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Explore Australia
12 days, Sydney to Melbourne
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Imagine getting to Australia’s greatest highlights in 12 legendary, stress-free days. From its world-class cities and sacred red centre, to the Great Barrier Reef and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this itinerary leaves no stone unturned. With meaningful cultural immersion, included internal flights, and wine tasting thrown in, this is a trip down under you might wish to take again and again.
This specific trip is no longer running.
Trip Code: OAXNG
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys
Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
Service Level: Upgraded
Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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View our Entry Requirements toolSee how your trip uplifts communities
In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
The [Great Barrier] reefs sheer diversity is part of what makes it great. It hosts 5,000 types of mollusks, 1,800 species of fish, 125 kinds of sharks, and innumerable miniature organisms. But the most riveting sight of all—and the main reason for World Heritage status—is the vast expanse of coral, from staghorn stalks and wave-smoother plates to mitt-shaped boulders draped with nubby brown corals as leathery as saddles.” —Jennifer S. Holland, “A Fragile Empire: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef,” National Geographic magazine, May, 2011
More from Explore Australia
Itinerary Notes
There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.
Itinerary
Day 1Sydney
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Sydney
Explore Sydney Harbour and walk to the Botanical Gardens and the iconic Opera House. In the afternoon, board a private yacht and enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise with barbecue dinner. Navigating the bays and coves, sit back on the sunbed and relax and enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Sydney/Port Douglas
Fly to Cairns then travel up the coastal road to Mossman Gorge. Take an interpretive walk with a local Indigenous 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.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Port Douglas
Enjoy the colourful resort town of Port Douglas. Take time to stroll the main streets, enjoy the beach, or opt to go snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Port Douglas/Cairns
Return to the tropical city of Cairns. Take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the James Cook University research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic grant recipient Dr Jamie Seymour. Enjoy a private tour of the facility and get an up close look at some of these marvelous creatures. We'll also hear about the latest research from Jamie or one of his colleagues.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Cairns
Travel to Tully for an authentic and interactive Indigenous experience, supported by G Adventures. Enjoy a private lecture about the history and culture of the Janbanbarra Jirrbal Rainforest people. Learn about their deep connection to the land and how they have continued for thousands of years, to live in harmony with nature. Our cultural immersion continues with a traditional lunch and participation in a painting class with Jirrbal Aboriginal artists.
Exclusive Inclusions:
Your Journeys Highlight Moment Janbanbarra Jirrbal Rainforest Cultural ExperienceMeals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Cairns/Uluru
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.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Uluru
Awake before sunrise to watch the colours change over Uluru. Continue on with a guided Mala walk around the base of Uluru gaining insight into its significance to the local Aboriginal people. Visit the cultural centre and learn about ancient beliefs and traditions portrayed in art, food, and music. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Uluru/Alice Springs
Enjoy another sunrise over Uluru, then take a walk in Kata Tjuta National Park and view the beautiful red-domed rock formations. Continue to Alice Springs for the night.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Alice Springs/Melbourne
Catch a flight and arrive in the afternoon. Enjoy a free evening to explore the city.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Melbourne
Go on a guided foodie walk through the laneways of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller for a three-course progressive lunch. Later, enjoy free time to explore Melbourne.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 12Melbourne
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: James Cook University Research Aquarium, Cairns
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Janbanbarra Jirrbal Rainforest Cultural Experience, Tully
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Foodie Moment: Mill House Food and Wine Experience, Melbourne
- Cruise in Sydney Harbour and city orientation walk
- Aboriginal dreamtime walk through the Daintree Rainforest at Mossman Gorge
- Visit James Cook University Aquarium
- Cultural excursion with the Jirrbal Rainforest people
- Sunrise interpretive walk at Uluru
- Walk through the Valley of the Winds in Kata Tjuta
- Melbourne orientation walk
- Farewell dinner with three-plate tasting menu and wine pairings
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotels (11 nts).
Meals
11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Allow USD585-760 for meals not included.
Transportation
Mini-bus, plane, boat, walking.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Departures
There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.
Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.