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SPECIAL OFFER:
Save £200 per person on our Contrasts of Australia tour departing from October 2025 when you book by 30th November 2024. Request a brochure
21-day Contrasts of Australia starting at £8,095 £7,895pp
Discover the many faces of Australia and its landscapes, people and wildlife on our brand-new Exclusively Solos itinerary. This tour has been carefully crafted for solo travellers to soak up all this magnificent country has to offer, with everything taken care of, and NO single supplement.
From the beautiful bursts of colour and the marine life that call the Great Barrier Reef home, to postcard-perfect Sydney, dominated by its Harbour Bridge and Opera House, or Uluru rising from the vibrant red sands of the Outback – Australia surprises and delights at every turn.
Get ready to experience all of its many contrasts, along with great cities, ancient culture, true wilderness and an intriguing natural world. This is a magical mix of sights and experiences that make for a holiday like no other.
This 21-day solo tour is complete with experienced guides, carefully selected hotels and a well-crafted itinerary to create lifelong memories and friendships, with many unforgettable experiences included.
SAVE £200 per person on your Contrasts of Australia tour, departing from October 2025, when you book by 30th November 2024.
Depart from London Heathrow or Manchester with Singapore Airlines. No matter which airport you choose, there will be no additional cost.
In-flight meals and drinks
Arrive into the wonderful city of Singapore where we meet our local guide and transfer to our hotel, The Robertson House, where we will spend the next two nights.
In-flight meals and drinks
Known as ‘the crossroads of Asia’, Singapore is a city where east meets west; a cosmopolitan melting pot with an inspirational identity. Following a leisurely morning, we gather with our travelling companions for a city sightseeing tour. Witness the intriguing ethnic quarters where Chinese, Malay and Indian influences fuse to produce Singapore’s unique culture. Later, we explore Singapore’s iconic Merlion Park and the botanical gardens. This evening, we dine together at a local Peranakan restaurant. Bursting with flavour, this delicious cuisine is popular throughout Singapore and is renowned for its mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian ingredients.
Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Cairns. On arrival, our Australian Tour Manager will be waiting to transfer us directly to our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton, where we spend our first five nights in Australia.
Breakfast, in-flight meals and drinks
Tour Highlight
A holiday to Australia would not be complete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Its colourful marine life and coral make this World Heritage site a must-see for all visitors. Our day begins with a scenic river cruise on the Mulgrave, whose lush ecosystem supports a diverse range of wildlife. Our destination is Normanby Island, part of the beautiful Frankland Island Group, in the Great Barrier Reef Marine National Park. This uninhabited island is home to vibrant fringing reef and many species of marine life. With the shortest crossing time of all Great Barrier Reef sites, we have ample time to explore the island and the unspoilt beauty above and below the waterline. Take a guided snorkel safari with a marine biologist, explore the sea floor on a semi-submarine tour, join an informative guided island walk and enjoy a delicious beachside buffet lunch. Late afternoon, we return to Cairns after a magical day of exploration.
Breakfast and lunch
This morning, we travel to the laid-back tropical town of Port Douglas. Travelling via one of the most scenic coastal highways in the country, we stop by the tree-fringed sands of Four Mile Beach, where we take in the panoramas of this magnificent stretch of coastline. The heart of Port Douglas is Macrossan Street, filled with chic cafes and local arts and craft shops. Sundays are known for its markets, where vendors travel from all over North Queensland to sell their products. We have free time to explore and wander amongst the stalls, where we may find everything from local arts and crafts to fruit and vegetables. Later, enjoy lunch with a view at a local venue situated overlooking Port Douglas’ inlet and the Daintree Rainforest. We return to Cairns in the afternoon, via the same scenic highway, stopping at Rex Lookout for a stunning coastal view.
Breakfast and lunch
Although today has been left free, you may wish to take an optional trip to Kuranda. We ascend to Kuranda on one of the most unique rail journeys in Australia, the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It traverses no fewer than 40 bridges and 15 tunnels. Kuranda, ‘the village in the rainforest’, awaits. It’s a lovely place to while away a few hours visiting the markets, butterfly sanctuary or the Koala Gardens. We continue our adventure with a visit to Rainforest Station, where we spend time with the Pamagirri Aboriginal people and learn about one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. Travel back to Cairns by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a beautiful experience gliding over the rainforest canopy with incredible views out over the Cairns coastline.
