The Very Best of Australia

Arrive into the wonderful city of Singapore and transfer to the four-star M Hotel Singapore.

Known as ‘the crossroads of Asia’, Singapore is a city where east meets west; a cosmopolitan melting pot with an inspirational identity. This morning enjoy a city tour. Witness the intriguing ethnic quarters where Chinese, Malay and Indian influences fuse to produce Singapore’s unique culture. Visit Singapore’s Merlion Park and the botanical gardens before returning to the hotel, where the rest of our day is free to spend as we please. Perhaps visit nearby Sentosa Island or enjoy high tea at Raffles.

A day at leisure in Singapore until it’s time to leave for our evening flight to Perth. Upon arrival into Perth later tonight, clear customs and transfer to the superbly located Duxton Hotel for our first four nights in Australia.

Named the ‘friendly city’ by tourists from all over the world, Perth is the world’s most isolated city. Following a leisurely breakfast, we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travellers to find out more about our adventure ahead. Later, we enjoy the perfect introduction to Australia’s native wildlife, during a visit to Caversham Wildlife Park. The park showcases many of Australia’s unique and iconic animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, Tasmanian devils and wombats.

Our day starts with a visit to King’s Park with its captivating wild flowers and bushland, and its location affording incredible views over the city. We proceed with viewing the city’s iconic landmarks and the delightful white sands Cottesloe Beach. We continue to the nearby port town of Fremantle and enjoy a visit to the fascinating Shipwreck Gallery. Later, we see the Millionaire Mansions as we return to the hotel with a cruise along the Swan River. For those interested this afternoon, take an optional trip to Nambung National Park to visit the fascinating limestone formations known as the Pinnacles.

Our first full Australian Freedom Day allows us to spend the day as we please. Our Distant Journeys Tour Manager will be on hand with advice on things to do, where to eat, make any arrangements and assist with excursions for you to further explore the area. Perhaps take an optional trip to Rottnest Island, a protected nature reserve with white-sand beaches and secluded coves, and home to the small wallaby-like marsupial, the quokka. However you choose to spend your day – enjoy!

In the morning, we make our way to Perth Airport in time for our flight to Adelaide. Surrounded by grassy parkland, picturesque hills and the Mount Lofty Range, Adelaide could scarcely present a more captivating aspect. On arrival, we will be introduced to Adelaide’s streets, fine Victorian buildings and the attractive parks and gardens that surround the city. Later, transfer to the centrally located Crowne Plaza Hotel, where we will stay for the next three nights.

During this morning’s sightseeing tour, we leave the city to visit Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement in the quaint village of Hahndorf, with its tree-lined streets and original ‘Fachwerk’ buildings. We continue to the famous wine growing region of the Barossa Valley where, after a visit to a working blacksmith museum, we enjoy wine tasting and lunch in one of the picturesque wineries.

A Freedom Day to spend as we please. Discover Adelaide on foot or perhaps enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in the McLaren Vale. Alternatively, join a scenic lunch cruise on the mighty Murray River or take an optional day trip to Kangaroo Island to experience stunning coastal scenery and encounter native wildlife in its natural habitat.

This morning, we make our way to the airport for our flight to Melbourne, capital of Victoria state and Australia’s second largest city. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including Treasury Gardens, Victoria Markets, Federation Square, the MCG and Rod Laver Arena. We also head out of the city to see the waterside suburbs of St. Kilda and Port Melbourne. Home for the next three nights is the four-star Pullman on the Park.

This is our first Freedom Day in Melbourne, where we have the opportunity to spend the day exploring its many parks and lanes or enjoy an excursion aboard the Puffing Billy steam train on Australia’s most notable narrow-gauge railway, through the beautiful Blue Dandenong Ranges.

A further Freedom Day is an opportunity to enjoy an optional tour along one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road. This full day tour meanders along the dramatic coastline to the impressive Twelve Apostles. Alternatively, visit Phillip Island, home to the world’s largest colony of little penguins.

This morning, before breakfast, we have the option of watching the sunrise over Uluru, an awe-inspiring sight. Later, we leave for a tour of the impressive series of rounded sandstone domes known as Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas. Our afternoon and evening are left free to relax or enjoy a pre-booked optional activity such as the Field of Light or the Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars.

