PLEASE NOTE: We will be operating with a reduced staff on Friday 29 March for the Good Friday holiday (Canada), and back to full operation from April 1st. Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Book 24/7 via this website; contact 1800 665 3998 or [email protected] to reach out.

17 Day Australia Tour

The Land Down Under
TOURCODE: AU1

Duration:
17 Days

Activity Level:
2

When To Go:
Feb, Oct

Countries Visited:
1

Arrive In / Depart From:
/

Max Group Size:
18

Tour Style:
Cultural

Price From:

  Overnight in: Melbourne, Canberra, Cairns, Darwin, Kakadu, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Sydney

Discover the country's true culture with the help of experienced local guides.

  • Small group sizes to help escape the beaten path.
  • All-inclusive with top-rated restaurants and hotels.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Tour Overview
Tour Overview
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Click the icons below for more info:
Countries Visited: 1 Activity Level: 2 Tour Style: Cultural

Our tour of Australia hits the highlights of must-see locations throughout this beautiful country. We begin the tour in cosmopolitan Melbourne and explore the coastline of the Great Ocean Road. We venture onward to the capital of Canberra to tour the Parliament and admire its cutting-edge urban planning. Tropical North Queensland is next with a full day excursion out to the Great Barrier Reef and a day of exploring the rainforests of Kuranda and the Great Dividing Range. Darwin, Kakadu National Park, and the Red Centre are the highlights of Northern Territory - including Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). We finish up the tour with majestic Sydney and its incredible Harbour Bridge and the world famous Opera House.

 


 

Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices

 

Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.

 

Select a date below to reserve your spot:

 


The above prices are subject to an additional $374 for taxes/fees levied on flights that occur as part of the tour. The internal airfares ARE included (any exceptions are listed in red below), but we list the taxes separately on your invoice as they are beyond our control and can change at any time.

Optional Single Supplement: $2010 USD (number of singles limited).
This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of $1020 if you join our share program and we are unable to pair you.

 


 

Full Itinerary
Full Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrival in Melbourne
Today we arrive in Melbourne, Victoria.

Melbourne flourished in the 1850s when the city emerged as a result of the huge gold rush in the Victorian hills. Melbourne is culturally very diverse and has several times been named the world's "most liveable city."

Overnight in Melbourne.

Included Meal(s): Dinner



Day 2 Melbourne: City Tour
Melbourne boasts broad and leafy streets, plenty of parks and gardens, and an air of distinction. It is the stateliest of all Australian cities. It is also a fairly recent creation, for it was only in 1835 that a Tasmanian farmer named John Batman arrived to establish a settlement here. He made a deal with local Aborigines, trading blankets, knives and tomahawks for 500,000 acres of land, and a township began to grow. A gold rush in the 1850s resulted in rapid expansion and, by 1861, Melbourne's population (then 125,000) had already overtaken Sydney's. Sydney moved ahead again in 1911 and has stayed ahead, but Melbourne has never been far behind.

Today our tour includes a number of highlights, including Fitzroy Gardens, originally laid out in the shape of the Union Jack. The prime attraction is Cook's Cottage, the family home of James Cook, the English navigator who explored the southern hemisphere in three great voyages. It was purchased in 1933, shipped over from Yorkshire and presented as a gift to the state of Victoria for its 1934 centenary. We will also see the Shrine of Remembrance, St Kilda Road, Victoria Market, Melbourne University, Parliament House, Lake Albert, and pay a visit to St Patrick's Cathedral.

Overnight in Melbourne.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 3 Melbourne: the Great Ocean Road
Today we drive along the Great Ocean Road. This is one of Australia's most splendid scenic drives. The road was built between 1819 and 1932. The idea was to construct a world class tourist road like the one on California's Pacific coast.

The road became a memorial to those killed in World War I. The stretch of coast to Peterborough is often referred to as the 'Shipwreck coast', due to the number of victims to the rough ocean. We make a stop at a famous viewpoint to see the dramatic rock formations called the Twelve Apostles. These formations, rising 65 m (213 feet) out of the ocean, are the remnants of a retreating coastline.

