Australia City, Coast & Outback Tour -11 Days

Day 2: Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour, Sydney Bridge Climb 

After breakfast in Sydney, prepare for a wine-tasting adventure in the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest and best-known wine region. Soaked in history, the area offers over 150 top-class wineries, 65 restaurants, and several gourmet shops and boutique breweries, so there's plenty to see, eat, and drink. Learn about the wine-making process and taste local wines such as sémillon, shiraz, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and earthy pinot noir. You'll return to Sydney in the afternoon for some downtime before you set out on your nocturnal adventure.

Early evening, leave for a "skywalk" on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After a briefing and demonstration, you'll strap on your safety gear and harness to embark on a journey led by an expert climb leader, taking you 439 feet (134 m) above sea level. It's a steady and easy incline to the top of the bridge via a network of catwalks and ladders. During the climb, marvel at the incredible 360-degree views. From this vantage point, you'll see the Opera House to the east and the Blue Mountains to the west. Enjoy the sunset over the harbor and descend amid Sydney's skyscrapers as they light up at dusk.

Day 3: Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Field of Light Dinner

In the morning, a private car will take you to the airport, where you'll catch a 3.5-hour flight deep into the Australian outback to Uluru (Ayers Rock). This massive sandstone monolith is perhaps the most famous natural landmark in the country. After the transfer to your hotel, you'll have some time to settle in before heading out tonight.

Tonight, return to the desert for an unforgettable dining experience. It all begins with a pickup and transfer to a prime vantage point, looking out to the Uluru monolith. As darkness falls, the ground will come alive with over 50,000 glass spheres that light up in various colors. Optical fiber cables connect these LEDs and create the effect of tendrils of light spreading like roots across the desert. Amid this spectacle, you'll enjoy a three-course "bush tucker" meal of Indigenous cuisine. Then, take a stroll along the glimmering pathways of the art installation. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 4: Desert Awakenings Tour, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru Sunset

Rise early this morning under a canopy of stars and watch the distant domes of Kata Tjuta come into view as the sun rises. While you enjoy a traditional Aussie breakfast in the open air, witness the desert awaken with Uluru- Kata Tjuta National Park as your backdrop. Once the sun is up, join your guide for a tour at the base of Uluru. Visit Kuniya, where you'll take a short walk to the Mutitjulu waterhole. Admire its cathedral-like proportions making it a spiritual place for visitors and the Anangu people, the area's traditional landowners.

Next, visit the Cultural Centre, a vibrant and engaging place of learning where the local lore of the Anangu is explained in detail. Later explore the Australian outback on your own. Learn about Aboriginal Australian art and culture by visiting local galleries. Some highlights include Walkatjara Art and Maruku Arts, which feature fine collections of paintings, woodworking, tools, and weapons. Another option is to take a scenic helicopter flight over the Uluru monolith. Hikes around these stunning sandstone rock formations are also popular. 

At dusk, you'll be transferred to the Uluru sunset viewing area, known as the "sunset strip." Relax with a glass of wine and appetizers as you marvel at the changing colors of the rock. You'll be awe-struck watching the monolith turn from bright red and gold in the sunlight to various shades of pink and purple as the sun sets over the western horizon.

Day 5: Sunrise Camel Ride, Fly to Cairns

Rise before the sun with a transfer from your hotel to the Camel Farm, where you'll enjoy a camel ride through stunning dune country against the backdrop of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Take in the cool morning air and watch the rising sun light up Uluru while you learn about the native flora and fauna along the trail. Later, have tea, coffee, and freshly baked beer bread at the farm before returning to your accommodation.

Make the most of your time before leaving Uluru-Kata Tjuta with a guided walk to the Valley of the Winds, where you'll hear fascinating stories of the geology, history, and culture of Kata Tjuta. This incredible rock formation extends 10 miles (6 km) into the ground and is the remains of erosion that began more than 500 million years ago. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your three-hour flight to Cairns. This coastal city in the northeastern state of Queensland is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Upon arrival, meet your driver, for a transfer to your hotel.

Day 7: Drive to Cape Tribulation, Visit Mossman Gorge & Daintree Rainforest

Pick up your rental car this morning and take the 2.5-hour drive to Cape Tribulation. Captain Cook Highway offers countless opportunities to stop and admire the breathtaking views or walk along the beach. Just 20 minutes north of Cairns is Smithfield, home to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. You'll get a bird's eye view of the world's oldest surviving tropical rainforest or go a little farther to Kuranda for the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. Drive through Palm Cove and onto Port Douglas, stopping at Rex Lookout for a 180-degree view over the Coral Sea and Double Island.

Day 8: Drive to Cairns, Fly to Melbourne & Tour Melbourne's Nightlife

Say goodbye to Cape Tribulation as you hop in the car to return to Cairns. Drive back through Daintree Rainforest toward Kuranda State Forest. Stop at Port Douglas, with no shortage of cafés and restaurants, for a bite to eat. Continue on the Captain Cook Highway as it follows the Coral Sea until you reach Palm Cove. Palm Cove Beach is an excellent spot for a swim if you'd like an afternoon dip to break up the road trip. You'll reach the airport in Cairns, where you'll drop off your vehicle and catch a three-hour flight southeast to Melbourne.

Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby this evening to discover Melbourne's elegant and lively nightlife. It starkly contrasts the city's dark past, shaped by curious characters on both sides of the law. Begin with a dinner that reflects Melbourne's fantastic culinary scene, and learn about the city's history. Next, visit some of the best spots in town, many of which are deliberately hard to find, and you can enjoy this firsthand insight into all that Melbourne has to offer. 

Day 9: Phillip Island & Moonlit Sanctuary Tour

Today is an exciting tour outside of Melbourne. First, you'll stop at Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park, where you're guaranteed many close encounters with Australian native animals like kangaroos, wombats, and echidnas. Next, head to Phillip Island to see Woolamai Surf Beach and catch a glimpse of the incredible waves and die-hard surfers. Following this, travel over to the dramatic west coast of the island. At the Nobbies, you'll stroll along the boardwalk to experience the waves crashing along this dramatic coastline and perhaps spot a few seals and penguin nests.

At dusk, you'll reach the Penguin Plus Viewing Platform to witness the natural phenomena of the Penguin Parade on floodlit Summerland Beach. It's an incredible sight as thousands of little penguins shuffle back from the sea to their burrows, greeting their partners and neighbors as they arrive. Afterward, you'll transfer back to Melbourne and return to your hotel.

Day 10: Great Ocean Road Ecotour

Wake up early for a spectacular road trip along one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world, the Great Ocean Road. This stretch of highway runs 150 miles (240 km) down Victoria's southwest coast, passing national parks, limestone rock formations, seaside bluffs, coastal mountain ranges, and incredible beaches. This is an 11-hour trip in a private mini-bus where you'll have ample time to stop and enjoy the highlights.

Keep an eye on the coast during the drive, as you'll likely spot whales and dolphins. You might even see koalas, echidnas, and bandicoots. Stop for lunch at Apollo Bay, a tranquil seaside town set among the rolling coastal hills. You can also stretch your legs on a forest hike through the mountains of the famous Otway Ranges. In the afternoon, you'll visit the romantic cove at Loch Ard Gorge, then cap the adventure at the most incredible natural landmarks on the route, the Twelve Apostles, a group of ancient limestone rock formations rising out of the sea. Afterward, return to your hotel.

Day 11: Morning Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Depart Melbourne

Spend your final moments in Melbourne with a peaceful hot-air balloon over the city. Upon landing, have breakfast with a glass of champagne to toast the morning's adventure. Your grand holiday in Australia concludes today. At the appropriate time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!