Leaving Uluru this morning we drive through the Outback along the Lasseter and Stuart Highways to Alice Springs. Home for tonight is the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. This evening, perhaps enjoy a quintessentially Aussie experience at the Outback Bush Barbecue.

Nestled within the MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs is an iconic town made famous by its rich pioneering history and ancient indigenous culture. This morning you may wish to take an optional hot air balloon trip over the outback landscapes or enjoy a morning tour of the Western MacDonnell Ranges. Later, we enjoy a sightseeing tour. Visits include the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the School of the Air, and the Old Telegraph Station.

Following breakfast, The Ghan rolls into Katherine. Here we visit nearby Nitmiluk National Park, home to the spectacular Katherine Gorge. The gorge is a series of 13 sandstone gorges carved over many millions of years by the Katherine River. As we cruise up the river with our Aboriginal guide, listen to stories of how the gorge was named, whilst marvelling at the sheer walls, etched by time and the elements, and home to a myriad of plant and animal life. Afterwards, return to The Ghan in time for lunch as we continue our journey to Darwin. Upon arrival, we transfer to the DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade, which overlook Darwin Harbour.

Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory and is known for its laid-back fusion of frontier outpost and modern city. Your day has been left totally free to spend in your own particular way. Perhaps visit the thundering waterfalls, rainforest pockets and sacred sites of Litchfield National Park. For those wishing to venture further afield, a full day flightseeing excursion to Kakadu National Park can be arranged.

An early start, as we leave for the airport in time for our one-stop flight to Cairns. Upon arrival we shall transfer to the perfectly located Hilton Cairns Hotel, which will be our home for the next four nights.

Although today has been left free, you may wish to take an optional trip to Kuranda. We ascend to Kuranda on one of the most unique rail journeys in Australia, the Kuranda Scenic Railway. During our journey we encounter no fewer than 40 bridges and 15 tunnels. ‘The village in the rainforest’, Kuranda, awaits. It’s a lovely place to while away a few hours visiting the markets, butterfly sanctuary or the Koala Gardens. We continue our adventure with a visit to Rainforestation Nature Park, where we spend time with the Pamagirri Aboriginal people and learn about one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. Travel back to Cairns by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a beautiful experience gliding over the rainforest canopy with stunning views out over the Cairns coastline.

Another Freedom Day to enjoy tropical northern Queensland. Surrounded by rainforest and mountains, Cairns boasts over 200 walking tracks as well as numerous parks, interesting museums and art galleries to explore. Perhaps take a hot air balloon ride at dawn, or if you prefer to venture further afield, we suggest a day trip to the nearby Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world. Alternatively, why not take a trip to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures? Just a short drive from Cairns, there are miles of timber boardwalks and paths winding through woodlands and rainforest where we can see an array of wildlife. In the evening, you may wish to complete your day with a sunset cruise. Enjoy your day!

This morning, we make our way to Cairns Airport for our flight to Sydney. A city that takes full advantage of its natural setting, Sydney's harbour is host to the world-famous Harbour Bridge, and the spectacular Opera House. Add to this excellent restaurants, endless shopping opportunities and vibrant culture and it’s easy to see why it's one of the world’s favourite cities. Upon arrival we head to either the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel or Hilton Sydney.

This morning offers two very different treats: a guided tour of Sydney’s Opera House; a stroll through Sydney’s famous Royal Botanic Garden with an Aboriginal guide. The afternoon has been left free for you to explore as you please. Catch up on some shopping, climb the impressive Harbour Bridge, or enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over Sydney Harbour. Whatever you wish to do, our Tour Manager will be very happy to assist.

Although today has been left free, for those that so desire, we shall be taking an optional trip to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are a perfect example of native Australian bushland, with gum trees, majestic peaks and deep gorges stretching as far as the eye can see. Experience the panoramas from a series of lookouts, including Echo Point – the prime position to view the Three Sisters rock formation. The excursion also visits the pretty village of Leura and includes afternoon tea at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel.

The day is ours until it’s time to depart for the airport. Our flight to our chosen UK airport operates via Singapore, where there will be a change of aircraft.

This morning, we arrive into our chosen airport (London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow) bringing an end to our incredible adventure.