Melbourne
Widely regarded as Australia’s cultural capital; Melbourne enjoys a scenic location, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. The city is a convenient base for those who wish to explore surrounding regions like the Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island. And perhaps it is its location that invites various sporting organisations to hold their major events here. But Melbourne’s charm lies in more than just its appealing location. With timeless Victorian-era architecture, extensive shopping, museums, galleries and theatres, and several parks and gardens, it’s a city whose novelty never wanes.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Built in 1853, this hallowed ground has seen the world’s most brilliant cricketers tread the path to glory. The MCG has hosted the first-ever international Test match and the 1992 World Cup final, countless VFL / AFL Grand Finals, and the 1956 Olympic Games. Other sporting events that have been held there are the Australian World Cup soccer qualifiers, the rugby league home and away matches, international rugby union clashes and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Apart from sporting events, the MCG has also witnessed several music concerts, and houses a priceless collection of Australian sporting memorabilia.
A Full Day Tour Of Great Ocean Road
Explore the stunning coastline of south-west Victoria as you drive along one of the world’s most scenic roads. See the Twelve Apostles, the Otways rainforest, Bells Beach and the Great Ocean Road itself. You will pass by resort towns like Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay, the coastal cities of Geelong and Warrnambool, and the historic villages of Queenscliff, Port Campbell, Port Fairy and Portland.
Tram Tour
Take a two or three-hour tram tour of inner Melbourne while you enjoy a lavish meal. The Colonial Tramcar restaurant is the world’s first travelling tramcar restaurant, with trams converted into first-class restaurants, with stabilisers fitted to ensure a smooth ride. The restaurant trams travel the same tracks as Melbourne's regular trams while offering a very different perspective. The restaurants-on-tracks have been operating since 1983 and are very popular with visitors. Choose from three, four and five course meals at dinner. This is a great way to see the city and some of its main landmarks.
A Helicopter Ride Over The Great Ocean Road
Enjoy the views of the city and Port Phillip Bay as you cross the Westgate Bridge. Pass through Geelong as you make your way towards Bells Beach with its charming beachside towns. Absorb some truly amazing coastal scenery, with new views around every bend. After lunch, stroll in the cool temperate rainforest at Maits Rest in the Otway Ranges. Then it’s on to Port Campbell National Park and its array of rock formations. Take a helicopter flight over this magical section of coastline, past the Twelve Apostles, natural structures of limestone rising up out of the ocean.
Puffing Billy Steam Railway
It was in the early 1900s that Puffing Billy first wended its way through Australia’s quaint villages and wine valleys. Over a century later, this steam engine obligingly takes you to all its old haunts. Ride through Sherbrooke forest’s eucalyptus and fern woods where the lyrebirds have made their home. Then tour Yarra Valley and sip on a Chardonnay at Ferguson’s Winery. You will also be visiting Healesville Sanctuary, set amidst mountain bushland and see over 200 species of Australian birds, mammals and reptiles in their natural setting.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island Nature Park is regarded as Australia’s most popular natural wildlife attraction. Only 90 minutes from Melbourne, the Nature Park is an island adventure featuring spectacular coastal scenery, charming heritage and an abundance of wildlife. At sunset every evening, watch the world’s smallest penguins, the Little Penguins emerge from the surf and waddle towards their sand dune burrows. The elevated boardwalks and viewing stands allow you to watch this sight without disturbing the penguins in the least. Drop in at the Visitor’s Centre to pick up souvenirs of your visit.
A Day At Sovereign Hills
Relive the excitement of the gold rush days at Sovereign Hill. Enjoy shopping in 1850s style and take a coach ride. Watch wheelwrights, blacksmiths and candle makers at work. Situated in the historic city of Ballarat, Sovereign Hill can be easily accessed by car, train and tour coaches operating daily from Melbourne. Sovereign Hill is a comfortable 90 minute drive from Melbourne. It was voted Australia’s Best Tourist Attraction at the 2006 National Tourism Awards.
Your Choice Of Extensions
YARRA VALLEY
This is one of Australia’s oldest wine producing regions. Just over an hour’s drive east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is home to over 90 vineyards and 35 wineries. It is best known for its success with pinot noir, fine chardonnays, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz varietals. Visit the Produce store at Yerring Station winery, showcasing the fine wines from this region. Visit the Coldstream winery, then end the afternoon at the 100 year old Yarra Valley Dairy, where you will sample fresh, handmade cheese.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Experience one of the world’s great coastal drives, with its powerful seas, golden beaches, peaceful townships, giant cliffs and lush forests. Marvel at the views of Melbourne and Port Philip Bay from the West Gate Bridge. Stroll along pristine sandy beaches and wander through sleepy seaside holiday towns. Your tour highlights include Bells Beach -home to the World Surfing Championships, Torquay and Lorne -popular seaside townships, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Bridge, all natural attractions along the Great Ocean Road.
