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Sydney and Melbourne Explorer

Duration
9 days
Price from
£4,485 pp.
Location
Australia, Australia & New Zealand
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

Ottilie
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Plan your journey
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Duration

9 days

Location

Australia, Australia & New Zealand

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
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
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  • 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.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails.

August, 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024

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