X

Highlights of Australia

Resort:Highlights of Australia
Operator: Travelsphere
Destination: Australia
Price From: £6749.00

OverView

Iconic cities, famous landmarks and natural wonders are waiting to be discovered as you journey from Melbourne to Brisbane.

Highlights

  • Return indirectflights from Heathrow with Qantas via Singapore
  • 19nightsin 3 and 4-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight
  • 9 meals:7 breakfasts,1 lunch, 1 dinner and welcome drink
  • Travelsphere Tour Manager
  • Overseastransfers,other transportation and porterage

Itineraries

  • Day 1 UK – Melbourne
  • Today you’ll depart on your scheduled flight to Melbourne.
  • Days 2 & 3 Melbourne
  • On earlyarrival in the beautiful city ofMelbournewe’ll transfer you to your hotel.You’ll have time to settle in and freshen up before heading off on an included sightseeing tour this afternoon.One of the world’s most liveable cities, it’s packed with attractions from renowned art galleries and vibrant markets to world-class restaurants and legendary sportsvenues.
  • Day 4 Melbourne – at Leisure
  • You can spend the day at leisure, making your own discoveries in Melbourne, oryou might be tempted to join an optional excursion to Phillip Island, to watch the remarkable penguin parade. At sunset, after a hard day’s fishing, hundreds ofthese delightful creatures – the world’s smallest penguin – appear from out of the ocean and waddle their way across the beach to their sand dune burrows. You can take in this marvellous spectacle from special viewing stands and boardwalks, which give you the chance to get up close to nature.
  • Day 5 Melbourne – Sydney
  • This morningwe’ll transfer you to the airport for yourflight to Sydney, where you’ll stay forthreenights.On this afternoon’s touryou can tick off highlights including the gorgeous white sands of Bondi Beach, and Hyde Park, which is home to numerous monuments including the ANZAC Memorial. You’ll also visit Darling Harbour, which hosts a dazzling array of attractions from bars and bistros to an aquarium and a zoo,as well as Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. This huge sandstone rock was hand-carved by convicts into the shape of a bench for Governor Macquarie’s wife, Elizabeth, in 1810. Why not sit for a while and take in the views from this wonderful vantage point. For anunforgettable experience you can joinan optionaltwilight dinner cruiseaboard an authentictimber tall ship,complete with billowing sails.
  • Day 6 Sydney – at Leisure
  • With a day at leisure, you can discover Sydney at your own pace. As you explore you’ll seethat its centre is surprisingly compact.Alternatively, you could choose to discover Sydney Harbour from the water. This hour-long optional cruise will introduce many wonderful sights, from beautiful gardens and parkland to the iconic Sydney Opera House and the HarbourBridge. For an entirely different perspective you could take a helicopter flight over what is one of the world’s most stunning harbours.
  • Day 7 Sydney – at Leisure
  • Enjoy a further day at leisure, or you can join us on a thrilling optional excursion.You’ll head through theBlue Mountains, past the Three Sisters rock formation and along Jamieson Valley – Australia’s answer to the Grand Canyon. Finally, you’ll visit Scenic Worldwhere you can opt to take a journey on the world’s steepest incline railway into ancient rainforest, or enjoy acable-car ride over the valley.
  • Day 8 Sydney – Uluru
  • You’ll fly toUluru, also known asAyers Rock,this morningvia Alice Springs.This gigantic sandstone monolith, which is two miles long, 1,000ft high and measures six miles around the base,is located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. One of the most impressive landmarks in Australia, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a sacred place in Aboriginal culture and features many caves and ancient rock paintings. It’s an incredible sight at any time of the day, but at sunrise and sunset it changes colour dramatically with the light. Your sunsetvisit this evening includes a cocktail.
  • Day 9 Uluru – Alice Springs
  • You’ve an early start today, but it’s definitely worth it as you visit Uluru once again, but this time at sunrise. You can also tour the base of the rock and view Aboriginal rock paintings in the caves here.After this we’ll head to the mysterious Kata Tjuta, although you may know these 36 domed rock formations better as The Olgas. Located to the west of Uluru, they are thought to have similarly been one huge piece of rock but over millions ofyearsthey have been shaped this way by nature. We then continue by road to Alice Springs, where you’ll enjoyan authentic bush barbecue in the Australian Outback this evening. The fun starts at sunset as we take to the road to try to spot kangaroos. Before you eat you can try your hand at boomerang throwing, and afterwards you can indulge in a spot of stargazing.
