Click image to enlarge

The Outback & East Coast

Day 1 - Arrive Darwin
On arrival in Darwin, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight at the Holiday Inn Darwin. (Meals included: Breakfast).

Day 2 - Darwin to Kakadu National Park
Today you journey to Kakadu National Park, World Heritage listed for its cultural and natural significance. Visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, cruise Yellow Water billabong which is a unique opportunity to experience this diverse and sublimely beautiful area and it's associated wildlife. You will also see Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock. Overnight in Kakadu National Park at the Aurora Kakadu. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch).

Day 3 - Kakadu to Darwin
See ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr, with an Aboriginal guide cruise the East Alligator River, spotting wildlife and the fearsome saltwater crocodile. Take a short walk into Arnhem Land before returning to Darwin. Overnight at the Holiday Inn Darwin. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch).

Day 4 - Darwin to Ayers Rock Resort*
Transfer to the airport and fly to Ayers Rock Resort (*airfare not included). On arrival you will enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a region that has been inhabited for the past 22,000 years by the Anangu people. Travel to Kata Tjuta and walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Admire the sheer walls that flank you as you follow the creek bed into the gorge. Learn of the fascinating myths and legends of this sacred place. You then return to Uluru (Ayers Rock) late in the afternoon. Enjoy a glass of wine as you admire the ever-changing colours of Uluru at sunset. Overnight at Ayers Rock Resort in the Outback Pioneer Hotel. (Meals included: Breakfast).

Day 5 - Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Watch the sunrise over Uluru with a tea or coffee in hand. Next, take a walk to the waterhole of Mutitjulu before joining a guided Mala Walk, visiting traditional art sites and learning of the region’s geology and flora. Alternatively, forgo the Mutitjulu and Mala walks to climb Uluru and take in the splendid views of the surrounding desert plain. Visit the Cultural Centre before travelling to Kings Canyon. Overnight at the Kings Canyon Resort. (Meals included: Breakfast, dinner).

Day 6 - Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Today you can choose the sightseeing option most suited to you. Choose from two guided walks at Kings Canyon. Walk to the canyon rim, through the ‘Lost City’ to the ‘Garden of Eden’. Or follow the canyon floor to discover the local flora. En route to Alice Springs, you will stop at Kings Creek Station, a working cattle station, with an opportunity to ride a camel (not included). Overnight at the Palm Court, Alice Springs Resort. (Meals included: Breakfast)..

Day 7 - Alice Springs to Cairns*
Spend the morning at leisure in Alice Springs before transferring to the airport to join your flight to the tropical city of Cairns (*airfare not included). On arrival in Cairns, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Cairns..

Day 8 - Cairns & Port Douglas
Take one of Australia's most spectacular drives to the resort town of Port Douglas. You then journey to Kuranda, a village in the rainforest where you can wander the local markets. Tonight experience the Tjapukai by Night, a show where guests become an interactive part of an ancient corroboree (traditional dance) ritual climaxing in the ceremonial making of a fire. Then, be led down a flame-lit path to enjoy a dinner banquet of the region's best food. Return to Cairns for your overnight stay. Overnight at the Hotel Cairns. (Meals included: Breakfast, dinner)

Day 9 - Cairns to Daydream Island
Travel south through Cardwell with views of the coast to Townsville, Queensland’s largest tropical city. At Shute Harbour join a cruise through the idyllic Whitsunday Passage to Daydream Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef. Check in for a two night stay at Daydream Island Resort and Spa. (Meals included: Breakfast).

Day 10 - The Great Barrier Reef Experience
Voyage to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef aboard a high speed catamaran. Arrive at Reefworld, one of the largest reef pontoons in Australia and enjoy a reef education presentation and view the spectacular schools of tropical fish from the Underwater Observatory and the semi-submersible vessel. For the more adventurous, follow a snorkelling trail and view the coral and sea life up close. Or simply relax on the sundeck and enjoy the amazing 360° view of the Great Barrier Reef. Your lunch onboard today is included. (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch)..

Day 11 - Daydream Island to Rockhampton
Today cruise back to the mainland. Visit Mackay, the ‘sugar capital’ of Australia, before heading to Rockhampton. Overnight at the Rockhampton Plaza Hotel. (Meals included: Breakfast).

Day 12 - Rockhampton to Hervey Bay
Cross the Tropic of Capricorn at Rockhampton on your way to the coastal town of Hervey Bay. Check in for a two night stay at the Mantra Hervey Bay, overlooking the boat harbour. (Meals included: Breakfast).

Day 13 - Fraser Island by 4-Wheel Drive
Cruise to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and explore the world’s largest sand island by 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Discover unspoilt surf beaches, pristine inland lakes and lush tropical rainforest. On your return cruise to Hervey Bay, watch for whales (Aug – Oct only). (Meals included: Breakfast, lunch).

Day 14 - Hervey Bay to Moreton Island
Visit the renowned Australia Zoo, made famous by ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin. Watch the feeding of the crocodiles who 'have a go' at the keepers or interact with many native animals, including koalas, that the handlers are walking around the zoo with. Cruise to Moreton Island National Park and check in at the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. (Meals included: Breakfast, dinner).

Day 15 - Tangalooma Free Day
A free day today. Perhaps to snorkel around the shipwrecks, try sand tobogganing or take a 4WD tour (activities at own expense). Tonight interact with the dolphins that swim close to shore. (Meals included: Breakfast). .

Day 16 - Tangalooma to Brisbane & Surfers Paradise
Arrive in Brisbane this morning, enjoy a brief city tour then enjoy time at the popular holiday area of Surfers Paradise. Continue south over the border and stroll along the pristine beach located at the doorstep of our hotel as the sunsets. Overnight in Kingscliffe at the Mantra on Salt Beach. (Meals included: Breakfast)

Day 17 - Kingscliff to Port Macquarie
Enjoy a morning drive to Byron Bay, a coastal town renowned for its superb surf beaches that has attracted both wealthy city dwellers looking to escape the city as well as the bohemian lifestylers. Watch the surfers and maybe even see dolphins off the point, and see the Cape Byron Lighthouse. Travel via the Central Coast en route to Port Macquarie, situated on the mouth of the Hastings River. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight at the Rydges Port Macquarie. (Meals included: Breakfast, dinner).

Day 18 - Port Macquarie to Sydney
Your journey continues along the beautiful Central Coast via Taree and then onto Sydney where your tour concludes. (Meals included: Breakfast)

Prices per Person Double Single Triple
All above dates £2045 £2790 £1945