Ultimate Australian Explorer

Day 1 Arrive Melbourne

Upon arrival at Melbourne international airport your transfer will take you to your hotel.
While in Melbourne, take advantage of the popular shopping and restaurants in South Yarra and Chapel Street catch the tram into the CBD, Luna Park or visit St Kilda’s popular beach – only a few minutes away by car. Mantra St Kilda Road offers more than just a place to stay. Its elegant art deco style is easy on the eye, while its clean lines, stunning artwork and superb finishes make this hotel an excellent choice when seeking Melbourne accommodation.
Mantra St Kilda Road boasts large, full serviced apartments that feature gourmet kitchens, spacious bedrooms, and balconies with spectacular views across Albert Park Lake and the city from select apartments. Whichever way you look you will be able to soak in everything that signifies Melbourne.
Hotel rooms contain all you need to make your stay in Melbourne convenient and comfortable, including iPod docking stations, WiFi and broadband internet (fees apply), LCD TV with digital channels, and climate controlled air conditioning.
Overnight: Melbourne
Melbourne City Sights – Half Day
Discover the charm of Melbourne. See Cook’s Cottage, the original home of Captain James Cook’s parents, Queen
Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens and Albert Park, home to the
Australian Grand Prix. Stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, see the Royal Exhibition Buildings, Parliament House and Federation Square. Visit the Shrine of Remembrance and see the Southbank waterfront precinct. Appreciate the city’s architecture, including St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Princess and Regent Theatres.
Overnight: Melbourne

Day 2 Great Ocean Road
Take a breath and enjoy a relaxed and unhindered view of the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge all before lunch, beating the traditional afternoon rush. En route let us take you on a journey inland, reaching Port Campbell National Park to marvel at the iconic limestone stacks in the morning. Spend the afternoon with your experienced Driver Guide, meandering along the winding Great Ocean Road, taking in the spectacular coastal scenery, the Otway Rainforest and seaside townships.
Overnight: Melbourne
Day 3 Phillip Island Tour
Morning is at leisure in Melbourne before your tour to Phillip island
Join your tour to Phillip Island to see the famous penguin parade (141 Km each way)This tour returns to the Hotel at
10.30 PM
If you’re curious about our native wildlife or just love animals, we’ve got you covered today! You’ll get up close to Australian animals, including koalas and kangaroos. On Phillip Island you’ll see a range of wildlife, including the largest colony of fur seals in Australia. And then there’s the main attraction – the Little Penguins waddling up the sand to their dune burrow homes returning from their daily fishing excursion. This is an afternoon departure leaving the hotel at approximately 1pm and returning at 10 pm
Overnight: Melbourne
Day 4 Melbourne to Adelaide
Upon arrival take your transfer to:
Mercure Grosvenor Hotel Adelaide is a four star hotel superbly located opposite the Festival Centre and Casino in the heart of the cultural boulevard of North Terrace. Just seconds from the tram and Rundle Mall shopping precinct, visitors to Adelaide can enjoy festivals, theatre, sporting events, the Botanical Gardens, Adelaide Zoo and the Central Market all within walking distance from the hotel. – Mercure Grosvenor Hotel Adelaide offers a wide range of room types that will fit the needs of all travellers. All rooms have fluffy feather duvets and pillows, internet, hairdryers, iron and board, plus slim lined LCD televions in most rooms. Hotel facilities also include the Federal Restaurant and Bar, 24 hour reception, 24 hour room service, parking, internet kiosk, hair and beauty salon.
Overnight: Adelaide

