This sixteen-day itinerary highlights the many contrasts of Australia including Sydney, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Port Douglas & Melbourne. From the stunning beauty of Sydney harbor journey to the heart of Australia – Alice Springs and experience Aboriginal Culture first hand before continuing to Uluru and the awe-inspiring Ayers Rock. From the Red Desert Outback fly to the topaz blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef before ending your Australian adventure in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.

• Roundtrip International Qantas Economy Class Flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York JFK (domestic US flights can be added at an additional cost)
• Internal Australia flights
• 3 nights accommodation Sydney at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour
• Half day small group city sights of Sydney
• Sydney Harbour morning small group cruise
• Sydney Opera House tour
• 1-night accommodation Alice Springs at the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters Hotel
• Half day a "town like Alice" tour
• Alice Springs to Ayers Rock coach tour
• 2 nights Ayers Rock at the The Lost Camel Hotel 
• Field of Light Star Pass
• Uluru highlights sunrise tour
• 4 Nights accommodation in Port Douglas at Silkari Lagoons
• Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Cruise
• Half Day Mossman Gorge & Aboriginal Dreamtime Tour
• 3 nights Melbourne at the Crown Metropol
• Half Day Laneways & Arcades Walking Tour
• Full Day Phillip Island Tour with Penguin Plus upgrade
• Private car and shuttle airport transfers
• All airport taxes & fuel surcharges

Day 1 - Depart US
Qantas is the number one way to travel to Australia and your vacation begins the second you step onboard a Qantas flight with Australia just a movie, meal, sleep away. With over 95 years of experience in long haul travel, Qantas strives to ensure every passenger in every cabin has the most comfortable and authentic experience. Qantas offers direct service from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas Fort Worth & New York JFK - add on fares with American Airlines available from other cities.

The Qantas onboard experience has a class for every passenger from First suites, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins and offers the best in comfort, Australian food and wine, amenities and exceptional service. All cabins experience the latest in inflight entertainment and technology including premium content from HBO, new movie releases, TV programs and an extensive music library with over 1500 entertainment choices.

Day 2 - Cross International Date Line

Day 3 - Arrive Sydney
On arrival in Sydney you will be transferred by private car to the Parkroyal Darling Harbour for your three nights stay.

Soak up Sydney’s (Warrane) gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Cruise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24/7 fun.

ACCOMMODATION - This property is located on the city-side of Darling Harbour, a short distance from the restaurants and bars of Darling Quarter, and 2 kilometres from Circular Quay. The spacious guest rooms and suites have a contemporary design, with cityscape or Darling Harbour view.

Image: Tourism Australia

Day 4 - Sydney - Half Day City Sights tour
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your small group Sydney Sights tour. This 4 hour tour provides you with the opportunity to see Australia’s largest city and New South Wales’ capital, Sydney. Visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, the Queen Victoria Building and visit Sydney’s trendy Oxford Street district. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean where you will see the superb coastal cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach, visit the beachfront promenade and enjoy a coffee or cool drink (own expense). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers and Sydney’s best panoramic view at Dover Heights. Return to the city via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquarie’s Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour. Your tour concludes at either Circular Quay or Darling Harbour/King St Wharf precinct. Make your own way back to your accommodation.

Day 5 - Explore Sydney Harbour
This morning, enjoy the company of a small group aboard a 52-foot motor yacht. Millions of people from all over the world come to the harbour to discover our world-famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, stunning beaches, national parks and the playgrounds of the rich and famous. The 1.5 hour Harbour Experience cruise will leave you breathless with amazing views, superior comfort and service and the fascinating stories that bring the history and culture of the harbour city alive.

This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. The Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most recognizable landmarks and this is your chance to truly get up-close. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs and marvel at the vaulted ceilings. Visit areas off-limits to the public and capture photographs from rare vantage points. Explore theatres and foyers where more than 1600 concerts, operas, dramas and ballets take place each year.

