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Australia – Journey Down Under • March 3-15, 2025

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

Australia, the beautiful island continent …

Embark on a captivating 12-night Australian adventure starting in vibrant Melbourne, exploring its eclectic neighborhoods and cultural landmarks. Unwind in beautiful Thala Beach Nature Reserve from which we’ll explore Mossman Gorge and the Great Barrier Reef. In Port Lincoln, we’ll relish seafood and thrilling marine life encounters and venture into Koala and Kangaroo habitat. We’ll conclude in iconic Sydney, marveling at the all this amazing city has to offer. This journey blends urban excitement, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences.

Overview

March 3 – 15, 2025

 Double occupancy ~ $13,895.00 per person

Single occupancy ~ $15,565.00

Activity Level: 3 out of 4

You are an active traveler who loves to see things up-close and personal. You aren’t bothered by standing or walking for long periods of time (1-2 hours) and you can navigate uneven surfaces and easily climb into and out of different kinds of vehicles or vessels. You can handle the rigors of exploring the world in a hands-on way, even if that means getting up early or staying up late!

Highlights & Inclusions:

  • Round-trip airport transfers on main trip arrival and departure dates
  • Twelve (12) nights total accommodations in unique, boutique hotels
  • Pre-night registration for hotel in Melbourne hotel, March 2
  • Most meals, as referenced in the itinerary, including wine, beer, soft drinks, water & coffee/tea
  • All transportation in deluxe, climate-controlled vehicles
  • Internal economy class domestic flights within Australia
  • Excursions and tours as outlined in the itinerary (subject to change)
  • Expert guides with passion and personality
  • Gratuities included for guides, drivers, restaurant staff, and hotel porters
  • Pre-trip documents with important travel information including “Know Before You Go,” luggage tags, and signature WOW! surprises
  • Assistance with air booking (complimentary for repeat “WOWees”; service fee of $75 for first-time “WOW!” travelers)
  • Basic emergency medical insurance
  • “WOW!” surprises along the way!
  • The experience and expertise of an experienced WOW! Travel Club team member for pre-trip planning and on-site escorting

Exclusions:

  • International airfare (fare will be quoted upon request)
  • Extra hotel nights, if requested
  • Meals not noted in itinerary
  • Incidental charges (shopping, spa, food and beverage not included in the itinerary, etc.)
  • Supplemental travel insurance (for trip cancellation, pre-existing conditions, lost luggage, trip delay reimbursement, etc.)
  • Housekeeping Gratuities
  • Fees associated with entry visa

**Itinerary Subject to Change**

Itinerary - March 3 - 15, 2025

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY ONE – Monday, March 3rd – Arrival in Melbourne

You’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel – the beautiful QT Melbourne Hotel. Most flights from the United States arrive in Melbourne early-morning. We’ve reserved your room for the night prior, ensuring immediate availability.

After a rest, begin your Australian adventure with a private boat for a welcome lunch, enjoying Melbourne’s sights and learning about its history from a local Aboriginal guide. Sip on bubbles as you pass the sporting precinct, Central Business District (CBD), Botanical Gardens, and rowing sheds. Disembark for a leisurely walking tour of Melbourne’s CBD, exploring vibrant riverbanks, historic boulevards, arcades, laneways, Federation Square, street art, and boutique stores before returning to your hotel.

Dinner on your own this evening.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Lunch
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  QT Melbourne Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY TWO – Tuesday, March 4th – Melbourne, Great Ocean Road

We’ll spend today journeying down the Great Ocean Road, meeting local icons, spotting wild kangaroos and koalas, and exploring charming coastal towns, national parks, and native forests. We’ll begin at a quiet beach with Lowell Hunter, a proud Nyul Nyul Saltwater aboriginal man and award-winning sand artist. Collaborate on a unique sand artwork using traditional foot movements.

Enjoy the Tea Rooms at The Lighthouse, visit Bells Beach at Torquay, walk through Erskine Falls and Teddy’s Lookout, and finish with views from Lorne Pier before returning to Melbourne. Lunch during our excursion.

