Country
Australia
Duration
9 Days/8 Nights
Travel Type
Escorted Tour
 

Highlights

  • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
  • 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House

  • With AAT Kings

    There’s no denying Australia’s diversity. This Melbourne to Sydney tour invites you to glimpse a full range of natural attractions, whether two World Heritage Sites in Cairns (the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of Queensland) or the eye-popping, art-clad laneways of Melbourne and architectural marvel of Sydney Opera House. Wherever you venture, expect to discover First Nations culture.

    Inclusions

    8-night accommodation in double occupancy
    Return airport transfers
    Travel by luxury coach
    English-speaking experienced travel director and driver guide
    14 meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners with wine and 1 farewell dinner
    Visits and sightseeing as per itinerary

    Exclusions

    Not included – International/domestic flights and airport taxes – Pre-night in Sydney – Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides and drivers – Optional excursions – Beverages unless noted in the itinerary – Any other services not specified in the inclusions.

    1

    DAY 1 MELBOURNE

    Welcome to Melbourne! On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and dinner at the South Wharf riverside pub, The General Assembly. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting!

    Meals : Dinner

    Accommodation : Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 4* for 2 nights or similar

    2

    DAY 2 MELBOURNE

    Join your Travel Director for a city sights tour that includes a private walk-through Melbourne’s famous hidden laneways. You’ll discover the city’s eclectic little lanes, arcades, café society and fascinating street art. There’s time afterwards to explore the city on your own, enjoy an optional experience or simply relax and watch the world go by.

    Meals : Breakfast

    3

    DAY 3 MELBOURNE - CAIRNS

    Things start to heat up in Cairns, the heart of Tropical North Queensland. Jump aboard a cruise at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures to discover some of the wildlife that calls this part of the state home, koalas, wallabies and crocs among them, before helping protect their habitats by planting trees as part of our Rainforest Restoration project. Talk about a feel-good day.

    Meals : Breakfast

    Accommodation : Hilton Hotel Cairns, 5* for 3 nights or similar

    4

    DAY 4 CAIRNS · GREAT BARRIER REEF · CAIRNS

    Get ready for an experience of a lifetime - board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided) or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft, just one metre underwater. On board you’ll be treated to lunch before you cruise back to Cairns.

    Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

    5

    DAY 5 CAIRNS

    Today is a free day to do as you choose. A great option is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, be amazed as you travel over and through World Heritage rainforest, explore quaint Kuranda village and later board the Kuranda Scenic Rail for this historic rail journey. If you’d prefer to spend the day relaxing by your hotel pool or sitting back at a local café you can do that too! In the evening re-join your travelling companions for a dining experience at Ochre Restaurant.

    Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

    6

    DAY 6 CAIRNS · SYDNEY

    Following a leisurely start to the morning it’s time to switch the tropical vibes back to city highlights as you fly to Sydney. Check into your centrally located hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring as you wish. Ask your Travel Director for sightseeing and dinner suggestions.

    Meals : Breakfast

    Accommodation : Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, 5* for 3 nights or similar

    7

    DAY 7 SYDNEY

    Discover one of the great highlights of Sydney, the beautiful Sydney Opera House, on a guided tour inside this iconic building before experiencing the beauty of the city aboard a sightseeing harbour cruise sailing past Circular Quay, Shark Island, magnificent homes, beaches and parkland, and the iconic Harbour Bridge. If there ever was a place that slipped from the pages of a fairy-tale, Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay is it. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, this pocket of floral paradise is explained by a local volunteer – did you know this was once unused wasteland? Take a walk around the grounds among the shrubs, herbs, and towering trees lining meandering paths, eyes peeled for the resident parrots, gulls, kookaburras and wagtails. Your visit provides a contribution to the ongoing maintenance of the enchanting garden.

    Meals : Breakfast

    8

    DAY 8 SYDNEY

    The day is yours to explore at your leisure or book one of our hand crafted selection of optional activities. There are so many sights and experiences to be had in this city and further afield. This evening you can share your stories of your day with your fellow travellers at your Farewell Dinner.

    Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

    9

    DAY 9 FAREWELL FROM SYDNEY

    All good things must come to an end. Fill up on your last breakfast before bidding farewell to your fellow travel companions.

    Meals : Breakfast

    HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

    Melbourne

    Crowne Plaza, 4*

    Cairns

    Hilton Hotel, 5*

    Sydney

    Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, 5*

    Rates in CA$, per person starting from, double occupancy

    Land Package
    Departures 2024-2025-2026 4* and 5*
    March 7, 2024 5810
    March 21, 2024 LAST MINUTE SALE 5810 5065
    April 11, 2024 6455
    June 27, 2024 5918
    September 26, October 10, 2024 6187
    November 7, 2024 6443
    November 21, 2024 6725
    November 28, 2024 6161
    December 5, 12, 2024 6725
    January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 6725
    April 10, May 8, June 26, August 28, September 25, October 9, 2025 6775
    November 6, 20, 27, December 4, 11, 2025 7050
    January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, March 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026 7050
       
    Single room supplement On request

    **Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

    Contrasts of Australia – Detailed itinerary
    Contrasts of Australia – Detailed itinerary