Experience Melbourne’s cozy alleys, mythical Uluru, Sydney’s highlights and jungle experiences, beaches and swimming at Port Douglas – sit back and let us tailor Australia’s most and best experiences! Learn more about Australia on indexdotcom.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia
Departure with scheduled flights – we always book scheduled flights with all its benefits – more legroom, meals and drinks, the opportunity to get bonus points. For those who have a special diet, you can order special food on board the flight free of charge. If you want to make a stop on the way, it can definitely be possible, just ask!
Day 2: Arrival Melbourne
You land in Melbourne late tonight after a change on the road. Upon arrival, you will be met and driven to your hotel in the fashionable and cozy suburb of St. Kilda which is directly adjacent to the sea. From the hotel you are close to both shopping and restaurants and you can easily get to central Melbourne for more activities. For those who want to take it easy, you can instead enjoy the hotel’s facilities or the nearby beach.
Day 3: Melbourne
After a morning in peace and quiet, head to Melbourne and join a different city tour. Together with an experienced local guide, you will explore the city’s famous small streets, alleys and arcades, while you can take part in and enjoy some of Melbourne’s best hidden food gems. You taste local delicacies while you get an insight into what makes Melbourne such a popular and charming city.
Day 4: Great Ocean Road
Time for adventure! Together with a small group, you travel by bus along the Great Ocean Road, but to avoid the large tourist flows, you make the trip backwards. You travel inland to eventually connect with the coast and your first stop – the stunning Twelve Apostles, the remains of London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge, a site of many historic shipwrecks. You then travel along the beautiful coastal road, past picturesque small coastal towns in the opposite direction from the rest of the tourists, and enjoy a wonderful picnic along the way. You will also have the opportunity to explore ancient rainforests and be amazed by stunning views, famous surfing beaches and if you are lucky, wild koalas in their natural environment. A magical day! ( L )
Day 5: Melbourne
A full day on your own in Melbourne – those interested in animals can go on a day trip to Phillip Island, those interested in wine to Yarra Valley’s many vineyards, those interested in gardens to the fantastic Royal Botanic Gardens and much more. The city and its surroundings offer something for all interests, there are museums, art galleries, sporting events, river cruises, trams and of course lots of nice restaurants and cafes. It’s not for nothing that Melbourne has long been known as Australia’s food capital!
Day 6: Melbourne – Ayers Rock
Early in the morning, it’s time for the next stage of the journey. You will be picked up at the hotel and return to Melbourne Airport from where you will fly the three hours to Ayers Rock, deep into Australia’s outback. Once there, you meet up and drive to your hotel. The afternoon and evening are free to explore the local area on your own or just relax in the hotel and enjoy the peace and quiet of this part of the country.
Day 7: Ayers Rock
Together with a small group, you embark today on an exclusive day trip with an Aboriginal guide, to visit one of Australia’s most famous landmarks – Uluru and its original “owners” and the area where the original entrance to Kata Tjuta National Park was located. Learn more about the history of the area and the Aborigines while enjoying a cup of tea and the spectacular views. Depending on the time you visit Ayers Rock, the tour can take place either in the morning or in the afternoon.
Day 8: Ayers Rock
Take the opportunity to take one of the excursions that are arranged, or go out on your own to see a magical sunrise. The day is free for your own activities, the hotel organizes lots of options so you just have to choose. If you just want to take it easy, you can of course do it. The evening’s activity starts at a deserted dune. A winding path then takes you to a completely undisturbed place, with a 360 degree panoramic view of this vast landscape. In the foreground you see Uluru, in the background Kata Tjuta’s domes and perhaps the most dramatic sunset you have ever seen. Enjoy the magic with a glass of sparkling wine and canapés and then, as the sun sets in an explosion of red and orange colors, you revel in a delicious Australian barbecue buffet accompanied by some of Australia’s finest wines. The eyes then look upwards, when the local astronomer takes you on a tour of the clear starry skies of the sensational southern hemisphere before you are taken back to your hotel full and satisfied. (M )
Day 9: Ayers Rock – Sydney
After a quiet morning, you then take a bus back to the airport where you travel on to the next stage of the journey – to Australia’s largest city Sydney, this fascinating and versatile city that has something for everyone. You arrive late afternoon and drive to the hotel in central Sydney, the evening is on its own.
Day 10: Sydney
You can now experience Sydney beyond the tourist routes on an information-packed two-hour walk through the city’s less visited areas. With a nice Sydney resident as a guide, you will see the major sights Sydney Harbor Bridge, The Rocks and Sydney Opera House but you will also nestle further into the city to take part in stories from the world’s biggest social experiment – the birth of modern Australia. After lunch, head to the Sydney Opera House where you will join a guided tour of the Opera House, one of the most famous buildings of all time. Experience the building’s history and magic and how the architect Jorn Utzon’s world heritage came to life. The evening is on its own – perhaps a wonderful and relaxing dinner cruise in Sydney Harbor can fit well after this eventful day.