Breakfast
We Recommend – Kuranda Railway & Skyrail
Ascend to Kuranda on the Kuranda Scenic Rail journey, returning to Cairns by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
Another Freedom Day to enjoy tropical northern Queensland. Surrounded by rainforest and mountains, Cairns boasts over 200 walking tracks; there are also numerous interesting museums and art galleries to explore. Perhaps take a day trip to the nearby Daintree Rainforest, where the oldest rainforest in the world meets the reef at the World Heritage-listed Cape Tribulation. Alternatively, why not travel to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures? Just a short drive from Cairns, there are miles of timber boardwalks and paths winding through woodlands and rainforest where we can see an array of wildlife – including the fearsome saltwater crocodile. Enjoy your day!
Breakfast
Following breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Cairns we make our way to the airport in time for our flight to Brisbane. The sunny capital of Queensland, Brisbane is a cosmopolitan city of two million people, with a relaxed atmosphere. Upon arrival we tour the city’s landmarks, conveniently lined along the bends of Brisbane River: historical buildings such as city hall and customs house, the old botanic gardens, Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point. Our accommodation for the next two nights is the Hotel Grand Chancellor, facing the award-winning Roma Street Parklands.
Breakfast
Today, we leave the city behind us and travel inland to the stunning Brisbane hinterland. Think fresh mountain air, pretty, rural towns full of character and charm and lush green rainforests. Our morning drive takes us towards the Glass House Mountains National Park, where remnants of extinct volcanoes form an otherworldly landscape, stopping at picturesque lookouts along the way. We spend time in the quaint village of Montville. First settled in 1887, Montville is home to art galleries, boutique stores and cosy coffee shops. We finish our day with a visit to the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, a biodiverse area of endemic subtropical rainforest containing 391 plant species, 141 bird species and 68 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, many of which are threatened or rare. Following our return to Brisbane, tonight we dine together at the vibrant Howard Smith Wharves, under historic Story Bridge.
Breakfast and dinner
Tour Highlight
We leave the state of Queensland this morning on our flight bound for Uluru (Ayers Rock), deep in the heart of Australia’s vast outback. Before landing, we may have the opportunity to view the world’s largest monolith from our aircraft. Rising from the flat surrounding scrubland, Uluru is a site of deep cultural significance to the Aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory. On arrival we transfer to the Outback Hotel and Lodge, where we stay for the next two nights. Later, we enjoy a glass of sparkling wine with our travelling companions whilst witnessing the changing colours of Uluru as the sun begins to set. It’s truly a photographer’s delight.
Breakfast
With an Indigenous name meaning ‘many heads’, our day begins with a tour of the impressive Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas as they are also known, an impressive set of domed rock formations, rising from the red sand of the outback. Later, we visit the Cultural Centre, where we learn more about Anangu culture and the park’s natural environment. We finish our day with a tour around the base of the rock, enabling us to discover more about its historical and cultural importance. This evening, relax or enjoy a pre-booked optional activity such as the impressive illuminations of the Field of Light installation, or the Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars.
Breakfast
This morning, before breakfast, we have the option of watching the sun rise over Uluru, an awe-inspiring sight. Later, we leave Uluru and drive through the outback along the Lasseter and Stuart Highways to Alice Springs. Home for tonight is the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. A true gem close to Alice Springs is the unique Desert Park, home to the astonishingly rich wildlife of this desert landscape. As most of these creatures are nocturnal, a visit at dusk gives us a chance to observe them at their most active. We begin our evening visit with a pleasant barbecue dinner. After night falls, in small groups and guided by a ranger, we come face to face with endangered and uniquely Australian wildlife, such as Mala, Bilby and Bandicoot.
Breakfast and barbecue dinner included
Today we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Alice Springs. Visits include the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the School of the Air and the Old Telegraph Station, now a museum and the site of the old springs from which Alice gets its name. Later, we travel to the airport and bidding a final farewell to the outback, board flight to Adelaide in South Australia. On arrival, we transfer to the Peppers Waymouth Hotel, our home for the next three nights. Tonight, we dine together at the hotel’s restaurant.
Breakfast and dinner
Surrounded by grassy parkland, picturesque hills and the Mount Lofty Range, Adelaide could scarcely present a more captivating aspect. This morning, we are introduced to Adelaide’s streets, fine Victorian buildings and its attractive parks and gardens. Leaving the city, we travel to Mount Lofty lookout, before continuing to Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, the quaint village of Hahndorf, with its tree-lined streets and original ‘Fachwerk’ buildings. Returning towards the city, our final stop of the day is the Cleland Wildlife Park. With a beautiful natural bush setting, Cleland offers the opportunity to discover and interact with kangaroos and wallabies, and observe koalas, wombats and even the elusive echidna.
