Essential Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Credit: Tourism Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Image: Tourism Australia
Essential Australia
15 Days – Explore Sydney, Melbourne & Cairns.
2 weeks, 3 cities, 7 of Australia’s Wonders
Hottest deal of the month, as seen on Travelzoo. This trip includes many wonders of Australia in Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney and a great balance of urban adventure, incredible natural landscapes and ancient culture. From Sydney with its sparkling harbour, iconic architecture and coastal retreats of Bondi and Manly beaches, to cosmopolitan Melbourne with its bustling city laneways, captivating museums and galleries as well as laid back Cairns, gateway to Queensland’s tropical north. This is an excellent introduction to the land ‘down under’, there really is nothing like Australia!
7 Australian wonders in one essential trip!
Twelve Apostles & Great Ocean Road {Natural Landscapes}
Towering limestone stacks rising out of the southern ocean and scenic coastal drive.
Philip Island {Wildlife}
Island sanctuary home to the largest Little Penguin colony in the world.
Great Barrier Reef {Natural Landscapes}
UNESCO World Heritage-listed area in the northeast Australia is the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem.
Kuranda Rainforest {Natural Landscapes}
UNESCO World Heritage-listed wet tropics region recognised for its ancient ancestry, eco diversity and many unique plants and animals.
Sydney Opera House {Cultural Heritage}
Masterpiece of 20th century architecture, this iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world’s most distinctive buildings.
Sydney Harbour {Natural Landscapes}
A beautiful natural harbour, home to attractions including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Taronga Zoo.
The Rocks {Cultural Heritage}
The historic neighbourhood with cobbled streets and laneways, rich in colonial heritage and the birthplace of Sydney.
based on double occupancy
- Depart Fridays between:
15 Nov – 29 Nov 2024 or 31 Jan – 14 Mar 2025
Subject to availability - Package Includes:
- Round trip economy-class flights from Vancouver to Australia on Fiji Airways.
Departures from Calgary add $370pp, Edmonton add $470pp, Toronto add $540pp, Ottawa & Montreal add $635pp.
Contact us for price to depart from other Canadian cities - Domestic flights Melbourne – Cairns and Cairns – Sydney
- 12 nights centrally-located Standard hotel accommodation, including 4 nights Sydney, 4 nights Melbourne, 4 nights Cairns, 7 Sightseeing excursions per itinerary
- Meals: 12 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches
- Optional Upgrades:
Fly Business class on international flights, add $5850pp
Include shuttles between airports hotels in Australia, add $310pp
Ask our team about prices to upgrade your hotels - Contact us for Solo traveller rates, or for prices to travel on alternate dates.
- Limited Time Sale! includes savings of $389pp + breakfast daily (approximately $350pp value). Must book before 29 Nov 2024.
based on double occupancy
- Depart Fridays between:
3 Apr – 16 May 2025
Subject to availability - Package Includes:
- Round trip economy-class flights from Vancouver to Australia on Fiji Airways.
Departures from Calgary add $370pp, Edmonton add $470pp, Toronto add $540pp, Ottawa & Montreal add $635pp.
Contact us for price to depart from other Canadian cities. - Domestic flights Melbourne – Cairns and Cairns – Sydney
- 12 nights centrally-located Standard hotel accommodation, including 4 nights Sydney, 4 nights Melbourne, 4 nights Cairns, 7 Sightseeing excursions per itinerary
- Meals: 12 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches
- Optional Upgrades:
Fly Business class on international flights, add $5850pp
Include shuttles between airports/hotels in Australia, add $320pp
Ask our team about prices to upgrade your hotels - Contact us for Solo traveller rates, or for prices to travel on alternate dates.
Trip Details
Included in your trip:
Excluded from your trip:
TRIP ITINERARY
Essential Australia Vacation Package - Wonders of Sydney, Melbourne & Cairns
15 Day Adventure
Sample Itinerary – Departures after 1 April 2025 itinerary may vary.
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: Kuranda 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.
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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.
ENQUIRE NOW!
About Essential Australia, Trip Code: TA2024-1
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