20 day holiday in Australia Sydney Tasmania Melbourne Adelaide Cairns Great Barrier Reef

Introduction:

This 20 day Holiday in Australia covers the city, country and outback Australia highlights, Sydney city and Sydney harbour, a guided wildlife safari into the Blue Mountains. Tasmania including Cradle Mountain and Hobart.Then on to Melbourne for city highlights and a guided Kangaroos and Koalas in the Wild tour. From Melbourne down the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide then to the tropical north of Australia with Cairns, Aboriginal Culture and an overnight cruise on the Great Barrier Reef.

Itinerary Overview:

Day 1 - Sydney
Day 2 - Sydney
Day 3 - Sydney and Blue Mountains
Day 4 - Sydney to Cradle Mountain
Day 5 - Cradle Mountain
Day 6 - Cradle Mountain to Straun
Day 7 - Straun to Hobart
Day 8 - Hobart
Day 9 - Hobart to Melbourne
Day 10 - Full day Melbourne
Day 11 - Full day - Kangaroos and Koalas in the Wild
Day 12 - Great Ocean Road to Lorne
Day 13 - Great Ocean Road to Port Fairy
Day 14 - Great Ocean Road to Coonawarra
Day 15 - Great Ocean Road to Adelaide
Day 16 - Adelaide to Cairns
Day 17 - Full day Cairns
Day 18 - Great Barrier Reef Overnight Cruise
Day 19 - Great Barrier Reef and finish Cairns
Day 20 - Cairns to Sydney and end trip

Itinerary details:

Day 1 - Sydney

Sydney, style atmosphere and lots of fun! Built around one of the world’s most beautiful harbours the city is full of surprises, standing at Circular Quay, there’s the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on your left, the Opera House on your right and the glorious harbour stretching in all directions. Looking for action, want to discover cultural heritage or architecture Sydney offers it all. Wander through the historic Rocks area or head to Darling Harbour, with its great waterfront bars, restaurants, stylish shops and regular free open-air concerts and events. Explore independently or take a Panoramic Sydney Day Tour

Day 3 - Sydney

Take a tour behind the scenes with a breakfast tour of the Sydney Opera House.  Explore Sydney Harbour National Park, stroll the foreshore, visit the Botanic Gardens, head out on a harbour ferry and visit the outer beaches, walk the headlands with stunning views of Sydney Harbour. For the adventurous and those with a head for heights join the Sydney Bridge Climb or take a walk on the footpath that crosses the bridge.

Day 3 - Sydney and Blue Mountains

Your informative and knowledgeable guide will collect you from your Sydney hotel as we commence our small group deluxe tour into the heart of the unique Blue Mountains World Heritage Region. The Blue Mountains National Park is one of seven national parks that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. This wonderland of sandstone outcrops, deep ravines and hazy blue eucalypt forests boasts luxury retreats and the world’s steepest railway. Today your guide will take you off the beaten track to visit remote lookout locations and discuss the history, flora and fauna of this magnificent region.

Day 4 - Sydney to Cradle Mountain Tasmania

Morning flight from Sydney to Launceston where Edwardian and Victorian architecture feature amongst the streetscapes of Tasmania's second largest city. Visit The Design Centre of Tasmania or some of the many galleries and fine museum. Leave Launceston and travel west passing through historic villages amongst rural landscapes and waterways with bush settings on your way to Cradle Mountain.

Day 5 - Full day Cradle Mountain

A full day to explore in the Cradle Mountain National Park. Visit Dove Lake, with its splendid mountain backdrop and scenic circuit walk. Explore bush walks where you can watch for wildlife including wombats, echidna, platypus and the elusive Tasmanian Devil.

Day 6 - Cradle Mountain to Strahan

Traveling directly to Strahan this morning arrive in time to join an optional West Coast Wilderness Railway trip to Queenstown (return by coach). The historic 35 kilometre railway of tight curves and spectacular bridges clambers through rugged wilderness, dense Tasmanian rainforest and steep gorges. Heritage carriages are pulled by historic steam locomotives.

Day 7 - Strahan to Hobart

Opportunities today to enjoy short walks and side trips along the route to Hobart. Visit Nelson Falls, The Franklin River Nature Trail and call into Lake St Clair. Allow some time for a stroll to Russell Falls in the Mt Field National Park and visit the mighty swamp gums.

Day 8 - Full day Hobart

Allow a full day today to visit the Tasman Peninsula and the historic penal settlement at Port Arthur. Discover the intriguing convict history and share stories of the site's notorious past. These include guided and audio tours, multimedia presentations, furnished houses and a harbour cruise. The peninsula has other historic sites and scenic locations to visit.

Day 9 - Hobart to Melbourne

Morning flight from Hobart to Melbourne. Situated on the Yarra River the city of Melbourne is an intriguing mix of  ultra modern and classic architectural styles. The Australian Gold Rush heaped wealth upon the city that is still evident today. The tram system adds character and the diverse cultural mix of Melbourne's residents assures a restaurant to suit every taste.

