Red Centre & Eastern Australia

Day 1: Melbourne

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, head into the city to take in the ‘cultural capital of Australia’. Get lost in the city’s famous laneways, go on the hunt for the perfect flat white (hint: Melbourne loves its coffee shops), catch the tram to St. Kilda, or wander around the uber-cool Fitzroy neighbourhood.

Accommodation: Causeway 353 Hotel (or similar)

Day 2: Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula

Tour Melbourne’s iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture before travelling to the Mornington Peninsula. Stop to see Brighton’s brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay. Although fairly small in size, the Mornington Peninsula packs a big punch with the amount of things to do here. Be awed with the stunning coastal scenery while driving through quaint towns and past stunning beaches.

Melbourne Laneways Walk: Melbourne – Discover the small laneways packed with shops, cafes and restaurants that make Melbourne so unique. After a light breakfast and delicious coffee (which no trip to Melbourne would be complete without!), experience Melbourne’s laneways with an expert local host. Journey through this ‘secret city,’ seeing local hotspots and incredible street art while learning about the city’s history.

Private Vehicle: Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula (2h. 100km)

Bathing Boxes Visit: Brighton – Stop to check out some of the famous bathing boxes that Port Phillip Bay is known for. These one-room “mini-cabins” are owned by families to store belongings on their favourite beach. Snap some photos of these brightly coloured boxes and breathe in the fresh ocean air.

Accommodation: Bay Motel Safety Beach (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Mornington Peninsula

Enjoy a free day in the Mornington Peninsula. Go for a hike, visit a winery, or hit one of the many incredible beaches in the area.

Free Time: Mornington Peninsula (Full Day) – Get out and explore the stunning Mornington Peninsula.

Accommodation: Bay Motel Safety Beach (or similar)

Day 4: Mornington Peninsula/Port Campbell

Hop on a ferry to Queenscliff before spending the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, enjoy views of the 12 Apostles, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.

Private Vehicle: Mornington Peninsula/Sorrento (30m. 20km)

Ferry: Sorrento/Queenscliff (1h. 15km)

Private Vehicle: Queenscliff/Port Campbell (8h)

Rainforest Walk: Great Otway National Park (30m. 1-2km) – Take in the beautiful greenery of the  Great Otway National Park on a leisurely walk with your CEO. Stroll sandy beaches and hike along the rugged coastline, take photos from rock platforms, and head north to see forests, green gullies, pristine lakes and gushing waterfalls.

12 Apostles Visit: Port Campbell National Park (45m-1h) – Stop at a scenic lookout point along the Great Ocean Road and capture the beautiful views over the ocean and the 12 Apostles. Now with only seven formations still standing, these iconic attractions were once limestone caves which eroded to become arches and eventually stacks up to 45m (147 ft) in height.

Loch Ard Gorge Visit: Port Campbell National Park (15m-30m) – Located along the Great Ocean Road, beautiful Loch Ard Gorge shows the process of erosion in action. See offshore stacks and blowholes, and watch short tailed shearwaters soar over the nearby island. This location is a perfect backdrop for a group photo. Get snapping!

Accommodation: Loch Ard Motel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Port Campbell/Little Desert National Park

Travel into the Aussie bush, stopping at Grampians National Park en route. Take a guided night walk to look for nocturnal critters in Little Desert National Park.

Private Vehicle: Port Campbell/Grampians National Park (3h. 260km)

The Balconies (Jaws of Death) Visit: Grampians National Park (1h. 2km) – Set off from the Reed Lookout overlooking Victoria Valley, and enjoy a short walk with beautiful scenery to the Balconies, formerly called the Jaws of Death. Check out the gorgeous view, but be careful not to lean too far over the edge!

MacKenzie Falls Visit: Grampians National Park (30m-1h) – MacKenzie Falls is the only waterway in the region that flows year-round and it is also the most visited waterfall in the Grampians; take a short walk and check out the falls out from a viewing platform. In Spring, see wonderful wildflowers in bloom along the path.

Private Vehicle: Grampians National Park/Little Desert National Park (1h30m-2h. 110km)

Night Bush Walk: Little Desert National Park – Once the sun sets, head out for a guided walk in the Aussie bush. Take in the sounds of the night while trying to spot various nocturnal critters, including sugar gliders and brush-tailed bettongs.

