Travel on an in-depth journey Down Under during your custom-tailored 14-day best of Australia tour that highlights the wonders of the land, sea, and wildlife. From whale sightings to boutique wineries, tropical fish to ancient heritage, you will have specialist guides immerse you in exceptional culture and diverse wilderness. Learn about Aboriginal tradition, explore divine cuisine, and bask in Australia’s blend of simple pleasures and stunning adventures.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Sydney - Wandering and Cruising Iconic Central Sights
Sydney is draped along the Parramatta, a city of icons and an upbeat attitude, where every day can feel like a weekend. The Opera House sails shimmer white as the famous bridge arcs between the river banks filled with vastly different architecture as glamorous doorways lead to grand Victorian arcades. Darling Harbour is all sparkle and skyscrapers while The Rocks is more rustic and old-world, from a time when the first Europeans arrived. Somewhat surprisingly, most of the iconic sights are within three stops of each other on the metro, so it is easy to get around and glimpse all manner of famous places, even if you are feeling a little fatigued after the journey. Today you will join your local guide for a walk and ride through the city, and then cruise back to your Darling Harbour hotel by boat, heading beneath Sydney Harbour Bridge to an enclave of bustling waterside restaurants.
What's Included:
Day 2
Sydney - Walking on Sydney Harbour Bridge and Relaxing on Beaches
Day 3
Sydney - Escaping to the Blue Mountains
Day 4
Cairns - Aboriginal Culture and More Time on the Beach
Day 5
Cairns - The Great Barrier Reef in all its Splendor
Day 6
Cairns - Into the Rainforest and Contrasting Aboriginal Stories
Day 7
Uluru - Sunset With Kata Tjuta and a Night With the Stars
Day 8
Perth - Sunrise With Uluru and Going Way Out West
Day 9 - 10
Margaret River - Waves, Wine, and Whales
Day 11
Melbourne - A Tale of Two Cities
Day 12
Melbourne - Artistic Highlights and Cafe Culture
Day 13
Melbourne - Spending Your Final Day in the Yarra Valley
Day 14
Melbourne - Departure
Trip Highlights
- Stand in Australia’s red center and gaze in awe at the monoliths of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta
- Escape to Margaret River, where boutique wines are complemented by the sight of migrating whales
- Explore all of the icons in Sydney, including a climb on Sydney Harbour Bridge and time spent at the beaches
- Travel beneath the surface on a day at the Great Barrier Reef, with colors and curious creatures all around
- Connect intimately with the many Aboriginal cultures rooted in the rainforest, on the coast, and in the desert
- Discover the laid-back atmosphere of Melbourne, Australia’s most livable city
- Uncover the majestic natural landscapes from the Southern Sky to the Blue Mountains with a tropical coastline
- Get a glimpse of Perth, the world’s most isolated major city
- Spend a day in the Yarra Valley, tasting wines and marveling at the landscape
Detailed Description
It is impossible to summarize Australia as the country conjures up so many iconic images. Some see a kangaroo hopping across the desert, while others think of the Sydney Opera House resplendent beneath the sun. Still more think of The Great Barrier Reef or Uluru, of vast spaces and relaxation. Australia is a continent rather than a country, an epic space where nature reigns yet urban culture has found its place. There is no other country with such a diversity of places to visit and experience, and perhaps no other with such a long list of iconic attractions. Two weeks is not enough to see all of Australia, as even two months does not come close, but you can dive into what this country has to offer from the contrasting Aboriginal cultures to the boutique wineries and distinctive cities.
Such an itinerary would not have been possible two decades ago, but new flight connections have opened up routes from coast to coast. On this handcrafted itinerary, you will have six overnight stops and can mostly explore through a series of day trips and private guided tours. Over the two weeks it may start to feel as though you are on a dozen vacations all rolled into one, such is the disparity every time you step off a plane. Even the two-hour journey from Perth to Margaret River will seem to take you into a completely different space with new landscapes complemented by a dazzling change in atmosphere. So jump into Australia and travel from coast to coast to explore five different states and the complete breadth of experiences.
This is the ultimate first-time itinerary, and the plans are suitable for a full variety of visitors. Begin with your flight to Sydney, where the compact city center is a good place to be when you are struggling with jet lag. The city hums with energy throughout day and night, and the icons are easy to reach. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge on day two before a relaxed afternoon at the beach, and then escape to the Blue Mountains where nature is unbounded just an hour from the city. Fly to Cairns and land in the tropics, Aboriginal culture your first port of call up in Queensland. With three days to spend, you can explore the Great Barrier Reef and then head inland to the thick rainforest, where the Aboriginal stories may not be what you might preconceive.
Next, you will fly to the desert and Uluru to feast your eyes on red monoliths. Kata Tjuta is for sunset, followed by an inspiring nighttime sky. Uluru is then for the sunrise, the color changes followed by a walk around its painting-studded base. Continue west and land in Perth, a city of contemporary indulgence and Indian Ocean waves. Margaret River is Western Australia’s most idyllic destination as a land of wineries, whales and more waves. Settle in and slow down before you fly all the way back east to Melbourne on day 11. The final few days bring cafe culture, superb art, a day in the Yarra Valley, and a laid-back ambiance that makes Australia such a memorable place to be.
Starting Price
$3,495 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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