Essential Australia

Unless travelling on the non-stop Qantas flight from London Heathrow to Perth, all flights with Qantas & Emirates to Perth travel via Dubai. After clearing customs and collecting our luggage, we board our waiting coach and transfer to the centrally-located Novotel Perth Langley Hotel.

Named the ‘friendly city’ by tourists from all over the world, Perth is the world’s most isolated city. Following breakfast, we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travellers to find out more about our adventure ahead. Later, we enjoy the perfect introduction to Australia’s native wildlife, during a visit to Caversham Wildlife Park. The park showcases many of Australia’s unique and iconic animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, Tasmanian devils and wombats. We finish our day at the city’s famed Kings Park, where there are wonderful views over the city as well as the park’s own wild flowers and bushland.

Today we take a tour of this coastal city and explore the variety of sights it has to offer. Our day begins with a cruise along the scenic Swan River towards the delightful port town of Fremantle. Here we discover more about the many ships that have wrecked off the coast of Western Australia at the Shipwreck Galleries. Later we return to Perth via delightful Cottesloe Beach.

This is our first Freedom Day, where we can choose to relax or explore as we please. Perhaps take an optional trip to visit the fascinating limestone formations known as the Pinnacles, or make the short journey to Rottnest Island, a protected nature reserve home to the small wallaby-like marsupial, the quokka. Alternatively, visit the Swan Valley, Western Australia’s oldest wine area.

In the morning, we make our way to Perth Airport in time for our flight to Melbourne. On arrival, we transfer to either the centrally-located Clarion Gateway Suites or the Vibe Hotel Melbourne Docklands, where we will stay for the next three nights.

We take a first look at Melbourne on a sightseeing tour. Sights include Treasury Gardens, Victoria Markets, Federation Square, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Rod Laver Arena. Later, we head out of the city to see the waterside suburbs of St. Kilda and Port Melbourne. This afternoon, why not consider a trip to Phillip Island, home to the world’s largest colony of Fairy Penguins, to view the Penguin Parade?

A Freedom Day in Melbourne, so we may relax or explore as we please. We have the opportunity to enjoy an optional tour along one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives, the renowned Great Ocean Road. The full day optional tour meanders along the dramatic southwest coastline of Victoria to the impressive Twelve Apostles. Alternatively, take the Puffing Billy steam train through the Blue Dandenong Ranges.

Sadly, we must say goodbye to Melbourne, but we will be consoled by the beauty of tropical Queensland which awaits. We return to Melbourne Airport in time for our flight to Cairns. Upon arrival we transfer to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, our home for the next four nights.

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. During our journey up to Kuranda we encounter no fewer than 40 bridges and 15 tunnels as we make our way to Cairns. ‘The village in the rainforest’, Kuranda, 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 the Rainforestation Nature Park, 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 stunning views out over the Cairns coastline.

Another Freedom Day to enjoy tropical northern Queensland. Cairns has numerous interesting museums and art galleries to explore. If you prefer to venture further afield, we suggest a day trip to the nearby Daintree Rainforest. The tour includes a visit to beautiful Mossman Gorge and a cruise spotting saltwater crocodiles. Alternatively, take a trip to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, a 10-hectare wildlife sanctuary located between Cairns and Port Douglas; delight in an early morning hot air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands; or perhaps finish your day with a sunset dinner cruise.

This morning, we make our way to Cairns Airport in time for our flight to Australia’s Red Centre and the next leg of our exciting journey. Dating back some 300 million years, we may have the opportunity to catch our first glimpse of Uluru from our aircraft as we make our approach. Upon arrival, we travel to Uluru where we embark on a tour around its base and learn of its historical and cultural importance. We continue our day with a visit to the impressive series of rounded sandstone domes known as the Olgas. In the evening, relax with a glass of sparkling wine whilst witnessing the changing colours as the sun begins to set – it’s truly a photographer’s delight. Our accommodation tonight is the friendly Outback Hotel & Lodge.

Uluru is the icon of Australia’s outback, and the world’s largest monolith. For early risers, a dawn visit to the rock has been arranged. Seeing Uluru at sunrise, from a different position and a different light, offers a totally new perspective on the ever-changing colours and character of the rock. Later, we travel to the airport, where we board our flight to Sydney. Upon arrival we transfer to either the View Hotel Sydney or Park Royal Darling Harbour, home for the next four nights.

A Freedom Day in Sydney. For those that so desire, we shall 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. Experience the panoramas from a series of lookouts, including Echo Point – the prime position to view the Three Sisters rock formation. The excursion also visits the pretty village of Leura and includes afternoon tea at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel.

Today will be a further Freedom Day to experience Sydney in a way that suits you. Join an optional behind the scenes tour of Sydney Opera House or take a scenic helicopter flight over Sydney’s spectacular skyline. Why not catch up on some shopping in Sydney’s fantastic boutiques or possibly climb the impressive Harbour Bridge? Whatever you wish to do, our Tour Manager will be very happy to assist.

The day is your own until it’s time to depart for the airport. Our flights to our chosen UK airport operate via Dubai or Singapore, where there will be a change of aircraft.

This morning, we arrive into our chosen airport (London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow), bringing to an end our incredible adventure.