Accommodation: Little Desert Nature Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 6: Little Desert National Park/Adelaide

Travel to Adelaide, and enjoy an orientation walk upon arrival before free time to explore the city.

Orientation Walk (30m-1h) – Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Private Vehicle: Little Desert National Park/Adelaide (4h-5h. 345km)

Accommodation: Adelaide Paringa Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Adelaide/Flinders Ranges

Stop for a wine tasting and lunch in the Clare Valley before driving through the Flinders Ranges.

Hands-On: Wine Tasting – Stop by a local winery and sample some of the different grape varietals while learning a bit more about wine production and its history in the Clare Valley. Try some Riesling, the local favourite (considered the best in Australia, if not the world), along with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Private Vehicle: Adelaide/Flinders Ranges (6h)

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 8: Flinders Ranges

Visit Wilpena Pound, a 800-million-year old natural amphitheatre, before enjoying free time for optional activities in the Flinders Ranges like hiking or a 4WD tour of the rugged area.

Free Time: Flinders Ranges (Full Day) – Take the day to explore the amazing scenery of Flinders Ranges.

Wilpena Pound Visit: Wilpena Pound – Visit the incredible Wilpena Pound amphitheatre, carved out of the Flinders Ranges over 800 million years ago. Explore the ancient landscapes and take in the impressive landscape in this part of the Flinders Ranges NP.

Accommodation: Rawnsley Park Station (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 9: Flinders Ranges/Coober Pedy

Travel to Coober Pedy, the world’s opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground. Travel to the unique opal mining town of Coober Pedy, where people live underground to avoid the heat. A guided mine tour gives insight to the mining process and the importance of opals to the area.

Private Vehicle: Flinders Ranges/Coober Pedy (8h. 700km)

Guided Mine Tour: Coober Pedy (1h) – Learn about opals and Coober Pedy’s mining history on a tour of an old opal mine. See examples of both hand-dug and machine-dug underground homes, which are a popular way to escape the heat.

Accommodation: Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience Motel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 10: Coober Pedy/Uluru 

Travel further into the Outback and experience a colourful sunset at Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand. Cross the border into the Northern Territory, where Australia’s most iconic view awaits.

Private Vehicle: Coober Pedy/Uluru (9h. 750km)

Uluru at Sunset:Uluru (30m-1h) – Enjoy a glass of bubbly, and watch the setting sun transform Uluru into a glowing monolith bathed in deep reds and oranges. Capture the moment with your camera but also take a moment to soak in the serenity of the scene just with your own eyes. Magic!

Accommodation: Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11: Uluru

Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aborigines.

Uluru Mala Walk: Uluru (1h-1h30m. 2km) – Walk along the northwest side of Uluru with your CEO to learn about the history of the area, stories of the Anangu people and these awe-inspiring uplifted sandstone rock formations.

Aboriginal Cultural Centre Visit: Uluru – Learn about the Aboriginal Australian culture in the area to get a better perspective of the history, beliefs and present-day life of the Anangu people. Discover the wild world of bush tucker (indigenous food), find out which plants are used in bush medicine, and hear creation stories.

Accommodation: Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12: Uluru/Cairns

Fly to the oceanside city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Plane: Uluru/Cairns (4h)

Accommodation: The Hotel Cairns (or similar)

Day 13: Cairns/Cape Tribulation

Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.

Private Vehicle: Cairns/Cape Tribulation (3h30m) – Travel 1.5 hrs to Mossman Gorge. Later, continue 2 hrs to Cape Tribulation.

Aboriginal Interpretive Walk:Mossman Gorge (2h) – Take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Follow the Aboriginal guide and learn about bush food, medicinal plants and the lasting relationship of the Kuku Yalanji people with their natural environment. Find out how to make bush soap, watch an ochre painting demonstration and sample some bush tea.

Accommodation: Cape Tribulation Beach House (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14:

Cape Tribulation – With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree  National Park.

Free Time: Cape Tribulation (Full Day)

Accommodation: Cape Tribulation Beach House (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 15: Cape Tribulation/Cairns

Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city.

Private Vehicle: Cape Tribulation/Cairns (3h30m)

Free Time: Cairns

Accommodation: The Hotel Cairns (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 16: Cairns/Airlie Beach

Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach with time to explore the town. Stop en route for lunch and a tour of the G Adventures-supported Ingan Cultural Centre. Participate in either a painting activity with traditional Jirrbal Aboriginal artists.

