Grand Tour of Australia

Day 1 – UK – In flight

Titans VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Perth.

UK – In flight

Day 2 – Perth

On arrival, the evening is at leisure.

Parmelia Hilton Perth (5-star)

Day 3 – Fremantle

We start our day with a tour of Perth and then 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.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Perth and Fremantle, including river cruise (morning)

Parmelia Hilton Perth (5-star)

Day 4 – Perth

Today is free to explore Australias 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 worlds finest collections of indigenous art. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to Rottnest Island. Its of great spiritual significance – known as Wadjemup to the Aboriginal people who have inhabited this island for more than 6,500 years. This car-free island has stunning beaches, incredible pink salt lakes and an abundance of wildlife including the adorably cheerful quokkas. Wadjemup Lighthouse, still operating 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 sun set over the city.

Parmelia Hilton Perth (5-star)

Day 5 – Darwin

Fly to Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory. Well stay close to the ocean and an easy walk from the citys highlights.

Novotel Darwin CBD (4-star)

Day 6 – Kakadu

We spend a full day touring Kakadu National Park, Australias 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.

Excursions & visits:

Kakadu National Park (all day)

Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (3-star)

Day 7 – Kakadu – Katherine

Cruise Kakadus wetlands, an ever-changing landscape. More than 10,000 saltwater crocodiles live in the park, as well as an uncountable number of bird species, including the whistling duck, jabiru and white-bellied sea eagle. Experienced guides will give fascinating insights into the regions wildlife, Bininj people and survival through the seasons. Later, we travel to Katherine.

Excursions & visits:

Yellow Water cruise (morning)

Ibis Styles Katherine (3-star)

Day 8 – Katherine – Darwin

Nitmiluk National Park includes a breathtaking series of towering gorges along the Katherine River. This morning well take a leisurely cruise on its tranquil waters, before returning to Darwin.

Excursions & visits:

Nitmiluk Gorge cruise (morning)

Novotel Darwin CBD (4-star)

Day 9 – Darwin

This morning we take a tour of this tropical capital, including entrance to the Darwin Military Museum, which tells the story of Japans devastating air raids on 19 February 1942. They dropped more bombs here than on Pearl Harbor. The afternoon is at leisure. Maybe visit the wonderful markets or the superb Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Darwin, including Military Museum (morning)

Novotel Darwin CBD (4-star)

Day 10 – Alice Springs

Fly early to Alice Springs, where our tour includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctors Service Base, founded to provide medical care for residents in over 1.5 million square kilometres of isolated bushland; and the Old Telegraph Station, built in the 1870s to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Alice Springs (morning)

Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters (4-star)

Day 11 – Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) – Uluru

Our journey continues to one of Australias natural highlights, Uluru. We head to the Olgas, a collection of rounded rocks known to Aborigines as Kata Tjuta (Many Heads), and then continue closer to Uluru to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset.

Excursions & visits:

Kata Tjuta (afternoon)
Uluru sunset viewing (evening)

Voyages Sails in the Desert, Uluru (4.5-star)

Day 12 – Uluru – Cairns

Early this morning we travel the short distance back to Uluru to watch this phenomenal rock change as the sun rises, before flying to Cairns.

Excursions & visits:

Uluru sunrise viewing (morning)

Bailey Hotel, Cairns (4-star)

Day 13 – Cairns

Today is free to explore Cairns. The Esplanade lagoon or the Pier marina, are the places to head to if you want to spend time on the coast. Despite the lack of beach, this small town is still popular for boardshort-clad tourists, and for those looking to experience the great outdoors.

Bailey Hotel, Cairns (4-star)

Day 14 – Great Barrier Reef

Today we experience another of Australias incredible natural wonders – the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an unforgettable cruise to Michaelmas Cay, a small sand island on the outer reef. 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 of tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles.

Excursions & visits:

Great Barrier Reef cruise (all day)

Bailey Hotel, Cairns (4-star)

Day 15 – Kuranda

We board the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a journey through some of the worlds oldest rainforest, with an incredibly vivid display of plants and some spectacular waterfalls, including Barron Falls, where we stop for photos. Youre 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.

