Ultimate Australia with Kakadu Dreaming | 2024 - 2025

What's Included

• Sydney Opera House Tour

  Explore the iconic Sydney Opera House.

• ANZAC Memorial Visit

  Visit the ANZAC Memorial in Sydney.

• Royal Botanic Gardens Tour

  Tour the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.

• Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

  Enjoy an afternoon surf lesson in Byron Bay.

• Noosa Everglades Exploration

  Discover tree-lined waterways and ancient rainforests in Noosa Everglades.

• K'gari Experience

  Experience sand dunes, lakes, and the world's longest sand highway on K'gari.

• Whitsunday Islands Snorkeling

  Snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsunday Islands.

• Magnetic Island Koala Spotting

  Go koala-spotting and see WWII fortifications on Magnetic Island.

• Daintree Rainforest Tour

  Tour the world's oldest rainforest, the Daintree Rainforest.

• Uluru Sunrise and Sunset

  Watch the sunrise and sunset over the sacred landmark of Uluru.

• Meals

  Meals included as specified in the itinerary.

• Internal Flights

  Internal flights between destinations as specified in the itinerary.

• Guided Tours

  Guided tours and activities as specified in the itinerary.

What's Not Included

• Optional Activities

  Optional activities such as the Harbour Bridge climb, jetboat ride, bike tour, sunrise at Australia's most easterly point, kayaking, whale watching, sea kayaking, skydive, scenic flight, dot painting, Field of Lights, Segway tour, and scenic flight over the Northern Territory.
  
  

• Personal Expenses

  Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks.
  
  

• Travel Insurance

  Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
  
  

• International Flights

  International flights to and from Australia are not included.
  
  

• Visa Fees

  Visa fees and any other travel documentation costs are not included.
  
  

Mode of Transport

Travel across Australia with ease, utilizing internal flights between key destinations such as Sydney, Byron Bay, and Uluru. Enjoy scenic coach rides and ferry transfers, ensuring a seamless journey from the bustling cityscapes to the serene natural wonders of the country.

Accommodation

Experience a variety of accommodations throughout your journey, including the vibrant Wake Up in Sydney, the eco-friendly Kangarooms Noosa Everglades, and the tropical Nomads Airlie Beach. Enjoy unique stays at Gilligans in Cairns and the Voyages Outback Hotel & Lodge near Uluru, ensuring comfort and adventure at every stop.

Dining Summary

• 16 Breakfast (B)
• 5 Dinner (D)
• 4 Lunch (L)

Active

• Byron Bay: You’re booked in for an afternoon surf lesson. Side note: schedule some chillout time afterwards – you might ache from wrestling the tides.
• Whitsunday Islands: The Great Barrier Reef is home to nearly 9,000 species of sea creatures. This means it’ll impress even the saltiest ‘sea dogs’.
• Magnetic Island: Go koala-spotting, see WWII fortifications, or just have a beer in the sun. There’s something for everyone on this trail.
• Kata Tjuta: Walk around this sacred site. See the Valley of the Winds and Walpa Gorge, with its towering domes that change colour in the sunlight.
• Kings Canyon: Climb the 'stairway to heaven' to the aptly named Garden of Eden, Kings Canyon.
• Kakadu National Park: Climb to the top and be rewarded with a sunset to rival the African savannas. You’ll half-expect a lion to walk into the frame!

Culture

• Sydney: Passports at the ready folks.
• Noosa Everglades: Our Special Stay Eco Lodges are in the heart of the action. You may even have a jumping joey as a friendly neighbour.
• Townsville: Catch a boat from the mainland to Magnetic Island.
• Magnetic Island: Pack some comfy shoes and climb up to Hawking's Point for sundown. Yoga poses for Insta: optional.
• Magnetic Island: Mingle with Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk. Just watch these cheeky little guys don’t steal your wallet!
• Magnetic Island: Catch a boat from Magnetic Island to the mainland. Wave goodbye to your new BFF Reggie the Koala and promise you’ll write.
• Townsville: Things heat up as the landscape gets even more tropical. Soak up the scenery on this train trip from Townsville to Cairns.
• Uluru: Start the day the right way – by enjoying the sunrise over Uluru. This should be on everyone’s #lifegoals list.
• Uluru: Salute this sacred landmark with drinks and nibbles as you watch the sun set. A moment you’ll replay in your mind forever.
• Uluru: Chill with your new BFFs over dinner at Uluru.
• Darwin: We’ll uncover the very best of this cultural hotspot, with a local guide on hand to answer all our burning questions.
• Kakadu National Park: See the work of Aboriginal artists and craft-makers and learn more about the indigenous tribes.
• Kakadu National Park: Some Aboriginal art on Nourlangie Rocks has been around for 20,000 years! It makes our nan look like a spring chicken.

