Start your journey aboard the City Circle Tram with your Trip Leader for a ride to Federation Square, a hub of Melbourne’s cultural life. Step into the Birrarung Building, home of the Koorie Heritage Trust, where an Aboriginal guide leads a private two-hour walking tour. Trace the banks of the Yarra River while learning about the traditions, stories, and continuing culture of the Kulin Nation peoples. Along the way, see the city through an Indigenous lens that highlights the deep connection between land, water, and community.

The afternoon highlights one of Melbourne’s character-rich neighborhoods. Depending on the day, explore eclectic Fitzroy with your Trip Leader with its bohemian edge, leafy Carlton with Italian cafés and specialty shops, or seaside St. Kilda with its breezy esplanade. Pause at a local café for a relaxed lunch—perhaps a wood-fired pizza in Carlton, a modern vegetarian plate in Fitzroy, or fresh seafood in St Kilda. Return to the hotel in time to rest before gathering this evening for a welcome dinner.

As evening sets in, gather with the group for a welcome dinner. Share stories over dishes inspired by modern Australian cuisine and raise a glass to new discoveries in the company of fellow travelers.

Included Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins

Venture south from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula, a region known for coastal landscapes and rolling vineyards. Begin with the Bath House Revitalise experience at Peninsula Hot Springs. Slip into steaming thermal pools surrounded by tea trees and native bush. Wander between pools at different temperatures and let the mineral-rich water ease body and mind.

From here, the day turns to wine country. Travel as a group through a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves, and orchards before stopping at two handpicked wineries. Learn the story of cool-climate winemaking on the Peninsula, sampling elegant varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with guidance from local vintners. Pause midday at one of the estates for a relaxed lunch featuring seasonal produce paired with house wines, enjoyed against a backdrop of sweeping vineyard views.

As the day winds down, trace the scenic coastal route back to Melbourne. Gaze at sandy coves and rugged headlands while reflecting on a day of indulgence, connection, and discovery.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins

Transfer to Melbourne Airport for a flight to the Red Centre. Arrive at Ayers Rock Airport and continue to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, a place dedicated to sharing Anangu culture and traditions. Take part in a hands-on dot painting workshop led by artists from Walkatjara Arts. Learn about symbols, stories, and techniques that form the foundation of this iconic Aboriginal art style, and create a personal piece to take home.

Pause for a casual independent lunch in the cultural center’s café before checking in to the accommodation. The afternoon allows time at leisure to explore. Get recommendations for nearby galleries from your Trip Leader and discover more local artwork reflecting the spiritual significance of this ancient landscape.

As night falls, step into one of Australia’s most magical experiences: A Night at the Field of Light. Walk among 50,000 solar-powered spheres glowing softly across the desert floor, then enjoy an open-air dinner beneath a canopy of stars. Raise a glass as the colors of Uluru shift with the setting sun, and listen as a resident “star talker” interprets the southern night sky, revealing constellations, planets, and galaxies above the vast desert horizon.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Sails in the Desert

Begin the day in the stillness of dawn with an Uluru Sunrise Tour. Travel to a prime viewing point and watch as the first light spills across the desert, transforming the monolith from deep shadow to glowing red and gold.

Transfer to Ayers Rock Airport and board a flight to Cairns, gateway to tropical North Queensland. From here, continue by coach along one of Australia’s most beautiful drives. The road to Port Douglas hugs the Coral Sea, with rainforest-clad mountains rising on one side and turquoise water on the other. Arrive in this relaxed beachside town, perfectly nestled between two World Heritage treasures: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

Check in at the beach club accommodation. The remainder of the day is unscheduled, offering space to relax or explore independently. Stroll along the palm-lined shore, browse boutique shops and galleries in the village, or enjoy the hotel’s lagoon pool.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas

Set out on a full-day adventure into the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Begin at Mossman Gorge, where Indigenous Kuku Yalanji guides lead the Dreamtime Walk. As you follow shaded rainforest trails, learn about traditional bush medicine, ancient customs, and the deep spiritual connection between people and land. The stories shared along the way bring the landscape to life, weaving natural beauty with cultural meaning.