Sydney Discovery (5D/4N)
One of the world’s most iconic cities, Sydney offers a level of sophistication and luxury few can match. Cruise along the harbour, visit the aquarium and take a thrilling Harley Davidson ride.
Your Itinerary
- Sydney 2 nights
Day 1
Arrive in Sydney, and check in at your hotel. Freshen up and spend the afternoon exploring the area around your hotel. In the evening, take the Sydney Showboat cruise and the glorious view over the harbour. Savour a delicious Indian dinner on board while watching a cabaret show by the Sydney Show Boat Follies. (D)
Day 2
After breakfast, take a city tour of Sydney. Explore the interiors of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the Rocks, Darling Harbour and the Sydney Tower, where you will experience a Sky Walk, Sydney’s highest open-air attraction. Next, take the Oz Trek Tour and visit the Sydney Aquarium. Next on the list, an exhilarating seaplane ride over the city’s harbour. Admire the view over the coastline, the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Your evening has been kept free for any sightseeing you may wish to do on your own. Round off your day with dinner at an Indian restaurant. (B,D)
Day 3
After breakfast, get ready for an adrenalin-pumping hour, riding a Harley Davidson bike. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Sydney on your own. You’re in for a treat in the evening – an international seafood lobster dinner. (B,D)
Day 4
After a leisurely breakfast, the day is all yours; take this chance to go explore Sydney on your own. Shop for designer wear, Australian wines and cheese, watches, perfumes, cosmetics and electronics at Center Point, Pitts Street or Queen Victoria Building. End the day with an Indian dinner at a restaurant. (B,D)
Day 5
After an early breakfast, complete your packing, check out of the hotel and set off to Sydney to continue your holiday, or to board your flight home. (B)
Port Stephens Paradise (3D/2N)
With its untouched beaches, clear waters and friendly dolphin pods, Port Stephens is an ideal spot to visit from Sydney. Stop at a winery for a wine tasting, and take a four wheel drive over the sand dunes.
Your Itinerary
- Port Stephens 2 nights
DAY 1
After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, drive to Port Stephens, also known as the dolphin capital of Australia. Here you will find approximately 165 bottlenose dolphins living within the port area. You could hire a boat to observe them from up close or simply watch them from the shore. Spend some time exploring the gorgeous beaches here, of which Nelson Bay is recommended for Humpback Whale watching. Drive to Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest and most famous wine region for a wine tasting. And sample the chilli chocolate at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Shop. (B,D)
DAY 2
After breakfast, the day is yours to spend exploring Port Stephens on your own. Or if you feel adventurous, you may choose to take a four wheel drive or six wheel drive on the Stockton sand dunes. Do sample the fresh seafood here. (B)
DAY 3
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and set off to Sydney to continue your holiday, or to board your flight home. (B)
YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
- Port Stephens 2 nights
DAY 3
After a hot buffet breakfast at your hotel, set off for Dubbo Resort. (B)
DAY 4
After breakfast, spend the day making the most of all the facilities that your resort has to offer. (B)
DAY 5
After breakfast, set off to Sydney to continue your holiday, or to the airport to board your flight home. (B)
Cairns Discovery (4D/3N)
There’s so much to do in Cairns, four days might not be enough for you to fully explore the city. Visit the Aboriginal Park, take an All Terrain Vehicle ride through the bush, and spend a day cruising in the Great Barrier Reef.
Your Itinerary
- Cairns 3 nights
DAY 1
Arrive in Cairns, and set off to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, where you will witness first hand the beauty and power of Australia’s ancient indigenous culture. Later, prepare for a thrilling family adventure on your All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) ride. Ride the ATV through the bush trails and view rainforests, creeks, giant termite mounds, massive blue green trees and native animals. Check in at your hotel, then head out to dinner at an Indian restaurant. (D)
DAY 2
After a hearty breakfast, set off for a full day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, where a host of activities await you, followed by a delicious continental buffet lunch. Next, you are privy to stunning views of Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef on your helicopter ride. Take a guided tour on the glass bottom boat and the semi-submersible. Go swimming or snorkelling to best experience the wealth of coral and marine life all around you. You could also try scuba diving and undersea walking on your own for an additional fee. Later, return to your hotel in Cairns, and end your day with dinner at an Indian restaurant. (B,L,D)
DAY 3
Once you’re done with breakfast, the day is free for you to explore Cairns on your own. Shop at the duty free stores and shopping centres in the suburbs, and sample the local specialties at any of the restaurants in the area. End the day with an Indian dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
DAY 4
After an early breakfast, set off to Cairns airport to continue your holiday, or to board your flight home. (B)
The Island of Dreams: Green Island (3D/2N)
Green Island’s coral cay is a parallel world of coral gardens, unique plants and wildlife, and is a few hours’ drive from Cairns. Snorkelling in these emerald waters comes highly recommended.
