• 12 – 23 October 2025

Meg, your Aussie host

Here’s an overview of your Aussie adventure

• Day 1: Arrival and welcome dinner. G’day!

• Day 2: Sydney walking tour, Harbour Bridge Climb & Chinatown dinner

• Day 3: Bronte – Bondi walk, beach time, talk with female lifesavers

• Day 4: Blue Mountains National Park

• Day 5: Fly to Uluru & Outback sunset dinner

• Day 6: Uluru base walk, Indigenous culture & Field of Lights

• Day 7: Fly to Cairns and relax on the beach

• Day 8: Great Barrier Reef beach day

• Day 9: The Coral Sea and Fly to Melbourne

• Day 10: Coffee & graffiti street art tour, Winery lunch, Koala conservation & little penguins

• Day 11: Yarra Valley & farewell dinner

• Day 12: Departure day

Day 1 : Welcome to Australia! Rooftop welcome to Sydney

Welcome to Sydney!

Make your way from the airport to the hotel by taxi or train. The hotel sits right on Sydney Harbour, so we are a 10 minute walk from the Opera House if you need to stretch your legs before the group meets.

Our trip starts with a welcome briefing and drinks on one of Sydney’s most exclusive rooftops. We will sip creative cocktails with views that stretch right out over the Harbour.

After meeting our travel mates, and raising a glass to the spectacular view, we will move downstairs for dinner in one of the 170-year-old heritage sandstone alcoves and earthy brick archways of the 1851 Treasury Building.

Accompanying dinner is a catalogue of Australian wines which tell lesser-known tales of terroir, while underneth our feet lies the site of NSW’s first grapevine planting. The menu for dinner is a compliation of modern Australian dishes crafted using native ingredients found in the Royal Botanic Garden – the oldest in Australia, and a 5 minute walk from where we eat.

After dinner you will have the opportunity to venture out as late as you like on the harbour, to watch the lights of the Sydney Opera House sparkle against the water.

Overnight at InterContinental Sydney 5*

Our Hotel is a fully renovated luxury heritage hotel, set within the beautifully restored Treasury Building of 1851 in a privileged location with both Harbour Bridge and Opera House views.

The building is a significant part of Sydney history, and has many of its original features, with neo-classical architecture and 19^th century fittings.

This was the site of Australia’s first ever grape harvest, and there’s a hidden underground vault…somewhere!

The hotel has stunning modern rooms and amenities, though is bursting with history. You will head to your room in the oldest working lift in the Southern Hemisphere.

Enjoy a drink with a view of the Opera House at the hotel’s rooftop or take a dip in the indoor pool. The hotel’s spa may be the best way to get over the jetlag.

We are walking distance from all of Sydnye’s most famous landmarks. There isn’t a better way to start off the trip.

Inclusions: Welcome seafood feast / dinner on Sydney harbour with a welcome drink and wine. Guests need to make their way to the hotel from the airport. Pick up can be organized via the hotel.

Day 2: Multicultural Sydney

Walk time: 3 hours walking tour.

Sydney has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years.

Today, it is a melting pot of cultures, with a story that encompasses the deep roots of Indigenous Australians, the arrival of the British First Fleet in 1788, and the subsequent waves of migration that infused the city with a unique cultural richness.

We will start our day with a walking tour that takes in Sydney’s most iconic landmarks such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, before venturing into Chinatown in the evening to taste Australia’s history.

Long before the arrival of European settlers, the Sydney region was home to the Eora Nation, one of the many Indigenous nations that thrived across Australia.

The Eora people had a deep connection to the land, with their rich cultural traditions, languages, and intricate social structures shaping the landscape.

The area around Sydney Harbour was a significant meeting place for Indigenous communities, fostering trade, cultural exchange, and ceremonial gatherings. And this is where we too will gather to start our walking tour for the day.

The arrival of European settlers in 1788 marked a pivotal moment in Sydney’s history. Led by Captain Arthur Phillip, the First Fleet, comprising convicts, soldiers, and free settlers, established the first European settlement in Australia.

Sydney Cove became the birthplace of modern Australia, and we will learn all about it’s history, infused with stories of the unique women who shaped it.

