Sydney, Cairns, Uluru & Melbourne
This is the itinerary that ticks the boxes most international travellers arrive with. Sydney Harbour. The Great Barrier Reef. Uluru at sunset. The Twelve Apostles. Over 11 days, your clients move through four of Australia’s most requested destinations with guided touring, quality accommodation, and enough free time that it doesn’t feel like a march.
The Highlights of Australia itinerary runs from Sydney to Melbourne, covering the east coast, the tropical north, and the Red Centre. It includes harbour cruises, reef snorkelling on the outer reef with Quicksilver, the Daintree Rainforest, a guided base walk at Uluru, and a full day along the Great Ocean Road. Accommodation ranges from centrally located city hotels to resort-style properties. Designed for travel agents building FIT packages, series group programmes, or incentive itineraries where clients want the iconic Australian experience done properly.
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.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Inclusions & Accommodation
Frequently Asked Questions
