Australian Highlights

Australian Highlights

2,533 Views

Australian Highlights

23 Days

Visiting: United Kingdom, Sydney, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens Council, Brisbane, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Warrnambool, Melbourne

Tour operator:

Just You

Tour code:

SLAH

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

15 - 35

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans, Please make us aware of any specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Tick off many of Australia's most famous sights on an incredible journey Down Under from Sydney to Melbourne. Sydney's highlights are thrilling, with Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach and Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Prepare to be dazzled by the paradise beaches of Port Stephens and stop to admire Byron Bay's iconic lighthouse as you travel along the stunning Gold Coast to Brisbane. Your next destination is Cairns, where you'll board a catamaran for a thrilling cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. More iconic sights await in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with sunrise and sunset visits to the giant monolith Uluru within your reach, as well as the chance to view Aboriginal rock art. You'll then travel to Adelaide, here a tour is followed by a tasting of wines in the famed Barossa Valley. Take a scenic journey along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to Melbourne and opt to visit Phillip Island to watch the charming penguin parade.

Highlights

  • Sydney's iconic sights

  • Visit to Port Stephens

  • Byron Bay's iconic lighthouse

  • Discover Brisbane

  • Great Barrier Reef catamaran cruise

  • Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunrise & sunset

  • See the Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

  • Tour of Alice Springs

  • Authentic Aussie bush barbecue

  • Discover Adelaide

Show all

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Days 1 & 2 Uk - Sydney

Location: United Kingdom, Sydney

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Furama Darling Harbour

Today, you will fly to Sydney, arriving in the early hours of day 3.

Day 2 In Flight

Location: Sydney

Day 3 Sydney

Location: Sydney

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Furama Darling Harbour

You can spend today at leisure, settling in and exploring this vibrant city at your own pace.

Day 4 Sydney

Location: Sydney

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Furama Darling Harbour

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our included sightseeing tour will show you Sydney's highlights, including the world-famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House, which dominate the vast and picturesque harbour. Other memorable sights include Bondi Beach, Hyde Park, Darling Harbour and Mrs Macquarie's Chair. This huge sandstone rock was hand-carved by convicts in the shape of a bench for Governor Macquarie's wife, Elizabeth, in 1810. It's a great vantage point, so take a few minutes to enjoy the view. This evening, get to know your travelling companions better over a welcome drink and dinner.

Day 5 Sydney - At Leisure

Location: Sydney

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Furama Darling Harbour

Meals Included: Breakfast

If you choose to join today's optional excursion, you've a full day of thrills ahead. You head through the Blue Mountains, past the Three Sisters rock formation and along Jamieson Valley - Australia's answer to the Grand Canyon. Finally, you'll visit Scenic World, where you can opt to take a journey on the world's steepest incline railway into ancient rainforest, or enjoy a cable-car ride over the valley.

Day 6 Sydney - At Leisure

Location: Sydney

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Furama Darling Harbour

Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast

You can choose from a couple of exciting optional excursions today. If you've a head for heights, you could take in exceptional views of Sydney Harbour and the surrounding area on a guided Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. Don't worry, you'll get a safety briefing beforehand and will wear a harness at all times. At the end you'll receive a group photo, a cap, certificate and a pass to the Pylon Lookout for further sweeping views. Another option is to step beneath the sails and enjoy a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. You'll learn about the history of the building, uncover stories about artists and the shows performed here and have an opportunity to visit areas usually off limits to the general public.

Day 7 Sydney - Port Stephens - Port Macquarie

Location: Port Macquarie, Sydney, Port Stephens Council

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Mercure Centro Port Macquarie

Meals Included: Breakfast

We've a lovely journey along the coast this morning as we leave Sydney behind and head to Port Stephens. This idyllic coastal resort, known as the 'blue water paradise', is home to white-sand beaches, picturesque bays lapped by turquoise seas, and immense sand dunes. Enjoy some time at leisure here, lazing on the beach or maybe you'll choose to head off on an optional dolphin-watching cruise. Later, we'll continue to Port Macquarie.

