Great Sights of Australia

Join us for an amazing escorted tour of Australia and discover the great sights and locations from Brisbane to Sydney. You’ll visit the incredible Australia Zoo, “Home of the Crocodile Hunter.” Go behind-the-scenes in the zoo’s Wildlife Hospital, founded by Steve and Terri Irwin, and see the vets in action. In Cairns, glide above the rainforest on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore by snorkeling or from a glass-bottom boat. Spend two nights in Melbourne and three nights in Sydney to see all these dynamic cities have to offer.

What's Included:

• Return flights from London Heathrow
• Transfers
• All airport taxes
• Services of a tour director
• Central hotel accommodation
• VIP access to all the sites and their specially arranged "Local Favourites" experiences
• Selected meals (See itinerary)

Highlights:

• BRISBANE- Welcome dinner; orientation tour; Australia Zoo with visit and presentation at the Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital

• CAIRNS- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway; Great Barrier Reef Cruise with choice of activities

• MELBOURNE- Orientation tour

• SYDNEY- Sightseeing with an inside visit to the Sydney Opera House, followed by a panoramic lunch at the Opera House; farewell dinner

Day 1: Arrive in Brisbane, Australia

Welcome to Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland. Your hotel room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner. Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Brisbane. Excursiojn to the Australia Zoo

Start your day with an orientation tour of the city. See the mix of historical buildings and modern high-rises. Learn about the city’s convict past along with its modern cosmopolitan culture. Afterward, travel to the AUSTRALIA ZOO, “Home of the Crocodile Hunter.” See some of Australia’s famous wildlife. You can hand-feed kangaroos, pet a dingo, see the amazing saltwater crocodiles, and more. A special visit and presentation at the zoo's WILDLIFE HOSPITAL is included where you can observe the extraordinary team of vets as they save precious wildlife right in front of your eyes. Your included admission goes directly back to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Return to Brisbane where the evening is at leisure. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Brisbane

A full day to explore more of vibrant Brisbane. You may wish to enjoy a scenic cruise on the Brisbane River, take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, a large Ferris wheel overlooking the city, relax at Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner city man-made beach, or just enjoy a stroll on the city’s pedestrian street, Queen Street Mall, full of shops and restaurants. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for shopping, dining, and additional sightseeing. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Brisbane - Cairns

Depart Brisbane for Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Upon arrival, take the SKYRAIL RAINFOREST CABLEWAY and journey over the stunning UNESCO World-Heritage-listed rainforest. Enjoy beautiful views and learn about ancient plants and animals that existed long before dinosaurs roamed the earth and whose descendants can still be seen in the rainforest today. Tonight, you may want to visit the Cairns Night Markets, the perfect place to find a favorite souvenir or try some local fare. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Cairns. Excursion to the Outer Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef was described by Sir David Attenborough as “The most magical place in the world.” Today is your chance to experience this stunning wonder and beauty for yourself. Your CRUISE to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, includes the option to SNORKEL, take a GLASS-BOTTOM-BOAT TOUR, view the reef from an underwater observatory, and watch a fish feeding. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

Day 6: Cairns

A full day to explore more of Cairns and this tropical paradise. Why not visit the Botanical Gardens, considered to have one of Australia’s best exhibitions of tropical plants, take an optional excursion to the Daintree Rainforest, one of the most diverse and beautiful examples of Mother Nature in the world or enjoy an evening at Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park which tells the story of the world’s oldest living culture through performance, dance, food, and arts. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Cairns - Melbourne

Touch down today in one of the Australia’s most well-known cities. Melbourne is home to a diverse culture, world-class shopping, art galleries, museums, coffee shops, vibrant street art, hidden laneways and more. Along with its beaches, parks, amazing restaurants, and near-flawless weather, it’s the perfect place to visit year round. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour before arriving at your hotel. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Melbourne

Time today to explore more of this vibrant city. Why not take a trip to the top of the Eureka Skydeck for amazing views of the city below? You may also choose to venture to the breathtaking Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s premier wine regions. Other options include a full-day trip to the Great Ocean Road to see fantastic scenery and the “Twelve Apostles”, or choose to venture to Phillip Island for the famous Penguin Parade. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Melbourne - Sydney

Fly to Sydney, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is home to first-class restaurants, grand shopping arcades, and top tourist attractions. On your sightseeing tour, travel to the famous Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s BOTANIC GARDENS. The sandstone rock chair was carved by convicts in 1810 and is said to be where Mrs Macquarie would sit and watch the ships from Great Britain sail into the harbor. Next, visit to the famous SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an inside visit of its interior and theaters. Afterward, enjoy a panoramic lunch at one of the Opera House’s restaurants where you’ll enjoy great photo opportunities and sweeping views of the harbor and Harbour Bridge. Arrive at your centrally located hotel for a three-night stay. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

Day 10: Sydney

Today is at leisure to explore all that Sydney has to offer. You may want to take an optional excursion to experience one of Sydney’s famous beaches, Bondi Beach, where your local surf instructor will give you a tour of the lifesaving club and teach you how to surf. You’ll enjoy a casual beachside lunch. You can also choose to see the city from a different view, from atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Enjoy amazing views of the harbor and city skyline below from this unique perspective. In the evening, you might walk to walk in the footsteps of Australia’s early convicts on The Rocks Pub Tour. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11: Sydney

Another day for you to explore Sydney. You may wish to visit the elegant Queen Victoria Building with its three levels of fashion, jewelry, and gifts. Other options include visiting the Art Gallery of New South Wales, strolling through the Royal Botanic Garden, taking a ferry to nearby Manly Beach, or enjoying delicious Asian food at one of the restaurants in Spice Alley. Tonight, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 12: Sydney

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. Meals included: Breakfast