Afterward, enjoy a relaxed lunch at a nearby café before continuing north to the Daintree River. Glide through mangrove-lined waterways. Keep watch for saltwater crocodiles basking on the banks, kingfishers darting between branches, and other creatures that call this unique ecosystem home. Guides provide fascinating insight into the delicate balance of river and rainforest.

Return to Port Douglas in the late afternoon with a richer appreciation for the heritage and biodiversity of this remarkable region.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas

Step aboard a catamaran in Port Douglas and set sail toward the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. Cruise across turquoise waters to a secluded reef site, where vibrant coral gardens teem with marine life. Slip into the water to snorkel among parrotfish, clownfish, and giant clams, or simply relax on deck and soak in the panorama of endless sea and sky. Knowledgeable guides share insights into reef ecology and conservation, helping to reveal the fragile beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

After your underwater exploration, step ashore on Mackay Cay, a tiny, uninhabited coral island ringed by crystal-clear water. Stroll barefoot along its white sands or simply stretch out and soak in the sun.

Return to the catamaran for a gourmet tropical buffet lunch, then spend the afternoon as you wish—more snorkeling, another quiet wander along the cay, or unwinding on deck. As the sails are raised for the journey home, enjoy afternoon tea and reflect on the rare beauty of the world’s largest living reef system.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas

Transfer to Cairns Airport for a flight south to Sydney, Australia’s iconic harbor city. Upon arrival, continue to the hotel and settle in.

The afternoon is free to relax or explore nearby at leisure. Stroll along Darling Harbor, where cafés, shops, and waterside promenades invite leisurely exploration. Art lovers may enjoy a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay or the Art Gallery of New South Wales, both showcasing world-class collections. For a quieter escape, wander the green lawns and waterfront paths of the Royal Botanic Garden, with sweeping views across the harbor.

As evening approaches, join the trip leader for an orientation walk, followed by dinner with your group. Enjoy Sydney’s lively streets and waterfront, and gain insights into the neighborhoods and landmarks that will shape the days ahead.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: The Grace Sydney

Wake up in Sydney and set out on a guided city tour that captures the energy and beauty of Australia’s harbor capital. Begin with a leisurely walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens, where lush greenery frames spectacular views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Later, step inside one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks for a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. Explore the soaring sails, backstage spaces, and architectural details that make this UNESCO World Heritage site a modern masterpiece. Enjoy lunch here, with views over Sydney and her dramatic harbor.

Continue east to Bondi Beach, Sydney’s most famous stretch of sand. Dip a toe in the Pacific, watch surfers ride the waves, or pause at a beachside café for a relaxed moment by the sea. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: The Grace Sydney

Venture west of Sydney into the World Heritage–listed Blue Mountains, a landscape of eucalyptus-clad valleys, sandstone cliffs, and endless sky. Begin with a stop at Featherdale, where it’s possible to encounter kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas in a relaxed bush setting, gaining an understanding of Australia’s native wildlife.

Continue into the mountains. Descend into the valley on the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest passenger train; glide across the rainforest canopy on the Scenic Skyway; and take in panoramic views of the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters from the Scenic Cableway.

Pause midday at The Lookout Echo Point Restaurant, perched near the famous lookout. Savor modern Australian cuisine while gazing across escarpments and the vast Jamison Valley. After lunch, there’s time to explore short walking trails or browse local galleries before returning to Sydney. The day blends wildlife, natural wonders, and cultural encounters in one of Australia’s most iconic regions.

In the evening, gather for a memorable Farewell Dinner. Share highlights of the journey, toast new friendships, and savor the flavors of Sydney.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Grace Sydney

Spend the final morning in Sydney at an easy pace. Relax at the hotel, enjoy a final walk through the city, or browse shops and cafés.

Included Meals: Breakfast