Grand Tour of Australia

Day 1 London - In flight Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport for a scheduled Qantas/Emirates flight to Perth. Day 2 Perth Upon arrival, we transfer to the centrally-located Mercure Perth (3T+), where this evening is at leisure and a choice of restaurants are within easy reach. Day 3 Fremantle We start our day with a tour of Perth, a mix of suburban sophistication and relaxed informality with elegant streets and many open spaces, and 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 board a ferry to follow the weaving Swan River through Fremantle back to Perth, sailing past multi-million-dollar waterfront mansions. Day 4 Perth 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; known as Wadjemup to the Aboriginal people who have inhabited this island for more than 6,500 years, it is of great spiritual significance. This car-free island has stunning beaches, incredible pink salt lakes and an abundance of wildlife including the adorably cheerful quokkas. Wadjemup Lighthouse, still in operation 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 sunset over the city. Day 5 Perth - Alice Springs Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Alice Springs and onward transfer to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs (4T). We have arranged a tour of Alice Springs with visits to the famous Royal Flying Doctors Service Base, founded to provide medical care for residents in over 1,500,000 square kilometres of isolated bushland, and the Old Telegraph Station, built in the 1870s to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. Day 6 Alice Springs - Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) - Uluru Our journey continues to one of Australia’s natural highlights, Uluru, and the Desert Gardens Hotel (3T+). After settling in, we head to Kata Tjuta, a collection of rounded rocks known to Aborigines as Kata Tjuta (‘Many Heads’). We then continue closer to Uluru, a true icon standing 348m high, to enjoy a glass of wine as the magical sunset takes place. Day 7 Uluru - Darwin Early this morning we travel the short distance back to Uluru to watch this phenomenal rock change as the sun rises. We return to the airport for a flight via Alice Springs to Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory. On arrival we transfer to the Novotel Darwin CBD (4T), ideally located just steps away from the ocean and within easy walking distance of the city’s highlights. Day 8 Darwin Darwin has not had the easiest history, with several cyclones flattening the town and Japan’s devastating air raids on 19 February 1942. They dropped more bombs here than on Pearl Harbor. This morning we take a tour of this resilient tropical capital, including entrance to the Darwin Military Museum which tells the story of the tragic bombing through photos and firearms. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the vibrant city. Maybe visit the wonderful markets or the superb Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Day 9 Darwin - Kakadu 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. Our overnight stay is at the unique Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (3T). Day 10 Kakadu - Katherine This morning we take a Yellow Water cruise in Kakadu’s wetlands, an ever-changing landscape which is always rich in wildlife. More than 10,000 saltwater crocodiles live in the park, as well as an uncountable number of bird species that includes 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. Returning to our coach, we travel to Katherine, where we stay at Ibis Styles Katherine (3T). Day 11 Katherine - Darwin Nitmiluk National Park includes a breathtaking series of monumental gorges along the Katherine River. This morning we take a leisurely cruise on tranquil waters confined by the sensational sandstone banks of Nitmiluk (the Aboriginal name for Katherine Gorge - the large rock formations that tower over you). We return to Darwin and the Novotel Darwin CBD (4T). Day 12 Darwin - Cairns A day at leisure to enjoy Darwin’s tropical climate and Aboriginal cultures, before we fly to Cairns. On arrival we transfer to our hotel, the Pullman Cairns International (4T) or Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (4T). Day 13 Cairns Today is free to explore Cairns. Surrounded by natural attractions, this city’s location will encourage you to experience the great outdoors. Day 14 Great Barrier Reef Today we experience another of Australia’s incredible natural wonders - the Great Barrier Reef. Step aboard the Ocean Spirit for an unforgettable cruise to Michaelmas Cay, a small island on the outer reef, surrounded by coral reefs that support an abundance of marine life. 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 for tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles. Lunch is included today. Day 15 Kuranda We travel by coach to Freshwater to board the Kuranda Scenic Railway, for an unforgettable journey through some of the world’s oldest rainforest, with an incredibly vivid display of plants and some spectacular waterfalls, including Barron Falls, where we stop for a photo opportunity. You are free to explore the village of Kuranda, with several options to get closer to native wildlife. Our return to Cairns is on the spectacular Kuranda Skyrail, a sedate 7.5km gondola ride gliding just metres above the rainforest canopy, allowing a unique opportunity to see, hear and smell this beautiful area. Day 16 Cairns - Brisbane - Noosa This morning we transfer to Cairns Airport for our flight to Brisbane. On arrival, our coach takes us to Noosa and our hotel, The Sebel Noosa (4T). The rest of the afternoon is free to make your first explorations of the stunning Sunshine Coast. Day 17 Fraser Island Today we have an unforgettable excursion to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. However, as your 4WD drive vehicle navigates the stunning east coast beach - the island’s main road - you will soon realise that this island isn’t just sand, it is the only place on the planet where rainforest grows on sand, and it also holds over 100 translucent freshwater lakes. You may also catch sight of the wild dingos and native birds. Lunch is included today. Day 18 Noosa Spend your free day relaxing in the wonderfully tropical town of Noosa. Maybe take to the expansive golden beaches or stroll to the beautiful Noosa Heads for gorgeous views and a chance to spot koalas in the eucalyptus trees at Noosa National Park. You may find opportunities to sail down Noosa River or go whale watching. Day 19 Noosa - Brisbane We drive to Brisbane for a tour of this booming city. Despite the impression of high-rise buildings, Brisbane has an enthusiasm for recreation, with great café and arts scenes. Our tour includes Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary; the world’s largest koala sanctuary has over 130 of these gentle marsupials, as well as kangaroos, possums and wombats. We stay at the Novotel Brisbane (4T). Day 20 Brisbane 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; snorkel amongst wrecks which have become home to reef fish; or take a gentle exploration of the world’s third-largest sand island. Day 21 Brisbane - Pacific Coast - Byron Bay - Coffs Harbour Board our coach after breakfast to enjoy the scenery as we head south along the legendary Pacific Coast. We stop to see the fun-filled Gold Coast, where a virtually unbroken 40km beach separates renowned surf spots and high-rise apartments, 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, and check in to the BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort (3T+). Day 22 Coffs Harbour - Hunter Valley Today’s journey takes us into New South Wales’ oldest and best known wine region - Hunter Valley. Spend this afternoon on a winery tour to learn about the production of unique specialities such as Semillon and Shiraz, and to sample a selection of the delicious wines. We stay at the Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens (3T+) tonight, in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country. Day 23 Hunter Valley - Sydney After breakfast we board our coach to Sydney, where we take a tour to see the city’s world-famous highlights and board a cruise to enjoy a seafood luncheon while witnessing the iconic views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, the Royal Botanical Gardens and the bays and wharves that line one of the world’s largest natural harbours. While in Sydney, we stay at the well-located Sydney Boulevard Hotel (4T) or Mercure Sydney (4T). Days 24-25 Sydney You have two free days to experience the delights of Sydney. Just a short walk from the hotel you will find yourself at Hyde Park and a few minutes more in any direction will get you to your choice of galleries and historical museums. Beyond those you can visit the gorgeous Botanical Gardens or at 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. Day 26 Sydney - Melbourne We depart early for the airport and our flight to Melbourne, where we stay at the Novotel Melbourne on Collins (4T). This afternoon we take a tour of this fabulous city, including entrance to Cooks Cottage, which was built in Yorkshire by the parents of Captain James Cook, painstakingly disassembled, shipped to Australia and rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934. Day 27 Dandenong - Yarra Valley Enjoy a day in Victoria’s beautiful countryside, beginning in the Yarra Valley for a tour of the region that produces some of Australia’s finest pinot noir and sparkling wine. As we drive through endless rows of vines, we break at a few fine wineries to compare their signature flavours. At Menzies Creek we hop aboard the historic Puffing Billy train, for a journey to Lakeside through the Dandenong Ranges. This verdant national park can often be seen under a blue haze, created by tiny droplets of eucalyptus oil emitted from the trees that cover much of the area. From Lakeside station we return to our hotel by coach. Day 28 Melbourne Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city, and there is plenty to see today, including beautiful Victorian façades of Flinders Street Station and Old Customs House, the Queen Victoria Market and the subdued Old Melbourne Gaol, now a museum dedicated to Melbourne’s most dangerous offenders, including Ned Kelly. Spend time on the trendy South Bank or explore some of the many parks. Alternatively, take a day-long optional excursion to experience 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 penguins that waddle across the shores at dusk to nest. Day 29 Melbourne - In flight Enjoy a second free day in this exciting city before we transfer to Melbourne Airport this evening for a scheduled, Qantas/Emirates flight to London via Perth. Day 30 London Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.