Day 1 Arrive Melbourne
Arrive Melbourne Airport  where you will be taken to your accommodation by private transfer

Day 2 optional touring includes :
Great Ocean Road either self-drive of small group adventure,

TOUR ITINERARY
Great Ocean Road tour is one of the world’s most spectacular coastal
drives!
Leaving Melbourne, we pass Anglesea before enjoying morning tea at
Southern Australia’s beautiful beaches. Twist and wind along the
spectacular Great Ocean Road enjoying awesome coastal photo
opportunities. Along the way stop to see cuddly koalas in the wild.
Enjoy on the world’s most spectacular coastal drives as you travel on
the world-famous National Heritage listed Great Ocean Road Tour.
There is no word to express the beauty of the Great Ocean Road Tour.
See the abundance of Australian wildlife, whilst checking on the
magnificent surf beaches, and walk amongst the ancient rainforest,
before arriving in the afternoon to witness the marvel of these gigantic
limestone stacks known as the 12 Apostles located in Port Campbell
National Park

Day 3 Optional Touring Melbourne

Optional Melbourne Balloon Flight
Enjoy a truly remarkable experience of a sunrise hot air balloon flight in Melbourne – a world-class experience. There is no other major city around the world where you can traverse by hot air balloon.
It starts with an alarm; that familiar shrill that drags you from bed and dares you to meet the dawn. Today is different. Your adventure starts before the city stirs. Birdsong begins as balloons inflate and you find yourself drawn to the heat of the flame. As the earth falls away, you rise with the sun. There’s no need to travel far, and no better way to see the world’s most liveable city. Sail the breeze beside sparkling skyscrapers and follow the Yarra River as it unwinds through parks and gardens. For an hour, it’s just you and the sky. This is what freedom feels like; you have nowhere to be but here. Melbourne is just waking up – and you’ve already crossed something off your bucket list.

Optional Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula Tour
 
We start our day around 9:00am and travel via the ‘scenic route’,
through the undulating and bush laden north-eastern suburbs of Eltham,
Templestowe and Warrandyte. Our first stop is at the Coldstream Hills
Winery at Coldstream. Established by one of Australia’s leading authors
and commentators on wine, James Halliday the elevated position of the
cellar door takes in delightful late morning views across the valley.
Close by is the charming Medhurst Winery. Established in 1999 with 35
acres under vine, this family owned operation offers a compact selection
of fruit driven and flavoursome wines. It’s then off to the very famous
and very French Domaine Chandon. Choose from a range of premium
sparkling wines (methode champenoise) while nibbling on cheese and
bread. We then travel to Yering Station for an a la carte main course
lunch in the stunning Wine Bar Restaurant. Enjoy the superb views and
seasonal menu. Post-lunch, there’s wine-tasting in the original 1859
winery, surrounded by local artworks and produce.
After a relaxing lunch the final stop for the day is at the De Bortoli
Winery at Dixons Creek. As Italian as Domaine Chandon is French, it’s a
great end with superbly flavoured cheeses that complement the sparkling,
table and dessert wines. Our scenic journey home takes us through the
Christmas Hills and Kangaroo Ground. Expect to be back to your
accommodation by around 6:30pm.
Mornington
TOUR ITINERARY
We start our day around 9.00am and travel along the coast past
Melbourne’s beachside suburbs and then head inland to our first stop for
the day, Yabby Lake at Tuerong. Established in 1998 and with 120 acres
under vine, their focus is very much on pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot
gris. For those looking for something bolder, their Heathcote Estate
vineyard in Central Victoria produces a fuller bodied and richer
shiraz.Cheese & biscuits would be enjoyed with the tasting.
A short drive away is the Crittenden Estate Vineyard, one of the earlier
planted vineyards on the Peninsula. They were established in 1984 by
Gary Crittenden and are still in the family’s hands today. While
acknowledging the cool climate was suitable for high quality chardonnay
and pinot noir, Italian and Iberian Peninsula varieties were also
pursued. Today, the experience for visitors is greatly enhanced with
this wider choice.
Skirting the Westernport Bay side of the Peninsula, we arrive at the
Quealy Vineyard at Balnarring. Quirky and with a nod to Italian
winemaking styles, it’s a vineyard that leaves an impression.
It’s then onto lunch at the charming Merricks General Store. Dating back
to the early 1920’s, this is one of the region’s iconic establishments.
From its early years as a post office, store and meeting place for the
local rural community, its heritage buildings have been lovingly
restored to house a bistro, art gallery, cellar door and produce store.
Enjoy a main course a la carte lunch and glass of wine, followed by tea
and coffee.
After lunch, visits would be made to Mornington Peninsula Chocolates at
Flinders and Red Hill Cheese at Main Ridge. Both properties complement
the wineries beautifully and offer variety thats missing in other wine
regions. On days when both these properties are closed, a visit would be
made to either Stonier Wines or Ten Minutes by Tractor Vineyard.

