Welcome to your Topdeck trip - meet your travel buddies and hit the road. If you've ever seen a car commercial, chances are you've seen the Great Ocean Road. With mere metres between road and water, hairpin bends and epic views out every window, today you'll join the list of five million people to do the 'road-of-passage' along the Great Ocean Road each year. Before putting any rubber on the Great Ocean Road, we'll spot koalas in the wild and lunch in a seaside village. Tonight, chill out and get to know who you're travelling with.
Included today:
-Coastal Lookouts
-12 Apostles & Great Ocean Road
-National Park entry
Meals:
- Dinner
From one natural wonder to another, we'll explore the 167,000 hectares of the Grampians - a mecca for hikers and rock climbers. More than just a place to get geology goosebumps, you'll be standing on sacred ground, with 80% of Victoria's Aboriginal rock art on show. Meet the traditional land owners, whose ancestors were scratching and dabbing their Dreamtime stories onto rock long before the Pyramids of Egypt were conceived. Then paint your own story onto a boomerang. Dinner with the crew tonight.
Included today:
-Paint your own souvenir boomerang
-National Park entry
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Next up: MacKenzie Falls, the largest waterfall in Victoria. It's no Niagara, but flowing water is guaranteed year-round - a rare promise in a country that's 40% desert. Then, over to the Northern Grampians for one last panorama shot where #natureporn trends. Check out some epic views of Mount Williams, the highest peak in the park and third-highest mountain in Victoria. Tonight, after a walking tour, get a slice of history as you catch some shut eye in Old Mt. Gambier Gaol.
Included today:
-National Park entry
-Pinnacles Walk
-Visit McKenzie Falls
-Gaol history walking tour
Meals:
-Breakfast
Stroll through the Valley Lake conservation area and learn about the pre-human flora and fauna existence. Snap madly away on the camera as you spot a Skippy - hot tip: don't try to hug one. Before kicking on to Adelaide, check out the Blue Lake (depending on what time of the year you visit, the lake changes colour) and the Umpherston Sinkhole. Because no South Australian voyage is complete without wine, we get to concoct our own potion as we stop at Wynn's Coonawarra vineyard. Chin chin!
Included today:
-Coonawarra winery
Meals:
-Breakfast
You've made it to one of the world's coolest cities (according to Lonely Planet). Today's a free day for the adventurous to spend the day slurping noodles in the Adelaide Central Market, or take a tram to the seaside village of Glenelg.
Meals:
- Breakfast
There are more wineries around here than flies on a sheep. On our way to the Clare Valley, we'll stop at the Barossa Reservoir Whispering Wall - there's a time and a place for confessions. This isn't it. There is a classic Aussie pub at the end of the road today.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Flinders Ranges National Park is a spoiled brat: it has everything. From mountains to gorges and creeks to rivers, you're lucky you get to play in it today. Take a hike to Wilpena Pound - a natural amphitheatre about three times the size of Uluru.
Included today:
-Wilpena Pound guided walk
-National Park entry
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Destination: Coober Pedy. Where locals live in homes carved deep underground to escape the heat. Along with these subterranean houses, this place is know for another little gem. Opals. 75% of the world's opals come from here. We'll take a mine and town tour to check it all out. Then: time to meet the orphans of the kangaroo world and learn more about how abandoned joeys are nurtured back into the wild.
Included today:
-Opal mine & town tour
-Kangaroo Orphanage
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
It's time to cross the gemstone littered and soft grounds of the Moon Plain up the middle of Australia. Then, check out the world's longest Dingo Fence (good thing there's a gate) and truck on past some very remote roadhouses before crossing the border into the Northern Territory. That resort pool is just what the doctor ordered.
Meals:
- Breakfast
We're hitting the red ground running as we pull into Yulara. It's off to the breathtaking Uluru in the afternoon for a guided tour, and a glass of bubbles as the glow of sunset morphs through 50 shades of red. Tonight hone your Aussie BBQ skills and cook your own steak (or veggie burger). Welcome to the outback, mate.
