Australia: Melbourne, Tasmania & Great Barrier Reef

12 Days Melbourne to Cairns
Australia: Melbourne, Tasmania & Great Barrier Reef
Australia: Melbourne, Tasmania & Great Barrier Reef
Australia: Melbourne, Tasmania & Great Barrier Reef
New Release
G Adventures
Trip Operated By:
G Adventures
 (151) Reviews
Australia doesn't do "pick one." This trip blends vibrant cities, wild coastlines, and natural wonders that seem determined to outdo each other. Travel from Melbourne through Tasmania's wild landscapes to Sydney's postcard-perfect harbour and tropical Cairns, picking up culture, wildlife, and scenery along the way. Indigenous-led experiences and room to set your own pace round things out nicely.
Our Price From
A$10,387 per person
Price shown based on twin share
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Trip Length
12 Days
Trip Starts
Melbourne
Trip Ends
Cairns
All-Inclusive Level
Budget
Premium
Age Range
0-99 Years
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Moderate
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
OATC
Countries Visited:

Itinerary

Australia's cultural capital is the perfect place to begin the adventure. Arrive in Melbourne and settle into the hotel before meeting the CEO and fellow travellers for a welcome gathering. Then head out for a relaxed dinner, raising a glass to the journey ahead while getting a first taste of the city's renowned food scene. It's an easy introduction to the days ahead and the experiences waiting across Australia.

Arrive by 3PM to join the welcome meeting and enjoy a special welcome dinner with the group.

Accommodation: Rydges Melbourne Hotel
Included Meals: Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Arrival Transfer: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
  • Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour and join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
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Melbourne
Melbourne

Start the day with an Indigenous-guided walk that offers a deeper understanding of Melbourne through the stories, traditions, and enduring connection to Country of the Traditional Owners. Later, join your CEO for an orientation walk, discovering some of the city's iconic laneways, hidden corners, and vibrant neighbourhoods before the afternoon opens up for independent exploration.

Accommodation: Rydges Melbourne Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Indigenous Cultural Walking Experience: Explore Melbourne through the stories, traditions, and living culture of Traditional Owners of the land. Guided by an Indigenous storyteller, this immersive experience reveals deep connections to cultural heritage, and the traditions that continue to influence the city today.
  • Free Time: Enjoy free time to discover Melbourne your way, from hidden laneways and local cafés to world-class dining, art, and neighbourhood gems.

Fly to Hobart before travelling along Tasmania's spectacular east coast to the seaside town of Swansea, gateway to Freycinet National Park. Check in to the stunning Piermont Retreat, a stylish waterfront escape set on a private peninsula, and take time to soak in the coastal views before the adventures ahead. This evening, gather for dinner in Swansea, enjoying fresh local flavours and a relaxed introduction to Tasmania's east coast before exploring one of Australia's most spectacular national parks tomorrow.

Accommodation: Piermont Retreat
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Spend the day exploring Freycinet National Park, where pink granite peaks, white-sand beaches, and turquoise waters create some of Australia's most iconic coastal scenery. Discover the park's spectacular landscapes before enjoying an included lunch surrounded by nature. Return to your hotel in the afternoon with time to relax by the water or simply soak in the peaceful surroundings.

Accommodation: Piermont Retreat
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
  • Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay: Set out for Freycinet National Park, a coastal paradise known for its dramatic scenery and iconic Wineglass Bay. Hike through native bushland, discover panoramic viewpoints, and immerse yourself in Tasmania’s wild beauty.
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Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park

Journey south toward Hobart with a stop at Maria Island National Park, a peaceful island sanctuary known for its dramatic coastal scenery, abundant wildlife, and fascinating convict history. Explore on foot, keeping an eye out for wombats, kangaroos, and native birdlife before enjoying an included lunch. Continue to Hobart and settle into your hotel before the evening is yours to explore Tasmania's vibrant waterfront.

Accommodation: Vibe Hotel Hobart
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
  • Maria Island: Tasmania’s Island Sanctuary: Travel to Maria Island National Park, a peaceful island sanctuary known for its pristine landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich history. Explore scenic trails, spot native animals in their natural habitat, and discover the stories that have shaped this remarkable corner of Tasmania.
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Hobart
Hobart

Discover Hobart’s creative edge with a visit to Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), one of Australia’s most unconventional and thought-provoking cultural experiences. Arrive by ferry along the Derwent River before exploring the museum’s immersive collection of contemporary art, ancient artefacts, and unexpected installations at your own pace. Return to Hobart with the afternoon free to continue exploring the city’s waterfront, historic streets, and thriving food scene. Enjoy the flexibility to discover the city your own way before another evening in Tasmania’s charming capital.

Accommodation: Vibe Hotel Hobart
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Visit to MONA: Explore MONA, Hobart’s iconic Museum of Old and New Art, where ancient artifacts meet contemporary works in a bold and unexpected celebration of creativity. Wander its immersive galleries and discover why this boundary-pushing museum has become one of Tasmania’s most talked-about cultural experiences.
  • Free Time: Enjoy free time in Hobart to explore the city’s waterfront, historic neighbourhoods, local markets, and renowned culinary scene at your own pace.
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Museum of Old and New Art
Museum of Old and New Art

Fly from Tasmania to Sydney and make your way to the seaside neighbourhood of Manly, stopping along the way to enjoy lunch with views of the city’s iconic harbour landmarks. Continue to Q Station, a unique heritage retreat set within Sydney Harbour National Park. This afternoon, uncover the fascinating stories of the former quarantine station on a guided experience through the property’s historic grounds. End the day with a relaxed beachside BBQ, enjoying good food, great company, and the coastal atmosphere that makes Manly so special.

