Time to explore the many exciting aspects that make Eastern Australia unique. Beginning with the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, which is home to great food, shopping and history. See Penguins and take a drive on the Great Ocean Road highway. Fly to the Northern Queensland city of Cairns for some time in the Tropical North. See the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef and learn about the indigenous people of the rainforest. Travel to Sydney and see the iconic sights including the Sydney Opera House and the Blue Mountains. Airfares: All flights are to be purchased separately, please contact us for a quote.
Duration: 10 Days
Starts: Melbourne
Finishes: Sydney
Get to know Melbourne's unique vibe and lifestyle
It is no huge surprise to Melbourne residents that their city has been ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Melbournians love the city’s vibrant energy, restaurants, fashion boutiques, café-filled laneways, cool bars, unbeatable galleries, spacious parks and village-like inner suburbs, each with its own special character.
This tour highlights the best of Victoria's nature and wildlife
Get up close and personal with the friendly residents of Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. You get an opportunity to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies as well as a close encounter with a koala (additional fee applies).
We pay a visit to historic Churchill Island to explore an 1850s heritage farm with shaggy-looking highland cattle and learn about sheep shearing. We then travel to view the Nobbies, home to Australia’s largest Fur Seal colony. And finally, we watch hundreds of Little Penguins emerging from the ocean and waddling across the beach to their homes among the dunes.
The spectacular Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most fascinating spots!
Experience and enjoy the breathtaking coastline along the Great Ocean Road. Every twist and turn exposes you to stretches of broad, uninterrupted beaches, dramatic coastlines and the lush rainforests of the Otway Ranges – all of which provide a picture-perfect backdrop!
Enjoy the stunning coastal views and long golden surf beaches at some of Australia’s most impressive beaches, look for koalas and native birds in the wild and marvel at the famous 12 Apostles.
Transfer to Melbourne Airport to catch your flight to Cairns.
Leave Melbourne behind as you board your flight to tropical Cairns.
Cairns is situated in the Northern end of Queensland. The city is framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea. The World Heritage-listed Wet Tropical Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback are all within easy reach.
Visit the Great Barrier Reef, one of the natural wonders of the world
Join this day cruise from Cairns and spend up to 5 hours on the Outer Great Barrier Reef visiting two premium coral reef locations. Come face to face with amazing marine life and coral gardens. Included in this spectacular day tour is your snorkel gear, lycra and wetsuit hire and a glass-bottom boat coral tour with fish feeding, led by marine biologists.
Step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with indigenous sea rangers who recount the Dreamtime stories of the local people and help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of the diverse ecosystems that make up the Great Barrier Reef.
Travel to World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park rainforest
Today’s cruise takes you through the calm backwaters of the Daintree River, where crocodiles can normally be seen basking on the muddy banks. Then immerse yourself in the beauty of the protected forests and go on a guided walk to view ancient plants and amazing wildlife.
Lunch is a special treat today, deep under the rainforest canopy. Enjoy a delicious lunch of tropical local produce.
Get a final lasting impression of the rainforest and a picture-postcard view at Alexandra Range Lookout.
This morning you'll fly to Sydney!
Today you will be transferred to Cairns Airport to meet your flight to Sydney.
Sydney is the oldest and grandest of Australia’s big cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches, and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis is a must-visit.
Settle into Sydney with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Sydney Harbour Bridge at one end and the white sails of the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic view in the world?
This evening you’ll enjoy a Sydney Harbour sunset dinner cruise.
Explore Sydney and the Opera House
This afternoon, take a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. See inside the world’s most recognisable ‘sails’ and experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. A work of art that came into existence against impossible odds – to become one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world.
Working with new, rich audio-visual components, where images are projected onto the fabric of the building – our guides will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns. You’ll visit at least one of our venues – where we do live performances every day. Some 1,500 performances, from opera to circus, rock and cabaret, are staged each year to audiences of around 1.5 million.
Journey into the heart of a unique World Heritage Region.
