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Discover Australia

12 days, Melbourne to Cairns

Experience the very best of the Land Down Under, journeying from quirky foodie-haven Melbourne to the heart of the Red Centre to tropical North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Kick things off by eating your way through Melbourne’s best restaurants before heading to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to explore its sacred rock formations. Next up is Sydney for a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Opera House. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef aboard a catamaran, then continue your exploration of Queensland and meet members of the Kuku Yalanji: the world’s oldest living culture.

12 days - Melbourne to Cairns

From$5999USD
Valid on Aug 22 2024
Trip Code: OAMNG

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Experience the very best of the Land Down Under, journeying from quirky foodie-haven Melbourne to the heart of the Red Centre to tropical North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Kick things off by eating your way through Melbourne’s best restaurants before heading to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to explore its sacred rock formations. Next up is Sydney for a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Opera House. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef aboard a catamaran, then continue your exploration of Queensland and meet members of the Kuku Yalanji: the world’s oldest living culture.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys

Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.

Service Level: Upgraded

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

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12 days - Melbourne to Cairns

From$5999USD
Valid on Aug 22 2024
Trip Code: OAMNG

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 12

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 69

The [Great Barrier] reefs sheer diversity is part of what makes it great. It hosts 5,000 types of mollusks, 1,800 species of fish, 125 kinds of sharks, and innumerable miniature organisms. But the most riveting sight of all—and the main reason for World Heritage status—is the vast expanse of coral, from staghorn stalks and wave-smoother plates to mitt-shaped boulders draped with nubby brown corals as leathery as saddles.” —Jennifer S. Holland, “A Fragile Empire: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef,” National Geographic magazine, May, 2011

Map of the route for Discover Australia

Places visited

Itinerary Notes

There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.

Itinerary

Day 1Melbourne

Arrive at any time.

Day 2Melbourne

Embark on a food tour of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller. Home to many thriving immigrant communities, Melbourne has long been considered one of Australia’s gastronomic hubs. On this foodie walk through the city’s famed laneways, we’ll experience a range of flavors and cuisines over lunch at three popular venues. Start with an Asian entree with wine; move on to an Italian restaurant for a main dish accompanied with more wine, and finish off the tour with a gelato dessert at our third stop. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Melbourne Foodie Walk

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 3Melbourne

Spend the day exploring vibrant Melbourne. Set out on an optional excursion on the Great Ocean Road, following spectacular sea cliffs along the windswept Southern Ocean. Visit some of the region’s top wineries or wander the city’s narrow cobbled lanes and alleys, discovering quirky cafés and colorful murals.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Melbourne/Uluru

Catch a flight to Uluru, in the heart of the Australian outback. Visit the Cultural Centre of the Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and learn about the beliefs and customs of the Anangu, the area’s traditional Indigenous owners. Cap off the day with a glass of sparkling wine as you witness a crimson sunset over this fabled monolith.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Uluru

Awaken at dawn to witness the sunrise over Uluru and see the famous Field of Light installation. Then delve into a full-day exploration of the ancient, red-hued landscapes of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. After breakfast, make your way to Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s neighboring natural wonder for a morning of exploration. Later set out on a guided walk around the base of the monolith, gaining insight into its sacred significance to the Anangu.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Uluru/Sydney

Enjoy free time on our final morning in the Red Centre. Then pack up and head off to the airport for an afternoon flight to Sydney. Check in to our hotel and opt to join our CEO for a dinner out on the town in one of Sydney's famous neighbourhoods.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Sydney

Take it slow with a leisurely morning, or get up early and join your CEO for a walk around the Rocks area, a waterfront neighborhood that marks the spot of the first European settlement in Australia. It also holds a spiritual significance for the area’s indigenous people. Around midmorning, circle back and meet for a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. This afternoon, step aboard a private catamaran for a sunset sail around Sydney's famous harbor. Tuck into a delicious Australian Barbecue dinner as the sun sets in the background.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Private Tour of the Sydney Opera House

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 8Sydney

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the best of Sydney. Walk the Rocks and stop by Maybe Sammy for a drink, which happens to be one of the best bars in Sydney. Take the ferry to Manly Beach or walk the Bondi Coastal walk and snap some photos. Or, spend a full day exploring the Blue Mountains on an optional excursion.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Sydney/Port Douglas

Fly to Cairns today and travel up the scenic coastal road to Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Embark on an interpretive walk with an indigenous guide at the lush Mossman Gorge, learning about the traditional ways of life of the region’s Kuku Yalanji people. Continue to the resort town of Port Douglas, our home for the next three nights.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Port Douglas

Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day catamaran tour to the Outer Reef. Immerse yourself in the largest coral reef system in the world, which teems with 1500 species of tropical fish, as well as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Hop into the warm waters off Australia's east coast and experience this marine wonderland for yourself. Lunch will be served onboard. Back in Port Douglas the evening is yours to do as you please.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 11Port Douglas

Enjoy a free morning in charming Port Douglas. Stroll the town’s boutique-lined streets and idyllic beaches or head to the Sunday markets to browse the stalls. Later in the day, join your fellow travelers for an exclusive cultural experience at Cooya Beach. Meet Indigenous guides for a welcome ceremony, and get acquainted with members of the Kuku Yalanji people. Our CEO will organize an optional farewell dinner to toast your adventures down under.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Exclusive Indigenous experience at Cooya Beach

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 12Port Douglas/Cairns

After one last breakfast in Port Douglas, transfer back to Cairns where our tour ends at the airport mid-morning. Alternatively, extend your stay in Port Douglas.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Melbourne Foodie Walk, Melbourne
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Private Tour of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Exclusive Indigenous experience at Cooya Beach, Port Douglas
  • Sydney Harbour cruise
  • Indigenous dreamtime walk through the Daintree Rainforest at Mossman Gorge
  • Sunrise interpretive walk at Uluru
  • Walk through Walpa Gorge in Kata Tjuta
  • Full day excursion snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (11 nts).

Meals

11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Allow USD585-760 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, plane, boat, walking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road - From $108.00

Kick start this adventure early from Melbourne and make your way to the 12 Apostles. Enjoy time to take in the scenery before the crowds of people arrive. Wander along the boardwalk and marvel at the limestone rocks, then continue on to the Gibson Steps. Walk down to the beach for a different perspective before grabbing lunch at a local cafe in either Port Campbell or Apollo Bay. With renewed energy the group will drive through the Great Otway National Park where we’ll stop for a quick hike through the ancient rainforests. Try spotting koalas, kangaroos and king parrots near the Kennett River, before heading back to Melbourne a final stop to the town of Lorne for beach front views.

My Own Room - From $2599.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Discover Australia

| 12 days - Melbourne to Cairns - from $5999 USD