Gold was discovered in Australia in the 1850’s, and the Gold Rush era attracted a wave of immigration, all seeking fortune and a new life.

Migration continued to be a crucial part of Sydney’s evolution through the 20th century and post war migration after World War II brought waves of Europeans, including Italians, Greeks, and Eastern Europeans, adding layers of diversity to Sydney’s social fabric.

Significant migration from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa continues to enrich the city’s cultural mosaic to this day, and Sydney is now a true multicultural hotspot, with a tapestry of languages, cuisines, and traditions reflecting its cosmopolitan identity.

There is a lot written into history about the men who shaped Australia, though as always, there are incredible and untold stories of strong women and founding females, without whom Sydney would not be the same.

We will stop at a female owned art gallery in The Rocks to meet Australian artist and sculptor, Shazia Imran, and hear her story of establishing herself as a female entrepreneur and artist.

Her delicately multilayered paintings explore the connections between landscape, memory and the subconscious through texture and the interplay of light and dark, creating an atmosphere that opens itself up to multiple meanings.

After our walking tour of Sydney, we will break for lunch, where you will have free time to explore the harbour and choose your favorite multicultural food option.

OPTIONAL EXTRA: Why not take an unfortgettable walk up the Sydney Harbour Bridge?!

Seeing Sydney from the ground is one thing, but seeing it from the top of the Harbour Bridge is entirely another. Rejoin the group in the early afternoon to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You’ll walk along the upper arch and stand 134m in the air with 360 degree views of Sydney Harbour once you reach the top. There are so many spectacular views!

Fun fact: During construction of the bridge, women were involved in the clerical side of the public service, engineering and construction industries. They included Kathleen Butler, secretary of chief engineer John Bradfield.

The story goes that she ‘lost’ an official telegram to cancel the bridge. The bridge was officially opened on March 19, 1932, and she has since become known as the woman who saved the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Dinner will start with a journey on the iconic Sydney tram on our way to Chinatown, where we will discover the history of Asian Australians, alongside amazing authentic food.

The migration of Asian Australians, particularly in Sydney, has played a significant role in city’s cultural fabric, and Chinatown is a vibrant testament to this diversity.

Over the decades, waves of immigrants from various Asian countries have made Sydney their home, and the Sydney food scene is all the better for it.

Chinatown Sydney is very much a bridge between heritage and contemporary life. It has become a hub for social gatherings, celebrations, and cultural festivals.

We will visit hidden landmarks celebrating Asian-Australians, and hear the stories of Chinese Settlers, from the first fleet to the gold rush.

We will sample authentic and modern dishes from China, Korea, and Malaysia enhanced by Aussie ingredients and visit ‘Peoples Favourite’ award winning restaurants, with modern Korean fried chicken and Chinatown classics.

The evening wouldn’t be complete without a traditional Chinese tea ceremony where we will understand the importance of ritual and tradition.

At the end of the evening, you will have the option to travel back with the group by tram to Circular Quay, or stay out to experience Sydney’s nightlife, and make your own way back to the hotel.

Overnight at Intercontinental Sydney.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, guided tour of Sydney with our local female guide, Chinatown food tour with female guides and return tram transfers.

Day 3 : Bondi Beachlife

Walk time: 1.5 hours coastal walk and 3 hours walking food tour.

Today we will have a big breakfast at the hotel, slap on our sunscreen (in Australia we say slip, slop, slap), grab a towel, and lace up our walking shoes.

We’re going to the famous Bondi Beach!

Our minibus will drop us just over a kilometre south of Bondi, where we will start our walk towards Bronte Beach.

From here we will start the world renowned Bronte to Bondi coastal walk.

This is a scenic trek which takes in dramatic cliffs, lush parkland, and of course, stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s incredibly picturesque and the perfect backdrop to great photos.

We will stop at Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, where we will meet with female lifesavers for the chance to hear their stories, career, and life on the water.

Bronte is the first life saving club in Australia, with the original group of lifesavers formed in 1903, though since the 2nd World War many clubs have claimed to be the first.

Surfing the ocean beaches was forbidden by law in the 1800’s but all bad laws have trouble being enforced and Bronte had, in those early days, regular patrons who flouted the law and who sometimes found themselves in difficulties.

