Contrasts of Australia

Australia
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Ticking off favourites along the East Coast, this Australia sightseeing tour explores dazzling cities, sundrenched shores, and stunning scenery. Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, on Sydney Harbour, and experience the similarities and differences between Sydney and Melbourne.

Departure dates

From 10/04/2025 to 03/04/2026

What's included

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver.
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted.
Porterage where hotels provide this service.
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals.
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.
All land transport shown.
All transfers shown.
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys).
Optional Experiences and free time.
A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 Melbourne, Capital of Victoria Melbourne extends a friendly welcome! (Flights to arrive prior to 12pm). Lucky for you you're staying in the heart of it all on the banks of the Yarra River. Check into your hotel and meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers over a Welcome Reception at The General Assembly restaurant. At this modern pub on the Yarra River's South Wharf, you'll feast on a three-course dinner, washed down with your choice of local wines and beers on tap. It's a delicious introduction to Melbourne's cosmopolitan vibe.
  • Day 2 Uncover Melbourne's Laneways Get out and see the sights today on a guided walk with your Travel Director discovering the little lanes, arcades, and caf? society of stylish Melbourne. Gaze up at the beautiful Victorian fa?ades lining grand boulevards. Now make a positive impact while you learn about Koorie peoples, cultures, and communities on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience tour and walk. You'll love discovering the importance of Koorie peoples as part of a broader 21st century community. With a vision to ensure the rich cultural heritage, history and knowledge systems of First Peoples are valued, celebrated and an active part of society, the Koorie Heritage Trust is an organization you'll be happy to support. Afterwards, the day is yours to relax back at your hotel, go for a scenic stroll or do a little souvenir shopping. Or choose to venture outside of the city on an optional experience such as the viewing of the incredible Little Penguins on Phillip Island. On this rare wildlife viewing experience you'll watch the tiny, adorable penguins make their daily trek from the sea to burrows on the beach.
  • Day 3 Tropical City of Cairns Go from city to tropics today as you fly north to sunny Cairns. At Hartley's Crocodile Adventures you'll team up with a Local Specialist for a private, wildlife-rich boat cruise. They will give you the inside scoop on the life and habits of the crocs you'll see popping up from the murky waters or lazing on the bank. Now that you've appreciated the beauty of the area, you can put your passion into practice helping with a Rainforest Restoration project to protect the natural wonder of the nearby Notophyll Vine Forest, an area older than the Amazon. By jumping in and helping the team plant trees, you're supporting the protection of this rare type of dry rainforest from development and restoring it to an important wildlife corridor of native birds - a mission you'll feel good contributing to. After a day in the wild, you'll travel back to Cairns for a free evening to try some of the city's famous seafood around the Cairns Marina. If you're looking to browse among a lot of options, visit the Cairns Night Markets and have your pick of over 70 open-air stalls of local specialities. Note: If departing on an early flight from Melbourne, a boxed breakfast will be provided.
  • Day 4 Great Barrier Reef, a Natural Wonder Go from city to sea today on a full day bucket list exploration of the world's largest coral reef system in the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set sail on a high-speed catamaran for these tropical waters then explore this underwater wonderland up close donning your mask and fins for a snorkel (equipment provided). You'll feel like a fish in an aquarium weaving through the rainbow of reefs and fish. Or, choose to stay dry in your semi-submersible, air-conditioned craft with an underwater observatory to have a different view of these tropical species. However you choose to explore, you'll love learning the insights on the reef the colourful fish and plants that call it home from your local guide. On board you'll be treated to a buffet lunch and afternoon tea and coffee to soak up the Aussie sun before you cruise back into Cairns.
  • Day 5 Cairns, All Yours to Enjoy Your last day in Cairns is all yours to kick back at the hotel pool, check out more of the city sites, or venture out of town for more adventures. One popular Optional Experience is taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway through a lush forests, past gorges, ravines, and waterfalls to Kuranda's 'village in the rainforest.' After an epic train ride, you have time to explore this quaint village's trails, wildlife sanctuaries, shops, and markets all within a World Heritage rainforest, before returning to the lowlands soaring above the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. After a big day out or in town, meet up with the group for a Regional Dinner at Ochre Restaurant and enjoy Australian cuisine featuring the best local produce.
  • Day 6 Breathtaking Sydney Your Australia sightseeing takes an exciting turn as you leave Cairns' beaches for Sydney. Settle into your centrally located hotel, before taking to the streets. You could walk to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, which is close by. Your evening is at leisure, so take the opportunity to explore Circular Quay and the Rocks District. Ask your Travel Director for dining suggestions.
  • Day 7 Different Views of Sydney Kick off your Sydney exploring day with a Sydney Opera House Tour with a Local Specialist before experiencing the beauty of the city aboard a Harbour Cruise sailing past Circular Quay, Shark Island, magnificent homes, beaches and parkland and the iconic white sails of the Opera House. After free time for lunch, visit Urban Winery Sydney for a tour and tasting of wines from around the state. Unlock the art of winemaking on your Be My Guest tour as the head winemaker shares the art of the wine making process before tasting selection of wines from different wine regions of NSW. The evening is yours to check out the sites of the inner city or relax before another big day.
  • Day 8 Sydney Through Your Eyes Kick off your last day in Sydney by checking out its sights and sounds anyway you want on this free day. You might choose to wander further afield on an optional experience to the Blue Mountains, for fresh mountain air and stunning scenery. Get your adrenaline racing with a thrilling climb up (and over) the Sydney Harbour Bridge. For something more down to earth, you could wander along the harbor foreshore through the Royal Botanic Garden. Then it's time to celebrate your travels over a Farewell Dinner with your newfound friends and travel mates.
  • Day 9 Farewell Sydney It's been a glorious nine days of Australia sightseeing, but all good things must come to an end. Fill up on your last breakfast before bidding farewell to your travel mates and your transfer to the Sydney airport (flights anytime). Dining Summary
  • 1 - Welcome Reception
  • 8 - Breakfast
  • 1 - Lunch
  • 1 - Regional Dinner
  • 1 - Farewell Dinner Be My Guest Sydney: Owner & head winemaker Alex Retief hosts a tour through his urban winery. Alex shares his story as to how he ended up operating his winery in this unique urban environment in the middle of Sydney. Learn about the wine making process while enjoying a selection of wines, where he walks you through wines from local wine regions of NSW where he sources his grapes. Enjoy a charcuterie and cheese platter paired with the wines as you explore the various wines on offer. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Melbourne: Make a positive impact while you learn about Koorie peoples, cultures, and communities at the Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery in Melbourne. Must-see Highlights Explore The Sydney Opera House and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures with a Local Specialist Discover Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney Visit Melbourne's eclectic Laneways and the Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery, and Urban Winery in Sydney View Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the water Scenic Cruise on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, and Sydney Harbour
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  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 31 July 2024 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
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