Australia's Outback and Oceans

Day 1 - UK to Melbourne

Arrive into Melbourne airport and transfer to your downtown hotel, spending the rest of your day at leisure. 

Day 2 - Explore the Great Ocean Road

Our Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour is your opportunity to enjoy one of Australia's most spectacular views at the perfect time of day. The scenic journey in our bus along the Great Ocean Road is a highlight in itself and the perfect prelude to the main event. Idyllic coastal scenery, mysterious local history, and world-famous sights, the essential ingredients for an unforgettable Great Ocean Road one day trip.

Visit the beaches of Victoria's famous Surf Coast - Spot wild koalas while strolling in the sweetly-scented eucalyptus forest - Drive through the Great Otway National Park - Marvel at the natural beauty of Loch Ard Gorge and hear the famous tale of shipwreck survival - View two of the Apostles from beach level at Gibsons Steps (time permitting) - Visit the charming coastal township of Apollo Bay.

Day 3 - Explore French & Philip Island

Spend the day with us Island hopping from French Island to Phillip Island getting up close and personal with some of Australia's cutest and cuddliest native wildlife. Take in the breathtaking ocean views and join us for a day that will be hard to forget for years to come. 

Ferry crossing across Western Port Bay to French Island We start off our journey with a short trip across Western Port Bay to French Island. Crossing the Crystal Blue Sea to our first destination taking in the picturesque scenery of the day.  4WD adventure French Island Arriving on this hidden treasure of wilderness that is French Island, we will be participating in a guided tour around the island where our tour guide will share their knowledge of the natural environment whilst we observe the Koala's and array of wildlife that inhabit the island.

Ferry crossing across Western Port Bay to Phillip Island This next leg of our journey we'll see us travelling to world renowned and locally enjoyed Phillip Island and one of Australia's most amazing locations. Home to some of the greatest surf conditions, amazing beaches, native Australian wildlife and the world-famous motorbike circuit.

Town Stroll Cowes Walk the Pier and Esplanade or Main St with Restaurants, Cafes, Micro brewery & boutiques. The Nobbies Boardwalk We take off on a short adventure to Point Grant also known by the locals as ‘Nobbies' where we'll take in the remarkable natural sights and home to a seal colony, dramatic sea bluffs, and panoramic ocean views. Penguin Parade To finish of our journey be inspired by the natural elements of the surrounding landscape, get up close and personal with some cute little penguins and have expert ranger commentary on the lives of these delightful creatures

Day 4 - Explore Melbourne

A day at leisure to explore Melbourne, speak to your consultant if you wish to add on one of our Melbourne experiences. 

Day 5 - Melbourne to Sydney

Check out of your Melbourne hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival in Sydney transfer to your chosen hotel spending the remainder of your day at leisure. 

Day 6 - Sydney Harbour Cruise

Spend your morning at leisure, explore Sydney's Rock area and Circular Key before embarking on your lunch cruise of Sydney Harbour. Discover the secrets of one of the world's most famous and spectacular natural harbours including icons such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Sydney Botanical Gardens and more. We give you a chance to see the city from a new perspective and marvel at the sights that decorate its coastline. Owing to our educated live commentator, you will get to learn something new about Sydney, its history and about each of the sights that you can see from the deck.

Day 7 - Blue Mountains Experience

After leaving the city behind our first stop of the day is at Calmsley Hill a working farm also home to Kangaroos, Emus, Wombats and Koalas. Enjoy morning tea and time to wander at leisure.

From Calmsley Hill we continue to ascend the Blue Mountains via the highway.  We will visit one of a range of stunning outlooks of the Jamison Valley seeing beautiful vistas. Where possible this will be away from the crowds of tours that visit the mountains each day with other operators, thus our guests will enjoy a stress and hurry free environment taking in the views and information imparted by their guide.   

Continuing on we arrive at Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote lookout points away from the crowds for views of the famous Three Sisters.  Whilst the Blue Mountains features so much more than this natural attraction you can't help but admire the unquestionable beauty of this amazing rock formation. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours.  Here your guide will discuss the legends behind this famous rock formation and time available for you to take some great photos.

We then make our way around the mountain towards the village of Blackheath and our lunch venue the Hydro Majestic. Here in this relaxed venue with stunning views. We enjoy a 2-course lunch. All diets are catered for (excluding Kosher Meals).  Beverages can be purchased at your own expense from the Bar.

