Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney — Nine Nights on Australia's East Coast

You are met at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and driven to your hotel by private vehicle. The rest of the day is free. Melbourne's centre is walkable and built around the Yarra, which makes for an easy first evening after a long flight.

A full day southeast to Phillip Island, ending at the penguin parade. At dusk, little penguins come in from the sea and cross the sand to their burrows, watched from boardwalks and viewing stands. It is a wild event on a wild beach, and its timing moves with the seasons. This runs as a small-group eco tour on a shared basis.

A full day southwest along the Great Ocean Road, where the route runs close to the water for long stretches before reaching the limestone stacks standing offshore below the cliffs. The road itself is as much the attraction as any single stop. Shared basis, returning to Melbourne in the evening.

A travel day. You transfer privately to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport for your domestic flight to Brisbane Airport, which is the gateway for the Gold Coast, then transfer privately to your Gold Coast hotel. Domestic airfare is not included. The rest of the day is free.

A full day at Movie World, the film-themed park on the Gold Coast, with your theme-park entry included. You make your own way to and from the park.

A second theme-park day, this time at Sea World, with a jet boat ride included alongside your entry. You make your own way to and from the park.

A travel day. You transfer privately to Brisbane Airport for your domestic flight to Sydney, then transfer privately to your Sydney hotel. Domestic airfare is not included. The remainder of the day is free.

A full-day excursion west to the Blue Mountains, the sandstone escarpment country outside Sydney. The day runs as a scheduled express service and returns to the city in the evening.

A hop-on hop-off sightseeing pass for Sydney, valid for the day. You set your own route and stop where you want — the harbour, the city centre, or the beaches — rather than following a fixed tour.

Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and a private transfer to Sydney Airport for your onward flight. Your onward flight is not part of this package, so allow the check-in time your airline requires. If your flight leaves later in the day, ask the hotel about storing luggage after check-out.