Australian Odyssey

Day 3 : Melbourne

Discover Melbourne’s famous laneways and arcades on foot with a local guide. See Federation Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and Flinders Street Station before arriving at Degraves Street, a popular pedestrian laneway. Explore the heritage Block Arcade and Royal Arcade, the oldest surviving arcade in Australia known for its elegant light-filled interior. See vibrant Flinders Lane filled with boutique designers, trendy cafés and bars before arriving at Hosier Lane, famous for its graffiti-covered walls. Next, board your waiting coach to further explore the city. See Parliament House, the State Library, Queen Victoria Markets, Law Courts Precinct and the famous Melbourne hook turn. Travel past Melbourne’s Sports and Entertainment district, home to some of the biggest domestic and international sporting events including the Australian Open. Drive along the Australian Grand Prix track and see the GP Pit stop. View the pretty tree lined streets and Terrace homes, Botanical Gardens and see the Shine of Remembrance. Stop at the MCG with the chance to see some sporting stars during training before returning to Federation Square. The rest of the day is free.

Day 4-5 : Melbourne

You’ve two free days to explore this cultural melting pot. Bursting with history and culture, Melbourne was once Australia’s capital and still lays claim to be its cultural capital and most liveable city. With a 175 year history it’s a cultural melting pot, sophisticated, elegant and cosmopolitan; a centre of arts, culture, fashion and sport. Tree lined boulevards, spacious parks, an eclectic mix of boutiques in little alleyways and Victorian arcades; a remarkably European café culture and restaurant scene and on the banks of the Yarra River, the fabulous Southbank entertainment area.

Day 6 : Adelaide

Take an included transfer to Melbourne airport for your flight to Adelaide. On arrival you will be transferred to your Adelaide hotel and then the rest of the day is free to explore this cosmopolitan city.

Day 7 : Adelaide - Morning Adelaide City Highlights

Your tour will introduce you to Adelaide city, which is surrounded by parklands with a blend of historic buildings, wide streets, cafés, and restaurants. Drive past Adelaide's cultural precinct - North Terrace, the National Wine Centre, Adelaide Botanic Gardens and the beautiful Botanic Park, home to the Bicentennial Conservatory and the Adelaide Zoo. Continue through historic North Adelaide, where you’ll see tree-lined streets, mansions and historic buildings. Stop and visit the iconic St Peters Cathedral or the newly developed Adelaide Oval then travel through the city's east on the way to the Haigh's Chocolates Visitor Centre for a visit to this famous South Australian chocolate icon. Return to the city via the South Parklands, West Terrace and North Terrace.

Day 8-9 : Kangaroo Island

Day 1

An early morning pick up from your hotel for a scenic coach transfer to Cape Jervis taking in the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula. On arrival, board the SeaLink ferry for the 45 minute crossing to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Here you will board your coach and your local driver/guide will take you on a tour of South Australia’s premier nature-based tourism destination. Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park to enjoy a guided beach walk with an experienced guide amongst a breeding colony of wild and rare Australian sea lions. Following a 2 course Aussie pub lunch the tour spend the afternoon in the Flinders Chase National Park. See the regeneration of the native bush devastated by the January 2020 bushfires. View the rugged coastline from walks around Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. Your last visit of the day is to the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park to feed some kangaroos and get up close to the Kangaroo Island Koalas while listening to the Keeper talk about the cuddly mammals. If time permits, there may be a photo opportunity to hold a Koala (additional cost). You will then be transferred back to your overnight accommodation.

Day 2:

After your morning hotel pick up, your first stop will be the fascinating Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain for an educational, interactive, and inspiring experience. Next, travel to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery for a delicious 2-course lunch followed by an introductory talk about the history of the oil distillery and take a guided tour. The next stop is the Clifford’s Honey Farm shop, home of the famous island homemade honey ice-cream. Here you can see a working beehive where you can try to spot the Queen bee, taste different varieties of pure Kangaroo Island Ligurian honey. This afternoon visit Kangaroo Island Spirits, a local company that specialises in handcrafted premium Australian Spirits and is South Australia’s only boutique distillery. The company operates a micro distillery and the award-winning Gin, Vodka and Liqueurs are all produced on the premises. The last stop the False Cape Wines cellar door which is made from recycled wood, jetty timbers and limestone sourced on the property. Here you can take part in a structured wine tasting while enjoying the peaceful views of the surrounding vineyards. Your tour ends at the Penneshaw Hotel where you have ample time to have dinner (own expense) before returning to the Penneshaw Ferry Terminal for your ferry and coach transfer back to Adelaide.

