52
Great Barrier Reef
Australian Highlights
13 DAYS
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
IMSE
Melbourne Uluru Kata Tjuta Alice Springs Cairns Great Barrier Reef Sydney
Revealing sprawling red desert landscapes, the turquoise tropical waters the Great Barrier Reef, and buzzy
cosmopolitan cities, this diverse itinerary is one that ticks all the boxes. Wander through Melbourne’s lively
cobblestoned laneways, share a gourmet barbecue with a local family in Alice Springs, and feel the heartbeat
of the ancient Red Centre on an unforgettable journey.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Indulge in a unique dining experience on board
Melbourne’s Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
• Discover Melbourne’s hidden laneways & arcades
• Savor a unique Aussie BBQ experience
at Earth Sanctuary
• Toast an Uluru (Ayers Rock)
sunset with sparkling wine
• Experience a spectacular
Red Centre sunrise
• Discover Aboriginal rock art & learn
about sacred sites at Uluru
• Explore Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and
hike through Walpa Gorge
• Interact with local Aboriginal artists & create
your own dot painting masterpiece
• Cruise and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
• Dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean
at famous Bondi Beach
• Experience the Sydney Opera House
on a guided tour
Day 1
Welcome to Melbourne
Get to know your Travel Director
and fellow travelers this evening at
a Welcome Reception and dinner on
board Melbourne’s famous Colonial
Tramcar Restaurant. Elegant décor
and silver-service dining as you glide
through city streets in a vintage
W-class tram makes for a memorable
introduction to Melbourne, which is
consistently judged one of the world’s
most liveable cities. Hotel: Crowne
Plaza, Melbourne, 3 nights. DW
Day 2
Melbourne
Explore Melbourne on a city sights
tour this morning, then discover its
gracious arcades, eclectic laneways
and vibrant street art on a private
walking tour. The rest of the day is at
your leisure. You might like to take an
optional experience to Phillip Island to
see the famous penguin parade, where
the world’s smallest penguins return
from the ocean and waddle endearingly
up the wide beach to their sand-dune
burrows. Or you may prefer to simply
relax, explore the galleries, or experience
some of the city’s celebrated eateries. B
Day 3
Melbourne Free Time
Today is free for you to further explore
the delights of Melbourne. Alternatively,
you could take an optional experience
along the renowned Great Ocean Road
to discover a stunning coastline and
the towering limestone arches of the
Twelve Apostles. In the evening, you
might like to take in a production at one
of Melbourne’s renowned theatres. B
Day 4 Melbourne – Alice Springs
Day 5 Alice Springs – Uluru
Day 6 Uluru & Kata Tjuta
Fly to Alice Springs this morning and
visit the unique School of the Air to
learn how this school-with-a-difference
delivers education to children living in
remote outback areas. Pause at the
headquarters of the iconic Royal Flying
Doctor Service, celebrated for providing
a ‘mantle of safety’ in the outback for
almost a century. This evening, join
the Falzon family for a home-cooked
gourmet Be My Guest BBQ dinner, and
later listen as they speak of their passion
for ecology, astronomy and local culture.
Hotel: Mercure Alice Springs Resort. B BG
Travel through the red quartzite
peaks and gorges of the rugged West
MacDonnell Ranges today, then spend
the afternoon relaxing or enjoying your
resort’s facilities. Sparkling wine is
served this evening as you watch the
sun set behind the massive sandstone
monolith of Uluru. Hotel: Desert Gardens
Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. B
This morning, witness the magical
Uluru sunrise, then tour the caves at
the base of Uluru and marvel at the
ancient rock art to be found there.