Comprehensive package of excursions
This tour to Australia is perfect during our summer months. It is also perfect for those travelling with children. Many of the days are your own, so the family can plan its own itinerary.
When it’s summer here in the UK, it’s winter in Australia, and in northern Australia that means it’s the dry season with pleasant temperatures and low humidity. Go exploring in Darwin and get right up close to nature and culture in the beautiful national parks, Kakadu and Litchfield. Enjoy the sunset from Mindil Beach while eating delicious street food on the beach.
The tour continues to Sydney, where you can expect temperatures of anything between 15 and 25 degrees in June and July. On the other hand, during this period you may be lucky enough to see whales from the coast making their way from Antarctica to warmer waters.
You end up in Cairns in tropical North Queensland. As in Darwin, the months from May-October are synonymous with the dry season, so the temperature is also pleasant here, with low humidity. Discover the world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, or go on a search for the world’s third largest bird in the rainforest north of Cairns.
You can choose to extend the tour to include a stay in Port Douglas, a cosy holiday resort north of Cairns.
Today is the day you set off from your chosen airport. You’re bound for Australia with connecting flights on the way.
You land in Australia and are driven to your hotel.
Darwin is the capital of and largest city in the Northern Territory. A big city it isn’t, with just over 150,000 inhabitants, but what the city lacks in size, it makes up for in diversity, experiences, history and culture.
The rest of the day is yours to settle into Australia. If your room isn’t ready for you on your arrival, you can have your luggage stored while you explore the city.
The city is named after Charles Darwin himself – and so the history scene is set.
The city is, in a way, both old and new. On Christmas Eve 1974, the city was hit by Cyclone Tracy, which pretty much destroyed all the buildings in the city. Strong local forces set about rebuilding the city from scratch, resulting in the modern – and cyclone-proof – city that it is today! Incidentally, it wasn’t the first time that Darwin was destroyed. During World War II, the city – the only one in Australia – was bombed by the Japanese, which became the direct reason for Australia entering the war on the side of the Allies. You might have seen the film “Australia”, which portrays the attack?
Many people consider Darwin to be the most multicultural city on the entire continent. In the winter months (May–October), there is a market on Mindil Beach, and the many food stalls are clear evidence of the fact that you’re closer to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea here than you are to Sydney!
The rest of the day is yours to settle into Australia. If your room isn’t ready for you on your arrival, you can have your luggage stored while you explore the city.
Today, you’re heading to Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Australia’s largest national park, it is considered by many to be the most scenic national park in the country. The nature is beautiful and unique with a mix of mangroves, waterfalls, cliffs, open landscapes, rivers, waterholes and giant termite mounds.
Not only is the national park a gift box of unique natural experiences, but culture is also at the fore here. At Nourlangie Rock, for example, you can see cave paintings which are more than 35,000 years old!
A boat trip is an absolute must. Just don’t stick your hands in the water because there are some mighty big crocodiles here! Enjoy the rich bird life and keep an eye out for large lizards.
The day is spent in the national park, where the guide tells you good, funny and meaningful stories!
An exciting, full-day excursion awaits you again today. This time you’ll be heading south of Darwin to Litchfield National Park.
The park is quite a bit smaller than Kakadu, making it significantly more doable. The nature is reminiscent of Kakadu, but on a smaller scale, the main difference being that you can swim in waterfalls and rocky lakes here, as the large saltwater crocodiles can’t make their way that far inland.
The day is spent exploring the many waterfalls and waterholes. Don’t forget to bring your swimwear so you can cool off if needed!
From Australia’s Top End, your tour will continue south to Australia’s largest city – Sydney.
You’ll be picked up at your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, transfer from the airport to your hotel is once again included. If your room isn’t ready when you arrive, you can leave your luggage in storage and head out to explore Sydney.
It’s often said that Sydney is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world – and we couldn’t agree more! Built around the world’s largest natural harbour and surrounded by pockets of national parkland right on its doorstep, Sydney truly has it all. You might like to begin with a stroll down to Bennelong Point, where the city’s iconic Opera House stands gracefully with the Harbour Bridge as its backdrop.
West of the Opera House lies the historic district of The Rocks, where you can feel the city’s colonial heritage among charming old buildings, cosy cafés, and stylish shops and galleries.
When hunger strikes, Sydney is a true paradise for food lovers. Around Circular Quay, King Street Wharf and Darling Harbour, you’ll find an abundance of restaurants, cafés, and bars offering wonderful views over the harbour.
To give you a great first impression of Sydney, we’ve included a half-day guided city tour, where you’ll discover some of the city’s most famous landmarks, lush parks and spectacular stretches of coastline. Along the way, you’ll also gain insight into Sydney’s many fascinating neighbourhoods and suburbs, each adding its own charm and character to the city.
During the tour, you’ll pass by the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, Chinatown, and Bondi Beach. At Bondi, you’ll have some free time to soak up the relaxed beach vibe, watch the surfers take on the waves, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee overlooking the iconic beach.
The city tour will depart from your hotel or a nearby pick-up point (see details on your voucher) and ends at Circular Quay. From here, it’s easy to continue your exploration of the city – perhaps with a visit to the Opera House, right next door, or a leisurely lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Circular Quay is also the city’s bustling ferry terminal and the departure point for ferries to the surrounding suburbs. For example, take the ferry to the beautiful Manly Beach and spend the rest of the day by the sea, or visit Taronga Zoo – one of Australia’s most famous zoos. Here you can encounter animals from all over the world, including Australia’s own unique wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, and the fascinating platypus.
