Stem the tide of tourist protocol rather than follow a generic postcard holiday, embark on something entirely different. This 11-day tour will show you Australia in a way most tourists never get a chance to see it. Take a scenic flight over the 12 Apostles, see kangaroos in the wild, try your hand at “fossicking” for gems, explore prehistoric lava tunnels, hike the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains and explore unique Great Barrier Reef sites in a true adventure that’ll stimulate the...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Melbourne - Welcome to Melbourne
As the capital of Victoria and Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne is a lively, multicultural urban center. Within Australia, Melbourne is celebrated for its diverse and gourmet dining scene, boutique shopping, coffee culture, and sophisticated taste in architecture.
Discover its charms as you settle into your hotel, hit the streets, and get better acquainted. Wander over to Flinders Street Station, a magnificent French renaissance-style building which has the distinction of being the first train station in an Australian city, then walk to Federation Square, a brilliant civic center and cultural precinct. Weigh in on the controversy surrounding its intriguing “shard” architectural design, watch a live show or see some of the 20,000 Australian artworks at the Ian Potter Centre. Finally, stroll along the Yarra River, stopping at local cafes along the way.
What's Included:
Day 2
Melbourne - See the Sights with a Local
Day 3
Melbourne - Discover the Great Ocean Road
Day 4
Cairns - Visit The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
Day 5
Undara Volcanic National Park - The Gulf Savannah Country and Undara Volcanic National Park
Day 6
Cairns - Explore the Lava Tubes of Undara Volcanic National Park
Day 7
Cairns - Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
Day 8
Sydney - See the Sights of Sydney
Day 9
Sydney - Cruise the Harbor
Day 10
Sydney - Marvel at the Blue Mountains
Day 11
Sydney - Farewell Sydney
Trip Highlights
- See Melbourne’s hidden charms and secrets on a walking tour with a local
- Drive the Great Ocean Road and take a thrilling helicopter ride over the Twelve Apostles
- Explore the Esplanade, waterside restaurants and art stores of tropical Cairns
- Visit the Queensland outback and try your hand at fossicking (looking for gold and gems)
- Explore the prehistoric Lava Tubes and see significant cultural and historical sites
- Take a catamaran on the Great Barrier Reef and snorkel or dive the underwater gardens
- Cruise the dazzling Sydney Harbour and come face-to-face with Aussie wildlife at Sydney’s Wildlife World
- Explore the valleys, canyons and waterfalls of the sapphire-hued Blue Mountains
Starting Price
$5,400 per person (excluding international flights)
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.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.86 stars based on 1804 reviews.
Zicasso's travel designer put together a trip that got us to the places we wanted to see, with companies that suited our abilities and desires. He offered excellent suggestions, was always available, and was a pleasure to work with.
Reviewed By Mark H.
We very much enjoyed our time in New Zealand and Australia. The tours were all very good. Zicasso's travel agent and our tour partner were very responsive and helpful throughout the planning phase and while we were on vacation.
The only feedback we have is that the hotels selected, other than the hotels in New Zealand, did not have the amenities we were hoping to get from four-star properties. We'll do a better job of indicating what we need in hotel selections moving forward, but we thought the hotels could have been a notch better than they were.
Reviewed By Tim G.
I would use our travel company again in a minute! Zicasso's travel consultant really “got me” and designed the perfect trip for us.
The highlights especially included picking perfect places for us to stay (close to most everything we were doing and in the heart of the cities). The tours, both private and small group, gave us not only what we asked for, but even more that we didn’t know existed.
The itinerary was as detailed as it could possibly be, describing the day, what to bring, names and phone numbers to call if there were issues, and who we needed to call to confirm future tour dates.
One of our highlights was the penguin experience. Our guide was great and our trip planner got us “plus” tickets, which I would definitely recommend. Finally, she provided us with the necessary info and guides (where necessary) for our amazing hikes.
Reviewed By Ellin A.
Zicasso's travel specialists were fantastic! They provided excellent and unique recommendations. As a traveler seeking adventure and outdoor experiences, they completely understood my needs. Additionally, all accommodations were high quality, communication was very clear, and pricing was reasonable. I would strongly recommend them to anyone traveling to Australia/New Zealand.
Reviewed By Emil S.
We absolutely loved so much of our trip! My kids’ (ages 11 and eight) favorite activities were luging in Rotorua, NZ, and the sunset camel ride in Uluru, AU, while my husband and I were enchanted by Hobbiton and enjoyed exploring a glowworm cave with the owner's father! We all loved Tasmania.
There were a few hiccups. However, we were very happy with all the support the Zicasso travel company's team provided in real time to help us get back on track.
The overall trip was fantastic. My husband and I appreciated having the team support our adventures, both the highs and the lows. The team members were detailed-oriented. This trip exceeded our expectations and we’re incredibly grateful for their expertise in curating such memorable experiences.
Reviewed By Sivly R.
Zicasso's tour planner did a superb job for us. She collaborated with us on working out our itinerary and had useful information on how to combine our desired destinations efficiently.
While we were in Australia, she was available via the company's app, including helping us on a late evening when our flight from Sydney to Hobart was canceled because of a cyclone and we needed a short-notice hotel in Sydney.
Reviewed By Henry H.