Day 8 Port Macquarie - Brisbane

Location: Port Macquarie, Brisbane

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Royal on the Park Brisbane

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we'll take to the road once again, making our way along the coast to Byron Bay, famous for its beautiful beaches and laid-back surf culture. We'll stop here to admire its iconic lighthouse, which sits on a rocky headland. We'll then continue along the stunning Gold Coast, renowned for its fabulous beaches, and on to Brisbane.

Day 9 Brisbane - At Leisure

Location: Brisbane

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Royal on the Park Brisbane

Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast

You can spend today at leisure in Brisbane, or you could choose to join an optional excursion to North Stradbroke Island. Fondly known as Straddie by the locals, it is the world's second largest sand island at about 38km long and 11km wide. You can relax on the beach, or maybe head off on a bush walk, keeping an eye out for resident wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas and kookaburras - the largest member of the kingfisher family.

Day 10 Brisbane - Cairns

Location: Brisbane, Cairns

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy a morning tour of Brisbane, Queensland's cosmopolitan capital, which boasts spectacular architecture and is set on the Brisbane River. This afternoon we'll fly to Cairns, where we'll stay, it's your gateway to the Great Barrier Reef!

Day 11 Great Barrier Reef

Location: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Cairns

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you have the chance to explore a whole new world on an included trip by catamaran to the outer Great Barrier Reef. Marine life comes incredibly close to the vessel, and you can experience the reef without getting wet from the comfort of a semi-submersible or an underwater observatory. Of course, you can also go snorkelling in this amazing underwater world – all the equipment and guidance you need is provided, as well as lunch.

Day 12 Cairns - At Leisure

Location: Cairns

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

On this free day you can simply relax and soak up the sun. However, if you want to see more, a ride on the Kuranda Railway is an option to see the Atherton Tablelands. Your first stop will be the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, where you'll glide over and through heritage rainforest. After free time in the village of Kuranda, you'll take a journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, with the Barron Falls just one of the incredible highlights.

Day 13 Cairns - At Leisure

Location: Cairns

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast

Today is a good chance to take a well deserved rest or to explore more that Cairns has to offer.

Day 14 Cairns - Uluru

Location: Uluru

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Desert Gardens Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast

This morning we'll fly to Ayers Rock, or Uluru, situated in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This huge sandstone monolith, which is two miles long, 1,000ft high and measures six miles around the base, is a majestic sight and one of the world's most treasured natural wonders. It is a wondrous sight at any time of day, but even more so at sunrise and sunset, when its colours change dramatically. You will have the chance to admire Uluru at both of these magical times. This evening you can enjoy an optional visit to the impressive Field of Light installation.

Day 15 Uluru - Alice Springs

Location: Uluru, Alice Springs

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Double Tree by Hilton Alice Springs

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We will visit Uluru as the sun rises this morning. We will also have the very special opportunity to step into some of the caves at the base of the rock and admire the fascinating Aboriginal art that graces the walls. Off in the distance you will spot the mysterious Kata Tjuta or the Olgas, a range of 36 spectacular rock domes. Later we'll journey to the outback town of Alice Springs. Here we will attend an Aussie bush barbecue sampling local traditional cuisine.

Day 16 Alice Springs - Adelaide

Location: Adelaide

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Vibe Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your tour now continues as we fly to Adelaide, South Australia's cosmopolitan capital.

Day 17 Adelaide

Location: Adelaide

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Vibe Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch

We'll start the day with a tour of Adelaide's main highlights, including the cricket and football stadium, the Adelaide Oval, broad expanses of lush parkland and the imposing St Peter's Cathedral. Next, we continue to the Barossa Valley, which is famous for its wines. At the Jacobs Creek visitor centre we'll stop for a tasting and lunch. We'll also taste wines at the award-winning Wolf Blass winery.

Day 18 Adelaide - Warrnambool

Location: Warrnambool

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Mid City Motel Warrnambool

Meals Included: Breakfast

We'll depart Adelaide today and travel further along the coast to Warrnambool.