Your Itinerary
- Green Island 2 nights
DAY 1
After a delicious buffet breakfast at your hotel, drive to Green Island. Set on the Great Barrier Reef, this is one of nature’s most enchanting creations. This coral cay is home to over 120 species of plants, birds, marine life and beautiful coral gardens. Don’t forget to take plenty of photographs here. (B)
DAY 2
After breakfast, the day is free for you to explore Green Island on your own. You could take a sea walk, an amazing underwater walking experience on the sea floor at Green Island or take a short boat trip to one of the best snorkelling sites at Green Island, both at an additional cost. (B)
DAY 3
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and set off to Cairns to continue your holiday, or to board your flight home. (B)
YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS
YOUR ITINERARY
- Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation 2 nights
DAY 3
After a hot buffet breakfast at your hotel, set off for Port Douglas. Here, greens and blues merge in an ever-shifting panoply of colour and light. Green Island is home to the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest of Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Visit the aquamarine reef waters of the Coral Sea, the crystal creeks of Mossman Gorge, and the palm fringed golden sands of Port Douglas Four Mile Beach. This region is home to over 3,000 plant species including trees, vines, palms and ferns, as well as the world's largest and smallest tree ferns and cycads. (B)
DAY 4
After breakfast, you are free to explore Port Douglas on your own. Laze about on the beach, stroll around the village shops, galleries, historic buildings and the seaside Sunday market. Play a round of golf, visit a rainforest wildlife centre, relax over cocktails at a boardwalk café, or dine on a delicious tropical dinner at one of the many fine restaurants. (B)
DAY 5
After breakfast, set off to Cairns to continue your holiday, or to the airport to board your flight home. (B)
Gold Coast Discovery (4D/3N)
For those who enjoy the good things in life, Gold Coast is paradise. Attend a sizzling show at Conrad Jupiters and take a hot air balloon ride, complete with champagne.
Your Itinerary
- Gold Coast 3 nights
DAY 1
Arrive at Brisbane International Airport, from where you will drive to Gold Coast and check in at your hotel. In the evening, take your stretch limousine to the celebrated Conrad Jupiters Lady Salsa show, where you will be treated to a delicious international dinner. Later, take the limo back to your hotel. (D)
DAY 2
Your day begins early, and with good reason, since you will take a thrilling hot air balloon ride over the city. Float across the sky for a whole hour with the sparkling beaches of the Gold Coast beneath you. A fitting end to your adventure? A scrumptious champagne breakfast! Next, you have the option of visiting either Movie World / Dream World or Sea World. End your day with a leisurely dinner at an Indian restaurant. (B,D)
DAY 3
After breakfast, get ready for a full day excursion to Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast, fast becoming a popular tourist spot. (B)
DAY 4
After an early breakfast, check out of your hotel and set off to Gold Coast airport to continue your holiday, or to board your flight home. (B)
Nature Trails (3D/2N)
Just a few hours away from Gold Coast are three natural paradises - Tangalooma, O’Reilly’s Rainforest and Byron Bay. These offer an undisturbed natural world of solitude and wildlife.
