The Great Australia Roadtrip! Starting your Australian journey in multicultural Melbourne, enjoy a few days in this marvelous city before setting out on the open road for a multi-day self-drive along the country's breathtaking southeast coastline. Drive the Great Ocean Road past the iconic surf spots of Torquay and Bells Beach, then onto the magnificent Twelve Apostles. Walk through waterfalls and lush forest in Otway National Park and watch whales from historic Warrnambool. Soak up seafaring history in Port Fairy and Portland, near the towering sea cliffs of Cape Bridgewater. See the fossils of giant marsupials in World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves and enjoy a night in the quaint and charming seaside town of Robe. Cruise the Coorong and perhaps explore the inviting beaches and wineries of the Fleurieu Peninsula on your way to Kangaroo Island. Spend two days on Kangaroo Island, Australia's zoo without fences, and come face to face with wildlife such as kangaroos, koala, wallabies, sea lions and over 250 species of birds in their native habitat. After two full days of exploration on Kangaroo Island, decompress in Adelaide before flying to the Gold Coast, famous for its surf beaches and towering skyline; Experience over 3 days a diverse mix of Australia’s best beaches and world heritage listed rainforest.

• Roundtrip International Economy class flights from Los Angeles (addons available from your local city)
• 3 nights Melbourne at the 5* Crown Metropol
• Full Size Car - pick up downtown Melbourne, return Adelaide airport
• 1 night 3.5* Beacon Point Ocean View Villas, Apollo Bay
• 1 night 3* Merrijig Inn, Port Fairy
• 1 night 4* Robe House B&B, Robe
• Kangaroo Island Car and Passenger Sealink ferry transfers
• 2 nights 4* Kangaroo Island Seafront
• 1 night 4.5* Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, Adelaide
• 3 nights Gold Coast at 4.5* QT Gold Coast
• All Airport & hotel taxes
• Optional recommended touring & transfers special value package additional $415 per person additional includes: Half Day Melbourne Walking Tour, Full Day Mornington Peninsula Tour, Full Lamington National park tour, private arrival airport transfer in Melbourne & private car service airport transfers Gold Coast airport to hotel.

Day 1 - Depart US
Ask about our options with Premium Economy and Business class airfare..

Day 2 - Cross International Dateline

Day 3 -  Arrive Melbourne
Enjoy 3 nights in exciting Melbourne – named the world’s most livable city for the sixth consecutive year.

ACCOMMODATION - Crown Metropol offers fresh, vibrant, modern and stylish accommodation. From the moment you take in the hotel's elegant form and enter the uniquely designed reception area, you will feel a sense of peace and calm that makes every visit to Crown Metropol a welcome escape from day-to-day life. Crown Metropol is conveniently located adjacent to the Crown Entertainment Complex, home to a 24 hour casino, more than 50 restaurants, cinemas, luxury and general fashion shopping and entertainment.

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. Melburnians 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.

Day 4 - Optional Tour: Melbourne guided walking tour
With equal enthusiasm for the past and present, your guide will take you on a fun and relaxed adventure through Melbourne's cultural landscape. Starting with Melbourne's Aboriginal history you will weave your way through various cityscapes to learn about Melbourne's past - from early settlement to the gold rush boom and rich influence of the city's immigrants. Modern Melbourne is a vibrant, buzzing metropolis unparalleled by any city in Australia. Explore the city's famed laneways and arcades - learning about street art, music and cafe culture. The architecture of 'Marvellous Melbourne' is also a highlight as well as modern marvels including Federation Square, the MCG and the Eureka building.

Day 5 - Optional Tour: The Mornington Peninsula day tour
Just one hour from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is the playground of the rich and famous. Come and discover why the Mornington Peninsula is Melbourne's most treasured destination. You'll find the famous bathing boxes, glorious beaches, national parks, cellar doors, regional produce, grand gardens and adventure activities. Travel to the tip of the Peninsula to visit the seaside town of Portsea, with its famous coloured bathing boxes, stunning cliff top walks, and beautiful lookouts such as London Bridge. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local farmgate and enjoy some wine tasting. Then visit Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, where you can try your hand at picking strawberries (Nov to Mar/subject to strawberry availability) or visit another Mornington Peninsula prestigious winery (Apr to Oct). Enjoy a birds eye view over Mornington Peninsula on Arthurs Seat Eagle and and fly over the state forest.