Breakfast
A Freedom Day to spend as we please. Discover Adelaide on foot or perhaps enjoy a visit to one of Australia’s famed wine-growing regions, the Barossa Valley, to partake in wine tastings and lunch at one of the local wineries. Alternatively, you may wish to visit Kangaroo Island. Situated off the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Islands offers a unique touring experience combining friendly, native wildlife with natural, unspoilt wilderness.
Breakfast
We Recommend – Barossa Valley
Experience some of Australia’s fi nest wines and a leisurely lunch on a tour of this famous wine-growing region.
This morning, we make our way to Adelaide Airport in time for our flight to Sydney, the sparkling harbour city of New South Wales. Sydney is a city that takes full advantage of its natural setting – its famous harbour host to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the spectacular Sydney Opera House. Sydney’s suburbs are blessed with lush native bushland and pristine sandy beaches. Add to this the excellent restaurants and cafés, endless shopping opportunities and a vibrant culture and it’s very easy to understand why Sydney is one of the world’s favourite cities. Upon arrival we head to the View Hotel, where we will spend our final three nights in Australia.
Breakfast
Tour Highlight
Following breakfast, we begin our exploration of Sydney. Our first stop is Sydney Opera House where we enjoy a guided tour of this iconic building. The Royal Botanic Gardens are Australia’s oldest botanic gardens and command an enviable location in the heart of Sydney, overlooking the harbour. We are joined by an Aboriginal guide as we wander through the grounds, listening to stories of Gadigal lifestyle, traditions and history. Later, we drive out to some of Sydney’s most fashionable inner-city suburbs, such as Double and Rose Bay, en-route to Watson’s Bay. Here, at the harbour’s entrance, take in the fresh salty air and brilliant vistas of towering cliffs on one side, and the imposing city skyline in the distance on the other. We visit the most famous of Sydney’s city beaches – Bondi – before we make our way back to the city centre. As twilight falls, perhaps take the opportunity to climb the impressive Harbour Bridge.
Breakfast
Our final day in Sydney is free for independent exploration. Enjoy Sydney’s retail scene, wander the streets and boutiques of the historic Rocks area, or perhaps take an optional trip to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are a perfect example of native Australian bushland, with gum trees, majestic peaks and deep gorges stretching as far as the eye can see.
Tour Highlight
On our final evening in Australia, we head to the harbour for a magical dinner cruise. As the sun sets and the city’s iconic attractions light up the night, enjoy a three-course meal made with beautiful New South Wales and Australian ingredients, as we cruise along this famed harbour. Dinner is accompanied by a selection of beers, great regional wines and soft drinks along with tea and coffee. The evening will be a truly memorable way to bring our time in Australia to a close.
Breakfast and dinner with selected drinks
All good things must come to an end, and this morning we transfer to Sydney Airport. Our flights with Singapore Airlines will travel via Singapore.
Breakfast, in-flight meals and drinks
If you would like to stopover on your way home we have sensational stopovers available from £475 per person, for a stay in Singapore or Sentosa Island. For more information on stopover prices, please call for details.
Breakfast is served shortly before our arrival into London Heathrow or Manchester, bringing to an end our wonderful tour.
In-flight meals and drinks
Save £200 per person on our Contrasts of Australia tour departing from October 2025 when you book by 30th November 2024.
Departure date | Price (pp) | Availability | Offer |
2025 | |||
21 October | JUST LAUNCHED | SAVE £200 per person | |
2026 | |||
03 February | JUST LAUNCHED | SAVE £200 per person | |
17 March | JUST LAUNCHED | SAVE £200 per person |
Prices: Prices are per person based on one person in a twin or double room. No single occupancy supplements apply.
Deposit: £1,000 per person if travelling in Economy Class, £1,950 per person if travelling in Premium Economy, and £3,750 per person for Business Class.
Flight upgrades: Upgrade to Premium Economy on selected routes from £2,295 per person return. Upgrade to Business Class from £4,995 per person return.
Visa: An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required to enter Australia. A processing fee of £35 per person will be added to your confirmation invoice.
Important Information: Prices and flight upgrades are subject to fuel surcharges and the availability of flights. The correct price will be confirmed before you book. Full Booking Conditions are available here.
