Grand Tour of Australia with Singapore

On arrival in Singapore we transfer to our well-located hotel.

Singapore is one of Asia’s most electric cities with astounding skyscrapers, a multi-cultural population, historic architecture, stunning gardens and vibrant way of life. We’ll get to know it better on a tour, beginning with phenomenal panoramic views of the city from Singapore’s most iconic building - Marina Bay Sands. We’ll continue on through the Civic District to Merlion Park - dominated by its iconic fountain, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and body of a fish. Then we’ll explore Thian Hock Keng Temple, a grand monument belonging to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu; we’ll experience the beautiful National Orchid Garden; and make a stop in Little India - brimming with the unique scent mixture of joss sticks, jasmine and spices.

Excursions & visits:

City tour of Singapore (morning)

Today is free. Perhaps you’ll visit the breathtaking National Gallery or head to the city’s many food hawker stalls for freshly made noodles and fried rice.

In the morning we have some more free time, before we transfer to the airport for our flight to Perth. Once we’ve touched down in Perth, we’ll transfer to our hotel.

We start our day with a tour of Perth and then make our way towards the ocean to spend time in Fremantle - an eclectic, arty suburb that has retained an element of its historic, colonial precinct. We also visit Fremantle Prison, a World Heritage Site which offers fascinating insight into the transportation of prisoners from Britain to Australia.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Perth and Fremantle, including Fremantle Prison (morning)

Today is free to explore Australia’s sunniest capital. Maybe follow a nature trail, take an Indigenous Heritage Tour in Kings Park, find adventure on the river or visit the Art Gallery WA to see one of the world’s finest collections of indigenous art. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to Rottnest Island. It’s of great spiritual significance - known as Wadjemup to the Aboriginal people who have inhabited this island for more than 6,500 years. This car-free island has stunning beaches, incredible pink salt lakes and an abundance of wildlife including the adorably cheerful quokkas. Wadjemup Lighthouse, still operating today, offers fantastic views over Rottnest and the sapphire ocean. Kings Park is a wonderful spot to end your day, strolling through 400 hectares of beautiful gardens and protected bushland, before watching the sun set over the city.

Fly to Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory. We’ll stay close to the ocean and an easy walk from the city’s highlights.

We spend a full day touring Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest national park and home to Aboriginal people for over 50,000 years. Look out for native wildlife and huge termite mounds along the roadside as we traverse stunning scenery and landscapes.

Excursions & visits:

Kakadu National Park (all day)

Cruise Kakadu’s wetlands, an ever-changing landscape. More than 10,000 saltwater crocodiles live in the park, as well as an uncountable number of bird species, including the whistling duck, jabiru and white-bellied sea eagle. Experienced guides will give fascinating insights into the region’s wildlife, Bininj people and survival through the seasons. Later, we travel to Katherine.

Excursions & visits:

Yellow Water cruise (morning)

Nitmiluk National Park includes a breathtaking series of towering gorges along the Katherine River. This morning we’ll take a leisurely cruise on its tranquil waters, before returning to Darwin.

Excursions & visits:

Nitmiluk Gorge cruise (morning)

This morning we take a tour of this tropical capital, including entrance to the Darwin Military Museum, which tells the story of Japan’s devastating air raids on 19 February 1942. They dropped more bombs here than on Pearl Harbor. The afternoon is at leisure. Maybe visit the wonderful markets or the superb Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Darwin, including Military Museum (morning)

Fly early to Alice Springs, where our tour includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctors Service Base, founded to provide medical care for residents in over 1.5 million square kilometres of isolated bushland; and the Old Telegraph Station, built in the 1870s to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Alice Springs (morning)

Our journey continues to one of Australia’s natural highlights, Uluru. We head to the Olgas, a collection of rounded rocks known to Aborigines as Kata Tjuta (‘Many Heads’), and then continue closer to Uluru to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset. Please note: The order of excursions at Uluru is subject to change.

Excursions & visits:

Kata Tjuta (afternoon)
Uluru sunset viewing (evening)

Early this morning we travel the short distance back to Uluru to watch this phenomenal rock change as the sun rises, before flying to Cairns.

Excursions & visits:

Uluru sunrise viewing (morning)

Today is free to explore Cairns. The Esplanade lagoon or the Pier marina, are the places to head to if you want to spend time on the coast. Despite the lack of beach, this small town is still popular for boardshort-clad tourists, and for those looking to experience the great outdoors.