Day 6 - Melbourne - Apollo Bay
Collect your car this morning and travel south west from Melbourne on the Princes Highway to Geelong, the largest provincial city in Victoria. Depart Geelong and travel onto Torquay, the surfing capital of Australia. Follow the coast road through Anglesea to Lorne and visit the nearby Erskine Falls. The coastline from Lorne to Apollo Bay has been described as one of the most beautiful and breathtaking drives in the world.

GREAT OTWAY NATIONAL PARK
An ancient, pristine place where waterfalls thunder, goliath trees reach for the sun and wildlife thrives in the cool temperate rainforest. Such is the Great Otway National Park. Over 103,000 hectares of natural environment spanning the coast and hinterland from Torquay to Princetown. Awesome forests. Spectacular coastline. It’s a natural adventure space that will keep you wondering at every turn. Walk it, bike it or drive it … just make sure you do it.

ACCOMMODATION - Overnight at Apollo Bay at the Beacon Point Ocean View Villas - Relax at Beacon Point Ocean View Villas in your secluded and self-contained one or two bedroom Villa. Enjoy the truly spectacular views of the Ocean and the beautiful surrounding countryside of the Otway Ranges.

Day 7 - Apollo Bay - Port Campbell - Port Fairy
Depart Apollo Bay this morning and travel along the fabulous Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell. The road does leave the coast and wind through the ferny slopes of Cape Otway, this rainforest country is silent and untouched. When the road meets the coast again you will see some amazing rock formations including the Twelve Apostles, which are huge stone pillars in the surf, carved over time by the crashing Southern Ocean waves. Continue on to Port Campbell where you will see London Bridge the broken arch.

TWELVE APOSTLES
These world-famous wavesculpted rock formations stand defiant against the surging waves of the Southern Ocean and are located in the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park. For a fresh perspective, descend Gibson Steps to the beach and see how the Twelve Apostles stack up at ground level. What could possibly beat standing on a cliff-top viewing deck soaking up the beauty of the Twelve Apostles? A breathtaking helicopter flight to view the entire coast from above. Imagine soaring over the Twelve Apostles and the Bay of Islands.

PORT CAMPBELL NATIONAL PARK
The park hugs the wild coastline for 27km between Princetown and Peterborough. Just 4km narrow at its widest, the park attracts literally millions of visitors each year and envelopes one of Australia’s most iconic stretches of shoreline. Dramatic wave-sculpted landforms such as the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge are the superstars of the park. But there’s an amazing support cast off the beaten track.

ACCOMMODATION - Continue on to Port Fairy for your overnight stay at the Merrijig Inn - The oldest Inn in Victoria, located in the heart of the historic village, opposite the wharf area and the beautiful Moyne River. The Merrijig Inn offers traditional bed and breakfast style accommodation with a very big serving of homely comforts. Alternatively upgrade to the 4* Oscars Waterfront Boutique B&B for a supplement of $45pp.

Day 8 - Port Fairy - Robe
Follow the coastline to Mount Gambier, home of the mysterious blue lake and on to Penola to explore this charming, historic town. Walk along Petticoat Lane and learn about Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint. Just north of Penola is the famous Coonawarra wine region. Sample some of Australia’s best reds at one of the many cellar doors. Travel to Robe via Naracoorte to explore the labyrinth of caverns and amazing fossil beds that make up the Naracoorte World Heritage-listed fossil site. Enjoy a heritage walk through the pretty seaside village of Robe or stroll along stunning 17 Mile Beach. Overnight at Robe.