Day 11-13: Sydney on your own
You have three full days to enjoy beautiful, friendly Sydney on your own. If you want, you can book an excursion to Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s oldest and most famous wine districts where you taste wines and see how a winery and production works, visit small boutiques and perhaps the cozy chocolate shop in Hunter Village. You can also make a day trip inland, to the Blue Mountains, this mythical place with fantastic and exciting views of the landscape. Visit the Three Sisters – a widely famous rock formation that, according to Aboriginal legends, was turned to stone by a sorcerer, as protection during a war against rivals. Unfortunately, the wizard was killed during the war and thus could not break the spell and the sisters have found themselves standing there ever since. The daring can take the chance to ride the world’s steepest railway – a truly scenic experience, or perhaps take a ride on the cable car up to the top. The trip can also be combined with a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park where you can visit some of the beautiful animals that characterize Australia – koalas, kangaroos, wombats and dingos. Sydney also has several fantastic beach suburbs where you can of course enjoy sunbathing and swimming, but also nice and long walking paths and hiking trails, eateries and boat trips. Climbing to the top of Sydney Harbor Bridge is on many people’s bucket lists and we can of course help you book this as well. The trip can also be combined with a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park where you can visit some of the beautiful animals that characterize Australia – koalas, kangaroos, wombats and dingos. Sydney also has several fantastic beach suburbs where you can of course enjoy sunbathing and swimming, but also nice and long walking paths and hiking trails, eateries and boat trips. Climbing to the top of Sydney Harbor Bridge is on many people’s bucket lists and we can of course help you book this as well. The trip can also be combined with a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park where you can visit some of the beautiful animals that characterize Australia – koalas, kangaroos, wombats and dingos. Sydney also has several fantastic beach suburbs where you can of course enjoy sunbathing and swimming, but also nice and long walking paths and hiking trails, eateries and boat trips. Climbing to the top of Sydney Harbor Bridge is on many people’s bucket lists and we can of course help you book this as well.
Day 14: Sydney – Cairns
At the desired time, it’s time to move on to the last stage of this journey. You will be picked up at the hotel and driven to the airport for the flight city of Cairns, a beautiful tropical coastal city in the northern part of the state of Queensland. On arrival you have a pre-booked transfer and go directly to your hotel in cozy Port Douglas, one of the lovely beach resorts just outside Cairns.
Day 15: Daintree and Cape Tribulation
You will be met at your hotel by the nature guide who will take you on today’s exciting trip to rainforest and mangrove swamp. The first stop is at the majestic Daintree River where you have time for a little morning tea before it’s time to board the boat for an informative and relaxing river cruise. You will learn more about the saltwater crocodiles that inhabit these waters, as well as mangrove swamps and other wildlife – this is truly nature in its essence! As you then travel across the Alexandra Range, you pause for a stunning panoramic view of the tropical rainforest, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its encounter with the azure waters of the Coral Sea. Stroll along the elevated walkway through the national park as you search for the rare and shy cassowary and other wildlife that live here in their natural habitat.
Day 16: Port Douglas
The day is completely free for sunbathing, swimming and exploring on your own this picturesque little seaside resort with pastel-colored houses, cozy restaurants and a wonderful beach. If you want to get to Cairns itself, you have about 60 minutes by car there and inside Cairns is recommended, among other things, The Art Gallery of Cairns for those interested in art and a visit to the Pier Marketplace for the shopping enthusiast.
Day 17: Great Barrier Reef
Today’s adventure starts in Port Douglas Marina, where you board the beautiful sailing catamaran Sailaway VII which takes you on a unique and authentic experience of the Great Barrier Reef and you set course for the sandbanks around Mackay or Undine Reefs. These protected areas of the reef offer snorkeling in crystal clear water in the company of a qualified marine biologist and there is also access to a glass-bottomed boat. If you are lucky, you may get really close to giant turtles, colorful corals and an abundance of fish of all kinds. During the day you are served both morning and afternoon coffee / tea, a wonderful tropical lunch and of course have access to skilled staff and first-class service throughout the day. ( L )
Day 18: Port Douglas
Another day off in Port Douglas and the surrounding area. If you are hungry for more experiences, the village of Kuranda is a really nice alternative – here you can go on it visit the Skytrain Rainforest Cableway which glides smoothly over the treetops on your way to the village of Kuranda. Here you can explore on your own the “village in the rainforest” and its many attractions such as markets, Koala Gardens, the butterfly reserve and more. You can also ride a so-called “Army Duck” (amphibious car) where you visit tropical orchards before stopping at Koala & Wildlife Park where you can see the cute animals up close.
Day 19: Cairns – Sydney – Scandinavia
After a final dip in the pool or the sea, it’s time to say goodbye to this multifaceted and exciting country. You have a transfer to the airport and then travel home with a stopover or two, on your way to Scandinavia.
Day 20: Return to Scandinavia
Overnight stays
Four nights at hotel in Melbourne
Three nights at hotel in Ayers Rock
Five nights at hotel in Sydney
Five nights at hotel in Port Douglas outside Cairns