Day 6 - Sydney - Alice Springs 
You willl be transferred by private car to Sydney Airport for your flight to Alice Springs. On arrival, board your shuttle transfer to the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters. The outback town of Alice Springs is the gateway for exploring the Red Centre. If you happen to be in Alice Springs in July you can experience the famous "Camel Cup" – a unique annual camel racing festival held in Australia. Whatever time of year you visit Alice you will have the opportunity to get up close or ride a camel – and tomorrow you will have that opportunity!

ACCOMMODATION - Situated at the foot of the MacDonnell Ranges and backing onto the Alice Springs Golf Course, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters offers contemporary and stylish accommodation. Each room has been thoughtfully designed to offer an area of ultimate relaxation and comfort. Rooms have a spacious and bright aspect with each room offering a private balcony or courtyard showcasing magnificent views of Central Australia..

After checking into your hotel, head into town to the Todd Mall, which is lined with commercial galleries dealing in Aboriginal art. Stop at Papunya Tula Artists to see the renowned dot paintings, then at Mbantua Art Gallery and Cultural Museum, which has one of the largest collections of Aboriginal art in Australia and specializes in art from the Utopia region.

This afternoon enjoy an afternoon tour of Alice. Commence your 4.25 hour tour at The School of the Air, where you will learn how children who cannot access schools are educated by radio. Stop at the historic Telegraph Station, which marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Visit the Royal Flying Doctors Service, where you will see how medical aid reaches those who live in the remote 'outback'. Visit the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, where you can see up close and maybe touch some of the lizards and snakes that frequent Central Australia's semi-arid desert, such as the Perentie Lizard and the Thorny Devil. The tour concludes with a panoramic view of the township of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges from the top of Anzac Hill. At the completion of the tour, you will be transferred to your Alice Springs accommodation.

Day 7 - Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) 
Your 6 hour journey from Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) will take in the rugged desert landscapes of the region, passing through the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges. While travelling through this remote country, you will be provided with informative commentary. Learn the natural and geological history of the region, the unique Australian desert flora and fauna as well as the traditional customs and beliefs of the local Aboriginals. Stop at Erldunda Roadhouse to view flat topped Atila (Mt Conner) in the distance, before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort.

ACCOMMODATION - The Lost Camel features contemporary, studio-style accommodation decorated in bright colours and crisp, clean whites. Furnished in a stylish mix of Aboriginal and urban themes, the property brings a fresh, exciting feel to the Resort. Soak up the sun by the hotel’s central swimming pool, browse the shops in the adjacent Resort Town Square or take part in the many free daily guest activities on offer

Uluru (Ayers Rock), in the heart of the Red Center, has a desert climate - mostly dry, with brilliant blue skies all year. It is a World Heritage Area, managed jointly by the Aboriginal traditional owners and the Australian Nature Conservation Agency. You will spend two nights at The Lost Camel Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort. The resort is a short stroll to numerous lookouts, where you can view what is arguably Australia's best sunset, with the spectacular play of colors across the face of Uluru and the surrounding desert.

This evening enjoy sunset over Uluru & “The Field of Light”. Your 2.5 hour Field of Light tour commences with a transfer from your hotel to a remote desert location, with majestic views of Uluru from an exclusive elevated viewing area. Your host will provide insights and background to the artist and light installation that awaits you. As the last rays of sun hit Uluru, splashing the rock’s façade with colour, and darkness gradually falls, the 50,000 glass spheres gently sparkle to life. Covered under a sky brilliant with stars, Field of Light beckons you to explore and lose yourself momentarily in the rhythms of coloured light. Take in the vast scale of the installation one last time from the raised viewing area as you savour sparkling wine and canapés. On completion of the tour you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Image: Tourism Australia

Day 8 - Ayers Rock - Uluru Sunrise Tour 
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your small group Uluru Highlights sunrise tour. Its vast shape rises from the sand dunes in the early dawn light highlighting its presence in this country. Your guide will take you to a special location to watch the sun rise over this amazing monolith. You will learn the creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python) and hear about the Mala people. After breakfast you will visit Mutitjulu Waterhole and then drive around the base of the Uluru. Return to Ayers Rock Resort, where you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Day 9 - Ayers Rock - Cairns
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Ayers Rock airport by shuttle service, for your flight to Cairns, the colorful capital of Tropical North Queensland and the major gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The city is a gateway to an amazing selection of touring options encompassing the Reef, the Outback and the Rainforest. An hour north of Cairns brings you to Port Douglas, the closest town to the Great Barrier Reef with Rainforest clad mountains sweeping down to sparkling sandy beaches. Upon arrival into Cairns you will be transferred to Silkari Lagoons for your 4 night stay.