Accommodation: Q Station Manly
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
  • Coastal Stories & Beachside BBQ: Uncover the layers of history at the Quarantine Station on a guided walking tour through its heritage buildings, learning about the site’s role in Australia’s history and the stories of those who lived and passed through here. After exploring the grounds, enjoy a beachside BBQ surrounded by coastal views and the relaxed atmosphere of this unique setting.

Start the day with a scenic ferry ride across Sydney Harbour, arriving in the heart of the city with unforgettable views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and waterfront skyline. Join your CEO for an orientation walk through Sydney’s most iconic areas, discovering the stories and landmarks that shape Australia’s most famous city. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Take in world-class museums, wander historic neighbourhoods, shop along bustling streets, or choose an optional adventure like climbing the Harbour Bridge. Return by ferry to peaceful Manly and the unique surroundings of Q Station for the evening.

Accommodation: Q Station Manly
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Ferry: Return to Manly by ferry at your leisure after a day exploring Sydney.
  • Sydney Orientation Walk: Get a feel for the city on a short orientation walk led by your CEO.
  • Free Time: Spend the rest of the day exploring Sydney at your leisure, then make your way back to Manly whenever you're ready.
Optional Experiences
  • Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb: Climb one of the most famous bridges in the world – the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Soak in amazing panoramic city views of Sydney at the top – a perfect photo opp and memory to take home with you! (385-415 per person)
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Sydney
Sydney

Today is your OMG Day — a chance to dive into the coastal lifestyle that makes Manly so iconic. Start the morning with an unforgettable adventure on the water, choosing between kayaking along the harbour or learning to surf the waves of Manly Beach. Whether paddling past scenic shorelines or catching your first wave, it’s a hands-on way to experience Australia’s famous outdoor spirit.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy Manly at your own pace, from relaxing on the beach to exploring local cafés and shops, or heading back into Sydney for more discoveries. This evening, return to the hotel and gather with the group for an included dinner, the perfect way to share stories from the day's adventures.

Accommodation: Q Station Manly
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Kayaking or Surfing: Experience Manly from the water with a choice of kayaking on the harbour or surfing at one of Australia's most famous beaches.
  • Free Time: Spend a leisurely afternoon in Manly, or return to Sydney by ferry if there's more of the city you'd like to discover.

Leave Sydney behind and fly north to Cairns, the gateway to Tropical North Queensland. Begin your adventure by trekking through the lush rainforest trails of Mossman and floating through its crystal-clear streams while learning about this ancient ecosystem and its hidden secrets. After reconnecting with nature, settle into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure, taking in the relaxed atmosphere of this vibrant coastal city.

Accommodation: Crystalbrook Cairns
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
  • River Drift Experience: Escape into the Daintree Rainforest on a guided trek and refreshing river float through the lush landscapes of Mossman Gorge.
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Cairns
Cairns
Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park

Today, discover one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders with a full-day adventure on the Great Barrier Reef. Cruise beyond the coastline into a vibrant underwater world, where colourful coral gardens and incredible marine life await. Enjoy time to snorkel, swim, or simply take in the beauty of this remarkable ecosystem, with lunch included along the way. Return to Cairns and gather this evening for a farewell dinner, celebrating the unforgettable landscapes, wildlife, and experiences shared across Australia’s east coast.

Accommodation: Crystalbrook Cairns
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Full Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef: Set out from Cairns for a full-day escape to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore spectacular coral reefs by snorkel, encounter an incredible array of marine life, and relax on board with an included lunch as you take in the tropical surroundings.
Explore Experiences
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef

Enjoy a final breakfast in Cairns before your adventure comes to an end. Take one last moment to soak in the tropical surroundings before departing with unforgettable memories of Australia’s diverse landscapes, rich cultures, and extraordinary experiences.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.

Trip Inclusions

  • Climb granite peaks and white-sand trails in Freycinet National Park.
  • Wander MONA's daring galleries of contemporary Tasmanian art.
  • Sleep at Manly's historic Quarantine Station by Sydney's harbour.
  • Kayak or surf Sydney's northern beaches on your own OMG Day.
  • Snorkel a full day across the Great Barrier Reef's coral gardens.

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group, Melbourne Your OM
  • G Day: Kayaking or Surfing, Manly Beach
  • Arrival transfer in Melbourne
  • Indigenous walking tour in Melbourne
  • Internal flights
  • Visit to Freycinet National Park
  • Visit to Maria Island
  • Visit to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)
  • Quarantine Station Story Tour at Q Station
  • Sydney Harbour ferry experience between Manly and Sydney
  • Backcountry Bliss rainforest experience
  • Great Barrier Reef full-day excursion
  • Free time and opportunities to explore Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney, Manly, and Cairns independently
  • All tips included, except CEO tips
  • Transportation throughout the itinerary to all included activities
  • Private vehicle, internal flights, ferry, walking
  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides

  • Hotels (11 Nights)

  • 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Geluxe Collection
Geluxe Collection

Putting comfort first, stay in handpicked accommodations, including one unforgettable “OMG Stay” and “OMG Day” with two extraordinary experiences to suit hikers, history buffs, and food lovers Read more

Book confidently. Always.
Book confidently. Always.

From Lifetime Deposits to no single supplements and 100% Guaranteed Departures, G make booking feel as good as going. Read more

Guides so good we call them CEOs
Guides so good we call them CEOs

The biggest reason travellers book our trips again and again? Our legendary Chief Experience Officers, aka CEOs. Read more

G for Good
G for Good

G's commitment to making travel a force for good is so strong, they gave it a name and made it official - meet G for Good. Read more

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Dates & Pricing

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Sunday 31 Oct 2027 31 Oct 27 Melbourne
Thursday 11 Nov 2027 11 Nov 27 Cairns
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $10,599
A$10,387
Save $212
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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