There are endless things to do on a tailor-made itinerary to Australia – from snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef to exploring cosmopolitan cities, from discovering Uluru and the surrounding sweeping plains to trekking through humid, tropical rainforest. Then there are the rugged landscapes of Tasmania, an island whose mineral formations have more in common with North America than the ‘mainland’.
For first-time visitors to Australia, we would recommend exploring the East Coast, perhaps beginning in Sydney for a few days to explore its major sights, including Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. Outside of the city, the region has much to offer including the Blue Mountains, the vineyards of Hunter Valley, Lord Howe Island and plenty of beautiful coastal towns.
Continue to Queensland, also known as the ‘Sunshine State’, to enjoy its tropical climate at the many superb beaches and, of course, a highlight of this state is a snorkel trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Further north you will find Cairns and Port Douglas, which are perfect for exploring the Daintree Rainforest and going in search for the prehistoric cassowary.
It is said that you will either love Sydney or Melbourne, so how about also visiting Melbourne on a tailor-made itinerary to see for yourself. The city is a diverse cultural centre and from here you can experience the wildlife of Phillip Island, the beautiful Mornington Peninsula and the wine region of the Yarra Valley. Melbourne is also the starting point for one of the world’s most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road, which continues on to South Australia and reaches Adelaide.
There are also many rail journeys you can embark on to witness this vast country: board the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney; The Ghan journeys between Darwin to Adelaide; and the Great Southern traverses from Adelaide to Brisbane.
For an alternative experience, and perhaps a more authentic Australian itinerary, venture off the beaten track and discover the Red Centre in the Northern Territory. A highlight is most certainly Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Witness the 55-million-year-old giant monolith glow red as the sun melts beneath the horizon. Further north, you will find many national parks to explore from Darwin, such as Kakadu and Litchfield, where kangaroos bounce freely across the road.
Sometimes overlooked by travellers, Western Australia has much to offer. Discover the rugged landscape of the Kimberley in the north, with fewer people per square kilometre than almost any other place on earth. Swim in the warm turquoise seas of the Indian Ocean off the Coral Coast, explore the Ningaloo Reef in the north-west (and snorkel with whale sharks between March and August), or drive to the vineyards, forests and beaches of the south-west.
With so much to offer, Australia can be seen on either a month-long (or longer) tailor-made itinerary or several shorter trips to discover individual states, with different stopovers on the way. Speak to our travel consultants to find the best route for you.