Sydney to Uluru

Arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and transfer to your hotel near the CBD. Afternoon walk around Circular Quay for your first view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge together across the water. Walk to the Opera House forecourt and book a guided tour inside. Evening dinner at a waterfront restaurant in The Rocks, Sydney's oldest neighbourhood. Overnight Sydney.

Morning at Bondi Beach, Australia's most famous stretch of sand, for a swim and coffee at one of the cafes on Campbell Parade. Walk the Bondi to Coogee coastal path, a 6-km cliff walk past six beaches with dramatic ocean views. Afternoon ferry from Circular Quay to Manly for a second beach and the 10-minute walk through Norfolk pines. Overnight Sydney.

Day trip 1.5 hours west to the Blue Mountains. Stop at Echo Point for the Three Sisters rock formation rising above the forested valley. Take the Scenic Railway, the world's steepest railway, down into the Jamison Valley through ancient rainforest. Walk through the charming mountain village of Leura for lunch and antique browsing. Return to Sydney. Overnight Sydney.

Morning flight north to Cairns in tropical Queensland. Afternoon full day reef cruise to the outer Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral system. Snorkel over gardens of staghorn coral with parrotfish, clownfish, sea turtles, and giant clams. Optional introductory scuba dive for non-certified swimmers. Return to Cairns by evening. Overnight Cairns.

Full day drive north to the Daintree Rainforest, the world's oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest at 135 million years old. Take the Daintree River cruise to spot enormous saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat. Drive to Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the reef right at the beach. Swim at Myall Beach surrounded by ancient rainforest. Overnight Cairns.

Morning flight via Alice Springs to Ayers Rock Airport in the Red Centre. Afternoon drive to the base of Uluru, the 348-metre sandstone monolith sacred to the Anangu Aboriginal people. Watch the rock change colour from orange to deep red to purple at sunset from the dedicated viewing area. Evening at Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, 50,000 solar-powered stems of light glowing across the desert. Overnight Uluru resort.

Sunrise at Uluru as the rock glows deep red in the morning light. Drive 50 km to Kata Tjuta, the 36 domed rock formations also sacred to the Anangu, for the Valley of the Winds walk through the gorges between the domes. Afternoon cultural centre to learn about Anangu Dreamtime stories and the deep connection between the Aboriginal people and this landscape. Overnight Uluru.

Morning flight to Melbourne, Australia's cultural capital. Afternoon exploring Fitzroy's Smith Street for vintage shops, cafes, and street art. Evening in the famous laneway network of the CBD - Hosier Lane, Centre Place, and Hardware Lane for world-class street art, espresso bars, and restaurants that Australia's coffee culture is built on. Overnight Melbourne.

Full day drive along the Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives. The road hugs dramatic sea cliffs past surf beaches, rainforest gullies, and koala habitats. End at the Twelve Apostles, limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean, best seen at sunset when the golden light turns them orange. Return to Melbourne. Overnight Melbourne.

Drive or fly to the Gold Coast for a beach day at Surfers Paradise, Australia's most famous beach resort strip. Optional theme park day at Warner Bros Movie World, Dreamworld, or Sea World. Afternoon surf lesson on the beach if you want to try Australia's national obsession. Overnight Gold Coast.

Final morning swim and breakfast on the Gold Coast. Transfer to Gold Coast or Brisbane Airport for your return international flight. Pick up Tim Tams, Vegemite, and Australian wine from the duty-free. End of tour.