Overnight in Melbourne.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 4 Melbourne - Fly to Canberra: City Tour
This morning we fly from Melbourne to Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. On arrival we visit the National Capital Exhibition, which displays the development of Australia's capital city; followed, appropriately, by a guided tour of the distinctly designed Parliament House.

We also stop at the Australian War Memorial, the national memorial to the members of its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in wars involving the Commonwealth of Australia. The memorial includes an extensive national military museum. The Australian War Memorial was opened in 1941, and is widely regarded as one of the most significant memorials of its type in the world. Here we touch on ANZAC history and its valuable insight into Australia's development, national idendity, and psyche.

We also drive through the embassy district, where many of the embassies reflect the architectural style of their native countries. Canberra is a uniquely Australian city which, right from its beginning, had had a very strong North American connection. The idea for a purpose-built capital came soon after the various Australian states agreed to form a federation in 1901. The creation of a new city was seen as a means of ending the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne, and a way of giving the fledgling nation its own identity. An international design competition was conducted and, in 1913, the competition was won by a young landscape architect from Chicago named Walter Burley Griffin, who submitted his design in conjunction with his wife Marion Mahoney Griffin. Since then, Canberra has grown to become one of Australia's most distinctive cities.

Overnight in Canberra.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 5 Canberra - Fly to Cairns - Mossman Gorge
Today we fly from Canberra to Cairns, Queensland.

Queensland is huge -- at about 1 745 000 sq km (667,000 square miles) the second largest state (Western Australia is the biggest) and more than twice the size of Texas. Taking the Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria into account, it has an enormous coastline over 7500 km (4,590 miles).

Queensland started out as part of New South Wales, used as a penal colony starting in 1824. An influx of free settlers, many who entered illegally, changed its face from prison to agricultural centre. In 1842 it was officially opened to free settlement and, by 1859, the population was large enough to justify its status as a separate colony. The settlers made their way with sheep, cattle, wheat, an abundance of natural resources and cash crops --including bananas, which gave rise to the rather derisive name the rest of Australia sometimes uses for Queensland natives: "Banana benders".

This afternoon we travel to Mossman Gorge and the Mossman Gorge Centre, an indigenous eco-tourism development that serves visitors to the Mossman Gorge World Heritage site. Mossman Gorge will provide one of Australia’s most iconic Aboriginal experiences in Tropical North Queensland and is the perfect option for visitors looking for a genuine, authentic engagement with Indigenous Australia.

Our visit to the gorge includes a "Dreamtime Gorge Walk Experience," the starts with a traditional ‘smoking’ ceremony that cleanses and wards off bad spirits. The walk then meanders through stunning rainforest and takes in traditional huts or humpies. Our interpretive indigenous guide demonstrates traditional plant use, identify bush food sources and provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationship with this unique tropical environment. Our guide demonstrates traditions like making bush soaps and ochre painting. At the end of the tour enjoy traditional bush tea and damper.

Overnight in Cairns.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 6 Cairns: Reef Cruise
Today we have a full-day cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of roughly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch for 2600 kilometres (1,616 mi) and cover an area of approximately 344 400 sq km. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is sometimes referred to as the single largest organism in the world. In reality, it is made up of many millions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Generally, the vessels offering reefs trips are large and comfortable with plenty of deck space and interior seating. A buffet lunch is served (included) and a wide range of beverages are available for purchase. Snorkeling equipment is available and included.

Overnight in Cairns (dinner on your own this evening).

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch



Day 7 Cairns: Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail Experience
This morning we travel by the Kuranda Scenic Railway through the dense tropical rainforest, passing Barron Falls and Barron Gorge, to Kuranda, a picturesque village set in lush tropical rainforest on the edge of the Atherton Tablelands. Market stalls display works of local artisans.

