Best of the Red Centre & Eastern Australia

Australia is over 7 million sq km (4.35 sq mi) of sand, reef, rock, koala, wine, sailing, ocean, city, culture, Dreamtime, and so much more than we could possibly list here. It would take several lifetimes to explore it all. This sprawling 25-day adventure comes pretty close, though. Kick things off in cosmopolitan Melbourne by discovering the city's hidden laneways. Then head up the Great Ocean Road to a couple of national parks before journeying deep into the fabled Outback for a rendezvous with the iconic Uluru. Next, meet the Great Barrier Reef from Cape Tribulation, cruise the glorious Whitsundays, visit a G Adventures-supported cultural centre, learn to surf, and explore Sydney. Exhausted yet? Just wait’ll you’re actually there!

Day 1 Melbourne
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula
Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture before travelling to the Mornington Peninsula. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.

Day 3 Mornington Peninsula
Enjoy a free day in the Mornington Peninsula. Opt to visit a winery or hit one of the many incredible beaches in the area.

Day 4 Mornington Peninsula/Port Campbell
Hop on a ferry to Queenscliff before spending the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, enjoy views of the 12 Apostles, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.

Day 5 Port Campbell/Halls Gap
Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Walk to the stunning Balconies and visit MacKenzie Falls.

Day 6 Halls Gap/Adelaide
Visit the Brambuk Indigenous Cultural Centre before continuing on to Adelaide. The CEO will point out important highlights of the city while driving in, before free time to explore the city.

Day 7 Adelaide/Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Stop in the Clare Valley for a wine tasting and light gourmet lunch featuring regional produce. Afterwards, drive through the Flinders Ranges.

Day 8 Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Visit Wilpena Pound, a 800-million-year old natural amphitheatre, before enjoying free time for optional activities in the Flinders Ranges like hiking or a 4WD tour of the rugged area.

Day 9 Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Coober Pedy
Travel to Coober Pedy, the world's opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground.

Day 10 Coober Pedy/Uluru
Travel further into the Outback and experience a colourful sunset at Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand.

Day 11 Uluru
Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aborigines.

Day 12 Uluru/Cairns
Fly to the oceanside city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 13 Cairns/Cape Tribulation
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.

Day 14 Cape Tribulation
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.

Day 15 Cape Tribulation/Cairns
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city.

Day 16 Cairns/Airlie Beach
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach with time to explore the town.

Day 17 Airlie Beach
Set sail for a day in the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.

Day 18 Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.

Day 19 Byron Bay
Spend the day wandering the town or taking part in a multitude of optional activities like skydiving, visiting Cape Byron Lighthouse, or relaxing on the beach.

Day 20 Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
Hit the waves with an included surf lesson. Head to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.

Day 21 Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
En route to the Blue Mountains, opt to stop at the Koala Hospital to learn about vital wildlife conservation work in the area.

Day 22 Blue Mountains
Explore the area around Leura and Katoomba including the Three Sisters. Visit the Jenolan Caves, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.

Day 23 Blue Mountains/Sydney

Day 24 Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.

Day 25 Sydney
Depart at any time.