? Explore South Australia's famous winelands
? Discover natural wonders of the "Red Centre"
? East coast highlights from Cairns to Sydney

Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road
We start in Melbourne, a vibrant city whose exotic markets and fine restaurants reflect its multi-cultural population. Moving on to the Blue Dandenong Ranges, we ride on the "Puffing Billy" steam train, before journeying west along the Great Ocean Road - 300kms of spectacular coastal scenery - via Warrnambool to Adelaide. Elegant and famously easy-going, Adelaide is our base for excursions either to the Barossa Valley wine growing region, or Kangaroo Island, home to a number of endemic species - including of course the 'roo!

To the "Red Centre" & Ayers Rock
A flight takes us northwards to Alice Springs, at Australia's "Red Centre". Here we explore Kings Canyon and see majestic Uluru/Ayers Rock, surreal and eerie, dramatically rising 348m from the surrounding desert plain. At the nearby Kata Tjuta/The Olgas we watch the sunset over the red dome outcrops and enjoy dinner al fresco under a panoply of desert stars.

Great Barrier Reef & Sydney
Having flown east to Cairns, we explore the beautiful sands and corals of Michaelmas Cay, sailing by catamaran and using a semi-submersible. We also push into the rainforests of the coastal hinterland and, skimming over the treetops on the Skyrail, we reach Kuranda. Finally we fly to bold and beautiful Sydney to explore its many highlights and a trip out to the nearby Blue Mountains National Park.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join the tour in Melbourne; city tour. Day 2 Puffing Billy From Melbourne we head out to the Blue Dandenong Ranges and take a ride on the "Puffing Billy" steam train. Days 3/4 Great ocean Road 300km of spectacular coastal scenery takes us west via Warrnambool to Adelaide Day 5 Adelaide Elegant and easy-going, Adelaide is our base for optional trips to Kangaroo Island or Barossa Valley. Days 6/8 Red Centre A flight takes us to Alice Springs where we head along the Stuart Highway to discover Kings Canyon, Uluru/Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta/The Olgas. Days 9/11 Great Barrier Reef Flying to Cairns we explore the beautiful sands and corals of Michaelmas Cay by catamaran and discover the rainforests of the coastal hinterland, skimming over the treetops on the Kuranda Skyrail. Days 12/14 Sydney & Blue Mountains Flying to Sydney we visit the Opera House, take a harbour cruise and take in the varied and stunning scenery of nearby Blue Mountains National Park. Day 15 Tour ends in Sydney. Note: Land Only tour price is exclusive of domestic flights. Please contact Explore for further information.

Accommodation: 14nts hotels; 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 1 dinner included.
Transport: Air-conditioned Coaches/Steam Train/Catamaran/Sydney Harbour Cruise/Internal flights
Comment: Easy walks at sights of interest.
Group: Approx. 15 to 20.
Staff: Tour manager, drivers, expert local guides, crew on Catamaran.
Trip Reference: AH