Inspiring Australia

G'day to Australia and to vibrant Melbourne! Melbourne, Victoria's state capital, is regarded as the world's most liveable city. Guests arriving in the morning will be able to meet your Big Journey Company Tour Director and join the afternoon city tour to explore the highlights of Melbourne and experience the world’s most liveable city for themselves. Join in the hustle and bustle of the Queen Victoria Markets, see the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the visit Royal Botanic Gardens. There will also be time to explore trendy St Kilda and enjoy afternoon tea, with a photo stop at the colourful Brighton Bathing Boxes. The tour ends at the Eureka Skydeck for spectacular city views.
We will gather together this evening for a welcome dinner at our hotel or a popular nearby restaurant and finish the day by sipping a cocktail with a view at one of Melbourne's many rooftop bars, where your Big Journey Tour Director will discuss the coming tour with you further.

The iconic Great Ocean Road is a world famous coastal drive where you will enjoy a day of amazing contrasts and breath-taking scenery today. Torquay, the official starting point of the Great Ocean Road and is our first stop today. Continue the Great Ocean Road journey for a photo stop at Memorial Arch and to visit Erskine Falls, the most popular waterfall in the Otway Range which plunges 30 metres into the lush tree-fern gully of the Erskine River. Feel the fine, refreshing mist from the cascading water as you take in the views from one of two lookouts.
On the drive to the seaside town of Apollo Bay, you see rugged cliffs drop dramatically to the ocean on one side and the beautiful national park on the other. A Kennett River we will spot koalas in their natural habitat before continuing to Apollo Bay for today's lunch stop.
As we continue round the coast through Great Otway National Park, you'll spot the craggy limestone towers of the Twelve Apostles, once connected to the mainland cliffs. Waves and wind carved them into caves, then arches, and has eventually battered them down into 45-metre-tall columns, only eight of which still stand. Other highlights include Gibson Steps, London Bridge and the spectacular views around Bay of Islands.
We end the day in historic Warrnambool, overlooking the deep blue of the Southern Ocean.

The Grampians is a majestic mountain range and forest rising out of flat farmland in Victoria's west with woodlands, waterfalls and rock formations. The national park is home to a huge array of native plants and animals and a rich and continuing Aboriginal history. First stop today is at the Tower Hill Reserve. Here we will meet koalas, emus, kangaroos and many of the species of water birds that roam freely in their natural habitat. We also learn about Aboriginal history and cultural heritage.
For lunch we arrive in Halls Gap, surrounded by the Wonderland and Mount William ranges. We visit the Brambuk Cultural Centre and will try to have a 'meet & greet' with the native kangaroo population who gather at the local sportsground almost every afternoon.
We explore the Grampians National Park in the afternoon and enjoy majestic views from Reeds Lookout and The Balconies, we will see MacKenzie Falls and one of the ancient Aboriginal rock art sites to be found in this area.

Today we will relocate to the capital city of South Australia, Adelaide, passing through typical Australian country towns and visiting the historical village of Hahndorf on the way. A stroll through historic Hahndorf's main street is the highlight for many visitors to the region. Settled in 1839 by Prussian Lutherans bravely seeking religious freedom on the other side of the world, Hahndorf's picturesque colonial charm remains remarkably intact. It still has a strong German flavour most evident in the bakeries, pubs, restaurants and cafes that line the bustling main street.
Once considered a sleepy city, Adelaide is undergoing a rapid transformation with a burgeoning small-bar scene, world-class art and music. Discover its laneway secrets and find delicious treats around every bend as you enjoy dinner at your leisure in the city this evening. Your Big Journey Tour Director is on hand to help with recommendations if you would like.

Today we head for Australia's Red Centre on a morning flight into Alice Springs. A town surrounded by red dirt and hauntingly beautiful mountain ranges, Alice Springs is the beating heart of Australia.
We head out to explore in the afternoon. We stop at the top of Anzac Hill for sweeping views of the town and the surrounding outback before visiting the historic and original working base of the Royal Flying Doctors. We continue to Desert Park for an introduction to Australia's outback and life in Central Australia. The Park is a botanical garden, a wildlife haven, a centre for Aboriginal culture and an environmental conservation institute all rolled into one. On top of all that, it's located in a magnificent setting at the foot of the MacDonnell Ranges.

Time to start our Red Centre adventure! After breakfast we travel to Uluru. Once renamed Ayer's Rock, it was given back its traditional name of Uluru in 1995, to show respect for the Anangu people and, in particular, to acknowledge their ownership of and relationship to the area. We will take the Ernest Giles Road for the ultimate outback experience, subject to road conditions.
There really is nothing else on earth quite like Uluru or its sister rock formation, Kata Tjuta. We visit the Uluru Cultural Centre, the best place to learn about the area and the Anangu culture. We continue to get up close to the rock and walk a section of the base. You won't realise just how incredible Uluru is until you do this walk!
We end today watching the sunset over Uluru with canapes and drinks, mesmerized by how the colours change over the world's largest monolith.