Being an open beach, a strong rip tide in a heavy swell can easily sweep you away, the Bronte people call it the ‘Bronte Express’. After a drowning in 1895, a resident, Major Bond wrote to the English Life Saving Society for all information regarding their new lifesaving organisation.

With their handbook he drilled and trained the Bronte regulars in lifesaving techniques and thus Surf Lifesaving began in Australia at Bronte Beach, before the end of the 19th Century.

This small group of lifesavers became a demonstration squad who gave demonstrations at various public swimming pools at the Domain, Parramatta and other locations to wide acclaim. These where widely reported in the newspaper of the day.

Over the past decades, Bronte has also home to a distinctive and empowering female lifeguard culture that breaks stereotypes and redefines traditional gender roles.

We will chat with a female lifesaver about her experience in a traditionally male dominated role, and her work in community outreach, emphasizing the importance of water safety and encouraging inclusivity on the beach.

After meeting with the women of Bronte Surf Life Saving, we will continue our walk towards Bondi Beach.

Bondi is world famous for its golden sands and crashing waves as the Aboriginal name implies: “water breaking over rocks” or “noise of water breaking over rocks”.

Bondi is a 1 km stretch of coast, and no other beach in Australia quite embodies the local love for coastal beauty, outdoor lifestyle, and the egalitarian spirit, where people from all walks of life converge to embrace the sun, surf, and community.

Such a part of Sydney’s cultural identity, the beach was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2008.

We will then head for lunch at the world famous Icebergs Pacific Dining room, which sits right on top of the Pacific Ocean, the only private dining room with views over Bondi Beach.

The restaurant is part of the Icebergs Club, where the famous Bondi Baths are open for public swimmers.

A historical landmark of Bondi Beach for over 100 years, we will break for free time, where you can swim in the baths with your included ticket or head down for an afternoon on the beach.

Weather in October: After lunch you will have time to swim if you wish, though please note that the water in October will be reasonably chilly: 23 degrees celcius / 73 degrees farenheit. You’ll find local Aussies swimming regardless, and are very welcome to join them.

The Bondi Icebergs is the only licensed Winter Swimming Club in the world, dating back to 1929 & owing its origin to a band of local life savers with a desire to maintain their fitness during the Winter months.

The afternoon and evening are then free to spend as you wish. We will have the option of transfers to take you back to the hotel straight after lunch, or you can spend the afternoon on Bondi Beach and make your way back by taxi or uber.

Dinner is at your leisure.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, return transport to and from Bronte / Bondi, guided walk from Bronte – Bondi, meet with a local female lifesavers, lunch at iconic Icebergs Bondi and entrance ticket to the Baths.

Day 4: Blue Mountains National Park

Walk time: 2 to 3 hours hike in the mountain paths.

We will depart the hotel early this morning, for a full and fantastic day of nature within the Blue Mountains National Park.

This is the site of the famous Three Sisters rock formation, and we will wander the bush tracks to discover wondrous waterfalls on a nature hike.

The Blue Mountains National Park is one of the best examples of Australia’s awe-inspiring natural beauty. It really is a natural masterpiece, with majestic cliffs, eucalyptus forests for as far as the eye can see, and unique rock formations.

If we’re very lucky, we may stumble across wild Kangaroos and wallabies on our way.

The area gets its name from the distinctive blue haze that covers it, which is a result of the sunlight being scattered by the droplets of eucalyptus oil released from the forests. It creates a mystical vibe as you take in the towering sandstone escarpments and deep valleys.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, as the region is steeped in Indigenous Aboriginal heritage. We will learn about the history and wildlife of the park, and its spiritual significance for the local communities.

The park features ancient rock art, engravings, and sacred sites that reflect the cultural history and connection to the land.

But beyond its cultural significance, this is a haven for outdoor adventure; We will explore the network of walking tracks that cut through the rugged terrain, leading to amazing views including the Jamison Valley, Three Sisters and lush rainforest.

We will stop for lunch in the boutique village of Leura, to support a family owned rustic cafe who have incredible coffee and treats.

Leura is a wonderful village with all sorts of boutique and quirky shops, and there will be time after lunch to stroll around and explore. You can browse eclectic homewares, fashion and antique shops.

