21-Nights Highlights of Australia and New Zealand from $13,227

Trafalgar

OFFER ID 1508158

Highlights Of Australia And New Zealand
Connect with the Outback, untamed fiords, and fascinating Maori legends as you explore the highlights of Australia and New Zealand - every bit as enchanting as looking up with a sense of awe and wonder at New Zealand's dark night sky.

Dining Summary

1 Welcome Reception (WR)
21 Breakfast (B)
3 Be My Guest (BMG)
4 Regional Dinner (RD)
4 Lunch (L)
2 Dinner (D)
1 Farewell Dinner (FD)

Be My Guest

Alice Springs: Meet the Falzon family, who have entertained and informed visitors for over 20 years in the outback of Australia, for a Be My Guest Outback Dinner and Show. You will hear stories of ecology, culture and astronomy and learn about the sustainable lifestyle the family has created.
Waikato District: Get a feel for country life at a Be My Guest morning tea on a dairy farm in the North Island.
Hurunui: Step onto a working hill-country sheep farm. Experience what it is like to farm Merino sheep & Angus cattle in this beautiful part of the country. See the animals graze pastures in the open air and learn about where the best natural products come from.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Uluru: Explore the foundations of life and society of the local Aboriginal people in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Learn about the spiritual connection the local Anangu caretakers have with the land at Uluru.
Uluru: An Indigenous Anangu artist will explain just what makes this part of the world so spiritual, over an introduction to Western Desert Art, introducing totems and symbols important to the region and represented in paintings and installations.
Uluru: An Indigenous Anangu artist will explain just what makes this part of the world so spiritual, over an introduction to Western Desert Art, introducing totems and symbols important to the region and represented in paintings and installations.
Rotorua: Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa and learn about the work being done to save New Zealand's national bird. Your visit contributes to saving the kiwi bird.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Alice Springs, Sydney Opera House, National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua, and the Dark Sky Reserve in Tekapo with a Local Specialist
Discover Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Auckland, Lake Tekapo, Arrowtown, Queenstown, and Christchurch
Visit Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Bondi Beach in Sydney, and Te Pa Tu Maori Experience in Rotorua
View the renowned Field of Light installation in Uluru
Scenic Cruise on the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour, and Milford Sound

Trafalgar Difference

Uluru: Discover the stunning heart of the Red Centre at Ayers Rock Resort. Revealing natural beauty of this unique landscape, the accommodation offer incredible views of towering gums, flowering native shrubs and flowing red dunes.
Lake Tekapo: This resort overlooks the pristine waters of Lake Tekapo in New Zealand's South Island.

Whats Included

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Porterage where hotels provide this service
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
All land transport shown. All transfers shown
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Optional Experiences and free time
A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Melbourne to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney, Sydney to Auckland, Auckland to Queenstown

21 nights from $13,227 per person

Valid on new bookings deposited November 1, 2024 – December 5, 2024 for travel in 2025.

*Discount may already be included in the displayed price. Promotion may not be combinable with any other offers, promotions, or discounts, and is subject to availability and airline booking guidelines. Other restrictions may apply.