ACCOMMODATION - Silkari Lagoons is a self-contained apartment style property that is located 4 kilometres from Macrossan Street, nestled within a pocket of Melaleuca rainforest just a short walk from Four Mile Beach. The hotel guest rooms have mini kitchenettes, and the apartments have kitchen and laundry facilities with access to the swim out pool, private plunge pool or their own private balcony.

Image: Tourism Australia

Day 10 - Port Douglas – Great Barrier Reef
You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Port Douglas Marina where you will board your vessel for an 8 hour excursion to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Visit the pristine outer edge at Agincourt ribbon reefs, enjoying over five hours exploring the delights of this underwater world. You will visit up to three different sites with each site offering a new experience. In between water activities, relax on the expansive sundecks overlooking the Coral Sea. Upon arrival at Port Douglas Marina you will be transferred by coach to your Port Douglas accommodation.

Day 11 - Port Douglas – Daintree Rainforest Dreamtime Walk
On this 4-4.5 hour tour you will spend the morning with a local Aboriginal tour guide, learning about culturally significant areas and the relationships the Kuku Yalanji still have with their land. Learn the history, culture and traditions of the local Aboriginal people and the area. Enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest and coastal habitats learning about the environment, different foods and medicines utilized from nature, sample some bush tucker, collect shellfish and try traditional Aboriginal hunting practices, have a go at spear throwing and if you are lucky, catch a mud crab. To complete the adventure cool off in a pristine freshwater stream. At the completion of the tour, you will be transferred back to your Port Douglas accommodation.

Day 12 - Port Douglas – At Leisure
Explore Tropical North Queensland at your leisure or consider adding one of our tour options - Some of our favorites (additional cost applies):

• Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation
  Travel north along the scenic coastal road, crossing the Daintree River for a morning tea stop at the Daintree Discovery Centre. Take a guided boardwalk through the rainforest before continuing to Cape Tribulation Beach where time is allowed for a beach walk or to relax in a tranquil setting. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a rainforest setting. A stop is then made at the Alexandra Lookout for panoramic views out to sea and the mouth of the Daintree river, followed by a cruise to observe the fauna and flora of this region.
• Kuranda Scenic Rail & SkyRail
  Enjoy a full day Kuranda, Scenic Rail and Skyrail Tour. Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a breathtaking journey on one of the world's most scenic train routes. The journey will take you through hand-hewn tunnels and across bridges with amazing views. Stop at Barron Gorge to view the Falls before arriving at beautiful Kuranda station. Your Kuranda Boarding Pass offers discounted entry into Birdworld, Kuranda Koala Gardens, The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and Rainforestation as well as a detailed map of Kuranda - the Village in the Rainforest. At the scheduled time, bypass the ticketing lines and go directly to the Skyrail boarding area, to board Skyrail for the world's most beautiful rainforest experience. Glide over the Rainforest canopy and take advantage of the two stops enroute to enjoy a walk through the rainforest or visit the CSIRO Interpretive Centre
• Wildlife Habitat
  The award-winning Wildlife Habitat is Australia’s leading immersion exhibit - an open and interactive environment for guests and animals to mingle in a spacious and natural setting. Visitors wander along elevated boardwalks, observing up close a huge range of flora and fauna as birds fly and roam freely. The original Breakfast with the Birds has been a visitor must do for two decades. Guests are immersed within the Wetlands environment whilst enjoying the cacophony of sounds and colors of Wildlife as they wander freely amongst the guests and are treated to a fantastic tropical breakfast buffet.