Day 19 Warrnambool - Melbourne

Location: Melbourne, Warrnambool

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your journey to Melbourne today takes you along one of the most spectacular coastal routes in the world, the Great Ocean Road. As you go you'll see the Twelve Apostles, although only eight of these towering limestone stacks remain, the Arch and many other fantastic rock formations.

Day 20 Melbourne

Location: Melbourne

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne

Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast

Enjoy a tour of Melbourne this morning. Highlights include Federation Square, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Flinders Street Station and the Grand Prix Circuit that circles Albert Park Lake. Another stop is Fitzroy Gardens, which features pathways lined with towering elms, colourful floral displays and the Fairies' Tree sculpture - a centuries-old tree stump featuring delightful carvings.

Day 21 Melbourne - At Leisure

Location: Melbourne

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne

Meals Included: Breakfast

You can spend a further day at leisure, making your own discoveries. Alternatively, you might be tempted to join an optional excursion to Phillip Island to see the remarkable penguin parade. At sunset, after a hard day's fishing, hundreds of these delightful creatures - the world's smallest penguin - appear from out of the ocean and waddle their way across the beach to their sand dune burrows. You can take in this marvellous spectacle from special viewing stands and boardwalks, which give you the chance to get up close to nature.

Day 22 Melbourne - Uk

Location: United Kingdom, Melbourne

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy time at leisure before your return flight to the UK, arriving the next day.

Day 23 Arrive Uk

Location: United Kingdom

Today you'll arrive back in to the UK.

What's Included

  • Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guide

  • Return flights from London

  • Use of an airport lounge in the UK

  • 19 nights in 3 & 4-star hotels plus 3 nights in flight

  • A guaranteed twin or double room of your own

  • 23 meals: 19 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners including welcome drink

  • Overseas transfers, internal flights and other transportation

What's Not Included

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    No

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes, overseas transfers, internal flights, other transportation & porterage

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    No and your own room is guaranteed!

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    Yes, Return flights from London

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    All the people in your group will be solo travellers and will share your sense of adventure and passion for travel. There’s usually a good mix of ages too, so you’ll meet a variety of solo travellers who have more, or in some cases less, life experience. We find the overall mix of people really adds to the whole experience and there are certainly plenty of l

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    A few years ago we set up Just You Cares, a programme that gives back to some of the places we love. We have always believed in taking care of the communities we visit, and have taken the time to really get to know the local people and understand the challenges they face. Some of our holidays give our Customers the chance to see how the money from their trips has been spent.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    At Just You, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If we can accommodate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - just make sure you have your booking number to hand.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes, and all of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.

  • Will I eat alone?

    We find there’s always a social element to dining, so you’ll never eat alone, unless you want to! Every holiday includes a welcome get-together, all breakfasts and many other meals. When a meal is not included we find travellers meet and dine together.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    No, given the nature of our holidays, it is not possible to join the tour once it has departed.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Just You has been operating solo holidays for more than 15 years.

  • Am I guaranteed a room of my own?

    Of course, you’ll always have a twin or double room all to yourself. It’s great to have that space to relax and reflect at the end of the day. In some hotels you can also pay a little extra to upgrade for more space or a lovely sea view.

  • What is the typical age range on a Just You holiday?

    Typically, our customers are solo travellers in their 40s, 50s and 60s, but it’s quite possible you could meet 20-year-olds or 70-year-olds (or anyone in between)... After all, age is just a number!

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have received the World Travel and Tourism Councils (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world. The 'Safe Travels' stamp provides you, with assurance and peace of mind that we have implemented enhanced health and hygiene prprotocols on all holidays.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Once you book, you will receive a confirmation invoice within 7 days, prior to departure, we will send you further information to help prepare for your trip.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Just You is exclusively for solo travellers, every tour includes a twin or double room of your own, with no single supplement.

Reviews of this operator

Jenny Elliott  

Fabulous Holiday with Just You

28-Oct-2021

Fabulous holiday with Just You - well organised, excellent accommodation and our tour leader absolutely made the trip! Would highly recommend.

