Holiday Overview
Experience an unforgettable journey from the heart of the Outback to Australia’s stunning coastline. Begin your adventure in Melbourne and Sydney, where you’ll explore the iconic Great Ocean Road and the breathtaking Blue Mountains. Next, travel to the awe-inspiring Uluru for a memorable evening dining under the stars, watching the sunset over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Continue to Alice Springs to board The Ghan, an iconic train journey across the Outback to Darwin. Discover the beauty of Kakadu National Park, with its majestic waterfalls and native crocodiles waiting to be spotted.
Days: 17 Nights: 16
Start: Melbourne Finish: Darwin
States Visited: Victoria, New South Wales and Northern Territory
Australia's Outback and Oceans includes:
- Return flights from the UK
- Internal flight from Melbourne to Sydney & Sydney to Uluru
- 15 Nights accommodation
- 1 Night onboard The Ghan from Alice Springs to Darwin
- Great Ocean Road Sunset Experience
- Full day French Island and Philip Island experience
- Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise
- Blue Mountains day tour
- Sounds of Silence Dinner
- Kata Tjuta Domes including Walpa Gorge Walk
- 3 Day Kakadu & Arnhem Land Explorer
- All Transfers
Day 1 - UK to Melbourne
Arrive into Melbourne airport and transfer to your downtown hotel, spending the rest of your day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
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.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Unmissable Experiences
Great Ocean Road
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
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
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.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Unmissable Experiences
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.
Featured accommodation
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
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.
Featured accommodation
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Day 7 - Blue Mountains Experience
Leaving the city, yout first stop is Calmsley Hill, a working farm home to kangaroos, emus, wombats, and koalas. Enjoy morning tea and explore at leisure.
Then ascend the Blue Mountains, visiting breathtaking, crowd-free viewpoints of the Jamison Valley. At Eaglehawk Lookout, marvel at the iconic Three Sisters, whose beauty changes with the light. Your guide will share legends about this natural wonder while you capture unforgettable photos.
The afternoon features select lookouts, including Govetts Leap, with its spectacular 180m waterfall and valley vistas. You conclude at Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens with a sparkling wine or juice, taking in sweeping views before returning via the Bells Line of Road, arriving at your hotel in the evening.
Featured accommodation
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
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.
Featured accommodation
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Unmissable Experiences
Sydney Experiences
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.
Featured accommodation
Sails in the Desert
Unmissable Experiences
Sounds of Silence Dinner
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.
Featured accommodation
Sails in the Desert
Unmissable Experiences
Uluru (Ayres Rocks) Experiences
Day 11 - Uluru to Alice Springs
Take the transfer from Uluru to Alice Springs, spending the reminder of your day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters
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.
Featured accommodation
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
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.
Featured accommodation
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
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.
Featured accommodation
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
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.
Featured accommodation
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Day 17 - Darwin to UK
Check out of your Darwin hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto Melbourne Holidays
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto is geared to give you memorable, authentic local experiences. A lifetime's experience in luxury, housed in a much-loved Melbourne landmark. This luxury Melbourne hotel features a Venetian Gothic façade while the modern interior translates the building into the 21st century.
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney Holidays
Wake up to breath-taking views of the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge or Darling Harbour each morning. You will be spoiled for choice at the Shangri-La Hotel, with a day spa, fitness centre and indoor pool at your disposal.
Sails in the Desert, Uluru (Ayers Rock) Holidays
Perfectly positioned to make the most of the Australian outback, Sails in the Desert is just a 5-minute walk from the Uluru (Ayers Rock) lookout and is a great spot to take in the desert sunrise or sunset. The property boasts an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court and a relaxing day spa.
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters Holidays
Nestled at the foot of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges in Alice Springs, the 4.5-star Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters offers rooms with a balcony or patio. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a heated pool, a spa bath and a 24-hour health and fitness centre.
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront Holidays
If you want to be in the middle of the action and close to the Darwin CBD, Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront is the place for you. Choose to stay in one of the hotel's 121 well-appointed guest rooms.
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Kakadu National Park Holidays
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is an idyllic retreat located in the wilderness of Kakadu National Park. Situated in the township of Jabiru, this hotel is the perfect base to start exploring many of Kakadu's most significant natural attractions such as Ubirr, Nourlangie, Cahills Crossing & Mamukala Wetlands.
Image Gallery
Uluru
Sydney
The Ghan
Great Ocean Road
Kakadu National Park
The Ghan
Melbourne
Phillip Island
Bondi Beach
Three Sisters, Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains
Emu
Sounds of Silence Dinner
Crocadile
Kakadu
Kangaroo
Alice Springs
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