13 DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF AUSTRALIA TOUR One of our most popular Australia escorted tour itineraries. Australia Escorted 13 Day. Fully escorted 13 day Highlights of Australia, a Two Week Australia Itinerary. Best Australia vacation!

Explore the highlights of Australia including the city sights of Melbourne, Sydney & Cairns with visits to the Barrier Reef, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. One of our best selling trips to Australia.

Spectacular sightseeing experiences: Discover Melbourne See the sights of Alice Springs Royal Flying Doctor Service School of the Air Historic Telegraph Station Sunset Sunrise at Uluru Walk through Walpa Gorge Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) Great Barrier Reef cruise See coral and fish on the reef Relax in tropical Cairns Explore Cairns Wildlife Dome See Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Opera House Cruise on Sydney Harbour Day to explore Sydney

Day 1 Welcome to Melbourne
Get to know your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening at a Welcome Reception and dinner at a restaurant by the waterfront.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights
Included Meals: Dinner with wine

Day 2 Melbourne
Explore Melbourne on a city sights tour this morning, then discover its gracious arcades, eclectic laneways and vibrant street art on a private walking tour. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You might like to take an optional experience to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade, where the world’s smallest penguins return from the ocean and waddle endearingly up the wide beach to their sand-dune burrows. Or you may prefer to simply relax, explore the galleries, or experience some of the city’s celebrated eateries.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Melbourne Free Time
Today is free for you to further explore the delights of Melbourne. Alternatively, you could take an optional experience along the renowned Great Ocean Road to discover a stunning coastline and the towering limestone arches of the Twelve Apostles. In the evening, you might like to take in a production at one of Melbourne’s renowned theaters.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Melbourne – Alice Springs
Fly to Alice Springs this morning and visit the unique School of the Air to learn how this school-with-a-difference delivers education to children living in remote outback areas. Pause at the headquarters of the iconic Royal Flying Doctor Service, celebrated for providing a ‘mantle of safety’ in the outback for almost a century. This evening, join the Falzon family at Earth Sanctury World Nature Center for a home-cooked gourmet Be My Guest BBQ dinner. Later, listen as brothers Tom and Danny speak of their passion for ecology, astronomy and local culture.
Hotel: Mercure Alice Springs Resort
Included Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Dinner

Day 5 Alice Springs – Uluru
Travel through the red quartzite peaks and gorges of the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges today, then spend the afternoon relaxing or enjoying your resort’s facilities. Sparkling wine is served this evening as you watch the sun set behind the massive sandstone monolith of Uluru.
Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Uluru & Kata Tjuta
This morning, witness the magical Uluru sunrise, then tour the caves at the base of Uluru and marvel at the ancient rock art to be found there. Later, travel over red desert plains to Kata Tjuta, and take a walk at Walpa Gorge through two of the tallest domes of this majestic rock formation. Enjoy sparkling wine with your traveling companions as the sun sets over Kata Tjuta.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Uluru - Cairns
Rise early to experience the ethereal Field of Light art installation. Wander through the paths surounding 50,000 hand-crafted frosted glass spheres of light. As the sun rises, join your fellow travelers on top of a sand dune to watch the desert awakening over Uluru. Meet an Indigenous artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. Your Anangu artist will provide you with cultural insights, explaining the meanings of local totems and assisting you to complete your own painting to take home as a memento of your experience. In the afternoon board your flight to tropical Cairns.
Hotel: Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns, 3 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Cairns Free Time
Today is free for you to pursue your own interests in this vibrant tropical city. You may choose to gain some insights into Indigenous culture at the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, or travel to Kuranda, the ‘village in the rainforest’ on the historic Scenic Rail. Alternatively, just relax and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Great Barrier Reef
Board a sleek, high-speed catamaran today and cruise out to the natural wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkeling (equipment provided), or view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board before you return to Cairns. After some time to relax, join your traveling companions for an evening meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with wine

Day 10 Cairns - Sydney
After a leisurely start, this afternoon fly on to Sydney, where your evening is at leisure.
Hotel: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney, 3 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 Sydney
Visit legendary Bondi Beach then head to the iconic Sydney Opera House for a privately guided tour with a local guide. Enjoy lunch aboard one of Sydney Harbor’s premier cruise vessels, then spend the rest of your day exploring the city at your leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 Sydney Free Time
Today is yours for further exploration of Sydney. The energetic might tackle the iconic Sydney Harbor BridgeClimb, or perhaps you’d prefer to take an excursion to the majestic Blue Mountains to see the soaring Three Sisters rock formation. Celebrate your vacation with your Travel Director and companions at a Farewell Dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 13 Farewell from Sydney
Say farewell when your vacation comes to an end this morning after breakfast.
Included Meals: Breakfast

WHAT'S INCLUDED?