For those who have a desire to see Australia in depth, this independent travel itinerary is well paced and allows enough time in each destination to really get the feel and rhythm of it.

It is possible to add New Zealand and/or Fiji to this itinerary, please enquire.

Package includes:

Air from Los Angeles
5 nights in Sydney with roundtrip transfers
2 Sydney day tours
4 nights in Melbourne with roundtrip transfers
Colonial Tramcar dinner
2 nights in Ayers Rock with roundtrip transfers
Sounds of Silence Dinner
2 nights in Alice Springs with roundtrip transfers
1/2 day Town Like Alice Tour
4 nights in Cairns with roundtrip transfers
Barrier Reef Cruise

Itinerary Outline:

Day 1 Los Angeles.

Board your evening flight to Sydney, Australia.

Day 2 In Flight.

Cross the international dateline and ‘lose’ a day.

Day 3 Sydney

Arrive into Sydney this morning. Catch a taxi to the Rydges Jamison, your accommodation for the next five nights. Join a coffee cruise on the Harbour, or city orientation tour as a great way to make the most of your first day in this great city.  

Day 4 Sydney

This is a "your choice" day. Consider a stroll to Sydney's Harbour area or over to one of Australia's icons, The Sydney Opera House. 

Days 5 and 6 Sydney

An opportunity to select a tour for each day using the pre-paid vouchers included in your tour package. Select from the many available tours from the Australian Pacific Tours booklet: the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands, cruising with wild dolphins, Hunter Valley with its famous wineries, or whatever else might pique your interest.

Day 7 Sydney

A free day today to enjoy Sydney any way it suits you. Remember, Sydney is a great shopping city, where your dollar goes a long way!

Day 8 Melbourne

Today you'll be transferred back to the airport for your flight down to Melbourne. Upon your arrival in Melbourne you'll be transferred to your hotel for the next four nights, the Saville on Russell.

Day 9 Melbourne

Become acquainted with Melbourne (Aussies pronounce it "Melbin") at your own pace today, and then in the evening enjoy a special dinner on the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant - dinner included. And if you're so inclined, order one of the area's fabulous wines. You are in one of Australia's great wine regions - take advantage!

Days 10 & 11 Melbourne

Select your tours using your pre-paid vouchers to travel down to Phillip Island to see the "Fairy Penguin Parade"; OR ride the Puffing Billy steam train to see the beautiful Dandenong Ranges; OR any of the other fine tours available through the Australian Pacific Tours booklet.

Day 12 Alice Springs

This morning you'll be transferred back to the airport for your flight to Alice Springs, where you'll spend the next two nights at the Crowne Plaza. Your afternoon is free to explore "The Alice".

Day 13 Alice Springs

Enjoy a morning tour around the Alice Springs township, and then out to visit the MacDonell Ranges and spectacular Standley Chasm.

Day 14 Ayers Rock

An early morning departure today by luxury coach down to Ayers Rock for the next two nights where you'll stay at the funky Lost Camel. This evening you'll enjoy the unique "Sounds of Silence" dinner for a memorable night under the stars.

Day 15 Ayers Rock

This will be one of those days that will reside forever in your memory - an Uluru sunrise climb (optional) and guided base walking tour. With your afternoon free, we recommend the afternoon Olgas tour. 

Day 16 Cairns

Today you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cairns (pronounced "cans") where you'll spend four nights at the Rydges Esplanade Resort, which is centrally located on the Esplanade along the picturesque foreshore of Cairns.

Day 17 Cairns

Enjoy a cruise to the Low Isles on an ultra-modern 93-foot sailing catamaran, with sumptuous lunch included. Snorkel, swim, view the coral from a glass bottom boat, or take an introductory scuba dive under the expert supervision (at an additional cost) in the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Day 18 Cairns

This morning board the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail for the start of a wonderfully varied day. Travel by train to Kuranda, by Skyrail to Caravonica Lakes and ending up with a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. We think there might be a boomerang throw in your future.

Day 19 Cairns

A day of leisure. Enjoy the sunshine, shop or play a round of golf at Paradise Palms - a fabulous course carved out of the rainforest. (Prices on application.) Or join a 4WD tour to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree forests.

Day 20 Depart Australia

You'll fly back home on QANTAS (unless you're extending your time in the South Pacific) arriving back into the U.S. the same day, after completing your trip of a lifetime.