After some free time in Kuranda, we'll enjoy the Skyrail experience, a gondola ride spanning 7.5km over pristine rainforest, allowing us to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest and learn about one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth. Gliding just metres above the rainforest canopy in comfortable six-person gondola cabins, the Skyrail journey immerses you in an intimate rainforest experience where you’ll see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical rainforest environment.

Our day also includes entrance to the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience at Rainforestation Nature Park, where we can explore the rich history of the world’s oldest living culture, dating back over 40,000 years. We will attend an Aboriginal dance show in a rainforest amphitheatre, then experience the 30-minute Dreamtime Walk with our Indigenous guide. We'll also enjoy an included lunch as part of our visit (dinner on your own this evening).

Return to Cairns.

Overnight in Cairns.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch



Day 8 Cairns: Fly to Darwin
This morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Darwin at the "top end" of Australia and a city unlike any other.* Darwin is Australia's most northern capital city and its isolation from the other states has encouraged the evolution of a unique lifestyle. It is both old style Australia and distinctly Asian in feel and the genuine multicultural mix is reflected in the food, open-air markets and a people of immense character and hospitality. Here you will find a living Aboriginal history and art heritage, the elusive 'Dundees' and their crocodiliac partners lurking in the farms and wildlife parks. The perennially warm, tropical climate has bred an energetic outdoor lifestyle and a friendly, easy-going attitude to match.

Overnight in Darwin.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 9 Darwin - Kakadu National Park
Today we travel by road to Kakadu National Park along the Stuart and Arnhem Highways. We continue to Nourlangie Rock, an ancient Aboriginal living shelter. The area surrounding Nourlangie has great diversity: creeks, billabongs, sandy alluvial plains, forest and sandstone escarpment. Rich in food sources -- fish, waterfowl, wallabies, flying foxes and yams -- groups of Aboriginals made this area one where they would make camp and utilise the natural resources. Paintings of animals, insects and people that were done years ago, now help us to record human occupation in the region. Signs and displays will give detailed explanations of the art and area. We also have time to visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to better understand the park's culture and history.

After a break for lunch, we head to Cooinda for our Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise. Yellow Water is part of the South Alligator River floodplain. You will have the opportunity to see the varied birdlife Kakadu's World Heritage wetlands, and perhaps a croc or two.

Overnight in Kakadu.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 10 Kakadu Touring - Darwin
This morning you have the option of a one hour scenic flight over Twin and Jim Jim Falls (optional: your Tour Leader can pre-book). On our way out of Kakadu, we'll stop at Ubirr, which features several breathtaking Aboriginal art sites and a walk that leads up to a stunning lookout over the Nadab floodplain. Much of the art here features fish, turtles, goanna, and other important food animals. At the main gallery, a painting of a thylacine (the Tasmanian tiger, which became extinct on the mainland more than two thousand years ago) is a rare treat, and gives an idea to the age of some of the art.

We also stop at the Wetlands Visitors Centre, which has great views over the wetlands.

Overnight in Darwin.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 11 Darwin: City Tour - Fly to Alice Springs
This morning we will be collected from the hotel for a city tour of Darwin. Highlights include Parliament House, Stokes Hill Wharf area, Mooring Basin, Botanic Gardens and East Point Reserve. Flight time-permitting, we continue to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, focusing on the aspects of the Northern Territory environment, history, ethnic diversity maritime and natural history.

After our tour we'll head to the airport to connect with our flight to Alice Springs.

Alice Springs lies at almost the exact geographical centre of Australia. Many Aboriginals work as stockmen on the vast stations in this area, and reminders of their rich heritage are everywhere. Wild camels roam throughout the region, and the dry red earth and deep blue sky create a surreal atmosphere. Neville Shute wrote a famous novel, "A Town Like Alice" in 1950; that book and the movie based on it put Alice Springs on the international map for the first time, but it was many more years before it began attracting tourists in telegraph station here after his wife, Alice, and the town which later grew up nearby took the same name.

