Today is the day you set off from the selected airport and head for Australia with connecting flight(s) on the way.

You’re finally setting foot on Australian soil. You might already have experienced your first “G’day, mate” at the airport.

You’re transported from the airport to your hotel. If your room’s not ready for you when you arrive, you can have your luggage stored and head out into the town. The most important thing today is to stay awake so that you can get your body adjusted to the Australian time zone as soon as possible. The best cure for jet lag is daylight, fresh air and drinking plenty of water.

Melbourne is a magnificent city with a rich diversity. The city has attracted people from all over the world who have brought their cultures, languages and not least their gastronomic heritage with them, which is why Melbourne is such an exciting melting pot of different nationalities today.

We highly recommend a stroll along the Yarra River on this first day in the city. You’ll find cosy parks, art institutions and an array of different restaurants, where you can enjoy a meal overlooking the city skyline.

After breakfast, which you can enjoy at one of the nearby cafés, it’s time for a closer look at the city. You’ll be going on a guided tour through the city’s narrow laneways and arcades, which form a finely meshed network in the city centre. Your guide will tell you about the city’s culture and history along the way. The walls in the narrow streets are adorned with street art, and the whole area may seem a little run down at first glance – but make no mistake, it’s one of the city’s hippest areas! Feel free to ask the guide for tips on the best places to have lunch after the guided tour.

Please note that you have to make own your way to the starting point of the guided tour. The address is on your voucher. You can either walk here or take a taxi.

The rest of the day is yours to explore more of Melbourne.

If you’re interested in history, we highly recommend a visit to Melbourne Old Gaol, where the famous and infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged in 1880.

And don’t forget to visit Queen Victoria Market, where you can buy almost anything your heart desires.

You can also take the tram to the cosy seaside suburb of St Kilda, which is always buzzing with activity at the beach, with people exercising, sunbathing, swimming and surfing. Around sunset you may be lucky enough to see a small colony of pygmy penguins come ashore close to St. Kilda Pier.

Today sees the start of your Australian road trip, which over the next 5 days will take you to Grampians National Park and the Great Ocean Road, two of the biggest highlights of the state of Victoria.

You make your own way to the car rental office, where you will pick up your rental car. You drive north-west from Melbourne to the city of Ballerat, a city with a rich gold mining history that started in 1851. The discovery of gold attracted thousands of gold diggers from all over the world, leading to a population boom in the area and making Ballarat one of the most important mining centres in Australia at this time. In Ballarat, you gain a fascinating insight into this important period with a visit to the living museum Sovereign Hill, the Eureka Stockade Centre and the city’s gold museum.

Incidentally, it was in the mines at Ballarat that a 69-kilo gold nugget named the “Welcome Nugget” was discovered in 1858.

On the drive from Ballarat to Halls Gap, you wind your way through an award-winning wine region. Taste everything from Shiraz to Sauvignon Blanc at one of the many wineries along the Great Grape Touring Route and experience the entire process from grape to bottle.

Late afternoon, you’ll arrive at the small town of Halls Gap, which lies in the heart of Grampians National Park. The sunsets here are epic, so if it’s not too late when you get here, head out to the Reeds or the Balconies Lookouts for an unforgettable end to the day.

Driving distance Melbourne – Halls Gap: Approx. 250 km

Drive: Approx. 3-4 hours

Grampians National Park is one of Victoria’s most popular destinations. It’s a magnificent area of natural beauty offering a rich biodiversity, breathtaking views and exciting Aboriginal culture.

After breakfast, we recommend that you drive to the town’s visitor centre, where you’ll receive much more information about the park and recommendations for activities and hikes. You might like to head out to see the impressive MacKenzie Falls, but there are so many options, and the hikes vary in difficulty, so there’s something for everyone. Several viewpoints affording breathtaking panoramic views can also be reached by car, such as Boroka and Reeds Lookouts. There are also activities for the more adventurous, including mountain biking, abseiling and climbing.

Keep a close eye out for the wildlife. You may be lucky enough to see kangaroos, emus, koalas and a host of different bird species.

Halls Gap is a lovely town with several art galleries and cosy cafés and restaurants for when you need a rest after an active day in the great outdoors.

Although it’s time to say farewell to the beautiful Grampians National Park today, the day starts with a scenic drive through bushland to the southern part of the national park and the small town of Dunkeld, which, with Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt as a backdrop, has inspired many Australian painters.

You might like to stop for lunch at the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, located on the shores of Tae Rak Lake, where you’ll be taken on a fascinating journey through Aboriginal culture and history at the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the ancient volcanic landscapes and learn how the Gunditjmara people created one of the world’s oldest and most complex irrigation systems, which have breathed life into the area for thousands of years. This area has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Another exciting stop, just before you get to Port Fairy, is Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. The reserve is located in an extinct volcanic crater, formed more than 30,000 years ago. Here, you can both get right up close to the Australian wildlife and gain a fascinating insight into the culture and history of the aborigines. The Worn Gundidj organisation works to preserve and pass on the cultural heritage of the indigenous population to future generations and provides visitors with a unique insight into the area’s rich history.