This is arguably the prettiest village in the Blue Mountains, and there are heritage homes, cool climate gardens, and the town center lined with cherry trees sends Instagrammers into a frenzy during blossom season.

We will be back in Sydney in the early evening, and after a long day in the outdoors, dinner is free for you to seek out around Sydney Harbour.

Overnight at Intercontinental Sydney.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transportation for the day in a private minibus, entrance and guided visit / walking tours of the National Park, lunch in Leura.

Day 5: Outback Australia / Uluru

Today we will be boarding a flight to Ayers Rock / Uluru and making our way to the heart of Australia’s Red Centre.

After breakfast, our bus will pick us up and take us to Sydney airport.

It’s a 3 hr and 20 minute flight to Uluru, where we will check into Ayers Rock Resort, and you will have a free afternoon.

Explore the resort, refresh after the flight, and participate in the many complimentary cultural activities hosted by the resort.

There are guided garden walks, Digeridoo workshops, and bush yarn sessions, where you can listen to the stories of Aboriginal culture and tradition, learning aspects about the local Pitjantjatjara language, be shown men’s weapons that were used for hunting and women’s tools and techniques to gather bush tucker in the central desert.

Uluru can be seen from the plane on our descent, so keep your eyes peeled while landing.

Revered as a sacred site by the Indigenous Anangu people, Uluru holds a central place in the spiritual and cultural identity of Australia. This iconic sandstone monolith has a cultural significance to Australia that is profound.

For the Anangu, Uluru is not merely a natural landmark but a living entity that embodies the Dreamtime, a complex framework of beliefs that explain the creation of the world and the relationships between all living things.

The rock’s weathered surface is full of ancient rock art, caves, and sacred sites, serving as a tangible connection to the rich tapestry of Aboriginal culture.

This is a place of deep spiritual power, and we will head out 30 minutes before sunset to witness the mesmerising transition from day to twilight as Uluru’s silhouette emerges.

We will transfer to a private sand dune for sunset drinks and canapes, while taking in the incredible views as the sun slowly sets over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Our cocktails will be made with Beachtree Gin, an Indigenous-owned distillery, and canapes with native infused ingredients.

Weather permitting, cocktails and canapes are followed by the Wintjiri Wiru drone show, a 20-minute immersive sound and light show depicting the ancestral Mala story.

A gourmet dinner hamper will be served picnic-style under the stars while the drones take to the sky, and the laser show starts. The hamper celebrates native ingredients, paired with Australian Penfolds wine. 

The ancient Mala story is then re-told like never before; choreographed drones, lasers, and projections will take flight, lighting up the night sky in a modern, artistic expression of an ancient, Anangu story. 

It’s a very powerful connection to country as you listen to a traditional Inma soundtrack and narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language, and immerse yourself in a living story.

Important note: The show features lighting effects that may affect individuals with epilepsy or other light-sensitive conditions. If the wind is too strong, the drones may be unable to take flight.

Have an early night as tomorrow we will be up before sunrise.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transport to Sydney airport and from the airport to the hotel in Uluru, domestic flight from Sydney to Ayers Rock, Wintjiri Wiru drone show & sunset dinner.

Overnight at Desert Gardens Hotel

Imagine waking up to a sunrise view of Uluru, blazing red under a sunny Outback sky.

Desert Gardens Hotel is a comfortable 4 star hotel with rooms spread out across native gardens, with magnificent ghost gums and flowering native shrubs.

While we’re in the middle of the Outback, we will still have access to restaurants and bars, free WiFi, a swimming pool, and the Red Ochre Spa.

We are within walking distance from the shops and cafés at the Resort Town Square, which are also all connected by the free shuttle bus, and there are many free guided walks through the native gardens right outside your door.

Day 6: Immersive Uluru

Walk time: 6 hours on the base walk / 17,000 steps

Today we start the day early, and wake when it is still dark so we can watch the sunrise over Uluru.

Our morning will start with a transfer to the National Park where we will complete the Uluru Base Walk.

The full walk around Uluru’s base is 10.6 km (6.6 miles), and we will see all of the natural and cultural beauty of the rock up close on our four hour walk, gaining a deeper understanding of its cultural importance.

