Australia,12-Day Itineraries, Classic Australia: Melbourne, Uluru & Sydney - 12 Days
Highlights
Tour Melbourne by bike and take a road trip down the Great Ocean Road
Visit Phillip Island and witness the evening Penguin Parade
Hit the highlights of Sydney, from the Opera House to Bondi Beach
Take a day trip to the gorges and rugged peaks of the Blue Mountains
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Melbourne,
Upon arrival in Melbourne, my personal driver will be waiting to take me to my hotel in the city. Then, I’ll head out and explore.
This city of over five million people is a melting pot of diversity and a paradise for lovers of fine food and wine. It's a gateway to
unspoiled national parks, stunning coastlines, and golden beaches. In Melbourne, hidden enclaves and back alley laneways are
home to the most exciting nightlife, trendiest boutiques, and liveliest bars in the city.
The most efficient way to see Melbourne is on the City Circle, a zero-fare (re: free!) tram that runs throughout the central districts.
Visit highlight attractions like the neo-Gothic St Paul's Cathedral, the neoclassical Parliament House, and the 19th-century Royal
Exhibition Building. For great views, head over to the Shrine of Remembrance, a stately war memorial adjacent to the Royal
Botanic Gardens. This 89-acre (36 ha) botanical garden contains more than 8,500 species of plants from around the world.
Day 2: Best of Melbourne by Bike, Afternoon Food Tour
Second day of the morning, I'll embark on a 4.5-hour bicycle tour of Melbourne. Examples of the locales I'll visit include the Yarra
River, Flinders St Station (Australia's oldest train station, which dates to 1909), the National Gallery of Victoria, and Queen
Victoria Market—the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. I will also visit Melbourne's famous laneways and
historic shopping arcades. These labyrinthine alleyways and street malls are full of charming boutiques, intimate cafés, colorful
street art, and trendy restaurants.
After the bike tour, take a three-hour guided walk to enjoy Melbourne's eclectic food scene. Throughout this group tour, I'll stop at
back alley restaurants and cafés in the CBD (Central Business District). Marvel at street art and browse funky boutiques as my
sample local Aussie favorites (like meat pies and Vegemite), drink Melbourne's famous specialty coffee, and enjoy a lunch of
shared dumplings. Finish the experience with a drink in a laneway bar the locals love. At the end of the tour, I'll return to your hotel
on my own.
Day 3: Great Ocean Road Day Trip
Wake up early and embark on a full-day road trip along one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world: the Great Ocean Road.
This stretch of highway runs 150 miles (240 km) down Victoria's southwest coast, passing national parks, limestone rock
formations, seaside bluffs, coastal mountain ranges, and incredible beaches. Throughout the excursion, you'll have ample time to
stop and enjoy the highlights.
During the drive, keep an eye toward the coast, as I will likely to spot whales and dolphins; on the inland side, I’ll might even see
echidnas and bandicoots. Stop for lunch at Apollo Bay, a tranquil seaside town in the rolling coastal hills. I’ll also stretch my legs
on a forest hike through the mountains of the famous Otway Ranges. After visiting the romantic cove at Loch Ard Gorge, cap the
adventure at the Twelve Apostles, a group of incredible limestone rock formations rising up out of the sea. Afterward, I'll return to
Melbourne.
Day 4: Phillip Island Tour & Penguin Parade
This full-day tour will take I will to Phillip Island, located a mere 90 minutes south of Melbourne, to witness the famous evening
ritual of the Penguin Parade. On the way to this popular tourist destination, I'll stop at Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park.
Here, I'll see endangered wildlife species like kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas, plus an array of colorful birds and reptiles.
Continue to Phillip Island, which is home to the largest colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) in the world. Upon arrival, I'll have
time for optional activities like viewing colonies of fur seals at the Nobbys Headland. At dusk, I'll see the Penguin Parade from a
boardwalk at floodlit Summerland Beach. It's an incredible sight as thousands of penguins waddle back from the sea to their
burrows, greeting their partners and neighbors as they arrive. Afterward, I'll transfer back to Melbourne my hotel.