ACCOMMODATION - Overnight Robe at Robe House B&B- Built in 1847, this charming building was the first to be built in Robe. Built from locally quarried sandstone and featuring high vaulted ceilings and rustic floorboards, Robe House is now 5 fully self contained bed and breakfast apartments.

Day 9 - Robe - Kangaroo Island
Continue along the coast road which skirts the Coorong, a 142km tapestry of lagoons, wetlands and sand dunes that ends at the mouth of the Murray River. Once you cross the river at Wellington, you’re on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Catch the car/passenger ferry across to Kangaroo island.

Spend the afternoon exploring by car the east side of the island. Join a tour of the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, taste the wineries of the Dudley Peninsula, visit American River and the town of Kingscote (don’t miss the pelican feeding), the little penguin colonies and any of the nearby beaches. Overnight at the Kangaroo Island Seafront.

ACCOMMODATION - Kangaroo Island Seafront is located on the Esplanade just 500 meters from the Ferry terminal, the perfect base to explore Australia's wildlife in its natural environment.

Day 10 - Kangaroo Island 
Head west to the wild side of the island. Highlights include Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you can join a ranger to walk among endangered Australian sea lions; Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks, Admiral’s Arch and Little Sahara. Enjoy beaches galore – and remember to stop and try the island’s amazing local produce. Overnight at the Kangaroo Island Seafront.

Day 11 - Kangaroo Island - Adelaide
This morning catch the car/passenger ferry across from Kangaroo island to Cape Jervis and complete the self drive to Adelaide.

South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide, is a vibrant hub buzzing with life, boasting great food and wine at more than 700 restaurants cafes and pubs, great retail therapy in Rundle Mall and the “cultural boulevard” of North Terrace. It is home to some of Australia’s best museums and the South Australian Art Gallery. Everything is so close in Adelaide, with the beach just 20 minutes by tram from the city center, and many of the state’s regions within two hours drive away. Enjoy a day at leisure and take in everything that Adelaide has to offer.

ACCOMMODATION - Majestic Roof Garden Hotel. It is a 5-minute walk from Rundle Mall and 10 minutes from the Art Gallery, Adelaide University and Museum. Adelaide Convention Centre, National Wine Museum and Adelaide Zoo are 20 minutes away.

Day 12 - Adelaide - Gold Coast
Depart Adelaide on your flight to the Gold Coast. Enjoy 3 nights where the Aussie's vacation - Famous for its towering skyline, the Gold Coast offers coastal, cosmopolitan, rainforest, rural and man-made attractions that make for an amazingly diverse experience.

ACCOMMODATION - Setting a new standard of Gold Coast accommodation, the hotel boasts a vibrant beachside location, fun and quirky design and unique food and drink experiences. Your QT experience is complete with a bold new bar Stingray Lounge and an internationally inspired, marketplace style kitchen Bazaar. Ideally situated within easy walking distance of the shopping, restaurants and nightlife of Surfers Paradise and only minute's driving to world-class golf courses, theme parks, nature and wildlife reserves, you can also choose to chill out in our revamped pool area, energise on one of two newly resurfaced tennis courts or simply relax and soak up the relaxed glamour and style of the Gold Coast.

Day 13 - Optional Tour: Gold Coast Hinterland - Mt Tamborine & Lamington National Park day tour
Leave the Surfers Paradise skyline in your wake as you venture towards the Gold Coast Hinterland and Tamborine Mountain. But rather than follow the conventional roads, your tour takes the more adventurous route – a private mountainside trail comfortably traversed in our luxury Mercedes 4WD vehicle. Enjoy a fully-guided rainforest bushwalk through Tamborine National Park. Your guide will explain your subtropical surrounds, pointing out significant trees, wildlife and historical features as you descend towards picturesque Curtis Falls

One of Australia’s most scenic and unforgettable drives lies ahead as you climb from the valley floor to the summit of World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, part of the largest continuous, preserved stand of subtropical rainforest anywhere on earth. You’ll traverse the iconic Treetop Walk, Australia’s first canopy-level boardwalk, climb the observation tower some 25m above the forest floor for remarkable bird’s-eye views if you wish, and even feed the colourful wild parrots at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Farewelling this enchanting area, you’ll soak in 300-degree views from the Gold Coast north to Brisbane, and westward towards the Great Divide at Kamarun Lookout, before descending through eucalypt-filled valleys back to the coast