Optional Sovereign Hill with Gold Museum and Ballarat Wildlife Park
Includes:-
* Entrance to Sovereign Hill with the Gold Museum and Red Hill Mine Tour
* Guided Tour and Entry at the Ballarat Wildlife Park
* Free Wi-Fi on coach
* Quality commentary by your experienced driver/guide
* Travel in a high quality touring coach

TOUR ITINERARY
Get up close with a host of Aussie wildlife, see the fantastic coastline
of Phillip Island and then witness one of Australia’s most spectacular
wildlife experiences as hundreds of tiny penguins waddle ashore!
You will also get a chance to hand-feed kangaroo (own expense), get up
close to Koalas and enjoy the interactive experience at the World
Wildlife Fund Antarctic Journey.
We begin our day stopping at the wildlife park, where you will be making
some new friends with our local Australian animals. You’ll have the
opportunity to hand-feed kangaroos or get a photo with a koala (both own
expense) with proceeds going towards the Animal Hospital onsite. Then
it’s over to Phillip Island, famous for its natural beauty, stunning
beaches, rugged cliffs and unique wildlife. See giant surf at Woolamai
Beach on our coastal walk, weather permitting.
Experience the majestic rocky coast and views of an Australian fur seal
colony at the Nobbies. While there, take some time to immerse yourself
in the World Wildlife Fund’s Interactive Antarctic Journey, a fun and
educational virtual world of discovery. Explore the award-winning
Penguin Parade Visitor Centre witnessing the world’s smallest penguins
emerge from the sea and waddle ashore. It’s truly a magical and
unforgettable experience!
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE: Come immerse yourself in a world-first Interactive
Antarctic experience located at the Noobies Centre on Phillip Island.
The complimentary additional activity takes our passengers on a virtual
journey to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, where they can engage in a
multimedia experience unlike none other. As committed custodians,
Autopia Tours are proud supporters of the World Wildlife Fund. Through
wildlife awareness, we recognise out social responsibility to educate,
implement and empower environmental change for future generations.

Day 5 Melbourne to Sydney
Depart Melbourne
Today your private transfer will take you to Melbourne airport for your flight to Sydney.
Upon arrival at Sydney Airport you will be transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.
Remainder afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Sydney Hotel – 3 Nights
Overnight: Sydney

Day 6
Morning Sydney City Tour with Bondi Beach
Sydney – set on the beautiful blue Sydney Harbour, this fast paced city of cosmopolitan character is one of the world’s most beautiful places.
Highlights of this tour
A brief walking tour of the historic Rocks area – the birthplace of Sydney
Sydney Opera House
Conservatorium of Music
Hyde Park
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Parliament House
Art Gallery of NSW
Royal Botanic Gardens
Sydney Town Hall
Sydney Tower
Darling Harbour
Stop at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair – great photo opportunity of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House!
The Royal Australian Naval Base – Garden Island
Lively Kings Cross and the affluent homes in the eastern suburbs
A visit to famous Bondi Beach
Historic, trendy Paddington
Bustling Chinatown plus much, much more!

Optional Afternoon Sydney Bridge Climb – Climb of a lifetime

Day 7
Blue Mountains & Australian Wildlife Day Trip with River Cruise
Set off on a day-trip from Sydney to explore the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Home to over one million hectares of dramatic cliffs, deep canyons, rainforest, and wildlife, the Blue Mountains is an unmissable stop on your East Coast adventure.

Start your tour with a visit to the famous Three Sisters rock formation before visiting Echo Point and Scenic World, where you can see the vast Blue Mountains up close with an optional trip on the Scenic Railway, Cableway, or Skyway.