* NOTE: Due to ever-changing air schedules into/out of the Red Centre, the order of our sightseeing activities in Ayers Rock and Alice Springs may vary from this itinerary. If there are any changes for your trip, your Tour Leader will advise upon arrival.

Overnight in Alice Springs.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 12 Alice Springs Sightseeing
Our day tour of Alice Springs includes the panoramic ANZAC Hill, the Old Telegraph Station, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service HQ. "The Alice" began in 1872 as an overland telegraph station linking the north and south. Today it combines the vigour of the frontier-like environment with the convenience of modern facilities.

We also visit Alice Springs School of the Air, which has been bridging education gaps caused by remote locations and providing schooling to children at cattle stations, roadhouses, Aboriginal communities, and national parks with daily lessons via satellite broadband to children aged 4 to 13 years since 1951. The school broadcast area covers 1.3 million square kilometres including most of the Northern Territory, the northern area of South Australia, and eastern area of Western Australia.

A must see for every visitor is the Alice Springs Desert Park. In the space of just a few hours, you can discover many of the secrets of the Central Australian deserts. Hundreds of species of plants and animals found across Central Australian deserts can be seen. Our visit involves an easy walking trail through three desert habitats. Witness free-flying birds of prey in the nature theatre, see rare and endangered animals in the spectacular nocturnal house, hear the insights into the interlinking world of plants, animals and people from our local guides and enjoy a cinematic journey through four-and-a-half billion years of desert evolution during the 20 minute cinematic journey of "The Changing Heart".

Overnight in Alice Springs.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 13 Alice Springs - Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Today we travel over the Macdonnell Ranges and cross the vast desert to Uluru (Ayer's Rock), in the centre of the continent.

Uluru is an incredibly impressive monolith 5 km (3 miles) in length and over 300 m (1,000 feet) high! Uluru is a remnant of ancient mountains which long ago weathered away, leaving the sandstone monolith standing alone in the desert. In 1989 scientists found evidence that Uluru, the Macdonnell Ranges, and a cluster of huge rock domes named Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) were part of a single plateau. Although British explorers trekked through the Red Centre as long ago as 1844, none of them visited Uluru until 1873, when it was named Ayers Rock after a colonial administrator of the day, Sir Henry Ayers.

We visit Uluru for a short walk at the base before travelling to the sunset viewing area.

Overnight near Ayers Rock.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 14 Uluru - Fly to Sydney
Today we have an early morning excursion to see the sunrise light up the Olgas/Kata Tjuta. We then fly from Ayers Rock to Sydney.

Sydney is regarded as one of the world's greatest coastal cities. The odd thing is that when the British explorer Captain James Cook sailed up the east coast of Australia in 1770 he missed the site altogether. He saw the Sydney Heads, of course, but did not guess that a vast harbour lay behind them. So when a British fleet arrived to establish a colony in Australia in 1788 it went first to nearby Botany Bay. Within days, however, Sydney Harbour was discovered and the settlement moved there.

Overnight in Sydney.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 15 Sydney: City Tour
Today we tour Sydney and include a cruise on Port Jackson, Sydney's harbour (with lunch as our included meal).

We pass the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, various sandy white beaches, and the exclusive homes that line Sydney's harbour on our way to the Pacific gateway. The Harbour Bridge -- affectionately known as "the Coathanger" -- spans one of the most narrow inlets of the harbour and is one of the largest arch bridges in the world. Our tour also takes us to Bondi Beach, Paddington, Oxford Street, and King's Cross.

At some point in our Sydney visit, we'll have a guided tour of the famous Opera House. This is one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks and this is your chance to truly get up-close. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs and marvel at the vaulted ceilings. We visit areas off-limits to the public and capture photographs from rare vantage points. Explore theatres and foyers where more than 1600 concerts, operas, dramas, and ballets take place each year.

Overnight in Sydney.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch



Day 16 Sydney: The Blue Mountains
This morning we drive by coach westward to the Blue Mountains, named for the blue haze created by the eucalyptus oil in the air above the mountain gum forests. En route we stop at Featherdale Wildlife Centre for a chance to observe some Australian critters that are otherwise difficult to spot in the wild.

