Best of Australia in 9 Days – Sydney to Melbourne Travel Experience

Melbourne, Australia | Family Trip

Duration: 8N/9D Cities: Sydney | Melbourne

Get ready to uncover the soul of Australia on this unforgettable 9-day journey! Begin in Melbourne, where grand icons like the Town Hall, Parliament House, and Treasury Building set the scene before heading to Phillip Island for the magical Penguin Parade at sunset. Cruise along the legendary Great Ocean Road, soaking in cliffs, beaches, and untamed beauty.

Next, fly to Cairns, your gateway to the tropics. Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to charming Kuranda Village, glide through the ancient canopy, and explore the Rainforest Station. Then, dive into the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef—snorkeling, coral, and crystal waters await!

Finally, land in iconic Sydney. Enjoy a guided city tour, marvel at the Sydney Opera House, cruise past the sparkling Harbour, and dine under the stars on a Show Boat Dinner Cruise. Don’t miss the epic drive through the Blue Mountains and strolls through lively Darling Harbour.

From urban gems to natural wonders, this tour captures Australia’s true spirit—wild, elegant, and wildly unforgettable.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival from Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne! A vibrant city known for its food, nature, and culture.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2 - Melbourne Highlights & Phillip Island Tour

Breakfast at the hotel

  • Visit Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) (make your own way or use free tram within city centre)
  • Guided tour with access to players' rooms, media centre, MCC members' areas, and the iconic arena
  • Head to the Eureka Skydeck on the 88th floor for panoramic city views
  • Afternoon: Philip Island Tour
  • Visit Moonlit Sanctuary: see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and native wildlife
  • End the day with the Penguin Parade at Philip Island – watch the little penguins return to their burrows from the viewing platform

Day 3 - Great Ocean Road Full-Day Tour

Breakfast at the Hotel 

  • Explore the world-famous Great Ocean Road
  • Visit scenic surf beaches
  • Spot koalas and native birds in the wild
  • Enjoy a guided forest walk
  • Stop at Apollo Bay for a seaside break
  • Discover the Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, and the iconic 12 Apostles
  • Ample photo stops and multilingual audio guides available

Day 4 - Melbourne to Cairns

Breakfast at the Hotel 

  • Proceed to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Cairns (on own)
  • On arrival in Cairns, transfer to your hotel
  • Welcome to Cairns – a tropical paradise surrounded by lush rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, perfect for a peaceful nature escape

Day 5 - Kuranda Rainforest Experience

Breakfast at the Hotel 

  • Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway from Smithfield to Kuranda
  • Enjoy aerial views of Barron Gorge and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
  • Stop at Red Peak Station and Barron Falls for close-up rainforest encounters
  • Discover one of the world’s oldest rainforests, preserved for over 130 million years

Day 6 - Green Island Reef Cruise (Full Day)

Breakfast at the Hotel 

  • Cruise to Green Island aboard the luxury Big Cat catamaran
  • Explore the island’s coral cay and natural beauty at your own pace
  • Choose between: Complimentary snorkeling gear rental or  glass-bottom boat tour for reef viewing without getting wet
  • A perfect way to experience the Great Barrier Reef from both above and below the water

Day 7 - Sydney Arrival & Blue Mountains Excursion

Breakfast at the Hotel 

  • Transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney (flight cost extra)
  • Meet local representative on arrival and transfer to your hotel
  • Later, enjoy an excursion to Blue Mountains National Park
  • Experience a private sunset viewing over the Blue Mountains, witnessing stunning colors as the sun sets over the rugged landscape

Day 8 - Explore Sydney with the Merlin 4-in-1 Attractions Pass (Self-Guided)

Breakfast at the Hotel 

  • Sydney Tower Eye -Enjoy panoramic views from one of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks.
  • WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo - Get up close with Australia’s unique wildlife and native animals.
  • SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium -Discover over 700 species and 13,000 marine creatures in one of the world’s largest aquariums.
  • Madame Tussauds Sydney - Meet lifelike celebrity figures and enjoy interactive exhibits in Darling Harbour.

