Australia Adventure

The adventure begins in Melbourne, a lively city famed for its cafe culture, incredible food, beautiful street art, live music and vibrant nightlife! Activities start at around 4pm this evening. Meet the trip leader and group for the first time before heading out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Today we're experiencing Melbourne's creative side and culture, from the vibrant street art of Hosier Lane to the sensational food at Queen Victoria Market. See the vintage Flinders Street Station and enjoy a free evening to explore Melbourne's unbeatable nightlife. After-dark dessert bars, arcades, private karaoke rooms, live music, mini golf, nightclubs that stay open until late... Where to begin?

Beachside villages, golden sandy stretches, surfer vibes, rainforests, towering cliffs and waterfalls: the Great Ocean Road offers all this and so much more! Explore the stunning vistas of Bells Beach, famed as Australia's surfing capital. Grab fish and chips for a lunch on the coast. And, saving the most iconic viewpoint until last, marvel at the Twelve Apostles' collection of limestone stacks jutting out of the sea. What a road trip!

With so much to see and do in Melbourne, today you can discover this city at your leisure. You could grab brunch with friends before exploring the Royal Botanical Gardens. Or join an optional evening trip to Phillip Island to see tiny penguins waddling across a beach at sunset!

Take an included flight to our first destination on the Aussie East Coast. Cairns is the legendary gateway for Great Barrier Reef snorkelling and scuba-diving, and while this really is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, Cairns has even more to offer beyond that - including secret islands, tropical rainforests and fantastic nightlife!

Escape to a hidden island paradise, explore the world's most ancient rainforest or relax in town by the sparkling lagoon. And who could forget about all the adrenaline activities Cairns has to offer? Bungee jumping, canyoning, white water rafting, skydiving... It's one adventure to the next!

It's the moment you've been waiting for! The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on Earth, and nothing can really prepare you for mind-blowing this experience will be. Today you'll go snorkelling in bright turquoise waters with colourful, tropical fish swimming around you and the vibrant coral reef just below. From sea turtles to stingrays and nemo fish, you'll lose count of all the different sea creatures. No wonder it's recognised as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World!

Enjoy one more free day in Cairns, because who could resist more beach days, adventure sports or hiking trails? Pick up where you left off or try something different today - like riding a giant swing, or taking one of the world's most picturesque train journeys and visiting an aboriginal village's colourful markets. If you're having trouble deciding, then your trip leader will have recommendations at the ready!

Magnetic Island is a natural paradise filled with emerald woodlands, golden beaches and a ruggedly handsome coastline. It's nicknamed "Maggie" by the local people, and this island's feel-good vibes are addictive - especially since there are over 300 days of sunshine waiting for you. This afternoon, you could go hiking to see the island's best sunsets or embrace the beach and party vibes at our accommodation.

Today's your free day on Magnetic Island. You could hang out with koalas and feed rainbow lorikeet parrots, learn how to scuba dive and swim past shipwrecks or hike the famous Forts Walk. Can't choose what you want to see? Experience a little bit of everything by hiring a topless jeep and driving around the island with your friends!

Today we'll say goodbye to Maggie, and hello to Airlie Beach. This backpacker-friendly resort town is famed for its vibrant ocean, palm-studded beaches and tropical weather. After checking into our accommodation, the afternoon is yours to explore all the lively beach bars, pretty shops and waterfront parks that Airlie Beach has to offer.

The Whitsundays is easily one of the most beautiful destinations in Australia, and today's another once-in-a-lifetime moment as we sail around it on our overnight ship. Take a guided bush walk, overlook Whitehaven Beach and feel the sand between your toes as you discover this famous location. Then sail to another island as golden hour hits. Celebrate the sunset over a lively group dinner and great conversation.

No trip to the Whitsundays is ever complete without diving into the waters for some snorkelling. The Whitsundays is located at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, so you'll swim past an incredible variety of sea creatures today - manta rays, sea turtles and more! Then enjoy a free afternoon back in Airlie Beach, which you could use to wander around town, hike to the top of Honeyeater Lookout or discover Airlie Beach's exhilarating nightlife!

It's another day in paradise, so make the most out of it! Optional activities include hiring a solo or twin watercraft to ride around Airlie Beach or taking a scenic flight and rafting trip to the Whitsundays.

The wildlife inside Mackay is something to remember. After checking into our accommodation, we'll take a stroll along the city's scenic coastline via the Bluewater Trail. Then this evening, we'll visit Harbour Beach and watch the sunset together. Take it easy tonight, because our next activity is unlike anything you've experienced before!

