Australia is a land of glaring contrasts: vast red deserts, tropical rainforests, turquoise oceans alive with coral, and pulsating cities replete with art and cutting-edge design. Discover them all as you meet endangered species, partake in indigenous culture, explore UNESCO World Heritage sights, and learn of the nation’s history over 15 unforgettable days. If you've ever thought about visiting Australia, this is the way to experience her.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Melbourne – Welcome to the World’s Most Livable City
Melbourne is an overachiever. Not only is this vibrant city renowned for its cuisine, artisan coffee culture, fashion boutiques and art galleries, but it has also been deemed one of the world’s most livable cities. Head for the southeastern beachside suburb of St Kilda and walk barefoot along its beach, sip an iced coffee in one its many cafes or venture into Luna Park — a historic amusement park dating back to 1912. Stop by Toorak on the way back and see what one of Australia’s richest suburbs looks like. Alternatively, you could meander through the city. Stroll past Flinders Street Station whose magnificent Victorian façade earned it a place on the Victorian Heritage Register, admire the decorative spire of St Paul’s Cathedral then consider the unusual “shard” architectural design of Federation Square. It was and remains a point of controversy among Melbournians. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, take advantage of Melbourne’s famous shopping: peruse its arcades, browse the luxury stores on Chapel Street or hunt for bargains at the factory outlets lining Bridge Road in Richmond. Finish with a sunset view of the city from the Eureka Skydeck 88 — Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform.
What's Included:
Day 2
Melbourne – Discover Melbourne Old and New
Day 3
Melbourne – See the Iconic Penguin Parade
Day 4
Adelaide – Visit Australia’s Oldest German Settlement
Day 5
Kangaroo Island – Frolic with Kangaroos
Day 6
Adelaide – Caves, Remarkable Rocks and 1200 Ewes
Day 7
Uluru – Dine with the World’s Biggest Monolith
Day 8
Uluru – “The Red Center”
Day 9
Cairns – Discover Tropical Paradise
Day 10
Port Douglas – Explore the Great Barrier Reef
Day 11
Cairns – A Day of Cultural Enlightenment
Day 12
Sydney –The Sydney of Legends
Day 13
Sydney – Explore Sydney Like a Local
Day 14
Sydney – Luxurious Blue Mountains 4WD Tour
Day 15
Sydney – Depart Sydney
Trip Highlights
- Stroll Melbourne’s city streets and find out what makes it the world’s most livable city
- Travel to Phillip Island and witness the iconic penguin parade
- Walk among the treetops at the Koala Conservation Centre and see koalas in their natural environment
- Visit Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and the Adelaide Hill wine country
- Take a ferry to Kangaroo Island, see some of South Australia’s most breathtaking sights and hand-feed kangaroos
- Witness the red center and dine under the desert skies in the celebrated “Sounds of Silence” dinner
- Indulge in a full-day cruise aboard a luxury catamaran and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
- Experience indigenous culture through stirring dances and bush skill demonstrations
- Acquaint yourself with famous Sydney landmarks, beaches and local hangouts
- Discover the UNESCO World Heritage listed Blue Mountains on a luxury 4WD tour
Detailed Description
Australia is a land of many quirks, contrasts and world-firsts. It’s home to an animal that looks like a duck crossed with a beaver (platypus), the world’s largest monolith and a coral reef that can be seen from the moon. Nowhere else in the world can you see an endangered koala in the wild, dine under the stars in the presence of Uluru or see performances by one of the world’s oldest living indigenous cultures. Couple that with vibrant cities filled with cutting-edge design and eco-friendly architecture and you have one incredible holiday.
Your 15-day journey will begin in Melbourne, where you’ll soak in the city’s juxtaposition of new and old as you tour its sights and dine on board a colonial tram. While in Victoria you’ll also head south to Phillip Island and experience the famous Penguin Parade. Adelaide and the South Australian wine country will await you next, as you discover the best of the city and the charms of Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Then you’ll be off to Kangaroo Island to hand-feed the iconic marsupials that reside there, sample one-of-a-kind eucalyptus oil, walk among endangered sea lions and admire postcard ocean views.
The scenery will change as you set off for the red center and dine under the stars in one of Australia’s most riveting experiences: the “Sounds of Silence” dinner. A morning hike down the Liru track and a bush skills demonstration will give you an insight into indigenous culture. Your next destination will be far north Queensland where you’ll explore the Great Barrier Reef from a luxury catamaran and the tropical rainforest from a historical train. Finally you’ll visit Sydney — Australia’s best known and largest city — where you’ll get a taste of its progressive urban lifestyle as well as the wild beauty of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains that lie just 90 kilometers west.
Starting Price
$6,200 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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