Essence of Australia

Once you have arrived in Melbourne, you make your own way to your accommodation. Set on Port Phillip Bay and straddling the Yarra River, Melbourne is Australia's cultural, gastronomic and fashion capital, known for its striking mix of modern skyline and historic architecture.

The rest of the day is free for you to settle in. You might wander the city's famous laneways or stop for a coffee in one of its many cafe precincts.

This morning, you join a guided sightseeing tour of Melbourne, taking in the city's history and best-known landmarks in one comprehensive day out.

You begin around Parliament Hill, home to the Treasury Building and Victoria's Houses of Parliament, before travelling the so-called "Paris End" of Collins Street, laid out during the gold rush boom of the 1850s.

From here, you stop at Queen Victoria Market, Australia's largest open-air market, known for its fresh produce and famous fish market, before continuing to Lygon Street, the heart of Melbourne's Italian community and its celebrated coffee culture.

The tour continues to the UNESCO-listed Royal Exhibition Building, set within the Carlton Gardens, and Melbourne's Sports Precinct, where your guide explains the origins of Australian Rules Football.

You also visit St Patrick's Cathedral, a striking example of Gothic-revival architecture built from bluestone and sandstone, and Fitzroy Gardens, home to Cook's Cottage and the historic Conservatory.

Later in the day, you take in Federation Square, close to Flinders Street Station and St Paul's Cathedral, before visiting the Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria's national war memorial, where you can walk to the top for sweeping views over the city. The day finishes at Melbourne's Arts Precinct, home to the National Gallery of Victoria, the Victorian College of the Arts and Hamer Hall.

Please note: Hotel pickup and drop-off transfers are not included on this tour. Food and drinks are also excluded.

Today is yours to spend as you wish in Melbourne. You might head to St Kilda, the city's bohemian beachside neighbourhood, known for its beaches, restaurants and nightlife, or venture further afield to see the Twelve Apostles, dramatic rock formations rising from the sea along the coast.

This second free day in Melbourne is yours to spend as you choose. You could visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, one of the city's best-loved green spaces, or step inside St Paul's Cathedral, the city's landmark Anglican cathedral overlooking Federation Square.

Today, you make your way from Melbourne to Cairns, in Australia's tropical far north. On arrival, you transfer to your accommodation in this laid-back city, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests of Far North Queensland.

Founded in 1876, Cairns has a relaxed, tropical atmosphere, with the reef, the Daintree Rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands all within easy reach.

This morning, you check in between 7 am and 7.45 am at the Passions of Paradise desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, ready to sail out to the Great Barrier Reef aboard a high-performance catamaran.

Departing Cairns at 8 am, you cruise to two outer reef locations, where you can snorkel or dive among turtles, colourful fish and a wide variety of corals, with all snorkelling equipment and a guided snorkel tour included.

Onboard, you can relax on the upper deck or the netted trampoline at the bow, and meet the boat's marine naturalist, who shares insights into the reef's coral and marine life.

You also enjoy a chef-prepared tropical buffet lunch of hot and cold dishes, along with morning and afternoon tea, before returning to Cairns by around 5 pm. Optional extras such as introductory scuba diving or a scenic helicopter flight over the reef are available at an additional cost.

Please note: Hotel return transfers are not included, and drones are not permitted on this excursion.

Today is free for you to explore Cairns. You might take a walk through the rainforest boardwalks of Centenary Lakes, or head to one of the northern beaches, such as Palm Cove or Trinity Beach, for a relaxed day by the water.

Today, you travel from Cairns to the Gold Coast, on Queensland's south-eastern coast. On arrival, you transfer to your accommodation, close to more than 30 beaches stretching some 40 km along the coastline.

Beyond the coast, the Gold Coast Hinterland is covered in sub-tropical rainforest and home to three national parks, including Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook and the Numinbah and Currumbin Valleys.

This morning, your adventure begins at 8.45 am as you head into the Gold Coast Hinterland to explore an ancient Gondwana rainforest dating back more than 100 million years.

You travel through Numinbah Valley, with its high cliffs and green pastures, before reaching Springbrook, a World Heritage-listed national park home to some of the oldest trees on the planet.

On a guided walk, you learn about the history and culture of the region as you make your way to Natural Bridge, a rock arch where a waterfall drops through the roof of a basalt cave.

Along the way, you see up to five waterfalls, including Purling Brook Falls, and stand at the edge of what was once an active volcano more than 23 million years ago.

The tour also stops at several lookouts with views across to the Gold Coast, Mount Warning and the Green Cauldron of northern New South Wales, weather permitting. Light refreshments from a local cafe are included.

Please note: This tour involves approximately 2.85 km of walking on hardened, compacted paths (Grade 2 - suitable for most fitness levels). Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Lunch is not included, and no luggage, pram or stroller storage is available on the vehicle.

Today is free for you to relax on the Gold Coast. You might spend time on the sands of Surfers Paradise, one of more than 30 beaches along this stretch of coast, or head up to Tamborine Mountain to explore its wineries and rainforest trails.

Today, you travel from the Gold Coast to Sydney, the state capital of New South Wales and Australia's most populous city. On arrival, you transfer to your accommodation in this harbour city, bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Hawkesbury River.

This morning, you are picked up from your accommodation for a half-day panoramic sightseeing tour of Sydney.

You begin in the historic Rocks area, hearing about the city's early convict history, before continuing through the Central Business District and Macquarie Street, passing 18th-century sandstone buildings including NSW Parliament House, the Rum Hospital, Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary's Cathedral. At Mrs Macquarie's Point, you take in views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

The tour continues through Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, passing Kings Cross, Double Bay and Rose Bay before reaching Watsons Bay, where you can take a short coastal walk with views of the Pacific Ocean and the entrance to Sydney Harbour.

From here, you continue to Bondi Beach for a 30-minute stop to walk the promenade and watch the surfers, before passing Tamarama and Bronte beaches and returning to the city via Centennial Park and Paddington, known for its terrace houses and boutique shops.

The tour finishes at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. An optional harbour lunch cruise is available at an additional cost, departing from whichever of these two points your cruise operator uses.

Please note: This tour includes hotel pickup but not hotel drop-off; you will be returned to Darling Harbour or Circular Quay at the end of the tour.

Today is free for you in Sydney. You might explore the Royal Botanic Gardens, or take a day trip out to the Blue Mountains, an unspoiled mountain range just outside the city, covered in eucalyptus forest.

Today marks the end of your journey. Depending on your flight time, you may have some free time before making your way to the airport for your onward travel.