18 Days • 17 Nights
Epic Australia: East Coast & the Outback
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll drive the Great Ocean Road, climb Sydney's harbour views, laze in Byron Bay, sail the Whitsundays to Whitehaven, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns, and then fly into the centre for Uluru at sunrise, the domes of Kata Tjuta, the rim of Kings Canyon and the frontier spirit of Alice Springs. Coast and desert, city and wilderness, all in one seamless journey.
With internal flights, hand-picked hotels, local guides and every signature experience arranged, this is the definitive way to see Australia in one unforgettable trip.
Trip Highlights
- Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles
- Sydney's Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the Blue Mountains
- Laid-back Byron Bay on the way north
- Sailing the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Snorkelling the outer Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest
- Uluru at sunrise and sunset, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
- The outback frontier town of Alice Springs
- Internal flights and all signature experiences included
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 18-day journey.
Arrive in Melbourne, Australia's culture capital, and settle in. A welcome dinner in a laneway precinct kicks off your epic journey.
A full day on the Great Ocean Road — surf coast, rainforest and the towering Twelve Apostles rising from the Southern Ocean, with lunch en route.
Fly to Sydney and settle in beside the world's most beautiful harbour. An afternoon to find your feet around Circular Quay and the Opera House.
A guided day around the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanic Garden and the historic Rocks, with a harbour cruise beneath the bridge.
A full day in the World Heritage Blue Mountains — the Three Sisters, the cableways of Scenic World and the eucalyptus-hazed valleys — returning to Sydney by evening.
Fly north to Ballina and transfer to Byron Bay, Australia's most relaxed beach town, for a swim and a golden-hour stroll.
Walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse at the mainland's easternmost point, watching for dolphins and whales, then a free afternoon among the beaches and markets.
Fly to the Whitsunday Coast and settle into Airlie Beach, gateway to the islands and the reef.
A full day sailing to Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet lookout, with snorkelling over coral gardens and lunch aboard.
Fly north to Cairns, tropical base for the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree, with an easy afternoon on the esplanade.
A full-day cruise to the outer Great Barrier Reef to snorkel or dive among coral, turtles and rays, with lunch on board.
Into the ancient Daintree and Cape Tribulation, where rainforest meets reef, with a crocodile river cruise and Mossman Gorge.
Fly into the heart of the continent, landing at Ayers Rock. This evening, watch Uluru glow through reds and golds at sunset.
Uluru at sunrise, a guided base walk with Anangu stories, the cultural centre, and the great domes of Kata Tjuta on the Valley of the Winds walk.
Drive across the outback to Kings Canyon, arriving for an outback barbecue dinner beneath a sky ablaze with stars.
An early rim walk high above Kings Canyon, then the scenic drive to Alice Springs, the frontier capital of the outback.
Discover Alice Springs — the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the School of the Air and the Telegraph Station — and the desert culture of the Red Centre, with a final farewell to the outback.
A final outback breakfast before your transfer to Alice Springs Airport for onward connections.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 17 nights in hand-picked hotels and resorts across eight destinations
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, an outback barbecue, and lunches on the touring and reef days
- Internal flights along the route (Sydney, Whitsundays, Cairns, Uluru and Alice sectors)
- A Great Ocean Road day tour to the Twelve Apostles
- Guided Sydney city touring and a Blue Mountains day
- A full-day Whitsundays cruise to Whitehaven Beach
- A full-day outer Great Barrier Reef cruise and a Daintree day
- Uluru sunrise and sunset, a base walk, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon rim walk
- Local guides and all national park and sightseeing fees per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Australia
- Australian visa or ETA fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Domestic flights between hubs beyond those stated in the itinerary
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional activities, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa arranged online before travelling, and a passport valid for at least six months. We can point you to the right application
- Southern seasons: Australia's seasons are reversed — summer is December to February and winter June to August. The tropical north runs on a wet (Nov-Apr) and dry (May-Oct) season instead
- Sun protection: The Australian sun is fierce. Pack high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and reapply often — slip, slop, slap, as the locals say
- Distances: Australia is vast, so some legs use short internal flights or scenic drives. We build these into the pace so you are never rushed
- Marine stingers: In the tropical north, jellyfish season runs roughly November to May — swim in the stinger suits provided and always follow your guide
- Currency & tipping: The currency is the Australian Dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere and tipping is appreciated but never expected
- Wildlife: Respect wildlife and never feed animals unless guided. In the outback and tropics, always heed crocodile and swimming warnings
- Water & health: Tap water is safe to drink and pharmacies are everywhere. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for every visitor
- Outback readiness: In the Red Centre and Top End, carry water, wear sturdy shoes and start walks early to beat the midday heat
- Power & connectivity: Power is 230V with type I plugs, so bring an adapter. Mobile coverage can drop out in remote areas — part of the escape
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary (such as a reef cruise lunch or an outback barbecue). Other meals are left free so you can explore Australia's superb food scene.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged for you with local guides, so there is no logistics to worry about.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa, applied for online before you travel. It is quick and inexpensive, and we can guide you to the right one.
When is the best time to visit?
It depends on the region: the tropical north is best in the dry season (May-October), the Red Centre in the cooler months (April-September), and the southern cities and Tasmania shine in spring to autumn (September-April).
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and activities can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
Are internal flights included?
Where the route hops between distant hubs, the relevant domestic flights are included as stated in the inclusions. Any additional sectors can be arranged on request.
How much flying is involved?
Several internal flights (all included) link the distant hubs — Melbourne to Sydney, up to Byron and the Whitsundays, on to Cairns, and into the Red Centre — so you cover the whole country comfortably in eighteen days.
Is eighteen days too rushed?
Not at all — it is paced with multi-night stays in the key places, so you settle in rather than pack and unpack daily. It is the most complete single trip we offer, and can be extended further if you wish.
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