Day 5 Adelaide City Highlights – Half Day Tour
Experience the cosmopolitan life of Adelaide on this half day tour of Adelaide, taking in Adelaide’s main attractions and points of interest.
The coastal city of Adelaide is noted for its many festivals, its food, wine and culture and its long beach fronts. Discover superb architecture, cultural boulevards, surrounding park lands and wide streets and then you’ll appreciate why we have been ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world. Join us on this half day tour to see the main sights and listen as we take you through the local history.
Inclusions
Morning pick up from selected Adelaide Hotels
Expert commentary by local driver/guide
Adelaide City sights
Adelaide’s Cultural Boulevard of North Terrace – drive by the University, Library, Art Gallery & Museum
Historic North Adelaide
Visit to St Peters Cathedral (subject to availability)
The famous Adelaide Oval
Haigh’s Chocolates factory tour and tastings* (except Sundays
& SA Public Holidays where a visit to the National Wine
Centre^ is included or further time exploring the city)
Inclusions
Morning pick up from selected Adelaide Hotels
Expert commentary by local driver/guide
Adelaide City sights
Adelaide’s Cultural Boulevard of North Terrace – drive by the University, Library, Art Gallery & Museum
Historic North Adelaide
Visit to St Peters Cathedral (subject to availability)
The famous Adelaide Oval
Haigh’s Chocolates factory tour and tastings* (except Sundays
& SA Public Holidays where a visit to the National Wine Centre^ is included or further time exploring the city) inerary subject to change and some of the inclusions may be replaced temporarily without notice
Overnight: Adelaide
Day 6 Kangaroo Island Experience
For those with limited time, experience the highlights of South
Australia’s premier nature-based tourism destination, Kangaroo Island. As one of our most popular day tours, you will see all of the major attractions of Kangaroo Island.
•A scenic coach journey to Cape Jervis and ferry crossing to
Penne shaw on Kangaroo Island
• Seal Bay guided beach walk amongst a colony of rare
Australian sea lions with an experienced guide • Delicious 2-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro set in beautiful bushland
• Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary – observe koalas relaxing in the shady eucalypt trees
• Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and National Park including iconic Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch
Meals included: Lunch Overnight: Adelaide
Day 7 Adelaide to Ayers Rock – (Field of Light Star Pass)
Transfer from Adelaide Hotel to Airport for light to Ayers Rock. Upon arrival at Ayers Rock Airport transfer to Hotel utilising resort Shuttle.
Evening Tour
Field of Light Star Pass
Includes:-
* Self guided walk through Field of Light
* Experience Field of Light from a raised viewing area
* Evening drink and canapés, soft drinks for under 18 years
* Coach transfer to/from the hotel of stay to Field of Light
DURATION
2 hours approximately

DEPARTS
Daily – 30 minutes prior to sunset
Field of Light Star Pass
TOUR ITINERARY
The Field of Light Star Pass experience begins with a convenient hotel
pick-up and transfer to the remote desert location with majestic views
of Uluru. You’re welcomed at an exclusive elevated viewing area. Your
knowledgeable host will provide insights and background to the artist and light installation that awaits you.

Covered under a sky brilliant with stars, Field of Light beckons you to
explore and lose yourself momentarily in the rhythms of coloured light.
Take in the vast scale of the installation one last time from the raised
viewing area as you savour sparkling wine and canapes before your transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight: Uluru
Day 8 Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta
The early rise is well worth it as you experience the two major landmarks in Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. Start with an amazing sunrise at Talinguru Nyakunytaku, the Uluru (Ayers Rock) sunrise viewing area. Afterwards, on the 45 kms drive to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) your Driver Guide will provide you with an historical overview of the National Park. The walk through the sheer walls of Walpa Gorge won’t disappoint as you’re led into a world of rare plant species and lush evergreen scrubs.
• Rise early and travel into Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park • Enjoy a warming tea, coffee or hot chocolate as the dawn creeps across the desert plain and lights up Uluru
• Return to the coach for the scenic drive to the 36 domes ofconglomerate rock that forms Kata Tjuta
• Enjoy a panoramic view of the southern side of Kata Tjutafrom the Dune Viewing platform. Uluru can also be easily seen on the distant horizon from this lookout
• Your Driver Guide will provide insight into the history andgeology of this ancient land
• On arrival at Kata Tjuta, spend time exploring Walpa Gorge,following the path between two of the tallest domes, to a lush oasis in the desert
Overnight: Uluru
Day 9 Uluru to Cairns
Today you fly from Uluru to Cairns approximately a 3 hour flight.
On arrival in Cairns you will take your transfer to you accommodation . Remainder of day at leisure
Overnight: Cairns