Day 5: Morning Yarra Valley Balloon Flight with Breakfast & Wine Tour
I will Rise early this morning and meet our driver for a scenic transfer to the Balgownie Estate—an award-winning winery with spectacular
views. Here a hot air balloon awaits to take me on a soaring journey over the rolling vineyards of the Yarra Valley. As I float over wine country,
relax and take in the views of the picturesque vineyards and majestic Yarra River set aglow by a colorful sunrise.
Upon landing, head back to Balgownie Estate for a hearty champagne breakfast to toast the morning's adventure. Then it's on to Yering
Station Winery to set off for a day of wine tasting at four premium wineries. Stop for lunch back at the Balgownie Estate before returning to
Melbourne in the afternoon.
Day 6: Great Ocean Road Trip Adventure
Experience one of the world's most scenic coastal drives today with an unforgettable trip along the Great Ocean Road. I will Join a
small group and hit the road, where I will sit back, relax, and take in the breathtaking views and natural wonders of the famous
route.
Keep my eyes peeled as I try to spot whales, dolphins, echidnas, and bandicoots. Stop for lunch at Apollo Bay, a tranquil seaside
town set among the soft rolling hills, and then enjoy a walk among the lush ferns and towering forests of the Otway Ranges. A
nature lover's dream, this full-day excursion is capped off by a visit to the famous rock formations of the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard
Gorge. As the evening falls, I'll return to Melbourne and enjoy our final evening in the city.
Day 7: Fly to Sydney, Optional Activities, Speakeasy Pub Crawl
At the appropriate time, my driver will transfer me to the airport for the three-hour flight to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales.
After checking in to my hotel, I’ll head out for a stroll along Sydney Harbour. I will also go to Circular Quay for great views of
the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Maybe lose yourself in the cobblestone laneways of historic The Rocks or browse the
markets, boutiques, and cafés of upscale Paddington, whose terrace houses date to the Victorian era. And when the sun goes
down, book a table at one of Sydney's five-star restaurants.
Then, it will be time for a good old-fashioned pub crawl. Sydney outlawed bar-hopping in 2014, but in the wake of that ordinance, a
new type of bar emerged: the speakeasy. These watering holes became havens where small groups could gather and settle in for
the night with a few pints. Tonight, you'll embark on a walking tour of the city's hottest speakeasies, which are hidden in alleyways,
behind pizza parlors, and even Chinese dumpling restaurants. Led by an expert guide, this tour is a fun and convivial way to enjoy
the most exciting new trend in Sydney's hospitality scene.
Day 8: The Rocks Walking Tour, Sydney Harbour Cruise & Manly Beaches
Head out in the morning on a 1.5-hour guided walking tour of The Rocks. This enclave was the birthplace of the European
colonization of Australia in 1788, and many historic landmarks remain. These include the Gothic Garrison Church, Cadmans
Cottage (a heritage house dating to 1816), and various 19th-century pubs. The tour follows the waterfront of Sydney Cove, then
veers a bit off the tourist trail to other landmarks like the Escher-like stone stairways at Foundation Park and Nurses Walk, which
is lined with art galleries and restaurants.
In the afternoon, enjoy the majesty of Sydney from the deck of a boat on a three-hour harbor cruise. I'll embark from the marina and
relax at my table as me pass the famous city sights. After a delicious buffet lunch and drinks, I'll stop at Shark Island for a
swim (don't let the name spook me; the calm waters here are perfectly safe). Be sure to visit the island's foreshore, where there are
romantic grottoes.
Later in the day, head to Sydney's northern suburb of Manly, which is famous for its beaches, like Shelley Beach and Manly
Beach. Whether you want to relax and sunbathe all day, hit the waves on a surfboard, go snorkeling, or take a bike ride along the
waterfront, there's something for everyone. To make the day extra special, grab some takeaway fish and chips and have a picnic
on the beach as you watch the surfers carve the waves. At the end of the afternoon, I'll return to my hotel.
