Comprehensive package of excursions
This tour is a tour of contrasts!
You start in Singapore, the smallest country in South-east Asia, an exciting melting pot of cultures.
From here, the tour continues to Australia, where the contrasts are immense from the vibrant big cities of Melbourne and Sydney to the indigenous people's timeless history, sung by ancestors in the Australian Outback at Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
The tour concludes in the tropical north for some relaxation and opportunities for incredible experiences in nature at the Great Barrier Reef and the world's oldest rainforest at Cape Tribulation.
You travel from one UNESCO World Heritage Site to another, and the experiences just keep coming to convince you that Australia has to be one of the most fascinating countries in the world.
Welcome Down Under!
Today is the day you set off from your chosen airport. You’re bound for Singapore with connecting flights on the way.
You’ll be met by a driver, who will drive you to the hotel where you’ll be staying for the next three nights.
You might even be ready to head out today 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 Singapore is easy, and most attractions are within a reasonable distance and can be reached on foot, by taxi or by metro.
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. The next couple of days are yours to explore the city on your own.
A visit to the charming districts of Little India, China Town and the Arabic and Malay quarter, Kampong Glam, is recommended.
If you’re a foodie, you can look forward to all the delicious culinary experiences the city has to offer. If it’s authentic street food you’re after, 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.
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can visit the small island of Sentosa Island. The island offers lovely sandy beaches and countless attractions and activities for the whole family, such as Universal Studios and various adventure parks.
And don’t forget to make your way past the architectural Marina Bay Sands, which you’re guaranteed to have seen pictures of. Enjoy 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 round off one of the days with a 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.
“G’day, mate”, then you know you’re in Australia!
You’re transported from the airport to your hotel. If your room’s not ready for you when you arrive, you can have your luggage stored and head out to start exploring the city.
Melbourne is a magnificent city! At first glance, it might seem like a bit of a hotchpotch, but don’t let that fool you. It’s charm is lying in wait until you fall head over heels for the city!
You might like to head down to the Yarra River on this first day and enjoy the revitalising effect of the river.
After breakfast – possibly enjoyed at one of the nearby cafés – it’s time to take a closer look at the city. You’ll be going on a guided tour through the city’s narrow laneways and arcades, which form a finely meshed network in the city centre. Along the way, the guide will tell you all about the history and culture of the city. The walls in the narrow streets are adorned with street art, and the whole area may seem a little run down at first glance – but make no mistake, it’s one of the city’s hippest areas! Ask the guide for tips on the best places to have lunch after the tour.
Please note that you have to make your way to the starting point of the guided tour on your own. The address is written on your voucher. You can either walk there or take a taxi.
The rest of the day is yours to explore Melbourne.
You might like to take the tram to the seaside suburb St Kilda. If you’re out here late afternoon, you might be lucky enough to see the small colony of pygmy penguins come ashore at around sunset.
In the Fitzroy district, you’ll find many of the city’s hidden gems. Microbreweries sit alongside hip cafés. Just west of Fitzroy is Carlton – better known as Little Italy. The food here is almost more authentic than in Italy.
The day is yours to explore what you didn’t get to yesterday.
If you’re interested in history, we highly recommend a visit to Melbourne Old Gaol, where the famous and infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly was hanged in 1880.
And don’t forget to visit Queen Victoria Market, where you can buy almost anything your heart desires.
If you’d like to experience some of the areas outside Melbourne, check out our large selection of excursions. We recommend that you purchase these tours from home when you book the tour, as there is a good chance of them being sold out otherwise.
You’re transported to the airport from which you’ll fly to the red heart of Australia: the Outback. The contrast today will be immense! From the buzzing metropolis to the tiny little town of Yulara, located in the middle of the red desert. There is a free transfer bus from the airport into the small town where your hotel is situated.
If you feel like it and have the time, you have the opportunity to participate in some of the town’s free activities in the afternoon. Ask at your hotel to find out what’s on and when.
At the end of the day, one of the absolute highlights of the tour awaits you: sunset over Uluru. It’s magical to see the enormous rock change colour as the sun goes further and further down, and it’s not hard to understand why the area is so sacred to the Aboriginal people.
And don’t forget to lean your head back and enjoy the starry sky. A huge contrast to all the lights in Melbourne!
You’ve got an early start today, when you’ll be picked up by a bus which brings you out into the darkness. Yesterday, you experienced a sunset over Uluru. Today, you’re going to see the sun rise over Uluru. As we see it, it’s not the same thing at all – and both are an absolute must when in Australia.
It’s fascinating to stand there, shivering a little in the middle of the Australian Outback, waiting for the sun to rise. Even though it gets very hot out here in the desert during the day, the nights are often cold, as there’s nothing to absorb the heat once the sun has set.
When the sun is high in the sky, you’ll continue to the Kata Tjuta rock formations, situated a good 50 km to the west.
