Australian Explorer
Overview
Begin in vibrant Sydney, where you'll explore its world-famous landmarks and rich history. Continue to Melbourne, a city celebrated for its cultural charm and scenic beauty.
Finally, venture to tropical Cairns, your gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll dive into stunning marine life and lush rainforests. With a perfect mix of guided tours and free time, this itinerary promises unforgettable memories across Australia’s top highlights.
Format
Locations
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Cairns (Tropical North Queensland)
Inclusions
- Round-trip flights to Sydney (if Flight & Hotel package option is chosen)
- Private transfers to and from hotel and airports
- Domestic flights from Sydney to Melbourne, Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney
- 10 nights hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- 1 lunch experience
- Small group Blue Mountain tour
- Scenic World entry with cableway, skyway and railway
- Sydney Zoo entrance
- Tickets to river cruise
- Historical and cultural private walking city tour
- Private Melbourne city walking tour
- Small group Great Ocean Road tour
- Great Barrier Reef cruise
- Earn and redeem Aeroplan® points
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Sydney
Upon arrival In Sydney, you will be met and chauffeured to your hotel for check in.
Take this opportunity to explore around your hotel area with a visit to Paddy's Market or Chinatown for dinner. Enjoy the day at leisure exploring the city and its laid-back outdoor lifestyle, stunning views, colonial architecture, restaurants and bars.
Day 2
Sydney – Discover Sydney
After breakfast, you will begin your day by meeting your guide in the hotel lobby at 9:00 a.m. for a tour of Sydney.
You will visit the iconic Sydney Opera House, which showcases Australia's cultural heritage and impresses with its stunning architecture, distinctive of the 20th century. As you walk around the city, you will understand why Sydney is known worldwide not only for its beauty but also for its cultural diversity, history, and excellent infrastructure. Explore the historic region of The Rocks, where the city of Sydney was born. This charming district is famous for its cobblestone streets, cafes, restaurants, craft fairs, art galleries, and an unparalleled bohemian atmosphere, all complemented by great views over the harbour.
Your guide will also provide valuable tips on where to eat, local transport, shopping, and more. Next, we'll visit Darling Harbour, a modern complex from where boat trips depart to explore Sydney Harbour. This lively area is full of attractions, restaurants, and museums. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and end the tour on a high note before returning to your hotel for the night.
Breakfast
Meal(s):Day 3
Sydney to the Blue Mountains
Start your day with an early breakfast and prepare for a memorable trip to the Blue Mountains.
Your adventure begins with a scenic drive through Katoomba, leading to breathtaking views of the iconic Three Sisters rocks from Echo Point. At Scenic World, experience the cableway, skyway, and railway for unparalleled aerial views of the Jamison Valley and Katoomba Falls.
After a lunch break ($), visit Sydney Zoo to see a variety of Australian animals up close.
The day concludes with a relaxing cruise along the Parramatta River, arriving at either Sydney's Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.
Breakfast
Meal(s):Day 4
Sydney to Melbourne
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a private transfer to the airport for your flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival in Melbourne, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel.
Once settled, embark on a 3-hour walking tour with a local expert, starting at Federation Square, the city's vibrant cultural hub known for its striking architecture and public spaces. Discover Melbourne’s rich Aboriginal history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture that has earned it the title of one of the world’s most livable cities.
Afterward, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria, a river cruise, the Eureka Skydeck, or other locations that your local guide will share with you.
Breakfast
Meal(s):Day 5
Melbourne – Great Ocean Road
Depart from your hotel with a breakfast box available for pick up at 6:30 a.m. to cross the famous Great Ocean Road.
Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. If you're lucky, you might see some kangaroos and hear the singing of beautiful birds native to Australia such as kookaburras, king parrots, yellow robins, and fairy-wrens.
Drive through the picturesque coastal towns of Anglesea, Lorne, and Apollo Bay in southwest Victoria. On the east side of Cape Otway, Apollo Bay is a natural resort town where you can explore its rich rainforests filled with waterfalls, streams, lush vegetation, and exotic wildlife.
