Authentic Australia: Sydney to Melbourne

A beautiful hotel with a stunning 1800's sandstone facade, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is an intimate, boutique-style property. Once home to the Fairfax newspaper empire and the prestigious Bank of New South Wales, this accommodation offers a location near Sydney Opera House and major shopping precincts. There is a wide array of upscale facilities, including on-site dining at the recently refurbished restaurant and a modern health club. The staff ensures that your stay at this accommodation in Sydney is both comfortable and unforgettable.

There is no better way to get up close & personal with the story of Sydney than on foot!

Be entertained with lively tales of The Rocks colourful past and fascinating present!

Take a leisurely 90-minute stroll with one of our friendly specialist guides through this unique heritage precinct of beautifully restored buildings situated in its picturesque, harbourside setting.

The stories are alive in the sandstone!

The Blue Mountains National Park is one of seven national parks that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. This wonderland of sandstone outcrops, deep ravines and hazy blue eucalypt forests boasts luxury retreats and stunning views. Today your guide will take you off the beaten track to visit remote lookout locations and discuss the history, flora and fauna of this magnificent region.

At 7:00am-7:30am depart from the hotel with AEA Luxury Tours. Our first stop of the day is at Calmsley Hill a working farm also home to Kangaroos, Emus, Wombats and Koalas. Enjoy morning tea and time to wander at leisure.

From Calmsley Hill we continue to ascend the Blue Mountains via the highway. We will visit one of the ranges of stunning outlooks of the Jamison Valley seeing beautiful vistas. Where possible this will be away from the crowds of tours that visit the mountains each day with other operators, thus our guests will enjoy a stress and hurry-free environment taking in the views and information imparted by their guide.

Continuing on we arrive at Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote lookout points away from the crowds for views of the famous 3 Sisters. Whilst the Blue Mountains features so much more than this natural attraction you can't help but admire the unquestionable beauty of this amazing rock formation. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out magnificent colors. Here your guide will discuss the legends behind this famous rock formation and the time available for you to take some great photos.

We then make our way around the mountain towards the village of Blackheath and our lunch venue the Hydro Majestic. Here in this relaxed venue with stunning views. We enjoy a 2-course lunch with tea/coffee. All diets are catered for (excluding Kosher Meals). Beverages can be purchased at your own expense from the Bar.

The afternoon is spent visiting a selection of lookouts. Once you clap your eyes on the view from Govetts Leap you'll know why it's one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. The magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180m to the base of the cliff. If you're not mesmerized by the dancing waves of water spray, you'll be transfixed by the sweeping views down the valley to the Grose Wilderness. We then stop briefly to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens our last stop, where we enjoy the sweeping views across to Sydney before traveling down the Bells Line of Road to arrive back at your hotel approximately 4:30pm-5:00pm.

In Australia's Red Centre, the five star Sails in the Desert hotel beautifully contrasts Uluru's raw natural beauty with a decidedly luxurious outback holiday experience. Against a canvas of neutral tones and textures, the mystery, colour and wisdom of the local indigenous Anangu people is interwoven into every facet of Sails in the Desert's modern design. Discover the passion behind Aboriginal art at Sails in the Desert's Mulgara Gallery. Then be lulled into complete relaxation by one of the Red Ochre Spa's package treatments.

Sails in the Desert hotel features an expansive gumtree lined heated swimming pool and a diversity of modern dining, bar and lounge options. Awaken your taste buds with Mayu's signature dining experience, relax and feast in the brasserie-style Ilkari Restaurant or let time tick by as you enjoy cocktails, music and culinary temptations in the Walpa Lobby Bar. Choose Sails in the Desert for an outback holiday with a unique style and modern luxury.

Visit Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre where there is time to purchase some locally made Aboriginal art and learn more about the Western Desert region.

Later travel around the base of Uluru with a local Driver Guide. Learn about the native flora, fauna and intriguing cultural traditions of traditional owners, the Anangu, and discover an array of fascinating sacred sites. Join your Driver Guide for a walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole. You'll explore a number of caves and view Aboriginal rock paintings as your Guide interprets their meaning and significance.

Travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area, 'Sunset Strip' and relax with a glass of wine and Nibbles as the sun sets over the western horizon and the evening sky brings out the many shades of colour for which Uluru is renowned.

