Grand Tour of Australia
Resort: | Grand Tour of Australia |
Operator: | Titan Travel |
Destination: | Australia, Australia & The Pacific |
Price From: | £7695.00 |
OverviewAustralians are renowned for their love of the outdoors, and youll quickly discover why on this all-encompassing trip of a lifetime. Soak up the sunshine in the countrys greatest cities, sample shiraz in its finest wine regions and meet the diverse wildlife as we delve into Outback, rainforest and parkland. With 30 days, were able to see even more of Australias highlights, from the creeks of the Top End to the bohemian beach town of Noosa. Whats Included
21 excursions and visits
Plus
ItineraryDay 1 UK – In flightTitans VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Perth. Day 2 PerthOn arrival, the evening is at leisure. Day 3 FremantleWe start our day with a tour of Perth and then make our way towards the ocean to spend time in Fremantle – an eclectic, arty suburb that has retained an element of its historic, colonial precinct. We board a ferry to follow the weaving Swan River through Fremantle back to Perth, sailing past multi-million-dollar waterfront mansions.
Day 4 PerthToday is free to explore Australias sunniest capital. Maybe follow a nature trail, take an Indigenous Heritage Tour in Kings Park, find adventure on the river or visit the Art Gallery WA to see one of the worlds finest collections of indigenous art. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to Rottnest Island. Its of great spiritual significance – known as Wadjemup to the Aboriginal people who have inhabited this island for more than 6,500 years. This car-free island has stunning beaches, incredible pink salt lakes and an abundance of wildlife including the adorably cheerful quokkas. Wadjemup Lighthouse, still operating today, offers fantastic views over Rottnest and the sapphire ocean. Kings Park is a wonderful spot to end your day, strolling through 400 hectares of beautiful gardens and protected bushland, before watching the sun set over the city. Day 5 DarwinFly to Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory. Well stay close to the ocean and an easy walk from the citys highlights. Day 6 KakaduWe spend a full day touring Kakadu National Park, Australias largest national park and home to Aboriginal people for over 50,000 years. Look out for native wildlife and huge termite mounds along the roadside as we traverse stunning scenery and landscapes.
Day 7 Kakadu – KatherineCruise Kakadus wetlands, an ever-changing landscape. More than 10,000 saltwater crocodiles live in the park, as well as an uncountable number of bird species, including the whistling duck, jabiru and white-bellied sea eagle. Experienced guides will give fascinating insights into the regions wildlife, Bininj people and survival through the seasons. Later, we travel to Katherine.
Day 8 Katherine – DarwinNitmiluk National Park includes a breathtaking series of towering gorges along the Katherine River. This morning well take a leisurely cruise on its tranquil waters, before returning to Darwin.
Day 9 DarwinThis morning we take a tour of this tropical capital, including entrance to the Darwin Military Museum, which tells the story of Japans devastating air raids on 19 February 1942. They dropped more bombs here than on Pearl Harbor. The afternoon is at leisure. Maybe visit the wonderful markets or the superb Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Day 10 Alice SpringsFly early to Alice Springs, where our tour includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctors Service Base, founded to provide medical care for residents in over 1.5 million square kilometres of isolated bushland; and the Old Telegraph Station, built in the 1870s to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide.
Day 11 Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) – UluruOur journey continues to one of Australias natural highlights, Uluru. We head to the Olgas, a collection of rounded rocks known to Aborigines as Kata Tjuta (Many Heads), and then continue closer to Uluru to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset.
Day 12 Uluru – CairnsEarly this morning we travel the short distance back to Uluru to watch this phenomenal rock change as the sun rises, before flying to Cairns.
Day 13 CairnsToday is free to explore Cairns. The Esplanade lagoon or the Pier marina, are the places to head to if you want to spend time on the coast. Despite the lack of beach, this small town is still popular for boardshort-clad tourists, and for those looking to experience the great outdoors. Day 14 Great Barrier ReefToday we experience another of Australias incredible natural wonders – the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an unforgettable cruise to Michaelmas Cay, a small sand island on the outer reef. You can choose to remain on deck, take a tour on a semi-submersible vessel, or experience the warmth of the water as you snorkel between the corals in search of tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles.