Itinerary

Click here for Full Itinerary Details

Itinerary Details

Trafalgar Tours: Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

Day 1 - Welcome to Melbourne
Melbourne’s elegant façades and broad boulevards are your launchpad to an immersive encounter with the highlights of Australia and New Zealand (flights to arrive prior to 12pm). You'll be transferred and welcomed to your hotel on the banks of the city’s own Yarra River before getting to know your Travel Director and fellow travellers over a Welcome Reception at The General Assembly restaurant. At this modern pub you’ll feast on dinner washed down with your choice of beverage from local wines, you’ll find it hard to choose from one of the 15 beers on tap. The General Assembly’s waterfront setting on Yarra River’s South Wharf is a relaxing welcome to this cosmopolitan city.
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza
Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - Uncover Melbourne's Eclectic Laneways
Jump into city life joining your Travel Director on a walking tour admiring Melbourne’s Victorian architecture, arcades, and eclectic little laneways revealing some of the world’s most incredible street art. Encounter the aroma of Melbourne’s coffee culture around every corner. The rest of your day is free to take in Melbourne's well-known food and culture. Or join an Optional Experience such as a trip to Phillip Island to see the famous penguin parade. Wildlife fans won’t want to miss seeing the tiny penguins make their daily trip from the sea to their onshore burrows. It’s a fascinating experience to watch and only happens right here on Phillip Island.
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Melbourne, It's All Yours
Enjoy a day exploring stylish Melbourne just the way you like, indulging in world class fare at one of the city's famous eateries and stopping in unique shops. Browse Brunswick Street’s quirky boutiques and pop into one of laneways’ cafes to people watch and refuel on a strong flat white coffee. Or, tick something else off your bucket list and join an Optional Experience to travel the Great Ocean Road - the ultimate road trip along a stunning coastline. You’ll learn how the jagged rocks were formed and stop at the world famous Twelve Apostles. Admire these towering limestone formations rising out of the sea against windswept cliffs. Take advantage of photo ops around every bend and stretch your legs in the seaside town of Apollo Bay. If you prefer to soak up the city life, perhaps explore the city on foot with a History and Donuts Walking Tour is more your thing. Wherever you chose to explore today, Melbourne and its surroundings are yours for the taking.
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - A Town Called Alice
Experience a complete change of scenery on your Australia and New Zealand tour journeying to the heart of the continent. You’ll fly into Alice Springs over sparse, red sand desert, the MacDonnell Ranges looming in the distance, before making your first stop at the School of the Air. Here you’ll meet a Local Specialist and be guided through the school, see teachers in action, and learn how this massive remote school provides educational support to children in the surrounding communities. Your next stop is the birthplace of the Alice Springs township, the historic Telegraph Station. Hear about its origins in 1871 relaying messages between Darwin and Adelaide with a single wire and thus connecting Australia's north and south. Then you’re in for an immersive Outback experience at a Be My Guest dinner under a blanket of stars at the Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. Your hosts are the famous Outback Paramedic brothers Tom and Danny Falzon who’ll share stories of ecology, culture, and the realities of life in the outback living working with wind and solar energy. Tour their farmstead, then settle in for your gourmet Australian style BBQ dinner, white tablecloths and all, with red dirt underfoot beneath a sweeping starry sky. The brothers will treat you to a star talk complete with telescopes, and even lead you on a fireside sing-along. A night to remember!
Accommodations: Mercure Alice Springs Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest

