Highlights
- Take a foodie walking tour in Melbourne and pair dishes with curated wine tastings
- See the Twelve Apostles and other landmarks on the scenic Great Ocean Road
- Soak up the magnificence of Uluru and Kata Tjuta with a one-hour camel ride
- Tick off Sydney's sights, including the Opera House, Bondi Beach, and Taronga Zoo
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne, Evening Restaurant & Food Walk | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Private Great Ocean Road Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Hot-Air Balloon Flight, Fly to Uluru, Evening Wintjiri Wiru After Dark | Uluru |
| Day 4 | Sunrise at Uluru, Bush Food Experience, Field of Light Experience | Uluru |
| Day 5 | Sunrise Camel Ride, Fly to Sydney, BridgeClimb at Night | Sydney |
| Day 6 | Full-Day Sydney City Sights Tour, Sunset Dinner Cruise | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Depart Sydney |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Melbourne, Evening Restaurant & Food Walk
Welcome to Australia! You've landed in Melbourne, the country's cultural capital. Upon arrival, meet your private driver, who will transfer you to your accommodation. If you've arrived in the morning, you'll have plenty of free time until the evening to explore the city as you please. A good way to start is by hopping on the City Circle, a free tram that runs throughout the central districts and along the waterfront. Visit highlight attractions like St Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House, and the 19th-century Royal Exhibition Building.
This evening you'll discover why Melbourne is considered a top food destination. The city has an abundance of great restaurants, and along with a local guide, you'll explore the best of them with a 3.5-hour walking degustation tour. Pause at a handful of top spots to taste delicious dishes paired with carefully curated wine tastings. Hear about the stories behind these eateries and ask questions to the passionate owners. Each venue offers distinct cuisine, with a range of styles as diverse as Melbourne itself—the perfect introduction to the city.
Day 2: Private Great Ocean Road Tour
Wake up early and embark on an epic day trip along one of the most famous coastal routes in the world: the Great Ocean Road. This scenic route runs 150 miles (240 km) down the state of Victoria's southwest coast, passing national parks, limestone rock formations, seaside bluffs, coastal mountain ranges, and incredible beaches. This is a full-day, 11-hour trip in which you'll have ample time to stop and enjoy the highlights.
Keep an eye toward the coast throughout the drive, as you're likely to spot whales and dolphins; on the inland side, you might even see 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. You'll also 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 up out of the sea.
Day 3: Hot-Air Balloon Flight, Fly to Uluru, Evening Wintjiri Wiru After Dark
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Rise early this morning to spend a peaceful hour drifting gently over Melbourne before the city wakes up. This is the only major city in the world you can float directly above by hot-air balloon—so don't miss this memorable way to take in the skyline. After your relaxing flight, enjoy a hot breakfast with a glass of sparkling wine. Then, pack your bags and check out—it's time to go inland! You'll fly three hours northwest to Uluru (Ayers Rock), the spiritual heart of Australia's outback and desert plains. Upon arrival, a driver will transfer you to your hotel.
Day 4: Sunrise at Uluru, Bush Food Experience, Field of Light Experience
Rise and shine! Get ready to watch a sunrise over Australia's iconic rock—the incredible sight of the morning light igniting Uluru a fiery bright red is worth the early wake-up call. You'll leave in the dark to reach Talinguru Nyakunytaku, the Uluru viewing area. Witness the first light appear over the arid desert plains of the Red Centre as you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. After, you'll explore the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta. From the base of Walpa Gorge, you'll wander past these unusual conglomerate rock formations, following a natural creek between two of the tallest domes.
Later, discover the 40,000-year-old bush tucker tradition with a cooking demonstration of local Indigenous foods. Savor a bush tucker recipe and explore the desert garden to learn more about the plants used in traditional food and medicine. In the evening, you'll journey to the Field of Light, an installation of 50,000 radiant frosted glass globes by internationally renowned artist Bruce Monroe. Watch as they sway in the darkness as you enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and canapés, then savor a mouthwatering barbecue buffet of Australian delicacies in the quiet of the desert.
Day 5: Sunrise Camel Ride, Fly to Sydney, BridgeClimb at Night
Today starts with another memorable adventure! This time, you'll take a relaxing one-hour camel ride over the sand dunes in the cool morning air. From your camel, witness the sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta and see how the desert comes to life with the help of your skilled cameleers, who will describe the flora and fauna along the trail. Back at the camel farm, you'll enjoy a light breakfast of fresh damper (beer bread) with Australian jams, tea, and coffee. Then it's time to swap the sparse outback for buzzing Sydney. A driver will transfer you to the airport in time for your three-hour flight.
On arrival in Sydney, you'll be greeted by your driver, who will take you to your city hotel, where you'll be based within walking distance of many landmarks, including the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. If you have time, pop down to the Opera Bar for a waterfront drink ahead of this evening's nail-biting adventure. This is when you'll see Sydney turn from day to night atop the famous coathanger—the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Strap on a harness and let a BridgeClimb leader take you 439 feet (134 m) above sea level. The adrenaline-pumping trip provides 360-degree views of the city!
Day 6: Full-Day Sydney City Sights Tour, Sunset Dinner Cruise
Today's comprehensive tour of Sydney explores the city's top highlights, including the world-famous Bondi Beach and the renowned Taronga Zoo. A local guide will collect you for today's deep dive into Sydney's suburbs' unique history and streetscape. In the morning, you'll pass by the Opera House and visit the golden sands and turquoise waters of Bondi Beach. Then, in the afternoon, you'll go behind the scenes at Taronga Zoo on a 90-minute tour, learning about wildlife conservation efforts and enjoying exclusive photo opportunities with Australian native animals.
Later, embark on a sunset cruise of Sydney Harbour and watch the bright blue water turn into a deeper orange and then twilight blue as the sun sets on your final day in Australia. You'll admire iconic sights such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and more, all accompanied by a tasty three-course dinner. Snap photos as the sky is set alight at sunset and the city skyline comes alive.
Day 7: Depart Sydney
More Great Australia Itineraries
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