Three Capitals Classic

After clearing customs and immigration formalities meet your driver and transfer to the hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax or beging exploring Sydney at your own pace.

Sydney is located on the east coast of the country in the state of New South Wales. It is Australia’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city and an essential stop on any traveller’s Australia vacation. Surrounding the city is a wonderland of national parks, forests, mountains, river valleys and historic riverside towns. The first settlers arrived in 1788 came here to create a penal colony, finding the world’s largest natural harbour, and 70 beaches along the coast within a reasonable distance of the city. In more recent times, Sydney also hosted the 2000 Olympic Games.

Depart your hotel for an unforgettable Panoramic Sydney half day city sights tour. On tour you'll visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, QVB, Centre point.

Visit Sydney's trendy new district Oxford Street. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the superb coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte.

Travel on to famous Bondi Beach. Visit the beachfront promenade, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at own cost). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers and Sydney's best panoramic view at Dover Heights.

Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquarie's Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour before returning to the city centre.

Your awesome driver guide will pick you up early morning, and soon you'll be enroute to our Bush Capital, cruising the NSW Southern Highlands through typical small Australian country towns. We'll stop somewhere along the way so you can grab a coffee (own expense) and stretch your legs before arriving at Canberra. We take a guided tour at Canberra Parliament House, an architectural masterpiece costing $1.1 billion. From the inner walls of power to walking on the roof, this is an amazing spot to explore.

We then take a break for lunch (own expense) before we spend two hours of free time at the National Museum of Australia. The modern National Museum of Australia is well-known for controversial expositions regarding key issues of Australia's social history, people and events.

After your free time here, you'll rejoin the group for a visit of the Australian War Memorial. Reflect as you learn about the legends of Gallipoli, the ANZACs and sacrifices and losses suffered by Australians in past wars fought around the world. We then take a drive through Yarralumla, one of Canberra's largest suburbs, for a close look of the many national embassies. Each embassy is uniquely designed to reflect aspects of their country's culture.

When in Sydney do what the locals do and travel on the harbour highway. The Hop On Hop Off Harbour Explorer pass is the easy way for visitors to explore Sydney over 2 days visiting up to eleven famous harbour precincts including Darling Harbour, Circular Quay (The Rocks and Opera House), Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Luna Park, Manly, Fort Denison, Shark Island, Barangaroo, International Convention Centre Darling Harbour and Garden Island with full commentary. The round trip cruise is 60 - 90 minutes in duration with 30 - 45 minutes between vessels and you can stop off at any attraction and re-board the next Explorer with your two day ticket. Included in this pass is entry to Taronga Zoo. Taronga Zoo is open from 9am - 5pm daily.

This morning, transfer to the Sydney Airport for your flight to Melbourne (flight not included in price).

On arrival at Melbourne, meet you driver and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at lesiure.

Repeatedly voted the world's most liveable city, Melbourne prides itself on its style and multifaceted urban culture. With a well-ordered downtown on the Yarra River, surrounded by parks and gardens, the capital of Victoria offers world-class art and live entertainment, a serious devotion to good coffee, gorgeous architecture, rich Aboriginal history, and top-notch dining. It's bound to be an urban highlight of any Australia vacation.

Welcome to Melbourne, a city of contrasts, world famous sporting arenas and historic gardens. Be dazzled by the wondrous sights of Australia's most vibrant city and learn about Melbourne's fascinating history with your expert guide.

Join a small group tour to make the most of your stay as you zoom in and around the city, visiting such wonders as Federation Square, the MCG and our world-famous sports precinct, St Patrick's Cathedral, Albert Park Lake (Formula 1) and over to St Kilda Beach. You can even take a stroll in the gardens and visit St Patrick's Cathedral when permitted.

Visit world famous Albert Park, home of the Formula One, Australian Grand Prix as well as our inner-city sports precinct, home to the famous MCG and Melbourne Park where the Australian Tennis Open takes place.

There will be a maximum of 11 people in your group, so you will have plenty of opportunities to ask your guide questions and get to know your fellow travellers.

This afternoon, drive south-east from Melbourne to reach Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park where you will meet endangered species, kangaroos, wallabies and koalas plus an array of colourful birds and reptiles.  

Our journey then leads onto Phillip Island, the home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and our famous Little Penguins. Upon arrival on the island, depending on the time of year and your particular interests, we will visit Woolamai beach to see surfers riding the waves. From here, we go to the western corner of the island to enjoy magnificent views of Bass Strait and the Nobbies, which is home to the largest colony of fur seals in Australia.

During the daylight savings months, you will travel to the town of Cowes where you will have free time for dinner. In the winter months you can have something to eat at the Penguin Parade Visitor Center or wait for your early arrival back at your city hotel.

Finally, a trip to Phillip Island is not complete without its black tie gala event: the Penguin Parade. You will head to the Visitor Centre to shop, have a coffee and meander along the boardwalk to the viewing platform where you will see the little penguins come ashore, decked out in their tuxedos as they hurry off to find their burrows. On this tour, you will be treated to viewing the penguins at the special Penguins Plus viewing platform close to the little penguins' favourite spot to exit the water.

This morning you are transfered to Melbourne airport for your onward flight.