We’ll enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel   Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  QT Melbourne Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY THREE – Wednesday, March 5th – Melbourne

We’ll start our day with a coffee tasting at ST. Ali, Melbourne’s specialty coffee pioneer, then explore the South Melbourne Markets and drive through the F1 Grand Prix circuit at Albert Park.

After lunch, we’ll visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) to explore its vast collection of over 75,000 works.

In the evening, experience another side of Melbourne with a special get-together with Orlando Marzo, the world’s number one cocktail barman and mixologist. Enjoy cocktails and tales of Melbourne’s nightlife with Orlando at a local bar, followed by a dinner celebrating local flavors and contemporary techniques. We’ll conclude the night with a post-dinner nightcap at an iconic speakeasy bar before returning to our hotel around 10:00 p.m.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  QT Melbourne Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY FOUR – Thursday, March 6th – Melbourne to Cairns,  Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Transfer day – Today is a bit of a travel day with a flight from Melbourne to Cairns, then transferred to our spectacular hotel, Thala Beach Nature Reserve Hotel, a secluded eco-retreat nestled on a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas.

Once settled in your bungalow in the heart of the tropical rainforest, we will regroup for dinner at the hotel with gorgeous views from among the treetops. 

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Thala Beach Nature Reserve Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY FIVE – Friday, March 7th – Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Mossman Gorge

We’ll begin the day with a Dreamtime Walk at the Mossman Gorge Visitor Center with a traditional smoking ceremony. Wander through the lush rainforest with an Indigenous guide who shares insights on traditional plant use, bush food sources, and cultural practices like making bush soaps and ochre painting. Enjoy bush tea and damper at the end of the tour.

After lunch, head to a secret location on the Mossman River for a private River Drift Snorkel adventure, combining swimming, snorkeling, and a rainforest walk in crystal-clear waters.

Dinner at the hotel among the treetops.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Thala Beach Nature Reserve Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY SIX – Saturday, March 8th – Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Great Barrier Reef

Today is one you’ll not soon forget – exploring the Great Barrier Reef! Immerse yourself in the northern frontier with a snorkeling and sailing adventure ideal for conservation-minded visitors. Perfect for swimmers with a spirit of fun, this full-day experience at the stunning Mackay Coral Cay is conducted sustainably. Lunch is served onboard.

Enjoy informative and entertaining reef presentations by qualified marine biologists, enhancing your appreciation of the fragile environment and understanding of the marine life you will encounter.

We’ll dine together at the hotel.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Thala Beach Nature Reserve Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY SEVEN – Sunday, March 9th – Thala Nature Reserve, Port Lincoln

Transfer Day. After breakfast, fly to Adelaide, then to Port Lincoln – the seafood capital of Australia!

We’ll settle into our home-away-from-home, Port Lincoln Hotel, then regroup for a dining experience guaranteed to be out of this world!

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a Seafood MasterClass cooking demonstration and dinner with renowned Chef Kris Bunder, one of Port Lincoln’s best-known chefs. At his home overlooking the Port Lincoln Marina, Kris will prepare the freshest seafood Australia offers, all paired with local wines.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Port Lincoln Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY EIGHT – Monday, March 10th – Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay

Today we’ll experience Coffin Bay’s beauty and world-famous oysters on a 3-hour cruise, learning about Pacific and Native Angasi oysters from local farmers. Don waders to get up close and sample freshly harvested oysters. We’ll explore estuaries with New Zealand Fur Seals and Australian sea lions, and marvel at the ancient geology of the Brothers islands.

After lunch, discover Coffin Bay National Park’s diverse landscapes, from rugged cliffs to serene beaches, home to kangaroos, emus, dolphins, and over 150 bird species. Enjoy panoramic views and local gin with the resident gin maker.

Dinner will be a five-course meal highlighted by a sampling of wines from the area.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Port Lincoln Hotel 

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY NINE – Tuesday, March 11th – Port Lincoln

It’s a day of nature! We’ll witness the endangered Australian Sea Lions in their natural habitat as they welcome us with somersaults and playful swirls. Swim with these gentle mammals and then relax as you cruise around Port Lincoln National Park, spotting Bottlenose Dolphins, White Bellied Sea Eagles, and Fur Seals. After a gourmet lunch, visit Mikkira Station, home to wild koalas. See how many you can spot – you may need two hands… or more. We’ll also see wild kangaroos, emus, and rare birdlife.

