Day #1 Arrive in Melbourne, Australia. Welcome to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day #2 Melbourne. Your morning guided sightseeing tour includes Queen Victoria Market (when open), the Italian Quarter, the Shrine of Remembrance, the ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, Fitzroy Gardens, and spectacular city views from Bolte Bridge. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day #3 Melbourne. Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent activities. (B)

Day #4 Melbourne–Adelaide. Today, fly to Adelaide. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for independent activities. (B)

Day #5 Adelaide. Kangaroo Island Excursion. Early this morning, depart Adelaide and travel by coach and ferry to KANGAROO ISLAND, one of the world’s last unspoiled habitats. Visit SEAL BAY with a national park ranger to see a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Explore FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK, a sanctuary for native Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. Stop here for a walk on REMARKABLE ROCKS, with stunning views of the sea. You will also take a boardwalk down a rugged cliff face to ADMIRALS ARCH, a unique rock formation and home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals, which can be seen resting on the rocks and playing in the waves. Return to Adelaide late this evening. (B,L)

Day #6 Adelaide. A full day at leisure to explore Adelaide and the surrounding area. (B)

Day #7 Adelaide–Cairns. Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The balance of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day #8 Cairns. Today, board a fast catamaran for a CRUISE to Green Island, one of the many tropical islands on Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef. Here you can choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT TOUR, or walk through the island’s cool rainforest. Return to Cairns and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. (B)

Day #9 Cairns–Darwin. Enjoy the day at leisure in Cairns. This evening, fly to Darwin at the top end of Australia. (B)

Day #10 Darwin–Kakadu National Park. This morning, drive to KAKADU NATIONAL PARK. Stop at the WARRADJAN ABORIGINAL CULTURAL CENTRE to learn more about the cultural significance of the park. Then, take a GUIDED CRUISE on Kakadu’s famous wetlands for a chance to see crocodiles in the wild. Also, travel to NOURLANGIE ROCK to view ancient Aboriginal rock art. (B,L)

Day #11 Kakadu–Darwin. Start your day with a 4WD trip to UBIRR to see well-preserved Aboriginal rock art. Then, join an Aboriginal guide for the GULUYAMBI CULTURAL CRUISE on the East Alligator River. Here, learn about the ancient Aboriginal culture of the region as you search for a variety of wildlife. Afterward, enjoy LUNCH IN THE BUSH followed by a DEMONSTRATION of traditional hunting and gathering techniques. Later, return to Darwin. (B,L)

Day #12 Darwin–Sydney. Today, fly to beautiful Sydney. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day #13 Sydney. Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes a Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop, the historic “Rocks” area, and a visit to world-famous BONDI BEACH. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)

Day #14 Sydney. Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city. (B)

Day #15 Sydney. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)