Private Vehicle: Cairns/Airlie Beach (9h-10h. 623km)

G Adventures for Good: Cafe Chloe – Enjoy a tour of the Ingan Cultural Centre and have an opportunity to participate in a painting activity with traditional Jirrbal Aboriginal artists – an excellent opportunity to see the diversity of an Aboriginal people from a local perspective!

Accommodation: Blue Horizon Resort (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 17: Airlie Beach

Set sail for a day in the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to  Airlie Beach for the night.

Whitsunday Islands Sailing Excursion: Whitsunday Island (8h. 08:00-17:30) – Enjoy a day sailing amidst some of the 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsunday archipelago. Visit Whitehaven Beach, jump overboard for a quick refreshing dip, and make friends with the tropical fish that thrive within Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Barrier Reef Visit: Whitsunday Island – The Whitsunday Islands are in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the day sailing, then when it gets too hot, pull on a mask and snorkel and dive overboard to check out the variety of brightly coloured marine plants, coral and fish that thrive right in these warm tropical waters.

Accommodation: Blue Horizon Resort (or similar)

Meals included: Lunch

Day 18: Airlie Beach/Byron Bay

Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this “hippie” paradise.

Plane: Airlie Beach/Brisbane (2h30m)

Private Vehicle: Brisbane/Byron Bay (2h-2h30m. 200km)

Accommodation: Byron Bay Hotel & Apartments (formerly Apartments Inn Byron) (or similar)

Day 19: Byron Bay

Spend the day wandering the town or taking part in a multitude of optional activities like sea kayaking, visiting Cape Byron Lighthouse, or relaxing on the beach.

Carte Blanche: Byron Bay (Full Day) – There’s plenty to see and do in Byron Bay, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like sea kayaking, yoga, and skydiving. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

Accommodation: Byron Bay Hotel & Apartments (formerly Apartments Inn Byron) (or similar)

Day 20: Byron Bay/Port Macquarie

Hit the waves with an included surf lesson. Head to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.

Hands-On: Surfing Lesson – Hit the beach and get ready to hang ten with a surf lesson from trained surf instructors. Spend some time in the water getting friendly with the waves, practice paddling, then pop up to balance on the wider, softer beginner boards. Too easy.

Private Vehicle: Byron Bay/Port Macquarie (5h. 397km)

Accommodation: El Paso Motor Inn (or similar)

Day 21: Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains

Opt to visit a koala hospital before travelling to the Blue Mountains Region.

Private Vehicle: Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains (6h-7h. 500km)

Day 22: Blue Mountains

Explore the area around Leura and Katoomba including the Three Sisters. Visit the Jenolan Caves, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and opt for a ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.

Jamison Valley Walk: Blue Mountains (1h-2h30m. 1-3km) – Take in some amazing lookouts over the Jamison Valley, via the iconic Three Sisters. Descend down the 900 step giant staircase to the valley floor. Walk amongst the beautiful forest to the steepest incline railway in the world – The Katoomba Scenic Railway. Opt to ride its 52-degrees angle or take the Scenic Cableway. If you’re keen for more walking, and time permitting, take the 900 stairs back up.

Jenolan Caves Tour: Blue Mountains (1h30m-2h) – Jenolan Caves are a protected feature of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. These limestone karst caves are the world’s oldest caves and are significant both a scientific and sightseeing perspective. Enjoy a guided tour in the cool climes of this fascinating underworld.

Blue Mountains Excursion: Blue Mountains – With charming Leura as your base, explore the major attractions of the Blue Mountains from sightseeing to bushwalking to cafes and more.

Accommodation: Leisure Inn Spires (or similar)

Day 23: Blue Mountains/Sydney

Travel to Sydney and enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.

Private Vehicle: Blue Mountains/Sydney (2h-3h. 130km)

Orientation Walk (30m-1h) – Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Free Time: Sydney – Get out and explore.

Accommodation: Travelodge Hotel Sydney (or similar)

Day 24: Sydney

Get a feel for the city. Opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, zip through the harbour on a jet boat, or relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional final night out with the group.

Free Time: Sydney – Enjoy a free day to explore one of Australia’s most exciting cities.

Accommodation: Travelodge Hotel Sydney (or similar)

Day 25: Sydney

Depart at any time