As the sun settles for the evening at Mikirra Station, we prepare an Aussie-style dinner surrounded by the sounds of nature amongst the wildlife. Enjoy dinner under the stars of the Southern Hemisphere… can you spot the Southern Cross?

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Port Lincoln Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY TEN – Wednesday, March 12th – Transfer Day, Port Lincoln to Sydney

A city of iconic attractions and brilliant beaches, Sydney is a destination you’ll never forget. Sydney is home to must-visit icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, but this Harbour City is constantly evolving. New rooftop bars, theatre shows and designer shops pop up at every turn.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Sydney. We’ll arrive mid-afternoon for check in at the QT Sydney Hotel.

The afternoon and evening are yours to explore the city or stay in and relax after such a busy day.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  QT Sydney Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY ELEVEN – Thursday, March 13th – Sydney

This fast-paced, exclusive Sydney tour will make you feel like a local. We’ll visit Bondi Beach, the Eastern Suburb beaches, and Dudley Reserve for views of Sydney Harbor. See the sandstone heads at the Gap, drive through Rose Bay, and explore Vaucluse and Point Piper. Pass through Paddington, Centennial Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

We’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotspot before returning to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore or relax.

We’ll meet up for a wonderful Italian dinner together.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  QT Sydney Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY TWELVE – Friday, March 14th – Sydney

We’re all about art and culture today! Upon arrival at the Art Gallery of New South Whales, we’ll gather on the harbor terrace overlooking Woolloomooloo Wharf. We’ll experience the new world-class building, which opened in December, with a guided tour through three gallery levels, featuring key artwork commissions and architectural insights. The North Building tour ends with a visit to the Tank, a WWII fuel bunker turned gallery, showcasing Adrian Villar Rojas’ End of Imagination exhibition. In the historic South Building, explore the Grand Courts and 20th-century galleries.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy. There is no shortage of wonderful restaurants for lunch.

We’ll regroup for our final dinner to celebrate this amazing adventure together.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast & Dinner
WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  QT Sydney Hotel

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

DAY THIRTEEN – Saturday, March 15th – Sydney – Depart for US

As they say…all good things must come to an end!

Today we head back home with a full heart of fond memories of our time in Australia. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel  Breakfast

**Itinerary Subject to Change**

Accommodations

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

QT Melbourne Hotel – Melbourne

Experience luxury in an industrial chic, high-fashion setting at QT Melbourne. Located in the heart of the city, just 656 feet from the Regent Theater, it features a rooftop terrace with city views, an on-site restaurant, cafe, and bar. Discover undiscovered laneways and the Collins Street shopping precinct just a 5-minute walk away.

Room Category: QT Deluxe King

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

Thala Beach Nature Reserve – Port Douglas / Great Barrier Reef

Port Douglas / Great Barrier Reef Immerse yourself in nature at Thala Beach Nature Reserve, a secluded eco-retreat between Cairns and Port Douglas. This 145-acre haven offers luxurious eco-accommodation integrated into the landscape. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Thala’s Eucalypt Bungalows provide an intimate escape along private pathways through the lush forest, offering the ultimate in comfort and privacy to truly connect with nature’s beauty and tranquility.

Room Category: Eucalypt Bungalow

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

Port Lincoln Hotel – Port Lincoln

Wake up to stunning bay views, relax by the pool, and savor local delights at Sarin’s Restaurant. Explore the Eyre Peninsula by day and unwind at Sharky’s Bar by night, enjoying Boston Bay views from your private balcony.

Room Category: Ocean View Balcony Room

WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

QT Sydney Hotel – Sydney

Located in the heart of Sydney, QT Sydney boasts a prime position with the State Theatre just an elevator ride away, and Westfield Sydney across the road. Despite the city’s buzz, the dark ambiance and thick walls of the rooms create a private sanctuary. Enjoy deep bathtubs and spacious bathrooms, with unique touches like bowler hat lampshades and a boudoir-style lobby. Perfect for those seeking a getaway to a bygone era.

Room Category: Deluxe King Room

Still have questions? Drop us a line.

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