Independent Journey Down Under ( IPO1)

9 Day Package from Cairns to Sydney

 2025 Tour Details »2026 Tour Details

This is Jeopardy! Answer: Astronauts can see this coral reef system from space. Question: What is the Great Barrier Reef? But have no fear! You don’t have to start training to become an astronaut to see the largest coral reef system in the world! You are covered with this 9-day Globus Independent tour in Australia, where you not only get to see the Great Barrier Reef, but your journey will also take you to Australia’s Outback. We’ve arranged for you to have a Local Host who’s available to help make your vacation the trip of a lifetime—with the I-time you deserve.. But that’s not all. We’ve also arranged your hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing, and transfers from/to your hotel to/from the airports for all intra-vacation flights, and visits to help you really understand life in Australia's Outback.

Your vacation begins the moment you arrive in Cairns. We can pick you up at the airport and whisk you to your selected hotel, where your Local Host will offer you a warm greeting and information to help you get settled and personalize your trip. The next morning, after your included breakfast, you'll cruise on a catamaran to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the most amazing natural wonders on Earth! We've arranged for you to either snorkel or take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or you can attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Regardless of what you choose, you’ll be amazed at the beauty all around you. A photo cannot capture it; you must experience it for yourself.

After a full day in Cairns to explore on your own (with the support of your Local Host, of course), you'll fly to the Outback, where you’ll see the sunrise at Uluru (Ayers Rock) and enjoy drinks & canapés while watching the sunset at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). While in the Outback, we've also arranged for you to visit the Uluru-Kata Cultural Centre with its amazing collection of Aboriginal arts.

Your final destination is Sydney,

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

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Notes:

During the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, certain activities may not be available. A different activity may be substituted or a refund offered if your included activity is not available. Intra-tour flights not included.

 Meals & Itinerary

 Meals

Breakfast daily; 1 lunch

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA
• Welcome to tropical Cairns! The balance of the day is at your leisure. Your Local Host is available to make recommendations for dining, shopping, and sightseeing.

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Day 2

CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
• Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Late this afternoon, return to Cairns.


Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch


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Day 3

CAIRNS
• A full day at leisure to explore more of Cairns.


Breakfast Breakfast

Today's I-Time Tips
Perhaps select an optional excursion to see crocodiles, kangaroos, and koalas, or to the quiet mountain village of Kuranda via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Other options: try your luck at fishing, visit the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest, or check out the many shops and galleries along Cairns’ famous Esplanade.


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Day 4

CAIRNS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)
• Today, fly to Uluru. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Breakfast Breakfast


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Day 5

ULURU
• Rise early for an inspiring sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Witness incredible views over the dunes and stunning desert landscape. Continue to Walpa Gorge for a guided walk-through Kata Tjuta.
This afternoon, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, which houses an amazing collection of ceramics, paintings, and punu (woodwork) from the Anangu people, the traditional custodians of Uluru.
Finish the day at “Sunset Strip” for a drink and canapés, and to witness the changing colors of the rock.


Breakfast Breakfast


ULURU.jpg

Day 6

ULURU–SYDNEY
• Fly to beautiful Sydney, Australia’s largest city. The rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities. Why not grab dinner at a waterside restaurant and take in the energy of this vibrant city? Your Local Host is available to make recommendations and point you in the right direction.


Breakfast Breakfast


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Day 7

SYDNEY
• Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour which includes a photo stop at the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Then, visit Bondi Beach, one of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches. The remainder of the day is yours to explore.


Breakfast Breakfast

Today's I-Time Tips
You may want to enjoy a cruise on Sydney Harbour to admire stunning views of the city from the water or visit Taronga Zoo to see some of Australia’s native animals, such as koalas, kangaroos, and platypuses. Your Local Host will have suggestions for sightseeing, dining, and shopping.


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Day 8

SYDNEY
• Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city.


Breakfast Breakfast

Today's I-Time Tips
With your free time today, why not see the city from new heights with a climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or discover Sydney’s storied past on the Rocks Pub Tour. Travel out of town to the scenic Blue Mountains or sample wines in Hunter Valley. You may also choose to shop for souvenirs, explore the restaurants of Barangaroo, or take a ferry to nearby Manly Beach.


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Day 9

SYDNEY
• Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Sydney and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.


Breakfast Breakfast


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 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ROSEMARY MAIMONIS

" Hi! I'm Rosemary and I¿m a Tour Guide in Melbourne. My passion is for anything travel, history, reading, and animals.  I love taking walking tours around the many arcades and streets of Melbourne allowing me to meet new people, have new experiences and to learn and soak up information that I can share and pass on to others."

Tour Director -  ROSEMARY MAIMONIS

DANIELLE MUNRO

" For over 20 years I have led tours all over Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. As a local Cairns resident, I'm addicted to everything, and anything travel related and is a firm believer that traveling is a much richer experience when you can share it with others."

Tour Director -  DANIELLE MUNRO

 Accommodations

CAIRNS

PULLMAN CAIRNS INTERNATIONAL

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

ULURU

DESERT GARDENS HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

SYDNEY

SWISSOTEL SYDNEY

Hotel as shown or similar
Deluxe
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).
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