This is a flat and easy trail, and we will see the rock change color with the morning sun.

As the sun rises it creates a magical effect, transforming the rock from deep reds to fiery oranges, and then to the softer, more muted tones that signal the arrival of daylight.

Witnessing Uluru in all its morning glory is a privilege, an intimate connection with a sacred place that leaves an indelible mark on you.

While we’ll get plenty of exercise this morning, this is more a cultural journey than a physical one.

Along the trail we will take in sacred sites, waterholes, caves, and ancient rock art that hold great significance for the Anangu people, the traditional owners of the land.

We’ll learn about the cultural and natural features of the rock, offering insights into the rich history and spiritual importance of Uluru.

This is an immersive and moving experience, and you’ll appreciate just how vast the desert landscape is in the heart of Australia.

Keeping a close eye on the rock itself, you’ll see intricate patterns and textured crevices and curves, each that tell a story which dates back millennia.

Breakfast will be packed picnic satchels which we will all take with us, and will be had an hour into our walk at a rest stop.

Being there so early in the morning, the air will be crisp and there will be a gentle breeze. You’ll feel the earth under your feet, the scent of the desert flora, and the distant calls of native wildlife rising for the day.

This is a sensory experience.

We will arrive back to the resort in the late morning, and have the rest of the morning / afternoon free.

Catch a nap or enjoy the hotel’s pool during the heat of the day, or take advantage of the cultural experiences at the resort. Grab lunch at your leisure depending on your appetite.

The resort has a daily bush food experience, where you can learn about Australian and local bush tucker and how for many millennia local Indigenous groups would hunt, gather and prepare these bush foods (educational experience, not a dining experience).

Though this free time is also your chance to opt for a helicopter ride over Uluru.

OPTIONAL EXTRA: Experience the beauty of the Australian Red Centre with an amazing aerial view by taking a helicopter over Uluru. Enjoy panoramic views of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, including Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Lake Amadeus, and Kings Canyon, on an exhilarating helicopter ride.

In the late afternoon / evening we will come together to visit the Field of Light.

The Field of Light is a mesmerizing art installation that transforms the vast desert landscape into a breathtaking tapestry of light.

Created by renowned British artist Bruce Munro, it features thousands of slender stems crowned with radiant, multicolored glass spheres. These orbs come to life as the sun sets over Uluru, casting a warm and enchanting glow across the red earth.

We will transfer to a remote desert location with majestic views of Uluru, enjoying canapes with sparkling wine as the sun sets over the horizon.

We will watch as the 50,000 glass spheres come to life, and have time to wander through the immersive display. The installation’s colors subtly change, mirroring the shifting hues of the desert at different times of the evening.

Back at the resort, you will have free time to grab dinner (if you’re still hungry) at one of the many bistros, bars, grills, or restaurants onsite.

Overnight at Desert Gardens Hotel 

Inclusions: Breakfast, transport and entrance to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 4 hour guided base walk of Uluru with a local aboriginal guide, Field of Light transfers and Star Pass including entrance, canapes and drinks.

Day 7: Laid Back Tropical North Queensland

It’s time to say goodbye to the Outback, and trade the Red Center for palm trees, rainforest, and beach life.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, catch your last glimpses of Uluru before we board our flight to Cairns.

Our flight to Cairns is 2.5 hours and we’ll land in the heart of Tropical North Queensland to fully embrace Australia’s laid back tropical beach life.

This region of Australia is best known for its biodiversity and natural wonders; It is home to the Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest, cascading waterfalls, and what’s best described as barefoot glamour.

We will transfer to our hotel in Palm Cove, a tiny enclave of luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants beside a beautiful palm-fringed beach.

Palm Cove is one of the most iconic beaches in Far North Queensland, a beachside destination with a beautiful esplanade lined with 500 year old swaying coconut palms and melaleuca trees.

This is one of Australia’s most popular wedding destinations, and has also been dubbed the spa capital of Australia.

Locals walk around barefoot, bike the esplanade, fish off the jetty, and enjoy sunset barbecues right on the beach. The street is lined with boutique shopping and plenty of dining, from fish and chips on the beach to high-end, award-winning restaurants.