Our escorted holidays to Australia are designed to include must-see sights and memorable experiences in your tour price. And our Essential Australia tour is no exception as so much of what you will experience is already included in the price. That’s all your scheduled international flights, overseas transfers, expertly chosen hotels, daily breakfast and several other meals too, experienced local Tour Manager and several amazing excursions, already paid for.
At Distant Journeys we understand the importance of a good hotel on a touring holiday and we take great pride in choosing the hotels and accommodation you will be staying in during your Australia group tour. Our travel experts personally take charge of finding the hotels that have a great location and are high quality too — the two most important considerations on any touring holiday to Australia. These are the hotels we’ve chosen for you.
ALL HOTELSThroughout your Australia tour holiday, we want you to enjoy a good mix of visits to must-see landmarks and leisure time to experience your destinations in a way that suits you. For example, you might like to try an adventurous activity like climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge or, in Perth, a relaxing cruise to the wineries along the lovely Swan River. Thanks to our Freedom Days, you’ll have the chance to choose an experience that interests you most.
The majority of optional excursions will be booked locally with your Tour Manager, but there are some that must be pre-booked before you depart the UK due to limited space. We suggest these are pre-booked at least 3 months prior to departure and no later than 30 days prior. Any requests later than 30 days will be subject to a 5% surcharge when confirmed. Correct prices will be advised at the time of booking.
If you’ve taken advantage of one of our sensational stopover offers on your journey home from Australia, you may want to make the most of your short stay in these exciting destinations by taking an optional excursion or two.
We begin our day with a stunning journey on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Take in the world’s oldest rainforest as you glide silently over this pristine jungle canopy that has remained relatively unchanged for 130 million years.
From AUD $260 (approx. GBP £133) Read More >Enjoy a day exploring the rainforest and amazing landscapes of the Cape Tribulation wilderness area. In the morning visit the Mossman Gorge Gateway Centre and enjoy an indigenous presentation by the traditional owners of the gorge, the Kuku Yalanji people, before boarding your eco shuttle for the transfer into Mossman Gorge.
From AUD $271 (approx. GBP £138) Read More >Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is the best place to see crocodiles and local wildlife in Queensland and is situated just 40 minutes’ drive north of Cairns. Your excursion price includes return transport from Cairns and the admission fee.
From AUD $99 (approx. GBP £51) Read More >A popular evening choice is our Sunset Dinner cruise. Departing from Marlin Marina, an evening dinner cruise on the Spirit of Cairns takes you along Cairns’ waterfront and Esplanade and onwards into the calm waters of Trinity Inlet and its many tributaries.
From AUD $129 (approx. GBP £66) Read More >Hot air ballooning in Cairns, Australia, is a popular and exhilarating experience. The Atherton Tablelands, also known as the Cairns Highlands, is a much-admired destination for visitors from all around the world.
From AUD $440 (approx. GBP £224) Read More >Enjoy the short and scenic drive through the beautiful Adelaide Hills on route to the iconic wine tasting region of McLaren Vale.Once in McLaren Vale our first stop is the stunning Chapel Hill Winery.
From AUD $89 (approx. GBP £46) Read More >Kangaroo Island Australia is South Australia’s premier nature-based tourism destination. Your Kangaroo Island tour from Adelaide begins early morning when you take a scenic coach journey to Cape Jervis taking in the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula with its vineyards, coastal views and rolling hills.
From AUD $373 (approx. GBP £190) Read More >Travel from Adelaide through the Adelaide Hills with a stop at the Whispering Wall, famous for its acoustic qualities. Visit the beautiful and historic winery of Château Yaldara, one of the most photographed buildings in South Australia.
From AUD $179 (approx. GBP £91) Read More >The Murray River tour departs Adelaide and travels to the mighty Murray River. On your arrival, board the MV Proud Mary and relax as you cruise the historic river enjoying the wildlife and surrounding scenery.
From AUD $191 (approx. GBP £98) Read More >Experience Sydney like a local on the Harbour highway. With the option for a one day pass or a two day pass giving you the flexibility to hop on hop off at your convenience. This optional includes entrance to Taronga Zoo situated on the shores of Sydney Harbour offering stunning views of the city skyline and the iconic Sydney Opera House.
From AUD $79 (approx. GBP £40) Read More >Experience Sydney like a local on the Harbour highway. With the option for a one day pass or a two day pass giving you the flexibility to hop on hop off at your convenience. This optional includes entrance to Taronga Zoo situated on the shores of Sydney Harbour offering stunning views of the city skyline and the iconic Sydney Opera House.