Day 5 - Journey to Spiritual Uluru
The rusty red landscapes of Uluru beckon as we leave Alice Springs for Ayers Rock Resort, near the sacred ancient site of Uluru and your home for the next two days in Aussie’s cultural heartland. You’ll drive past dry salt lakes through red dirt on long roads past outback roadhouses before your first of many mesmerizing encounters with ‘the Rock,’ in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. As the desert sun begins to set, you’re treated to a classic Uluru sundowner: nibbles and sparkling wine amidst the red dirt and blowing spinifex grasses as the Outback sky ignites in shades of red, yellow, and purple. Gazing at massive Uluru - which at 348 metres high is taller than the Eiffel Tower - you'll experience a kind of magical connection to the land. Relaxed and happy, you’ll make your way to the Desert Gardens Hotel for a Stays With Stories experience. Surrounded by desert trees and distant Uluru, this indigenous-owned hotel showcases the natural beauty of the landscape. Stay in this evening or, after sunset, join an Optional Experience Uluru BBQ Dinner as you watch the changing desert colours and are treated to an informative star talk in one of the best places to view the southern night sky.
Accommodations: Desert Gardens
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Magical Uluru Sunrise and Kata Tjuta
Watch night turn to day as you head to the National Park at dawn - hot cocoa in hand - to witness a magical sunrise as the dawn creeps across the desert and lights up Uluru. Then, day underway, at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, hear stories about the Anangu, caretakers of this remote arid landscape, touring the base of Uluru to discover its ancient rock art with your Travel Director. You’ll be amazed at their deep knowledge and passion for this land through stories that enhance the natural beauty you surely can’t get enough of. Now it’s time to create your own artwork with the guidance of a Local Specialist Aboriginal artist at Maruku Arts Dot Art Experience. You’ll learn about Western Desert Art from Indigenous artists before painting your own piece of Australian aboriginal art as a memento. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience of creating personalized art that tells your story is an insightful and hands on way to gain a better understanding of Aboriginal culture. The red desert follows you through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta. Walk amidst its towering, domes through Walpa (meaning “wind”) Gorge to a lookout. From sunrise to sunset, tonight you’ll marvel over a magnificent sunset over Kata Tjuta paired with sparkling wine. Without many of the crowds at Uluru, you may have the beauty of this hidden gem to yourself.
Accommodations: Desert Gardens
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Head to Tropical Cairns
Rise with the birds on an exclusive visit to the kaleidoscopic Field of Light art installation of artist Bruce Munro. Set against the darkened desert, walk through the lights and watch the changing colours of this innovative art bring the land to life, feeling as if you’re in a field of Multi-coloured flowers against the backdrop of a magnificent Uluru sunrise. This eerily silent, soul-stirring start to your morning gives way to yet another exclusive experience on top of a sand dune to watch the desert awaken over Uluru with a hot drink in hand. That’s just the beginning of your day! Next up Dive Into Culture joining your Local Specialist Aboriginal artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art at Maruku Arts Dot Art Experience. Indigenous artists share meanings of the dot art before you get hands on crafting your story, painting your own piece of Australian aboriginal art as a memento. Learning from the artists and creating personalized art is an experience that will leave you enriched and enlightened as head to your next stop in tropical Cairns.
Accommodations: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Explore Cairns in Your Own Time
Ease into the laidback lifestyle of Cairns with a full free day to explore this tropical city or take your pick of the many tempting Optional Experiences. There’s something for everyone, no matter what you’re looking for. Take to the skies for a bird’s eye view with a balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands, the hot air ballooning capital of the southern hemisphere. Or, dive into nature learning traditional hunting and gathering skills as you search for bush tucker of mud crabs, fish, and mussels in the Daintree Rainforest. Taste and share your catch before a guided interpretive walk through the ancient rainforest. Another option is to take a historic rail journey winding across bridges and through tunnels to Kuranda village, nestled in a tropical rainforest to explore its colourful and interesting arts and crafts. Return to the lowlands on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over and through the some of the oldest rainforest in the world. You can also choose to pair your trip to Kuranda with a visit to Hartley’s Crocodile for a wetlands cruise through the ecologically significant Melaleuca wetlands, the home of the saltwater crocodile. Top off your day at dinner on Cairns’ waterfront at Salt House for regional seafood plucked straight from the ocean, highlighting fresh, local ingredients, and prepared on their custom-built Argentinian wood fired grill.
Accommodations: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 9 - Great Barrier Reef Up-Close
Get ready for a bucket list adventure today as you board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. It’s up to you how you’d like to experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site and underwater wonderland: Don your mask and fins (equipment provided) for an up-close encounter with a kaleidoscope of fishes and reef or stay dry and explore the world’s largest living reef system from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft. Whichever you choose, your local guide enhances your time on board with plenty of insights on the local ecology and the importance of preserving this fragile environment. Before your return to Cairns, you’ll enjoy an onboard tropical buffet lunch under the glorious Aussie sunshine.
Accommodations: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 - Sparkling Sydney
