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Explore Australia
12 days, Sydney to Melbourne
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.
Please make your own way to the joining hotel. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and enjoy exploring the city before joining the welcome meeting at 6pm.
If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city to visit The Rocks neighbourhood, the Australian Museum, Bondi Beach, or Darling Harbour.
Want to start your Down Under adventure with an adrenaline rush? Add the 'Sydney Adrenaline Bundle' or 'Sydney Bridge Climb' extra to your tour. Get an incredible view of the iconic Sydney Harbour from the top of the Harbour Bridge, then zip through the waterways on a jet boat ride if you book the 'Adrenaline Bundle'. PLEASE NOTE: if booking either of these extras a pre-night in Sydney is highly recommended as the Bridge Climb starts early in the morning on Day 1.
Please try to arrive before 6:00pm for an important group welcome meeting where you can meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members.
This is a busy trip with a lot of early mornings to catch connecting flights, enabling you to see as much of Down Under as possible.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Taronga Zoo
46AUD per personSydney Opera House Visit
43-185AUD per personStroll along the waterfront to admire Sydney's most iconic landmark, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1973. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to discover its history, folklore, and more.
Some two million people a year come to see concerts and cultural performances Opera House. Catch the boom of the grand organ–with more than 10,000 pipes, it took 10 years to build and is the largest mechanical organ in the world.
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.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Metro
Get around underground via public transit.
Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
Board a private yacht and enjoy a four-hour cruise navigating the bays and coves of Sydney Harbour. Relax and enjoy the iconic scenery as our crew share stories of Sydney and its famed harbour. Enjoy a casual Aussie BBQ as the sun sets over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and watch the city lights come alive across the water.
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.
We catch a very early flight to ensure we make the most of the day.
Please note that the max luggage allowance on domestic flights within Australia is 1 checked bag (20 kgs) and 1 carry on (7 kgs) per person. Any additional luggage is subject to airline fees and is not included.
Taxi
Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Indigenous Peoples Interpretive Walk
Take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Follow an Indigenous guide and learn about bush food, medicinal plants and the lasting relationship of the Kuku Yalanji people with their natural environment. Find out how to make bush soap, watch an ochre painting demonstration and sample some bush tea.
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.
Please be aware that if you decide to book the optional scuba diving activity in the Great Barrier Reef and are taking any prescription medications, you will need a doctor’s release giving you permission to dive.
Free Time
Today is a free day, but we recommend going on an optional snorkelling or diving trip of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Great Barrier Reef Diving from Port Douglas
301.50-450.00AUD per personExperience the largest coral reef in the world from beneath the ocean's surface on a scuba diving day trip. The Great Barrier Reef teems with 1500 species of tropical fish, as well as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Bring an underwater camera and go crazy!
Please be aware that if you decide to book the optional scuba diving activity in the Great Barrier Reef and are taking any prescription medications, you will need a doctor’s release giving you permission to dive.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling from Port Douglas
You haven't truly visited Australia until you've experienced the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a catamaran and take the journey out to the largest coral reef system in the world, spending time snorkelling in search of colourful fish, majestic coral, and nemo (of course). With the option to upgrade to go diving locally, get up close and personal with this natural wonder of the world.
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Free time to explore the famed city of Cairns.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: James Cook University Research Aquarium
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the James Cook University research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic grant recipient Dr. Jamie Seymour. Jamie has studied Australia's venomous marine creatures for over 20 years. We'll enjoy an exclusive tour of the facility (not normally open to the public), get an up-close look at some of these marvellous creatures, and 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.
Please be aware that if you decide to book the optional scuba diving activity in the Great Barrier Reef and are taking any prescription medications, you will need a doctor’s release giving you permission to dive.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Janbanbarra Jirrbal Rainforest Cultural Experience
Travel to Tully for an authentic and interactive indigenous experience, supported by G Adventures. Upon arrival, 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 including barramundi wrapped in ngurgi leaf (rainforest ginger). Finish off with miniature dampers served with muyginy jam (rainforest berries).
Your G for Good Moment: Cafe Chloe
Enjoy a tour of the G Adventures-supported Ingan Cultural Centre and have an opportunity to participate in a painting activity with traditional Jirrbal Aboriginal artists - an excellent opportunity to see the diversity of an Aboriginal people from a local perspective!
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Cairns
Cairns is the adventure capital of Queensland, and the day is yours with free time to explore. Opt to go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, soar above the rainforest on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, or explore this stunning coastal city.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Cairns, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, whitewater rafting, and skydiving. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Skydiving
310-400AUD per personEnjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of Cairns from an eagle's perspective. Suit up, get briefed and board the prop plane to soar high above the land and sea. Strap onto your instructor, take a breath and leap into a once-in-a-lifetime free fall. This is what a natural high truly feels like!
Skyrail Experience : Kuranda to Smithfield
116-171AUD per personSettle into a comfortable 6 seat gondola for a ride with a spectacular view along the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Pass over the canopy one of Australia's tropical rainforests, so close to the tree tops it's as if you could reach out and touch the leaves. After, ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway through a lush tropical paradise framed by rugged mountains, waterfalls and ravines back to Cairns. Travel on authentic timber carriages via hand-hewn tunnels and across towering bridges, through the awe-inspiring Barron Gorge. Experience the exotic beauty of North Queensland’s tropical rainforests, marvelling at the incredible array of plants and animals encountered all along the way.