FAQs

• Sydney: Why does the itinerary use dual-names for locations (ie. Warrane/Sydney)? Contiki acknowledges the Traditional and Torres Strait Island owners of the land, sea and waters of the spectacular Australian continent. Dual-naming reflects that, as we explore this remarkable land, we recognise and respect Indigenous custodianship of a unique, ancient culture and country.
• Gimuy (Cairns): Can I catch a flight the next day after diving at the Great Barrier Reef? It’s best to wait at least 24 hours after your last dive before flying.
• Yunbenun (Magnetic Island): Can I get a single or twin room upgrade in Magnetic Island? During your 2-night stay in Magnetic Island, you’ll stay in multi-share rooms with the same sex even (if you’ve booked single or twin room for the trip duration). But if you’d like some privacy, you can request a paid upgrade to a single or twin room, but the confirmation would depend on availability.

Foodie

• Noosa Everglades: We’ll say hey to Scottish cows and English pigs. We’ll explore a unique 80-acre farm, where the farmers share a passion for sustainability. We’ll sample food that’s grown using traditional methods and is 100% chemical-free. What ‘moo’ could you ask for?
• K’gari: Ready for some true tranquillity? Today you’ll have the chance to dine and unwind on the simply stunning island of K’Gari (Fraser Island).
• Cairns: Eat like a local with this chef-guided bush food tutorial and dinner (thankfully, not a witchetty grub in sight!)
• Uluru: Does it get any better than a 'Big Brekkie' cooked up on the BBQ? We think not.