We say farewell to Cairn’s flying south to Sydney and spend the rest of the day exploring the beauty of this harbour city. From your centrally located hotel, take a stroll around the waterfront Circular Quay, enjoying the peaceful Royal Botanic Garden. Whether you’re called by land or sea, Sydney city is walkable and offers something for everybody. Stopping for a bite is its own adventure, wining and dining in the famous Rocks District dating back to before the arrival of British settlers in the late 1700s, visiting Chinatown for some tasty yum cha, popping into one of city’s many craft breweries, or finding the perfect rooftop bar to sit back and take it all in.
Accommodations: InterContinental
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 - Must-See Sights of Sydney
A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Begin your day with a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House with a Local Specialist, delving into the story of a building 'that changed the image of an entire country' and learning the history of this iconic structure. Continue sightseeing for a Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise sailing past Sydney’s dazzling harbour sights enjoying million-dollar views and a menu focusing on local food and wine. Back on land, it's off to the beach to wiggle your toes in the sand at breathtaking Bondi, and where you are free to wander along the promenade, potter in and out of surf shops or grab a coffee at one of Bondi's sidewalk cafés.
Accommodations: InterContinental
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 - Sydney, the Choice is Yours
Enjoy a full free day to explore Sydney or consider joining an Optional Experience to discover even more further afield. Animal lovers will not want to miss a visit to the Sydney Zoo to see some of Australia’s unique native animals including the wombat, Tasmanian devil, and yes, the koala. Continue to the spectacular Blue Mountains, whose eucalypt haze you’ll see looming in the distance, for fresh mountain air and stunning natural scenery. You’ll see the famous Three Sisters rock formation - each of which stands over 900 metres high - and hear the Aboriginal legend behind these massive structures. Consider joining an optional experience climbing up and over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Guided by a professional Climber Leader, you’ll ascend 134 metres above Sydney Harbour for priceless views at the top. Spend your last evening in Australia enjoying dinner at Midden restaurant, where, under the sails of the Opera House, you’ll recap your favourite sights in Australia before embarking on tomorrow’s next leg of your travels on your Australia and New Zealand tour.
Accommodations: InterContinental
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 13 - Hoo Roo Sydney - Kia Ora Auckland
Set your sights on New Zealand as you fly to Auckland, the City of Sails. You’ll see how the city got its nickname as you fly in over the islands and boats in the harbour. In fact, one in four New Zealanders is involved in recreational boating. On land, Auckland is known for being built on 53 dormant volcanoes (two of which you have the opportunity to see!) Enjoy dinner at The Grill, celebrating Aotearoa's culinary treasures.
Accommodations: Horizon by SkyCity
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14 - Sights of Auckland, City of Sails
Start your first full day in New Zealand getting lay of the land on a city sightseeing tour viewing the beautiful waterfront of Mission Bay, historic overlook of Bastion Point, and spacious gardens and sunken pool at the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial showing off views of Waitemata Harbour and the North Shore. You pass the Auckland Museum, located on the dormant volcano Pukekawa, meaning 'hill of bitter memories' referring to tribal battles fought on the site until 1828. You have the afternoon free to explore. How about going behind the scenes of the All Blacks, one of the world's legendary rugby teams? The interactive All Blacks Experience explores an introduction to the game as a part of New Zealand culture. Or perhaps stroll along Queen Street to find the perfect waterfront restaurant in Viaduct Harbour to enjoy water views while enjoying local oysters, crayfish, or New Zealand’s native green lip mussels with a crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Then stretch your legs popping into the many boutique shops.
Accommodations: Horizon by SkyCity
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 - Rotorua, Cultural Capital
Begin your journey to Rotorua through the dramatic scenery and landscapes of Waikato, passing through Cambridge, ‘The Town of Trees and Champions.’ Learn about Cambridge’s claim to fame as the training grounds for thoroughbred racehorses and famous jockeys as you cruise along its tree-lined boulevards. Then arriving in Rotorua, you’ll tour the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, a leader in kiwi husbandry, with a Local Specialist spotting shy kiwi amongst the native bush learning about the rarity of New Zealand’s national bird and the work being done to save this iconic animal during this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You’ll be amazed as you see eggs being incubated, the hatching process, and even newly hatched kiwi chicks. This evening, Dive into Culture at a Regional Dinner at the Te Pa Tu Maori Experience where you’ll journey into the forest to a time of warriors and ancient traditions. Hear about Maori history, traditions, and future aspirations across an evening of celebration and feasting. Enjoy a forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) and chef choice aperitif followed by a seasonal three-course dinner.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 16 - Take off to Adventure in Queenstown
Go from city to farm life today as you travel to the countryside for a dose of local hospitality at a Be My Guest experience in the Red Barn. Hear the history of this working dairy farm from local Dan, and get a feel for country life as you're invited to roll up your sleeves and make your own butter - butter churners, tiny mason jars and all! Later, sit down to a locally sourced farm to table morning tea prepared by the onsite chef. The feel-good vibes that endure will follow you all the way to Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital of New Zealand. It makes perfect sense – there are ski fields, white-water river and bridges strapped with bungy cords wherever you turn. And then there’s the dining scene; Queenstown is home to some of the country’s most awarded restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for bulging burgers or lakeside tapas, ask us for recommendations on this leg of your Queenstown New Zealand tour.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest

Day 17 - Cruise on Magical Milford Sound
Journey along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and over the Devil's Staircase to Te Anau. Experience magnificent scenery afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm. Emerge from the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel towards Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Take to its still waters for a cruise filled with pinch-me moments. Return to Queenstown for a free evening. Speak to your Travel Director about dining recommendations in Queenstown.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 18 - Your Choice in Queenstown
The day is yours to explore Queenstown as you like, and good news...you have plenty of options to choose from. Take to the water riding the thrilling Skippers Jet boat through cliffs and gorges. Or explore a slice of Kiwi farming history and soak in the views cruising Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand's oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak High Country Farm where you’ll be treated to a farm tour and morning or afternoon tea. Tonight, exchange stories of your Queenstown adventures as you join your Travel Director and group for a Regional Dinner at the historic Postmasters Cottage, built in 1907, in nearby Arrowtown. Hear the history of this quaint house that was almost demolished by developers and then saved and purchased by the passionate local community. The community continued to rally together restoring the cottage’s verandas and adding charming gardens and paths. Stroll the grounds before sitting down to dinner with a focus on fresh, local food and wines.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 19 - To Turquoise Lake Tekapo
Today you say farewell to Queenstown as you make your way to another beautiful destination, Lake Tekapo. Visit Mrs. Jones' Fruit Stall to taste of some of the town's juicy stone fruit including apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums. The journey alone will have you falling in love with the South Island as you travel to Cromwell on the banks of Lake Dunstan. On arrival in Tekapo you’ll be greeted by the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd for a photo opportunity of this lakefront stone church. As the sun sets your journey continues with a tour of the night sky at the world-renowned UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with a Local Specialist. Look up in awe as your stargazing guide points out the Southern Cross, Magellanic Cloud, and Milky Way. You even have the chance to take a closer look using a powerful optical telescope. Complement your discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere's sky with your Stays with Stories accommodation on the shores of Lake Tekapo.
Accommodations: Peppers Bluewater Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 20 - Innovative Christchurch
Visit the lovely country town of Geraldine, known for the preserves created from local produce. Arriving in Christchurch see the local sights including the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Earthquake Memorial, Bridge of Remembrance, and many streets lined with bars, cafes, and riverside markets. View the Cathedral in Latimer Square, the temporary home of the Christchurch Cathedral. Admire its colourful stained-glass windows and sustainable cardboard construction giving it the nickname “The Cardboard Cathedral” and a striking example of the city’s revitalizing rebuild.
Accommodations: Distinction
Meals: Breakfast

