Ultimate Australia at Christmas & New Year

Overnight flight to Cairns via Singapore

Your Australian holiday begins at London Heathrow where you meet the Tour Manager and the rest of the travelling group before boarding the overnight flight to Singapore.

Welcome to tropical Cairns

Landing in Singapore, after transit time you join the flight to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. Transferred to the hotel overlooking Trinity Wharf. Free to relax or explore the Esplanade boardwalk. Dinner is independent this evening.

A free day in Cairns

Full day at leisure to explore Cairns. Options include the lagoon, waterfront promenade, hotel pool, Flecker Botanic Gardens or Cairns Aquarium. Welcome dinner at a waterfront restaurant this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Kuranda and the Scenic Railway

Coach to Kuranda for the Rainforestation Nature Park, including an 'Army Duck' amphibious vehicle ride and a Dreamtime Walk with Pamagirri guides. Barbecue lunch, then time in Kuranda village craft market before the Kuranda Scenic Railway journey through rainforest and Barron River Gorge back to Cairns. Free evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Green Island & the Great Barrier Reef

Full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef by air-conditioned catamaran. Two hours at Green Island coral cay, then three hours on the Outer Great Barrier Reef activity platform with buffet lunch, underwater observatory, glass-bottom boat and snorkelling. Free evening; optional Cairns Night Market.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

To the desert and sunset in Uluru

Early flight from Cairns to Uluru. Local guide tour around the base of the rock including Mutitjulu waterhole and Uluru Cultural Centre. Check in to hotel, relax, then sunset over Uluru with wine.

Uluru sunrise & Kata Tjuta

Early start for Uluru sunrise, then leisurely breakfast. Guided tour of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) National Park. Afternoon at leisure. Evening: Sounds of Silence gourmet barbecue dinner in Kata Tjuta National Park with sparkling wines, canapés, bush-inspired menu and stargazing with a 'star talker'.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

To Alice Springs, the heart of Australia's Red Centre

Coach through the outback to Alice Springs, stopping for lunch at a roadhouse and visiting James Range Camels farm. Check in to hotel for two nights. Independent dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Touring 'the Alice' area

Visits to Anzac Hill, the Old Telegraph Station, Alice Springs School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Base. Free evening to dine locally.

Meals: Breakfast

Alice Springs to laid-back Adelaide

Early flight from Alice Springs to Adelaide. City sightseeing and orientation tour en route to the downtown hotel. Free afternoon to explore Botanic Garden, South Australian Museum or Central Market. Three nights in Adelaide.

Christmas Eve in the Barossa Valley

Tour and wine tasting at Seppeltsfield Winery, then lunch with wine at Lambert Wines. Visit to Hahndorf, the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia, in the Adelaide Hills. Free evening for dinner in Adelaide.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Christmas Day in Adelaide

Free morning walk, then Christmas buffet lunch at a beachside hotel in Glenelg with views over the coast. Return to hotel for relaxation and a light dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overland to Melbourne on Boxing Day

Early start to board the Overland train to Melbourne. Breakfast and lunch served on board. Arrive Melbourne evening; short walk to central hotel. Free evening to dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Culture and sport in Melbourne

Morning sightseeing tour of Melbourne including Old Treasury Building, Parliament House, Exhibition Building, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Melbourne Tennis Centre. Riverboat cruise along the Yarra River and visit to Melbourne Skydeck. Afternoon at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

A day trip along the Great Ocean Road

Excursion along the Great Ocean Road past Geelong, Anglesey, Lorne, Apollo Bay (lunch stop), Great Otway National Park and Shipwreck Coast including the Twelve Apostles. Return to Melbourne for a free last evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

To Sydney by rail

Full day's journey on the XPT in First Class from Southern Cross Station, Melbourne to Sydney, passing open plains, bush, farmland and towns including Wagga Wagga. Arrive Sydney early evening; transfer to hotel in Darling Harbour.

Meals: Breakfast

Getting to know Sydney

Sightseeing tour of the Historical Rocks area and Mrs Macquarie's Chair with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Visit to Bondi Beach with free independent lunch. Sydney sightseeing harbour cruise. Free evening.

Meals: Breakfast

New Year's Eve buffet dinner with views of Sydney's fireworks

Free day to explore Sydney. Evening: New Year's Eve celebration at a revolving restaurant with buffet dinner of over 55 dishes, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks, and views of Sydney's fireworks.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

New Year's Day at leisure in Sydney

Free day in Sydney. Options include Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, ferry to Manly or Watson's Bay.

Meals: Breakfast

Starting our journey home

Check out of hotel; luggage stored while you enjoy the day. Options include Chinese Garden of Friendship, shopping centres or lunch in Darling Harbour. Transfer to Sydney Airport for overnight flight home via Singapore.

Meals: Breakfast

Homeward bound

Arrive London Heathrow this evening, concluding the tour.