The Best of Australia

Resort:The Best of Australia
Operator: Titan Travel
Destination: Australia
Price From: £6395.00

Overview

A country as big as your imagination, Australia has it all: cosmopolitan cities, a reef-fringed coastline, terracotta deserts and ancient rainforest. This epic introductory tour ticks off icons like Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour and the Great Ocean Road. Well take things at a leisurely pace, so you can fully appreciate each stop – therell be time to meet kangaroos and koalas in Adelaide, for example, and to relax on Queenslands famous beaches.


What’s Included

  • – 19 nights in hotels and 2 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)

  • – International and internal flights as detailed. Prices are based on return flights with Qantas or Emirates from London Heathrow via Perth or Singapore. Supplements may apply from other airports

  • – 21 meals: 19 breakfasts (days 3-21) 1 lunch (day 14) 1 dinner (day 6)


17 excursions and visits

  • – City tours of Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs and Sydney

  • – Visits to Dandenong Mountains (with steam train ride); Phillip Island; Coonawarra region winery; Cleland Conservation Park; Kata Tjuta; and Aboriginal Park

  • – Great Ocean Road

  • – Uluru sunrise and sunset viewing

  • – Entry to the Field of Light installation

  • – Outer Great Barrier Reef experience

  • – Kuranda Scenic Railway

  • – Sydney Harbour Cruise

Plus

  • – Titans VIP door-to-door travel service

  • – Titan tour manager

  • – Travel in destination by coach

  • – Porterage


The Best of Australia


Itinerary

Day 1 – UK – In flight

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

UK – In flight


Day 2 – Melbourne

We touch down in Melbourne and transfer to our hotel for time to relax after the long flight.

Mantra on Little Bourke, Melbourne (4-star)


Day 3 – Melbourne – Dandenong Mountains

Our morning takes us on a tour of Melbournes highlights. Wander the wide boulevards lined with grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Known as the garden city, well of course take some time to explore the sprawling parkland – including the famed Botanical Gardens, which make up more than a third of the entire city. This afternoon well head out into the Dandenong Mountains and youll suddenly feel youre in another place entirely. Here, waterways weave between the forested slopes and you might spot vivid birdlife flitting in the treetops – including the rare and comical lyrebird. Well take an exciting ride on Puffing Billy, Australias oldest narrow gauge steam train – and a real thrill!

Excursions & visits:

City tour of Melbourne (morning)
Excursion to Dandenong Mountains with steam train ride (all day)

Mantra on Little Bourke, Melbourne (4-star)


Day 4 – Melbourne

The day is at leisure to explore Melbournes tram-crossed streets, historic shopping arcades and riverside parks.

Mantra on Little Bourke, Melbourne (4-star)


Day 5 – Phillip Island

Perhaps spend some leisurely time relaxing at the hotel this morning, or head out and explore more of Melbourne independently. You might like to stroll through the sheds Victoria Market – an open-air market popular with the locals. Browse the huge number of stalls selling clothes, accessories and other bric–brac. Well then take an afternoon trip over to Phillip Island, where well spot the waddling parade of fairy penguins emerge from the sea and shuffle up Summerland Beach to their sand dune burrows.

Excursions & visits:

Excursion to Phillip Island (afternoon)

Mantra on Little Bourke, Melbourne (4-star)


Day 6 – Great Ocean Road – Warrnambool

Justifiably known as one of Victorias most scenic roads, the Great Ocean Road snakes all the way along the southwest coast of the state, starting in Torquay and finishing up just before Warrnambool. Get your camera at the ready because this will be one of the most dramatic and photogenic drives youve ever seen. Its wild grandeur encompasses rainforests, gorges, gullies, arches and blowholes. The section to Warrnambool, beyond the Bay of Isles and Bay of Martyrs, is particularly special. Youll really feel connected with the ocean as we pass by grand sweeping bays and exciting seaward vistas. The road climbs the cliffside as we skirt Cape Otway National Park and pass into Port Campbell National Park, where we pause to admire the Twelve Apostles.

Excursions & visits:

Great Ocean Road drive (all day)

Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs, Warrnambool (3.5-star)


Day 7 – Coonawarra – Murray River – Adelaide

Australias other red centre, Coonawarra, is where some of the worlds best Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz is grown, perfected since the late 19th century. Today, the region is home to a mix of old winemaking families and fresh new talent. Well stop by a local winery for a taste of these award-winning vintages – and enjoy the sprawling vineyard views. Our journey then takes us through enchanting pastureland, running brooks and great orchards beside the Murray River, as we descend towards the lovely city of Adelaide.

Excursions & visits:

Coonawarra region winery (afternoon)

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide (4-star)


Day 8 – Adelaide

Sophisticated. Cultured. Neat. Adelaides church spires punctuate the citys skyline, but its really a trendy city with a great music scene and plenty of local pubs tucked away in hidden streets. The graceful Victorian-lined streets are a delight to wander. Well visit the Cleland Wildlife Park this morning, on the slopes of Mount Lofty, a place of sanctuary for native species such as kangaroos and koalas. You can even enjoy a close-up koala encounter while they snack on eucalyptus leaves. After, well explore the city together on a sightseeing tour, which includes a visit to the largest glasshouse in the southern hemisphere – a breathtaking year-round tropical rainforest.

Excursions & visits:

Cleland Wildlife Park (morning)
City tour of Adelaide (afternoon)

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide (4-star)


Day 9 – Adelaide

Enjoy a day to explore exactly as you please. Maybe the colourful Central Market, the beautiful gardens of Victoria Square or a spot of shopping. Or, if the mercury is on the rise, you might want to hop on a train to the beachy shores of Glenelg for a day of sandy toes and ice creams.

