Say G'day to Australia with Trailfinders
Australia is vast and varied, making it tricky to know which part of this continent-sized country to tackle first. Well, Trailfinders have an itinerary for every corner of this country, no matter which one you’re eyeing up…
Australia doesn’t do things by halves.
Its cities are world-class, its natural wonders are gargantuan and its coastline stretches for more than 25,000 kilometres. This is a continent-sized country with endless layers of culture, wildlife and geography, its sheer scale meaning that the help of travel experts like Trailfinders becomes invaluable. With itineraries covering every corner of the map, they know exactly what it takes to craft your ideal trip Down Under.
Perth, Sydney, Rock & Reef
Who's this trip perfect for?
Visitors looking to experience the country’s biggest travel icons on one trip, with the journey split between Perth, Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef – and giving plenty of time at all four.
The trip in a nutshell
Attractions don’t get much bigger than Uluru – either literally or figuratively – and this three-stop, 17-night itinerary takes in the Rock as part of a tour of Australia’s biggest-hitting sights. It begins in the easygoing, beachfront city of Perth before hopping over to the inimitable surrounds of Sydney, where you’ll delve into the city’s beaches, history and local neighbourhoods, before flying to the Red Centre.
After experiencing the sheer might of Uluru and the Outback – during which time you’ll learn about Aboriginal culture, view ancient rock art and visit nearby Watarrka (Kings Canyon) for a rim walk – it’s on to Cairns to explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Cruising, swimming and snorkelling are all on offer, as is a trip to the rainforest outpost of Cape Tribulation.
Three trip highlights
1.Sydney
Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge… the state capital of New South Wales boasts some of the best known sights in the country alongside an array of vibrant neighbourhoods.
2.Uluru
Uluru seems almost otherworldly as it looms above the plains of the Red Centre, but a trip here is also the perfect chance to discover more about tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal history.
3. Blue Mountains
Famed as the point where ‘the rainforest meets the Reef’, this far-north destination exudes a rare magic, with the ocean on one side and the impossibly ancient Daintree Rainforest on the other.
Australia's Great Outdoors
Who's this trip perfect for?
Anyone looking for a deep dive into the myriad highlights of the south of the country, with South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania all featuring in a 21-day trip.
The trip in a nutshell
It’s hard to overstate just how much variety this itinerary packs in, with the buzzing cities of Adelaide and Melbourne offset by glorious coastal drives, elegant vineyards and UNESCO-listed caves – not to mention a trip across the Bass Strait to sample the joys of Tasmania. And with seven days of car hire and eight days of motorhome hire both included, you’ll be experiencing very different sides to the country on one holiday.
Beginning in arty Adelaide, you’ll steer through the villages and vineyards of the Fleurieu Peninsula, sweep along the South Ocean Drive, head to breathtaking Mount Gambier and drive the globally renowned Great Ocean Road – all before encountering the delights of the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne and the island state of Tasmania.
Three trip highlights
1.Great Ocean Road
Famously constructed by returned WWI soldiers, this 240km coastal road is not only the world’s largest war memorial but also an unforgettable scenic drive. Beaches, bays and rock formations line the way.
2.Melbourne
Another Aussie city with global credentials, Melbourne is packed with museums, laneway bars, live entertainment and big sporting events. As the capital of Victoria, it’s an unmissable part of the trip.
3. Freycinet National Park
Down on the east coast of Tasmania, this wonderful national park is home to bushland, beaches and granite peaks, as well as the scenic highlight that is Wineglass Bay.
Unique and Boutique Tasmania
Who's this trip perfect for?
Food-lovers, culture vultures and travellers looking to see a different side to the great Australian outdoors. Tasmania is diverse, manageably sized, and home to some of the most extraordinary scenery in the country.
The trip in a nutshell
Tassies jokingly refer to the mainland as ‘the North Island’, and while the island state sits just 240km offshore, it feels very much like a place apart. On this two-week itinerary you’ll see just what makes it a favourite among travellers, taking in the lively cities of Hobart and Launceston and experiencing the highlights of the island’s wild coast and verdant countryside, both of which hold staggering rewards.
You’ll also delve into Tasmania’s rich history, sample its renowned culinary scene and come face to face with its endemic wildlife, all while staying in a range of unforgettable accommodation, from wilderness cabins and farm cottages to contemporary glass pavilions and even a ‘story-telling hotel’. And with super-sized bays and mountains as a backdrop to your travels, it’s an adventure you’ll remember for years to come.
Three trip highlights
1.Island wildlife
From charismatic Tasmanian devils and snuffling echidnas to shy platypuses and curious pademelons – marsupials that look like small wallabies – the island holds a whole host of fascinating species, with excellent birdlife to boot.
2.Curringa Farm
This one-of-a-kind farmstay – a winner of the World Agritourism Awards in 2023 – is a working 750-acre farm overlooking Lake Meadowbank, offering the chance to learn first-hand about sheep farming and wool production.
3. Bay of Fires
Up on the island’s northeast coast, the sugary beaches and giant boulders of the Bay of Fires represent one of Tasmania’s undoubted natural highlights. You’ll have lunch here in the seaside village of Binalong Bay.
Western Wonders
Who's this trip perfect for?
Adventurers and families looking to avoid the busier cities and attractions of the East Coast, instead immersing themselves in the vast horizons, endless variety and stunning scenery of Western Australia.
The trip in a nutshell
WA is the largest – and some would say most enticing – of the country’s six states, covering around a third of the entire continent. On this 18-day trip you’ll sample its incredible array of different sights and experiences, travelling north along the coast in a motorhome after time in and around the gleaming capital city of Perth.
