Complete Australia Adventure

Once you have arrived in Melbourne, the rest of the day is free to settle in. Wander along the Yarra riverfront, or relax in one of the city's many cafe strips before your discovery tour begins tomorrow.

This morning, you set off to discover Australia's cultural capital on a half-day city sights tour. Travelling by air-conditioned vehicle with a friendly, experienced guide providing commentary throughout, you take in the grand Victorian architecture of Parliament Hill, the Treasury Building and the Windsor Hotel, before following the "Golden Mile" along the Paris End of Collins Street, laid out during the 1850s gold rush.

The tour continues to Queen Victoria Market, Australia's largest open-air market, and through Lygon Street, home of the city's coffee culture, before stopping at the UNESCO-listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.

You visit Melbourne's Sports Precinct to learn about Australian Rules Football, then see the Gothic-revival St Patrick's Cathedral, built from bluestone and sandstone.

The day continues through Fitzroy Gardens, home to Cook's Cottage and the Conservatory, and Federation Square, before a stop at the Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria's national war memorial, where you can walk to the top for views over the city.

The tour finishes at Melbourne's Arts Precinct, taking in the National Gallery of Victoria, the Victorian College of the Arts and Hamer Hall.

Please note: The meeting point is at the corner of Flinders and Market Street, next to the Immigration Museum.

You have a free day in Melbourne to enjoy. Take the opportunity to browse the city's boutique shopping arcades, or relax in one of its lively downtown cafes.

This morning, you fly from Melbourne to Ayers Rock. Uluru, the vast sandstone rock formation also known as Ayers Rock, and the domes of Kata Tjuta stand at the centre of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an area rich with springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient rock paintings.

You have the opportunity to visit the park's Cultural Centre, one of the area's main attractions, to learn more about the landscape.

Today is free to explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta further. Spend time visiting the springs and waterholes around the rock formations, or return to the Cultural Centre to discover more about the area's ancient rock paintings.

From here, you fly to the Gold Coast, a coastal city in southeastern Queensland with more than 30 beaches stretching some 40 kilometres, including the long stretch of sand at Surfers Paradise.

Inland lies the Gold Coast Hinterland, home to three national parks and covered largely in sub-tropical rainforest, with mountains, creeks, waterfalls and valleys including Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook, Numinbah Valley and Currumbin Valley.

Today, you head into the Gold Coast Hinterland on a guided half-day tour through the World Heritage-listed Springbrook rainforest, an ancient Gondwana landscape dating back over 100 million years.

Your adventure begins at 8:45 am, travelling through the Numinbah Valley with its high cliffs and green pastures.

On a fully guided rainforest walk, you learn about the history and stories of the region as you make your way to Natural Bridge, where a waterfall falls through the roof of a basalt cave.

Along the way you take in up to five waterfalls, including Purling Brook Falls, and stand at the edge of an extinct volcano some 23 million years old, with views stretching 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, along with expert guide commentary throughout. The walk covers around 2.85 km in total and is graded a moderate Grade 2, following clearly marked paths and boardwalks with no walking experience required.

This morning, you fly to Cairns, a tropical city in Far North Queensland founded in 1876 and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Around the city, the Botanic Gardens and Centenary Lakes offer rainforest boardwalks and picnic spots, though caution is advised as the lakes are a crocodile habitat, while the Atherton Tablelands and Daintree Rainforest lie further afield.

Cairns' Northern Beaches, including Trinity Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Palm Cove, Holloways Beach, Kewarra Beach and Clifton Beach, are easily reached by bus for those wanting to relax by the sea.

You begin the day boarding the stylish Passions of Paradise catamaran, sailing from Cairns at 8 am to two outer Great Barrier Reef locations. Over morning tea, you get to know the crew and learn about the reef's marine ecosystem from an eco-accredited marine naturalist.

At the first reef location, you can snorkel, dive, sunbathe or simply relax on board, before a chef-prepared tropical buffet lunch of hot and cold dishes and fresh fruit.

Those wanting to explore further can join optional extras such as introductory or certified scuba diving, seawalker helmet diving or a scenic helicopter flight over the reef, at an additional cost.

The catamaran then continues to a second reef location for further swimming, snorkelling or diving among turtles, colourful fish and a variety of corals. Afternoon tea and a cold beverage are enjoyed on the sail back to Cairns, arriving at 5 pm.

Please note: Check-in is between 7 am and 7:45 am at the Passions of Paradise desk, Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns.

You have the day at leisure to explore Cairns further. Wander the rainforest boardwalks of the Botanic Gardens and Centenary Lakes, or head to one of the Northern Beaches such as Palm Cove or Trinity Beach to relax by the sea.

From here, you fly to Sydney, the state capital of New South Wales and Australia's most populous city, set on the Pacific Ocean and the Hawkesbury River.

Sydney's icons include the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, St Mary's Cathedral and the Royal Botanic Gardens, along with beaches such as the famous Bondi Beach, a popular spot with surfers and its lively promenade. Just outside the city lie the Blue Mountains, an unspoiled range filled with eucalyptus trees.

Today, you head out on a half-day sightseeing tour that takes in the best of Sydney. The tour begins 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 such as NSW Parliament House, the Rum Hospital, Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary's Cathedral.

At Mrs Macquarie's Point, you take in magnificent views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, before heading through the Eastern Suburbs, home to the city's rich and famous, with photo stops along the way including a panoramic view of the Sydney skyline.

The tour passes through Kings Cross, Double Bay and Rose Bay, arriving at Watsons Bay, where you have the option of a short coastal walk with views over the South Pacific Ocean and the entrance to Sydney Harbour.

The tour continues to Bondi Beach for a 30-minute stop - time enough to walk the beachfront promenade, put your toes in the sand and watch the surfers, with a coffee or cool drink available at your own cost.

From here, you continue on to Tamarama and Bronte beaches, before returning to the city via Centennial Park and Paddington, a trendy district known for its elegant terrace houses and boutique shops along Oxford Street.

The tour finishes at Darling Harbour.

Today is free to further explore Sydney. Spend time in the Royal Botanic Gardens, or head to Bondi Beach again to enjoy its lively promenade and beach culture.

On your final day, you have free time until your departure transfer for your onward flight from Sydney.