Rise early this morning to travel to Talinguru Nyakunytjaku in Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park. Watch the first rays of the sun set the Red Centre alight while enjoying a warming cup of tea or coffee. Then travel to the mystical 36 domes of Kata Tjuta. On the way enjoy panoramic views of the southern side of Kata Tjuta before arriving at the base of Walpa Gorge. Spend some time exploring the gorge and the unusual conglomerate rock formations. The walking trail through Walpa Gorge follows the natural creek between two of the tallest domes of Kata Tjuta.

Travel through spectacular desert scenery from Ayers Rock Resort to Kings Canyon Resort by luxury coach. Pass through Curtin Springs and view Atila (Mt. Conner). After turning off the Lasseter Highway and onto Luritja Road your Driver/Guide will provide informative commentary about the history of the surrounding cattle stations. Arrive at Kings Canyon Resort before dusk. You may have time to view the sun set behind Carmichaels Crag to finish off the day.

Kings Canyon Resort is an oasis in the outback for travellers looking to explore the Red Centre from a well-appointed base, complete with pampering amenities and activities for everyone to enjoy. After exciting, fun-filled days hiking and sightseeing in the rugged terrain of Watarrka National Park, enjoy outstanding hotel facilities and relax in the comfort and convenience of your Kings Canyon hotel room.

Your guide will escort you on the rocky climb to the rim of Kings Canyon. The views of Watarrka National Park from the top of the canyon are magnificent as are the views down into the canyon itself. Follow the rim of the canyon stopping to view the canyon gorge at look-out points. Time permitting, you may choose to descend to the green oasis of the 'Garden of Eden'. The walk may take up to 3 hours and is rocky and steep in parts. It is for those with a good level of fitness. Alternatively, you may wish to take an easier, shorter walk to explore the boulder strewn canyon floor with our Driver/Guide.

Travel by luxury coach through beautiful desert landscapes. Stop at Kings Creek Station, a working cattle/camel station for lunch (own expense), why not try their famous camel burger. Followed by a brief stop at Angus Downs.

From Angus Downs the coach stops at Erldunda, where you may purchase afternoon tea. Travel along the Stuart Highway before arriving at your hotel in Alice Springs.

Situated at the foot of the MacDonnell Ranges and backing onto the Alice Springs Golf Course, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters offers contemporary and stylish accommodation. Each room has been thoughtfully designed to offer an area of ultimate relaxation and comfort. Rooms have a spacious and bright aspect with each room offering a private balcony or courtyard showcasing magnificent views of Central Australia. Whether you are after a workout or just want to relax take advantage of the outdoor heated lap pool, spa, sauna and gym. Located at the property is the contemporary Tali Restaurant which provides the perfect setting with both indoor and alfresco dining experiences.

Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront is centrally located in Darwin's Waterfront area with seafront promenades, boutique shops, waterside restaurants, beaches, boating lagoon and wide rolling parklands at your doorstep. The Waterfront is a vibrant hub of this tropical harbour city. Enjoy contemporary, elegant and stylish surroundings from your fully-equipped, fully-serviced Darwin hotel apartment.

Learn the real story on this small-group day tour from Darwin to Litchfield National Park. Explore the area with a personable Indigenous guide with countless generations of history in the region. Get hands on as our guide demonstrates bush resources in season. See and refresh yourself at iconic waterfalls. Experience dramatic stone country as it comes alive in our tropical summer. Enjoy a flame-grilled lunch of ocean-caught barramundi, marinated kangaroo and crocodile eye fillet, in beautiful shaded surrounds. Be treated to expert natural and cultural interpretation from guides with unrivalled knowledge of the area. Take home memories you'll never forget.

Depart Darwin and travel along the Arnhem Highway, their major river systems and wetlands, into Kakadu National Park. Located 257 kilometres east of Darwin, this national park covers 20,000 square kilometres of landscape from rocky escarpment home to historic Aboriginal rock art dating back thousands of years, to floodplains abundant with wildlife. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to view the informative displays depicting the traditions of the Aboriginal people in Kakadu. Join your local guide on a cruise of Yellow Water Billabong. Search for saltwater crocodiles and the colourful range of birdlife for which this region is renowned. After lunch, stop at Nourlangie, where your Driver Guide will lead you on a walk to view the rock art galleries.

