Highlights of Australia

Overview

Australias diversity is placed front and centre on this tour. Well travel to World Heritage Sites and national parks, tour three state capitals, swim with rainbow-bright fish in tropical Queensland and get away from it all in the Northern Territorys remote red centre. Three nights each in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth gives us plenty of time to see the sights, and three laid-back days in coastal Cairns is the perfect breather mid-way through our trip.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 UK – In flight

Titans VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Sydney.

Day 3 Sydney

We touch down in Sydney and transfer to our hotel for check in. Exploring this iconic city is one of the real highlgihts of our Australia tour, so you have the rest of the day is yours, so youre free to relax or have your first wander around Sydney.

Day 4 Sydney

A city tour introduces the highlights of Sydney, one of the worlds greatest cities. Dominated by the coat hanger Sydney Harbour Bridge and the distinctive white sails of the Opera House, Sydneys harbour is one of the most recognisable in the world. The 19th-century Royal Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park, famed for its magnificent fig-tree-lined avenues, are also part of our exploration. Well see the city from a completely different perspective this afternoon as we take to the water for an unforgettable cruise. Watch in wonder as we glide past the sumptuous waterfront homes and iconic harbour close up.

Day 5 Sydney

A full day to explore Sydney at leisure. An easy stroll from our hotel will take you through the charming old dockland streets of the Rocks – the area where the first British convicts settled. The area is great for a sightseeing wander – it retains much of its Victorian character and now hosts numerous shops, galleries and restaurants. Elsewhere, nearby Circular Quay has some of the citys best restaurants spots. Across the Quay, you cant miss the unmistakable shape of the Opera House. Be sure to stop for a selfie or two with this iconic view as a backdrop. For a moment away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Botanical Gardens are just the trick. Youll feel worlds away as you wander, taking in the flora of these impressive gardens. Along impressive Macquarie Street, a parade of grand colonial-style buildings – including the State Conservatory of Music, Parliament House and the Mint – sit side-by-side. They were all designed by Englishman Francis Greenway, who was transported to Australia for forgery. For a spot of shopping – window or otherwise – head to Pitt Street, which boasts one of the most sublime shopping centres in the world – the Queen Victoria Building, with its three floors of bow-fronted shops adorned with marble, gilt panelling and stained glass.

Day 6 Sydney – Melbourne

We take a morning flight to Melbourne and spend the afternoon familiarising ourselves with Victorias capital. A tour takes in the fine contrast of Victorian, Edwardian and 21st-century buildings that line wide boulevards plied by the ubiquitous trams, and its Botanical Gardens and sprawling parkland (one third of the size of the city!). We also visit Fitzroy Gardens, another of Melbournes beautiful gardens and home to Cooks Cottage, built in England in 1755 and transported to Melbourne 180 years later.

Day 7 Melbourne

Today is yours to relax or see more of Melbourne independently. Take some time to enjoy the South Banks caf culture and boutique shops, visit Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere, pop into the state library to see Ned Kellys hand-made armour, or take a tram to Melbourne Zoo to watch platypus play.

Day 8 Yarra Valley

We take a full-day tour to the Yarra Valley, sprawled between mountain and city. Renowned as one of the worlds greatest regions for food and wine, youll find acre after acre of lush orchards, vineyards and farmland. We get to enjoy the boundless scenes as we travel on the historic Puffing Billy Steam Train from Belgrave to Menzies Creek, and sample the local produce with wine tastings and lunch at a winery.

Day 9 Melbourne – Cairns

Today we head to the airport for our flight to Cairns – gateway to Australias Great Barrier Reef.

Day 10 Great Barrier Reef

Stretching along 200km of coastline, the Great Barrier Reef is the worlds largest reef system. Its even visible from space! But its not just the size that is impressive, its the wonderfully rich ecosystem that thrives in these waters. It is completely breathtaking and easily one of Australias most remarkable natural wonders – one of our most exciting stops on our Australia highlights tour. Today you get to see the reef your way. Well head to Port Douglas, for an exhilarating catamaran journey across the blue Coral Sea to the reef, where you can choose to spend your time exploring as you wish. Perhaps snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon, view the reef from the semi-submersible, take a trip in a glass-bottom boat or view its beauty from the underwater observatory.

Days 11-12 Cairns

Cairns is a cosmopolitan city with an easy going vibe. Youll notice the pace of life slows right down. Even in the inner city, youll more likely see board shorts than briefcases. Head down to the Pier for taste of the local life – here, an array of award-winning waterfront restaurants, cafs and bars congregate, or you could opt for a spot of shopping. Well enjoy two days at leisure to explore it to its fullest. You might like to spend some time exploring the citys great museums and galleries – specifically the aquarium, which houses a vast range of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef in miniature and some unique experiences. Or, take a trip into the surrounding tropical parks and forests to spot some of the many species of plants, birds, mammals and reptiles inhabiting the area

Day 13 Cairns – Kata Tjuta – Uluru

People from across Australia and the world travel to discover the icon of todays itinerary – a real highlight of our Australia tour. Uluru is a site of deep cultural significance to the Aborigines, who now officially own the National Park in which is stands, and has inspired rock paintings and carvings for thousands of years. We take a morning flight to Ayers Rock airport. On arrival, well drop our bags at the hotel. This afternoon, we visit the Olgas, a collection of rounded rocks known to Aborigines as Kata Tjuta (Many Heads), one of which, Mount Olga, is 200m taller than Uluru at 584m. We then head on to Australias most famous natural site, Uluru. Well spend some time taking in the sheer size of this great wonder (348m). Watch as the colours of the great rock change as the sun sets, with a glass of sparkling wine and canaps.

Day 14 Uluru – Alice Springs

If you felt the spiritual connection yesterday, youre in luck. We head back to Uluru early this morning to see it, quite literally, in a very different light. Watch as the twinkling stars disappear above us and the towering silhouette of Uluru appear in front as the sun rises from behind it. Later, we journey towards Alice Springs, stopping for lunch en route. We arrive in The Alice, as its affectionately known, with the rest of the day to explore this famous town. Just five streets wide, this small town might surprise you with its excellent museums, fine wildlife park and galleries of Indigenous art.

Day 15 Alice Springs – Perth

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight right across the country to Perth, in Western Australia (our flight may be via Darwin). Its a mighty long way from the rest of Australia (around the same distance between London and Cairo!) and as such, the capital of the west really beats to the sound of its own drum. Sprawling inner-city parks (the largest in the world), world-class cities and cuddly locals (like Rottnest Islands quokkas) make this city a favourite spot in Australia for many. Plus its the gateway to the wilds of the west, with the likes of Margaret River and Ningaloo Reef waiting to be explored.

Day 16 Perth

We have an included tour of Perth to explore this very green citys many parks and elegant array of turn-of-the-century buildings. During the course of our fascinating day we also visit Fremantles old port; where the towns old-English colonial atmosphere is yours to enjoy, and take a cruise along the Swan River, passing the fabulous waterfront homes of Australias multi-millionaires.

Day 17 Perth

A day at leisure to explore Western Australias capital including London Court, a small pedestrianised Tudor-style street complete with carved woodwork and gargoyles. With a charming atmosphere, small shops and quaint cafs, its a delightful respite from the surrounding skyscrapers. Or take one last opportunity to relax on one of the citys sandy beaches.

Day 18 Perth – In flight

Enjoy your last few hours in Perth before we transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Day 19 UK

Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.