Ultimate Australia

London Heathrow to Sydney

Meet the Tour Manager and group at London Heathrow and board a daytime flight to Singapore, flying through several time zones.

Arrival in coastal Sydney

Join the connecting flight to Sydney and arrive in the evening. Transfer to the hotel in Darling Harbour and check in for four nights. Free to unwind.

Sightseeing in Sydney and Bondi Beach

Free morning exploring Sydney, then a guided sightseeing tour of Sydney's famous landmarks and eastern suburbs, travelling by coach to Bondi Beach. Visit Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Group dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Sydney Harbour cruise with lunch on board

Free morning, then a cruise around Sydney Harbour with buffet lunch on board, passing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Afternoon at leisure to explore the Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens and waterfront.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Blue Mountains and the Katoomba Scenic Railway

Rail journey to the Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage area. Visit the Three Sisters at Echo Point, the village of Leura, ride the Katoomba Scenic Railway (world's steepest incline railway) into the rainforest, and take the glass-bottom Scenic Skyway. Return to Sydney by coach.

Meals: Breakfast

Sydney to Melbourne by cross-country rail

Coach to Southern Cross rail station and board the cross-country train to Melbourne in First Class, passing open plains of Australian bush and farmland. Arrive Melbourne evening and check in to central hotel for four nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Melbourne sightseeing tour and Yarra River cruise

Free morning to explore Melbourne. Afternoon sightseeing tour past the CBD, Docklands, Botanic Gardens and Melbourne Cricket Ground. One-hour Yarra River sightseeing cruise. Visit Melbourne Skydeck for panoramic views.

Meals: Breakfast

A day trip along the Great Ocean Road

Full-day excursion along the Great Ocean Road by coach, passing verdant forest, waterfalls and ocean. Stops at Lorne, Apollo Bay for lunch, Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles. Return to Melbourne.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

A ride on the Puffing Billy steam train into the Dandenong Ranges

Drive through Melbourne's leafy suburbs to Belgrave Station. Board the Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges rainforest and fern-filled gullies to Lakeside Visitor Centre for lunch. Return trip to Belgrave and transfer back to Melbourne.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Travelling west on the Overland to Adelaide

Early start to join the Overland train west to Adelaide. Breakfast and lunch served on board as we travel through broad plains and rolling farmland. Arrive Adelaide evening and check in to hotel overlooking Victoria Square.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

An excursion to the Barossa Valley

Coach to the Barossa Valley wine region. Tours and tastings at Lambert Wines and Seppeltsfield Estate. Relaxed lunch amid picturesque surroundings. Return via Hahndorf, the oldest German settlement in Australia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Guided tour of Adelaide and afternoon at leisure

Guided tour of Adelaide including Montefiore Hill, Adelaide Oval and St Peter's Cathedral. Free afternoon to explore the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australia Museum or Central Market.

Meals: Breakfast

Entering the Outback in Alice Springs

Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Alice Springs. Visit Anzac Hill, Old Telegraph Station, School of the Air and Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum. Check in to hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Alice Springs to sacred Uluru

Coach journey through Australia's Red Centre to Uluru. Stop for lunch en route. Arrive late afternoon and check in. Evening magical Uluru sunset experience watching the rock change colour, with drinks and snacks supplied.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Sunrise over Uluru and Sounds of Silence dinner

Sunrise visit to Uluru, then return for breakfast. Guided tour of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Free afternoon to relax. Evening Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert with sparkling wine, canapés, barbecue buffet, drinks and stargazing experience with a 'star talker'.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Arrival in tropical Cairns

Transfer to airport and fly to Cairns, arriving early afternoon. Transfer to hotel overlooking Trinity Wharf. Rest of day at leisure to explore the waterfront, lagoon or hotel pool.

Meals: Breakfast

Exploring the wondrous Great Barrier Reef

Full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef by air-conditioned catamaran. Visit Green Island coral cay with two hours at leisure. Continue to a pontoon for reef presentation, buffet lunch, underwater observatory, snorkelling and glass-bottom boat. Return to Cairns with free evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Rainforestation Nature Park & the Kuranda Scenic Railway

Transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park for an Army Duck ride, Dreamtime Walk and pamagirri dance performance. Barbecue lunch. Visit Kuranda village craft market, then board the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class through Barron River Gorge back to Cairns.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

A free day to explore the vibrant city of Cairns

Full day at leisure to explore Cairns at your own pace. Options include nearby beaches, Flecker Botanic Gardens or Cairns Aquarium. Group dinner at the hotel this evening to mark the final night in Australia.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Cairns

Leisurely morning after breakfast for final sightseeing or souvenir shopping. Afternoon transfer to Cairns airport for flight to Singapore, beginning the journey home.

Meals: Breakfast

Homeward bound

Touch down at London Heathrow early on Day 21. Free to make your way home.