Contrasts of Australia
Contrasts of Australia
Contrasts of Australia
9 Days Starting in Melbourne (VIC) and ending in Sydney
Visiting: Melbourne, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ACANA1M24
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Ticking off favorites along the East Coast, this Australia sightseeing tour explores dazzling cities, sundrenched shores, and stunning scenery. Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, ride through and above the rainforest, and experience the similarities and differences between Sydney and Melbourne.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Melbourne, Capital Of Victoria
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Meals Included: Welcome Reception
Melbourne extends a friendly welcome! (Flights to arrive prior to 12pm). Lucky for you you’re staying in the heart of it all on the banks of the Yarra River. Check into your hotel and meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers over a Welcome Reception at The General Assembly. At this modern pub on the Yarra River’s South Wharf, you’ll feast on a three-course dinner with specialties such as Fisherman’s bend pie, schnitzel, and mac & cheese croquettes, washing it down with your choice of local wines and 15 beers on tap. It’s a delicious introduction to Melbourne’s cosmopolitan vibe.
Day 2: Uncover Melbourne's Laneways
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast
Get out and see the sights today on a guided walk with your Travel Director discovering the little lanes, arcades, and café society of stylish Melbourne. Gaze up at the beautiful Victorian façades lining grand boulevards. Stroll past famous, edgy street art that shows a stylish contrast to federation buildings and churches as Melbourne’s coffee aroma wafts overhead. After your orientation, the days is yours to relax back at your hotel, go for a scenic stroll, do a little souvenir shopping, or find a spot on the banks of the Yarra River to grab a drink. Or choose to venture outside of the city on an Optional Experience such as the viewing of the incredible Little Penguins on Phillip Island. On this rare wildlife viewing experience you’ll watch the tiny, adorable penguins make their daily trek from the sea to burrows on the beach.
Day 3: Tropical City Of Cairns
Location: Cairns, Melbourne
Accommodation: Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
Go from city to tropics today as you as you fly north to sunny Cairns. At Hartley's Crocodile Adventures you’ll team up with a Local Specialist for a private, wildlife-rich boat cruise. They will give you the inside scoop on the life and habits of the crocs you’ll see popping up from the murky waters or lazing on the bank. Now that you’ve appreciated the beauty of the area, you can put your passion into practice helping with a Rainforest Restoration project to protect the natural wonder of the nearby Notophyll Vine Forest, an area older than the Amazon. By jumping in and helping the team plant trees, you’re supporting the protection of this rare type of dry rainforest from development and restoring it to an important wildlife corridor of native birds - a mission you’ll feel good contributing to. After a day in the wild, you’ll travel back to Cairns for a free evening to try some of the city’s famous seafood around the Cairns Marina. If you’re looking to browse among a lot of options, visit the Cairns Night Markets and have your pick of over 70 open-air stalls of local specialties.
Day 4: Great Barrier Reef, A Natural Wonder
Location: Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns
Accommodation: Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Go from city to sea today on a full day bucket list exploration of the world’s largest coral reef system in the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set sail on a high-speed catamaran for these tropical waters then explore this underwater wonderland up close donning your mask and fins for a snorkel (equipment provided). You’ll feel like a fish in an aquarium weaving through the rainbow of reefs and fish. Or, choose to stay dry in your semi-submersible, air-conditioned craft with an underwater observatory to have a different view of these tropical species. However you choose to explore, you’ll love learning the insights on the reef the colorful fish and plants that call it home from your local guide. On board you’ll be treated to lunch and afternoon tea and coffee to soak up the Aussie sun before you cruise back into Cairns.
Day 5: Cairns, All Yours To Enjoy
Location: Cairns
Accommodation: Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Regional Dinner
Your last day in Cairns is all yours to kick back at the hotel pool, check out more of the city sites, or venture out of town for more adventures. One popular Optional Experience is taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway through a lush forests, past gorges, ravines, and waterfalls to Kuranda’s 'village in the rainforest.' After an epic train ride, you have time to explore this quaint village’s trails, wildlife sanctuaries, shops, and markets all within a World Heritage rainforest, before returning to the lowlands soaring above the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. After a big day out or in town, meet up with the group for a Regional Dinner at Ochre Restaurant. Here you’ll watch the boats come in over the Harbor Lights’ boardwalk with views of the inlet and mountains as you enjoy Australian cuisine featuring the best local produce. Choose a craft beer, glass of wine from their extensive list, or cocktail highlighting their largest selection of Australian spirits in the region and try their dry old Tablelands beef or Salt and Pepper Prawns.
Day 6: Breathtaking Sydney
Location: Sydney, Cairns
Accommodation: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Australia sightseeing takes an exciting turn as you leave Cairns’ beaches for Sydney. Settle into your centrally located hotel, before taking to the streets. You could walk to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for views of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge or visit the new Sydney Modern Art Gallery, which are both close by. Your evening is at leisure, so take the opportunity to explore Circular Quay and the Rocks District. Ask your Travel Director for dining suggestions.
Day 7: Different Views Of Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kick off your Sydney exploring day with a behind-the-scenes Sydney Opera House Tour with a Local Specialist before experiencing the beauty of the city aboard a Harbor Cruise sailing past Circular Quay, Shark Island, magnificent homes, beaches and parkland, and the iconic white sails of the Opera House. Discover another side of the city, literally, soaking in the beautiful blooms of Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay. At this tucked away retreat overlooking Sydney Harbor, meet a local volunteer and learn the story of how the garden was transformed, beginning in 1992 from unused railway land at the foot of founder Wendy’s house into a beautiful, whimsical secret spot. Take a walk around the grounds among the shrubs, herbs, and towering trees lining meandering paths, eyes peeled for the resident parrots, gulls, kookaburras and wagtails. Take a moment to enjoy the serenity of the garden, knowing that your visit, proudly a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, helps by contributing to the ongoing maintenance by volunteer gardeners of this enchanting garden. The rest of the day is yours to check out the sites of the inner city or relax before another big day.
Day 8: Sydney Through Your Eyes
Location: Sydney
Accommodation: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Kick off your last day in Sydney by checking out its sights and sounds anyway you want on this free day. You might choose to wander further afield on an optional experience to the Blue Mountains, for fresh mountain air and stunning scenery. Get your adrenaline racing with a thrilling climb up (and over) the Sydney Harbor Bridge. For something more down to earth, you could wander along the harbor foreshore through the Royal Botanic Garden or board a ferry to the beachside suburb of Manly. Then it’s time to celebrate your travels over a Farewell Dinner with your newfound friends and travel mates.
Day 9: Farewell Sydney
Location: Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s been a glorious nine days of Australia sightseeing, but all good things must come to an end. Fill up on your last breakfast before bidding farewell to your travel mates and your transfer to the Sydney airport (flights anytime).
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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All land transport shown. All transfers shown
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney
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Optional Experiences and free time
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions