Tailor-Made Touring for the Travel Trade

Highlights of Australia

About This Itinerary

Sydney, Cairns, Uluru & Melbourne

  • 11 days across Sydney, Cairns, Uluru, and Melbourne
  • Guided touring at every destination with quality local operators
  • Outer Great Barrier Reef cruise, Daintree Rainforest, and Blue Mountains
  • Uluru base walk with Indigenous cultural interpretation
  • Great Ocean Road full-day tour including the Twelve Apostles
A stunning sunset view of Uluru (Ayers Rock) silhouetted against a golden and purple sky, with vibrant spinifex grassland and red earth in the foreground. The iconic monolith dominates the landscape during golden hour in Australia's Northern Territory.
An aerial view of Cairns, Queensland, Australia, showcasing the bustling waterfront marina filled with boats and yachts, the curved sandy beach, downtown cityscape with high-rise hotels and resorts, and the surrounding tropical landscape with mountains in the distance under a bright blue sky with white clouds.
Three people jogging and walking along a scenic waterfront promenade at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, with sandy beach, palm trees, and modern high-rise buildings in the background. The image captures a tropical Australian destination with calm water, manicured lawns, and a vibrant community atmosphere under partly cloudy skies.
Three friends enjoy a casual meal at an outdoor waterfront venue in Cairns, with sailboats moored in Trinity Inlet and lush mountains rising in the background. The scene captures a relaxed tropical atmosphere with panoramic water and mountain vistas.
A luxury catamaran named 'Passions III' anchored in crystal-clear waters off the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, Queensland. The image captures both above and below the waterline, showcasing passengers on deck and the vibrant blue ocean depths, highlighting the marine tourism experience in Australia's iconic reef destination.
A high-performance catamaran anchored in crystal-clear turquoise waters above coral formations at the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, Queensland. The vessel is moored in shallow tropical waters with visible coral patches beneath the surface, under a partly cloudy sky.
A white and yellow catamaran anchors in crystal-clear turquoise waters above the vibrant coral formations of the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, Queensland. Multiple snorkelers and swimmers are visible in the water around coral bommies, showcasing the pristine marine environment and the popular reef tour experience.
A scenic aerial view of a traditional tour boat navigating through winding mangrove waterways near Cairns, Queensland. The lush green mangrove forest is bordered by a meandering river that opens to a coastal bay with distant mountains and a charming port town visible in the background.
A visitor walks through an underwater tunnel at Cairns Aquarium, gazing up at large fish swimming overhead in a vibrant coral reef environment. Multiple species including sharks, rays, and groupers inhabit the massive aquarium tank, creating an immersive marine experience surrounded by colorful coral formations.
An aerial photograph showing hundreds of beachgoers scattered across the sandy expanse of Bondi Beach, with colorful umbrellas, beach towels, and small groups dispersed throughout. The scene captures the vibrant energy of one of Australia's most iconic and popular beaches on a sunny day.
A scenic coastal pathway winds along dramatic sandstone cliffs overlooking the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of Sydney's iconic Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Lush vegetation clings to the cliffsides while residential buildings and a cemetery perch atop the headland, with crashing waves and golden rock formations visible below.
A crowded beach scene at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, featuring numerous beachgoers sunbathing on the golden sand and swimmers enjoying the turquoise waters with rolling white-capped waves. The iconic beachside suburb rises steeply in the background with colorful residential buildings against a brilliant blue sky.
A scenic aerial view of Bondi Beach's famous ocean pools carved into the rocky coastline, with swimmers enjoying the sheltered turquoise waters while waves crash against the pool edges. The expansive sandy beach and residential buildings of Sydney stretch along the background under clear blue skies.
A scenic view of Sydney's famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, with crowds of pedestrians enjoying the clifftop path overlooking turquoise waters, rocky outcrops, and residential buildings nestled on the hillside. The 6-km coastal trail features stunning views of beaches, parks, and pristine ocean vistas.
Journey Beyond's luxury passenger train, the Indian Pacific, crosses a steel bridge over an inlet of the Menindee Lakes in remote central Australia near Broken Hill. The train travels from Perth to Sydney on a scenic 4,352km transcontinental journey, passing through diverse Australian landscapes under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.
An iconic daytime view of Sydney Harbour featuring the distinctive white shell-shaped Sydney Opera House in the foreground, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge spanning across the blue waters, and the modern city skyline of Sydney in the background. The scene captures the architectural landmarks and natural beauty of one of Australia's most recognizable destinations.
An aerial view of Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, featuring a pristine sandy shoreline with rolling waves, beachgoers, and the iconic beachside suburb rising on the headland. The scene is captured under a dramatic twilight sky with pink and purple hues, showcasing one of Australia's most famous coastal destinations.
A striking white lighthouse with golden trim stands on a manicured green cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean at sunset, featuring a dramatic sky with vibrant pink, orange, and blue clouds. The scene captures a picturesque Australian coastal landscape with the lighthouse's protective white fence and the serene ocean horizon beyond.
A young couple stands on the ground watching a vibrant yellow and orange hot air balloon with its burner ignited during a sunrise flight experience over the Cairns hinterland. The scene captures the anticipation and wonder of a hot air ballooning adventure in tropical Queensland, with support vehicles and crew visible in the background.
A scenic waterfront dining experience aboard a vintage prawn trawler in Cairns, Queensland, where guests enjoy fresh seafood platters and champagne while overlooking the harbor and moored boats. The casual outdoor setting captures the relaxed tropical atmosphere of North Queensland's coastal dining culture.
A cable car cabin suspended above the lush canopy of Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, offering an elevated perspective of the dense tropical rainforest landscape near Cairns.

COMPLETE ITINERARY

Your Australian Journey – Day by Day

Arrival in Sydney & Hotel Transfer

Welcome to Australia. On arrival at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, your clients are met by their driver and transferred to their hotel in the city centre. The Travelodge Wynyard (or similar) sits adjacent to Wynyard railway station, putting the Opera House, the historic Rocks district, Darling Harbour, and the Royal Botanic Gardens all within easy reach.

For clients arriving on morning flights, the rest of the day is free to start exploring. Sydney rewards those who simply walk – the harbour foreshore from Circular Quay to the Opera House is one of those stretches that looks exactly as good in person as it does in the brochure. Three nights at this property, breakfast included.

Trade tip: We recommend booking clients into Sydney for arrival day rather than connecting straight to another city. Jet lag is real, and giving travellers a full afternoon to settle in makes the rest of the itinerary flow better. If clients arrive late, the hotel’s central location means a quick dinner is never far away.

Spectacular Sydney & Harbour Luncheon Cruise

A full day that covers both sides of the harbour. The morning starts with a drive to Manly Beach via the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with stops at Milsons Point for those views of the Opera House everyone wants, and North Head Lookout overlooking the Pacific. There’s time to stroll The Corso at Manly before heading back.

At midday, clients board the MV Sydney 2000 at King Street Wharf for a harbour luncheon cruise – buffet lunch with commentary as the boat passes the Opera House, harbour islands, and waterfront suburbs. The afternoon tour picks up the southern highlights: the historic Rocks area, Mrs Macquaries Chair, Hyde Park, St Marys Cathedral, the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Gap, and Bondi Beach. The return route passes through Paddington and the eastern suburbs.

Trade tip: The lunch cruise check-in is at 11:45am at Wharf 1, King Street Wharf – worth flagging for clients so they don’t miss the departure. This day gives a comprehensive overview of Sydney that helps first-time visitors get their bearings. For clients who want to explore independently afterward, they’ll already know the lay of the land.

Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Tour

An early start at 7:55am for a full day in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park – over one million hectares of dramatic cliffs, deep canyons, and eucalyptus forest. The centrepiece is the Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point, but the day covers much more than that.

At Scenic World, clients can ride the Scenic Railway (the world’s steepest), the Cableway, and the Skyway – each offering different perspectives on the steep valleys and rainforest floor. Lunch is at a local cafe in the village of Leura, a charming spot with galleries and boutique shops. The afternoon includes a visit to a Wildlife Park for close encounters with koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and dingoes. The return to Sydney offers the option of a Parramatta River cruise back to the city, passing through harbourside suburbs and arriving at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

Trade tip: This tour runs approximately 10.5 hours, so it’s a full day. The Scenic World rides and wildlife park entry are included. The river cruise return is a nice alternative to the coach and clients tend to prefer it – worth recommending. Breakfast and lunch are both included on this day.

Cairns Arrival & Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort

Clients fly from Sydney to Cairns and transfer to Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort. This is a genuine step up in accommodation. Riley sits at the northern end of the Cairns waterfront boardwalk, with 311 rooms and suites, most featuring spacious balconies. There’s a lagoon pool spanning over 1,000 square metres with a private man-made beach, the Eleme Day Spa, and a 24-hour fitness centre.

The rooms are contemporary and well-equipped – each has an Apple iPad control centre, Staycast by Google for streaming, complimentary movies, fast Wi-Fi, and Nespresso machines. Family rooms offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The afternoon is free for clients to settle in and enjoy the resort, or explore the Cairns Esplanade.

Trade tip: Riley is a strong property for the international market. It photographs well, the facilities genuinely deliver, and the waterfront location means clients can walk to restaurants and the night markets. For incentive groups, the resort has good event and function spaces worth exploring.

Outer Reef with Quicksilver

The highlight most clients have been waiting for. A full day on the outer Great Barrier Reef with Quicksilver, departing from Port Douglas (transfers from Cairns and Northern Beaches accommodation included). The wave piercer cruise takes clients to a permanent pontoon on the outer reef where the coral and marine life are at their most vibrant.

The day includes snorkelling equipment and qualified safety officers, coral viewing by semi-submersible vessel, an underwater observatory, a reef presentation by a marine biologist, morning and afternoon tea on board, and a hot and cold tropical buffet lunch. Fish feeding conducted by the crew rounds out the experience. For clients who’d rather stay dry, the observatory and semi-sub give excellent reef views without getting in the water.

Trade tip: Quicksilver operates one of the most professional reef experiences in North Queensland. The outer reef location is important – visibility and coral quality are significantly better than inner reef options. Breakfast and lunch are both covered on this day. Clients prone to seasickness should take precautions; the crossing to the outer reef takes roughly 90 minutes.

Full Day Cape Tribulation & Daintree Tour

Where the rainforest meets the reef. This full-day tour with Down Under Eco Tours heads north from Cairns along one of Australia’s great scenic highways. The day begins at Mossman Gorge Centre with morning tea and a guided walk through the world’s oldest rainforest on the gorge boardwalk.

Next up is a Daintree River cruise – keep an eye out for saltwater crocodiles. Lunch is a BBQ in the rainforest at Noah Valley, an area renowned for primitive flowering plants. After lunch, the tour continues to Cape Tribulation Beach for a walk along the boardwalk and beach, then a stop at the Daintree Ice Cream Company for exotic fruit ice cream (four flavours, with gluten-free and dairy-free options). The day finishes at Alexandra Lookout, a spectacular vantage point over the Daintree River estuary, Snapper Island, and the Coral Sea beyond.

Trade tip: Hotel pick-up from Cairns is at 7:00am. This is a genuinely immersive day – the combination of ancient rainforest, river wildlife, and coastal scenery gives clients a completely different perspective on tropical Australia compared to the reef day. The ice cream stop is oddly one of the most talked-about moments. Worth mentioning to clients.

Arrive Uluru & Sounds of Silence Dinner

Morning transfer to Cairns airport for the flight to Uluru. On arrival, clients are greeted and transferred to the Voyages Outback Pioneer Hotel. The rooms are comfortable with air-conditioning, private bathroom, and tea and coffee facilities. As a resort guest, clients have access to swimming pools, the Resort Town Square shops, tennis courts, and the free shuttle bus service around Ayers Rock Resort.

The evening is the standout. The Sounds of Silence dinner is an iconic Australian dining experience – a multi-course meal served in the open desert as the sun sets over Uluru and the stars emerge overhead. It’s one of those experiences that sells itself, but it genuinely delivers something your clients won’t find anywhere else.

Trade tip: Sounds of Silence books out well in advance during peak season. We secure allocations early but recommend confirming as soon as possible. The Outback Pioneer also has a do-it-yourself BBQ option for clients who prefer something more casual. Dinner is included on this day.

Uluru Morning Guided Base Walk

An early rise for the 10.5-kilometre guided base walk around Uluru. Tea, coffee, biscuits, and a light breakfast are provided at the start. The walk begins at Kuniya Piti, a sacred site, where the guide shares the Tjukurpa story of the Mala Men. The Mala Walk passes through one of the most important habitation areas for the local Anangu people, stretching back thousands of years, and includes a visit into Kantju Gorge – where after rainfall, water cascades over the side of Uluru and plunges some 90 metres.

The route continues past the former climb point, along the Lungkata Walk (the story of the cheeky Blue Tongue Lizard), and on to Mutitjulu Waterhole – an important water source for the Anangu people, surrounded by rock paintings and natural features the guide interprets along the way. Clients receive a souvenir certificate on completion.

Trade tip: This walk is moderate but the distance is real – 10.5 kilometres over mostly flat ground with some sandy sections. In cooler months it’s very pleasant; in warmer months the early start is essential. The cultural interpretation from the guide transforms what could be a straightforward walk into something genuinely meaningful. Breakfast included.

Melbourne Arrival & Adina Apartment Hotel

Clients fly from Uluru to Melbourne and transfer to the Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Queen Street, right in the heart of the CBD. This is apartment-style accommodation – bright, spacious rooms with a contemporary feel, warm earthy tones, and a genuine sense of having your own space in the city. The hotel features a heated pool and on-site restaurant.

The location is excellent. Opposite the law courts, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and bars, with easy walking access to the laneways, Federation Square, the arts precinct, and the Queen Victoria Market. The rest of the day is free to explore. Melbourne rewards wandering – the laneways and hidden bars are half the fun.

Trade tip: The Adina works well for both FIT clients and groups because the apartment layout gives more space than a standard hotel room. Three nights here. For clients who’ve been on the go since Sydney, having a proper living area to decompress in makes a difference.

Full Day Great Ocean Road Tour

One of Australia’s most famous driving routes, and for good reason. The itinerary is structured smartly – the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Bridge are visited in the morning before the crowds arrive, which makes an enormous difference to the experience. Clients get relaxed, unhindered views of the iconic limestone stacks at Port Campbell National Park.

The afternoon is spent meandering along the winding Great Ocean Road itself, taking in the coastal scenery, the Otway Rainforest, and seaside townships with an experienced driver-guide providing commentary along the way. The day finishes with a return to Melbourne and a farewell dinner – a final toast to the last night in Australia.

Trade tip: Visiting the Apostles in the morning is a genuine advantage over most standard tours that arrive mid-afternoon. The light is better for photography too. Lunch is included. The farewell dinner is a nice touch that gives the itinerary a proper ending rather than just trailing off. Overnight in Melbourne.

Melbourne Day at Leisure

A free day in Melbourne. Depending on departure times, clients can explore the laneways and street art, visit the NGV or Melbourne Museum, take a tram to St Kilda, browse the Queen Victoria Market, or simply enjoy the cafe culture that Melbourne does better than almost anywhere.

For clients extending their stay, we can arrange additional touring – the Yarra Valley wine region, Phillip Island’s penguin parade, or the Mornington Peninsula are all excellent day-trip options from Melbourne.