Day 10 Outer Reef with Quicksilver
Today is a full day tour on the Great Barrier Reef
Includes:-
* Coach Transfers to and from Cairns Accommodation
* Return wave piercer cruise from Port Douglas
* Morning & afternoon tea onboard
* Reef presentation by a marine biologist
* Hot & cold tropical buffet lunch
* Snorkelling equipment
* Qualified snorkelling safety officers on hand
* Underwater observatory fish & coral viewing
* Coral viewing by semi-submersible vessels
* Fish feeding (conducted by crew)
Meals included: Lunch Overnight: Cairns
Day 11 Full Day Kuranda
Today we do the Kuranda half day tour on this day you will be picked up from the hotel and get the skyrail up to Kuranda and the train back where you will be transferred to your hotel.
This option is so flexible you can do the train up or the train down – to suit your timing:-
We can lock in any skyrail up or down – the skyrail takes 45 mins in the air plus time at each of the 2 stops – an info centre and a boardwalk – we usually allow 90 mins in 1 direction for the whole experience!
Skyrail
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Cairns Australia, is a world first in environmental tourism taking you on an amazing experience over Australia’s World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforest canopy and deep into the forest.
The Skyrail experience, spanning 7.5kms over pristine rainforest, allows you to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest and learn about one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth.
Gliding just metres above the rainforest canopy in comfortable six-person gondola cabins, the Skyrail journey immerses you in an intimate rainforest experience where you’ll see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical rainforest environment.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Our world famous railway experience is a must-do when visiting Cairns and Tropical North Queensland, Australia. You will discover the pioneering history of the tropical north from way back in the late 1800’s, be astounded by a magnificent engineering feat and explore some of the great characters involved in the construction of this great railway.
Kuranda Village
Kuranda has come a long way from its initial origins as a centre for those choosing an alternative lifestyle in the late 60’s. Historic Buildings from the villages past now house a variety of upmarket restaurants, cafes and bars. It is still laid back, but with a style and sophistication that sets it apart from other Cairns Highlands Venues and Attractions. Kuranda’s shops and markets with their exotically handcrafted goods, Aboriginal artefacts, restaurants and coffee shops make Kuranda a well known day destination.
Kuranda is surrounded by World Heritage listed wet tropics rainforest. It includes around twelve hundred species of flowering plants, eight hundred of which are rainforest trees. There are also orchids, ginger plants, strangler figs, palms and an immense variety of climbing plants. At any time of the year you will wonder at the richness and diversity of the lush foliage.

Overnight: Cairns
Day 12 Cairns to Sydney
This morning your transfer will take you to cairns airport where you will take your flight to Sydney (Approx 3 hours) You will arrive into Sydney airport and be transferred to your hotel by private car.
Intercontinental Hotel or Similar for 3 nights.
The rest of the day is free time. Accommodation for 3 nights
Overnight: Sydney

Day 13 Sydney Sights including Bondi Beach
You will be picked up from your hotel for your Morning Sightseeing Tour.
No trip to Sydney is complete without a visit to Bondi Beach! But first, you’ll travel through our city parklands down to the harbour front and then to South Head for views over the sparkling Pacific Ocean. When you arrive at Bondi Beach, there’s time to stroll along the sand and then perhaps relax.
Overnight: Sydney

Day 14 Blue Mountains & Australian Wildlife including Scenic World
Explore the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. Stretching over one million hectares, the Blue Mountains is an inspiring mix of rainforest, canyons, tall forests and heathlands; truly one of Australia’s natural wonders. Discover this wonderland of sandstone outcrops, deep ravines, pristine bushland and dramatic cliffs. Then, get up-close to Australian animals, including kangaroos and koalas, at a wildlife park.
• Climb into the mountains via the sleepy townships of
Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth
• View the famous Three Sisters, a trio of rocky pinnacles, from a perfect vantage point. From here you’ll experience amazing views over the Jamison Valley
• Visit popular Scenic World. You could ride the ScenicRailway, Cableway and Skyway, a great way to experience the steep valleys, cliff tops and canyons from different perspectives. Disembark the Scenic Railway at the bottom station to access the Scenic Walkway and stroll through 2.4 kilometres of Jurassic rainforest
With the Unlimited Discovery Pass you’ll ride the steepest incline railway in the world down into a hidden valley. Glide out on the Cableway for panoramic views. Then ride the Skyway 270 metres above ancient ravines and dazzling waterfalls.
• Stop in picturesque Leura at lunchtime.
• There’s time to explore Leura village, a delightful blend of quaint shops and galleries
• Follow the scenic Cliff Drive and enjoy breathtaking views of the Megalong Valley
• Travel through Katoomba, heart of the resort region within the Blue Mountains
• Encounter koalas, kangaroos, wombats and other native animals at a wildlife park .
Overnight: Sydney

Day 15 Depart Sydney
Today your transfer will take you to Sydney’s Kingsford Smith
International Airport for your departure