The area around Kata Tjuta is also sacred to the Aboriginal people, and there are places that you will never get to visit as a tourist. Thankfully, there are also a lot of places that are accessible, and one of the most popular walks through the beautiful rock formations is the walk through Walpa Gorge. Along the way, the guide will tell you more about the geology of this wonderful place. Perhaps you’ll find out what “Kata Tjuta” actually means?
The rest of the day is yours to spend as you see fit and you can either choose to purchase an extra excursion or try some of the free activities available in Yulara.
It’s time for another change of scenery – your next stop is Australia’s largest city, Sydney! From your hotel, take the complimentary shuttle bus to the airport. The departures are coordinated with the flight schedule, so check at reception for your bus departure time.
Upon arrival in Sydney, you’ll notice immediately how different it feels compared to Melbourne. Sydney’s wide boulevards, stretching down towards the Opera House, stand in striking contrast to Melbourne’s narrow, graffiti-decorated lanes.
In Sydney, airport transfers to your hotel are included. If your room isn’t ready when you arrive, you can store your luggage and head out to explore the city.
Why not begin with a stroll down to Bennelong Point, home to the city’s iconic Opera House, beautifully positioned with the Harbour Bridge as a backdrop.
To the west of the Opera House lies the historic neighbourhood of The Rocks, filled with charming old buildings, cosy cafés, and stylish shops and galleries. You might also want to continue to Barangaroo Reserve, where you can experience Sydney Harbour – the world’s largest natural harbour – from a completely different perspective.
Along Sydney’s waterfront, you’ll find a wealth of restaurants, cafés, and bars. Areas such as Circular Quay, King Street Wharf, and Darling Harbour are popular choices where you can enjoy a delicious meal accompanied by views of the harbour and the city’s iconic skyline.
Welcome to Sydney!
Sydney is home to more than 5 million people and is a large, diverse metropolis filled with vibrant neighbourhoods and suburbs, each with its own unique character. To give you the perfect introduction to the city, we’ve included a half-day guided city tour where you’ll be driven to some of Sydney’s most iconic sights and stunning coastal areas.
There’s no shortage of highlights. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, Chinatown, and Bondi Beach. Here, you’ll have free time to feel the sand between your toes, watch the energetic surfers, or relax with a coffee as you take in the view of the famous beach.
The city tour will start from your hotel or a nearby pick-up point (see details on your voucher) and ends at Circular Quay, from where you can easily continue your day – perhaps with a visit to the Opera House, located right next door. You can also join a relaxing lunch cruise on Sydney’s stunning harbour, which departs from here.
Circular Quay is the city’s bustling ferry terminal and the main hub for ferries to the surrounding suburbs. For example, you can sail to the beautiful Manly Beach and enjoy a leisurely day by the sea, or visit Taronga Zoo, one of Australia’s most famous zoos. Here you can see animals from all over the world – including Australia’s own unique wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, and the curious little platypus.
Spend the next couple of days discovering Sydney independently and at your own pace. The city offers something for everyone – from iconic landmarks and engaging museums to beautiful beaches and remarkable natural experiences.
If you’re interested in culture and history, you’ll find plenty of fascinating museums in Sydney. Learn about Australia’s nature and wildlife at the Australian Museum, explore the city’s past at the Museum of Sydney, discover modern creativity at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, or dive into the country’s maritime heritage at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
If you prefer fresh air and stunning views, the coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi is an excellent choice. This approximately 7 km route takes you along dramatic cliffs, charming coves, and some of Sydney’s most popular beaches.
You can also visit the new Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay, where you can sample freshly caught fish and seafood and soak up the lively atmosphere along the waterfront.
There’s also the option to purchase exciting optional tours both in and outside 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 famous wine region.
And sometimes, the best experiences are the simplest. Pick up a sandwich, find a bench in the Royal Botanic Garden, and enjoy the views 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.
You are driven to the airport, where you catch a flight north, to Cairns.
On arrival in Cairns, you will quickly notice that you’ve reached a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity. It is truly lush as well! Hibiscus, frangipani, heliconia – they’re all here, these exotic plants.
Cairns is a lively city, offering lots of activities, cafés, restaurants and shops. There is no beach here, but to compensate for that, a large artificial lagoon has been built in the middle of the city, where you can both enjoy the sun and swim.
You might like to spend the afternoon here and get used to all the sounds here in the tropics.
The days are your to do as you please. There are so many exciting activities with Cairns as a base that we’ll leave it up to you to find out what you want to do.
It goes without saying that we think a trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a must when you’re on these shores. But you definitely shouldn’t miss the world’s oldest rainforest, Daintree Rainforest, either. It’s also the only place in the world that two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located side by side. Up here in the north, the Great Barrier Reef is close to the coast. And as the rainforest extends all the way down to the beach, the two actually almost collide.
The train up to the small town of Kuranda in the rainforest is also very charming – or how about rafting on one of the rivers around Cairns?
You have so many options – take your pick!
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 £3299
Single room supplement from £1309
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.