Included Experience

• Sydney: Dramatic scenery. Fresh mountain air filling your lungs. A World Heritage Site. If that’s your thing, prepare to be impressed.
• Sydney: The Opera House. ANZAC Memorial. Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s all here for you to post on social and make your friends jealous!
• Sydney: Step onto the golden stretch of one of the world’s most famous beaches. The ultimate sandy nirvana for sun worshippers.
• Sydney: Passports at the ready folks.
• Byron Bay: You’re booked in for an afternoon surf lesson. Side note: schedule some chillout time afterwards – you might ache from wrestling the tides.
• Noosa Everglades: We’ll say hey to Scottish cows and English pigs. We’ll explore a unique 80-acre farm, where the farmers share a passion for sustainability. We’ll sample food that’s grown using traditional methods and is 100% chemical-free. What ‘moo’ could you ask for?
• Noosa Everglades: The gateway to tree-lined waterways and ancient rainforests of Noosa Everglades. And if that doesn’t tempt you: there’s a micro-brewery onsite.
• Noosa Everglades: Our Special Stay Eco Lodges are in the heart of the action. You may even have a jumping joey as a friendly neighbour.
• K’gari: Sand dunes. Check. Lakes. Check. Rainforest. Check. World’s longest sand highway. Check. Possibly one of the coolest places we know.
• K’gari: Thanks to the white sand and turquoise waters, you’ll think you’re stranded on a paradise island.
• K’gari: Ready for some true tranquillity? Today you’ll have the chance to dine and unwind on the simply stunning island of K’Gari (Fraser Island).
• Airlie Beach: Grab your new buddies, snorkel round the reef, see ‘the world’s best beach’ and eat lunch on a boat. A proper ‘pinch yourself’ moment.
• Whitsunday Islands: The Great Barrier Reef is home to nearly 9,000 species of sea creatures. This means it’ll impress even the saltiest ‘sea dogs’.
• Townsville: Catch a boat from the mainland to Magnetic Island.
• Magnetic Island: Pack some comfy shoes and climb up to Hawking's Point for sundown. Yoga poses for Insta: optional.
• Magnetic Island: Go koala-spotting, see WWII fortifications, or just have a beer in the sun. There’s something for everyone on this trail.
• Magnetic Island: Mingle with Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk. Just watch these cheeky little guys don’t steal your wallet!
• Magnetic Island: Catch a boat from Magnetic Island to the mainland. Wave goodbye to your new BFF Reggie the Koala and promise you’ll write.
• Townsville: Things heat up as the landscape gets even more tropical. Soak up the scenery on this train trip from Townsville to Cairns.
• Cairns: Eat like a local with this chef-guided bush food tutorial and dinner (thankfully, not a witchetty grub in sight!)
• Daintree Rainforest: Check out the oldest rainforest in the world, home to frogs, butterflies, bats and more.
• Daintree Rainforest: Tour the world’s oldest rainforest with an expert. Sir David Attenborough called Daintree: ‘the most extraordinary place on earth’.
• Daintree Rainforest: Learn how ancient ‘Dreamtime’ stories were shared through art. Then unleash your inner Banksy and create a masterpiece at the Janbal Gallery.
• Uluru: Start the day the right way – by enjoying the sunrise over Uluru. This should be on everyone’s #lifegoals list.
• Kata Tjuta: Walk around this sacred site. See the Valley of the Winds and Walpa Gorge, with its towering domes that change colour in the sunlight.
• Uluru: Does it get any better than a 'Big Brekkie' cooked up on the BBQ? We think not.
• Uluru: Salute this sacred landmark with drinks and nibbles as you watch the sun set. A moment you’ll replay in your mind forever.
• Kings Canyon: Climb the 'stairway to heaven' to the aptly named Garden of Eden, Kings Canyon.
• Gimuy (Cairns): Time to take to the sky. Uluru, here we come!
• Uluru: Chill with your new BFFs over dinner at Uluru.
• Darwin: We’ll uncover the very best of this cultural hotspot, with a local guide on hand to answer all our burning questions.
• Kakadu National Park: Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture at Pudakul. Meet a local family in their home and learn about the significance of the Didgeridoo.
• Kakadu National Park: Climb to the top and be rewarded with a sunset to rival the African savannas. You’ll half-expect a lion to walk into the frame!
• Alice Springs: Off we soar to our next destination.
• Kakadu National Park: See the work of Aboriginal artists and craft-makers and learn more about the indigenous tribes.
• Kakadu National Park: Some Aboriginal art on Nourlangie Rocks has been around for 20,000 years! It makes our nan look like a spring chicken.
• Katherine: Kick back and take a refreshing dip in the crystalline plunge pools, surrounded by monsoon forest. Pure bliss!
• Litchfield National Park: One for the bucket list. Take it easy in the relaxing plunge pools, or swim under the cascading Florence Falls.
• Litchfield National Park: Check out this weird but unmissable highlight at Litchfield National Park.

Nature

• Sydney: Dramatic scenery. Fresh mountain air filling your lungs. A World Heritage Site. If that’s your thing, prepare to be impressed.
• Sydney: Step onto the golden stretch of one of the world’s most famous beaches. The ultimate sandy nirvana for sun worshippers.
• K’gari: Sand dunes. Check. Lakes. Check. Rainforest. Check. World’s longest sand highway. Check. Possibly one of the coolest places we know.
• K’gari: Thanks to the white sand and turquoise waters, you’ll think you’re stranded on a paradise island.
• Airlie Beach: Grab your new buddies, snorkel round the reef, see ‘the world’s best beach’ and eat lunch on a boat. A proper ‘pinch yourself’ moment.
• Daintree Rainforest: Check out the oldest rainforest in the world, home to frogs, butterflies, bats and more.
• Daintree Rainforest: Tour the world’s oldest rainforest with an expert. Sir David Attenborough called Daintree: ‘the most extraordinary place on earth’.
• Katherine: Kick back and take a refreshing dip in the crystalline plunge pools, surrounded by monsoon forest. Pure bliss!
• Litchfield National Park: One for the bucket list. Take it easy in the relaxing plunge pools, or swim under the cascading Florence Falls.
• Litchfield National Park: Check out this weird but unmissable highlight at Litchfield National Park.

Special Stay

• Noosa Everglades: The gateway to tree-lined waterways and ancient rainforests of Noosa Everglades. And if that doesn’t tempt you: there’s a micro-brewery onsite.