Today’s destination, the picturesque seaside town of Port Fairy, lies at the mouth of the Moyne River. One of the oldest settlements in Victoria, the town was home to sealers and whalers in the early 19th century. Several buildings from that time are protected today and can still be experienced here.

If there’s time for a walk before dark, Griffiths Island is a natural oasis almost in the heart of the town. It’s an important breeding ground for several species of birds, so it’s important that you stick to the marked paths so as not to disturb the birds, which may have young hidden in burrows in the sand. You may also be lucky enough to spot the small swamp wallaby.

Driving distance Halls Gap – Port Fairy: Approx. 160 km

Drive: around 2 hours

Today, yet another highlight of your tour awaits: A drive along the dramatic Great Ocean Road coastline. There are several roads in the world that call themselves the world’s most scenic coastline, but we promise you that the Great Ocean Road in Australia is one of them.

The road was carved out by hand by soldiers returning from the First World War and is dedicated to all those who did not make it home, also making the road the world’s largest war memorial.

Officially, the road stretches around 240 km between Torquay, which is approx. 100 km south-west of Melbourne, to Allansford, close to Warrnambool. The stretch offers spectacular coastal scenery, nature parks and rock formations, including some of Australia’s most famous ones, such as the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

Before your adventure along the Great Ocean Road begins, be sure to make a stop in Warrnambool. Not only does the city enjoy a fantastically scenic location, but it also has an exciting maritime history, which is exhibited at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.

In the period from May to September, you may be lucky enough to spot whales in the waters off Warrnambool.

From here, the photo stops just keep coming. Just before you arrive at the charming crayfishing village of Port Campbell, you’ll find London Bridge, an iconic formation on the route. It was once a double arch that resembled London Bridge, but it collapsed in 1990 and is now a separate landmass, though still worth a photo stop.

On the long voyage to and from England in the 1800s and early 1900s, Australia’s rugged south coast was considered one of the worst stretches of the journey. Many ships met their fate along this dramatic coast, which we admire and photograph today. The most famous shipwreck was the Loch Ard, which sank in 1878, claiming 52 lives and leaving only two survivors. A gorge near this wreck, Loch Ard Gorge, is named after this ship.

The most spectacular landmark on the entire coast of Victoria – and the most photographed – is undoubtedly the Twelve Apostles. However, the Twelve Apostles have now been reduced to eight, as the sea is constantly eating away at them. Look forward to experiencing the whimsical limestone peaks rising out of the sea off the coast. It’s an unforgettable sight.

And if you haven’t had yet your fill of breathtaking views, drive past the Cape Otway Lighthouse and see how the colours change around sunset.

After a day full of experiences and fresh air, you’ll arrive at another cosy coastal town, Apollo Bay.

Driving distance Port Fairy – Apollo Bay: Approx. 185 km

Drive: around 3 hours

Apollo Bay is a good base for exploring Great Otway National Park, which is located in the Otway Ranges, a low coastal mountain range at Apollo Bay. You’ll once again encounter fantastic nature here, with impressive waterfalls and exciting wildlife, including kangaroos and koalas.

Your journey continues from Apollo Bay, down the coast along the Great Ocean Road to the town of Lorne. On the way, you’ll pass Kenneth River, where a walk on the Kenneth River Koala Walk is a must. It’s one of the best places in Australia to spot koalas in the wild.

We also recommend a stop at the fairy-tale Erskine Falls, which are surrounded by lush rainforest just outside the town of Lorne.

From Lorne, the Great Ocean Road takes you through Aireys Inlet, Anglesea and Torquay, a fantastic mix of lush vegetation, breathtaking coastal scenery and lovely beaches, both for swimming and not least for surfing. Just before Torquay is Bells Beach, a beach for highly skilled surfers and where the prestigious Rip Curl Pro surf competition is held every year.

There are countless options for pleasant stops on the way back to Melbourne, and the choice is yours.

You’ll drop the car off where you picked it up late afternoon and make your own way back to the hotel. Enjoy your last evening in Melbourne while processing everything that you’ve seen and done over the past 5 days on your road trip around Victoria.

Driving distance Apollo Bay – Melbourne: Approx. 200 km

Drive: around 3 hours

The next stop on the tour is the red heart of Australia: The Outback! You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport, from which you will fly to Uluru/Ayres Rock. The contrast today will be immense, when you leave the vibrant city life of Melbourne and land in the middle of the desert. There is a free transfer bus from the airport into the small town of Yulara, where your hotel is situated.

In the afternoon, you also have the option to participate in various free activities. Ask at your hotel to find out what’s on and when.

At the end of the day, another of the absolute highlights of the tour awaits: the sunset over Uluru. It’s a magical experience to watch the majestic stone change colour as the sun disappears over the horizon. It’s easy to understand why this area is so sacred to the original inhabitants, the Aborigines.

Remember to lean your head back and enjoy the sight of a starry sky with almost zero light pollution. It’s absolutely fantastic!

