14 Day Must Do Australia Luxury Package Itinerary

Crowned "The World's Most Liveable City" for seven years in a row, friendly Melbourne is the perfect place to begin your Australian self-drive adventure.

This compact, diverse metropolis is begging to be explored after settling into your comfortable accommodation. There are hidden charms around every corner, beautiful Botanic Gardens and chic city squares where you can soak up the atmosphere to your heart's content.

Here are some of our favourite things to do in Melbourne:

• Lose yourself in cobbled laneways lined with tempting coffee shops, chic boutiques and cozy bars.
• Admire the always-evolving street art covering every inch of Hosier Lane
• Take a tram to St Kilda beach's historic esplanade and drop into Acland St's irresistible cake shops.
• Make a sporting pilgrimage to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Grab a bite to eat at Queen Victoria Market - it's the largest market in the Southern Hemisphere
• Choose from a dizzying array of restaurants & eateries — you're in Australia's foodie capital.

Accommodation: Melbourne - 3 Nights

Join this indulgent morning walk through Melbourne's beautiful back streets, and get orientated in the life of the city that locals love. Discover local designers and specialty 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, locals and visitors alike.

Morning tea is included before a restaurant lunch with a glass of wine. See over 30 stores on this casual stroll and return to those you like best in the afternoon: make a day of it in Marvellous Melbourne.

See the Penguin Parade and other natural treasures of Phillip Island on a full-day tour from Melbourne

Phillip Island is brimming with memorable wildlife experiences, but its headline act is the nightly Penguin Parade. Each night at dusk, thousands of little penguins—the largest colony in Australia of the world’s smallest penguin breed—can be seen along the shores of Summerland Beach, waddling back to their beachside burrows after a day at sea.

Bid farewell to the city and fly to Australia's Red Centre for your first glimpse of magnificent Ayers Rock, or Uluru as it is also known.

Ayers Rock stands 348 metres above the ground and reaches over 700 metres underground. Uluru is also home to the World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is of extreme importance to the local Aboriginal people.

The Magical "Field of Light"

Tonight enjoy the Field of Light Installation with a Star Pass. Marvel at this desert spectacle of 50,000 glass spheres of Bruce Munro's amazing Field of Light installation.

You will be welcomed at a raised viewing area for canapés and chilled sparkling wine to the sounds of a didgeridoo. As the sun slowly sets, the coloured lights of 50,000 glass spheres come to life before you. Created by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, this magical installation has to be seen to be believed.

Accommodation: Ayers Rock - 3 Nights

Guests at Longitude 131° can embark on a signature itinerary of guided adventures, allowing a personal discovery with the Red Centre’s iconic natural attractions and Aboriginal heritage. The Red Centre provides many options for guests looking to explore more or pursue a personal interest. Longitude 131° works with local operators to offer these special adventures.

Other activities · Helicopter Flights · Dot Painting · Camel Tours · Scenic Plane Flights · Motorcycle Tours · Outback Cycling

Suggested Activity 

Travel to Kings Canyon - From Ayers Rock Resort, stopping for breakfast at Kings Creek Station along the way.

Climb to the rim of the canyon - Make the rocky climb to the rim of the canyon for marvellous views of Watarrka National Park. Follow the rim of the canyon stopping to look down into the canyon gorge at look-out points. Time permitting, you may choose to descend into the green oasis of the 'Garden of Eden'.

Circuit walk - The circuit walk takes approximately 3 hours to complete and is rocky and steep in parts. It is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Alternatively, you may wish to take an easier, shorter walk to explore the boulder-strewn canyon floor.

Return to Ayers Rock Resort - After lunch (own expense).

Fly from Ayers Rock to Cairns

With its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a haven of scuba diving, snorkelling, reef cruises, fishing, rainforest walks, native bird and wildlife watching.

Sun-seekers and locals alike flock to Cairns Esplanade's swimming lagoon on the city’s foreshore. There are picnic areas, birdwatching viewpoints, free barbecues and fitness equipment along the boardwalk, perfect for unwinding after your flight.

Accommodation: Lizard Island - 3 Nights

Lizard Island is truly secluded from the rest of the world. With 24 powdery-white beaches and 40 luxurious suites, it is the most northern resort in tropical Queensland and is located directly on the Great Barrier Reef. A National Park covering 1,013 hectares with 24 sandy beaches and a lagoon.

Lizard Island is accessible only by private charter from Cairns Airport in northern Queensland, Australia. Enjoy secluded picnics and sunset beach degustation on private beaches, five-star cuisine in the beautiful Salt Water restaurant and indulgent spa treatments in the Essentia Day Spa.

Experience Lizard Island on the reef, on land or in the tranquility of the spa.

Guided and self-guided activities include snorkelling, diving, paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, visits to the Research Centre, tennis under night lights, morning yoga on the beach and indulgent spa treatments.

Fly onwards to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis makes a stunning final destination on your Contrasts of Australia Tour.

Settle in with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Harbour Bridge at one end and the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic place to begin your Australian dream vacation?

Accommodation: Sydney - 3 Nights

Your tour starts in the historic Rocks precinct. Witness the birthplace of Sydney and explore the convict-built cottages, pubs and the first church in Australia. Climb Observatory Hill for views of Anzac Bridge and Darling Harbour.

Next, it's across the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of Australia's most recognised landmarks. Later we pass by Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay, before traversing along the coastline to Sydney's most famous beach, Bondi. Here you will have some time to soak up the atmosphere of the beachside mecca. Stroll down the esplanade with the locals.

Explore Sydney on a 5-hour tour that includes a comprehensive city tour, lunch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay, and a visit to Bondi Beach.

In Sydney, see highlights including the historic Rocks district, Royal Botanical Gardens, Parliament House, Hyde Park Barracks, St Mary's Cathedral, Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House enjoying informative commentary along the way.

Sydney is a wonderland of beautiful beaches, historical sites, fantastic restaurants and much more, Sydney is brimming with memorable experiences from the majestic Sydney Opera House on one of the world's great natural harbours to iconic Bondi Beach you'll find incredible things to do in Sydney all year round.

Sydney also has an abundance of outstanding natural attractions, from the harbour and golden beaches to national parks and lush botanic gardens. There are championship golf courses, harbour cruises, scenic coastal walks, surfing and cycling tours.

Depart Sydney

Say farewell to Sydney today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your 14-day vacation and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.