Comprehensive package of excursions
No matter how we spin it, Australia IS a long way away. So why not break up the journey with a stay in the vibrant metropolis of Singapore? Discover the city’s many different cultures, taste the delicious food – and acclimatise to the time difference before heading Down Under to Australia’s greatest highlights.
Safely arrived in Australia, you set out to visit one of the world’s most scenically located cities, Sydney.
From here, you’ll journey into Australia’s red heart, where you’ll watch majestic Uluru change colour in the warm light of the setting sun.
You end the tour in tropical Queensland – the gateway to one of the world’s oldest rainforests and, of course, the unique Great Barrier Reef.
We’ve chosen to leave some of the days free for you to enjoy your own experiences. There are so many excursions to choose from that we think you should have a say in what you see and do – and when.
You can choose to extend the tour to include a beach holiday in either Port Douglas or, depending on the season, perhaps round off the UNESCO tour with a visit to Darwin and Kakadu National Park.
Today is the day you set off from your chosen airport. You’re bound for Singapore with connecting flights on the way.
On your arrival in Singapore, a driver will be waiting to drive you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the small island state which, covering an area of just 721.5 km2, is South-east Asia’s smallest country. What the small, well-developed country lacks in size, it makes up for in experiences!
Getting around is easy, and most attractions are within a reasonable distance and can be reached on foot, by taxi or by metro.
The days are yours to do as you please.
Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures, and the people here live with respect and understanding for each other. Buddhist temples, mosques, churches and Hindu temples stand side by side here.
A visit to the charming districts of Little India, China Town and the Arabic and Malay quarter, Kampong Glam, is warmly recommended.
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 housed in the beautiful buildings. A true mecca for foodies!
Other popular and hip neighbourhoods worth a visit 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.
A trip past the architectural Marina Bay Sands, which you are guaranteed to have seen pictures of, is pretty much a must. Remember also to go for a 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.
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport, from which you fly on to Australia.
Welcome Down Under!
From Sydney airport, transport has been arranged to take you to your hotel. If your room isn’t ready upon arrival, you can store your luggage and head out to explore the city.
You might like to begin with a stroll down to Bennelong Point, where the city’s iconic Opera House sits beautifully with the Harbour Bridge forming a stunning backdrop.
To the west of the Opera House lies the historic district of The Rocks, home to charming old buildings, inviting cafés, and elegant shops and galleries.
Take a seat at a café, order a ‘flat white’ (Australia’s version of a cappuccino), and settle into the sound of the laid-back Aussie accent as you watch the lively scene of the world’s largest natural harbour filled with ferries, sailing boats, and perhaps even a grand cruise ship gliding past.
When hunger strikes, Sydney is a true paradise for food lovers. At Circular Quay, King Street Wharf, and Darling Harbour, you’ll find a wealth of restaurants, cafés, and bars offering wonderful views of the harbour.
To give you a great introduction to Sydney, we’ve included a half-day guided city tour, taking you around some of the city’s most iconic sights, lush parks, and beautiful coastal areas. Along the way, you’ll also get a feel for some of Sydney’s many vibrant neighbourhoods and suburbs, each with its own distinct character.
During the tour, you’ll see famous landmarks such as the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, Chinatown, and Bondi Beach. At Bondi Beach, you’ll have some free time to feel the sand between your toes, watch the energetic surfers, or enjoy a coffee while taking in views of the iconic beach.
The city tour will begin from your hotel or a nearby pick-up point (see details on your voucher) and concludes at Circular Quay. From here, it’s easy to continue exploring – perhaps with a visit to the Opera House next door or a leisurely lunch cruise around Sydney’s magnificent harbour.
Circular Quay is also the city’s bustling ferry terminal and the main departure point for ferries to the surrounding suburbs. Take, for example, a trip to the beautiful Manly Beach and enjoy the rest of the day by the sea, or visit Taronga Zoo – one of Australia’s most famous zoological gardens. Here, you can see 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-filled walk across the Harbour Bridge or visit Sydney Tower. Standing 309 metres tall, it is the city’s highest building and offers one of Sydney’s best views. From the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck, you can take in a breathtaking 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 couple of days to explore Sydney at your own pace. Australia’s largest city offers something for everyone – from iconic attractions and fascinating museums to beautiful beaches and magnificent natural landscapes.
Discover more about Australia’s nature and wildlife at the Australian Museum, delve into Sydney’s past at the Museum of Sydney, explore contemporary art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, or immerse yourself in the country’s maritime heritage at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
If you enjoy fresh air and stunning views, the coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi is a perfect choice. The roughly 7 km trail winds its way along dramatic cliffs, charming coves, and some of Sydney’s most beloved beaches.
You might also like to stop by the new Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay, where you can sample freshly caught seafood and soak up the lively atmosphere by the waterfront.
You can also choose from a range of optional excursions both in and outside Sydney. Take a guided walking or cycling tour of the city, or venture out on a day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest and best-known wine region.
And sometimes the best experiences are the simplest ones. Buy yourself a sandwich, find a bench in the Royal Botanic Garden, and enjoy the view of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour as the sun sets and the city hums around you.
See the excursion options below. We recommend booking them together with your tour, as they often sell out quickly.
Today, you'll leave Sydney behind and head for the Australian Outback. After the city’s high-rise buildings, busy streets, and waterfront, Australia’s red heart awaits, along with the small, laid-back town of Yulara, which will serve as your base during your stay in the vast desert.