You’ve got an early start today! Yesterday you experienced a sunset over Uluru, and today you’ll see the sun rise over Uluru. As we see it, it’s two completely different experiences – and both are an absolute must-see. It’s fascinating to stand there, shivering a little in the middle of the Australian Outback, waiting for the sun to rise. Even though it gets very hot in the desert during the day, the nights are often cold, as there’s nothing to absorb the heat once the sun has set.

When the sun has risen, you’ll drive around 50 km west to the spectacular Kata Tjuta rock formations. The area around Kata Tjuta is highly sacred to the Aboriginal people, and there are places that you will never get to visit as a tourist. Thankfully, there are also a lot of places that are accessible, and one of the most popular walks through the beautiful rock formations is the walk through Walpa Gorge. Your guide will tell you more about the geology of this wonderful place along the way. Perhaps you’ll find out what “Kata Tjuta” actually means?

The rest of the day is yours to spend as you see fit, and you can either choose to purchase an extra excursion or try some of the free activities available in Yulara.

It’s time for another change of scenery. The next stop is Australia’s biggest city, Sydney!

You’ll take the free transfer from the hotel in Yulara to the airport. The departures are adapted to fit in with the flight departures. Ask at your hotel when the bus departs. In Sydney, you’re transported from the airport to your hotel. If your room isn’t ready for you on arrival, you can have your luggage stored while you go out and get a taster of the city.

You might like to start by walking down to Bennelong Point and the Opera House. West of the Opera House is The Rocks, the old quarter which offers old buildings, cosy cafés and fashionable shops and galleries. You could then continue all the way out to Barangaroo Reserve and see the world’s largest natural harbour, Sydney Harbour, from a completely different angle. If you walk all the way past Barangaroo Wharf, you come to King Street Wharf, where you’ll find some of the city’s best restaurants.

Look forward to experiencing Sydney, which enchants most people with its energy and scenic waterside location.

Today, a fascinating guided tour of Sydney awaits you. The highlights are many: The Opera House, the Botanic Gardens, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, China Town and Bondi Beach are all on the list today. The tour gives you a good overview of the city, and the guide provides a good insight into its history.

Please note that you have to make own your way to the starting point of the guided tour. The address is on your voucher.

The rest of the day is yours to do as you please. You might like to return to some of the places from the morning’s guided tour.

It’s also possible to purchase extra excursions in the afternoon.

On one of the days in Sydney, we recommend that you enjoy the sunset from the Botanic Garden overlooking the Opera House.

The next two days are yours to do as you please in Sydney, and there’s certainly no shortage of things on offer here! Sydney offers a wealth of excellent museums and other cultural activities, but it’s also tempting to just stroll through the city and drink a cup of coffee at a hip café and soak in the city life.

The weather is usually good in much of Australia, and the Australians generally spend a lot of time outdoors – they love a good barbie. Any self-respecting park has barbecue facilities that anyone can use, and nowhere in the world is the picnic section in the supermarkets as large as it is here.

In and around Sydney, there are more than 100 beaches, often with really good changing facilities, so pack your swimwear and round off the day with a dip. From Circular Quay, it takes just 18 minutes to sail over to the popular Manly Beach, where there are also a multitude of cosy restaurants and cafés.

You could also head out to Bondi Beach and walk the scenic Bondi to Coogee Walk, a scenic 6-km walk that takes you past beaches, parks and lookouts along the coast.

Perhaps you’ll fancy going on more guided tours either in or outside the city? Here, too, there are plenty of options. Read more below (We recommend that you purchase these excursions when you book the tour, as some of them sell out several weeks and months in advance).

You’ll be picked up from the hotel in Sydney and driven to the airport. On your arrival in Cairns, you’ll be picked up and driven to your hotel. You’ll soon notice that you’ve reached a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity. It’s truly lush as well! Hibiscus, frangipani, heliconia – they’re all here, these exotic plants.

Cairns is a lively coastal city in northern Queensland, and the city is probably best known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef. The city also offers lots of activities, cafés, restaurants and shops. There is no beach here, but to compensate for that, a large, man-made lagoon has been built in the middle of the city, where you can both enjoy the sun and swim.

The rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

You’ll spend the next few days on your own in Cairns. It goes without saying that we recommend a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, which is a must in these parts. There are several different options to experience the reef, whether you’re into snorkelling or diving, or perhaps you’d rather see the colourful fish and impressive corals through the glass of a glass-bottomed boat.

North of Cairns is Cape Tribulation, where you can experience some of the world’s oldest rainforest and go on a boat trip on the Daintree River, which is inhabited by large saltwater crocodiles.

There are countless possibilities! Read more about the excursions below.

Your tour, on which you have experienced the best of Australia with a self-drive on the Great Ocean Road, has come to an end, and it’s time to head home. You’ll be picked up from the hotel and driven to the airport, from which you’ll fly back to Europe with connecting flight(s) on the way.

You land at your chosen airport after a wonderful adventure Down Under.