  • Day 10 Alice Springs – at Leisure
  • You can spend today as you wish in Alice Springs. If you want to get out and about in the great outdoors, you could choose to join an optional excursion to thespectacular WesternMacDonnell Mountain Ranges.
  • Day 11 Alice Springs – Darwin
  • This morning, head off on a fascinatingtour that introduces you to the Flying Doctor Base and the old Telegraph Station, the original site of the first European settlement in central Australia, which is now a museum. You will also visit thefamous School of the Air. Later we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight to Darwin.
  • Day 12 Darwin – Kakadu National Park
  • Your destination today is Kakadu National Park, where you’ll discover lush rainforest, scenic rivers and a diverse range of wildlife. It is most famed though for its natural galleries of fascinating Aboriginal rock art. Before we make our way to our hotel, you’ve the chance to walk up Ubirr Rock, where you’ll see some of the mostoutstanding examples of rock art in the world.
  • Day 13 Kakadu National Park – Katherine
  • A journey by road this morning takes us to Katherine via the stunningNourlangie Rock. Here you can set off on a walk to see more Aboriginal rock art. Next, head off on a thrilling cruise on the famous Yellow WaterLagoon, where you can look for manyspecies of birds – from whistling ducks to eagles –and crocodiles in their natural habitat.
  • Day 14 Katherine – Darwin
  • Today’s highlight is a cruise through the Katherine Gorge, to see ancient rocks and caves decorated with Aboriginal paintings. As you sail through this picturesque valley, expert guides willexplain thehistory and geology of the area and tell you all about the flora and fauna you’re likely to see. You’ll step ashore for a walk before boarding another boat for your return journey.
  • Day 15 Darwin – Port Douglas
  • This morning we’re heading to Cairns, with an onward transfer to Port Douglas. This picturesque resort boasts white-sand beaches and tropical rainforest, and it’s your gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Day 16 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. You’ll see that 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 17 Port Douglas – at Leisure
  • All you have to do now is relax and soak up the sun in Port Douglas. However, if you want to see more,a ride on the Kuranda Railway is an option today 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 18 Port Douglas – at Leisure
  • You can spend today doing just as you wish, exploring at your own pace or simply enjoying the facilities at your hotel. If you want to get out in the great outdoors, why not come with us on an optional trip to DaintreeRainforest. Daintree is an ecologically unique tropical forest, which ishome to an extensive range of flora and fauna. Also included isan environmental wilderness cruise as you go in search of crocodiles with an expert guide. You’ll then enjoy lunch at the Daintree Village Hoteland round off your excursion with a tour of Daintree.
  • Day 19 Port Douglas – Brisbane
  • Today we’ll transfer you to the airport inCairns for your flight to Brisbane. The capital of the Sunshine State, boasting293 days a year of sunshine, Brisbane is a modern, bustling metropolis that sits on the banks of the Brisbane River. There is no shortage of things to see and do here including a vast array of restaurants, cafes and shops to explore. TheEat Street Marketon the North Shore is always buzzing with activity and the sights, smells and tasty treats are well worth discovering.Head to the cliffs at New Farm Park for beautiful views of the iconic Story Bridge lit up at night, against the backdrop of the sparkling city, or enjoy a drink at one of the city’s many rooftop bars. A great way to exploreis on a CityCat, which takes you out into the river to explore from the water. The South Bank,Queensland’s Cultural Precinct, is also well worth a visit. Here, you’ll find Streets Beach, Australia’s only beach that islocated within a city!
  • Day 20 Brisbane – at Leisure
  • Before flying home tomorrow you might choose to spend a day at leisure. Alternatively, why not join anoptional 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. Relax on the beach, or maybe head off on a bush walk, keeping an eye out for resident kangaroos, koalas and kookaburras – the largest member of the kingfisher family.
  • Day 21 Brisbane – UK
  • We will transfer you to the airport today for your return flight to the UK.
  • Day 22 UK
  • You’ll arrive back in the UK today.