Excursions & visits:

Kuranda Scenic Railway (morning)
Kuranda Skyrail (afternoon)

Bailey Hotel, Cairns (4-star)

Day 16 – Cairns – Brisbane – Noosa

Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Noosa – the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

The Sebel Noosa (4-star)

Day 17 – Fraser Island

Today we visit Fraser Island, the worlds largest sand island, and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows on sand. As your 4WD drive vehicle navigates the stunning east coast beach – the islands main road – youll enjoy translucent freshwater lakes, and may catch sight of the wild dingos and native birds.

Excursions & visits:

Fraser Island (all day)

The Sebel Noosa (4-star)

Day 18 – Noosa

Spend your free day relaxing in the tropical town of Noosa. Maybe take to the expansive golden beaches or stroll to 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.

The Sebel Noosa (4-star)

Day 19 – Noosa – Brisbane

We drive to Brisbane for a tour of this booming city, including a visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The worlds largest koala sanctuary has over 130 of these gentle marsupials, as well as kangaroos, possums and wombats.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Brisbane, including koala sanctuary (morning)

Novotel Brisbane (4-star)

Day 20 – Brisbane

Today is free to spend time in Brisbanes 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; or snorkel amongst wrecks which have become home to reef fish.

Novotel Brisbane (4-star)

Day 21 – 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 braces for the waves of renowned surf spots; and Byron Bay, a small hippy town at the end of a beautiful sweeping bay, at mainland Australias most easterly point. We continue to Coffs Harbour, where the Great Dividing Range meets the South Pacific Ocean.

Excursions & visits:

Pacific Coast drive, stopping at Gold Coast & Byron Bay (all day)

BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour (3.5-star)

Day 22 – Hunter Valley

Travel into New South Wales best-known wine region – Hunter Valley. Spend this afternoon on a winery tour and sample specialities such as semillon and shiraz.

Excursions & visits:

Hunter Valley winery tour (afternoon)

Mercure Resort Hunter Valley (3.5-star)

Day 23 – Sydney

Board our coach to Sydney, where we take a tour to see the citys highlights. Enjoy a seafood lunch on a harbour cruise while we witness iconic views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Sydney and harbour cruise (afternoon)

Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)

Days 24-25 – Sydney

You have two free days to experience the delights of Sydney. Theres a vast choice of galleries and historical museums, the gorgeous Botanical Gardens and The Rocks – the fabulous heart of historic Sydney where Captain Arthur Phillip proclaimed the establishment of Australias 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.

Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)

Day 26 – Sydney – Melbourne

After a flight to Melbourne, we take a tour of the city, including entrance to Cooks Cottage, which was built in Yorkshire by Captain James Cooks parents, painstakingly disassembled, shipped to Australia and rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934.

Excursions & visits:

Tour of Melbourne (afternoon)

Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders (4-star)

Day 27 – Dandenong – Yarra Valley

Enjoy a day in Victorias beautiful countryside. As we drive through endless rows of vines in Yarra Valley, we break at a few fine wineries to compare their signature flavours. Then, well continue to the Dandenong Ranges for a trip on Puffing Billy steam train. The view of the Dandenong Ranges can often be seen under a blue haze, created by the eucalyptus trees that cover much of the area.

Excursions & visits:

Yarra Valley wine tasting (morning)
Excursion to Dandenong Ranges and Puffing Billy train ride (afternoon)

Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders (4-star)

Day 28 – Melbourne

Theres plenty to see on a free day in Melbourne, including the beautiful Victorian faades of Flinders Street Station and Old Customs House, Queen Victoria Market and the Old Melbourne Gaol, now a museum dedicated to Melbournes most dangerous offenders, including Ned Kelly. Alternatively, join us for an optional excursion along 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 (fairy) penguins that waddle across the shores at dusk to nest.

Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders (4-star)

Day 29 – Melbourne – In flight

Enjoy a second free day in this exciting city before we transfer to the airport this evening for your return flight to the UK.

Melbourne – In flight

Day 30 – UK

Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

UK