Tasmania . Great Barrier Reef . Sydney . Blue Mountains . Ayres Rock . Melbourne . Rainforest

Most first time visitors to Australia really want to visit the iconic sights – Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, Ayres Rock, the Barrier Reef and the Northern Rainforests, so an inclusive country wide tour can be of particular appeal. For this, you will need to make use of the domestic airline network operated by Quantas, or new services offered by Virgin Blue. There are a number of discounted two or three section fares which can be bought in conjunction with international tickets.

We always suggest that free days are built into this kind of itinerary for a little relaxation and recharging of the batteries before moving onto the next highlight of the tour. Australia’s terrain and culture also lends itself to themed or special interest tours of specific regions – walking holidays in Tasmania; foodie tours of Melbourne; Aboriginal culture throughout Australia but particularly prevalent in the outback of the centre and far north; national and local garden visits in Sydney and through New South Wales; diving holidays in the Whitsundays and eco tours of the Daintree and the Northern Cape. Miss the December and early January periods to avoid school holidays and do limit coach travel to avoid long tiresome journeys. If you can arrange a tour in the Pacific spring or autumn months, this offers groups the double benefit of avoiding the very hot months in Australia when temperatures can be too high to be pleasant and an escape from the clutches of winter in the northern hemisphere.