Highlights of Australia
Overview
Explore Australia at your own pace. Experience exciting cities like Sydney, Cairns, and Brisbane. Dive into its enchanting wildlife, natural beauty, multicultural ambiance, and delicious cuisine.
Format
Locations
- Sydney
- Cairns (Tropical North Queensland)
- Brisbane
Inclusions
- Flight to Sydney, Australia; return from Brisbane (If flight & hotel package option is chosen)
- 12 nights of accommodation
- Domestic flights where applicable
- Guided tours, as indicated
- Transfers between airport/hotel (except in Cairns)
- Panoramic city tour of Sydney and cruise
- Admission to Calmsley Hill
- 2 morning teas, 1 national park entry fee, 1 glass of sparkling wine
- Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah visit
- 4-wheel drive car tour
- Tea or coffee and biscuits at the Cruise Centre
- 1 hour Daintree River cruise
- 4 Lunches
- Admission to Daintree National Park
- 1 afternoon tea
- 3 hours at Outer Barrier Reef platform
- Snorkeling equipment and Lycra suit
- Eco reef talk, semi-submersible coral viewing and an underwater observatory
- Environmental management charge
- Admission into Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and a river cruise upon return
- Return boat transfers in Tangalooma
- Day pass access to resort and full use of resort facilities
- Eco Ranger Experience
- Earn 4,000 extra Aeroplan® points per member on this tour for travel completed by December 31, 2025.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Sydney
Upon arrival into Sydney, take your private transfer to your hotel and check in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2
Sydney panoramic city tour & cruise
Take a half-day panoramic Sydney city sights tour to the historic Rocks area and learn about Australia’s early convict history, then see the Central Business District (CBD) and Macquarie Street for magnificent views of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
Then, continue through Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, home to the rich and famous. Traveling along the coves and shores of one of the world’s most impressive harbours, enjoy splendid photo opportunities, including a panoramic angle of the Sydney skyline. You’ll also travel to the famous Bondi Beach for a 30-minute stop to dip your toes in the sand.
The city tour will end at Darling Harbour, where you will be directed to the Eastern Pontoon Circular Quay for the 12 p.m. cruise departure. On board, you will enjoy a 3-hour cruise with lunch and live commentary.
Meal(s): Barbecue lunch buffet
Day 3
Sydney – Blue Mountains
Start your day early with a first stop at Calmsley Hill, a working farm that is also home to kangaroos, emus, wombats and koalas. Enjoy a morning tea and some time to wander around at leisure.
From Calmsley Hill, continue to the Blue Mountains via highway to visit a range of stunning views of the Jamison Valley. The Blue Mountains National Park is one of seven national parks that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
On the mountains, arrive at the Hydro Majestic Hotel to have lunch before continuing to one of the most famous lookouts in Australia, where a lookout provides sweeping views of the Grose Wilderness and even a magnificent waterfall drop.
Lastly, enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the delightful Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah before travelling back to the city and your hotel.
Day 4
Sydney – At leisure
Spend your last day in Sydney taking in all the sights and enjoying its delicious cuisine.
Day 5
Sydney – Cairns
After you check out of the hotel, you will be chauffeured to the airport for your domestic flight to Cairns.
Upon arrival, your driver will escort you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure in the heart of city and discover an exciting environment that takes pride in its cultural heritage.
Day 6
Cairns – Daintree Rainforest
Join your nature guide and travel north along the scenic route via Mossman to Cape Tribulation. Lush farmlands contrast with the seascape as you approach the majestic Daintree River.
Take time for a short morning tea break. Then, board an informative river cruise. Relax and enjoy the splendor only the Daintree can offer as you learn of estuarine crocodiles, mangrove forests, and wildlife.
Ascend Mount Alexandra and pause for a panoramic view of a Wet Tropics World Heritage Area merging with the azure colours of the Coral Sea. Experience the rainforest intimately on the elevated boardwalk and enjoy a barbecue lunch with freshly prepared salads.
Your 4-wheel drive car tour will take you beyond Cape Tribulation along seven kilometres of the Bloomfield Track to the pristine Emmagen Creek. You’ll even have time for a refreshing rainforest swim.
After a short afternoon refreshment stop, you will cross the Daintree River by cable ferry and begin your homeward journey back.
Meal(s): Tea/coffee and lunch
Day 7
Cairns – Great Barrier Reef
Pack your bags and make your way to the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns for your Great Barrier Reef adventure.
Experience breathtaking beauty of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The stable reef activity platform is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. Snorkel or dive in, visit the underwater observatory, cruise in a semi-sub, or just relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch. Don’t forget to bring your swimming costume, beach towel, hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.
Meal(s): Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Day 8
Cairns – At leisure
Spend the day exploring the beautiful city of Cairns on your own.
Day 9
Cairns – Brisbane
Check out of hotel and meet with your driver in the lobby for your transfer to the airport to board your flight to Brisbane.
Upon arrival, your personalized chauffeur will transfer you to your hotel for check in.
Head out and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure in the sunny and sophisticated capital city of Queensland.
Day 10
Brisbane – Sightseeing
Make your way to the Cultural Centre Public Pontoon for your early morning meet up with your group to visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and to enjoy a river cruise on the way back.
Enjoy the informative commentary from your captain as you glide along Brisbane’s waterfront. You’ll also have three hours to explore the world’s largest koala sanctuary and see platypuses up close.
Day 11
Brisbane – Tangalooma
Leave early in the morning to enjoy a cruise along the Moreton Bay Region and its protected marine park.
Our knowledgeable guides will tell you all about the island and its surroundings in Tangalooma.
Meal(s): 1 standard beverage on the boat transfer and lunch
Day 12
Brisbane – At leisure
Enjoy your last day in the city before your flight back home.
Don’t forget to check into your flight 24 hours prior to departure.
Day 13
Brisbane – Return to Canada
Take a private transfer to the airport and board your flight home.
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 service:
- January 2, 2024 to March 31, 2026.
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Not included:
- Transfers (unless specified)
- Optional excursions
- Porterage fees
- Any meals/beverages (unless specified)
- Fuel, parking fees, traffic violations, additional driver fee, car upgrades, roadside assistance, insurance coverages, child car seats, luggage racks, additional rental nights, late drop off fees
- Airport service charges, personal accident insurance
- Gratuities
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- Sydney Opera House tour
- This tour has 200+ stairs - Low impact
- Backpacks and small items to be left in the cloakroom. No large bags accepted.
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- Private airport transfers to/from hotels
- Domestic flights
- Boat cruises/boat transfers
- 4-wheel drive car tour
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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.