Day 9: Day Trip to the Blue Mountains
About a two-hour drive inland from the urban jungle of Sydney are the dramatic Blue Mountains, a region known for rugged cliffs,
eucalyptus forests, and cascading waterfalls. In the morning, I'll leave on a full-day tour, first stopping on the outskirts of the city for
a visit to the Sydney Zoo. Here, I’ll get close to native Australian wildlife like dingoes, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and
echidnas. Don't forget to visit the reptile habitat, which is home to a wide variety of venomous snakes and lizards.
After the zoo, I'll transfer to the Blue Mountains by tour bus. Upon arrival, have lunch and browse the quaint shops in the mountain
town of Leura. Next, travel to Echo Point, a lookout featuring prime views of the famous Three Sisters rock formations. I'll also
stop at Scenic World, a tourist attraction offering mountain train rides, and the Skyway. This cable car rises over the steep valleys
and canyons, affording a bird's-eye view of the Three Sisters below. After some time for nature hikes, I'll return to Sydney by bus in
the late afternoon.
Day 10: First Nations Cultural Experience, Opera House Tour, Night Bridge Climb
Today, I'll learn about the world's oldest living civilization on a half-day First Nations culture and history tour led by a member of the
Bundjalung nation. It begins at Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden, where I'll meet my First Nations guide. After performing a
traditional "Welcome to Country" ceremony, I'll embark on a walking tour as my guide reveals the compelling history of the people
and plants associated with these gardens. After the park, continue to a First Nations art gallery. Here, I'll see works from some of
the most remote First Nations communities in the country.
After the tour, head to the most famous building in the country: the Sydney Opera House. Construction on this masterpiece of 20th-
century architecture (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) began in 1959 and took over 20 years to complete. Today, it's a multi-
venue performing arts center that presents more than 2,000 shows to over 1.5 million audience members each year. On an hour-
long guided tour, you'll go inside to learn all about the building's history and design, plus visit the main public spaces.
Later, I'll not only visit another of Sydney's landmarks, but I'll also climb up it. This guided hike up the famous Harbour Bridge
begins with a safety demonstration. Then, I will expert Climb Leader will take me up a network of catwalks and ladders that ascend
to 439 feet (134 m) above sea level. From this vantage point, I’ll see east to the Opera House and out west to the Blue Mountains.
At the top, enjoy the sunset over the harbor, then descend amid the bright lights of Sydney's skyscrapers.
Day 11: Self-Guided Tour of Sydney's Neighborhoods & Beaches
I'll have today free to enjoy Sydney at my own pace. I’ll might want to head to the trendy Surrey Hills neighborhood for a leisurely
breakfast at one of the many diverse restaurants. In the afternoon, make a beeline for the beach. Head to Bondi and watch the
surfers, or perhaps even take a lesson. If I don't want to venture far from the city center, try Whiting Beach, which is located in the
harbor. Here, I’ll embark on walking trails to the coast and enjoy views of the Bradleys Head Lighthouse.
I’ll also explore Centennial Park, which is Sydney's version of Central Park. Or see some of the 28,000 plants from around the
world at the Royal Botanic Garden. If you're in the city on a Saturday, browse clothing and jewelry at the outdoor Paddington
Markets. In the evening, head to the Darlinghurst neighborhood to grab dinner and drinks. Afterward, walk to Mrs Macquarie's
Chair, a rocky sandstone outcropping, for one final, epic view of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour.
Day 12: Depart Sydney
At the appropriate time, my driver will pick up me at my hotel and transfer me to the airport, where I'll catch my flight home or onward to the
next adventure. Safe travels!
Warm Regards,
Rajwinder Kaur Atwal, (Passport No. R1352938).