The afternoon is spent visiting a selection of lookouts.  Once you clap your eyes on the view from Govetts Leap you'll know why it's one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. The magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180m to the base of the cliff. If you're not mesmerised by the dancing waves of water spray, you'll be transfixed by the sweeping views down the valley to the Grose Wilderness.  We then stop briefly to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens our last stop, where we enjoy the sweeping views across to Sydney before travelling down the Bells Line of Road to arrive back at your hotel approximately 4.30 - 5.00pm.

Day 8 - Explore Sydney

A day at leisure to explore Sydney, you may wish to add on one of our Sydney experiences speak to your consultant about tours available. 

Day 9 - Sydney to Uluru

After checking out of your Sydney hotel transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Uluru. Transfer to your hotel for your 2-night stay. In the evening enjoy the Sounds of Silence dinner. 

Dine under a million stars at the award winning Sounds of Silence restaurant. Travel out to a private dining setting in the middle of the desert. Sip on a glass of champagne with the sound of a lone didgeridoo filling the air as the sun slowly sets over the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and Ayers Rock (Uluru). Dine on a gourmet BBQ of Australian delicacies and then sit back and take in the mystery of the desert at night as an astronomer takes you on a tour of the clear Southern night skies.

Enjoy this evening's Sounds of Silence Dinner including transfers to and from your hotel, champagne as you watch sunset over Kata Tjuta and a gourmet barbecue dinner after which the resident astronomer will introduce you to the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.

Day 10 - Kata Tjuta Domes including Walpa Gorge Walk

Walk through the windy Walpa Gorge where thirty-six giant domes (The Olgas) tower above. Covered by sea 500 million years ago, soft rock eroded away as Kata Tjuta remained. Kata Tjuta means ‘many heads' in local Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal language, and is a sacred site to the male Anangu Aboriginal people. Your tour ends back at your hotel, leaving time to freshen up for any dinner experiences you may have planned.

Day 11 - Uluru to Alice Springs

Take the transfer from Uluru to Alice Springs, spending the reminder of your day at leisure. 

Day 12 - The Ghan - Depart Alice Springs

An early evening departure from Alice Springs Terminal and it is time to enjoy modern Australian cuisine and regional fine wines onboard. And of course, there’s time to socialise with your fellow traveller before retiring to your comfortable private cabin for the night.

Day 13 - The Ghan - Katherine & Darwin

The pristine wilderness of Katherine is stirring and powerful, and you’ll have the chance to explore it from the water on an Off Train Experience. Cruise the jaw-dropping Nitmiluk Gorge, learn more about its ancient Indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people. Once back on board, share lunch and laughter with new and old friends as the train makes its way through lush, green tropics to arrive at the terminal in Darwin in the early evening.

Day 14 - Darwin to Kakadu

Depart Darwin and travel along the Arnhem Highway, their major river systems and wetlands, into Kakadu National Park. Located 257 kilometres east of Darwin, this national park covers 20,000 square kilometres of landscape from rocky escarpment home to historic Aboriginal rock art dating back thousands of years, to floodplains abundant with wildlife. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to view the informative displays depicting the traditions of the Aboriginal people in Kakadu. Join your local guide on a cruise of Yellow Water Billabong. Search for saltwater crocodiles and the colourful range of birdlife for which this region is renowned. After lunch, stop at Nourlangie, where your Driver Guide will lead you on a walk to view the rock art galleries.

Day 15 - Arnhem Land by 4WD

An early start this morning as we travel by 4WD vehicle into spectacular Western Arnhem Land. With a knowledgeable guide you'll travel through breathtaking scenery including sweeping escarpment outcrops, forests and floodplains. Lunch in a scenic location. View Aboriginal rock art in its nature state and learn about traditional land ownership, bush skills and bush tucker.

Day 16 - Kakadu to Darwin

This morning join your Driver Guide to explore the World Heritage Area of Ubirr, where you'll climb up through the ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, believed to be 20,000 years old, to the lookout for the view over the surrounding wetlands. Join the Guluyambi Cruise along the East Alligator River. An Aboriginal guide will provide an insight into their culture, including local mythology, the river's abundant food chain, as well as bush survival skills. With special permission of the local people, you are able to go ashore in Arnhem Land. Visit the Bowali Visitor Centre before returning to Darwin.

Day 17 - Darwin to UK

Check out of your Darwin hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.