Your Itinerary
- Tangalooma 2 nights
DAY 1
After breakfast, drive to Holt St. Wharf to board the launch for Tangalooma Resort, a relaxing 75-minute cruise from Brisbane across Moreton Bay. Fringed on three sides by Moreton National Park, Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort is ensconced in landscaped gardens and natural bushland, offering you a wide range of nature based and adventure activities. Soon after you arrive, get ready to experience a Four Wheel Drive. Later, watch as the dolphins swim right up to the beach, adjacent to the well-lit jetty, where they are hand-fed fresh fish by marine biologists, staff and resort guests. Whether you are feeding dolphins or simply watching from the jetty, the experience is unforgettable. (D)
DAY 2
After breakfast, the day is free to enjoy the resort’s several activities. Go sand tobogganing from 150-foot high sand hills, snorkel near the wrecks or take a kayaking tour at an additional cost. You could also try archery, kookaburra, beach volleyball, tennis or cricket. (B)
DAY 3
After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and set off to Brisbane airport to board your flight home. (B)
YOUR ITINERARY (3D/2N)
- O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat 2 nights
DAY 1
After breakfast, drive to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Located high in the hinterland between Brisbane and Gold Coast, this is the perfect place to discover nature, or simply leave the stresses of the world behind. (B)
DAY 2
After breakfast, the day has been kept free for you to explore O’Reilly’s Rainforest on your own. The vast array of bird life and spectacular views of the rugged escarpment attract people from all over the world. Joining their experienced Rainforest Guides as they take you on half and full day guided walks, and 4WD bus trips to a variety of scenic spots throughout the day, with a range of activities that will appeal to everyone. (B)
DAY 3
After an early breakfast, check out of your hotel and set off to Brisbane airport to board your flight home. (B)
YOUR ITINERARY (3D/2N)
- Byron Bay 2 nights
DAY 1
After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, drive to Byron Bay, popular with surfers, wildlife enthusiasts and whale watchers. Temperate and tropical waters merge at Byron Bay, making it a popular area for scuba diving and snorkelling. Most diving is done at Julian Rocks which is part of the recently established Cape Byron Marine Park and only a few minutes boat ride from Main Beach. (B)
DAY 2
After breakfast, the day is free for you to explore Byron Bay on your own. There are plenty of activities here to choose from: nature walks, day spas, surf schools, sea kayaking, sky diving, scuba diving, yoga and massages. (B)
DAY 3
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and set off to Brisbane airport to board your flight home. (B)
Melbourne Discovery (4D/3N)
Over four days, imbibe the flavour of this seaside city. Visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground, dine in a tramcar as it takes you around the city, and take a long drive along the Great Ocean Road.
Your Itinerary
- Melbourne 3 nights
DAY 1
Arrive in Melbourne and check in at your hotel. Later in the day, take a tour of the city, where you will see the Town Hall, Bourke Street Mall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Chinatown, Parliament House and the Princess theatre. Visit the Fitzroy Gardens and see the legendary Captain Cook’s cottage. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and take a relaxing walk by the lake. Later, drop by at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of the most famous cricket grounds in the world. In the evening, take a tramcar dinner ride around the city. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is the world’s first travelling tramcar restaurant. It offers a sightseeing tour with a difference. (D)
DAY 2
After breakfast, the day has been kept free for you to explore Melbourne on your own. Shop for designer labels, delicious Australian wines and cheese, watches, perfumes and electronics. At the end of the day, dig into an appetising Indian dinner at a restaurant. (B,D)
DAY 3
After breakfast, get ready for an adrenalin-pumping hour, riding a Harley Davidson bike. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Sydney on your own. You’re in for a treat in the evening – an international seafood lobster dinner. (B,D)
DAY 4
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and set off to Melbourne airport to board your flight home. (B)
Luxury Retreats (3D/2N)
A long drive over Australia’s most stunning coastal road, or a vineyard tour. It’s difficult to choose between the two, so may we recommend that you do both?
Your Itinerary
- Great Ocean Road 2 nights
DAY 1
After a delicious buffet breakfast, set off to Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most scenic roads through an area that includes the Twelve Apostles, the Otways rainforest, Bells Beach, the Surf Coast, and the Great Ocean Road itself. The Otway Fly and the nearby Triplett Falls next to the Beech Forest are well worth visiting. Historic Flagstaff Hill and the ‘Shipwrecked’ night time spectacular are also fascinating. And Geelong’s waterfront has been redeveloped into a unique experience, both colourful and architecturally significant. (B)
DAY 2
After breakfast, the day is free for you to explore Great Ocean Road on your own, a chance for you to experience some of the world’s most breathtaking coastal regions. See huge cliffs, raging surf, tranquil bays, lush rainforests, and fascinating wildlife. (B)
DAY 3
After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and set off to Melbourne airport to board your flight home. (B)
YOUR ITINERARY (3D/2N)
- Yarra Valley 2 nights
DAY 1
After a delicious buffet breakfast at your hotel, drive to the wine region of Yarra Valley. From chardonnay and sauvignon blanc to complex pinot noir and rich cabernet sauvignon, you are certain to find your favourite wine style here. (B)
DAY 2
After breakfast, the day is free for you to explore Yarra Valley on your own. Besides the wineries, you will also discover art galleries, restaurants, cafes, antique stores, nature walks and family attractions such as the Healesville Sanctuary. (B)
DAY 3
After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and set off to Sydney airport to board your flight home. (B)