Included today:
-Mount Conner
-Uluru sunset drinks & snacks
-National Park entry
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Start your day with a big bowl of 'oh my god' thanks to a breathtaking sunrise back at Uluru. Follow in the footsteps of the traditional owners of this sacred World Heritage site with a full base walk, where you can escape the crowds and check out hidden waterholes. Keep watch for wedge-tailed eagles, spinifex hopping mice and thorny devils. Or splurge on a scenic flight and soar over the rock.
Included today:
-Sunrise over Uluru
-National Park entry
-Uluru base walks
-Anangu Visitor centre
-Guided walk by your crew
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Scenic flights
-Camel rides
Get ready for some soul searching as we venture into the heart of sacred Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and walk amongst the 36 red sandstone giants through the Valley of the Winds. After a Dreamtime archeology lesson, and a drive into Watarrka National Park, live the life of a jolly swagman as we sleep under the stars in custom swags. Cue campfire stories and marshmallows tonight.
Please be aware that in winter months (May-Sept), nighttime temperatures can drop to near 0 degrees, so warmer clothing will be required for the night sleeping in the swag.
Included today:
-Valley of the Winds walk
-National Park entry
Please note that the twin / double / or single upgrade is not applicable to the Overnight Swag Night at Kings Canyon. This was not included in when upgrade rates were calculated.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
If you would walk 500 miles (steps), then you'll make it through the toughest part of the Rim Walk - Heart Attack Hill. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is the real deal and the most famous canyon in Oz. Think age-old cycads, eroded dome shapes, a visit to The Lost City - and that's not even the best part. The sheltered valley and waterhole of the Garden of Eden makes today bloody bonza (translation: awesome).
Included today:
-Guided hike of Kings Canyon
-Garden of Eden walk
Meals:
- Breakfast
Wake up. Rub eyes. on an excursion out among the Western MacDonnell Ranges. Our stops include the peaceful Simpsons Gap and the impressive Standley Chasm. It's back to Alice Springs to grab a late lunch and explore the town centre.
Included today:
-Visit Standley Chasm
-Visit Simpsons Gap
Meals:
-Breakfast
Today we'll fly from the Red Centre and dry climate of Alice Springs into the tropical surrounds of Cairns to meet your new crew. After dinner and getting to know your new trip buddies, the night is yours to explore.
Included today:
-Airport transfers
Meals:
-Breakfast
After breakfast, take a walk around town with your crew and get the lay of the land. The afternoon is all yours to play with. You could go big with an optional bungy jump or skydiving, or take to the rapids and go whitewater rafting. This place has plenty to keep you busy.
Included today:
-Cairns walking tour
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Skydiving
-White water rafting
-Bungee jumping
Ramp up the adventure with today's optionals. You could be paddling the rapids of the Tully River and bungy jumping...or just kick back with a coconut. But who could pass up the chance to see The Great Barrier Reef? Join the optional day tour and you'll set out on a catamaran to stop at Michaelmas Cay and the exclusive Paradise Reef. Pop on a snorkel and dive in (there's optional scuba diving too) to see sea turtles and zillion types of tropical fish. There's a tasty buffet lunch included. Back in Cairns, check out the nightlife after dark.
Meals:
- Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Great Barrier Reef day trip
-Whitewater rafting
-Skydiving
-Bungy jumping
Hard as it will be to leave, our time in Cairns has come to an end. Today we head south to explore the natural and wildlife wonders of Magnetic Island. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare and endangered cassowary bird on our morning drive, and then it's a quick ferry trip before you have the afternoon to explore this amazing piece of paradise. Discover secluded beaches and national park walking trails, - or just laze by the pool with a cocktail. We won't judge.
Included today:
-Magnetic Island Hopper Pass
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Feeling like you need more air in your hair? Leave the bus and board your own private yacht for our overnight sailing trip in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Normally a toy for the rich and famous, today the yacht is all yours to learn the ropes while sailing in paradise. More of a land-lover? Take the diva option and let the crew do the work whilst you feast, swim and snorkel.
