Day 1: Depart Canada

Depart Canada today. You will cross the International Dateline and ‘lose’ a day (don’t worry, you gain this day back on your return journey).

Day 3: Arrive in Melbourne, Australia

G’Day welcome to Australia.  Your down under adventure begins in Melbourne. On arrival you will transfer from the airport to your central Melbourne hotel where you will stay for 4-nights.

Days 4-6: Victoria

Australia’s culture capital, where you can sample great food, coffee and wine.  This city of contrasts also includes famous sporting arenas, historic gardens and historic laneways. There is much to see and do in this city and the surrounding regions of Victoria, we have included the following excursions to get you started exploring:

Australian Wonder 1: The Great Ocean Road

This full day small group tour is of the Great Ocean Road coastal touring route along the south west coast that hugs the seaside cliffs along the wild Southern Ocean. Striking views along the way include craggy cliffs, empty beaches and soaring bluffs flanked by brilliant green countryside. You may also see wildlife such as whales, dolphins, echidnas and bandicoots along the way. Travel out of Melbourne, stopping at Apollo Bay, a small seaside town before enjoying a walk in the forest in the Otway Ranges. Visit the ancient rock formations of the Twelve Apostles that have have been chiselled out of limestone over 10-20 million years.

Australian Wonder 2: Philip Island

Drive south-east from Melbourne to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park where you will meet endangered species, kangaroos, wallabies and koalas plus an array of colourful birds and reptiles. Travel to Phillip Island, home of the famous Little Penguins. On arrival on the Island, depending on the time of year and your interests, you will visit Woolamai beach to see surfers riding the waves. During the daylight savings months, you will travel to the town of Cowes where you will have free time for dinner before heading to the Penguin Parade. Here you can watch little penguins dash home across the sand at dusk, explore boardwalks after dark to see penguins in their colony.

Day 7: Melbourne – Adelaide

Transfer from the city to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Adelaide, South Australia.  On arrival you will transfer to your Adelaide hotel where you will stay for 4-nights.

Days 8-10: South Australia

Adelaide is South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital. Home to the lively Adelaide Central market, a haven for foodies, museums such as the Art Gallery of South Australia that display collections of Indigenous art, and the South Australian Museum that is devoted to natural history. It is also a gateway to explore more of South Australia such as wine regions of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills.  During your stay we have included two sightseeing excursions to explore a couple of the wonders of this area:

Australian Wonder 3: Barossa Valley

Australia’s oldest wine region is famous for its Shiraz and it is also a big producer of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Chardonnay.  Spend a day exploring landscapes covered in grapes and greenery and taste the best wines of the region and more. This includes the famous Whispering Wall with its acoustic qualities, Château Yaldara, home to some of the finest Shirazes in the region and some of the best-preserved period architecture in the state, Jacobs Creek, the historic township of Tanunda, plus two more wineries.

Australian Wonder 4: Kangaroo Island

Travel to Kangaroo Island for the day, departing early morning  transfer to Cape Jervis to board a 45 minute ferry crossing to Kangaroo Island. Tour of South Australia’s premier nature destination including Seal Bay Conservation Park where you take a guided beach walk amongst a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Travel to Flinders Chase National Park, keeping an eye out for echidnas, wallabies, reptiles, and koalas. See the rugged coastline from walks around Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, a natural nursery and safe haven for playful Long-nosed Fur Seals. Finish with a visit to the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, feed kangaroos and get up close to Koalas.

Day 11: Adelaide – Hobart

Transfer from the city to Adelaide airport for your flight south to the island of Tasmania.  On arrival, transfer to your Hobart hotel where you will stay for 5-nights.

Days 12-15: Tasmania

Tasmania is and island and Australia’s southernmost state.  The pristine natural environment, unique wildlife and history offers plenty of interesting places to explore.  During your stay in Hobart, we have included an introductory walking tour to hear the stories of how Tasmania’s capital city was established and became a vibrant waterfront city with heritage listed buildings.  We have also included the following excursions:

Australian Wonder 5: Port Arthur

Take a guided tour of historic UNESCO World Heritage listed Port Arthur. This iconic site is one of Australia’s most important heritage destinations. Travel to the historic town of Richmond and the famous Convict built Richmond Bridge, the Tasman Peninsula with natural bushland, native wildlife and amazing coastal scenery, Eaglehawk Neck and views from Pirates Bay Lookout and Tasman Arch. At Port Arthur, join a guided walking tour and harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead before free time to explore the restored buildings and ruins.

Australian Wonder 6: Bruny Island

One of Tasmania’s natural gems with spectacular coastal scenery. Spend a day on Bruny Island including 3-hour wilderness cruise. Travel along the rugged coastline below some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs to enter deep sea caves and search for wildlife.

Australian Wonder 7: Maria Island National Park

Naturally beautiful, this magical remote island is reached by ferry and explored via a network of walking trails. Maria Island is home to vast numbers of wombats, wallabies, Cape Barren Geese and Tasmanian Devils. Explore the World Heritage listed Darlington settlement, a preserved convict camp. Walk to the Painted Cliffs, a 4.5km round trip to see colorful sandstone formations up close. Finish with the Fossil Cliffs walk, another 4.5km circuit on the western side of the island over windswept hills and cliffs of 300-million-year-old fossils.

Day 16: Hobart – Sydney

Transfer to Hobart airport for your flight to Sydney (New South Wales).  On arrival you will transfer to your Sydney hotel where you will stay for 4-nights.

Days 17-19: Sydney, New South Wales

This iconic harbour city has so much to see, we have included a combination of excursions as well as free time to explore. You can explore beaches, neighborhoods, a performance at the Sydney Opera House, the wilderness and wine regions!  We have included the following excursions during your stay to get you started:

Australian Wonder 8: The Rocks

One morning, take a guided walking tour of the historic Rocks precinct in Sydney. Learn about the most ancient culture on earth on a 90-min walk with an Aboriginal guide.  Journey into the culture of Aboriginal people to learn how Sydney continues to weave ancient culture into it’s modern environment. Visit Cadman’s Cottage, Bligh and Barney Reserve, Argyle Cut, Cumberland Walk. Harbor Bridge/Dawes Point, Hicksons Reserve and Campbells Cove.

Australian Wonder 9: Sydney Opera House

In the afternoon, explore the Sydney Opera House up close on a guided tour to discover insider secrets and stories of the Opera House artists and performances. Explore the building and learn about how Jorn Utzon’s design vision came to be against impossible odds.

Australian Wonder 10: Sydney Harbour

The focal point of this city is the harbour and the ultimate way to enjoy the ever changing Sydney Harbour views is by boat.  We have included cruise with two-course lunch that takes a 90-min circuit of Sydney Harbour.

Day 20: Sydney, Australia – Canada

Farewell Australia today, transfer to Sydney International Airport for your flight to Canada.