Aboriginal Culture & Australian Highlights

Cairns
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If you want to immerse yourself in the world’s oldest continuous living culture, you’ve come to the right place. From the spiritual heart of Australia to its cities, discover the country’s Aboriginal heritage through activities ranging from climbing bridges to creating paintings. You’ll also get to meet some of the characters who nurture Indigenous culture and keep it alive for future generations.

Departure dates

From 10/10/2024 to 01/04/2025

What's included

Highlights.
Aunty Margret is a Sydney legend, pioneering Indigenous tourism around the city.
Discover Aboriginal sites and stories on one of her Dreamtime Southern X tours.
Whether at sunrise or sunset, the beauty of Uluru is mesmerising.
Aboriginal creatives at Maruku Arts capture it in their paintings and will show you how to do the same.
Big Esso not only crafts menus using sustainably grown native produce, but also supports Aboriginal growers, makers, bakers and brewers.
Take a deep dive (literally) into the Aboriginal stories behind the creation of the Great Barrier Reef with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel from Cairns.
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Exclusive Sunrise Field of Light art installation experience at Uluru 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House Centrally located premium hotels.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 Arrive early in Australia's cultural capital to explore art-filled laneways, galleries and boutiques at your own pace. Melbourne is also Australia's food capital - we have something special planned for your Welcome Diinner.
  • Day 2 Australia's Aboriginal culture spans oceans, rivers, rainforest, outback and cities, as you'll discover with Koorie Heritage Trust. From the organisation's base at Federation Square, explore Melbourne with a First Nation's guide along the banks of the Yarra River, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience. It's only a few steps to Big Esso by Mabu Mabu, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience, celebrating contemporary Torres Strait Islander culture through cuisine. The menu is an explosion of native Australian bush flavours, from finger lime to quandong, with a drinks list that heroes Indigenous-owned businesses - their art also decorates the walls. More awaits at the Ian Potter Centre (NGV) in Federation Square, which hosts one of Australia's most significant collections of art from First Nations Creatives.
  • Day 3 Take the pulse of Melbourne in your own time. Need touring suggestions? Your Travel Director can assist. You might choose to stay in the heart of the city exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens with an Aboriginal guide. Or for a bird's-eye view, zip to the Melbourne Eureka Skydeck - it's the highest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. While it's tempting to linger, a bevy of attractions await on the outskirts of the city, including the Great Ocean Road. Spending a day driving this World Heritage-listed route is a rite of passage, uniting surf, seaside towns and wilderness walks. You might choose to head to the other side of the bay - Phillip Island is a mecca for wildlife, including penguins that waddle from the ocean to their sandy burrows every evening.
  • Day 4 Ulu?u-Kata Tju?a is World Heritage-listed for a reason. Explore spiritual landscapes that are sacred to the Anangu; your guide on the Kuniya walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole will point out rock art and bush foods. The ultimate way to end the day is watching the sinking sun paint the outback all manner of fiery hues - flute of bubbles in hand. This is your backdrop for an exclusive Barbecue dinner.
  • Day 5 The outback inspires creativity, as you'll discover meeting Aboriginal artists and sculptors at Maruku Arts, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience. Their works capture the drama of Australia, and they'll show you how to do the same during an art class. Spend the afternoon visiting the Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA), spotlighting ethically sourced Aboriginal art. Or, take to the sky on an optional scenic flight. Back at ground level, wander into Walpa Gorge, then say cheers to another Kata Tjuta sunset with a glass of bubbles.
  • Day 6
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  • Day 7 Bring your stamina for an action-packed day exploring the Harbour City, including a behind-the-scenes tour of the Opera House. It sits on land belonging to the Eora Nation, as you'll discover when you meet Aunty Margret of Dreamtime Southern X on a walking tour around the Rocks district. Swap the shore for the water on an expedition to explore Sydney from the water on a harbour cruise.
  • Day 8 Go your own way or ask your Travel Director to assist booking tours like the Burrawa Indigenous Climb, which sees you scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge accompanied by an Aboriginal guide. Or spend the day with an AAT Kings guide in the Blue Mountains. You don't need to go far to have an adventure, as you'll discover on Dave's Rocks Pub Tour, taking you to some of the city's most historic drinking establishments. Or take in the harbour in a helicopter, swooping over beaches and bushland. It's an outlook that inspires creativity, as you might choose to discover on a guided tour of the Art Gallery of NSW.
  • Day 9 What's better than one free day to explore Sydney at your leisure? A second free day. We wouldn't blame you for spending hours strolling the sand at Bondi Beach or catching the ferry across the harbour to Manly or choosing another Optional Experience.
  • Day 10 After your morning flight from Sydney, spend your free afternoon soaking up the steamy climes of Cairns. Explore the vibrant esplanade or opt for an Indigenous-owned cruise by Mandingalbay Tours.
  • Day 11 Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel's catamaran tours tell the story of the Great Barrier Reef through First Nations' eyes. The company's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea rangers regale you with 65,000-year-old Dreamtime creation stories, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience, while you cruise to Moore Reef; here, slip into warm water to flipper among some of the 1,500 species of fish.
  • Day 12 Spend your free day soaking up the sights of Tropical North Queensland, perhaps joining a tour to catch the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway deep into the rainforest. Or maybe on an Outback Tasting Adventure, uniting distillers, brewers, cheesemongers and farmers. You may opt to discover native bush tucker on a Cape Tribulation, Mossman & Daintree tour, taking you through one of the world's oldest rainforests. End your wild adventure with a Farewell Dinner at Ochre Restaurant on the Cairns waterfront.
  • Day 13 You'll not only depart Cairns a more seasoned traveller, but also a more thoughtful one. And don't be surprised if you leave with a posse of new friends - Australia's Aboriginal guides are as generous with their stories as they are with their time.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 04 May 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 29 April 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

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