Day 1 UK - In flight

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Melbourne.

In flight

Melbourne

We touch down in Melbourne on day 2 and we’ll transfer to our hotel for some time to relax after the long flight. The following day is at leisure to explore Melbourne’s tram-crossed streets, historic shopping arcades and riverside parks.

Mantra on Little Bourke, Melbourne (4-star)

Melbourne - Dandenong Mountains

Our morning takes us on a tour of Melbourne’s highlights. Wander the wide boulevards lined with grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Known as the ‘garden city’, we’ll of course take some time to explore the sprawling parkland - including the famed Botanical Gardens, which make up more than a third of the entire city.

This afternoon we’ll head out into the Dandenong Mountains and you’ll suddenly feel you’re in another place entirely. Here, waterways weave between the forested slopes and you might spot vivid birdlife flitting in the treetops - including the rare and comical lyrebird. We’ll take an exciting ride on ‘Puffing Billy’, Australia’s oldest narrow gauge steam train - and a real thrill!

• City tour of Melbourne (morning)
• Excursion to Dandenong Mountains with steam train ride (all day)

Mantra on Little Bourke, Melbourne (4-star)

Phillip Island

Perhaps spend some leisurely time relaxing at the hotel this morning, or head out and explore more of Melbourne independently. You might like to stroll through the ‘sheds’ Victoria Market - an open-air market popular with the locals. Browse the huge number of stalls selling clothes, accessories and other bric-à-brac.

We’ll then take an afternoon trip over to Phillip Island, where we’ll spot the waddling ‘parade’ of fairy penguins emerge from the sea and shuffle up Summerland Beach to their sand dune burrows.

• Excursion to Phillip Island (afternoon)

Mantra on Little Bourke, Melbourne (4-star)

Great Ocean Road - Warrnambool

Justifiably known as one of Victoria’s most scenic roads, the Great Ocean Road snakes all the way along the southwest coast of the state, starting in Torquay and finishing up just before Warrnambool. Get your camera at the ready because this will be one of the most dramatic and photogenic drives you’ve ever seen. Its wild grandeur encompasses rainforests, gorges, gullies, arches and blowholes. The section to Warrnambool, beyond the Bay of Isles and Bay of Martyrs, is particularly special.

You’ll really feel connected with the ocean as we pass by grand sweeping bays and exciting seaward vistas. The road climbs the cliffside as we skirt Cape Otway National Park and pass into Port Campbell National Park, where we pause to admire the Twelve Apostles.

• Great Ocean Road drive (all day)

Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs, Warrnambool (3.5-star)

Coonawarra - Murray River - Adelaide

Australia’s ‘other red centre’, Coonawarra, is where some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz is grown, perfected since the late 19th century. Today, the region is home to a mix of old winemaking families and fresh new talent. We’ll stop by a local winery for a taste of these award-winning vintages - and enjoy the sprawling vineyard views.

Our journey then takes us through enchanting pastureland, running brooks and great orchards beside the Murray River, as we descend towards the lovely city of Adelaide.

• Coonawarra region winery (afternoon)

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide (4-star)

Adelaide

Sophisticated. Cultured. Neat. Adelaide’s church spires punctuate the city’s skyline, but it’s really a trendy city with a great music scene and plenty of local pubs tucked away in hidden streets. The graceful Victorian-lined streets are a delight to wander.

We’ll visit the Cleland Wildlife Park this morning, on the slopes of Mount Lofty, a place of sanctuary for native species such as kangaroos and koalas. You can even enjoy a close-up koala encounter while they snack on eucalyptus leaves.

After, we’ll explore the city together on a sightseeing tour, which includes a visit to the largest glasshouse in the southern hemisphere - a breathtaking year-round tropical rainforest.

• Cleland Wildlife Park (morning)
• City tour of Adelaide (afternoon)

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide (4-star)

Adelaide

At leisure to explore Adelaide independently. Enjoy a day to explore exactly as you please. Our hotel is just five minutes from the colourful Central Market and the beautiful gardens of Victoria Square. Elsewhere, pedestrianised corners such as Rundle Mall are great for shoppers, window or otherwise.

Or, if the mercury is on the rise, you might want to venture out a little further and hop on a train to the beachy shores of Glenelg for a day of sandy toes and ice creams.

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide (4-star)

Alice Springs

We’ll catch a flight from Adelaide to Alice Springs today. ‘The Alice’, as it’s affectionately known, was founded as a staging point for the overland telegraph line in the 1870s. We’ll take a tour of the Telegraph Station and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Then, you’re free to explore this little town for yourself. Just five streets wide, this small town might surprise you with its excellent museums, fine wildlife park and galleries of Indigenous art.

• City tour of Alice Springs (afternoon)

Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters (4-star)

Uluru

People from across Australia and the world travel to discover the icon of today’s itinerary. Uluru is a site of deep cultural significance to the Aborigines, who now officially own the National Park in which is stands, and has inspired rock paintings and carvings for thousands of years. We’ll spend some time taking in the sheer size (348 metres) - but more impressive still, two thirds of the rock is actually buried beneath the sand. With a glass of wine in hand, we’ll watch the rock glow shades of orange and red as the sun sets behind us. The perfect ending to a very special day.

• Sunset at Uluru (afternoon)

Voyages Sails in the Desert, Uluru (4.5-star)

Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

If you felt the spiritual connection yesterday, you’re in luck. We head back to Uluru early this morning to see it, quite literally, in a very different light. Watch as the twinkling stars disappear above us and the towering silhouette of Uluru appear in front as the sun rises from behind it.

