Contrasts of Australia
-
Exclusive DiscountsGet the best rates plus exclusive discounts and promotions
-
Best Tour SelectionWe've got multiple top rated tour suppliers to choose from
-
Best AdviceOur local travel consultants can help you select the best tour for needs.
Experience Overview
Tick off your favorite must-sees along Australia's East Coast on this journey through cities, beaches, and natural wonders. Discover the similarities and contrasts between cosmopolitan Sydney and artsy Melbourne.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Lunch (L)
Must-see Highlights
- Explore The Sydney Opera House, and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
- Discover Melbourne, Cairns, and Sydney
- Visit eclectic laneways in Melbourne, and Bondi Surf Life Saving Club in Sydney
- Scenic Cruise on the Great Barrier Reef, and Sydney Harbour
Be My Guest
- Sydney: Be My Guest experience: Lunch at the Bondi Beach RSL Club with its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean
- Bondi Beach: Rub shoulders with the bronzed, beautiful people of Bondi Beach, as you join a surf lifesaver who will take you through the Members Only facility of Australia's oldest surf lifesaving club, followed by lunch with views over the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience: Learn how the Indigenous community has protected the flora and wildlife of Queensland’s Wangetti Valley for thousands of years.
- Melbourne: Enjoy a guided tour of a not for profit First Peoples arts and cultural gallery providing opportunities to learn and connect with the rich living cultural heritage of Aboriginal Victoria in this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Our guests will have an opportunity to experience part of the largest collection of First Peoples artifacts and artworks in South-East Australia. Our collections tell you a story of our unique culture and history across Victoria while our galleries allow you to explore how our young emerging and our most experienced artists are expressing their culture today through their amazing works. With our experienced First People guides, you will have an opportunity to listen to our stories and engage in conversation to further explore our culture. Then, guests will enjoy a short guided walk along the banks of the Yarra River where they will have the chance to learn about the history of the Birrarung and the Aboriginal Peoples of the Kulin Nation.
Choice Highlights
- Bondi Beach: Rub shoulders with the bronzed, beautiful people of Bondi Beach, as you join a surf lifesaver who will take you through the Members Only facility of Australia's oldest surf lifesaving club, followed by lunch with views over the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34530
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 92.300B
Starts: Melbourne (VIC), Australia
Finishes: Sydney, Australia
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- Porterage where hotels provide this service
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- All land transport shown. All transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- Flight A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6299 ($700 /day)
Itinerary
Melbourne extends a friendly welcome! (Flights to arrive prior to 12pm). Lucky for you you’re staying in the heart of it all on the banks of the Yarra River. Check into your hotel and meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers over dinner at a popular restaurant on the Yarra River’s South Wharf. It’s a delicious introduction to Melbourne’s cosmopolitan vibe.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Meals: Dinner
Get out and see the sights today on a guided walk with your Travel Director discovering the little lanes, arcades, and cafe society of stylish Melbourne. Gaze up at the beautiful Victorian façades lining grand boulevards. Now make a positive impact while you learn about Koorie peoples, cultures, and communities on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience tour and walk. You’ll love discovering the importance of Koorie peoples as part of a broader 21st century community. Afterwards, the day is yours to relax back at your hotel, go for a scenic stroll or do a little souvenir shopping. Or choose to venture outside of the city on an optional experience such as the viewing of the incredible Little Penguins on Phillip Island. On this rare wildlife viewing experience you’ll watch the tiny, adorable penguins make their daily trek from the sea to burrows on the beach.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Meals: Breakfast
Go from city to tropics today as you fly north to sunny Cairns. At Hartley's Crocodile Adventures you’ll team up with a Local Specialist for a private, wildlife-rich boat cruise. They will give you the inside scoop on the life and habits of the crocs you’ll see popping up from the murky waters or lazing on the bank. There will be time afterwards to help regenerate the rainforest particular to the Wangetti Valley in which Hartley's is located. After a day in the wild, you’ll travel back to Cairns for a free evening to try some of the city’s famous seafood around the Cairns Marina. If you’re looking to browse among a lot of options, visit the Cairns Night Markets and have your pick of over 70 open-air stalls of local specialities. Note: If departing on an early flight from Melbourne, a boxed breakfast will be provided.
Accommodation: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast
Go from city to sea today on a full day bucket list exploration of the world’s largest coral reef system in the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set sail on a high-speed catamaran for these tropical waters then explore this underwater wonderland up close donning your mask and fins for a snorkel (equipment provided). You’ll feel like a fish in an aquarium weaving through the rainbow of reefs and fish. Or, choose to stay dry in your semi-submersible, air-conditioned craft with an underwater observatory to have a different view of these tropical species. However you choose to explore, you’ll love learning the insights on the reef the colourful fish and plants that call it home from your local guide. On board you’ll be treated to a buffet lunch and afternoon tea and coffee to soak up the Aussie sun before you cruise back into Cairns.
