Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney — Nine Nights on Australia's East Coast
This is the classic first trip to Australia: three cities down the east coast, three nights in each, moving south to north and back down again. It works because the three are genuinely unalike. Melbourne is the cultural city, with the coast and the wildlife islands within a day's reach. The Gold Coast is beach and theme parks. Sydney is the harbour.
Journey overview
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
This is the classic first trip to Australia: three cities down the east coast, three nights in each, moving south to north and back down again. It works because the three are genuinely unalike. Melbourne is the cultural city, with the coast and the wildlife islands within a day's reach. The Gold Coast is beach and theme parks. Sydney is the harbour.
Journey highlights
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
- Three cities in nine nights — Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Sydney.
- The Great Ocean Road and the Phillip Island penguin parade from Melbourne.
- Two full Gold Coast theme-park days, with entries included.
- The Blue Mountains and a hop-on hop-off pass in Sydney.
- Private airport transfers throughout and daily breakfast.
Day-by-day itinerary
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. · Melbourne
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. · Melbourne
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. · Melbourne
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. · Gold Coast
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. · Gold Coast
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. · Gold Coast
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. · Sydney
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. · Sydney
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. · Sydney
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.
What's included & excluded
Exactly what your journey covers — set out clearly, with no surprises, so you know precisely what to expect.
Included
- Nine nights' accommodation — three nights each in Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Sydney.
- Daily breakfast at the hotel, from Day 2 to Day 10.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to your hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure from Melbourne, your hotel to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
- Private airport transfer on arrival at Brisbane Airport, to your Gold Coast hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your Gold Coast hotel to Brisbane Airport.
- Private airport transfer on arrival at Sydney Airport, to your hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your hotel to Sydney Airport.
- Full-day Phillip Island penguin parade small-group eco tour, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Full-day Great Ocean Road tour, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Movie World theme-park entry.
- Sea World entry with a jet boat ride.
- Full-day Blue Mountains express excursion, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Hop-on hop-off Sydney sightseeing pass.
Excluded
- GST is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- TCS is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- International airfare is extra and is not included.
- Domestic and internal airfare is extra and is not included.
- Visa is extra and is not included — visa fees, associated service charges, airport taxes and any related charges.
- Travel insurance is extra and is not included.
- All meals other than the daily breakfasts listed above, including lunches, dinners and drinks with meals.
- Transport to and from the Gold Coast theme parks. Entries are included; getting there is your own arrangement and at your own cost.
- Mandatory tipping. A mandatory gratuity of AUD 10 per person per day applies and is not included in the price.
- Any sightseeing, entry ticket or excursion not specifically listed under Inclusions.
- Tips and gratuities beyond the mandatory gratuity stated above.
- Personal expenses — laundry, telephone, minibar, and anything of a personal nature.
- Early check-in and late check-out charges, and any hotel upgrade.
- City taxes or resort fees charged directly by the hotel.
- Travel during the Vivid Sydney blackout period, 15 May to 15 June.
- Anything not specifically listed under Inclusions.
Related to this journey
Every destination on this journey has its own guide — attractions, where to stay and what to eat — and the journeys that pair with this one are a click away.
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