We will arrive at our luxury hotel to a chilled bottle of sparkling wine in your room, and you will have free time in the afternoon to settle in or stretch your legs on the beach.

The hotel has vintage cruiser bikes you can take out on the esplanade, or if you don’t wish to leave, there is a guest library, board games, a hotel bar, mineral pool, heated spa, and spa treatments available.

Included in our booking is a $50 spa credit if you wish to book a treatment.

In the late afternoon we will enjoy a mixology class at the hotel, and learn how to pour, mix and shake cocktails, and we will be drinking them too!

Designed to compliment our tropical surrounds, the cocktail list is made of aromatic and fruity cocktails, aperitifs, martinis and mocktails.

Punch & canapés will be served at twilight, before making our way to the beachfront restaurant for dinner.

The Reef House Restaurant has been here since the 60’s, and is an open air, undercover restaurant with views across the Coral Sea.

We will dine under the Melaleuca Trees overlooking the Coral Sea, and this will be be a taste of North Queensland’s freshest produce and ingredients.

Overnight at The Reef House

The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa is a charming colonial beach house with a fantastic pool. It is a historic icon in Tropical North Queensland, and built in 1958, is one of Palm Cove’s original properties.

The hotel has preserved its lush tropical gardens that are now a fantastic example of Far North Queensland’s most distinctive flora.

Towering melaleuca trees flank the entrance, majestic 350 year old coastal sentinels that are native to the region, and there are a special range of palms here that botanist Sir Joseph Banks noted in his journal in 1770 as he sailed past the coastline aboard the HMS Endeavour (Captain James Cook’s first great voyage).

This is an adults only escape which is directly opposite the beach. It is an exclusive property known for exceptional service, and past guests have included Prime Ministers of Australia, and national and international celebrities.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, domestic flight from Ayers Rock to Cairns, lunch inflight, transportation to Palm Cove, cocktail mixology class, $50 spa credit at The Reef House, punch & canapes, dinner at The Reef House Restaurant

Day 8: The Great Barrier Reef

Today we will spend time on the water, discovering the UNESCO World Heritage Great Barrier Reef.

This is Australia’s greatest natural wonder, and the world’s largest coral reef.  There are over 3,000 different reef systems and coral cays, and hundreds of tropical islands with marine life and golden beaches.

Enjoy a leisurely sleep in, and breakfast at the hotel restaurant overlooking the beach. In the late morning we will take a ferry transfer to Fitzroy Island, a fringing reef where the rainforest meets the beach.

Fitzroy Island is a 45-minute ferry transfer from Cairns, and is surrounded by a reef system that forms part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, making it the perfect base for snorkelling and exploring the reef.

This is a fringing reef which means that the coral grows seaward directly from the shore, forming borders along the shoreline and surrounding islands.

Fitzroy is home to the Reef Restoration Project, which is a not for profit project that cultivates heat resistant corals to fight coral beaching on the Great Barrier Reef.

Healthy corals that are more resilient to higher water temperatures and coral bleaching are collected and grown in an offshore nursery on Fitzroy Island, before being planted in the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is under threat, and the goal of The Reef Restoration Foundation is to plant 1 Million corals by 2026. The increase of heat resistant corals allows the reef to recover faster.

Once we arrive you will have the afternoon free to pick your perfect day on the reef, from swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, hiking up to the viewpoint (4km return), taking a glass bottom boat, or simply spending the day on the beach.

Subject to availability, you can take a short walk to visit the island’s Turtle Rehabilitation Center, a project where a group of volunteers takes care of injured turtles and nurses them back to health with the objective of releasing them into the wild.

Snorkelling off Fitzroy means you’ll be surrounded by schools of fish, marine life and corals, and if you’re lucky you may even encounter a friendly Green Sea Turtle.

There is a Sports Hub with gear rental where you can pick up snorkel gear, kayaks and stand up paddle boards, or book to join the 1 pm guided snorekling tour.

The island is National Park, and covered in tropical rainforest, so while we will have plenty of opportunity for swimming and snorkelling, there is also an extensive network of fantastic rainforest walking tracks to explore.

