Duration: 23 days
Begins: Adelaide
Ends: Sydney
Trip Code: OAAS
Hotels/motels (20 nts), rainforest cabin (2 nts).
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Allow USD1155-1505 for meals not included.
Private vehicle, ferry, boat, plane, walking.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome meeting.
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore your surroundings.
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Breakfast | Dinner
Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Visit the culturally significant MacKenzie Falls for a short hike. Walk to the stunning Balconies, then spend the afternoon relaxing with the locals - our resident wild kangaroos and emus.
MacKenzie Falls is the only waterway in the region that flows year-round and it is also the most visited waterfall in the Grampians; take a short walk and check out the falls out from a viewing platform. In Spring, see wonderful wildflowers in bloom along the path.
Set off from the Reed Lookout overlooking Victoria Valley, and enjoy a short walk with beautiful scenery to the Balconies, formerly called the Jaws of Death. Check out the gorgeous view, but be careful not to lean too far over the edge!
Spend this afternoon exploring the local area.
Breakfast
Travel south to the ancient volcanic crater of Tower Hill, with the opportunity to spot some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife. Afterwards, begin your journey along the Great Ocean Road as far as the township of Port Campbell.
Visit Tower Hill State Wildlife Reserve west of Warrnambool for a chance to see animals endemic to Australia such as koalas, emus and kangaroos. Learn more about this large volcanic crater and wetland and the role it plays in Indigenous history.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Breakfast
Spend the day exploring the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and surrounding natural attractions. Opt for a walk along any number of short paths available to immerse yourself in nature. If the luck of weather is on your side, round out the day by watching the light become golden over the Twelve Apostles on the drive to Port Campbell.
Enjoy an excursion along the Great Ocean Road showcasing some of Australia's most scenic coastal views.
Located along the Great Ocean Road, beautiful Loch Ard Gorge shows the process of erosion in action. See offshore stacks and blowholes, and watch short tailed shearwaters soar over the nearby island. This location is a perfect backdrop for a group photo. Get snapping!
Stop at a scenic lookout point along the Great Ocean Road and capture the beautiful views over the ocean and the 12 Apostles. Now with only seven formations still standing, these iconic attractions were once limestone caves which eroded to become arches and eventually stacks up to 45m (147 ft) in height.
Spend the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park. Travel by ferry across Port Phillip to the Mornington Peninsula.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Take in the beautiful greenery of the Great Otway National Park on a leisurely walk with your CEO.
Spend the morning exploring the Mornington Peninsula, including a visit to Cape Schanck. In the afternoon, opt to visit a winery or relax and enjoy yourself at one of the many incredible beaches in the area.
Although fairly small in size, the Mornington Peninsula packs a big punch with the amount of things to do here. Be awed with the stunning coastal scenery while driving through quaint towns and past stunning beaches.
Cape Schanck is located at the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula. Visit the rugged coastline with its cliff faces and rocky outcrops. This area provides visitors with an insight into the area's maritime history and plenty of scenic walks featuring ocean views. The lighthouse was built in 1859 and stands as the second coastal lighthouse in the Australian state of Victoria.
Get out and explore the stunning Mornington Peninsula.
Continue on to Melbourne but first make a few stops along the way. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Stop to check out some of the famous bathing boxes that Port Phillip Bay is known for. These one-room "mini-cabins" are owned by families to store belongings on their favourite beach. Snap some photos of these brightly coloured boxes and breathe in the fresh ocean air.
Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture, and pick up some great pointers for your free afternoon of exploration.
There's lots to see and do - get out there and explore!
Discover the small laneways packed with shops, cafés and restaurants that make Melbourne so unique. Grab a delicious barista coffee to-go (which no trip to Melbourne would be complete without!), and set out to experience Melbourne's laneways with an expert local host. Journey through this 'secret city,' seeing local hotspots and incredible street art while learning about the city's history.
Fly to the oceanside city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
Travel 1.5 hrs to Mossman Gorge. Later, continue 2 hrs to Cape Tribulation.
Take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Follow an Indigenous guide and learn about bush food, medicinal plants and the lasting relationship of the Kuku Yalanji people with their natural environment. Find out how to make bush soap, watch an ochre painting demonstration and sample some bush tea.
Breakfast | Lunch
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
Head out and start exploring.
Hop on a boat and head out to sea to reach the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Don a mask and opt to snorkel the largest coral reef in the world. Say g'day to Nemo, the clown fish, and some of the 1,500 other species of tropical fish that thrive in the warm waters off Australia's east coast.
Step back in time in this lush tropical rainforest, reported to be more than 110 million years old! Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 430 species of birds, including the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher and flightless cassowary. On the ground, look for possums, bandicoots, echidna and musky rat kangaroo. Discover why the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people consider this a spiritual and cultural significant place.
Once the sun goes down, grab a torch and head out into the jungle for a guided night walk. With your guide you'll spot various critters who call this region home. Keep your eyes peeled for sleeping bats, birds, lizards and spiders as you listen to the sounds of the rainforest at night.
Breakfast
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas and opt to have lunch at a local market.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Make the most of a few hours in this city.