Next, make your way to Leura Village for lunch and then onto the wildlife park, where you can get up close with koalas, and come face to face with kangaroos, wombats, and dingoes. From there, visit Homebush, the venue of the 2000 Olympic Games, where you can opt to join a river cruise back to the city along the Parramatta River to Darling Harbour or Circular Quay, or hop on the coach to be taken straight to your hotel.
Overnight: Sydney
Explore the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney
Day 8
Sydney to Hamilton Island
This Morning your private transfer will take you to Sydney Airport for your three hour flight to the Whitsunday Islands landing at Hamilton Island.
Accommodation: Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island – 3 Nights
Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island is located on the resort side of Hamilton Island overlooking Catseye Beach. Enjoy the many attractions, restaurants and bars, tours and facilities on Hamilton Island, either by the island shuttle bus, a hired golf buggy, or a comfortable walk around the island and Marina precinct. The resort has spacious 1 Bedroom Ocean facing apartments , reception, guest lounge, a lagoon style pool and spa set in tropical gardens.
Overnight: Hamilton Island

Day 9
HamiltonIsland Day at Leisure
Today is a free day to enjoy the island and resort
Overnight: Hamilton Island

Day 10
HamiltonIsland Day at Leisure
Today is a free day to enjoy the island and resort
Overnight: Hamilton Island

Day 11
Hamilton Island to Cairns
Transfer by Resort Shuttle to Hamilton Island Airport for your flight to Cairns.

After arrival in Cairns, you will be transferred from the airport directly to your Hotel

Accommodation: Riley by Crystalbrook – 2 Nights
Stay with Riley, a five-star luxury hotel in Cairns, and rediscover fun. Live in the moment and indulge in the little luxuries. Leave your worries at check-in and stake your claim by the pool. Welcome to the great escape – stay a while.
Overnight: Cairns

Crystalbrook Riley Hotel

Day 12
Full Day Kuranda Scenic Train & Skyrail
Full Day Kuranda Scenic Train & Skyrail Tour
Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for your journey to Kuranda. There are two stations en route where you can alight and enjoy a walk through the rainforest to spectacular lookouts or visit CSIRO Interpretive Centre. In Kuranda it’s time to explore this fascinating village. The Heritage Markets are full of colourful and interesting arts and crafts. You might also like to visit Birdworld, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary or Kuranda Koala Gardens (own expense). Later, board the world famous Kuranda Scenic Railway for your return journey to Cairns. Wind through hand-hewn tunnels, across bridges and curves, all the time appreciating what an amazing engineering feat it is.

Overnight: Cairns

Day 13
Great Barrier Reef Live Aboard
After being picked up from your hotel you will be taken to Cairns wharf for your live aboard diving drip.

This personalised adventure offers an opportunity to participate in up to 11 dives, including two-night dives, as well as some great snorkelling on a variety of our 19 exceptional Outer Reef dive sites over four magnificent reefs: Flynn, Thetford, Milln and Pellowe Reefs. Diving at different times throughout the day, you will be able to encounter an amazing diversity of marine life including giant clams, majestic sea turtles, graceful stingrays, reef sharks, an incredible variety of tropical fish, spectacular coral formations and consistent underwater visibility. Night diving will introduce a whole new dimension of nocturnal life.

Between dives, relax in comfort on board one of our three premium Scubapro dive boats; these purpose-built liveaboard dive vessels; these feature air-conditioned twin or double cabins, spacious decks, WiFi, catered meals, and the comforts of home. With small passenger numbers and close crew-to-guest ratios, a high-quality, personalised experience from our dedicated staff is ensured at all times.

Inclusions
11 dives (includes 2 night dives)
All meals & bed linen
Dive insurance
Corrective lens mask (if required)
Double or twin share accommodation
All dive & snorkelling equipment, including dive computer, wetsuit and dive torch
Accommodation transfers (Cairns city & Northern Beaches)
Guided orientation and night dive  07:00 Depart Cairns
Depart Cairns for 3 days and 2 nights of fantastic diving/snorkelling on The Great Barrier Reef. A light breakfast is served onboard.

11:00 Dive 1
Your first dive is before lunch. A dive guide will be offered for those divers who have not dived in a while. This is an opportunity for you to acclimatise to the diving conditions, and fine-tune your skills if it has been some time since your last dive.

12:30 Lunch is served

14:30 Dive 2
Head off and discover more underwater delights. Once you have completed your dive, the vessel moves on to the next site.

16:30 Dive 3
After an afternoon of relaxing, it is time for your third dive of the trip

18:00 Dinner is served 19:45 Dive 4: the night dive!
We try to do the night dive at the same site as the afternoon dive, as this way you are familiar with your surroundings.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 14
Live aboard cruise on the reef
Dive 5
The vessel moves for an early morning dive.

09:00 Breakfast is served

11:15Dive 6
After breakfast, the vessel moves on for the second dive of the day.

12:45 Lunch is served

15:15Dive 7
After lunch, it is time for your third dive.