Day 9 - Departure from Sydney

Breakfast at the Hotel

  • Check out and proceed to Sydney Airport as per your flight schedule
  • Board your flight to your hometown or onward destination
Inclusions

Accommodation:

  • 3 nights in Melbourne at a selected hotel category
  • 3 nights in Cairns at a selected hotel category
  • 2 nights in Sydney at a selected hotel category

Meals:

  • Daily breakfast at hotels (except on arrival day)

Transfers:

  • Return airport transfers in Melbourne, Cairns, and Sydney on SIC (Seat-in-Coach) basis
  • All tours and excursions operated on shared coach (SIC) basis unless specified

Melbourne:

  • 75-minute guided tour with entrance to Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) (tickets only)
  • Entrance ticket to Eureka Skydeck Observation Deck (tickets only)
  • Afternoon Philip Island Day Tour including Moonlit Sanctuary, Nobbies, and Penguin Parade (Regular Viewing Area) with SIC transfers from Melbourne CBD
  • Full-day Great Ocean Road Tour on SIC basis from Melbourne CBD

Cairns:

  • Full-day Kuranda Rainforest Excursion including one-way Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and one-way Kuranda Scenic Railway
  • Full-day Green Island Great Barrier Reef Cruise by catamaran with choice of snorkeling gear or glass-bottom boat ride, including buffet lunch

Sydney:

  • Entry to 4 major attractions with Merlin 4-in-1 Pass: Sydney Tower Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, and Madame Tussauds (no transfers included)
  • Sunset Blue Mountains Excursion with SIC transfers from Sydney city centre

Exclusion

  • International airfare
  • Domestic flights: Melbourne – Brisbane/Gold Coast & Brisbane/Gold Coast – Sydney
  • Australia visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary/inclusions
  • Tips and porterage for local drivers and guides
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, shopping, liquor, etc.
  • Local hotel/city taxes (if applicable)
  • Pre- or post-tour deviations and related expenses
  • Early check-in and late check-out charges
  • Peak season/festival surcharges (to be advised at the time of booking)
  • Hotel rooms in Australia are compact. Accommodation for 2 adults + 2 children is subject to availability
  • Any item not specifically mentioned under the "Inclusions" section
  • Transfers from the hotel to city center pick-up points for sightseeing tours
  • Airport transfers are available only between 06:00 AM and 10:30 PM; requests outside these hours will incur additional surcharges

Hotel Detail

Hotel Location Rating No. of Nights Meals
Rendezvous Melbourne or similar Melbourne 4 Star 3 Breakfast
Cairns Plaza or similar Cairns 4 Star 3 Breakfast
Holiday Inn Darling or similar Sydney 4 Star 2 Breakfast
Terms & Condition

  • Rates are dynamic and subject to change as per availibility.
  • Booking confirmations are subject to availability and We are not holding any reservations of hotel rooms and in case mentioned hotel is sold out at time of confirmation then similar category (Star Category) hotel will be provided as per our sole discretion.
  • Any overstay expenses due to delay or change or cancellation in flight will be on the guests own & we will not be held liable for such expenses.
  • Holiday Surcharge will be additional if applicable such as Christmas , New Year Eve and other events as per origin and Destination market festivals/Exhibitions/events. Peak/Festival/Events Period Surcharge to be paid extra. Will be notified at time of booking confirmation.
  • The passengers must ensure on their own that they have a valid passport and other required documents for the necessary period as per the traveling destination immigration rules.
  • The passengers should also arrange for visas before traveling with this holiday package if applicable.
  • We do not accept any responsibility if the passenger cannot travel because of a passport or visa issue or anyother reason at any point. The cancellation policy will be applicable as per the booking terms and conditions.

Cancellation Policy

-Amendments are not allowed once booking is confirmed and non-refundable.

-No Shows are non refundable.