Today we experience another of Australia’s incredible natural wonders - the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an unforgettable cruise to Michaelmas Cay, a small sand island on the outer reef. You can choose to remain on deck, take a tour on a semi-submersible vessel, or experience the warmth of the water as you snorkel between the corals in search of tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles.

Excursions & visits:

Great Barrier Reef cruise (all day)

We’ll journey up to Kuranda on the Skyrail, gliding above the rainforest canopy as we ascend. We’ll spend some time at leisure - Kuranda Railway Station is particularly lovely, with original wooden structures and bridge decked out with tropical flowers and ferns. On a scenic railway ride, we’ll trundle through the rainforest and back down the mountainside. The track twists and turns across chasms and next to frothing waterfalls (the dramatic Barron Falls is a highlight), passing through 15 tunnels along the way.

Excursions & visits:

Skyrail journey (morning)
Kuranda Scenic Railway (afternoon)

Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Noosa - the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

After a free morning, we’ll spend the afternoon cruising through the Noosa Everglades on a Serenity Cruise. We’ll have opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife in their natural habitat, as we glide through the mirrored waterways sipping a glass of bubbles, beer or juice.

Spend your free day relaxing in the tropical town of Noosa. Maybe take to the expansive golden beaches or stroll to beautiful Noosa Heads for gorgeous views and a chance to spot koalas in the eucalyptus trees at Noosa National Park. There’ll also be an optional excursion to explore the huge sand island of Fraser Island.

We drive to Brisbane for a tour of this booming city, including a visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The world’s largest koala sanctuary has over 130 of these gentle marsupials, as well as kangaroos, possums and wombats.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Brisbane, including koala sanctuary (morning)

Today is free to spend time in Brisbane’s historic precinct, the delightful Botanic Gardens or the world-class galleries along the South Bank. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island - a 75-minute cruise from the mainland. This protected island offers fabulous opportunities: hand feed wild bottlenose dolphins; or snorkel amongst wrecks which have become home to reef fish.

We head south along the legendary Pacific Coast. We stop to see the fun-filled Gold Coast, where a virtually unbroken 40km beach braces for the waves of renowned surf spots; and Byron Bay, a small hippy town at the end of a beautiful sweeping bay, at mainland Australia’s most easterly point. We continue to Coffs Harbour, where the Great Dividing Range meets the South Pacific Ocean. A tasty BBQ dinner awaits this evening.

Excursions & visits:

Pacific Coast drive, stopping at Gold Coast & Byron Bay (all day)

Travel into New South Wales’ best-known wine region - Hunter Valley. Spend this afternoon on a winery tour and sample specialities such as semillon and shiraz.

Excursions & visits:

Hunter Valley winery tour (afternoon)

Board our coach to Sydney, where we take a tour to see the city’s highlights. Enjoy a seafood lunch on a harbour cruise while we witness iconic views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Sydney and harbour cruise (afternoon)

You have two free days to experience the delights of Sydney. There’s a vast choice of galleries and historical museums, the gorgeous Botanical Gardens and The Rocks - the fabulous heart of historic Sydney where Captain Arthur Phillip proclaimed the establishment of Australia’s first European settlement in 1788. Maybe see a performance at the Royal Opera House, climb the Harbour Bridge or ascend the Sydney Tower for impressive views. Although the city is walkable, there is a fantastic transport system which can also take you to more distant attractions such as Bondi Beach, North Head Sanctuary in Manly or Botany Bay.

After a flight to Melbourne, we take a tour of the city, including entrance to Cooks Cottage, which was built in Yorkshire by Captain James Cook’s parents, painstakingly disassembled, shipped to Australia and rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Melbourne (afternoon)

We’ll head into the Dandenong Ranges for a trip on Puffing Billy steam train. The view of the Dandenong Ranges can often be seen under a blue haze, created by the eucalyptus trees that cover much of the area. We'll then continue to Rochford Winery for a delicious lunch and wine tasting.

Excursions & visits:

Excursion to Dandenong Ranges and Puffing Billy train ride (morning)
Rochford Winery wine tasting (afternoon)

There’s plenty to see on a free day in Melbourne, including the beautiful Victorian façades of Flinders Street Station and Old Customs House, Queen Victoria Market and the Old Melbourne Gaol, now a museum dedicated to Melbourne’s most dangerous offenders, including Ned Kelly. Alternatively, join us for an optional excursion along the Great Ocean Road, a stunning coastal route that includes the Twelve Apostles; or travel to Phillip Island, best known for the enchanting parade of adorable little (fairy) penguins that waddle across the shores at dusk to nest.

Enjoy a second free day in this exciting city before we transfer to the airport this evening for your return flight to the UK.

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.