Your journey to the Blue Mountains takes you through picturesque villages to spectacular views and waterfalls. Stop for morning tea at Calmsley Hill, a working farm which is also home to Kangaroos, Emus, Wombats and Koalas. Continue on to a scenic lookout point where you will learn all about the unique trees of the Australian forest, and find out what the blue haze is that gives the region its name.
Eat lunch at the Hydro Majestic Hotel with magnificent valley views before you, then spend the afternoon visiting a selection of stunning Blue Mountains lookouts. The view from Govett’s Leap is one of the most famous in Australia: the magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180 m | 590 ft to the base of the cliff.
The last stop is the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens to admire the sweeping views and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice before travelling back to your hotel.
After the most amazing trip, it's time for your onward flight
We know you will enjoy your holiday and our promise to you is to make your travels through Australia as hassle-free and hospitable as possible – ensuring that today you leave with a camera full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your Absolute Fly-Around trip to Australia.
“This fly-around trip gives you time to explore the many exciting aspects that make Eastern Australia. Beginning with the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne and a drive along the Great Ocean Road highway. Then see the Great Barrier Reef and learn about the indigenous people of the rainforest. Travel to Sydney and see the iconic sights including the Sydney Opera House and the Blue Mountains.”
Ready to find out more? Talk to one of our friendly travel designers about his tour. We guarantee you it will be the experience of a lifetime!
ENQUIRELike what you see? Contact us today to find out more about our exclusive itineraries. Each Absolute New Zealand tour is tailored to who you are and what you want to do.
Time to explore the many exciting aspects that make Eastern Australia
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START PLANNINGPerfectly groomed and immaculately accessorised, QT Melbourne glows within the high-end fashion district of Australia’s most creatively charged city. With a distinctly creative edge through its 188 rooms and exciting dining and bar experiences, QT Melbourne is for guests and locals alike. Indulge in high-end sophistication through carefully curated modern art, high-spec designer tech, and all of the quirk and tongue-in-cheek pleasure you have come to expect when immersing yourself in QT life.
Situated on Cairns’ Marlin Marina, this hotel provides luxury and convenience. With exquisite rooms and suites, restaurants and bars, set amongst lush tropical gardens, with on-site pool and luxury facilities.
This luxury hotel features an outdoor heated pool and sundeck that overlooks Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay. The award-winning restaurant and bar offer views of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Situated in Sydney CBD (Central Business District), Sir Stamford Circular Quay is a short 5-minute stroll from the world-famous Sydney Opera House. Each room features an executive work desk with broadband internet access, plus a marble bathroom with double vanity, bathrobe, and slippers. Some rooms have an intimate Juliet balcony with stunning views.
Phillip Island is brimming with memorable wildlife experiences, but its headline act is the nightly penguin parade. Each night at dusk, thousands of little penguins—the largest colony in Australia of the world’s smallest penguin breed—can be seen along the shores of Summerland Beach, waddling back to their beachside burrows after a day at sea.
Experience and enjoy the breathtaking coastline between Melbourne and Adelaide on one of the most famous road trip routes in the world, the Great Ocean Road. Every twist and turn exposes you to stretches of broad, uninterrupted beaches, hidden coves and the lush rainforests of the Otway Ranges – an amazing backdrop for amazing memories!
Enjoy the stunning coastal views and long golden surf beaches at some of Australia’s most impressive beaches, look for koalas & native birds in the wild, and marvel at the world-famous 12 Apostles.
Go beyond the ‘great’ and into an underwater wonderland! Discover the magic of the Great Barrier Reef as your cruise ventures to Agincourt Reef on the Quicksilver wave-piercing catamaran. Soak up the pristine natural setting before you as you snorkel past iridescent coral formations and colourful marine life – an undersea treasure trove as far as the eye can see.
Relax up on deck, surrounded by the vivid blue of the Coral Sea, bask in the golden Australian sunshine and enjoy a tropical lunch on board before returning to Palm Cove.