Breakfast
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Breakfast
Spend the day out on the water boating around the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.
Enjoy a day out on the water amidst some of the 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsunday archipelago. Visit Whitehaven Beach, jump overboard for a quick refreshing dip, and make friends with the tropical fish that thrive within Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
The Whitsunday Islands are in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the day out on a boat cruising through the waters around the islands. Then, when it gets too hot, pull on a mask and snorkel and dive overboard to check out the variety of brightly coloured marine plants, coral and fish that thrive right in these warm tropical waters.
Take advantage of the included snorkel gear, throw on a mask and see what lives in the Great Barrier Reef. (Note that fins are not provided in order to adhere with local coral conservation efforts.)
Lunch
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Spend a free morning exploring Byron or opt to prebook a kayaking tour. In the afternoon, you'll head to the beach for a surf lesson with a trained surf instructor. Enjoy a few hours of instruction before hitting the waves for some practice rides.
Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional experience on your tour.
Hit the beach and get ready to hang ten with a surf lesson from trained surf instructors. Spend some time in the water getting friendly with the waves, practice paddling, then pop up to balance on the wider, softer beginner boards. Too easy.
Enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of Byron Bay from an eagle's perspective this morning. Suit up, get briefed, and board the prop plane to soar high about the land and sea. Strap onto your instructor, take a breath, and leap into a once-in-a-lifetime free fall. This is what a natural high truly feels like!
Please note: There is a $35.00 AUD fee paid locally (Australian Parachute Federation Levy)
Cape Byron Lighthouse is 3km (1.9 mi) northeast of Byron Bay. The popular white structure emits the most powerful light of all working lighthouses in the country, and it's also located at the most easterly point of the Australian continent. Head up to the top of the tower to scan the ocean for whales (the Southern Cross University's Whale Research Centre is located here).
Slice through the waters of the iconic Byron Bay in the morning on this half-day kayaking adventure. Paddle past the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, see the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, and ride the waves into shore. On top of it all, keep a close eye for dolphins and whales (in season) who call these waters home. Epic? Definitely. This activity is in the ocean and conditions can sometimes be rough due to weather. This is a very fun activity but first time kayakers may find this challenging.
Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.
Get out and explore this lazy beach town.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains today. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn’t matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you’ll still spot beauty around every turn.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Breakfast
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.
With charming Leura as your base, explore the major attractions of the Blue Mountains from sightseeing to bushwalking to cafés and more.
Take in some amazing lookouts over the Jamison Valley, via the iconic Three Sisters. Descend down the 900 step giant staircase to the valley floor. Walk amongst the beautiful forest to the steepest incline railway in the world — The Katoomba Scenic Railway. Opt to ride its 52-degrees angle or take the Scenic Cableway. If you're keen for more walking, and time permitting, take the 900 stairs back up.
This railway is steep and plunges into the rainforest and through the valley. The ride is scenically stunning. At the end, opt to take a rainforest walk or a cable car back to the visitor's centre.
This morning, leave the Blue Mountains behind and continue onward to Sydney. Once you arrive head out for an orientation walk before taking advantage of some free time to keep exploring. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Discover the highlights of Sydney on an orientation walk with the CEO. They will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Get out and explore.
Stroll along the waterfront to admire Sydney's most iconic landmark, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1973. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to discover its history, folklore, and more. Some two million people a year come to see concerts and cultural performances Opera House. Catch the boom of the grand organ–with more than 10,000 pipes, it took 10 years to build and is the largest mechanical organ in the world.
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.
Enjoy a free day to explore one of Australia's most exciting cities.
Go for a walk along one of the most iconic trails in Australia. Pass by secluded beaches, massive cliffs, and more breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean than imaginable – all before arriving at the world-famous Bondi Beach. From May to December, keep a keen eye on the ocean to try and spot migrating humpback whales.
Want an adrenaline rush? A jet boat is the way to go. Hold on and get ready for a white-water thrill while gorgeous scenery whizzes past. Explore Sydney Harbour, jetting by the Opera House, Harbour Islands and more!
Stroll along the waterfront to admire Sydney's most iconic landmark, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1973. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to discover its history, folklore, and more. Some two million people a year come to see concerts and cultural performances Opera House. Catch the boom of the grand organ–with more than 10,000 pipes, it took 10 years to build and is the largest mechanical organ in the world.
Depart at any time.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
dates start-End | Availability remaining spaces | Price Per Person | |
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Jan 2025 | |||
Tue, 28 Jan - Wed, 19 Feb | Sold out | ||
Feb 2025 | |||
Tue, 11 Feb - Wed, 05 Mar | Sold out | ||
Tue, 25 Feb - Wed, 19 Mar | Sold out | ||
Mar 2025 | |||
Tue, 18 Mar - Wed, 09 Apr | Sold out | ||
May 2025 | |||
Tue, 13 May - Wed, 04 Jun | 7 available | £5,529 | Request a quote |
10 days, From £2,899 pp
38 days, From £8,649 pp
23 days, From £5,999 pp
10 days, From £2,149 pp
38 days, From £9,299 pp