Out here, you’ll often come across the word Palya – a word from the language of the Anangu people, which is used as a greeting and can mean hello, welcome, thank you, or goodbye.
When you land at Uluru/Ayers Rock Airport, the free shuttle bus will take you to your hotel in around 15 minutes.
You can spend the rest of the afternoon by the hotel pool, or perhaps take part in one of the free activities on offer in Yulara. Ask at the hotel what’s on the schedule during your stay.
Yulara is small and easy to get around. A free shuttle bus runs approximately every 20 minutes between the hotels, the town square, the visitor centre, the Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA), and the camel farm, among other stops. This means you can easily make use of the resort’s other restaurants, shops, and facilities.
Late in the afternoon, one of the tour’s absolute highlights awaits: watching the sunset over Uluru. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to a viewpoint with an unobstructed view of the mighty rock.
Uluru holds great cultural and spiritual significance for the Anangu people, the traditional owners of the area. Watch as Uluru gradually changes in appearance and colour as the sun moves towards the horizon and the red and orange hues deepen.
Meanwhile, you can enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and some light snacks.
After sunset, you’ll be driven back to Yulara, and the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Today, you'll set the pace, with the day free for more experiences in Australia’s Red Centre.
There’s a wide range of tours and activities to choose from, so if there’s a particular experience you’d like to take away from Uluru, we recommend booking it alongside your tour.
It’s well worth setting your alarm early. Sunrise in the Red Centre is every bit as fascinating as yesterday’s sunset, and there are several different ways to experience it.
For example, you can watch the sunrise at Uluru before continuing to Kata Tjuta. Here, a short but fascinating walk through Walpa Gorge awaits, taking you between enormous domed rocks. If you prefer a more leisurely start to the day, you can instead watch the sun rise over the desert from the top of a sand dune. You’ll be served an Australian breakfast before continuing to selected sites around Uluru.
If you’re keen on a longer hike, you can join the approximately 12-kilometre Uluru Base Walk around the entire rock. This brings you up close to Uluru, while also giving you the chance to learn more about the rock’s significance to the Anangu people and some of the stories connected with the area.
The tours start early, so you’ll be back in Yulara before the hottest part of the day. For the rest of the day, you can relax by the pool, enjoy a short afternoon nap in the shade, or explore some of the free activities in Yulara.
There’s plenty to experience after sunset too, and we highly recommend spending your final evening beneath the open sky in the Australian Outback.
With Wintjiri Wiru, you can watch the Anangu people’s Mala story come to life in the night sky through drones, lights, and sound. You can also combine dinner beneath the stars with a walk through the more than 50,000 lights in the Field of Light.
Another option is Sounds of Silence, where dinner in the desert and the southern night sky take centre stage. And if you would like to end your stay with a little extra indulgence, you can choose Tali Wiru, where an exclusive dinner and carefully selected Australian wines are served in an intimate setting on a sand dune overlooking the desert landscape.
Whatever you choose, you’ll have wonderful opportunities to enjoy another memorable evening in Australia’s red heart.
You depart for tropical Queensland. The shuttle bus back to the airport is also free, and departures are timed to fit in with departure times at the airport. Check with the reception at the hotel what time it leaves.
The contrasts today could hardly be greater. From the red desert and a more than 300-million-year-old rock, to the world’s oldest rainforest and the world’s largest coral reef. Australia certainly has the record on that!
The rest of the day is yours to settle into the tropical climate. Cairns is a cosy city with lots of shops, restaurants and activities. You might like to go for a walk to the man-made lagoon, which is located in the heart of the city. There are neither crocodiles nor jellyfish here, just a fabulous, man-made sandy beach.
Please note: The flight will often include a stop-over between Uluru/Ayers Rock and Cairns. For an additional charge, you can fly directly to Cairns on certain days. For pricing, please ask your travel consultant.
The days are yours to explore tropical North Queensland. Below, you can see a selection of the excursions we offer. 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.
North of the city is Daintree Rainforest, 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 reckoned to be around 10 million years old…
Another highlight when you’re based in Cairns is, of course, the Great Barrier Reef, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A good adrenaline kick with a rafting trip might also be the order of the day – or perhaps you’d rather visit the beautiful countryside west of Cairns, which offers both waterfalls and coffee plantations. The possibilities are endless!
Your tour to the Highlights of Australia is coming to an end. It’s time to buy those last souvenirs before heading to 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 £649 pp including flights
Children under 12 years from £489
Single room supplement from £149
Discover the fantastic UNESCO-listed Kakadu National park on this four-day extension to the Northern Territory.
You’ll spend four nights in Darwin, which you perhaps know from the film, “Australia”?
The first full-day excursion takes you to Kakadu National Park, where you’ll both sail on crocodile-infested rivers and learn more about the Aboriginal people’s unique connection to the place.
You’ll also visit the less well-known but equally beautiful Litchfield National Park, where it’s possible to swim in some of the amazing waterfalls.
This extension is particularly great during the period from May–September, as this is the dry season in the northern part of Australia. If you wish to book this extension during the rainy season from October–April, it’s important that you contact your travel specialist before booking, as the excursions to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks depart less frequently during this period. Please note that we do not offer this extension from December to March.
Children under 12 years from £2829
Single room supplement from £1049
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.