DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Sydney

Arrive in Sydney, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Days 2 to 4: Explore Sydney

The next few days are free for you to explore Sydney independently. This beautiful city has an iconic skyline that is instantly recognisable, with its famous Harbour Bridge and the ‘sails’ of the Sydney Opera House. Attending a performance here is memorable (you can even get tickets to go behind the scenes).

A Darling Harbour cruise, to view the city skyline from the water, is highly recommended. Another option is to take a scenic ferry ride to the relaxed beachside suburb of Manly, or to Cockatoo Island.

The historic Rocks district is known for its markets, cobblestone streets and great views of Harbour Bridge. If you are intrepid, you can climb to the top of the bridge. Alternatively ascend Sydney Tower in the city centre, which is twice the height of the bridge, for incredible views and the opportunity to walk along a glass-bottomed sky walk.

Other must-do experiences include people watching at famous Bondi Beach, and swimming in the landmark Bondi Icebergs rock pool. Afterwards you can meander along the 3.7 mile oceanfront walk from Bondi to Coogee, with its beaches, cliffs, parks and cafes, and treat yourself to a drink in the rooftop bar at the Coogee Pavilion.

At Sydney Zoo you will be able to view indigenous Australian wildlife such as the kangaroo, koala, dingo, wallaby, wombat, platypus, echidna (spiny anteater) and nocturnal Tasmanian devil. You can also see emu and an incredible array of colourful birds.

Other attractions include Paddy’s, the biggest market in the city, Sydney Fish Market and vibrant Chinatown. Circular Quay is known for its excellent gourmet dining and stunning harbour views. The Royal Botanic Gardens are the oldest in Australia, and you may also wish to visit the serene Chinese Garden of Friendship. The city has several world-class museums, including the Australia Museum which has a great natural history collection. Sports lovers can take in a game of cricket or rugby.

Outside the city you can take day trips to the vineyards of the Hunter Valley, or the stunning Blue Mountains with their indigenous wildlife and dramatic rock formations, including the Three Sisters (both less than 2 hours from Sydney).

Day 5: Kiama & Jervis Bay

Today collect your hire car and head south to Kiama, a coastal town known for its two blowholes - cliffside caverns, where seawater shoots into the air. A coastal walking trail links the blowholes to the columns of Cathedral Rocks, with whale-watching spots along the way. Pilot’s Cottage Museum traces the town’s maritime history.

Then head inland for 25 minutes to Knights Hill, where you will find the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk. This 1 mile walkway will take you through the canopy of this warm temperate rainforest, whilst 80 ft above the ground.

Continuing to the white sands of Jervis Bay, where you will stay for 2 nights.

Day 6: Jervis Bay

At leisure to relax and enjoy the beaches of Jervis Bay.

Hyams Beach is reputed to have the whitest sands in the world. There is an easy walk from here to Greenfields Beach, which offers great bird watching and panoramic views.

Day 7: Tilba Tilba

As you continue south today, make the short detour to Pebbly Beach where you’ll find kangaroos and wallabies playing on the sand.

At Narooma (meaning ‘clear blue water’ in the Aboriginal language) you can take a boat ride to Montague Island, a wildlife haven that is home to New South Wales’s only colony of Australian fur seals as well as sea eagles, little penguins, mutton birds and peregrine falcons.  

Check in to your accommodation in the tiny heritage village of Tilba Tilba, with its many cafes, restaurants and speciality shops.

Day 8: Gipsy Point

Continue southwards down the scenic Sapphire Coast today, home to rocky coves, serious surfing waves and award-winning oysters.

Cross the border in the state of Victoria shortly before arriving in Gipsy Point. Situated at the head of the Mallacoota Inlet in the East Gippsland region, Gipsy Point is an excellent base for exploring this remote coastline and the pristine waterways of Croajingolong National Park, where you will find ancient forests, scenic inlets, giant sand dunes and abundant wildlife. 

Day 9: Metung

Drive westward today to the picturesque village of Metung on the Gippsland Lakes.

Originally called Rosherville, Metung is named after an Aboriginal word thought to mean either "mainland" or "ti-tree river bend", after the trees which line the beaches.

As the village stretches along a peninsula on the Gippsland Lakes, you can enjoy wonderful sunset strolls, glimpse kangaroos grazing along the shoreline and see pelicans feeding. You can also savour a bounty of fresh seafood.