Rise early to enjoy a spectacular sunrise over Uluru with a 360-degree view before continuing to Kata Tjuta, a group of large, ancient rock formations about 30 kilometres away from Uluru.
Kata Tjuta is made up of 36 sandstone domes spread over an area of more than 20 kilometres. These domes are believed to be about 500 million years old. Kata Tjuta is a sacred site for men in the Anangu Aboriginal culture and many of the legends surrounding the site are kept secret. We will enjoy the Walpa Gorge Walk, taking in the stunning scenery.
We return to our accommodation to pick up our baggage and travel on to nearby Ayers’ Rock Airport for the flight to Sydney.
Sydney is one of the world's most loved cities and it has a lively and vibrant buzz.
We stay in a historic area called The Rocks, the birthplace of Sydney where settlers first bean their occupation.

Today we will enjoy Sydney's natural beauty, from unspoilt beaches to public gardens and, of course, the glistening harbour on a city tour. We will also see St. Mary's Cathedral and visit Sydney Tower for unrivalled 360 degree views. The two icons of this city, the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House will be highlights today.
At Bondi Beach you will have ample time to enjoy coffee or lunch with a view. You could also go for a swim; public changing rooms and showers are available. We highly recommend you join your Big Journey Tour Director and local guide to walk a section of the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, which will take you along scenic cliff tops. The walk, very popular amongst Sydneysiders, is a medium grade urban walk, featuring stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools.
Late in the afternoon we will take the public ferry to coastal and cosmopolitan Manly, taking in ever changing views of the city as we cross the harbour. Here we enjoy a-la-carte dinner together at a restaurant which is a favourite amongst the locals. Return to our hotel by coach.

With a blue horizon of eucalyptus trees that appears to stretch on forever, expect to be enchanted by the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Included on today’s itinerary is a visit Scenic World, where you can ride their skyway, walkway, cableway and railway (which is the steepest incline passenger railway in the world!). In your leisure time, you may want to explore some of the 87 miles of walking tracks, admire the native bushland and marvel at the impressive rock formations on a day centred around the outdoors, but be sure to remember the time for meeting the coach for our return trip to Sydney in the late afternoon.

We take a morning flight from Sydney to Hervey Bay, Queensland. WE then transfer to Hervey Bay harbour for the 50-minute ferry crossing to spectacular Fraser Island.
Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, really does deserve its listing as a World Heritage area. The rest of the afternoon is at your own leisure. You may want to join one of the ranger-guided walks and talks, try your luck at fishing or just relax by the pool.
Enjoy sundowners with a view before sitting down for a Bush Tucker dinner (Aboriginal inspired) at the resort's renowned Seabelle Restaurant together this evening.

We will spend a full day off-roading in a custom- designed 4WD vehicle, visiting the top natural attractions of Fraser Island. Paddle in the crystal clear blue water of Lake McKenzie with its pure white sandy shores. Visit the lush rainforest at Central Station and renowned Wanggoolba Creek with its rare King Ferns. You will marvel at the tall Satinay trees of Pile Valley. Stop for a wander around the boardwalks at Eli Creek and witness enormous volumes of cool fresh water running out to sea. Enjoy the commentary of your ranger as he explains the island's flora and fauna, the history of the shipwreck "Maheno", the formation of the fascinating coloured sands on the Eastern Beach as well as the Aboriginal and European history of the island. The tour includes a buffet lunch.

We reach the mainland by marine transfer after breakfast. From Hervey Bay Airport we take a 40-minute scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island. Lady Elliot Island, at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef is famous for it’s glittering white beaches made entirely of crushed coral and its extraordinary marine life. Here it is easy to feel like a modern-day castaway.
Situated within a highly protected 'Green Zone' Lady Elliot Island is a sanctuary for over 1,200 species of marine life and is known for its abundance of manta rays, turtles and unspoilt coral reef. Go snorkelling straight from the beach, diving (optional) or board the glass bottom boat to explore this unique underwater world. You may also want to embark on a Reef Walking Tour (tide dependent) or opt for a leisurely 45-minute beach walk around the emerald green-edged island.
Enjoy buffet-style dinner together before taking part in one of the evening activities, which may include specialist presentations in the education centre and turtle viewing (in season).

Go for a sunrise walk or early morning snorkel as a fond farewell to this beautiful place before having breakfast on the deck overlooking the coral lagoon. We return to Hervey Bay by small plane for our next flight bound for Sydney.
The afternoon in Sydney is free to spend as you wish before we meet one last time for a farewell dinner together this evening.

This Australian adventure comes to an end after breakfast. You will be transferred to Sydney International Airport for flights home.