SOUTH PACIFIC
Australia: Melbourne, Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Great Barrier Reef, Palm Cove, Sydney
Small groups of no more than 16 travelers, guaranteed
Explore Australia in an O.A.T. small group and leave the well-trodden path to uncover some of its best- kept secrets. Delve into the ecological wonders of the remote Daintree Rainforest. Take a catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore Ayers Rock (Uluru)-the heart of the red, rugged Outback. And feel the pulse of Australia's cultural centers, from Melbourne to Sydney.
18 days starting from $7,395
including international airfare from Los Angeles|
Single Supplement: FREE
Departure Dates: Jan-May; Sep-Dec
Activity Level: Moderate
IT'S INCLUDED
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15 nights accommodation
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International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges unless you choose to make your own air arrangements
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All land transportation and 3 internal flights
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30 meals-15 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 8 dinners
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17 small group activities
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Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
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Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
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5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next adventure
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U.S.
Fly from the U.S. to Melbourne, Australia.
DAY 2 • Cross International Date Line
Continue your flight to Melbourne, losing one day en route as you cross the International Date Line (which you regain when you fly back home).
DAY 3 • Arrive in Melbourne, Australia
Arrive in Melbourne, where you'll be joined by your Trip Experience Leader and fellow travelers, including those from the Undiscovered Tasmania: Hobart, Cradle Mountain & Launceston pre-trip extension.
Holiday Inn Express Little Collins or similar
DAY 4 • Melbourne • Koorie Heritage Trust visit
This morning we'll visit the Koorie Heritage Trust with a local indigenous guide. Then we'll tour Melbourne's highlights, including its famous lanes and arcades, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the expansive Federation Square. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Meals: B,L,D | Holiday Inn Express Little Collins or similar
DAY 5 • Melbourne • Optional Great Ocean Road & Wildlife Wonders Tour
Explore Melbourne independently today. Perhaps you'll take a boat ride on the Yarra River, or venture to Dendy Street Beach in Brighton. Or, you may join an optional tour to explore the Great Ocean Road.
Meals: B | Holiday Inn Express Little Collins or similar
DAY 6 • Melbourne • Mornington Peninsula
Visit a wildlife sanctuary on the Mornington Peninsula and learn about the conservation efforts being made here. Then, head to Heronswood Garden for lunch before exploring more of the peninsula's highlights.
Meals: B,L,D | Holiday Inn Express Little Collins or similar
DAY 7 • Alice Springs • Telegraph Station • Anzac Hill
Fly to Australia's Alice Springs, located in the Red Centre of the continent and visit the old Telegraph Station.
Meals: B,L | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs or similar
DAY 8 • Alice Springs • Simpsons Gap & Standley Chasm • Earth Sanctuary Outback Barbecue
Travel to Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm, and learn about their significance to indigenous populations. This evening, we'll visit a sustainable living center in the heart of the Outback to learn about local customs and share a barbecue dinner under the stars.
Meals: B,D | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs or similar
DAY 9 • Uluru (Ayers Rock) • Sunset viewing
Drive to Uluru (Ayers Rock), an imposing formation that has been the indigenous people's spiritual site for over 20,000 years. Later, toast to the beauty of our surroundings as we watch the sun set over this 650-million-year-old monolith. Meals: B,L | Desert Gardens Hotel or similar
DAY 10 • Uluru (Ayers Rock) • sunrise viewing • Visit Kata Tjuta rock formations
If you wish, you can rise early this morning to revisit Uluru in the light of dawn. Later, our group will continue exploring, and visit the Kata Tjuta rock formations.
Meals: B,D | Desert Gardens Hotel or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 16, board a ferry and cruise Sydney Harbour alongside locals, taking in views of the iconic bridge and Opera House.
DAY 11 • Fly to Cairns • Palm Cove
Fly to Cairns and transfer to Palm Cove to begin our explorations of the Great Barrier Reef and Australia's lush Pacific Coast. Meals: B | Peppers Beach Club or similar
DAY 12 • Hartley's Crocodile Adventures • Palm Cove
Enjoy a boat cruise on the lagoon at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Then, spend the rest of the day at leisure in Palm Cove. Tonight, gather in the hotel's restaurant for a barbecue dinner. Meals: B,D | Peppers Beach Club or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 13, set off for a full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef to enjoy snorkeling, swimming, or viewing from a catamaran.
DAY 13 • Great Barrier Reef
Board a catamaran for a cruise to Michaelmas Cay, a low-lying coral reef island and national park. Enjoy the day swimming, snorkeling, or viewing the reef from a boat.
Meals: B,L | Peppers Beach Club or similar
DAY 14 • Daintree Rainforest walk
Discover the flora and fauna of the Daintree Rainforest and learn about climate change and human interference here from members of a local family that operate an eco-tourism lodge within the rainforest.
Meals: B,L,D | Peppers Beach Club or similar
DAY 15 • Fly to Sydney
Fly to Sydney, then enjoy an orientation walk.
Meals: B,D | Rydges World Square Sydney or similar
DAY 16 • Sydney • Sydney Harbour ferry ride • Sydney Opera House
After exploring the highlights of Sydney by motorcoach, join locals on a ferry ride around Sydney Harbour. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, whose distinctive architecture has made it the city's signature attraction. Meals: B,L | Rydges World Square Sydney or similar
DAY 17 • Explore Sydney
Discover Sydney on your own. You might take the ferry across the harbor to Manly, stroll along Circular Quay, or simply enjoy this "walkabout" city. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: B,D | Rydges World Square Sydney or similar
DAY 18 • Return to U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or begin your New Zealand: Christchurch, Queenstown & Milford Sound Cruise post-trip extension.
Meals: B
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www.oattravel.com/aua
PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE on your Australia adventure
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Choose to maximize your discoveries and value when you add a pre- or post-trip extension-or both-to your adventure.
Undiscovered Tasmania: Hobart, Cradle Mountain & Launceston
PRE-TRIP: 7 nights from $3,095
This destination is only available as a trip extension
Discover the glacier-carved peaks and serene lakes, unique wildlife, and indigenous and colonial heritage of Tasmania, one of the world's unspoiled travel destinations.
IT'S INCLUDED
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Airfare from Launceston to Melbourne
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7 nights accommodation
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14 meals-7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners
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5 small group activities
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Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
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Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
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All transfers
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/aua-tasmania-2026
New Zealand: Christchurch, Queenstown & Milford Sound Cruise
POST-TRIP: 7 nights from $3,595
Explore New Zealand's stunning South Island-a wonderland of alpine peaks, verdant farms, Victorian garden towns, ancient Maori culture, and good-natured Kiwi hospitality.
IT'S INCLUDED
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Air transportation from Sydney to Christchurch
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7 nights accommodation
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15 meals-7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 5 dinners
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5 small group activities
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Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
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Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
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All transfers
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/aua-new-zealand-2026
ARRIVE EARLY
We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip. Price shown includes accommodations and private airport transfer.
- Arrive early in Hobart before your Tasmania pre-trip extension from $200 per room, per night
- Arrive early in Melbourne before your main adventure from $200 per room, per night