Essential Australia

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 Melbourne and Australia!  Check into your Melbourne hotel where you will stay for 4 nights.

Days 4-6: Melbourne, Victoria

Melbourne is  a city of contrasts, world-famous sporting arenas, historic gardens, historic lanes and arcades and excellent local cuisine. There is much to see and do in this lively city and the surrounding regions, 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 the colony, greeting neighbours, partners and their chicks.

Day 7: Melbourne to Cairns

Fly from Sydney to Cairns.  Check into your Cairns hotel where you will stay for 4 nights.

Days 8-10: Cairns, Queensland

Cairns is the gateway to explore the tropical north Queensland region including World-Heritage areas of the Great Barrier Reef and ancient Daintree Rainforest.  There is much to see and do in the area, we have included the following excursions to get you started:

Australian Wonder 3: The Great Barrier Reef

Board Ocean Spirit, a 32m sailing catamaran for a full day cruise to Michaelmas Cay in the Great Barrier Reef. This picturesque vegetated Sand Cay is a National Park and a protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds that is circled by a fringing reef. Enjoy four hours on the reef where you can choose from a range of activities including snorkelling, semi-submersible tours and guided beach walks. Lunch is included.

Australian Wonder 4: The Daintree Rainforest

Travel on the Kuranda Scenic Railway winding through tunnels and past spectacular waterfalls to Kuranda.  After wandering through the picturesque rainforest village of Kuranda, transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park for an Aussie BBQ lunch and Army Duck Rainforest tour on both land and water. Watch the Pamagirri Dancers perform in the rainforest amphitheatre, then learn about throwing a boomerang and playing the didgeridoo. Visit the Koala and Wildlife Park to see crocodiles, wombats, snakes, dingoes and a cassowary and hand feed kangaroos and wallabies. Here you will also have the chance for a photo cuddling a koala or holding a small crocodile (additional cost) before boarding Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to glide above the rainforest canopy with stops along the way.

Day 11: Cairns to Sydney

Fly south to Sydney where you will stay for 4 nights.

Days 12-14: Sydney, New South Wales

Enjoy a combination of excursions and free time while in Sydney. There is  so much to see and do in this iconic city and beyond in New South Wales! Enjoy a beach day at one of the many beaches from Bronte Beach to Bondi, explore different neighborhoods, catch a performance at the incredible Sydney Opera House, explore the wilderness area of the Blue Mountains National Park or the Hunter Valley wine region!  We have included the following excursions during your stay to get you started exploring:

Australian Wonder 5: 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 Dreamtime, the culture of Aboriginal people. and learn how this place now known as Sydney continues to weave ancient culture into it’s modern, built up environment. Drawing upon knowledge populated from the oldest ecologists, conservationists, wildlife carers, botanists, astronomers, climatologists and marine biologists on earth today, the guides will explain how this ancient wisdom continues to reveal itself within the English settlement of The Rocks. Landscapes include Cadman’s Cottage, Bligh and Barney Reserve, Argyle Cut, Cumberland Walk. Harbor Bridge/Dawes Poin – TARRA, Hicksons Reserve  and Campbells Cove.

Australian Wonder 6: Sydney Opera House

In the afternoon, explore the Sydney Opera House up close. Step beneath the sails to discover insider secrets and stories of the Opera House artists and performances. Step inside the iconic theatres and foyers that bring to life over 1800 performances each year. Explore the building with your guide to learn about how Jorn Utzon’s vision came into existence against impossible odds and capture photos from rare vantage points that are off limits to the public.

Australian Wonder 7: 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 15: Sydney, Australia – Canada

Farewell Australia today as your vacation comes to an end.

Fly to Australia on Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways fly direct from Vancouver to Fiji, and connect to 5 Australian cities: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide.

In 2024, Fiji Airways won at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards held in London: the ‘Best Airline in Australia and the Pacific’ for the second consecutive year and the ‘Best Airline Staff in Australia and the Pacific’ for the fourth year in a row.