Day 13 – Cairns to Melbourne
You will be transferred by shuttle to Cairns Airport for your flight to Melbourne. Enjoy 3 nights in exciting Melbourne – named the world’s most livable city for the sixth consecutive year.

ACCOMMODATION - This property is located in Southbank, 950 metres from Eureka Skydeck and 1.4 kilometres from Federation Square. It is 300 metres from the Crown Entertainment Complex. This hotel features a uniquely designed reception area a stunning infinity swimming pool. Each spacious room features stylish modern décor and spectacular views. The bathroom includes an oversized shower, large vanity and a privacy screen

Wander through Melbourne’s labyrinth of connecting laneways and arcades, intimate spaces and mystery, as well as home to many of Melbourne’s bar, dining and shopping secrets. Melbourne also has a strong cultural and intellectual heritage. With a range of galleries and museums, the city provides a canvas for artistic expression – the laneways are home to constantly changing street art. Melbournians love a party, with the year-round calendar of events offering something for everyone, see live music, go to a football match or join in at a festival! Melbourne’s multicultural population contributes to the city’s unique atmosphere – and more importantly, the city’s incredible dining scene. With a vibrant energy and unique offerings, Melbourne’s lifestyle is sure to find something for all visitors to enjoy.

Image: Tourism Australia

Day 14 - Melbourne - Lanes & Arcades walking tour
Join this indulgent morning 3 hour walk through Melbourne's beautiful back streets and get orientated in the life of the city that locals love. Discover local designers and speciality retailers that often are only found in the city. Some of the quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture and historical tales are found in these walkways. There is something for everyone. See over 30 stores on this casual stroll and return to those you like best in the afternoon. At the conclusion of your tour, make your own way to your accommodation.

Day 15 – Melbourne – Phillip Island Penguins
Your 8-9.5 hour animal adventure will start with a visit to Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park where you will have time to take photos and have close encounters with animals like kangaroos, wombats and echidnas. Next, you’ll head to the Phillip Island and onto Woolamai Surf Beach to catch a glimpse of the awesome waves and die-hard surfers (weather permitting). Cross the island to reach the dramatic west coast and the Nobbies where you will be awe-struck by the crashing waves. Finally, it’s time for the main event, the Penguin Parade. There is a reason that this is one of Australia’s top attractions and the little penguins will not disappoint! You will sit on the protective platform to see possibly hundreds of little penguins waddling onto the beach. Then it is time to return to Melbourne, where you will be transferred to your Melbourne accommodation.

Image: Tourism Australia

Day 16 – Depart Melbourne
Depart Melbourne on Qantas for your return flight to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas or New York (add on flights available to local airports)

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$7,599 per person

Note: Daily departures; this package is an independent itinerary with flexible departures (not a group tour)

Entering Australia is a breeze. All you need is a valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

Read More about the Australian entry requirements

Fly direct from New York JFK for an additional $400 or non-stop from Dallas Fort Worth for an extra $600 to the package price.

Add-on airfares are available from most major airports; ask an Aspire consultant for a quote.

• Upgrade to premium economy from $1,100 per person each way*
• Upgrade to business class from $3,000 per person each way*
Can take the upgrade one way or round trip and combine premium/business classes on same ticket

* Upgrade from pricing based on Sunday through Wednesday departures from Los Angeles/San Francisco - ask an Aspire consultant for the upgrade fee from other departure points and travel Thursday through Saturday.

Terms & Conditions:

The package from pricing is based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room) for low-season stays for travel Sundays through Wednesdays from Los Angeles/San Francisco. A $50 air supplement applies each way for international travel from Thursday to Saturday. Add-on fares are available from other cities. Specific blackout dates apply to the accommodation and tour value offers. Seats are limited and may only be available on some flights. Hotels are subject to availability. All prices reflect discounts for purchases made by check/wire/Zelle; please see the terms and conditions for credit card payments. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.

Full payment is due at the time of booking to guarantee the package price and purchase the airline tickets. Travel Insurance is highly recommended for travel to Australia.