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Sydney and Melbourne Explorer

Duration
9 days
Price from
£4,485 pp.
Location
Australia, Australasia
Great Ocean Road

Trip Highlights

  • Sydney Opera House Private Tour
  • Vineyards of the Yarra Valley
  • Self-driving the Great Ocean Road

What's Included

  • 8 night accommodation
  • All transfers
  • Activities and guides where mentioned

Explore Australia's Urban Icons

Discover the best sites that Sydney and Melbourne have to offer, before driving one of the world's most scenic coastal touring routes.

Start your journey in Sydney and Melbourne, two of Australia’s most iconic cities. In Sydney, climb the Harbour Bridge for sweeping harbour views and enjoy a private tour of the Opera House, before flying south to Melbourne. Here, you’ll sip world-class wines on a Yarra Valley vineyard tour and explore the city’s famous laneways, filled with street art, boutique shops and hidden cafés.

Our Australian expert Otti says: "This itinerary gives you a great balance between rural and urban. City-centre activities in Sydney and Melbourne are contrasted with the chance to see rural Australia in the Yarra Valley and out on the Great Ocean Road. It is amazing, once you hit the road, how quickly the city fades away and Australia's impressive coastal landscapes appear in your windshield."

Then, set off on a self-drive along the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most impressive coastal routes. With the freedom to travel at your own pace, you can linger in seaside towns, stop at secluded beaches and take in the dramatic landscapes. For many, the highlight is reaching the Twelve Apostles, a set of magnificent limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Down Under

Staying at Harbour Rocks Hotel

After landing in Sydney, you will be transferred to the Harbour Rocks Hotel. Today, you have the afternoon to get your bearings in the city or just to relax after your long flight. Later, head to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, ready for your climb to the top, 134 metres above the Sydney Harbour. You will get a completely different perspective of the city from the top, with views out all the way to the Blue Mountains on clear days.

Day 2 The magic of the Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Today will start with a private guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, one of the most easily recognisable buildings in the world. After getting acquainted with this architectural wonder, take to the water, as you cruise around Sydney Harbour to Balmoral Beach for a harbourside lunch. After lunch, head back to your vessel to indulge in a cheese platter accompanied by a few glasses of wine.

Day 3 The Blue Mountains National Park

Day 4 Sydney to Melbourne

Day 5 Explore the streets of Melbourne

Day 6 The vineyards of the Yarra Valley

Day 7 Your self-drive adventure begins

Day 8 Freedom of the Great Ocean Road

Day 9 En route home

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Duration

9 days

Location

Australia, Australasia

Price from

£4,485 pp.

Price Includes

  • All accommodation and meals as listed
  • All transfers
  • Domestic flight

Price Excludes

  • International flights to/from Australia
  • Single supplements
  • Activities / meals not specified as included

Price is based on two people sharing, excluding international flights.

The trip includes all accommodation and activities specified above. Rooms and meals are as below:

  • 3 nights at Harbour Rocks Hotel (Sydney) – Heritage Superior Queen Room, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches included.
  • 3 nights at 1 Hotel Melbourne – City Suite, 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch included.
  • 2 nights at The Boomerangs at Johanna – Two Bedroom / One Bathroom Cottage, Breakfast (muesli) included.
Trips in Australia

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When to visit Australia

Find out the best time to visit Australia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
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  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

A month of extremely hot weather. Celebrate summer on Sydney’s beaches, explore the Great Barrier Reef, or enjoy the Australian Open in Melbourne. Tasmania is also perfect for hiking in mild weather.

February

Very hot, but lively in the southern parts of the country. Head to South Australia for the Adelaide Fringe Festival or Western Australia for the Perth Fringe Festival. Visit Kangaroo Island for wildlife and dramatic coastlines, or dive Ningaloo Reef for manta rays. Northern end is humid and wet.

March

Things start to cool down in the Southeast: enjoy Melbourne’s food and wine scene, hike the Blue Mountains. Alternatively, head north to spot wildlife in Kakadu as the Wet Season eases.

April

Visit Uluru for clear desert skies, explore Margaret River’s wineries, or catch whale sharks at Ningaloo. Tasmania’s wilderness is beautiful in autumn colours.

May

Ideal for the Red Centre and Top End: cooler and drier. Explore Kakadu and Litchfield. Southern states are great for city breaks in Sydney or Melbourne.

June

Ski season starts in the Snowy Mountains. Queensland offers sunny escapes, from the Whitsundays to the Daintree. Western Australia’s Kimberley region is at its best.

July

Perfect time for whale watching along the east coast. Explore Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, or cruise the Kimberley’s remote gorges and waterfalls.

August

Northern Australia is dry and sunny: visit Darwin’s Mindil Markets, Kakadu, and Arnhem Land. Enjoy stargazing at Uluru or explore the Great Barrier Reef islands.

September

Spring blooms in Western Australia’s wildflower regions. Visit Perth, Rottnest Island, or Margaret River. Sydney warms up, perfect for harbour cruises and coastal walks

October

Great time for Sydney’s Sculpture by the Sea and whale watching. Visit Tasmania’s wilderness, or explore Melbourne and the nearby Yarra Valley wineries.

November

Early summer brings perfect conditions for the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef. Explore the Great Ocean Road or enjoy wine regions like Barossa Valley.

December

Celebrate Christmas on the beach in Sydney, Perth, or Adelaide. Watch the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Catch the Ashes cricket tournament in either Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, or Sydney. Tasmania offers hiking, while tropical Queensland is lush and vibrant.

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Have a look at our original experiences and then contact us with your questions, or call 0203 111 1315

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