Days 1-3 - London to Cairns

We depart London in the evening for an overnight flight to Singapore and continue by air to Cairns, arriving early morning on Day 3 with a leisurely day ahead. We stay for three nights in Cairns at the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort.

Day 4 - Kuranda Scenic Railway

Today we travel on the wonderful 129-year old Kuranda Scenic Railway. Our journey takes us into the rainforest through a series of switchbacks and tunnels, above the Barron River Gorge to Kuranda. From here we take a trip on an amphibious 'Army Duck' through World Heritage Rainforest, before a barbeque lunch. We also enjoy an Aboriginal 'corroboree' with songs and dance and follow the path of the Dreamtime Walk through traditional legend. We return to Cairns by coach.

Day 5 - Great Barrier Reef

A real highlight of our holiday is today's Quicksilver Cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef with lunch included. Snorkelling is the best way to view the exquisite coral and vibrant fish close up, but our pontoon base also has a semi-submersible vessel to take non-swimmers for a cruise along the reef wall. The underwater observatory is a superb window into this extraordinary world!

Day 6 - To Uluru

We leave Cairns today and fly to the desert to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Uluru, the world's largest monolith, rises majestically more than 1,142 feet (348m) out of the flat desert floor and its perimeter, at the base, is 5.6 miles (9km). We begin at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre with a guided tour around this sacred site, which holds great spiritual significance to local Anangu people. Later, as the sun sets, we watch this giant rock change colour and enjoy a magical dinner under the stars. We spend the night at the Desert Gardens Hotel in the Ayers Rock Resort.

Day 7 - Ayers Rock to Kings Canyon

This morning we enjoy a 'Sunrise & Olgas' tour. This circular group of 36 red rocky domes cover a large area and are as mystical as Uluru. We later travel by coach to Watarrka and stay overnight at the Kings Canyon Resort.

Days 8-9 - Kings Canyon, Alice Springs & The Ghan

On Day 8 we visit Kings Canyon, with its 984 foot (300m) sandstone walls. We then travel by coach to Alice Springs and stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. On Day 9 we visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air. We join The Ghan for our epic rail journey travelling from Alice Springs to Adelaide. Named after the Afghan drivers of the camel 'trains', for over 70 years The Ghan has been the ultimate way to travel through Australia and is a mode of transport, a sightseeing trip and a hotel, all in one!

Day 10 - To Adelaide

We travel to Adelaide across the barren landscape of the Red Centre. We leave The Ghan for a three night stay at the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel and enjoy a city tour of colonial highlights including Government House and the Parliament building.

Days 11-13 - Barossa Valley & The Overland

On Day 11 we explore the vineyards of the Barossa Valley by coach, with the chance to taste some superb wines. On Day 12 you are free to explore at leisure or take an optional excursion (payable locally) to Kangaroo Island. On Day 13 we leave Adelaide and journey to Melbourne, Australia's 'Garden State', on board The Overland. We check into Melbourne's Swanston Grand Mercure for a relaxing four-night stay.

Days 14-16 - Melbourne & Phillip Island

Our city tour on Day 14 includes the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Parliament House. In the afternoon we join the Puffing Billy steam train for a journey through the rainforest and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges. On Day 15 we travel along one of the world's most scenic roads, the Great Ocean Road, to the Twelve Apostles, Bells Beach and the Otway Rainforest. We end our tour in the city of Warrnambool, where we catch the train back to Melbourne. On Day 16 you are free until mid afternoon, when we head by coach to Phillip Island. We visit the Koala Conservation Centre and watch the wonderful spectacle of the wild fairy penguins emerging from the sea and crossing the sand to their burrows in the dunes (numbers vary depending on the season).

Days 17-18 - To Sydney

We leave Melbourne on the CountryLink XTP on Day 17 travelling through Victoria and New South Wales to Sydney. We spend four nights at the Amora Jamison. We take a cruise around stunning Sydney harbour on Day 18, taking in marvellous views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Days 19-20 - The Blue Mountains & Sydney

We take the train on Day 19 towards the Blue Mountains. Our guided tour of this area includes the Three Sisters rock formation, a cable car trip and a journey on the Katoomba Scenic Railway, plus an excursion on the historic Zig Zag Steam Railway. On Day 20 you have a free day to explore Sydney at your own pace.

Days 21-22 - Return to London

On Day 21 you are free for last-minute sightseeing before we catch an evening flight via Singapore to London, arriving early on Day 22.