The Blue Mountains National Park includes almost 600,000 acres of sandstone plateau, forested river valleys, and deep gorges. We'll visit the Wentworth Falls Reserve for a short walk and spectacular views of the valley, followed by a drive along Cliff Drive to the Echo Point Visitor Information Center where we will see colourful parrots, lorikeets and rosellas, which gather at the center's panaramic windows. There is a nice view here of The Three Sisters formation, in legend members of the Katoomba tribe who were unlucky in love.

Return to Sydney.

Overnight in Sydney.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner



Day 17 Departure
Departure from Sydney.

BON VOYAGE!

Included Meal(s): Breakfast

 


 

Trip Info
Trip Info

Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner or lunch daily (hotels and local restaurants).

All transport, including internal flights on which we include one checked bag per person.

Sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary.

Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters.

Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving/departing on tour dates.

Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour. Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), domestic and international air taxes (if applicable). Airport transfers for Land Only customers. Optional trip cancellation insurance. Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs and shopping.

Seasonality and Weather
There are two climatic zones: the tropical zone (in the north above the Tropic of Capricorn) and the temperate zone. The tropical zone (consisting of 40 percent of Australia) has two seasons: summer (wet) and winter (dry) while the temperate zone has a four seasons. Nov-Mar (spring/summer) Warm or hot everywhere, tropical in the north, and warm to hot with mild nights in the south. Out tour covers a huge area with varied weather-you must be prepared for a wide range of conditions.

KAKADU: Oct-Dec: pre-monsoon season of hot weather, which becomes increasingly humid. Along the creeks of Kakadu, the air is heavy with the scent of blossoming paperbark trees, which in the evenings attract colonies of feeding fruit bats. Feb/March: time of thunderstorms and rich plant and animal life. Most plants are fruiting and animals are caring for their young. Expanses of water recede and streams run clear.

Transport and Travel Conditions
Transportation throughout the southern Australian states is by a/c private motor coach; all internal flights booked in economy class.

Our difficulty rating level "2" refers to the ambitious nature of our program, some full days of travel, some walking tours of sites that are large with uneven surfaces, and heat in some locations which could cause fatigue over time. Our internal flights also mean that you will need to be independent with your luggage; some flights may also occur at inconvenient times, ie early morning.

Please note that, when touring a large country such as Australia, we do our best to tie together the "must-see" places in a way that makes the most efficient and logical use of the transport options at our disposal in order to minimize spent time in airports and on long road journeys. That said, air schedules are always subject to change, which could result in some connections that are less-than-ideal, resulting in necessary adjustments to our standard program.

Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.

Accommodation
Well-located, air-conditioned, mid-range (3-star) hotels with en suite toilet and bath throughout (probably shower only). Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than doubles. Porter service is usually available at hotels though you should be independent with your luggage, especially at airports.

Staff and Support
Tour Leader, driver/s, local step-on guides in several locales.

Group Size
Maximum 18 plus Tour Leader

Tour Extensions
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip. For more options, please refer to tour code/s:

Australia and New Zealand Tour
FEB OCT
TOUR CODE: AU2
Tour Overview

 


 

Map & Hotels
Map & Hotels

Regions visited: Down Under
Countries visited: Australia


*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.


The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.


Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Melbourne
Country: Australia
Stay at Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne and explore our beautiful city, known as the “Europe of Australia.” Conveniently located in the central business district, our modern hotel is within walking distance ... many attractions. Discover the city’s old-world charm when you walk to the Queen Victoria Market for fresh produce and local goods. Melbourne’s oldest park, Flagstaff Gardens, is the perfect place for a scenic stroll. For a more modern experience, watch a footy match at Marvel Stadium or view the creative street art on display throughout the lanes and alleys that have made the district famous.
Read More
Pacific Hotel Cairns
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Cairns
Country: Australia
Located on the Esplanade overlooking Trinity Harbour, Pacific Hotel Cairns offers stunning views from private balconies and easy access to the nearby Reef Fleet Terminal, shopping precinct and Esplanade Lagoon. The modern ... offer comfortable and spacious accommodation for all travellers. Take your stay in Cairns to the next level with our new, luxurious Tropical Luxe Room Collection. Presenting chic rooms with tropical tones to elevate your stay in paradise!
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Darwin
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Darwin
Country: Australia
Every stay at our hotel in Darwin starts with a signature warm chocolate chip cookies. The hotel has ocean views and overlooks the famous Darwin Esplanade. It is walking distance from most ... the city’s major corporate offices, as well as the Darwin Convention Center. Enjoy the landscaping of our tropical gardens, or sit by the outdoor pool.
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Desert Gardens Hotel
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Ayers Rock
Country: Australia
Imagine waking up to a sunrise view of Uluru, blazing red under a sunny Outback sky. Desert Gardens Hotel boasts the only rooms with views of Uluru in Ayers Rock Resort. Perched ... an oasis of native gardens, the hotel’s 218 elegant guestrooms provide a relaxing retreat from a day of adventure. Accommodation options are diverse, from Deluxe Rock View rooms to Garden View rooms amidst towering gumtrees and garden beds dotted with native shrubs and flowers.
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Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation 4 Star Accommodation
Location: Sydney
Country: Australia
Holiday Inn Darling Harbour is situated right between the bustling China Town and newly developed Darling Square precinct. The hotel is just 5 minutes’ walk to the ICC International Convention & Exhibition ... and 10 minutes’ walk from Central Train Station. Take a leisurely stroll through Darling Harbour with its many attractions such as Cockle Bay, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussaud's Sydney. The hotel is also a heritage building constructed in 1890 and has since transformed into the largest Holiday Inn in Australia.
Read More

 


 

Gallery

 


 

Frequently Asked Questions
ASK A QUESTION
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
ASK A QUESTION
01. What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?
Most of our tours carry a maximum of 18 participants; some tours (ie hiking tours) top out at 16. In the event that we do not achieve our minimum complement by our 60-day deadline, we may offer group members the option of paying a "small-group surcharge" as an alternative to cancellation. If all group members agree, we will confirm the trip at existing numbers; this surcharge is refundable in the event that we ultimately achieve our regular minimum. If the small group surcharge is not accepted, we will offer a refund of your deposit or a different trip of your choice.
02. Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?
Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end and we can book accommodation in our tour hotel. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee levied by the airline.
03. How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?
The easiest way to make a reservation is via our website; during office hours, you are also more than welcome to contact us by telephone. A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 60 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s). Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time. Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
04. What about cancellations, refunds, and transfers?
Please review our cancellation policy page for details.
05. I am a single who prefers my own room. What is a single supplement?
All of our tours have a single supplement for those who want to be guaranteed their own room at each location. This supplement is a reflection of the fact that most hotels around the world do not discount the regular twin-share rate for a room by 50% for only one person occupying a room. Most hotels will give a break on the price, but usually in the range of 25-30% of the twin-share rate. This difference, multiplied by each night, amounts to the single supplement. The conventional amount can also vary from country to country and some destinations are more expensive than others for single occupancy. In order to be "single friendly," the supplements we apply are not a profit centre for us and we do our best to keep them as reasonable as possible. On most tours we limit the number of singles available, not to be punitive, but rather because many hotels allow for only a limited number of singles; some smaller hotels at remote locations also have a limited number of single rooms available. Please note that most single rooms around the world are smaller than twin-share rooms and will likely have only one bed.
06. Do you have a shared accommodation program?
Yes! If you are single traveller and are willing to share, we will do our best to pair you with a same-gender roommate. On most of our tours, if we fail to pair you, we will absorb the single supplement fee and you will default to a single room at no extra charge. At some destinations, however, where single rooms are not significantly discounted, or not at all, we may apply a "mandatory" single in the event that we cannot find you a share partner. This is usually 50% of the usual supplement, but can be as much as 100%. If applicable, this proviso will be noted on each tour page on this website, on your invoice, and in our tour date/price book (available for download under "Resources").