If you’re feeling active there is a Summit walk that takes you to the highest vantage point on the island and the historic lighthouse for amazing views over the Great Barrier Reef.

The Island was used as a military base during World War II to protect Australia’s mainland from invasion. Most of the walking trails were created during this time, which is why they lead to the best vantage points in the region.

Nudey Beach is one of Australia’s best beaches, a spectacular white coral beach with giant granite boulders, fringed by vivid green rainforest, with sparkling blue waters.

The 15-minute walking trail winds through the rainforest, and you may be joined on the walk by goannas, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Sulphur-crested cockatoos, echidnas, and Buff-breasted paradise kingfishers.

Here you can swim and snorkel in the shallow reef.

Grab lunch at your leisure from Foxy’s Beachfront Bar & Cafe, or there is a general store where you can pick up packaged food to enjoy picnic style on the beach.

We will depart back for Cairns in the late afternoon, and dinner will be at your leisure.

Overnight at The Reef House

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, return transport to Fitzroy Island.

Day 9: The Coral Sea

Today you can rise early to catch sunrise over the ocean, or sleep in and take a leisurely breakfast overlooking the Coral Sea.

We will have the morning at leisure to enjoy Palm Cove Beach and the resort facilities before making our way to the airport.

The resort has 28 signature inclusions, so this is your last chance to enjoy time at the spa, tranquility pool, heated mineral pool, guest library, or use the poolside butler service. There is a dedicated wine room, beachfront yoga, and even personal training sessions if you’re so inclined.

We’re leaving the tropics behind us as we travel from one end of the country to the other, from the tropical north to the southeastern coast.

We will board a plane from Cairns to Melbourne, arriving in the late evening and transferring to our hotel in the center of the city.

Melbourne is a dynamic metropolis that effortlessly marries cosmopolitan sophistication with a rich cultural tapestry.

It’s a vibrant city that is known for its creative arts, food, and diverse neighborhoods, and an intense rivalry with Sydney over the title for Australia’s best city (you can decide!)

The best way to describe Melbourne is eclectic, and it’s most distinguishing feature is its fervent commitment to creative and cultural expression.

The city breathes creativity through its numerous galleries, theaters, and street art-adorned laneways.

From the iconic street art in Hosier Lane to the world-class exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne pulsates with an artistic energy that permeates every corner.

We will arrive in Melbourne late in the evening, at which point you can choose to venture out and explore its famous nightlife, and grab a bite to eat, or order in from the hotel.

Overnight at Mövenpick Melbourne Spencer

Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer is a luxury hotel at the base of Melbourne’s iconic Premier Tower, a 78-storey skyscraper that encapsulates cosmopolitan Melbourne.

The waves and curves of the building were inspired by the music video for Beyoncé’s “Ghost”.

We like the hotel for its central location, and outdoor swimming pool, hot tub & sauna open till 10pm.

And continuing with our theme of artistic expression, the corridors of the Mövenpick are an ode to Melbourne’s vibrant arts scene, lined with photographs of street art and cafe scenes taken by noted local photographers.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transport to Cairns airport, domestic flight from Cairns to Melbourne, transportation from Melbourne airport to hotel

Day 10: Graffiti street art tour & Phillip Island: Wine, Koala Conservation & Little Penguins

Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the hotel, though don’t go heavy on the coffee. We will depart after breakfast for a graffiti street art and coffee scene walking tour, with an introduction to Melbourne’s famous street art precincts.

Our tour has been put together by a local Melbourne, female owned business, and designed for us to uncover the city’s secrets.

Hidden throughout Melbourne’s laneways is a coffee scene which is internationally famous for having become the hangout for bohemians, artists, musicians and free thinkers.

Independent and locally run cafes rule the scene, and coffee culture comes with a sense of city wide pride, equivalent in status to it’s renowned art, entertainment, creativity and style.

Committed to innovation, Melbourne coffee roasters source single origin beans and prepare signature house blends for cafes all over the city.

Melbournians are serious about their coffee, and wear the title of ‘coffee snob’ as a badge of honour.

We will pick up a coffee to go as we take in Melbourne’s street art graffiti scene.

After our tour we will travel to Phillip Island, an island sanctuary 2 hours south of Melbourne which is known for the Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach, where adorable Little Penguins return to shore at sunset after a day of fishing.