Day 21 - A Taste of Farm Life
Travel through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, a hill-country farm in North Canterbury. Enjoy warm Kiwi hospitality with the Bamford Family, who have been farming at Hurunui since 1884, with six generations focused on producing premium Merino sheep, wool, and Angus cattle. Soak up the stunning scenery, meet the farm animals, and discover what it is like to live off the land on this unique By My Guest experience. Then visit a local vineyard, Waipara Springs Winery, where it's time to relax and enjoy a platter-style lunch among the vines. All good things must come to an end and you’ll spend your last night with your Travel Director and the group raising a glass to your travels at a Farewell Dinner showcasing food from the Canterbury region.
Accommodations: Distinction
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Be My Guest, Farewell Dinner

Day 22 - Farewell Christchurch
Bid farewell to your newfound friends as your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast as you're transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. You’ll surely leave with plenty of stunning photos and, most importantly, memories of this beautiful part of the world (flights anytime).
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

Alice Springs

Rotorua

Christchurch

Lake Tekapo

Queenstown

Milford Sound

Auckland

Sydney

Sydney

Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.

Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:

1. Explore the historic Rocks

Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.

2. Hit the world-famous harbour

Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.

3. Visit Manly on the ferry

Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.

4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington

Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.

5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee

Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.

Cairns

Uluru

The world's largest monolith, located 280 mi/450 km southwest of Alice Springs, is a truly stunning sight, especially at sunset when its burnt-orange glow seems to set the desert on fire. Called Uluru by the Aborigines, the sandstone rock is huge (1,140 ft/350 m high, 9 mi/13 km around) and reddish brown most of the time, taking its color from iron oxide, or rust. Its presence is made more powerful by the mostly barren plain that surrounds it and disappears into the horizon. In 1985, ownership of the rock was returned to its traditional owners. It is rarely referred to as Ayers Rock anymore.

Considered sacred by the Aborigines for thousands of years, the rock is now part of the expansive Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, one of the country's biggest tourist attractions. The park includes the Olgas/Kata Tjuta, a cluster of 36 giant domelike rock formations about 20 mi/35 km west. If you want to visit both, plan to spend at least one night. You'll want to see Uluru at both sunset and sunrise. The Olgas are equally magnificent at both times of day. (But be prepared to jockey for position at either place; tour buses disgorge hundreds of visitors laden with binoculars, cameras and video equipment.)

Start your visit to the park with a stop at the cultural center. Run by the Anangu (a local Aboriginal clan), the center is a wonderful introduction to the unusual rock formations and to the people who lived in their harsh shadows for centuries. Aboriginal artwork and artifacts are on display. You can also see re-enactments of life in the bush and watch informative videos. Most visitors explore the rock as part of a tour led by park rangers, Anangu guides or private tour companies. But you can also pick up a printed walking guide at the cultural center and set off on your own.

Only one trail leads to the top of the rock, and it's fairly steep—those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, asthma, fear of heights or the like should remain earthbound. The Anangu prefer you walk around—not on—the rock because of its spiritual importance. If you do decide to climb it, allow two to three hours and take along a snack and plenty of water. The view from the top is spectacular, but hiking around the base is more educational and less strenuous. We suggest taking one or more of the shorter walks that pass water holes and rock paintings, allowing you to observe the rock's many faces at a leisurely pace. (Walking around the entire base of the rock takes about three hours.)

Allow at least an afternoon to visit the Olgas/Kata Tjuta. A frequent debate among visitors is whether the Olgas outshine the rock. It's a close call—the Olgas are taller, reaching 1,790 ft/545 m at the highest point. Made of conglomerate (pebbles and boulders cemented together by mud and sand), they are off-limits to climbers, but you can explore some of the valleys and chasms between the rocks.

Most visitors fly to Uluru or drive from Alice Springs. About the only place to stay in the area is the Ayers Rock Resort, or Yulara, whose five hotels and a campground can accommodate visitors in all price ranges. Longitude 131 is a magnificent safari camp with 15 luxury tents. Dozens of tours leave from Ayers Rock Resort, including sunrise camel rides around the rock, sunset champagne dinners in the desert, Aboriginal culture tours and stargazing. You can also rent a car there and explore on your own.

