Highlights of Australia

12 Days • fr. $5,087

The 12-day Highlights of Australia tour offers a comprehensive and economical experience that begins in Melbourne and takes you to both the iconic sights in Australia as well as exploring many off the beaten path locations. It features Sydney, Cairns, the Outback, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. View the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders and observe magnificent wildlife, such as kangaroos, koala bears, dingoes and wild horses.

Highlights of this tour include a sightseeing trip in Melbourne, that includes such popular landmarks as Flinders St. Station, beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. Take a day tour to the Great Ocean Road and view the “Twelve Apostles” or travel to Phillip Island and see the delightful Penguin Parade. Fly to the Outback and in Alice Springs, visit the acclaimed School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station. Set amid lush rainforests and the ocean, Cairns offers a host of attractions, such as a scenic railway and a cable car that glides over the World-Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy. See the brilliant colors of the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef on a cruise, glass-bottom boat or while snorkeling. Boasting one of the world’s most beautiful harbors, view the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous Sydney Opera House with its incredible architecture. Take a tour around the base of Uluru, also called Ayers Rock, located with the Kata Tjuta National Park, which also includes the 36 red-rock domes of the Kata Tjuta (“The Olgas”) formations. Tour the caves of Uluru, where you can have an unforgettable sunset toast while watching them change colors for an unforgettable experience! Enjoy all this and more on your Highlights of Australia tour which is sure to be the best vacation you ever had!

Tour Includes

A sightseeing tour of Melbourne including Fitzroy Gardens
A visit to School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Alice Springs
A tour to the Old Telegragh Station in Alice Springs
Visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas, a group of large, domed rock formations outside of Alice Springs
A sightseeing tour around the base of Ayers Rock
A sunset toast in Uluru
A great Barrier Reef cruise with a variety of activities such as snorkeling or a glass bottom boat tour
A sightseeing tour in Sydney including a Sydney Harbour cruise
Headsets throughout your tour
Private, first-class air-conditioned motorcoach while touring

Not Included

Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation, except on Cosmos Lite vacations and unless otherwise noted above. This includes wait staff at included meals, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your Tour Director, Local Hosts®, Local Guides, driver, and ship’s crew are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are discretionary. Gratuities are not included on Cosmos Lite vacations and are discretionary.
All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.

Meal Inclusions

1 lunch

Hotel Details

Citadines on Bourke Hotel in Melbourne, Australia (3 nights)
Mercure Alice Springs Hotel in Alice Springs, Australia (1 night)
Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge in Uluru, Australia (1 night)
Park Registry Hotel in Carins, Australia (3 nights)
Travelodge Wynyard Hotel in Sydney, Australia (3 nights)
The hotels listed are intended to be used on all departures however Cosmos reserves the right to substitute other hotels than those listed. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent quality to those listed. No refunds are provided for hotel changes and full cancellation penalties apply.

Day 1

ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Melbourne, Australia

Welcome to Australia! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or start exploring this vibrant city.

Citadines on Bourke Hotel

Day 2

MELBOURNE

Melbourne, Australia

This morning begins with a welcome briefing to meet fellow passengers and your Tour Director. Then, enjoy a city sightseeing tour which includes landmarks such as Flinders St. Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fitzroy Gardens, the Botanic Gardens, and the Shrine of Remembrance.

The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.

Citadines on Bourke Hotel

Day 3

MELBOURNE

Melbourne, Australia

A full free day to explore more of Melbourne on your own. You may wish to consider a day tour to the scenic Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles” or travel to Phillip Island and see the famous Penguin Parade.

Citadines on Bourke Hotel

Day 4

MELBOURNE–ALICE SPRINGS

Alice Springs, Australia

Today, fly to the Outback and visit the SCHOOL OF THE AIR and ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE to learn how education and medical services are provided in remote regions (subject to opening times). Also, visit the Old Telegraph Station to discover how early settlers developed communications.

Mercure Alice Springs Hotel

Day 5

ALICE SPRINGS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)

Ayers Rock, Australia

Today, journey through the heart of the Outback, keeping a lookout for red kangaroos, dingoes, camels, and feral horses, known as “Brumbies.” Upon arrival, travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant domes. Later, visit the Sunset Strip, where you will enjoy a champagne toast while experiencing one of the world’s greatest spectacles—Uluru at sunset.

Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge

Day 6

ULURU (AYERS ROCK)–CAIRNS

Cairns, Australia

Enjoy a tour at the base of Uluru, the extraordinary monolith whose circumference is studded with caves decorated with Aboriginal paintings. In the afternoon, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef."

Park Regis City Quays Hotel

Day 7

EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The world’s largest coral reef, made up of over 3,000 individual reefs and over 1,250 miles long, is one of our planet’s most amazing natural wonders. Board a CATAMARAN CRUISE to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Experience this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to snorkel, take a glass-bottom-boat tour, view the reef from an underwater observatory, and watch a fish feeding. Return to Cairns, where your evening is at leisure.

Lunch

Park Regis City Quays Hotel

Day 8

CAIRNS

Cairns, Australia

Today is yours to relax and explore. Set amid lush rainforests, soaring peaks, and the ocean, Cairns is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. It has many attractions including a scenic railway, which runs to the picturesque market town of Kuranda and a cable car that glides over Australia’s World-Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy.

Park Regis City Quays Hotel

Day 9

CAIRNS–SYDNEY

Sydney/Australia, Australia

Board your flight to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Tonight, you may wish to enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

Travelodge Wynyard Hotel

Day 10

SYDNEY

Sydney/Australia, Australia

Sydney boasts one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, home to the instantly recognizable Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous architectural wonder - the Sydney Opera House. This morning, your sightseeing tour will take you through the commercial and shopping heart of Sydney. End the day with a habor cruise along Sydney Harbour for uninterrupted views of the city skyline.

Travelodge Wynyard Hotel

Day 11

SYDNEY

Sydney/Australia, Australia

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. You may wish to wander the cobblestone streets of the Rocks district, explore vibrant Darling Harbour, or climb to the top of Sydney's Harbour Bridge. Your tour director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city.

Travelodge Wynyard Hotel

Day 12

SYDNEY

Sydney/Australia, Australia

Your vacation ends this morning.

Departure Date

Pricing

Tue, Feb 04, 2025

$5,087

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Tue, Apr 08, 2025

$5,317

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Tue, Sep 23, 2025

$5,487

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Tue, Oct 14, 2025

$5,487

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Tue, Nov 04, 2025

$5,387

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Tue, Nov 25, 2025

$5,387

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Tue, Feb 03, 2026

$5,757

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Tue, Feb 24, 2026

$5,757

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Tue, Mar 17, 2026

$5,757

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Tue, Apr 07, 2026

$5,897

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Tue, Apr 28, 2026

$5,897

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Tue, Sep 22, 2026

$5,977

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Tue, Oct 13, 2026

$5,977

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Tue, Nov 03, 2026

$5,977

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Tue, Nov 24, 2026

$5,977

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All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.

Important Information

ALL guests must carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES or with a visa service, as these requirements may change. Guests without proper documentation may be denied entry and will not be entitled to a refund

Cancellation Policy

45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price*
21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
*Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Terms and Conditions

Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
All prices are in US Dollars.
A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
For complete terms and conditions please visit the Globus Terms & Conditions for more information.