Featured on Trustpilot
Russell Kerfoot  

Travels 2013 -2019

21/06/2021

Have taken about 15 tours with JY, mainly long haul, and found the experience exhilarating. Apart from the company's professionalism and extensive and varied tour options, I have made so many friends for life. Looking forward to resuming my travels in 2022.

Featured on Trustpilot
jean thornton (Google Reviewer)  

My short trip to Versailles...

08-Sep-2024

My short trip to Versailles & Monet’s garden with ‘just you’ was excellent. Tessa our guide gave 101%. Beautiful hotel and surroundings. A very friendly bunch of people and a mix of all ages. Will definitely be going with them again.

Tyler Kerr (Google Reviewer)  

Apologies in advance to the...

09-Jun-2024

Apologies in advance to the business as my holiday was the Eastern Wonders tour in Canada in June 2023 but some things happened shortly after which I had to focus on and then I kept forgetting to write a review. This was hands down the best holiday I’ve ever had. My coeliac disease was no issue whatsoever and the tour guide ‘Johanna’ is an absolute credit to Just You. She along with all of the other tour guides in the city stops were knowledgeable and great fun. The only day I felt wasn’t necessary for that time of year was Mont-Tremblant and the Holiday Inn there wasn’t the best but every other hotel was wonderful. Everyday was well-balanced with little tours to see the gorgeous sights in each location whilst still leaving us with plenty of time for our own exploration. The coach driver ‘Dave’ was also a really lovely chap. We always felt very safe with him behind the wheel and, should Just You offer this tour again someday, I would definitely recommend it. I will be using this company again and I can’t wait. I’d also like to thank the team at Just You over the phone and the representative at Heathrow who helped me as I’m on the autism spectrum and can get overwhelmed. Lovely company and very well priced in my opinion. With everything we did it would have cost around double if you’d made this trip independently.

Alistair Chattaway (Google Reviewer)  

A shame that there are...

14-Aug-2024

A shame that there are a lot of negative reviews regarding Just You as I recently went on their tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast... it was a fantastic trip and I was part of a lovely group of people. The tour guide (Michela) was fantastic and the staff members in the hotel in Pompeii were really friendly and accommodating. As I have certain dietary requirements, the staff in the hotel went to every length to accommodate these needs... and whereas no hotel is ever perfect, I had a quiet and comfortable room and it was more than adequate for my needs. The additional tours were fantastic and the tours of the Pompeii ruins, Herculaneum, Capri, Ravello and Amalfi Coast were well planned. The tour guides were really knowledgeable about the area and it really took my breath away. I didn't like Naples very much but the museum and its exhibitions were really worth the short visit there. Four of the guest flew in on earlier flights from different parts of the UK and rather than keep us waiting at the airport, a separate transfer was organised to get us to the hotel in good time for some rest. The other guests on the tour were really friendly and no one felt left out at any point... and the group size (17 people) was perfect. A lot of the guests had already been on previous holidays with Just You and had really good things to say... so, having been skeptical due to the negative reviews I read before I went on the holiday, I wanted to write a positive review as I had a lovely time on this holiday... to the point that I will definitely book another holiday with Just You in the future.

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

Been on 5 holidays with...

13-Oct-2023

Been on 5 holidays with this company they have generally been good but the prices have risen considerably and i feel do not provide true value for money. In my opinion all the excursions and meals should be included in the total cost as they not worth the extra cost. Also they are very dismissive of any complaints once you have paid for the holiday they are not interested. I think i will try another company next time

Sue Sweeney (Google Reviewer)  

Great holidays for singles. I've been...

28-Jun-2023

Great holidays for singles. I've been on 4 holidays with them. Only issue is the hotel rooms. They generally use 3* hotels and I've booked at the same time and price as my friends but the difference in rooms is unbelievable. I've been lucky, but I've heard horror stories from friends of rooms like a dungeon with one small high window whilst I've had a fabulous sea view.

