Sightseeing Highlights

• CITY TOUR in Melbourne and Sydney.
• CRUISE on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and Sydney Harbour.
• VIEW Darling Harbour from your Sydney hotel room and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the water.
• VISIT Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures in Queensland, the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach.

Travel Highlights

• Visit Australia’s oldest Surf Lifesaving Club at Bondi Beach, a haven for sun-worshipping Sydneysiders (Day 7).
• Visit Melbourne’s hidden laneways on a walking tour (Day 2) and witness a Welcome to Country ceremony at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (Day 5).
• For Included sightseeing at Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach Surf Club, Hartley’s Crocodile Boat Cruise, Great Barrier Reef Cruise, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (Days 3, 4, 5, 7).
• Plant some trees which will help in the restoration of rainforest in Far North Queensland (Day 3).

 

 

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 ARRIVE MELBOURNE (D)
This tale of three cities and an underwater wonderland kicks off in stylish Melbourne. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Later, this evening get to know your Travel Director and fellow travellers during a Welcome Reception and Regional Dinner featuring seasonal produce paired with quality Australian wines.
HOTEL: Crowne Plaza (2 nights)

DAY 2 MELBOURNE (B)
Melbourne’s famous hidden laneways provide the perfect opportunity to ‘Dive Into Culture’ this morning, as we embark on a private walk to discover the city’s eclectic little lanes, arcades, café society and edgy street art, renowned the world over. Admire the exquisite Victorian façades that line grand boulevards and see Federation Square, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Shrine of Remembrance. Your orientation complete, you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure to immerse yourself in this stylish cityscape.

DAY 3 MELBOURNE – CAIRNS (B)
Journey north to Cairns, the laidback gateway to an astoundingly rich marine ecosystem. On arrival, join your ‘Local Specialist’ for a private wildlife journey at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, keeping your eye on the crocs that cruise the murky waters of the lagoon or laze on the bank. Then, ‘Join Trafalgar’ and take part in a Rainforest Restoration project to protect this natural wonder. Enjoy an evening at leisure and perhaps sample the fresh seafood flavours for which the city is famous.
HOTEL: Hilton (3 Nights)

DAY 4 GREAT BARRIER REEF (B/L)
Prime your sea legs for the experience of a lifetime which lies beneath the sparkling blue waters of the Coral Sea. Board a highspeed catamaran and cruise to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. View the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and semisubmersible craft or don your provided snorkelling equipment for an upclose encounter. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on the Great Barrier Reef before returning to Cairns.

DAY 5 CAIRNS AT LEISURE (B/SD)
Enhance your free day with one of Trafalgar’s recommended Optional Experiences. Embark on a Scenic Rail journey to Kuranda to explore the ‘village in a rainforest’ and take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway on the return journey through some of the oldest rainforest in the world. Indulge your inner sloth and spend the day relaxing at your hotel pool or sipping a cool cocktail while watching the outdoorsy locals live life to the fullest. This evening, ‘Dive Into Culture’ at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, where you’ll witness a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony, hear stories of the Dreamtime and see an entertaining highimpact performance by the indigenous dance group, followed by a Regional Dinner paired with the intoxicating sounds of the didgeridoo.

DAY 6 CAIRNS SYDNEY (B/D)
Fly south to Sydney this morning and enjoy some time at leisure before you take to the waters of Sydney Harbour on a Captain Cook Sunset Cruise. As day turns to night, watch how the city’s iconic landmarks light up a magical backdrop for a Regional Dinner shared with new friends.
HOTEL: Hyatt Regency (Darling Harbour View Room) (3 nights)

DAY 7 SYDNEY SIGHTSEEING (B)
Go behind the scenes and discover the inner workings of the Sydney Opera House this morning, joining a ‘Local Specialist’ for a private guided tour of this architectural marvel before the crowds. Rub shoulders with the bronzed and beautiful locals at Bondi Beach next for a ‘Be My Guest’ experience. Meet a local surf lifesaver and gain insights into surf lifesaving and the history of Bondi. ‘Connect With Locals’ during an exclusive tour through the Members Only facility of Australia’s oldest surf lifesaving club and enjoy lunch amidst the best views of this famous beach.

DAY 8 SYDNEY AT LEISURE (B/D)
Get your final fix of Sydney with a full day to explore this harbour city. Consider an Optional Experience to the nearby Blue Mountains or tame your inner adventurer with a thrilling trip up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Your epic encounter with the highlights of Australia nearing its end, you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

DAY 9 DEPART SYDNEY (B)
Say farewell to Sydney as your Australian holiday comes to an end and we transfer you to Sydney Airport for your onward flight

Australia 
Canadians must be in possession of an Australian visa (Electronic Travel Authority) prior to departure from Canada. Ensure that you travel with  the same passport used to apply for your visa. You can apply online https://www.eta.homeaffairs.gov.au/ETAS3/etas for $20 Australian dollars per person (subject to change).

If you prefer Travel Best Bets will issue your Australia visas for $25 CAD per person (plus the Visa costs) after providing your agent with the required information.