To the west are the Olgas, a collection of more rounded rocks known to Aborigines as Kata Tjuta (‘Many Heads’). One of which, Mount Olga, is taller than Uluru at 584m. The afternoon is at leisure before visiting the mesmerising Field of Light installation this evening.

• Sunrise at Uluru (morning)
• Visit to Kata Tjuta (morning)
• Entry to the Field of Light installation (evening)

Voyages Sails in the Desert, Uluru (4.5-star)

Cairns - Palm Cove

Today we head to the airport for our flight to Cairns - gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. As we touch down in this seaside city, you’ll notice the pace of life slows right down. Even in the inner city, you’ll more likely see board shorts than briefcases.

Head down to the Pier for taste of the local life - here, an array of award-winning waterfront restaurants, cafés and bars congregate, or you could opt for a spot of shopping.

You might like to spend some time exploring the city’s great museums and galleries - specifically the aquarium, which houses a vast range of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef in miniature and some unique experiences.

Down the way from Cairns, there’s a host of excellent beaches gold sand beaches - the perfect jumping off point to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

Reef House Hotel & Spa, Palm Cove (4.5-star)

Great Barrier Reef

Stretching along 200km of coastline, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system. It’s even visible from space! But it’s not just the size that is impressive; it’s the wonderfully rich ecosystem that thrives in these waters. It is completely breathtaking and easily one of Australia’s most remarkable natural wonders.

Today we’ll head out from Port Douglas on a catamaran ride to visit the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Here, we can view the coral from an underwater observatory or a semi-submersible boat. Watch as yellow, blue and orange tropical fish dart between reefs in this magical underwater world. You’ll even have the chance to jump in for a spot of snorkelling in the water, if you like (equipment provided).

• Outer Greater Barrier Reef experience (all day)

Reef House Hotel & Spa, Palm Cove (4.5-star)

Palm Cove

Take a day to unwind among the palm trees and soft sands of Palm Cove. Perhaps wander along the promenade, or stop for a spot of lunch at one of the fancy restaurants.

Reef House Hotel & Spa, Palm Cove (4.5-star)

Kuranda - Tjapukai Park

Gold prospecting and tin mining inspired the amazing engineering feat of today’s scenic railway ride. We’ll wind through the rainforest and up the mountainside of Kuranda. Literally hewn from the rock, it twists and turns for 34km through 15 tunnels, across chasms and beyond cascades.

A truly memorable journey - we’ll be sure to stop for photos at the dramatic Barron Falls. Kuranda Railway Station is particularly lovely, with its original wooden structures and connecting bridge decked out with tropical flowers and ferns. We’ll spend some time at leisure here in Kuranda - the ‘village in the rainforest’ - to browse the shops and cafés, or visit the butterfly sanctuary.

We’ll hop on the coach for a journey down to Tjapukai Park - or you can choose to travel by Skyrail cable cart (extra cost) to visit the Aboriginal Dance Theatre and watch their award-winning show.

• Kuranda Scenic Railway (morning)
• Aboriginal Park (afternoon

Reef House Hotel & Spa, Palm Cove (4.5-star)

Cairns - Sydney

Today’s destination really delivers the wow factor. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Sydney, one of the world’s most iconic cities. Gazing out at the Opera House from across the harbour really is one of those surreal ‘pinch me’ moments, but we’ll have plenty of that over the next few days in this fascinating city.

We’ll be staying near Darling Harbour, a pretty, restored area of dockland with a palm-fringed promenade, a Chinese garden and the magnificent Sydney Aquarium nearby.

Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)

Sydney

We’ll head out on a tour this morning to take in all the highlights of this great city. As we work our way around, we’ll visit the harbour - dominated by the great span of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (‘the coat hanger’) and distinctive Opera House - and the 19th-century Royal Botanical Gardens, the attractive repository for native plant life. Wander along the fig-tree-lined avenues of Hyde Park, the perfect green oasis in this urban centre.

This afternoon, we’ll take to the water for a completely different perspective of the city. As we cruise by, we’ll enjoy the view of the sumptuous waterfront homes and an even closer look at its iconic harbour.

• Guided city tour of Sydney (morning)
• Sydney Harbour Cruise (afternoon)

Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)

Sydney

Two full free days at leisure. Why not explore Sydney on foot? Take a leisurely stroll through the old dockland streets of the Rocks - the area where the first British convicts settled, which retains an alluring Victorian charm, and now hosts numerous fine shops, galleries and restaurants. Nearby Circular Quay has some must-try dining venues of its own. On the other side of the Quay, be sure to pose for a selfie in front of the Opera House.

Have a wander through the Botanical Gardens, admiring the flora, and along historic Macquarie Street, a parade of grand colonial-style buildings. Here, you’ll spot the State Conservatory of Music, Parliament House and the Mint, all designed by Englishman Francis Greenway, who was transported to Australia for forgery.

Shopping opportunities abound in Sydney, but many of the best can be found on Pitt Street, running south of Circular Quay, and George Street, which boasts one of the most sublime shopping centres in the world - the Queen Victoria Building, with its three floors of bow-fronted shops adorned with marble, gilt, rich panelling and stained glass.

Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney (4-star)

Day 21 Sydney - In flight

Enjoy a few last hours at leisure in Sydney, before we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

In flight

Day 22 UK

Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Arrive Home