National Geographic - Explore Australia Itinerary

Arrive any time. Make your way to the hotel to check in. There are no planned activities during the day, so enjoy some time to explore the city before joining our CEO for a welcome briefing at 8pm.

The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne - 3 Nights (or similar)

Embark on a food tour of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller. Home to many thriving immigrant communities, Melbourne has long been considered one of Australia’s gastronomic hubs. On this foodie walk through the city’s famed laneways, we’ll experience a range of flavors and cuisines over lunch at three popular venues. Start with an Asian entree with wine; move on to an Italian restaurant for a main dish accompanied with more wine, and finish off the tour with a gelato dessert at our third stop. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a full free day in Melbourne. Opt to visit wineries, explore the Great Ocean Road, or discover hidden gems in the city's famous laneways.

Meals included: Breakfast

Catch a flight to Uluru. Visit the cultural centre and learn about ancient beliefs and traditions portrayed in art, food, and music before witnessing an incredible sunset with a glass of bubbly.

Accommodations in Uluru are limited and of varying amenities. We do our best to secure a mid-range hotel, but on occasion a more simple accommodation with fewer amenities may be used.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sails in the Desert - 2 Nights (or similar)

Awaken at dawn to witness the sunrise over Uluru and see the famous Field of Light installation. Then delve into a full-day exploration of the ancient, red-hued landscapes of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. After breakfast, make your way to Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s neighboring natural wonder for a morning of exploration. Later set out on a guided walk around the base of the monolith, gaining insight into its sacred significance to the Anangu.

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy free time on our final morning in the Red Centre. Then pack up and head off to the airport for an afternoon flight to Sydney. Check in to our hotel and opt to join our CEO for a dinner out on the town in one of Sydney's famous neighbourhoods.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations: Vibe Hotel Sydney  - 3 night (or Similar)

Enjoy a traditional Aboriginal welcome and a walkabout around The Rocks area and Sydney Harbour to learn the history of the Aboriginal people’s saltwater heritage and their spiritual connection to the area. In the afternoon, board a private vessel and enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise with a barbecue dinner. While navigating the bays and coves, sit back and enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the best of Sydney. Walk the Rocks and stop by Maybe Sammy for a drink, which happens to be one of the best bars in Sydney. Take the ferry to Manly Beach or walk the Bondi Coastal walk and snap some photos. Or, spend a full day exploring the Blue Mountains on an optional excursion.

Meals included: Breakfast

Fly to Cairns then travel up the coastal road to Mossman Gorge. Take an interpretive walk with a local Aboriginal guide and learn about traditional ways of life and survival techniques in the Daintree Rainforest. Continue on to the resort in Port Douglas, our home for the next two nights.

We catch a very early flight to ensure we make the most of the day.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mantra PortSea - 2 Nights (or similar)

Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day catamaran tour to the Outer Reef. Immerse yourself in the largest coral reef system in the world, which teems with 1500 species of tropical fish, as well as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Hop into the warm waters off Australia's east coast and experience this marine wonderland for yourself. Lunch will be served onboard. Back in Port Douglas the evening is yours to do as you please.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch

Enjoy a free morning in charming Port Douglas. Stroll the town’s boutique-lined streets and idyllic beaches or head to the Sunday markets to browse the stalls. Later in the day, join your fellow travelers for an exclusive cultural experience at Cooya Beach. Meet Indigenous guides for a welcome ceremony, and get acquainted with members of the Kuku Yalanji people. Our CEO will organize an optional farewell dinner to toast your adventures down under.

Meals included: Breakfast

After one last breakfast in Port Douglas, transfer back to Cairns where our tour ends at the airport mid-morning. Alternatively, extend your stay in Port Douglas.

Meals included: Breakfast

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Melbourne Foodie Walk, Melbourne
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Private Tour of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Exclusive Indigenous experience at Cooya Beach, Port Douglas. Sydney Harbour cruise. Indigenous dreamtime walk through the Daintree Rainforest at Mossman Gorge. Sunrise interpretive walk at Uluru. Walk through Walpa Gorge in Kata Tjuta. Full day excursion snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

HIGHLIGHTS

Experience the Red Centre and witness the majesty of Uluru at sunrise, discover Melbourne's hidden laneways, Enjoy a private tour of the Sydney Opera House, Set out on an Indigenous walking experience in the Daintree Rainforest.

GROUP SIZE NOTES

Max 16, Avg 12.

MEALS INCLUDED

11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

TRANSPORT

Private vehicle, plane, boat, walking.

LOCAL FLIGHTS

All internal flights are included in this trip - Your CEO will give you your ticket on the day of flight. The max luggage allowance on domestic flights within Australia is 1 checked bag (20 kgs) and 1 carry on (7 kgs) per person.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels (11 nts).