Day 1: Tauck's Australia tours begin in Melbourne
Tauck's most comprehensive of Australia tours begins at 5:30 PM at The Langham, Melbourne. Welcome to Australia, where friendly g'days greet you from arrival to departure! Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight as you meet your traveling mates.
Lodging: The Langham, Melbourne
Meal: Dinner
Day 2: Melbourne’s Victorian charms
You’ll see a lot of Melbourne on a sightseeing tour of the city – a guided walking tour discovers the real city (and its amazing coffee) along its distinctive laneways where you'll view sights such as the Shrine of Remembrance and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The rest of the day and evening are yours to spend as you please in Melbourne.
Lodging: The Langham, Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Outback
Take a morning flight to the heart of Australia’s desert Outback, arriving at Ayers Rock (Uluru) for lunch and an overnight stay at Sails in the Desert in the country’s “Red Centre." Following a free afternoon at the resort, enjoy champagne and canapés this evening as you watch the light of the setting sun bathe mystical Uluru with a palette of ever-changing color.
Lodging: Sails in the Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: From Uluru to the Coral Sea in Queensland
Aboriginal traditions define life in the Outback, especially at Uluru (Ayers Rock); learn about the "dreamtime" legends associated with this massive monolith on a guided tour. After lunch, fly to Cairns in Queensland, gateway to the amazing Great Barrier Reef, via a private charter flight. After a stop for sightseeing in Cairns, continue on to Thala Beach Nature Reserve, your beachfront eco-resort on the Coral Sea, for a three-night stay; enjoy dinner at your leisure at the hotel this evening.
Lodging: Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Cruise to Outer Great Barrier Reef
Spend a full day exploring one of Earth's most incredible "living" sites, the Great Barrier Reef – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only living structure on Earth visible from the moon. You’ll cruise to the Agincourt Reef today, at the edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf. Enjoy unbelievable swimming, snorkeling and marine views with superb underwater visibility. Spend the evening at leisure back at your beachfront resort.
Lodging: Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Fun in Queensland's rainforest
Have an amazing day in and around Port Douglas in tropical North Queensland! Head to the mountain village of Kuranda and experience the rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, taking you over and through the rainforest canopy, including time with Skyrail's Ranger guides. Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know (and more) about crocodiles at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures with a tour, a special crocodile feeding presentation, lunch and an exclusive boat cruise on the lagoon. After some time to relax back at your beachfront resort, enjoy a "dine-around" dinner this evening in Port Douglas.
Lodging: Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Optional balloon ride and on to Sydney
Soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional early morning balloon ride* (*additional cost per person applies; see Pricing & Availability for details); or spend the morning at the resort at your leisure. Everyone takes off for Sydney late this morning for a four-night stay in the heart of the city. Your hotel overlooks Sydney Harbour, near the Sydney Opera House and within walking distance of the Royal Botanic Gardens, shopping and restaurants.
Lodging: Intercontinental Sydney
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Sydney Opera House & a Harbour cruise
One of Australia's most famous iconic sights takes center stage today when you visit the amazing Sydney Opera House on a personally guided tour. A private luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour is a fabulous way to unwind and relax, while getting a good look at some of this extraordinary city's landmark sites from the water. Sydney sightseeing continues as you view The Rocks, Kings Cross and other highlights on a city tour; spend the rest of the day and evening exploring on your own.
Lodging: Intercontinental Sydney
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: A Sydney "Foodie Tour"
Accompanied by an informative local guide, taste your way through some very cool culinary nooks and crannies on a Sydney “Foodie Tour” focusing on cultures that have emigrated to Sydney over the past decades, presenting their history through food. Check out (and sample) a variety of local eateries including an Italian deli, chocolate shop, fish market, a post-WWII pie-cart-turned-café, and a 150-year-old pub (with a craft beer tasting). Spend the rest of the day exploring Sydney as you please.
Lodging: Intercontinental Sydney
Meals : Breakfast
Day 10: Sydney as you please
Today is yours to explore more of Sydney, your way. There is so much to see and do here – from museums to shopping, from Aboriginal art to an array of historic sites that tell the story of Australia's earliest days, Sydney's got it all! Cap the day – and this most memorable of Australia tours – with a farewell reception and dinner tonight.
Hotel: Intercontinental Sydney
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Farewell Australia
Tauck's Australia tours end in Sydney. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the InterContinental Sydney to Sydney Airport. Please allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in; ask about booking additional hotel nights.
Meal: Breakfast