17:45 Dinner is served

19:30Dive 8: night dive
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Cairns

Great Barrier Reef
Day 15
Live aboard on the Reef last Day
Dive 9
Sunrise dive

07:30 Breakfast 09:00 Dive 10 ,11:00Dive 11
The last dive of the trip, finished by 1200 noon

12:00 Lunch

16:00 Complimentary return transfer
Return transfer to your accommodation at Riley Crystalbrook – 2 nights

18:00
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairns
Great Barrier Reef
Day 16
Free Day in Cairns
Enjoy a free day in Cairns to explore at your own pace. Opt to join an Aboriginal Dreamtime walk at Tjapukai, where you can explore the rich history of the world’s oldest living culture, or, if you fancy something a little more active and thrill-seeking, you could always go Bungy Jumping or white-water rafting on the Barron River.

Alternatively, you could spend the day exploring the northern or southern beaches or head up to Daintree to explore the rainforest.
Overnight: Cairns

Learn about Aboriginal culture at Tjapukai
Day 17
Full Day Cape Tribulation + Daintree Tour
The Cape Tribulation region in Northern Queensland is known for its picturesque scenery and year-round good weather. Because of this, it is a haven for travellers from around the world. Visitors flock to the region from all corners of the globe to enjoy the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere that the locals know and love.
TOUR ITINERARY
Join Down Under Eco Tours for a day exploring the rainforest and amazing
landscapes of the Daintree and Cape Tribulation National Parks
wilderness area. Your informative and knowledgeable driver/guide will
collect you from your accommodation and travel one of Australias great
scenic Highways. Visit Mossman Gorge Centre and enjoy morning tea before
boarding the shuttle for your transfer to Mossman Gorge. Discover
secrets of the world’s oldest rainforest as your driver takes you on a
guided walk through the Gorge boardwalk.

Then hop aboard the Daintree River Cruise and reach an understanding of
the intricate Daintree eco-system. Keep an eye out for wildlife
including the elusive Saltwater Crocodile.

BBQ Lunch: Relax and enjoy the delicious food in the rainforest of Noah
Valley. This area is renowned for the existence of primitive flowering
plants. Cape Tribulation Beach: After lunch, we continue on to Cape
Tribulation Beach while your driver explains the rich history of the
area. Walk the beach or boardwalk and relax in this tranquil setting. We
then visit Daintree Ice Cream Company. Enjoy an afternoon refreshment
included at the Daintree Ice Cream Company. Try a delicious exotic fruit
ice cream cup featuring four flavours (gluten free and dairy free
options are available).

Alexandra Lookout: After winding through the rainforest, enjoy this
spectacular lookout over the Daintree River Estuary, Snapper Island and
beyond the Coral Sea.
NCLUSIONS
Includes:-
* Hotel pick-up from 7:00am ex Cairns
* Hotel pick-up from 7:45am ex Port Douglas
* Professional driver/guide
* GPS activated audio commentary
* Mossman Gorge Centre including driver guided walk and morning tea
* Daintree River Cruise
* Lunch in rainforest setting
* Daintree Ice Cream Company
* Cape Tribulation Beach & boardwalk
* Alexandra Lookout
* Tour may operate in reverse
Overnight: Cairns

Daintree Rainforest Cairns
Day 18
Cairns to Gold Coast
This morning your driver will pick you up for your private transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to Gold Coast

Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel – QT Gold Coast 3 Nights
Overnight: Gold Coast

Make your way up to the Gold Coast

Day 19
Gold Coast tour Mount Tamborine
A half day tour to Tamborine Mountain. Experience forest trails where only a 4WD can take you, delicious morning tea and a guided rainforest walk to the waterfall. Taste wines and explore ‘Gallery Walk’ the arts
and craft district of the Mountain. Your guide will keep an eye out for wildlife, tell you about the area and show you how to throw a boomerang.

This tour is ideal for anyone with limited time. We can even drop off at selected theme parks and shopping centres on the way back into town to save on precious holiday time.

Includes:-
* Gold Coast Hotel pick up/return
* Morning tea
* Tour commentary
* Guided rainforest walks
* Boomerang throwing lessons
* National Park fees
Overnight: Gold Coast

 Day 20
Free Day Gold Coast
On the Gold Coast there are plenty of activities to enjoy including , Wet and Wild , Movie World and Sea World to name a few attractions. Also explore native wild life at Curumbbin sanctuary. There are also many dining options and some of the best beaches in the World. None of these activities are included but I can easily add them if you have and interest.
Overnight: Gold Coast
Sea World

Day 21
Depart Gold Coast
Today your private transfer will collect and take you to Gold Coast Airport

Day 22
Depart Brisbane
Today we transfer you from Gold Coast hotel to Brisbane Airport for your flight home.

Drive from Gold Coast hotel to Brisbane Airport is a little over one hour.