Accommodation: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Your last day in Cairns is all yours to kick back at the hotel pool, check out more of the city sites, or venture out of town for more adventures. One popular Optional Experience is taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway through a lush forests, past gorges, ravines, and waterfalls to Kuranda’s 'village in the rainforest.' After an epic train ride, you have time to explore this quaint village’s trails, wildlife sanctuaries, shops, and markets all within a World Heritage rainforest, before returning to the lowlands soaring above the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. After a big day out or in town, meet up with the group for dinner at Ochre Restaurant and enjoy Australian cuisine featuring the best local produce.
Accommodation: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your Australia sightseeing takes an exciting turn as you leave Cairns’ beaches for Sydney. Settle into your centrally located hotel, before taking to the streets. You could walk to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, which is close by. Your evening is at leisure, so take the opportunity to explore Circular Quay and the Rocks District. Ask your Travel Director for dining suggestions.
Accommodation: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
Take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House and uncover the stories behind its iconic sails and world-renowned performers. Then head to Bondi for a behind-the-scenes visit to the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, where a local guide shares what it takes to patrol one of the world’s most famous beaches. Your Be My Guest experience is hosted at the Bondi RSL Club by a Surf Club member, with views of the beach and a chance to share stories over a meal infused with local flavour. Later, cruise Sydney Harbour to take in the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the water, a fresh perspective on the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Accommodation: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Kick off your last day in Sydney by checking out its sights and sounds any way you want on this free day. You might choose to wander further afield on an Optional Experience to the Blue Mountains, for fresh mountain air and stunning scenery. Get your adrenaline racing with a thrilling climb up (and over) the Sydney Harbour Bridge. For something more down to earth, you could wander along the harbor foreshore through the Royal Botanic Garden. Then it’s time to celebrate your travels over dinner with your newfound friends and travel mates.
Accommodation: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
It’s been a glorious nine days of Australia sightseeing, but all good things must come to an end. Fill up on your last breakfast before bidding farewell to your travel mates and your transfer to the Sydney airport (flights anytime).
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, January 2025
Our visit to Melbourne and Sydney went very well but we were extremely lucky that we were able to do anything in Cairns during the height of their rainy season. The train ride and Sky rail were great. The reef experience was a disappointment. the sea was rough and many of the guest, including me got sea sick. The meal was mediocre. The meal and snorkeling were a free for all with too many people trying get food, find a place to sit, to use the equipment and have space to get in the water. There were not enough life jackets or space to sit and put on flippers. The bus drivers were professional and very good. Our tour director *Personal details removed by Feefo* was Awesome!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/22/2025
Ava Lee - Traveled, January 2025
Great introduction to Australia The tour guide, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was amazing. She emailed us tips before the start of the tour. The tips were helpful. The itinerary for the short trip was great. I felt it showed off the best parts of the three cities we visited. The hotels were centrally located. The tour guide was FANTASTIC! The amount of the single supplement was shocking though.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/26/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Excellent introduction to the country. Guide was exceptional but would of appreciated more time in Cairns.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
It’s was a great trip! Tony, our director was awesome.. funny, witty, extremely knowledgeable & made the trip special… thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2024
Lisa Baker - Traveled, September 2024
Recommend Contrasts Of Australia & Trafalgar Communication before the tour via email was excellent. Even when we emailed back with questions they were answered in a very timely manner. *Personal information removed by Feefo* was our contact with Trafalgar and she did a great job. Our trip was fantastic. Our group of tourists were all very nice and friendly. Our tour director, *Personal information removed by Feefo* was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. He could be a comedian-he made it fun and kept us entertained. I came from an excellent small group tour (7 people) in New Zealand to this tour and to be honest we weren’t expecting a lot and we were pleasantly surprised. We recommend this tour and company. Very enjoyable! The only issue we had was they wouldn’t cover the airport transfer unless you arrived the day of the tour. This is not practical. With the airline delays and cancellations that are prevalent in the airline industry it makes sense to fly out early. Not to mention we flew from the US to Australia and that can’t be accomplished the same day. The transfers should be covered even if you arrive a few days early.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, February 2025
Amazing organize and so easy, from airport to hotel is a 10 Happiest traveler.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/21/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, February 2025
Bucket List Trip. Our Travel Director was amazing. He was funny, kind and so helpful with any questions that came up. This was our fourth Trafalgar tour and we are already looking to book our 5th one in a few months. You are always on the move and you will see a lot. The extra excursions are worth the money. We signed up for as many as we could.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/25/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
Contrasts of Australia. Our guide *Personal information removed by Feefo* was great. We had a great experience. Guide Tony was terrific and fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/22/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Excellent introduction to the country. Guide was exceptional but would of appreciated more time in Cairns.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2024
Helen Linden - Traveled, September 2024
Go explore Australia! I was very impressed with Trafalgar service. Everything went smoothly. Everything was explained. The itinerary was perfect and I believe it was done very well and professionally. I like it so much now I’m doing the tour which Trafalgar in New Zealand! This trip was fantastic! Our guide, Dave Overton, was very well informative about every place we went. I realized that with a large group, it can be chaotic, but everything went smoothly from city to city. I highly recommend this tour because it was great value for everything I experienced. I took advantage of all the excursions but the truth is I left little time to explore the wonderful cities of Melbourne Sydney and Cairns. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to come back to Australia to explore it some more!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2024