Step aboard for a cruise on the smooth waters of the Daintree River. The cruise takes you through the silent backwaters where crocodiles can normally be seen basking on the muddy banks. Then immerse yourself in the protected forests as you’re off on a guided walk to see ancient plants and amazing wildlife.
Lunch is a special treat, served deep under the rainforest canopy. Enjoy a delicious lunch of tropical local produce. Last but not least, you’ll stop to marvel at the outstanding panoramic view at Alexandra Range Lookout.
Stand on the open viewing deck and take a nip of your fruity cocktail while watching the sun bathes the skyline in golden, then pink and purple hues. As it gets darker, the stars seem to sparkle almost as brightly as the city lights. Year-round, the colours of Sydney Harbour will welcome you onboard our signature Sunset Dinner Cruise. This is the perfect start to a fun-filled evening or a stunning end to an amazing day in the world’s greatest city.
Take a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. See inside the world’s most recognisable sails and experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. A work of art that came into existence against impossible odds, only to become one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world.
Working with new, rich audio-visual components where images are projected onto the fabric of the building, the guides will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns. You’ll visit at least one of their venues where live performances happen every day. Some 1,500 performances, from opera to circus, rock and cabaret, are staged each year to audiences of around 1.5 million.
Your journey to the Blue Mountains takes you through picturesque villages and past spectacular views and waterfalls. Stop for morning tea at Calmsley Hill, a working farm which is also home to kangaroos, emus, wombats and koalas. Continue on to a scenic lookout point where you will learn all about the unique trees of the Australian forest, and find out the cause of the blue haze which gives the region its name.
Eat lunch at the Hydro Majestic Hotel with magnificent valley views before you, then spend the afternoon visiting a selection of stunning Blue Mountains lookouts. The view from Govett’s Leap is one of the most famous in Australia: the magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180m | 590 ft to the base of the cliff.
The last stop is the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens where you admire the sweeping views and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice before travelling back to your hotel.
Melbourne is the second biggest and the most cosmopolitan of the Australian cities. Melbourne is Australia’s mecca for all things trendy and tasty. The city offers up exquisite dining, exhilarating sport and abundant opportunities to experience art. Take a river cruise on the Yarra from Southbank and the Docklands and Williamstown and return via St Kilda. Ride the free City Circle Tram and enjoy easy access to many of the city’s attractions and highlights. See the city glide past while you dine in the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Discover Australia’s shopping capital’s secrets at Southgate, South Yarra, fashionable Collins Street, Melbourne’s historical grand arcades or Queen Victoria Market.
Cairns is situated in the Northern end of Tropical Queensland. The city is framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea. The World Heritage-listed Wet Tropical Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback are all within easy reach. Cairns is both an adventure and a nature lover’s paradise. From white-water rafting to bungee jumping and skydiving, you’ll find the perfect activity to suit your penchant for thrills and with hundreds of tours visiting the Great Barrier Reef each year, you’re sure to find one, or a couple, to try out.
The Daintree Rainforest is a region located on the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia, north of Mossman and Cairns. At around 1,200 square kilometres, the Daintree is a part of the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent.
The World Heritage-listed is so beautiful that its ancient ferns, emerald green vines, and lush canopy provided inspiration for the movie Avatar. Here, you can trek through the jungle and discover plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet.
A city of iconic attractions and brilliant beaches, Sydney is a destination you’ll never forget. Sydney is home to must-visit icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, but this Harbour City is constantly evolving. New rooftop bars, theatre shows and designer shops pop up at every turn, and the urban excitement is perfectly balanced by afternoons spent lying on the sand. With diverse destinations at its doorstep, Sydney is the perfect base for day trips and weekends away.
Discover the Blue Mountains, Sydney’s backyard playground. A World Heritage-listed wilderness where ancient rock formations cast their golden glow over vast canyons carpeted in eucalypts.
A natural wonderland where waterfalls plummet into valleys clad with rainforest, and breathtaking views stretch to the hazy blue horizon. A region where quaint, historic villages nestle amongst trees painted with the colours of the seasons and creativity is inspired by the bounty of nature.