Explore Great Otway National Park and learn about this incredible rainforest. Witness towering centuries-old eucalyptus trees, lush ancient ferns, magnificent wetlands, numerous native birds, and many different species of wildlife. Next, visit the venerable Twelve Apostles and the Gorge of Loch Ard, which was the site of a famous shipwreck. Looking out over the rock-studded ocean, you'll easily understand why it's called the Shipwreck Coast. Learn about the stories of how the road was carved out of woodlands and granite rocks to connect small fishing towns, early settlements, and whaling sites.
Upon returning to Melbourne, stop in the town of Colac for a short break.
Boxed breakfast
Meal(s):Day 6
Melbourne
Enjoy a day of leisure in Melbourne with a variety of exciting options to suit your interests.
Whether you're looking to indulge in a shopping spree, explore scenic vineyards, encounter wildlife, or take a nostalgic train ride, today offers the perfect opportunity to create memorable experiences. Choose from visiting Chadstone Shopping Centre, exploring the Yarra Valley, observing little penguins at Phillip Island, or enjoying a historic ride on Puffing Billy. The choice is yours to make this day uniquely yours.
Breakfast
Meal(s):Day 7
Melbourne – Cairns
After breakfast, take your transfer to the airport for your flight to tropical Cairns.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel. Spend the rest of the day settling into the laid-back atmosphere of Cairns.
Take in a visit to the 38-hectare Cairns Botanic Gardens, just five minutes from the central district. Established in 1886, these gardens feature an impressive collection of tropical plants, including one of only two Amorphophallus titanum plants found in Australia.
Alternatively, explore the Cairns Aquarium, which showcases 16,000 species of animals across 10 different ecosystems and 71 exhibits. This unique aquarium is the only one in the world to display wildlife from two World Heritage Sites. In addition to the standard aquarium experience, you can dive with sharks or take a Marine Life Encounters tour, which includes a personal guide through the aquarium, including behind-the-scenes areas and the newly created turtle hospital.
Breakfast
Meal(s):Day 8
Cairns – Great Barrier Reef
After an early morning breakfast, board your transfer to the Ocean Free sailboat for a trip to Green Island, a fully developed coral island on the Great Barrier Reef.
The island’s protected waters offer an ideal setting for discovering the reef through snorkeling and scuba diving, showcasing the incredible sea life unique to this area. After, sail to Pinnacle Reef, an exclusive mooring on the eastern side of Green Island, renowned for its excellent coral coverage and vibrant marine life. You can snorkel directly from the boat, or if you're feeling adventurous, you may choose to try your first scuba dive.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure, giving you ample time to fully experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
Breakfast and lunch
Meal(s):Day 9
Cairns
After breakfast, today is yours to either explore the vibrant city of Cairns or simply unwind in the tropical surroundings.
You might choose to tour the Daintree Rainforest, a lush tropical haven, and visit the stunning beaches of Cape Tribulation. Alternatively, consider a journey through the Fruit Basin to the charming town of Kuranda, known for its unique markets and picturesque setting. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, the day offers a variety of options to suit your mood.
Breakfast
Meal(s):Day 10
Cairns – Sydney
After breakfast, board your transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by your chauffeur, who will take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Breakfast
Meal(s):Day 11
Return to Canada
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your driver who will take you to the airport for your departure flight.
Breakfast
Meal(s):Accomodations
Where you'll stay
Location
Hotel
Room details
Type of bed(s): 1 double bed or 2 twin beds
Room occupancy: Maximum 3 people (3 adults, or 2 adults and 1 child)
Unless otherwise specified, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Important Information
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Daily from August 20, 2024 – March 25, 2026
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Not included:
- Transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- Optional excursions
- Porterage fees
- Any meals/beverages (unless otherwise stated)
- Airport service charges, personal accident insurance
- Gratuities
- Visa requirements
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- Private airport transfers
- Boat cruises
- Domestic flights within Australia / New Zealand
- Transportation
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The sequence of the itinerary may be altered for reasons beyond the supplier’s control, such as accommodation availability, weather, national events, strikes, etc.