Please note: We ask that you pack a small overnight bag to take onboard with you as space on the overnight sailing is limited. Pack items like swimmers, beach towel, chargers, hat, sunscreen, camera, jacket, toiletries, sandals/flip flops and casual clothes for two days.
Included today:
-Whitsunday sailing
-Private tour of the local wildlife park
-Visit the Big Mango
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Wake up to pure paradise in one of the many sheltered coves that make up the Whitsundays. Today we'll set sail for golden sandy beaches, snorkel over coral reefs and soak up the sun. A visit to the famous blinding white sands of Whitehaven Beach and Blue Pearl Bay will also be an option if the weather behaves (fingers crossed!). If you're a budding captain, you can even help set the sails and take the helm whilst further exploring the islands. Later this afternoon, set course for our return to land where we'll spend the night in Airlie Beach. Read: pool, shower, dinner, dancing - all in that order!
Included today:
-Whitsunday sailing
-Whitehaven Beach
-Snorkelling
Get out of the hammock and head south to our farm stay, Myella Farm. Think: dusty plains and wide open spaces. After chowing down on a home-cooked meal this evening, slurp a steaming billy tea and gather around the campfire with your buddies. This is the life.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Embrace your inner jackaroo or jillaroo and prepare yourself for an adventure-packed afternoon of horse riding. Or go walkabout to find that right spot for the perfect outback sunset. Enjoy a hearty farm style dinner before you take to whip cracking and lassoing.
Included today:
-Farm sunset
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Optional activities:
-Horse riding
Wake up and smell the coffee. Kick off your day with a farm breakfast before catching a ferry bound for the UNESCO World Heritage listed Fraser Island. This place is the world's largest sand island, with the longest beach in Queensland - all 75 miles (120km) of it.
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Fraser is literally one huge pile of sand - as if someone dropped the Sahara Desert into the Pacific Ocean and scattered it with dingoes and rainforests. Four-wheel-drive along the beach highway to check out the Pinnacles Coloured Sands (considered a place of good luck for the Indigenous Butchulla women), Eli Creek and the Maheno Shipwreck before testing out your stand up paddling skills on the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.
Included today:
-Fraser Island 4WD tour
-Visit Lake MacKenzie
-Central Station
-Coloured Sands
-Maheno Shipwreck
-Eli Creek
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Optional activities:
-Scenic flights from the beach
Our morning travels will take us to Noosa, where we'll have a wander around the national park (ten points if you spot a koala!), then it's onwards to the dormant volcanoes of the Glasshouse Mountains before we reach the cosmopolitan charm of Brisbane. With nightlife like this, there's no excuse not to hit the town this evening.
Included today:
-Brisbane city walking tour
Meals:
- Breakfast
Today we leave Brisbane behind and make a stop at the Gold Coast and famous Surfers Paradise beach before setting a course for some serious surf vibes in Byron. Here you can burn incense, sip chai, become a yoga teacher and win cash for being a Cheeky Monkey all in one day.
Meals:
- Breakfast
Anti-McDonald's and anti-anything mass produced (but pro juice bars, beer gardens and beards), Byron is glitzy on the outside but small town-hearted underneath. Hit the shops, or opt in to paddle a sea kayak with the dolphins, or take a surfing lesson or watch whales breach from the lighthouse in winter. This is the town where peace and tranquillity go to relax. You should too. Byron doesn't care as long as you're happy.
Included today:
-Byron Bay highlights walking trip
Meals:
- Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Dolphin kayaking
-Skydiving
-Surf lessons
Let the wave chasing begin as we cruise down the coast to the surfing mecca of Crescent Head. Here's your chance to become a bona fide surf master. Kelly Slater, who?
Included today:
-Visit the Big Banana
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Wrap up your surfari adventure with a final surf lesson, then it's onwards to the beachside hustle and bustle of Sydney, where we say our goodbyes. It might be the end of this trip, but there is plenty more Oz out there and plenty more Topdeck trips to pick from.
Included today:
-Surf lesson
Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