Day 10 - Full day Melbourne

A full day to explore Melbourne, often called the "Paris of the South Pacific" Melbourne offers visitors fine architecture, museums, galleries, interesting shopping lanes and a wide range of dining. Self guide yourselves or get a head start by joining a Natural Treasures City Tour

Day 11 - Full day - Kangaroos and Koalas in the Wild

Join Echidna Walkabout on a small group a rare opportunity with quality time to learn about wildlife and enjoy the wide open spaces of Australia. Get close to kangaroos, koalas and abundant birdlife in the wild. The special Koala Research Project ensures that we often have multiple sightings of these delightful creatures in the wild. On this naturalist-guided ecotour, spend the morning in the famous grasslands and around the billabongs of our Open-range Sanctuary in the company of hundreds of wild Kangaroos, dozens of Emus and many species of birds.

Day 12 - Melbourne to Lorne

Travel south west from Melbourne to join the Great Ocean Road. Pass through the seaside towns of Torquay, Anglesea and to the stylish seaside village of Lorne. Thanks to its fresh sea air, white beaches and buzzing arts community along with the nearby Otways and a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, Lorne has been attracting eager holidaymakers for more than a century. Discover the Erskine Falls cascading into a beautiful fern gully, one of ten waterfalls within ten minutes of town. Wander down Lorne's main shopping strip filled with boutique gift stores, cellars, eateries and galleries.

Day 13 - Lorne to Port Fairy

Today the hills of the Otway Ranges provide a dramatic backdrop to the fabulous coastal scenery. Practice your Koala spotting skills around the Wye and Kennet River settlements.Spend time exploring this stunning region, short bush walking in Maits Rest an easy 40 metre boardwalk through a beautiful fern gully, hike part of the Great Ocean Road Walk and exploring local beaches. Head out to Cape Otway and visit the lighthouse built in 1858 and standing on a cliff 100 metres above sea level. This section of the Great Ocean Road is where you will find the iconic features - The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. So allow time to include photo stops. Later in the day enjoy a stroll around the picturesque historic streets of Port Fairy

Day 14 - Port Fairy to Coonawarra

Cross the state border today with the opportunity to see Mount Gambier's Blue Lake and on to Coonawarra in the heat of the Limestone Coast’s main wine region. This afternoon enjoy local wineries or a short drive to delve into the world of 'megafauna' at the Naracoorte Caves. In recognition of the fine 'terroir' a number of major wine producers have vineyards in the Coonawarra area including Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Jack Estate, Zema Estate, Jack Estate and Di Giorgio Family Wines and Redman Wines.

Day 15 - Coonawarra to Adelaide

During this morning drive to Adelaide you will cross the mighty Murray River as its nears the end of its epic journey to the Southern Ocean. Travel directly to the city to spend the afternoon there, or wine enthusiasts can take a diversion to the renowned McLaren Vale region where there are a great number of wineries to visit. In the city visit the vast indoor Central City Market where abundant fresh produce is on offer 5 days a week. Explore the city's museum and galleries or walk along the Torrens River.

Day 16 - Adelaide to Cairns

Morning flight from Adelaide to arrive Cairns in the tropical north. Positioned between the Coral Sea and the lush green landscapes of the Barron Gorge National Park Cairns is the ideal base where your Reef and Rainforest experiences come together

Day 17 - Cairns

Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway to access the dense rainforest, view steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls. Spend time around the scenic Kuranda village watching for birdlife, platypus and butterflies as well as browsing the markets and galleries. Descend from the village, across the treetops on the spectacular Skyrail cable car. This evening visit the Tjapukai Cultural Park where you can learn about the history, culture, arts and skills of the Tjapukai people.

Day 18 - Great Barrier Reef overnight cruise

This morning depart Cairns to join Reef Encounter, a 35 metre luxury catamaran designed for the utmost stability & comfort at sea. The vessel is air-conditioned throughout & features spacious decks as well as roomy dining & recreation areas to dine and relax in, there is even an onboard SPA. Some time to relax, dive or snorkel before moving on to other excellent reef locations. This evening there is the opportunity for a night dive and a delicious dinner freshly prepared by the on-board chef. Accommodation: Reef  Encounter Overnight Cruise

Day 19 - Great Barrier Reef (finish Cairns)

The magic begins each day when the reef awakens. Perhaps an early morning dive, a revitalising swim or relaxing spa. Stay with Reef Encounter until early afternoon - with lots more opportunities to dive and snorkel before re-joining your transfer boat back to Cairns. Return approximately 5.45pm.

Day 20 - Cairns and end trip

Fly directly from Cairns out of Australia or fly to Sydney then out of Australia to your home country.

Please e-mail us to enquire about this itinerary