If you’d like to see the city from above, you can challenge yourself with an adrenaline-fuelled walk across the Harbour Bridge or visit Sydney Tower. Standing 309 metres tall, the tower is Sydney’s highest building and offers one of the best views in the city. From the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck, you can enjoy an impressive 360-degree panorama of the city. On a clear day, the view stretches all the way to the Blue Mountains on the horizon.
You’ll have the next few days free to explore Sydney at your own pace. The city offers everything from world-famous attractions and vibrant cultural experiences to stunning beaches and beautiful natural surroundings.
If you’re interested in art, culture, and history, Sydney is home to several fascinating museums. Visit the Australian Museum to learn more about Australia’s nature and wildlife, discover the city’s history at the Museum of Sydney, explore modern art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, or delve into Australia’s maritime past at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
If you prefer the outdoors, the popular coastal walk between Coogee and Bondi is a great choice. This roughly 7 km trail follows the coastline, passing dramatic rock formations, charming coves, and some of Sydney’s most beloved beaches.
Another spot well worth a visit is the new Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay, where you can enjoy freshly caught fish and seafood while soaking up the lively harbourfront atmosphere.
If you’re looking for even more experiences, you can add a range of optional excursions in and around Sydney. Choose from guided walking and cycling tours in the city, or day trips to the spectacular Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest and most renowned wine region.
And sometimes, the best experiences are the simplest ones. Pick up a sandwich, find a spot in the Royal Botanic Garden, and enjoy the view of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour as the sun slowly sets over the city.
See the options for excursions below. We recommend booking them together with your tour, as they often sell out quickly.
You’re transported from the hotel to the airport, from which you will fly to North Queensland. On your arrival in Cairns, you’ll be driven to your hotel and have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the tropical temperatures.
The days are yours to explore tropical North Queensland. Below you can see our selection of excursions. We recommend that you book the excursions you want to go on when you book the tour to avoid any disappointment if they’re sold out when you get to Cairns.
A boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef is pretty much a must when you’re in Cairns. The world’s largest coral reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the experience of snorkelling among turtles and brightly coloured fish and seeing the beautiful corals is in a class of its own.
North of the city is the Daintree Rainforest, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rainforest is believed to be more than 135 million years old. To put that in perspective, the Amazon is estimated to be around 10 million years old… Here in the rainforest, you may be lucky enough to see the world’s third largest bird, the cassowary, which is also considered to be the world’s most dangerous bird, so remember to do as the guide says if you are lucky enough to see it!
It may also be that you’re in need of a good adrenaline kick with a rafting trip – or perhaps you’d rather visit the scenic countryside west of Cairns, which offers both waterfalls and coffee plantations. The possibilities are endless!
Your tour to the Highlights of Australia is nearing an end. It’s time to buy those last souvenirs before heading for the airport, from which you will fly home with connecting flight(s) on the way.
You will land at your chosen airport after a lovely, adventure-packed tour.
From £429 pp including flights
Children under 12 years from £319
Single room supplement from £329
Extend your tour to include a couple of relaxing days in the cosy town of Port Douglas, north of Cairns, where you’ll find good restaurants, lots of shops and a chilled atmosphere.
From £569 pp including flights
Children under 12 years from £429
Single room supplement from £199
Extend your tour to include an exciting city break to Singapore and be blown away by the state-of-the-art metropolis of the East.
Covering an area of just 721.5 km2, the island state is South-east Asia’s smallest country, and what the small, well-developed country lacks in size, it more than makes up for in experiences.
Look forward to experiencing the architectural Marina Bay Sands, stroll around the green oasis Gardens by the Bay, shop to your heart’s content on Orchard Road, drink Singapore Slings at Raffles Hotel and ride in the 165-metre-high ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer, which offers a phenomenal view of all the futuristic skyscrapers and the harbour.
What also makes Singapore so cool is that it is a melting pot of cultures, and people live with respect for and an understanding of one another, with Buddhist temples, mosques, churches and Hindu temples side by side. Singapore’s diversity can be experienced in the charming districts of Little India, China Town and the Arabic and Malay quarter, Kampong Glam. Soak in the atmosphere while being seduced by the wonderful, colourful buildings and the aroma of spices and jasmine.
The multicultural community is also reflected in the many culinary delights on offer around the city. If you’re into authentic street food, you can visit one of the famous hawker centres, or, if upscale Michelin restaurants are more your thing, make your way to the special food street, Keong Saik Road, and discover some of Singapore’s best restaurants.
Other popular and hip neighbourhoods are the colourful Haji Lane in Kampong Glam and the Art Deco area, Tiong Bahru. Both neighbourhoods are known for their cosy cafés, exciting restaurants and shops as well as wonderful street art.
In stark contrast to the vibrant city life is Sentosa Island, a small island which offers lovely sandy beaches and countless sights and activities for the whole family such as Universal Studios and various adventure parks.
Does Singapore sound tempting?
The extension includes a 3-night hotel stay with breakfast, flight to Singapore and transfers.
Children under 12 years from £2769
Single room supplement from £689
Joshua is our Oceania specialist. Driven by a passion for adventure, he moved to Australia in 2004, where he lived for five years. He knows the region inside out from travelling extensively across both Australia and New Zealand, and today he uses that knowledge to help others find their perfect trip.
You have the option to add extra nights in the various cities you visit if, for example, you’d like to spend more days exploring on your own. Please get in touch with our travel specialists with your specific requests for your tour.