Day 15 KurandaWe board the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a journey through some of the worlds oldest rainforest, with an incredibly vivid display of plants and some spectacular waterfalls, including Barron Falls, where we stop for photos. Youre free to explore the village of Kuranda, with several options to get closer to native wildlife. Our return to Cairns is on the spectacular Kuranda Skyrail, a sedate 7.5km gondola ride gliding just metres above the rainforest canopy, allowing a unique opportunity to see, hear and smell this beautiful area.
Day 16 Cairns – Brisbane – NoosaFly to Brisbane and transfer to Noosa – the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Day 17 Fraser IslandToday we visit Fraser Island, the worlds largest sand island, and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows on sand. As your 4WD drive vehicle navigates the stunning east coast beach – the islands main road – youll enjoy translucent freshwater lakes, and may catch sight of the wild dingos and native birds.
Day 18 NoosaSpend your free day relaxing in the tropical town of Noosa. Maybe take to the expansive golden beaches or stroll to beautiful Noosa Heads for gorgeous views and a chance to spot koalas in the eucalyptus trees at Noosa National Park. You may find opportunities to sail down Noosa River or go whale watching. Day 19 Noosa – BrisbaneWe drive to Brisbane for a tour of this booming city, including a visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The worlds largest koala sanctuary has over 130 of these gentle marsupials, as well as kangaroos, possums and wombats.
Day 20 BrisbaneToday is free to spend time in Brisbanes historic precinct, the delightful Botanic Gardens or the world-class galleries along the South Bank. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island – a 75-minute cruise from the mainland. This protected island offers fabulous opportunities: hand feed wild bottlenose dolphins; or snorkel amongst wrecks which have become home to reef fish. Day 21 Pacific Coast – Byron Bay – Coffs HarbourBoard our coach after breakfast to enjoy the scenery as we head south along the legendary Pacific Coast. We stop to see the fun-filled Gold Coast, where a virtually unbroken 40km beach braces for the waves of renowned surf spots; and Byron Bay, a small hippy town at the end of a beautiful sweeping bay, at mainland Australias most easterly point. We continue to Coffs Harbour, where the Great Dividing Range meets the South Pacific Ocean.
Day 22 Hunter ValleyTravel into New South Wales best-known wine region – Hunter Valley. Spend this afternoon on a winery tour and sample specialities such as semillon and shiraz.
Day 23 SydneyBoard our coach to Sydney, where we take a tour to see the citys highlights. Enjoy a seafood lunch on a harbour cruise while we witness iconic views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Days 24-25 SydneyYou have two free days to experience the delights of Sydney. Theres a vast choice of galleries and historical museums, the gorgeous Botanical Gardens and The Rocks – the fabulous heart of historic Sydney where Captain Arthur Phillip proclaimed the establishment of Australias first European settlement in 1788. Maybe see a performance at the Royal Opera House, climb the Harbour Bridge or ascend the Sydney Tower for impressive views. Although the city is walkable, there is a fantastic transport system which can also take you to more distant attractions such as Bondi Beach, North Head Sanctuary in Manly or Botany Bay. Day 26 Sydney – MelbourneAfter a flight to Melbourne, we take a tour of the city, including entrance to Cooks Cottage, which was built in Yorkshire by Captain James Cooks parents, painstakingly disassembled, shipped to Australia and rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934.
Day 27 Dandenong – Yarra ValleyEnjoy a day in Victorias beautiful countryside. As we drive through endless rows of vines in Yarra Valley, we break at a few fine wineries to compare their signature flavours. Then, well continue to the Dandenong Ranges for a trip on Puffing Billy steam train. The view of the Dandenong Ranges can often be seen under a blue haze, created by the eucalyptus trees that cover much of the area.
Day 28 MelbourneTheres plenty to see on a free day in Melbourne, including the beautiful Victorian faades of Flinders Street Station and Old Customs House, Queen Victoria Market and the Old Melbourne Gaol, now a museum dedicated to Melbournes most dangerous offenders, including Ned Kelly. Alternatively, join us for an optional excursion along the Great Ocean Road, a stunning coastal route that includes the Twelve Apostles; or travel to Phillip Island, best known for the enchanting parade of adorable little (fairy) penguins that waddle across the shores at dusk to nest. Day 29 Melbourne – In flightEnjoy a second free day in this exciting city before we transfer to the airport this evening for your return flight to the UK. Day 30 UKUpon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home. |