Highlights of Australia

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Journey to Sydney
• Day 2
  Sydney - Your flight may arrive in Sydney quite late, so we'll transfer you directly to the hotel where you can check in and enjoy a rest after a day of travelling. Try to get a good night’s sleep, as tomorrow you have a free day to get to know Sydney.
• Day 3
  Sydney - Today is a completely free day for you to relax and adjust to your new time zone. You can either rise early to get the most of your time or enjoy a leisurely start to the first proper day of your holiday. Either way, once you’ve had a spot of breakfast, Sydney is your oyster. You can choose to join your Tour Manager on an orientation tour of the local area. They will point out places of interest, restaurants, and museums which you can visit in your own time. Alternatively, there are plenty of options if you’re happy to explore alone - you may choose to take a Sydney Harbour cruise, enjoy a cocktail overlooking the water, venture out to one of Sydney’s many beaches, or – if you’re feeling especially adventurous – book in to brave the heights of the famous Harbour Bridge where you’ll get a unique view of the city. This evening is the perfect opportunity to delve into Sydney’s gastronomic scene. Whether it’s cheap and cheerful (but delicious) dumplings in Chinatown, a Micheli-star tasting menu in the city, or fresh seafood with a nice glass of wine overlooking the water of Sydney Harbour, you’re in for a treat.
• Day 4
  Sydney - After breakfast at your hotel, your day begins in earnest with a visit to The Rocks. This historic area is where the First Fleet – made up of 11 ships from Great Britain - landed in 1788. The people onboard these ships made up Australia's first European colonies, and their arrival shaped the future of the country. Your day of exploration also includes a visit to Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic beaches – and for good reason! This long crescent of sand is popular with early-rising surfers and active families, as well as tourists and locals looking for a sunny spot to rest. We’ll have some free time here to enjoy the beautiful scenery that has made this stretch of coast so popular, and to buy some lunch. Next, we’ll return to Sydney CBD – Central Business District - and stop for a great photo opportunity at Mrs Macquaries Chair, a carved sandstone rock, where you’ll be in the perfect position to see the spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. Our final visit for the day is to the Sydney Opera House. We’ll get the opportunity to join a guided tour that takes us beyond the famous white exterior, to really get to know this iconic building that was built over 60 years ago by Danish architect Jorn Utzon.
• Day 5
  Blue Mountains - Today, we’ll leave behind the bright lights of Sydney and head out to discover the beauty of the Blue Mountains. Although just 40 miles from central Sydney, the Blue Mountains feel a million miles away from city life. With gentle, green peaks giving way to the seemingly endless Jamison Valley, you can get a moment of serenity as you look out over the pristine landscape that’s full of eucalyptus trees. These trees create the blue haze which gives the mountains their name.  Be sure to stop to view the famous Three Sisters rock formation! Next, we’ll visit nearby Scenic World, where we’ll take a ride on the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway. Descend 415 metres down at a gradient of 52 degrees, travelling through the tunnel and ancient rainforest, before disembarking to walk the 300-metre rainforest boardwalk to connect with the Flyway platform. The return trip is just as beautiful, as you ride the cable car 545 metres up through the World Heritage Listed rainforest of the Jamison Valley. Our final adventure at Scenic World is on the Scenic Skyway cable car – here you’ll take a journey 270 metres above ancient ravines and dazzling waterfalls, which can be admired thanks to the state-of-the-art Electro-Scenic Glass Floor. If you’re nervous about heights, it’s time to brace yourself - at the flip of a switch, breathtaking views are revealed through the cabin floor directly below. The 360-degree birds’ eye view takes in the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Mount Solitary and the seemingly never-ending Jamison Valley.
• Day 6
  Brisbane - After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to say goodbye to Sydney as you transfer to Sydney airport for a direct flight to Brisbane, which only takes around 90 minutes. From Brisbane airport, we’ll make our way to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world's first and largest koala sanctuary. The sanctuary was opened in 1927 by a local resident who recognised that something had to be done to help protect one of Australia’s most-loved species. Their mission is to protect, respect and conserve their environment, by education and connecting people with nature.   While at the sanctuary, you will have the opportunity to see some of the animals they care for. From birds and amphibians to reptiles and farm animals, you’ll get to see a diverse range of animals and learn how they’re cared for. Wildlife highlights include their endemic species like Tasmanian devils and dingos, as well as the cuddlier looking wombats, koalas and - Australia’s national animal – kangaroos.   This afternoon, enjoy a change of pace as we hop onboard a relaxing cruise on the Brisbane river. This is a great way to get your bearings in this petite city, as you’ll see its iconic sights including Kangaroo Point Cliffs, the city centre and Story Bridge.
• Day 7
  Brisbane - Today is yours to spend as you please. You’ll have the entire day to explore Brisbane at your own pace. The city is pretty compact but incredibly friendly and laid back, so you can see most of it in one day. We recommend meandering along the city’s South Bank which is made up of parkland, galleries, cafes and restaurants. You’ll find a nice mix of people here, from families with tiny tots to rollerbladers with ice creams in hands. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to get out of the city, book a visit to Australia Zoo - home to the late Steve Irwin, the “Crocodile Hunter” - where you can see even more Aussie wildlife. 
• Day 8
  Cairns - Today we’ll take a flight from Brisbane to Cairns, a small city on Australia’s north-east coast. After the two-and-a-half-hour flight, there will be a short transfer to your hotel. After you’ve checked in, we’ll have a free afternoon to either rest and relax at the hotel – perhaps take a dip in the pool to cool off - or get out and see this colourful city. In stark contrast to Sydney, there’s no glitz and glamour in Cairns. Instead, head to one of the local pubs and get chatting with the friendly locals over a schooner or two of Aussie beer.
• Day 9
  Kuranda Scenic Railway - Today we will visit Kuranda, a mountain village on the outskirts of Cairns. We’ll start with the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which has gondolas that travel four-and-a-half-miles across the rainforest canopy. The cable car gives you a unique perspective of Australia’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which has survived against all odds to become the home of the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest. Glide metres above the pristine jungle canopy, before descending deep into the rainforest to see it closeup. After your cable car experience, we’ll stop off to visit a rainforest interpretative centre. Then we will have some time to explore charming Kuranda village. The next experience of the day is on board the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. Settle into your vintage timber carriage and get your camera at the ready. This spectacular train ride will take us through the magnificent, World Heritage-listed Barron Falls National Park. From the comfort of your seat, relax and watch picturesque valleys, jungles, railway bridges and tunnels built over a century ago pass by, and be sure to keep an eye out for the Barron Falls themselves, of course! Listen to the steady rumbling of the heritage-style locomotive journeying through the one of the world's oldest rainforests. The train ride itself is a treat for any rail enthusiasts! 
• Day 10
  Great Barrier Reef - Although we’ve all heard of the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s on top of many people’s bucket lists, there’s nothing you have read or seen that can prepare you for the reality of this astounding natural beauty. This is the largest and most complex expanse of living coral on earth. Extending from north of Cape York to south of the Tropic of Capricorn, its underwater coral gardens, cays and islands and the huge variety of fish, marine mammals, turtles and birds can’t fail to ‘wow’ even the best-travelled nature lover. Today we’ll sail by catamaran to Michaelmas Cay, a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by coral gardens that are teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life, including over 20,000 migratory seabirds, as the Cay is a protected seabird sanctuary. The surrounding outer reef is a spectacular garden of exotic marine life, magnificent coral and giant clams, boasting more varieties of tropical fish than the entire Atlantic Ocean! You’ll have time to enjoy some snorkelling or take a ride on a glass bottom boat, all topped off with an included buffet lunch.