Because of the excessive heat in summer, the best time to visit is April-November (winter in Australia). Always take along plenty of drinking water. If you are flying to the Outback, we suggest going overland one way from Alice Springs (four to five hours) but flying the other way—the desert drive is scenic, but it can be tedious the second time around. http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru.

Melbourne

Melbourne

Melbourne is a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques. Here you can soak up culture, hit the sporting grounds, taste the dynamic food and wine scene, dance til dawn or wander the parks and leafy boulevards. Visit Federation Square, the city's landmark cultural space, and enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade. Shop till you drop on funky Brunswick Street or upmarket Chapel Street. Wander Southbank's cafes, bistros and bars and get a world tour of cuisines in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and cheer with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Five Must-Have Melbourne Experiences:

1. Shop till you drop

Bag a bargain at the Rose Street Artist's Market and browse the funky boutiques on Brunswick Street. Buy designer labels such as Akira Isogawa and Zimmerman on Chapel Street in Prahran or in the historic Melbourne General Post Office, which covers an entire city block. For everything from fashion to furnishings at fantastic value, visit Bridge Road in Richmond. Melbourne is a shopper's haven, offering eclectic boutiques, high-end fashion, funky homeware stores and European style piazzas in the city's arcades and hidden laneways.

2. Bar hop and dance till dawn

Sip a cocktail in a converted sea container in Chinatown, enjoy a sunset beer in a St Kilda pub or listen to cabaret in lush retro surroundings in jazz bars in the city. Linger over exquisite tapas and exotic wine in a Little Collins Street bar and mingle in a pink parlour with fake grass in Bourke Street. You can party from dusk in the bars of Brunswick Street. Or dance till dawn in bars in the city's lantern-lit laneways, secret apart from the spill of coloured light under heavy brass doors.

3. Get into the gourmet goodness

Let the aroma of good coffee waft over you in Melbourne's gothic European laneways. The city is famous for its coffee and old-world café culture but there's so much more to explore. Once you've downed a 'short black' or taken an afternoon aperitif, try tea in a nineteenth-century hotel or salivate over your silver spoon in acclaimed restaurants like Nobu, Botanical and Becco. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood at the Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday, known for its bustling crowds and buskers. Try out the restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars in Southbank or Federation Square. Make your way around Melbourne's multicultural cosmos of cuisines: Carlton for Italian classics, Richmond for budget-friendly Vietnamese and Fitzroy for Spanish tapas.

4. Fill up on culture

See a performance by the Australian Ballet, which is based here in Australia's cultural capital. Or enjoy a dazzling musical at the Princess Theatre. Browse the Southern Hemisphere's best collection of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Or visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation Square, a landmark cultural 'space' for Melbournians. Challenge yourself with the creative collections in the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank. To learn more about Melbourne's Aboriginal cultural heritage, see contemporary and dreamtime art or take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens.

5. Go sports mad

Cheer for an Australian Rules Football game with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over winter. Go cricket mad in summer, when the city hosts the Ashes and one day internationals. Or join the huge crowds watching the Australian Tennis Open at Melbourne Park. Rev heads head to Melbourne in March for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Albert Park. And whether you are a racing fan or just a casual punter, you won't want to miss the Melbourne Cup - the world's richest horse race on the first Tuesday in November.

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

01/12/2025 - 02/02/2025

from $15,208 per person *

01/26/2025 - 02/16/2025

from $13,227 per person *

02/09/2025 - 03/02/2025

from $14,625 per person *

03/02/2025 - 03/23/2025

from $15,208 per person *

03/16/2025 - 04/06/2025

from $13,227 per person *

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $13,227 per person

Length

21 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1508158

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