This morning join your Driver Guide to explore the World Heritage Area of Ubirr, where you'll climb up through the ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, believed to be 20,000 years old, to the lookout for a view over the surrounding wetlands. Join the Guluyambi Cruise on the East Alligator River. An Aboriginal guide will provide an insight into their culture, including local mythology, the river's abundant food chain, as well as bush survival skills. With special permission of the local people, you are able to go ashore in Arnhem Land. Visit the Bowali Visitor Centre before returning to Darwin, where your short break concludes.

Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront is centrally located in Darwin's Waterfront area with seafront promenades, boutique shops, waterside restaurants, beaches, boating lagoon and wide rolling parklands at your doorstep. The Waterfront is a vibrant hub of this tropical harbour city. Enjoy contemporary, elegant and stylish surroundings from your fully-equipped, fully-serviced Darwin hotel apartment.

The Pacific Hotel Cairns boasts a magnificent location, personalised service and award winning hospitality. Contemporary, and with a tropical ambiance, befitting a bygone era, an era when great service and friendly hospitality were the rule rather than the exception. Spacious rooms all offer balconies. Enjoy the onsite restaurant and bar, outdoor pool and complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.

For an experience of a lifetime, Quicksilver's wave piercing catamarans and friendly crew will take you to a reef at the very edge of Australia's Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance. Agincourt Reef is a magnificent ribbon reef where you can experience first-hand the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef. Choose to dive (extra cost), snorkel, or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-sub, just one metre underwater. Watch the fish feeding from a unique underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory, or fly in a helicopter over the reef (extra cost). Whichever way you choose; you'll bring home a lifetime of memories from this living natural wonder.

The Classic Kuranda Experience includes the main attractions of Kuranda, but gives you more free time to explore Kuranda. You will travel to Kuranda by scenic railway and then spend some free time in the village. Wander through the many shops and local markets, which offer a full range of local handicrafts, souvenirs, and gifts.

You will then be transferred to Rainforestation Nature Park, where you will enjoy a delicious Australian BBQ lunch, a guided tour of the rainforest on board an amphibious Army Duck, and the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance performance, followed by the Dreamtime Walk. You will learn how to throw a boomerang, see a spear-throwing demonstrations, and learn about aboriginal culture.

A guided tour of the Koala and Wildlife Park will commence at the Cultural Centre. Your coach will then transfer you to Kuranda Skyrail Terminal for the 7.5 kilometre Skyrail Rainforest Cableway journey down the mountain. Your coach will then return you to your accommodation.

The Crown Promenade Hotel is located in the heart of the action in Melbourne's vibrant Southbank entertainment precinct and it is directly linked to the exciting Crown Entertainment Complex. The hotel is close to the Central Business District, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and the city's most famous arts and sporting facilities. The hotel features spacious rooms with fantastic views overlooking Port Phillip Bay or the Melbourne Central Business District and Yarra River.

Have you ever been to a city and wondered what all the fuss was about? Or wasted time trying to find that cool local café you were told of, and ended up missing everything? Melbourne's arcades and laneways hide many of these answers. Join this indulgent afternoon walk through Melbourne's beautiful back streets, and get orientated in the life of the city that locals love. Discover artisanal and specialty retailers, that often are only found in the city. Some of the quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture, and historical tales are found in these walkways. Soak in the city via all your senses, and engage with passionate creatives. There is something for everyone, locals and visitors alike.

Your animal adventures will start with a visit to Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park with fascinating Australian animals at every turn. You have up-close encounters with animals like kangaroos, wombats and echidnas. Next, we will head to the island (Phillip Island) where will head to Woolamai Surf Beach to catch a glimpse of the awesome waves and die-hard surfers (weather permitting). We then cross the island to reach the dramatic west coast and the Nobbies where you will be awe-struck by the crashing waves.

And finally, it's time for the main event, the Penguin Parade. There is a reason that this is one of Australia's top attractions and the little penguins will not disappoint! You will sit on the protective platform to see possibly hundreds of little penguins waddling onto the beach. This fabulous natural spectacular is run by a non-for-profit organisation where all profits are directly reinvested in conservation efforts to protect the little penguins.