Whitewater Rafting
138-210AUD per personPut on a helmet, grab a paddle and raft the Class 3 & 4 rapids of the mighty Tully River, considered the best rafting river in all Australia & New Zealand.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling from Cairns
Don a mask and snorkel the largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef. Say g'day to Nemo, the clown fish, and some of the 1,500 other species of tropical fish that thrive in the warm waters off Australia's east coast.
Depending on availability of Dive Instructors, an upgrade to SCUBA diving may be possible but is by no means guaranteed. Please speak to your CEO to see if this is available.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Cairns/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.
Get a good nights sleep as our flight could be quite early today.
Airline schedules and flight availability are outside of our control and are always subject to change without notice. While we do our best to book direct flights, on occasion we may have to connect though another city.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Free Time
Relax and watch the sunset over Uluru
Sunset at Uluru
Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while watching the sunset over Uluru. Marvel at the changing colours over the desert and keep reminding yourself that yes, you really are there.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Uluru
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.
Later, take a walk in Kata Tjuta National Park and view the beautiful red-domed rock formations. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Between November and March, there is extreme heat with temperatures averaging between 43-46°C (109-115°F) in the middle of Australia, especially around Uluru. This can lead to heat exhaustion and potentially become very dangerous. Be sure to drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes by drinking sports drinks, coconut water or water mixed with electrolyte powder packets.
The Mala Walk at Uluru is not permitted if temperatures exceed 36°C (98°F). During these hot months, we try to offer all walks early in the day to avoid the midday sun. Our CEOs will monitor the weather conditions to gauge the safety of any included walks and may need to call off a given day's walk due to extreme heat.
Uluru Mala Walk
Take a guided walk along the northwest side of Uluru to learn about the history of the area, hear the stories of the Anangu people and gaze upon these awe-inspiring uplifted sandstone rock formations.
Indigenous Cultural Centre Visit
Learn about Indigenous Australian culture in the area to get a better perspective of the history, beliefs and present-day life of the Anangu people. Discover the wild world of bush tucker (indigenous food), find out which plants are used in bush medicine, and hear creation stories.
Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park
Take a walk in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to explore the beautiful, red, domed rocks that comprise the site. While Uluru is the most famous landmark in the park, we explore a bit further afield to enjoy this stunning landscape.
Free Time
Enjoy some time at leisure.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Uluru Helicopter Flight
180-360AUD per personSee some of the highlights of the red centre from a bird's-eye view. Take to the air and choose between a 15-minute loop around Uluru, or opt to also see Kata Tjuta on a 25-minute flight.
Sounds of Silence Dinner
Enjoy a decadent three-course dinner while watching the sunset over Uluru. Try traditional bush tucker inspired food, including crocodile, kangaroo and barramundi, while listening to a didgeridoo performance as day turns to night. After dinner, learn more about the southern night sky during an astronomy tour with a local expert – prepared to be dazzled by the incredible clarity of the outback sky from this remote location.
Outback Astronomy Tour
60-70AUD per personEnjoy a tour of the night sky, learning how Indigenous people of Australia used the stars for mythology and seasonal predictions while getting a chance to stargaze through telescopes and binoculars. The Outback is one of the best places to stargaze, with low humidity and surrounding light - take a peek and see whats out there!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Uluru/Melbourne
Enjoy another sunrise over Uluru before flying to Melbourne for the night.
Flight times today can very depending on airline schedules.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Taxi
Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.
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.
Occasionally Monique Bayer may not be available for the Melbourne Foodie Walk. In the event this happens, an equally qualified guide will lead the walk.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Melbourne Foodie Walk
Melbourne has long been considered a major centre for foodie culture in Australia. As home to many immigrant communities, the gastronomic expertise on offer here is both diverse and exciting. Explore this incredible city on a National Geographic Journeys-exclusive guided walk. Enjoy lunch at three popular venues that showcase why contemporary dining in Melbourne is such a special experience. Through European flavours as well as those from across Asia, you’ll gain a greater understanding of the city’s history, its people, and its celebrated (and gorgeous) laneways.
Free Time
Free time to explore the city or take an excursion.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Phillip Island Day Tour
129-190AUD per personIf you've always dreamed of spotting a penguin in the wild, make sure to head down to Phillip Island. Check out the spectacular scenery and beaches, and be ready at dusk to watch the famous 'Penguin Parade' as hundreds of Little Penguins (yes, that's their actual name) cross the beach to return to their burrows after a day of fishing.
Myki Explorer Public Transportation Pass
15AUD per personFrom St. Kilda to Fitzroy, make the most of your time in Melbourne with a Myki Transportation Pass, giving you access to all tram travel throughout the city.
Yarra Valley Wine Tour
175-200AUD per personThe Yarra Valley is home to dozens of vineyards and wineries set along the banks of the Yarra River itself. It is considered on of Victoria's premier wine regions making it an idyllic escape from Melbourne. Stroll the grounds of these establishments, sip a glass of chardonnay, and relax in this beautiful setting.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 12Melbourne
Depart at any time.
If you want more time to explore Melbourne, we recommend booking post nights with your agent
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.