Along the way you’ll have the chance to try your hand at sandboarding in the dramatic Pinnacles Desert and look out for migrating humpback whales as they swim along the Kalbarri coastline (best between June and November), before reaching the glorious beaches and marine life of Monkey Mia. On your drive back down south, meanwhile, Geraldton serves up engrossing naval history.
Three trip highlights
1.Perth
WA’s biggest city pulls off quite a trick, being blessed with an easy-going, blue-sky way of life while also showcasing the dynamism and creativity of urban Australia. It’s an absorbing place to spend a few days.
2.Cervantes
Around two hours from Perth, this fishing town is the gateway to spectacular Nambung National Park, where the rock pillars and rolling dunes of the Pinnacles Desert are the main attraction.
3. Monkey Mia
Synonymous with its watery wildlife, Monkey Mia gives the opportunity to spot manta rays, wild dolphins and even reef sharks, all within a protected marine park surrounded by soft-sand beaches.
Barrier Reef Roaming
Who's this trip perfect for?
Lovers of epic road trips in heavenly surrounds. This motorhome holiday leads you along Queensland’s ravishingly beautiful East Coast, taking in world-famous sights and experiences along the way.
The trip in a nutshell
Some 1,700km of coastal road spools out between the northern settlement of Cairns and the state capital of Brisbane, letting you self-drive through the heart of one of Australia’s most iconic destinations. With the Coral Sea glittering away to the east, you’ll head first to Port Douglas in the Far North before travelling down to encounter the likes of Mission Beach, the Whitsunday Islands and K’gari (Fraser Island).
This coastline is, of course, also the home of the Great Barrier Reef, which sits offshore for almost the entire drive. The motorhome sleeps up to four, making it perfect for a family adventure, and with attractions such as Rainbow Beach and the lovable seaside town of Noosa also on the itinerary, this 15-day experience showcases the very best that the Sunshine State has to offer.
Three trip highlights
1.Port Douglas
The seafront town of Port Douglas is a relaxed holiday destination with a stunning setting, offering everything from croc-spotting and bike hire to sunset cruises and fine dining.
2.Great Barrier Reef
Whether you’re island-hopping, scuba diving or just taking in the scenery, you’ll get the chance to see why the mighty Barrier Reef is viewed as one of the great wonders of the world.
3. K'gari (Fraser Island)
The world’s largest sand island is one of the most remarkable spots along the coast, with swimming lakes, giant dunes and beaches that seem to roll on forever.
Sydney to Canberra – Coast & Country Loop
Who's this trip perfect for?
Countless travellers are drawn by the allure of Sydney – one of the world’s great cities – but comparatively few go on to visit all the sights included in this wider regional itinerary.
The trip in a nutshell
After time spent exploring the sights of Sydney and its shimmering harbour, you’ll drive south to experience a string of national parks, seaside towns and outstanding natural attractions. Expect to encounter everything from heritage villages to sweeping bays along the way, with classic Aussie wildlife and local food and drink both featuring throughout.
As well as visiting famous spots like Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay, this 16-day fly-drive holiday also lets you immerse yourself in the pretty hills of Central Tilba, visit the national capital of Canberra, get up close with the wineries of the Orange region and finish up among the soaring shaggy peaks of the Blue Mountains, where scenic walks lie in wait. There’s even the option of organising a whale-watching trip.
Three trip highlights
1.Sydney
Even when you know exactly what to expect – a cultured city slung handsomely around a giant natural harbour – Sydney still has the power to take the breath away.
2.Jervis Bay Marine Park
With snorkelling, whale-watching and bushwalks all on offer, this is a memorable place to enjoy the region’s varied wildlife and outdoor charms. The park covers more than 100km (60 miles) of coastline.
3. Blue Mountains
This colossal UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountain range takes its name from the eucalyptus haze that hangs over its valleys and plays home to sights such as the Three Sisters.
The Ghan – The Ultimate Territory Tour
Who's this trip perfect for?
With one of the world’s great rail journeys at its core, this south-to-north, 16-day itinerary is ideal for those who like to travel long distances in style.
The trip in a nutshell
Australia is a vast country, so the prospect of this coast-to-coast trip is a hugely exciting one. Beginning in the festival city of Adelaide, you’ll board the famous Ghan train, which rolls through the heart of the nation to reach the so-called Top End. Don’t expect to do it one go, however – at Alice Springs, you’ll disembark to join a seven-night 4WD tour of the Red Centre, staying in four- and five-star accommodation throughout.
After a week taking in Uluru, Kings Canyon and much more, you’ll reboard The Ghan to travel up to Darwin in the far north, a tropical city which also acts as a gateway to the phenomenal Kakadu National Park, famed for its wildlife, waterfalls and ancient escarpments.
Three trip highlights
1.The Ghan
Named after the Afghan cameleers who helped pioneer Outback exploration, this 3,000km, 53-hour train journey is rightly famed. You’ll have two nights on board, with widescreen views throughout.
2.The Red Centre
Nothing quite prepares you for the magnitude and ancient past of Central Australia, where giant formations like Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) stand among boundless desert horizons.
3. Kakadu National Park
Covering almost 20,000 sqkm, the UNESCO-listed Kakadu National Park is a world unto itself, a place where birds soar, crocodiles swim and monumental escarpments stretch across the land. Few parts of the country compare.
About the experts
Australia is one of the planet’s greatest travel destinations, but it’s not always easy to know where to start. Trailfinders has the longstanding expertise to craft you the perfect adventure Down Under, with decades of experience and a wealth of on-the-ground know-how. Whether you’re looking for beach time, cultural immersion or an unforgettable road trip, they’re the ideal travel companions if you’re looking to make the most of your time away.
