March 4, 2023

Arrive in Sydney.  Meet your Tour Manager, and enjoy a short orientation tour of Sydney.  Later, transfer to your hotel for a 3-night stay. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

Overnight: Sydney (L,D)

Today explore the wonderful city of Sydney! Enjoy a guided tour of the famous Sydney Opera House. When the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in 2007, it was hailed as "one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of humankind." Later we pass the Town Hall, Hyde Park, and take a short walk in the Rocks area, view the Harbor Bridge, Darling Harbor, and continue on to the world-famous Bondi Beach. The colors of Sydney Harbor will welcome you onboard a Sunset Dinner Cruise. This is the perfect start to an evening and stunning end to an amazing day in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Overnight: Sydney (B,D)

March 6, 2023

Depart for the Blue Mountains with your guide after breakfast. Discover the spectacular native wildlife as you explore World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. This rugged and beautiful region forms part of the Great Dividing Range, linking tropical north to temperate south while dividing coastal cities from the vast Outback. Enjoy a stop at Echo Point and see the famous Three Sisters rock formation. Enjoy a scenic cable-car ride and see the steep valleys and canyons.  Lunch is included today overlooking the breathtaking valley of the Blue Mountains. Later visit Featherdale Wildlife Park, evolved from a poultry farm into one of the best privately owned wildlife parks in Australia. Return to Sydney for dinner with your fellow travelers.

Overnight: Sydney (B,L,D)

March 7, 2023

After breakfast transfer to the Sydney airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival in Cairns, transfer to your hotel for a 3-night stay. Once a sleepy sugar-milling town, Cairns in North Queensland is now a vibrant cosmopolitan city and a premier destination for sailing, diving and snorkeling. Its tropical waters are home to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Make use of the pool or just relax at your hotel. 

Overnight: Cairns (B)

March 8, 2023

After breakfast, travel to Freshwater station and check in for the Kuranda Railway journey. This famous railway winds its way on a journey from Cairns to Kuranda. Far North Queensland’s World Heritage-Listed rainforest, The Wet Tropics, are amongst the oldest on earth and home to an incredible array of plants and animals. Imagine all that natural wonder so close that you can almost touch it, your senses alive with the organic fragrance and untamed sounds of the dense rainforest aboard Kuranda Scenic Railway. Wind your way through a tropical paradise framed by rugged mountains with waterfalls tumbling forever into deep ravines. On arrival at Kuranda, we visit the Kuranda Koala Gardens a boutique wildlife attraction, home to an amazing array of Australian animals, including wallabies, wombats, quokkas, gliders and freshwater crocodiles. As one of the few places in Australia where you can hold a Koala, perhaps you won't be able to resist the opportunity. Enjoy free time to explore the Kuranda Village Market and have lunch on your own. Return to Cairns for a relaxing evening at leisure.

Overnight: Cairns (B)

March 9, 2023

Today experience the world famous Great Barrier Reef. There’s a reason the Great Barrier Reef appears on so many bucket lists. This immense natural phenomenon is so colossal it can be seen from outer space and is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. From getting up close and personal with the abundant marine life to taking in spectacular views of the reef, the list of incredible experiences to be had in this area is almost endless. Set sail and arrive at Michaelmas Cay where there is so much to see and do. Enjoy snorkeling in the cay’s protected shallow waters, try an introductory scuba dive in the fringing reefs, cruise in the semi-sub for a diver’s view of the reef, watch the fish feeding presentation, observe the bird life or just relax on the spacious decks or on the beach. Return to Cairns this evening for a included dinner and chance relax after a stunning day.

Overnight: Cairns (B,L,D)

March 10, 2023

After breakfast transfer to the Cairns airport for your flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival in Melbourne, transfer to your hotel for a 2-night stay. Melbourne is a modern metropolis located on the banks of the Yarra River and known for its many gardens, parks and open spaces, which together occupy almost one-third of the city. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Just relax at the hotel or perhaps visit a local cafe. 

Overnight: Melbourne (B)

March 11, 2023

Enjoy a full day of touring today in Melbourne.  First visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, a treasured part of Melbourne’s cultural life for more than 170 years – much loved by generations of Victorians, as well as by visitors. It is a picturesque haven for recreation and an important resource for education, conservation, science and horticulture. Queen Victoria Market is a popular spot for browsing clothing, art, toys and crafts and is a great place for lunch on your own. Travel to Nobbies Centre, atop a cliff on the very Western tip of Phillip Island overlooking the wild waters of the Bass Strait. The state-of-the-art center boasts the latest technology in eco-tourism and wildlife displays. Later, experience the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. The Penguin Parade is home to one of largest little penguin colonies in the world. When the penguins arrive at sunset, you will witness the Penguin Parade on floodlit Summerland Beach from the premium viewing area. Enjoy an included dinner tonight before retuning to Melbourne.

Overnight: Melbourne (B,D)