Great Eclipse Expedition: Melbourne to Cairns

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Duration: 10 days

Begins: Melbourne

Ends: Cairns

Trip Code: OAEM

From

£4,449 per person

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    The sky only does this once. Start in Melbourne, where laneway coffee culture and First Nations history share the spotlight. Fly to Sydney for a private look at the Opera House and the main event: an exclusive Eclipse Party with a BBQ lunch at historic Q Station. Finish in tropical Cairns, trading city blocks for Mossman Gorge's rainforest trails, then a full day cruising the Great Barrier Reef.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    Classic
    All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
    Service Level
    Upgraded
    Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
    Physical Rating
    3 - Average
    Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
    Trip Type
    Small Group
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
    • Melbourne walking tour
    • Sydney Opera House tour
    • Eclipse party at Q Station with lunch & guided tour
    • Mossman Gorge visit with lunch
    • Great Barrier Reef excursion with lunch
    • All domestic flights
    • All transportation in between activities

    Allow USD460-600 for meals not included.

    Day 1 : Melbourne

    Arrive any time and prepare for an unforgettable celestial spectacle.

    Meet Your CEO and Group

    1h

    Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

    Day 2 : Melbourne

    Kick off your day with a morning walk through Melbourne's iconic laneways and vibrant center, then enjoy free time in the afternoon to wander Victoria's capital at your own pace.

    Melbourne Laneways Walk

    Melbourne 1h30m - 2h

    Discover the small laneways packed with shops, cafés and restaurants that make Melbourne so unique.

    Free time:

    Melbourne

    Explore Melbourne your way and discover why it’s consistently named Australia’s cultural and coffee capital.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 3 : Melbourne

    Spend a free day discovering Melbourne at your own pace, or opt for an excursion to see the famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade or embark on a full-day tour along the iconic Great Ocean Road.

    Free time:

    Melbourne Full day

    Discover Melbourne at your own pace, or choose to join an optional activity.

    Optional Activities - Day 3

    12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road

    Melbourne 12h - 13h

    Kick start this adventure early from Melbourne and travel straight to the 12 Apostles. Enjoy time to take in the scenery before the crowds of people arrive. Wander along the boardwalk and marvel at the limestone rocks and then continue on to the Gibson Steps. Walk down to the beach for a different perspective before grabbing lunch at a local cafe. With renewed energy the group will drive through the Great Otway National park where we’ll stop for a quick hike through the ancient rainforests here. From there, travel further along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay. There’s time here to grab an optional ice cream before trying to spot koalas, kangaroos, and king parrots near the Kennett River. Before heading back to Melbourne the group will make a final stop to the town of Lorne. Grab a snack, stroll past the shops, or walk along the beach in this quaint destination.

    Kick start this adventure early from Melbourne and travel straight to the 12 Apostles. Enjoy time to take in the scenery before the crowds of people arrive. Wander along the boardwalk and marvel at the limestone rocks and then continue on to the Gibson Steps. Walk down to the beach for a different perspective before grabbing lunch at a local cafe. With renewed energy the group will drive through the Great Otway National park where we’ll stop for a quick hike through the ancient rainforests here for a visit to a cascading waterfall. From there, take a stroll through the forest of Californian Redwoods and travel further along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay. There’s time here to grab an optional ice cream before trying to spot koalas, kangaroos, and king parrots near the Kennett River. Before heading back to Melbourne the group will make a final stop to the town of Lorne. Grab a snack, stroll past the shops, or walk along the beach in this quaint destination.

    Phillip Island and Penguins

    Melbourne

    Hit the road for the drive down to Phillip Island and our first stop of the day, Cape Woolamai. Lace up those boots and head out on a guided hike through the Pinnacles. As the group walks through the Nature Park of Phillip Island you’ll experience stunning views over the Bass Strait as you climb higher from the beach. Search for wildlife like wallabies, echidnas and shearwater birds on this 6.8km hike. Then opt to fuel up with a delicious meal in Cowes at a local favorite cafe before continuing on to the Koala Reserve. The reserve’s tree top boardwalks will bring you up close and personal to the resident koalas here. Finish the day at The Nobbies with a stroll along the coast in the area that is home to Australia’s largest seal colony, little penguins, and silver gulls. Watch the penguins waddle from the surf around sunset for a Penguin Parade. A wildlife enthusiast's dream!

    Hit the road for the drive down to Phillip Island and our first stop of the day, Cape Woolamai. Lace up those boots and head out on a guided hike through the Pinnacles. As the group walks through the Nature Park of Phillip Island you’ll experience stunning views over the Bass Strait as you climb higher from the beach. Search for wildlife like wallabies, echidnas and shearwater birds on this 6.8km hike. Then opt to fuel up with a delicious meal in Cowes at a local favorite cafe before continuing on to the Koala Reserve. The reserve’s tree top boardwalks will bring you up close and personal to the resident koalas here. Finish the day at The Nobbies with a stroll along the coast in the area that is home to Australia’s largest seal colony, little penguins, and silver gulls. Watch the penguins waddle from the surf around sunset for a Penguin Parade. A wildlife enthusiast's dream!