Day 10 & 11: Wilsons Promontory

Your next stop is Wilsons Promontory (the ‘Prom’), a peninsula known for its rugged granite mountains and abundant wildlife, including kangaroos and wombats.

Covering 50,000 hectares, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the largest coastal wilderness in Victoria and an incredible natural treasure. Trails from the Tidal River settlement lead to Squeaky Beach, with its white quartz sand. You can also follow numerous walking trails through eucalypt forests to secluded coves and white beaches, wander through the temperate rainforest of Lilly Pilly Gully, and hike to the summit of Mount Oberon where you will be rewarded with fabulous views of the Bass Strait and offshore islands.

Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse, built in 1859, also offers 360 degree views over the Bass Strait.

Day 12: Philip Island

Today’s stop is Philip Island, best known for its little penguins that emerge on Summerland Beach each evening at dusk. 

A lesser know fact is that this island is home to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Day 13: Melbourne

After a day at leisure on Philip Island, drive to the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and is regularly voted as one of the most liveable cities on earth, surrounded by a breathtaking coastline, soaring mountain ranges and wonderful wine regions.

Days 14 to 16: Explore Melbourne

The next few days are free to explore Melbourne independently.

With its tangle of hidden laneways, tree-lined promenades and grand Victorian buildings funded during the early Gold Rush, the city has a distinctly European feel. There is superb shopping, an eclectic arts scene, and foodies will find plenty to love with many chic cafes. Famous Aussie chefs flaunt their talents here, and you can feast on everything - from Greek, Italian and Indian cuisine to Spanish and Vietnamese fare.

Located opposite Flinders Street Station, a major public transport hub, ultra-modern Federation Square contrasts sharply with its surrounding Victorian architecture. With more than 2,000 events annually, you can always find entertainment here. Wandering the labyrinth of lanes and alleyways around Flinders, Collins and Bourke Streets is a must as here you will discover elegant, interesting, and quirky Melbourne at its best. The jewel in the crown is the magnificent Block Arcade in Collins Street. With its mosaic floor, period details and interesting shops, this is the place where late 19th century gentry promenaded, coining the phrase, "doing the block." It's worth queueing for a morning or afternoon tea at the Hopetoun Tearooms, a Melbourne icon that dates back to 1892 and the only remaining original shop.

A short stroll away, on the banks of the Tarra River, you will find the Arts Centre with its prominent spire and the Southbank Promenade, which is filled with indoor/outdoor cafés and restaurants. An arts and crafts market is held here every Sunday. The skydeck on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower offers superb views.

Docklands is Melbourne's newest waterfront entertainment precinct filled with cafés, restaurants, tourist attractions and parklands. The views from the giant observation wheel, the Melbourne Star, are spectacular. Here you will also find the Junior Wonderland amusement park, the Icehouse ice sports venue and Etihad Stadium. An art and vintage market is held along the waterfront every Sunday.

You can use the City Circle tram network to explore local neighbourhoods, take a boat ride along the Yarra River, stroll through beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, visit the Queen Victoria Market or head out to the beach at St Kilda, where you will find the National Gallery of Victoria. The Melbourne Museum is a short tram ride from the city centre and Captain Cook’s Cottage (brought from Yorkshire) can be seen in Fitzroy Gardens. This city also has many famous sporting venues, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Melbourne Cup horse race, held on the first Tuesday in November, brings the entire nation to a standstill.

Outside the city, you can take scenic day trips along the Great Ocean Road and the Mornington Peninsula, where you can combine seaside villages with boutique wineries and art galleries. The Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs is where you’ll find many food and wine producers, and perhaps encounter the elusive platypus at Healesville Sanctuary. You can also take an early morning hot air balloon flight over the vineyards.

The Gippsland region offers gold rush history in Walhalla, whilst the Grampians is a region of stunning mountains, valleys and lakes with many mountain biking and hiking trails, as well as superb wineries and art galleries.

Day 17: Fly Home

Drive to Melbourne airport to drop off your hire car and fly home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a room only basis, including Sydney airport transfer on arrival and standard car hire. International and domestic flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including recommended route and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your holiday.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence. The FCO should also be consulted.