It's an early rise this morning for a wildlife encounter that's one of a kind. We'll arrive at the Cape Hillsborough National Park and reach Casuarina Beach at dawn, seeing wallabies and kangaroos hopping along the coast. These animals come here every morning to feed on mangrove seed pods, before relaxing after dawn. Expect one of the most magnificent sunrises you'll ever see inside this best-kept secret location along the East Coast.

Enjoy a free day which can be used to try wakeboarding, kneeboarding and more cable water sports at Wake House Australia! If you'd prefer to discover more wildlife and see a platypus in the wild, you can take a trip to the Eungella National Park. This evening, we'll take an overnight bus to Noosa.

Noosa is famed for its heavy surf, unspoiled nature and chilled-back vibes. This resort town is a favourite destination among both Australians and international travellers, and chances are, it'll become one of yours too. Today we'll visit the Noosa Main Beach before exploring all the boutiques and cafes at Hastings Street. Then this evening, get ready to test your general knowledge and trick shots with a pub quiz and pool competition!

The name K'gari translates to "paradise" and inside this heavenly destination, you'll discover incredible contrasts of nature. Explore the world's biggest sand island and see everything it has to offer, from the 75 Mile Beach to the stunningly bright Boorangoora lake. Go swimming and board-walking at the unforgettable Eli Creek, before visiting the famous SS Maheno Shipwreck to uncover its history. All this and more await you on our K'gari day trip.

Start the morning with a scenic sunrise walk through Noosa National Park, and from there, the rest of today is yours to freely explore. Our top suggestion is following the Coastal Track to see dolphins in the ocean and unwind on secret beaches. Today you can optionally cruise or kayak through the Everglades National Park, which as one of two of the world's Everglades forests, is an extremely rare location.

Today we're visiting Australia's most famous zoo, owned by the Irwin family and home of "The Crocodile Hunter" himself! Learn about Steve Irwin's legacy on this incredible day out and encounter endless wildlife action - including giraffes, crocodiles and tigers. We'll spend the entire day at the Australia Zoo, so take your time exploring all the activities and attractions on offer.

Our next destination is Brisbane, famed for its outdoor entertainment, laidback vibes and beautiful green spaces. Today's your chance to explore the sprawling South Bank and soak up the sunshine at Streets Beach in the heart of the city. When the evening hits, South Bank transforms into a vibrant nightlife district, with Grey Street and Stanley Street being perfect choices for live entertainment and bar-hopping!

Explore Brisbane at your own pace today, from neon-lit night markets for sizzling street food to peaceful botanic gardens and riverbank attractions. Or escape the city life with a day trip to Moreton Island to go snorkelling past shipwrecks and enjoy some beach time.

From the surfer vibes and vibrant nightlife to the incredible beaches, coastal hiking trails and stylish brunch spots, Byron Bay is a pretty special place. Enjoy a leisurely walk around town this afternoon, where we'll get to know Byron Bay better and visit a few of its top attractions - including the world-famous beaches.

Rise and shine, because this morning we'll go for a morning hike and see Byron Bay's famous lighthouse in perfect timing for the sunrise. Enjoy the magnificent views, before heading back to our accommodation for a private yoga session. The afternoon is free for you to relax on the beach or try surfing with a beginner's lesson or board hire. This evening, you could visit Byron Bay's hotspot bars and nightclubs!

Explore Byron Bay completely at your own pace. Today you can kayak alongside dolphins in the ocean, or get to know Byron Bay's more hidden gem locations - including rainforests, waterfalls and secret beaches. Whatever activities you get up to, Byron Bay is the dream place to be in.

Today we'll be travelling overnight from Byron Bay to Sydney, and all you need to do is kick back and relax. Over the next few days, we'll finish on an incredible high while discovering Australia's most iconic city and the famous Blue Mountains!

Today we'll enjoy a delicious group lunch at the vibrant Darling Harbour and soak up both the bustling ambience and amazing city views. Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Then enjoy some free time ahead of our evening in Chinatown! From there, you can explore Sydney's epic nightlife, live music and local brewery spots.

Today we'll discover Australia's most famous mountain range, just west of Sydney. See the famous Three Sisters rock formations from Echo Point Lookout and hear about its Indigenous legend. Climb to the top of Lincoln's Rock and visit Wentworth Falls, plus lesser-known spots. Then return to Sydney for a free evening. As it's the last night, let's celebrate!

It's been the adventure of a lifetime discovering Australia together! You can depart at any time. If you're looking to stay in Sydney, or find work in Australia check out our Absolute Oz Jobs programme.