwater observatory or from the air-conditioned semi-submersible. There’s the opportunity to go snorkeling and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided). Enjoy a hot & cold buffet lunch before returning to Cairns.

Breakfast and Lunch included

Day 15: Tjapukai – Skyrail – Kuranda

Visit the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life in a rainforest setting. Learn about this ancient culture through theatres, shows and dance demonstrations. Travel on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway high above the canopy of the rainforest to the picturesque village of Kuranda, where you’ll have free time to stroll through the Kuranda Heritage Markets. Board the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway for a breathtaking rail journey over the Barron Gorge, through the coastal sugarcane fields to Freshwater Station.

Breakfast included

Day 16: Cairns – Sydney

Transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to spectacular Sydney. This evening is free for you to relax or explore.

Hotel Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour (3 nights)

Breakfast included

Day 17: Sydney

This morning cross the Sydney Harbor Bridge and stop at Milsons Point to photograph fabulous views of the city skyline. Visit Manly surf beach and return to the city for a Sydney Harbor cruise including a delicious buffet lunch. Later, see the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and Kings Cross. Top off the day with a visit to famous Bondi Beach, where you can wander along the shoreline and dip your toes in the cool ocean before returning to the city.

Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 18: Sydney

Today is free for you to explore Sydney or perhaps shop for last minute souvenirs in the historic Rocks district.

Breakfast included

Day 19: Farewell Sydney

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport to connect with your onward flight.

Breakfast included