 

What People are Saying
John H.
Toronto, ON - CA
I most enjoyed snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and the river cruise on the Yellow Water. Meals exceeded expectations. Our tour leader took us to some very interesting places and sometimes did the ordering of small plates in advance. She took us to places serving different ethnic foods and thus had a variety each evening. Our tour leader was always very upbeat in her demeanour and fully answered all our questions, even the trivial ones. She handled all of the little problems which always arise on tours in a very calm and professional manner. Another well executed trip. Very satisfied!
Martha B.
Kanata, ON - CA
Particularly enjoyed Uluru at sunset and sunrise, hikes in this area, Desert Park in Alice Springs, harbour cruise in Sydney, Blue Mountain excursion, cable car and rail excursion from Cairns. The local guides and bus drivers were all exceptional. Australian food excellent. Our tour leader was excellent, would travel with him again. Hotels were very good. Very positive experience.
Walter B.
Orefield, PA - US
We showed the itinerary to friends who live in Australia. They were amazed at the amount of sightseeing included. The Australian parliament in Canberra, all activities in Alice Springs and a visit to the Sydney port at night after dinner were the most notable of many highlights. The transportation on this tour was first rate. The meals on this tour absolutely met expectations, plus some. Our tour leader was exceptional. He was always prepared, and was like a walking encyclopedia of general and local knowledge.
Andrea W.
New Braunfelf - US
Aboriginal guide on yellow river cruise was excellent. All the local driver/guides were very good. They each had and imparted a lot of knowledge about their city/area. The meal service was very good at all sites. The variety of meals that Jonathon (tour leader) arranged was excellent. Jonathon was very upbeat throughout the tour. He genuinely seemed to enjoy his job. He never appeared bored or 'put upon' even though he's probably see a number of the sites several times. He was always very cordial, pleasant,and knowledgeable. In addition to being 'tour knowledgeable', Jonathon was able to help with other questions/suggestions, such as money exchange, recommendations for restaurants & other sites for those of us that were doing independent travel after the tour. He was always well prepared and advised us timely of expected weather conditions, transportation pick up times, meal arrangements, etc.
Kay O.
Silver Spring, MD - US
Very good trip. Jonathan was clearly intent on giving us a great tour of Australia so that we would come away loving it as much as he does and he definitely succeeded in my case! I especially enjoyed all the city tours, Kuranda, Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Blue Mountains.
Robert O.
Silver Spring, MD - US
Jonathan is a true gem of a tour leader. Jonathan was truly amazing organizing. He had very good knowledge of Australia. His attitude was always positive. Jonathan was excellent. I would have no hesitation at all to participate in future tours he leads and would regard the fact that he is leading a tour as a big plus in selecting future tours. Very good tour.
Janice F.
Redmond, WA - US
We really enjoyed the commentary of the local guides and they really enhanced our knowledge and enjoyment of the trip. Very professional and were passionate about their area of expertise. First rate. Jonathan went above and beyond what is expected of a tour leader. He was very conscientious about looking after all the travelers. Always a smile on his face no matter what the circumstance.
Beverley S.
Toronto, ON - CA
Adventures Abroad really puts emphasis on in-depth experiences and guides who have the knowledge and skills to make your trip a memorable experience.
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Countries Visited: 1

Australia.
Activity Level: 2

These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category.
Tour Style: Cultural

These three- and four-star hotel-based, "soft adventure" trips concentrate on the culture, history, and natural attributes of our destination. Though there are no strenuous activities built into these tours, you need to be prepared for some full days with some early starts, plenty of walking on uneven surfaces through villages, cities and archaeological sites, and not a lot of "down time." Independence, reasonable fitness, and an ability to be steady on one's feet are critical in order for you to get the most out of these programs.
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