Australia & Cook Islands — Between Red Earth and Turquoise Lagoons
A journey combining the great variety of southern and central Australia — Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island, Kings Canyon and Uluru, Sydney — with the coral paradise of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, with a One Foot Island cruise and swimming with humpback whales.
The Route
Day-by-Day Programme
Arrival in Melbourne
Arrival at Melbourne Airport via Hong Kong. Private transfer to the hotel. Melbourne is the capital of Victoria — a multicultural city at the forefront of art, gastronomy and design. Three nights at Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank.
Melbourne — Free Day
Free day to explore Melbourne: free City Circle Tram, Queen Victoria Market, street art laneways (Hosier Lane, Degraves Street), Federation Square, Royal Botanic Gardens and St Kilda at sunset. The city is famous for its bars, restaurants and vibrant cultural scene.
Melbourne — Second Free Day
Second free day in Melbourne to explore the most interesting neighbourhoods: Fitzroy (artisan market and speciality coffee), Yarra Valley (vineyards one hour from the city) or MCG and sports tours. Farewell dinner in the city before starting the road trip the following day.
Melbourne → Great Ocean Road → Port Campbell
Car rental pick-up (Toyota Corolla All Inclusive, unlimited km) and 09:00 departure along the Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most spectacular scenic drives: Torquay (birthplace of Australian surfing), Kennett River (koalas in eucalyptus trees and colourful lorikeets), Great Otway National Park and Maits Rest Rainforest Walk. Arrival at Port Campbell National Park with the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Arch. Overnight in Port Campbell.
Port Campbell → Mount Gambier → Robe
Departure with a stop in Port Fairy, a charming coastal village. Then Mount Gambier: the Blue Lake (extraordinary turquoise colour that changes with the seasons) and Umpherston Sinkhole, a spectacular garden inside a natural sinkhole. Drive through Coonawarra Wine Region with possible Cabernet Sauvignon tasting. Overnight in Robe, an elegant coastal village.
Robe → Victor Harbor
Drive from Robe to Victor Harbor (330 km), a peaceful seaside town famous for its waterfront, the pedestrian causeway to Granite Island and whale watching season (June–October). Penguin spotting in the evening.
Victor Harbor → Cape Jervis → Kangaroo Island
Drive to Cape Jervis for the Sealink ferry to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island (45 minutes). On arrival: Visitor Centre, map pick-up and start exploring South Australia's most pristine island: free-roaming wildlife (kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, seals, sea lions), white beaches and Flinders Chase National Park.
Kangaroo Island — Free Day
Free day on Kangaroo Island: Seal Bay (permanent sea lion colony), Remarkable Rocks, Admiral Arch, Little Sahara (sand dunes), Vivonne Bay (one of Australia's most beautiful beaches), Stokes Bay and Emu Bay. A full day is barely enough.
Kangaroo Island → McLaren Vale → Adelaide
Return ferry to Cape Jervis and drive to McLaren Vale, a beautiful wine region among hills and vineyards (d'Arenberg Cube, Wirra Wirra, Maxwell Wines). Then Adelaide, South Australia's elegant capital, with Rundle Mall, the Torrens River and Botanic Garden. Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Adelaide.
Adelaide → Alice Springs → Kings Canyon (4WD)
Flight Adelaide–Alice Springs and 4WD All Inclusive rental pick-up. Drive along Larapinta Drive with stops at Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Then the Mereenie Loop Road — 150 km unsealed through Aboriginal territory. Along the way: wild camels, kangaroos, dingoes and brumbies in the silence of the Red Centre. Overnight at Discovery Kings Canyon Resort.
Kings Canyon → Uluru at Sunset
At dawn: the Kings Canyon Rim Walk (3–4 hours), a panoramic trail along the canyon's red walls and the plain below. For those preferring something more gentle: the Kings Creek Walk. In the afternoon: drive to Yulara with a stop at Mount Conner Lookout and Curtin Springs Station. Arrive in time for sunset over Uluru — the rock shifts from red to violet to black.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Early rise for the dawn over Uluru, one of the journey's most powerful spectacles. Then the Base Walk or the evocative Mala Walk with Aboriginal stories. Option to hire bikes around Uluru's perimeter. Afternoon: Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) with the Walpa Gorge Walk among the 36 rock domes. Evening: Bruce Munro's Field of Light — luminous art installation in the desert.
Uluru → Sydney
Final dawn at Uluru and visit to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Then 4WD drop-off at the airport and flight Ayers Rock–Sydney. Free transfer to the hotel at Furama Darling Harbour, in the heart of Sydney.
Sydney — Bay, Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Sydney to explore: Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Royal Botanic Garden, Darling Harbour with aquarium and museums. Options: Opera House tour or Sydney Harbour minicruise with lunch included.
Sydney — Bondi Beach and the Bondi to Coogee Walk
Day at Sydney's beaches: Bondi Beach (surf, surf schools and weekend markets), the Bondi to Coogee Clifftop Walk (6 km along cliffs and natural lookouts past Tamarama and Bronte), Manly by ferry and St Kilda. The most relaxed and sunny side of Sydney.
Sydney → Aitutaki (Cook Islands)
Morning: Taronga Zoo (koalas, kangaroos and bay views) or SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight Sydney–Rarotonga continuing to Aitutaki. Transfer to Resort Tava'e, a boutique beachfront resort.
Aitutaki — One Foot Island Lagoon Cruise
Bishop's All Day Lagoon Cruise: cruise on Aitutaki's turquoise lagoon, snorkelling in crystal waters, BBQ lunch at One Foot Island with a souvenir passport stamp. Aitutaki's lagoon is considered among the most beautiful in the Pacific.
Aitutaki — Swimming with Humpback Whales
Organised tour to swim with humpback whales (July–October): 09:00 departure from Ootu Beach with Wet n Wild Aitutaki. A once-in-a-lifetime experience — floating alongside these ocean giants in the warm waters of the South Pacific.
Aitutaki — Free Day
Free day on Aitutaki: kayak and paddleboard on the lagoon from the resort, exploration of the motu, independent snorkelling or simply relaxing on the beach with turquoise waters at arm's reach.
Aitutaki — Second Free Day
Second free day on Aitutaki: the island is small but every corner is different. Explore on foot or by bike, discover local restaurants and markets, or enjoy the Pacific's most beautiful sunset directly from the resort beach.
Aitutaki → Rarotonga → Auckland
Transfer to the airport and flight Aitutaki–Rarotonga, then onward to Auckland. End of included package services.
Departure — End of Journey
Return flight from Auckland via Hong Kong to your destination. End of the journey.
What's Included
- Accommodation as per itinerary (breakfast included)
- Toyota Corolla All Inclusive car rental unlimited km (Melbourne)
- All Inclusive 4WD unlimited km (Alice Springs)
- Sealink Kangaroo Island ferry return with car
- Resort Tava'e Aitutaki — 5 nights Premium Beachfront Room (breakfast included)
- Aitutaki All Day Lagoon Cruise — One Foot Island (return flights + BBQ lunch included)
- Humpback whale swimming tour — Wet n Wild Aitutaki
- Flight Adelaide → Alice Springs
- Flight Ayers Rock → Sydney
- Flight Sydney → Rarotonga → Aitutaki
- Complete travel documentation in PDF format
- Italian-language local assistance (phone and chat)
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Anything not expressly listed in the included services
From
US$5,220
per person · land services · indicative price, subject to change
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