Day 10 : Port Douglas

A transfer will take you to Adelaide airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival you will be transferred along the scenic coastal road to Port Douglas. Port Douglas is the home of Four Mile Beach, an immense strip of soft white sand backed by tropical forest and lapped by sparkling azure blue waters.

Day 11 : Full Day Wavedancer Low Isles

Visit Low Isles, an idyllic, unspoilt coral cay island. Low Isles is a historic part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, named by Captain Cook in 1770, the cays were the site of the first extensive scientific study of a coral reef anywhere in the world and their landmark lighthouse has greeted visitors since 1878. In the calm waters of the island’s picturesque lagoon, a host of reef activities await. Discover the mysteries of marine life while snorkelling or glass bottom boat viewing. Take a guided beach walk, a snorkelling tour with a marine biologist, relax on the beach under a thatched umbrella or on the decks of your vessel. Upon arrival at Port Douglas Marina you will be transferred by coach to your Northern Beaches area accommodation.

Day 12 : Full Day Grand Kuranda

You will be collected from your hotel for your 10.5 hour tour, where you will be transferred to the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Wind through tunnels and over bridges on this magnificent journey, passing Stoney Creek and Barron Falls. In Kuranda Village wander through the picturesque Village in the Rainforest. Marvel at the largest butterfly flight aviary in the country at Australian Butterfly Sanctuary with a guided tour through the landscaped gardens. Transfer to the award winning Rainforestation Nature Park attraction and experience an Army Duck Rainforest Tour with Tropical Fruit Orchard and the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. At the Koala & Wildlife Park join a guided tour to see crocodiles, wombats, snakes, dingoes and a cassowary and hand feed kangaroos and wallabies. You will then be transferred to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway where you will glide over the canopy of pristine World Heritage Rainforest with stops at Barron Falls and Red Peak Stations before returning to Cairns, where you will be transferred to your Port Douglas accommodation.

Day 13 : Sydney

Enjoy a final glimpse of the sparkling blue seas and verdant jungle landscapes on a shuttle transfer from your hotel to Cairns Airport this morning. Fly from Cairns to Sydney and on arrival you will be transferred by shuttle service from the airport to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps take a stroll around Darling Harbour or Circular Quay this evening.

Day 14 : Hop On Hop Off Harbour Explorer

This afternoon enjoy a city tour provides you with the opportunity to see Australia’s largest city and New South Wales’ capital, Sydney. Visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, the Queen Victoria Building and visit Sydney’s trendy Oxford Street district. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean where you will see the superb coastal cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach, visit the beachfront promenade and enjoy a coffee or cool drink (own expense). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers and Sydney’s best panoramic view at Dover Heights. Return to the city via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquarie’s Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour.

Day 15 : Sydney Opera House Tour & Dine

More than 60 years ago, Jorn Utzon designed what is now considered one of the greatest buildings of all time. But for Utzon, the Sydney Opera House story was no fairy tale. The 1 hour tour brings to life the saga behind the making of the world’s most famous house. Your guide will take you on an emotional journey inside this modern masterpiece, putting Jorn Utzon on centre stage and is a tribute to his creative genius. You will discover why Utzon was more than an architect: he was an architect of change. And how, against a landslide of political and public criticism, he created the youngest building ever to be World Heritage listed. You will be taken inside one of the working venues to experience the magic behind the world’s most extraordinary opera, ballet, symphony and dramatic performances. Finish at Opera Bar to indulge like a local Sydneysider with a choice of Australian inspired mains. The choice is yours as you savour one of the world’s most beautiful harbour views – It’s difficult to find a better venue in Sydney to dine. At the conclusion of your tour, make your own way to your Sydney accommodation.

Day 16-17 : Depart Sydney - Arrive UK

An included shuttle transfer will take you to the airport in time to check in for your return flight.