COLIN BROAD (Google Reviewer)  

I went on a spirit...

08-Apr-2024

I went on a spirit of an India trip with Amritsar add on. It looks good in the brochure, but things aren’t always as they seem. If like me you like a toilet break every two hours (discussed with the company in depth in advance) or have a hidden disability. then this holiday is not for you - use a different holiday company! Their planned toilet stops are every 3.5 hours, so ladies bring your pads and gents be prepared for “natural stops” while all the passengers watch you out the window or bring a bottle and a blanket as a screen. The Taj Mahal in Agra was good, along with the two trips to the Ganges river and the Golden Temple at Amritsar too. Rarely are you in the same spot for more than one night and a 6 hour daily coach or train journey became the norm. It was a shame that there was not an opportunity to enjoy the hotels that we’d obviously paid a lot of money for. If you’re looking for tigers in the game park, don’t get your hopes up. 99% unlikely. It is also a disappointment that there is little opportunity to explore the areas in the major cities that we’d traveled too If you are lucky enough to find some companionship from the opposite sex and wish to be bring them “home” this is frowned upon by the company - even if you have paid extra due double occupancy as required by the hotel I received a letter on holiday basically saying that the two hourly toilet stops required (and discussed in advance) due to diabetes was a disruption to the schedule. That photos sent to me by a girlfriend were “illicit”. Photo uploaded - make your own mind up” Also that managing to get lucky a couple of times and bringing them back to the hotel was an issue - very strange due a so called singles holiday

Maureen May (Google Reviewer)  

Just returned from St Lucia....

29-Feb-2024

Just returned from St Lucia. Hotel dreadfully shabby. Breakfasts very limited with very little fresh fruit. Our hotel was a 20 minute walk in 29C or a free bus on the hour to the beach and sister hotel. Location good for nearby local shopping and restaurants. The sunset cruise was brilliant as was the whale watching, but surf and safari trip was a disaster. We travelled in two open topped trucks with a two and a half hour drive to the surfing destination. During the trip smoke started from the gear box and we had to abandon the vehicle until the situation was rectified, which, to their credit, was sorted very quickly. Unfortunately the sea was too rough for the boat so we had to return back in the trucks. Extremely uncomfortable on side bench seats, hanging on in the rain. So, all in all we don’t over 6 hours on the trucks - not good. The tour guide left before the 5 day extension period without a handover to the local tour operators. No Information was given except by the hotel. I had already booked to go the Athens with Just You in May, now I wish I hadn’t.

Sunlight59 (Google Reviewer)  

Booked the French & Italian...

12-May-2024

Booked the French & Italian Riviera. Too much travelling on the coach. Most journeys to places were around 2 hours or more. No toilet facilities unless you go into a cafe to buy something. The group were lovely but mostly retired and older. Didn’t have much in common. The hotel was comfortable and clean. Vegetarians had mainly different types of cooked eggs for dinner. But plenty of food. However the hotel Toscana in Alessio does cater for families with children so noisy at night for the last few days of the holiday. Paid a lot of money for this holiday. Did not meet my expectations as per brochure.

Save on this tour

Request your exclusive discount code now and unlock savings for your next adventure!

Send me one now.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Just You requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of just you charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Book with Confidence

    When you book your holiday with Just You, you can have complete peace of mind. Your money is 100% protected through our Independent Trust Fund, any money you pay to us is held by them & governed by 3rd?party trustees. It is also a condition of our ATOL license and is regularly monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority. We don’t receive any money until after you’ve come back from your holiday – so your money is 100% protected no matter what. If you have any questions you can speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable holiday advisors.

Why book with tourhub?

Safe & Secure

Your money is held in a dedicated client account until you travel.

Visa logo Mastercard logo
apple pay icon google pay icon

100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.


The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.

Guaranteed Best Value

Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.


No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.

(Operator terms may apply)

Expert Knowledge

Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.


Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.


Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.

Trusted Service

Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.


Don't just take our word for it...

"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."

Similar Tours

Travel Guru Features

Our Reviews