Gippsland is fast becoming one of the premier Victorian wine regions, and we will stop at Phillip Island Winery for an introduction to Victorian wines and lunch.

Co-owned by three female winemakers and their partners, the winery is an extension of their own homes.

We will have a wine tasting followed by a feast of gourmet pizzas, and an opportunity to walk through the vineyards for photos, with a stunning view out to the sea.

After lunch we will continue towards the Koala Conservation Reserve, which is the closest you can get to koalas in their natural habitat while maintaining an ethical distance.

We will walk along tree-top boardwalks to watch koalas up close. The woodlands are also full of native birdlife, wallabies and echidnas.

The trails here are easy, and our visit will help fund the Research, Conservation and Education work they undertake across Phillip Island.

Many koalas at the reserve are being rehabilitated from the 2020 bushfire period.

Our visit will continue towards the largest Little Penguin colony in the world, and we will arrive at the Penguin Parade just before dusk, to watch them waddle home from the ocean to their burrows.

There are viewing platforms and burrows, and if you fall completely in love (it’s likely), you can tune into their live penguin burrow camera to watch the penguins even after you’ve returned home.

Dinner this evening is at your leisure, and there is casual dining and a restaurant at the Penguin Parade.

Our visit helps to raise vital funds for little penguin research and conservation projects, as well as the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured penguins.

After the penguin viewing we will return back to Melbourne by bus, arriving around 11 pm.

Overnight at Mövenpick Melbourne Spencer

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transport for the day by private minibus, wine tasting and lunch at Phillip Island winery, entrance to the Koala Conservation Reserve, tickets to the Penguin Parade.

Day 11: The Yarra Valley

Our last day in Melbourne will be an exploration of the Yarra Valley, a region less than an hour away, which is known for its quality local food and wine.

The wines of the Yarra Valley have made this one of Australia’s premier winemaking regions. Renowned for its cool climate, the region produces elegant, cool-climate varieties, where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive.

We will depart for the Yarra Valley after breakfast, and start our day with a sparkling brunch at the famous Chandon, the estate being female led by Estate Director Susan Caudry.

We will enjoy savoury and sweet treats, a mimosa cocktail and glass of sparkling wine, before getting hands on in their Behind The Bubbles blending experience with expert guide, wines, and equipment.

Chandon have always taken risks to craft exceptional sparkling wines, and while they could have found decent land anywhere in Australia for winemaking, they wanted something truly special: a cool-climate area with enough diversity of terroir to give all the blending options they could dream of.

The Yarra Valley was the natural choice, and the first cuvées were released in 1989.

We will taste their flagship Vintage Brut and Vintage Brut Rosé.

We will continue on to a second winery in the afternoon, for a tasting that showcases both classic varietals as well as innovative blends and emerging styles.

Coming off the buzz of an incredible trip across Australia, and the Yarra Valley wine, we will enjoy a final farewell dinner with our group, before saying goodbye.

Our farewell dinner is fine dining 35 floors in the sky, with beautiful views as the sun sets over the Melbourne skyline.

Most Australians say see you later (pronounced ‘see ya!’) instead of goodbye. It’s also common to hear “ooroo”.

Overnight at Mövenpick Melbourne Spencer

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transport for the day in a private minibus, Brunch, Yarra Valley wine tasting, farewell dinner with wine.

Day 12: Departure

You can leave at any time after breakfast depending on your flight, and make your way to Melbourne airport on your own time.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel

About Your Host, Meg Jerrard

Co-Founder of Solo Female Travelers, Meg is a Tasmanian turned Canberran, now living in Cairns, Tropical North Queensland.

She has visited 100+ countries across all seven continents, but ‘no matter how far, or how wide she goes, she still calls Australia home’.

Meg has personally curated this itinerary to immerse you in a classic but authentic side of Australia, which takes in the highlights while still digging underneath the surface to expose the true heart of the country.

She has been a travel writer since 2013, and is an advocate for sustainability initiatives, ethical wildlife experiences and supporting economic opportunities for Australian women.

This is a unique opportunity to travel with the Co-Founder of Solo Female Travelers.