Australian Highlights

Tour Itinerary

• Days 1-2: UK - Sydney

  Today, you will fly to Sydney, arriving in the early hours of day 3.

• Day 3: Sydney

  You can spend today at leisure, settling in and exploring this vibrant city at your own pace.

• Day 4: Sydney

  Our included sightseeing tour will show you Sydney's highlights, including the world-famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House, which dominate the vast and picturesque harbour. Other memorable sights include Bondi Beach, Hyde Park, Darling Harbour and Mrs Macquarie's Chair. This huge sandstone rock was hand-carved by convicts in the shape of a bench for Governor Macquarie's wife, Elizabeth, in 1810. It's a great vantage point, so take a few minutes to enjoy the view. This evening, get to know your travelling companions better over a welcome drink and dinner.

• Day 5: Sydney

  If you choose to join today's optional excursion, you've a full day of thrills ahead. You head through the Blue Mountains, past the Three Sisters rock formation and along Jamieson Valley - Australia's answer to the Grand Canyon. Finally, you'll visit Scenic World, where you can opt to take a journey on the world's steepest incline railway into ancient rainforest, or enjoy a cable-car ride over the valley.

• Day 6: Sydney

  You can choose from a couple of exciting optional excursions today. If you've a head for heights, you could take in exceptional views of Sydney Harbour and the surrounding area on a guided Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. Don't worry, you'll get a safety briefing beforehand and will wear a harness at all times. At the end you'll receive a group photo, a cap, certificate and a pass to the Pylon Lookout for further sweeping views. Another option is to step beneath the sails and enjoy a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. You'll learn about the history of the building, uncover stories about artists and the shows performed here and have an opportunity to visit areas usually off limits to the general public.

• Day 7: Sydney - Port Stephens - Port Macquarie

  We've a lovely journey along the coast this morning as we leave Sydney behind and head to Port Stephens. This idyllic coastal resort, known as the 'blue water paradise', is home to white-sand beaches, picturesque bays lapped by turquoise seas, and immense sand dunes. Enjoy some time at leisure here, lazing on the beach or maybe you'll choose to head off on an optional dolphin-watching cruise. Later, we'll continue to Port Macquarie.

• Day 8: Port Macquarie - Brisbane

  This morning, we'll take to the road once again, making our way along the coast to Byron Bay, famous for its beautiful beaches and laid-back surf culture. We'll stop here to admire its iconic lighthouse, which sits on a rocky headland. We'll then continue along the stunning Gold Coast, renowned for its fabulous beaches, and on to Brisbane.

• Day 9: Brisbane

  You can spend today at leisure in Brisbane, or you could choose to join an optional excursion to North Stradbroke Island. Fondly known as Straddie by the locals, it is the world's second largest sand island at about 38km long and 11km wide. You can relax on the beach, or maybe head off on a bush walk, keeping an eye out for resident wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas and kookaburras - the largest member of the kingfisher family.

• Day 10: Brisbane - Cairns

  Enjoy a morning tour of Brisbane, Queensland's cosmopolitan capital, which boasts spectacular architecture and is set on the Brisbane River. This afternoon we'll fly to Cairns, where we'll stay, it's your gateway to the Great Barrier Reef!

• Day 11: Great Barrier Reef

  Today you have the chance to explore a whole new world on an included trip by catamaran to the outer Great Barrier Reef. Marine life comes incredibly close to the vessel, and you can experience the reef without getting wet from the comfort of a semi-submersible or an underwater observatory. Of course, you can also go snorkelling in this amazing underwater world – all the equipment and guidance you need is provided, as well as lunch.

• Day 12: Cairns

  On this free day you can simply relax and soak up the sun. However, if you want to see more, a ride on the Kuranda Railway is an option to see the Atherton Tablelands. Your first stop will be the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, where you'll glide over and through heritage rainforest. After free time in the village of Kuranda, you'll take a journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, with the Barron Falls just one of the incredible highlights.

• Day 13: Cairns

  Today is a good chance to take a well deserved rest or to explore more that Cairns has to offer.

• Day 14: Cairns - Uluru

  This morning we'll fly to Ayers Rock, or Uluru, situated in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This huge sandstone monolith, which is two miles long, 1,000ft high and measures six miles around the base, is a majestic sight and one of the world's most treasured natural wonders. It is a wondrous sight at any time of day, but even more so at sunrise and sunset, when its colours change dramatically. You will have the chance to admire Uluru at both of these magical times. This evening you can enjoy an optional visit to the impressive Field of Light installation.

• Day 15: Uluru - Alice Springs

  We will visit Uluru as the sun rises this morning. We will also have the very special opportunity to step into some of the caves at the base of the rock and admire the fascinating Aboriginal art that graces the walls. Off in the distance you will spot the mysterious Kata Tjuta or the Olgas, a range of 36 spectacular rock domes. Later we'll journey to the outback town of Alice Springs. Here we will attend an Aussie bush barbecue sampling local traditional cuisine.

• Day 16: Alice Springs - Adelaide

  Your tour now continues as we fly to Adelaide, South Australia's cosmopolitan capital.

• Day 17: Adelaide

  We'll start the day with a tour of Adelaide's main highlights, including the cricket and football stadium, the Adelaide Oval, broad expanses of lush parkland and the imposing St Peter's Cathedral. Next, we continue to the Barossa Valley, which is famous for its wines. At the Jacobs Creek visitor centre we'll stop for a tasting and lunch. We'll also taste wines at the award-winning Wolf Blass winery.

• Day 18: Adelaide - Warrnambool

  We'll depart Adelaide today and travel further along the coast to Warrnambool.

• Day 19: Warrnambool - Melbourne

  Your journey to Melbourne today takes you along one of the most spectacular coastal routes in the world, the Great Ocean Road. As you go you'll see the Twelve Apostles, although only eight of these towering limestone stacks remain, the Arch and many other fantastic rock formations.

• Day 20: Melbourne

  Enjoy a tour of Melbourne this morning. Highlights include Federation Square, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Flinders Street Station and the Grand Prix Circuit that circles Albert Park Lake. Another stop is Fitzroy Gardens, which features pathways lined with towering elms, colourful floral displays and the Fairies' Tree sculpture - a centuries-old tree stump featuring delightful carvings.

• Day 21: Melbourne

  Today is free for you to do your own thing and explore more of Melbourne independently.

• Day 22-23: Melbourne - UK

  Enjoy time at leisure before your return flight to the UK, arriving the next day.