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide (4-star)


Day 10 – Alice Springs

Well fly to Alice Springs today. The Alice, as its affectionately known, was founded as a staging point for the overland telegraph line in the 1870s. Well take a tour of the Telegraph Station and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Then, youre free to explore this little town for yourself – it might surprise you with its excellent museums, wildlife park and galleries of Indigenous art.

Excursions & visits:

City tour of Alice Springs (afternoon)

Mercure Alice Springs (4-star)


Day 11 – Uluru

People from across Australia and the world travel to discover Uluru, a site of deep cultural significance to the Aborigines, who now officially own the National Park in which is stands. It has inspired rock paintings and carvings for thousands of years. Well spend some time taking in the sheer size (348 metres), with two thirds of the rock actually buried beneath the sand. With a glass of wine in hand, well watch the rock glow shades of orange and red as the sun sets behind us. The perfect ending to a very special day.

Excursions & visits:

Sunset at Uluru (afternoon)

Voyages Sails in the Desert, Uluru (4.5-star)


Day 12 – Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

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 as the sun rises from behind it. To the west are the Olgas, a collection of more rounded rocks known as Kata Tjuta (Many Heads) – Mount Olga is taller than Uluru at 584m. The afternoon is free before visiting the mesmerising Field of Light installation this evening.

Excursions & visits:

Sunrise at Uluru (morning)
Visit to Kata Tjuta (morning)
Entry to the Field of Light installation (evening)

Voyages Sails in the Desert, Uluru (4.5-star)


Day 13 – Cairns

We fly to Cairns (our flight may be indirect), where youll notice the pace of life slows right down and even in the inner city, youll more likely see board shorts than briefcases. Well spend the next few days based in Cairns. This part of Australia is the gateway to not only the Great Barrier Reef, but also the fascinating Tropical North.

Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel, Cairns (4.5-star)


Day 14 – 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. Today well head out on a catamaran ride to visit the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Here, we can view the coral from an underwater observatory or a semi-submersible boat. Watch as yellow, blue and orange tropical fish dart between reefs in this magical underwater world. Youll even have the chance to jump in for a spot of snorkelling in the water, if you like (equipment provided).

Excursions & visits:

Outer Greater Barrier Reef experience (all day)

Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel, Cairns (4.5-star)


Day 15 – Cairns

Take a day to unwind in the warmth of tropical Queensland. Perhaps wander along the promenade, stop for a spot of lunch at one of the restaurants, or opt for a spot of shopping. Cairns has some great museums and galleries – specifically the aquarium, which houses a vast range of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef in miniature! Along the coast, theres a host of excellent beaches of golden sand.

Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel, Cairns (4.5-star)


Day 16 – Kuranda – Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience

Gold prospecting and tin mining inspired the amazing engineering feat of todays scenic railway ride. Well wind through the rainforest and up the mountainside of Kuranda. Literally hewn from the rock, it twists and turns for 34km through 15 tunnels, across chasms and beyond cascades. A truly memorable journey – well be sure to stop for photos at the dramatic Barron Falls. Kuranda Railway Station is particularly lovely, with its original wooden structures and connecting bridge decked out with tropical flowers and ferns. Well spend some time at leisure here in Kuranda – the village in the rainforest – to browse the shops and cafs, or visit the butterfly sanctuary. Well hop on the coach for a journey down to Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience to visit their Dreamtime Walk and dance performance and experience their yarning circle.

Excursions & visits:

Kuranda Scenic Railway (morning)
Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience (afternoon)

Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel, Cairns (4.5-star)


Day 17 – Cairns – Sydney

Todays destination really delivers the wow factor. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Sydney, one of the worlds most iconic cities. Gazing out at the Opera House from across the harbour really is one of those surreal pinch me moments, but well have plenty of that over the next few days in this fascinating city. Well be staying near Darling Harbour, a pretty, restored area of dockland with a palm-fringed promenade, a Chinese garden and the magnificent Sydney Aquarium nearby.

Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)


Day 18 – Sydney

Well head out on a tour this morning to take in all the highlights of this great city. As we work our way around, well visit the harbour – dominated by the great span of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (the coat hanger) and distinctive Opera House – and the 19th-century Royal Botanical Gardens. This afternoon, well take to the water for a completely different perspective of the city. As we cruise by, well enjoy the view of the sumptuous waterfront homes and an even closer look at its iconic harbour.

Excursions & visits:

Guided city tour of Sydney (morning)
Sydney Harbour Cruise (afternoon)

Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)


Days 19-20 – Sydney

Two full free days at leisure. Why not explore Sydney on foot? Take a leisurely stroll through the old dockland streets of the Rocks – the area where the first British convicts settled, which retains an alluring Victorian charm, and now hosts numerous fine shops, galleries and restaurants. Nearby Circular Quay has some must-try dining venues of its own. On the other side of the Quay, be sure to pose for a selfie in front of the Opera House. Have a wander through the Botanical Gardens, admiring the flora, and along historic Macquarie Street, a parade of grand colonial-style buildings. Here, youll spot the State Conservatory of Music, Parliament House and the Mint, all designed by Englishman Francis Greenway, who was transported to Australia for forgery. Shopping opportunities abound in Sydney, but many of the best can be found on Pitt Street, running south of Circular Quay, and George 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, rich panelling and stained glass.

Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)


Day 21 – Sydney – In flight

Enjoy a few last hours at leisure in Sydney, before we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Sydney – In flight


Day 22 – UK

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

UK


 

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