Trade tip: If your clients are departing Australia on this day, confirm flight times and arrange airport transfers accordingly. For those continuing to New Zealand, AABH’s subsidiary New Zealand and Beyond Holidays (NZABH) can seamlessly extend the itinerary across the Tasman. Visit www.nzabh.co.nz for details.

Inclusions & Accommodation

  • 10 nights accommodation across Sydney, Cairns, Uluru, and Melbourne
  • All airport transfers at each destination
  • Spectacular Sydney full-day tour with harbour luncheon cruise
  • Blue Mountains deluxe day tour with Scenic World rides, wildlife park, and lunch
  • Full day outer Great Barrier Reef with Quicksilver including lunch and snorkelling
  • Cape Tribulation and Daintree full-day tour with river cruise and BBQ lunch
  • Sounds of Silence dinner at Uluru
  • Guided 10.5km Uluru base walk with light breakfast
  • Great Ocean Road full-day tour with farewell dinner
  • Daily breakfast at Sydney, Cairns, and Uluru properties
  • Sydney: Travelodge Wynyard or similar – 3 nights, central CBD location
  • Cairns: Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort – 3 nights, five-star waterfront
  • Uluru: Voyages Outback Pioneer Hotel – 2 nights, resort access included
  • Melbourne: Adina Apartment Hotel – 3 nights, apartment-style in the CBD

Add This Destination to Your Australia or New Zealand Itinerary

Contact our team for trade rates, availability, and help packaging this tour into your clients’ tailor-made itineraries. As a leading inbound travel specialist for Australia and New Zealand, we’ll build the complete journey, including flights, accommodation, connecting tours, and onward travel.

Absolutely. This is a sample itinerary designed to showcase the classic Australian highlights route. We can adjust accommodation grades up or down, add extra nights in any destination, swap touring components, or add entirely new stops. Want to include Hamilton Island instead of Cairns? Add a few days in Tasmania at the end? Drop Uluru and spend more time on the coast? All straightforward. We build tailor-made itineraries for the travel trade every day – this particular route just happens to be one of the most requested starting points. Contact us at enquiries@aabh.com.au and we’ll work with you to get the itinerary right for your clients.
This itinerary requires three domestic flights: Sydney to Cairns (Day 4), Cairns to Uluru (Day 7), and Uluru to Melbourne (Day 9). These can be quoted and booked as part of the overall package through AABH, or your clients can book them independently. We recommend including flights in the package for seamless logistics – particularly the Cairns to Uluru sector, which has limited frequency and tends to book out during peak periods. We’ll advise on the best routing and timing based on your clients’ arrival and departure dates.
This itinerary works year-round, though each destination has its own seasonal considerations. Sydney and Melbourne are pleasant most of the year, with spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) being particularly comfortable. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are best visited between June and October when the dry season brings clear skies and excellent underwater visibility. Uluru can be extremely hot from November to March – the cooler months (April to September) are far more comfortable for the base walk. If your clients are travelling during Australian summer, we can adjust the Uluru component accordingly.
Yes, and we do it regularly. The Highlights of Australia route adapts well to incentive programmes because it covers the destinations most delegates will have on their wish list. For groups, we can arrange private touring, exclusive dining experiences, team-building activities, and gala dinners at remarkable venues – the Sydney Opera House, beachside in Cairns, under the stars at Uluru. AABH has managed incentive programmes for groups of all sizes, up to 400+ delegates. We handle everything from itinerary design through to on-the-ground coordination. Contact us at enquiries@aabh.com.au to discuss your programme requirements.
It can, and Melbourne is the natural departure point. A direct flight from Melbourne to Auckland or Queenstown connects your clients seamlessly into a New Zealand itinerary. Our fully owned subsidiary, New Zealand and Beyond Holidays (NZABH), is based in Auckland and offers the same level of service and trade support for New Zealand inbound travel. We can package Australia and New Zealand together as a single booking with coordinated logistics and consolidated trade pricing. Visit www.nzabh.co.nz or ask our team to include New Zealand options when you enquire about this itinerary.