Independent Australian Explorer
Independent Australian Explorer
Independent Australian Explorer
10 Days Starting in Sydney, Australia and ending in Melbourne, Australia
Visiting: Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne
Tour operator:
Tour code:
IPE1-2025
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Partially Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Upon visiting Australia, Oprah Winfrey remarked to the locals in Sydney, “You’re so darned friendly, you must go to friendly class!” But you don’t need to be a celebrity to get the star treatment and warm welcome of Aussies. Experience the meaning of “G’day, mate!” on this 10-day Globus Independent tour. We’ve arranged your hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing, and private transfers to/from the airports from/to your hotels for your intra-vacation flights. Plus, a one-of-a-kind feature: the Globus Local Host®, someone who is there throughout your stay (in Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne) to ensure your vacation runs smoothly and to help you make the most of your vacation. This Globus Independent tour packs plenty of I-time to explore, relax, and discover on your own.Your vacation begins the moment you arrive. Globus can pick you up at the airport and whisk you seamlessly to your selected hotel. Your Local Host will greet you with a smile and information to help you get settled. The next day, after your included breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour with a local expert. You’ll hear inside stories behind the must-see sights, like the Opera House and Bondi Beach. And never fear...we’ve scouted the city for the best place to capture a photo of Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge. In Melbourne, your guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide includes the Royal Botanic Gardens and Queen Victoria Market. On the third day in each city, you have a free day to explore on your own (with your Local Host support, of course). You may want to follow in Oprah’s footsteps in Sydney and climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge; explore the cobblestone streets of the Rocks, the harborside area where the first convicts settled; or participate in a game of lawn bowling. In Melbourne, you can visit one of Australia's leading opal companies or take an excursion to see the little penguins emerge from the sea and waddle
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Sydney,Australia
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Sydney
• Welcome to beautiful Sydney, Australia’s largest city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for independent activities. Your Globus Local Host will make contact with you to discuss your vacation, answer questions, and give suggestions to make the most of your stay.
Day 2: Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast
SYDNEY • Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes an Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop. Visit stunning Bondi Beach, considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in Sydney. (B)Today's I-Time TipsThe remainder of the day is yours to explore this vibrant city. Your Local Host will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, dining, and shopping.
Day 3: Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast
SYDNEY • Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city. Choose from our selection of optional excursions, including a cruise on Sydney Harbour and a climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge.(B)Today's I-Time TipsSpend the day in Hunter Valley, sampling some of Australia’s best wines; or join a guided backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House. Other options include exploring the restaurants of Spice Alley, exploring the Rocks District on the Rocks Pub Tour, or learning how to surf at nearby Bondi Beach.
Day 4: Sydney,Cairns
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: Pullman Cairns International
Meals Included: Breakfast
SYDNEY–CAIRNS • Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Enjoy a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring. (B)
Day 5: Cairns. Excursion To The Outer Great Barrier Reef
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: Pullman Cairns International
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF• Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Late this afternoon, return to Cairns. (B,L)
Day 6: Cairns
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: Pullman Cairns International
Meals Included: Breakfast
CAIRNS • A full day at leisure. (B)Today's I-Time TipsTake a trip into the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest living rainforest, and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include relaxing by your resort’s pool, a ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, or shopping for a special souvenir at the Cairns Night Markets.
Day 7: Cairns,Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins
Meals Included: Breakfast
CAIRNS–MELBOURNE • Transfer to Cairns for your flight to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day 8: Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins
Meals Included: Breakfast
MELBOURNE • Morning guided sightseeing tour includes Federation Square, St. Patrick’s Park, Queen Victoria Market (when open), Albert Park Lake, the Shrine of Remembrance, and St. Kilda Beach. Your tour ends at the Melbourne Skydeck for awe-inspiring views of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform. (B)Today's I-Time TipsThe remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may wish to visit the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s largest, oldest, and most visited art museum. Other options include window shopping on Bourke Street, a tour of the Old Melbourne Goal, once home to Australia’s notorious outlaw, Ned Kelly, or just relax at one of Melbourne’s famous coffee cafes.
Day 9: Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins
Meals Included: Breakfast
MELBOURNE • Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent activities. (B)Today's I-Time TipsJoin an optional excursion to Phillip Island to watch the world-famous Penguin Parade, travel on the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the magnificent 12 Apostles or explore the hidden lanes and arcades of the city.
Day 10: Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins
Meals Included: Breakfast
MELBOURNE• Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Melbourne and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation in Sydney at Swissotel Sydney, in Cairns at Pullman Cairns International, and in Melbourne at The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins.
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Meals
Breakfast daily and 1 lunch.
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Guided Sightseeing
Morning guided sightseeing tours in Sydney and Melbourne.
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Local Host
Assistance from a Globus Local Host in Sydney.
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Excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
Catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef with options to snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, and Wet Tropics of Queensland.
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Transport
The tour includes flights between Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne, providing convenient and efficient travel between these major Australian cities.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights to and from Australia are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as a cruise on Sydney Harbour, a climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge, and a trip to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Extra Nights
Extra nights in Melbourne or other locations are available for purchase but are not included in the base package.
Meals
Breakfast daily; 1 lunch
UNESCO Sites
Great Barrier Reef|Sydney Opera House|Wet Tropics of Queensland
Accommodation
Sydney: Swissotel Sydney, Cairns: Pullman Cairns International, Melbourne: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins
Notes
During the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, certain activities may not be available. A different activity may be substituted or a refund offered if your included activity is not available. Intra-tour flights not included.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of activities are available during the excursion to the Great Barrier Reef?
During the excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, you can choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist.
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What can I do during my leisure day in Cairns?
During your leisure day in Cairns, you can take a trip into the Daintree Rainforest and to Cape Tribulation, relax by your resort’s pool, ride the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, or shop at the Cairns Night Markets.
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What are some optional excursions available in Sydney?
In Sydney, optional excursions include a cruise on Sydney Harbour, a climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge, spending the day in Hunter Valley for wine tasting, a guided backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House, exploring the Rocks District on the Rocks Pub Tour, or learning how to surf at Bondi Beach.
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What can I do during my leisure day in Melbourne?
During your leisure day in Melbourne, you can join an optional excursion to Phillip Island to watch the Penguin Parade, travel on the Great Ocean Road to see the 12 Apostles, explore the hidden lanes and arcades of the city, visit the National Gallery of Victoria, shop on Bourke Street, tour the Old Melbourne Gaol, or relax at one of Melbourne’s famous coffee cafes.
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What is included in the guided sightseeing tour in Melbourne?
The guided sightseeing tour in Melbourne includes visits to Federation Square, St. Patrick’s Park, Queen Victoria Market (when open), Albert Park Lake, the Shrine of Remembrance, and St. Kilda Beach. The tour ends at the Melbourne Skydeck for views from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform.
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What kind of assistance can I expect from the Local Host in Sydney?
In Sydney, the Globus Local Host will make contact with you to discuss your vacation, answer questions, and give suggestions to make the most of your stay.
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What are the accommodation options included in the tour?
The tour includes accommodation at Swissotel Sydney in Sydney, Pullman Cairns International in Cairns, and The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins in Melbourne.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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