Awe-inspiring Australia highlights escape

Embark on an exciting journey to eastern Australia's most iconic spots, with flights, hotels, and plenty of bucket-list optional excursions

Day 1-2: UK - Sydney (night on board)

Head to your departure airport for your overnight flight to Sydney. Due to the time difference, you’ll lose a day on your outward journey but will gain it back on your return.

Days 3-5: Sydney

Take in Australia’s most iconic skyline as you touch down in Sydney, a coastal metropolis known for its sunny weather, urban beach scene and legendary Opera House. Transfer to your hotel and rest up after your travels - you’ll have the option of adding airport transfers to your booking for maximum convenience.

There’s no better way to discover the city than on foot, and while you’re here you’ll enjoy a walking tour of Sydney’s historic The Rocks district. Stroll along the stunning harbour past landmarks like the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Campbell’s Cove and Cadman’s Cottage, before wandering the city’s oldest streets as you learn about the history of Australia’s first British settlement. Spend the afternoon as you wish, and maybe get a glimpse behind the scenes with an optional tour of the Sydney Opera House, one of the world’s most famous architectural landmarks that hosts over 2,000 performances each year.

You’ll have your final day in Sydney to spend at leisure, perhaps soaking up the sun on Bondi and Manly beaches, drifting between museums, or sampling the city’s renowned foodie and café scene. Don’t know where to start? Choose between an optional panoramic bus tour to see the city’s historical, cultural and cosmopolitan highlights, or head off the beaten track with a thrilling excursion to the Blue Mountains National Park - a wonderland of sandstone rock formations, deep ravines and hazy blue eucalypt forests.

Days 6-8: Cairns

Catch a flight to Cairns, a tropical city in the far north of Queensland and the gateway to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Spend the rest of the day and tomorrow as you please, swimming at the Esplanade lagoon, sampling local produce at a farmer’s market, topping up that summer wardrobe or cruising around the marina.

During your stay, you’ll have the option of embarking on a bucket-list half-day tour of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Natural Wonders of the World and the largest living structure of organisms on Earth. Whether you’re looking to dive beneath the waves or take it all in from the sundeck over a delicious buffet lunch, this excursion is not to be missed. Come evening, return to the hotel before enjoying an included dinner at Ochre, a local restaurant serving Australian specialties over beautiful views of the harbour.

Spend your final day in Cairns at leisure, or tick off another natural wonder with an optional guided excursion to the Daintree Rainforest. You’ll head through the scenic route to Cape Tribulation, and ascend the Alexandra Range for panoramic views across the rainforest and Coral Sea. Get up close with the rainforest on the elevated National Park Boardwalk, before heading on to Emmagen Creek for a refreshing forest swim.

Please note: The Ochre restaurant specialises in grilled Australian meats. Vegetarian guests are advised to let their guide know in advance so that sufficient options are made available.

Days 9-11: Melbourne

It’s off to Melbourne today, as you hop on a flight ready for the final stop on your whirlwind escape. Synonymous with culture and elegance, Melbourne is Australia’s most glamorous city, known for its high-end shopping, culinary and arts scene. Studded with grand Victorian buildings, the city is filled with relics of its prosperous 19th-century heyday, while beautiful parks and gardens offer a slice of serenity at the heart of this bustling cosmopolitan hub.

On the following day, you’ll embark on an Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin nation. Learn about the rich history and culture of the First Peoples of Australia from your aboriginal guide, identifying some of the gardens’ native plants and discovering the customs with which they are associated. You’ll have the rest of the day to spend as you wish, soaking up Melbourne’s highlights with whistlestop trips to its museums, luxury hotspots and swanky eateries.

Take advantage of your final day in Melbourne by exploring at your own pace, or choose between two fantastic optional excursions through some of Australia’s natural highlights. For stunning scenery, opt for the breathtaking Great Ocean Road experience - one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives which will sea you enjoy morning tea on the beach, spot cuddly koalas and prime surfing spots, and walk through Port Campbell National Park to the gigantic limestone stacks known as the 12 Apostles. If you’re looking to get up close to local wildlife, opt for a full-day excursion to Phillip Island, where you’ll stop by the Koala Conservation Reserve, look out for fur seal colonies and wild wallabies, and round off the day watching the world’s smallest penguins at Penguin Parade.

Day 12: Melbourne - UK (night on board)

As your once-in-a-lifetime getaway comes to a close, say goodbye to Australia and head to the airport to begin your journey home.