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 4 : Melbourne/Sydney

    Fly from Melbourne to Sydney this morning, stopping for an included lunch before arriving in the harbor city. Upon arrival, set off on an orientation walk and enjoy a free afternoon to explore Sydney’s iconic sights or relax at your own pace.

    Plane

    Melbourne - Sydney 1h30m - 1h30m

    Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

    Sydney Orientation Walk

    Sydney

    Get a feel for the city on a short orientation walk led by your CEO.

    Free time:

    Sydney Afternoon

    Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Sydney at your own pace.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 5 : Eclipse Day: Solar Spectacle at Q Station

    Spend a full day at the historic Q Station in Manly for an unforgettable beachside eclipse party! Take a guided tour of the historic grounds, relax by the water, and celebrate the celestial event with an exclusive beach BBQ lunch. After the celestial spectacle concludes, enjoy a free evening to dive into Sydney's nightlife at your leisure.

    Please note: For Monday departures, the Day 5 and Day 6 activities are reversed.

    Eclipse Party at Q Station

    Manly

    Mark this rare astronomical phenomenon at the historic Q Station.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 6 : Sydney

    Spend the day soaking in Sydney on your terms, or choose to join an optional activity.

    Please note: For Monday departures, the Day 5 and Day 6 activities are reversed.

    Free time:

    Sydney Full day

    Take the day to discover Sydney at your own pace.

    Optional Activities - Day 6

    Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach Coastal Walk

    Coogee Beach - Bondi Beach 2h

    Go for a walk along one of the most iconic trails in Australia. Pass by secluded beaches, massive cliffs, and more breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean than imaginable – all before arriving at the world-famous Bondi Beach. From May to December, keep a keen eye on the ocean to try and spot migrating humpback whales.

    Jet Boat Ride

    Sydney 0h30m

    Want an adrenaline rush? A jet boat is the way to go. Hold on and get ready for a white-water thrill while gorgeous scenery whizzes past. Explore Sydney Harbour, jetting by the Opera House, Harbour Islands and more!

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 7 : Sydney/Cairns

    Start the morning with a tour of the Sydney Opera House and lunch before flying from Sydney to Cairns. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a free afternoon at your leisure before joining your leader and fellow travelers for an optional group dinner.

    Sydney Opera House Visit

    Sydney 2h

    Stroll along the waterfront to admire Sydney's most iconic landmark, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1973. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to discover its history, folklore, and more. Some two million people a year come to see concerts and cultural performances Opera House. Catch the boom of the grand organ–with more than 10,000 pipes, it took 10 years to build and is the largest mechanical organ in the world.

    Plane

    Sydney - Cairns 3h

    Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 8 : Cairns

    Set sail for the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day excursion! Spend the day snorkeling among colorful coral reefs and marine life, with lunch included onboard. In the evening, opt to join a farewell dinner with your group.

    Please note: For Monday departures, the Day 8 and Day 9 activities are reversed.

    Full Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef

    Great Barrier Reef

    Set out from Cairns for a full-day escape to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore spectacular coral reefs by snorkel, encounter an incredible array of marine life, and relax on board with an included lunch as you take in the tropical surroundings.

    Set out from Cairns for a full-day escape to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore spectacular coral reefs by snorkel, encounter an incredible array of marine life, and relax on board with an included lunch as you take in the tropical surroundings.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 9 : Cairns

    Today, travel to Mossman Gorge, nestled at the southern edge of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Discover ancient flora, traditional bush medicine, and sacred sites deeply connected to the local Kuku Yalanji culture and refuel with an included lunch before returning to Cairns.

    Private Vehicle

    Cairns - Mossman Gorge 1h30m - 1h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Dreamtime Walk

    Mossman Gorge 2h

    Take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Your experienced interpretive Indigenous guide demonstrates traditional plant use, identifies bush food sources, and provides an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and the Kuku Yalanji's special relationship with this unique tropical environment. Find out how to make bush soap, watch an ochre painting demonstration and sample some bush tea.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 10 : Cairns

    Depart at any time. As your Australian eclipse adventure comes to an end, take home unforgettable memories of sun-soaked cities, vibrant reefs, and the magical moment the sky went dark.

    Departure Day

    Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    dates start-End Availability remaining spaces Price Per Person
    Jul 2028
    Mon, 17 Jul - Wed, 26 Jul 7+ available £4,449 Request a quote
    Mon, 17 Jul - Wed, 26 Jul 7+ available £4,449 Request a quote
    Tue, 18 Jul - Thu, 27 Jul 7+ available £4,449 Request a quote
    Tue, 18 Jul - Thu, 27 Jul 7+ available £4,449 Request a quote