Day 14 - Gold Coast at leisure
Explore the Gold Coast, spend time on Australia's best beaches, visit a theme park or consider adding another day tour - (additional cost applies):

• Australia Zoo
  Take the scenic trip to the Sunshine Coast and visit world-famous Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Australia Zoo is a must see holiday highlight for Australians and international visitors alike with more than 1200 animals from around the globe, daily wildlife shows and busiest wildlife hospital in the world where you can see vets saving native Australian animals.
• Great Barrier Reef Day tour to Lady Elliot Island
  Your tour starts after check-in with a scenic coastal flight out to Lady Elliot Island, a true coral cay on the southern Great Barrier Reef, overflying Fraser Island on the way. Once your flight has landed on the island there is an opportunity to take a guided reef tour on one of the glass bottom boats, snorkel amongst the amazing coral formations and marine creatures, hand feed fish in the lagoon or take a guided reef walk with one of the knowledgeable guides. A chance to come face to face with turtles, colorful coral and schools of reef fish await you. The coral gardens surrounding the island are also a breeding and feeding area for the giant "kites of the reef" - manta rays. After a busy morning learning about the island and its wildlife by trained guides, enjoy a buffet lunch at the resort. You will have approximately 5 hours to explore the island and your tour will conclude after a scenic flight back to the Gold Coast.

Day 15 - Depart the Gold Coast
This morning depart the Gold Coast and board for your flight back to Los Angeles or next destination within Australia.

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

Single Supplement: From $1,500

ETA to enter Australia $25 per person. Before committing to your trip please ensure you hold a valid passport with at least six months’ validity from the date you plan to return to the USA.

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Add on airfares (coach) available from most major airports - Add $200 from San Francisco, Add $250 from Dallas, Seattle, add $300 from New York, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, add $400 from Boston, Miami, Add $450 from Washington DC, Atlanta - ask an Aspire consultant for a quote from your local airport.

• Upgrade to premium economy from $700 per person each way*
• Upgrade to business class from $2,000 per person each way*
Can take the upgrade one way or round trip and combine premium/business classes on same ticket

* Starting from pricing based on Monday through Thursday departures - ask an Aspire consultant for the upgrade fee for travel Friday through Sunday

• Internal Australia flight to/from Sydney
• 4 nights accommodation at the 5* Amora Jamison Hotel Sydney
• Half day small group city sights of Sydney
• Sydney Harbour morning tea cruise
• Sydney Opera House tour
• Full day small group tour to the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains

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• Flights from Sydney or Melbourne round trip to Uluru (Ayers Rock)
• Complimentary resort transfers
• 2 nights accommodation Ayers Rock at the 4* Desert Gardens Hotel
• Field of Light Star Pass - discuss additional Field of Light touring options with an Aspire expert
• Uluru Morning highlights Sunrise small group tour

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• Internal flights from Sydney – Cairns round trip
• 4 nights Port Douglas at the 4.5* Shantara Resort & Spa in a Studio room
• Full Day Silversonic Outer Barrier Reef tour including lunch
• Half Day Mossman Gorge & Aboriginal Dreamtime Walking tour
• Shuttle transfers Cairns to Port Douglas round trip

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Terms & Conditions:

Package from pricing is based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room) for travel Monday - Thursday. $60 air supplement applies each way for travel on Friday - Sundays. $40 per person supplement applies for a Saturday night at the Crown Metropol Hotel Melbourne. Add-on fares are available from other cities. Certain blackout dates may apply on the accommodation and tour value add offers - check with your Aspire consultant. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels are subject to availability. All prices reflect a discount for purchases made by cash/wire transfer/check, please see terms and conditions for credit card payments. There are no discounts for payment made by credit cards. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.