From AUD $79 (approx. GBP £40) Read More >Explore this million-acre World Heritage-listed area. This tour takes you away from the obvious tourist traps to show you the Blue Mountains from an insider’s perspective – from secluded lookouts, rainforest bush tracks and pristine valleys You still see all the main sights, like the fascinating Three Sisters, but you will be taken to the smaller lookouts where you’ll hopefully be the only ones enjoying the view. Peaceful bushwalks enhance the experience.
From AUD $250 (approx. GBP £128) Read More >Prepare to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge on this exhilarating excursion. Known to Sydneysiders as ‘The Coathanger’, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world’s largest (but not longest) steel arch bridge. Connecting the northern and southern shores of Sydney’s sparkling harbour, the Bridge is an instantly recognisable symbol of Australia.
From AUD $354 (approx. GBP £180) Read More >The Sydney Opera House is a must-see landmark during your time in Australia. On this tour, you can take in all the mystery and majesty of the Australian icon on a one-hour VIP Sydney Opera House Tour. Discover the stories and secrets behind the commissioning, construction and controversy surrounding Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece.
From AUD $45 (approx. GBP £23) Read More >Enjoy Sydney from the best possible vantage point – by air. You will take a spectacular 20 minute flight in a luxury helicopter, including return transfers from your hotel. The flight begins from a private lounge at Sydney’s Mascot Airport, and heads out to the coast, giving you a bird’s eye view of some of the amazing luxury homes that nestle above the dramatic cliffs along Maroubra and Coogee.
From AUD $240 (approx. GBP £123) Read More >To truly experience the vibrant heartbeat of Singapore, immerse yourself in the pulsating urban life of the Civic District. A heady blend of old and new, the precinct is home to a trove of cultural gems, hip bars and unforgettable feasts.
From SGD $168 (approx. GBP £99) Read More >Chinatown has come a long way since the early days when Chinese immigrants made this enclave their home. Filled with a sprawling myriad of shops and eateries, bustling with colourful and exciting activities set against a backdrop of rich history and heritage, Chinatown is not to be missed, especially in the evening when everything really comes alive.
From SGD $168 (approx. GBP £99) Read More >Discover birds-eye view of the city and Marina Bay from the top of Marina's Bay Sand's Skypark. Enjoy one complimentary drink at CÉ LA VI Kiosk, Level 56, Marina Bay Sands Skypark, Hotel Tower 3. Experience the breath-taking view of the city lights, before moving onto the picturesque Marina Bay area where you experience Gardens by the Bay under the moonlit sky.
From SGD $168 (approx. GBP £99) Read More >Highlights: Afternoon Tea at Raffles Tour Description: The Afternoon Tea ritual, much like Raffles Hotel, Singapore, was fashioned in the 19th century. A cherished tradition since its founding in Great...
From SGD $118 (approx. GBP £70) Read More >Recently voted one of the Top 10 Indoor Gardens of the World, the Gardens by the Bay is also Singapore’s number 1 attraction according to Trip Advisor. Featuring more than 1 million plants from more than 5,000 species, Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is a must-see destination filled with wonders from around the world.
From SGD $60 (approx. GBP £36) Read More >The Singapore Night Safari is world’s first. Set in 40 hectares of secondary jungle, the mystery and drama of the tropical jungle after dusk unfolds at the Singapore Zoo Night Safari.
From SGD $148 (approx. GBP £87) Read More >Early Booking Offer
SAVE £200 per person on your Contrasts of Australia Tour when booked by 30th November 2024. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
Contrasts of Australia is a new itinerary with departures starting in late 2025. This page will be updated with reviews as soon as our returning customers are contacted by the independent reviews company Feefo. In the meantime, please feel free to look at the reviews for our other tours – we’re sure you will be impressed with the service our guests receive and the great reviews they kindly give us!
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A wonderful experience from start to finish, everything was so well organised and we couldn’t fault any part of the holiday. We will never forget our amazing Australian adventure.
Can’t imagine a better way to tour Australia. The hotels were all excellent. Extremely well organized throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed every single day.
Australia is stunning and we had a first class introduction to it with Distant Journeys. So many different experiences.
Distant Journeys has won 18 awards over the last seven years, at the British Travel Awards, and we have been awarded Feefo’s highest Platinum Trusted Rating for customer satisfaction.
Know you are paying the best price for your holiday with our Price Promise. We never offer last minute discounts and we guarantee the earlier you book the better the offer you’ll receive.
Book in the confidence your money is 100% safe. All Distant Journeys holidays are fully bonded by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 10913) or ABTOT (number 5427).
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