2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Great Sights of Australia (PG)

12 Day Tour from Brisbane to Sydney

2025 Tour Details View 2024 Tour Details »

Laugh and the kookaburras laugh with you. Cry and the kookaburras still laugh. That’s the beauty of a journey to happy-go-lucky Australia where sunny days are accentuated by its even sunnier inhabitants. Koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats are among the many locals eager to greet you on this breezy tour of Australia. With visits to four wondrous waterfront cities, you’ll easily see why the world gushes about the land Down Under. Go behind the scenes at Brisbane’s Australia Zoo, snorkel above the dazzling coral at the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns and devour the panoramic scenery and a delicious lunch at the iconic Sydney Opera House. With two days in eclectic Melbourne, you can also gobble up all the goodies this hipster city and surrounding areas have to offer. Perhaps take in the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island or chill with a nice chardonnay at a Yarra Valley winery. This 12-day tour shows you all the Great Sights of Australia!

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Select Globus South Pacific vacations are limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery South Pacific vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.


Dates & Prices Book Online
800.268.3636
Save $1,300 per couple on select 2025 Globus South Pacific Tours*
Great Sights of Australia map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

Welcome to Brisbane, The Capital of Queensland! Your hotel room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner.

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DinnerDinner

Day 2 BRISBANE. EXCURSION TO THE AUSTRALIA ZOO

Koalas, Crocs, and Roos, Oh My! Enjoy an orientation tour of Brisbane, including the historical buildings and modern high-rises. Learn about the city’s convict past along with its modern cosmopolitan culture. Afterward, travel to the Australia Zoo, “Home of the Crocodile Hunter” where you’ll see some of Australia’s famous wildlife. You can hand-feed kangaroos, pet a dingo, see the amazing saltwater crocodiles, and more. Return to Brisbane where the evening is at leisure.

LOCAL FAVORITE
CONSERVATION HEROES Go behind-the-scenes for a look at Australia Zoo’s Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Wildlife Hospital. Founded by Steve and Terri Irwin, it is home to amazing work being done by an extraordinary team of veterinarians. All proceeds from your included visit directly benefit the hospital to help provide specialized care to wildlife. Whether it’s a kangaroo hit by a car, a flying fox entangled in a fence, or a sea turtle that has ingested plastic, the team at the Wildlife Zoo are dedicated to returning them back in to the wild.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 BRISBANE

Brilliant Brisbane A full day to explore more of vibrant Brisbane.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, a large Ferris wheel overlooking the city. Maybe just relax at Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner-city man-made beach, or enjoy a stroll on the city’s pedestrian street, Queen Street Mall, full of shops and restaurants. For those wanting a little more activity, join an optional bike tour of Brisbane or visit Tangalooma Island where you can swim and snorkel among shipwrecks. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 BRISBANE–CAIRNS

Diving In Depart Brisbane for Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Upon arrival enjoy an orientation tour of Cairns followed by a visit to the Cairns Aquarium. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SEA STUDIES Touted as Australia’s newest aquarium, the Cairns Aquarium won’t disappoint. Journey through the waterways from freshwater rivers flowing through the rainforest, into the mangroves and finally into the depths of the Great Barrier Reef. Discover 71 different exhibits showcasing this regions extremely rare and unique species. Enjoy animal presentations, habitat talks, and daily shark feeds. It will be a great introduction for your experience on the Reef tomorrow.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 5 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF

Below the Surface Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of dazzling hues. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
BUCKET LIST. CHECK! The only living structure on Earth that can be seen from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Comprising over 3,000 individual reefs and spanning over 135,135 miles (350,000 square kilometres), your day at the Reef will be one to remember. After your scenic catamaran cruise, the day is yours to explore the Reef how you like. Choose to snorkel amongst a kaleidoscope of fish and coral, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attend an informative presentation by a marine biologist, or just relax and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings.

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Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 6 CAIRNS

Aussie Adventures Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore more of Cairns.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE You may wish to take a 4-wheel-drive excursion into the Daintree Rainforest, soar high on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, check out Australia’s famous salt-water crocs at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure, stroll Cairns’ famous Esplanade home to shops and art galleries, or just sit back and relax at your resort’s pool. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 CAIRNS–MELBOURNE

Cosmopolitan Cool Touch down today in one of Australia’s most well-known cities. Melbourne is home to a diverse culture, world-class shopping, art galleries, museums, coffee shops, vibrant street art, hidden laneways and more. Along with its beaches, parks, amazing restaurants, and near-flawless weather, it’s the perfect place to visit year-round. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour before arriving at your hotel.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 MELBOURNE

Explore More in Melbourne Free time today to explore more of this vibrant city.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Melbourne with a trip to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck for amazing views of the city below. You may also choose to venture to the breathtaking Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s premier wine regions. Other options include a full-day trip to the Great Ocean Road to see fantastic scenery and the “Twelve Apostles,” or choose to venture to Phillip Island for the famous Penguin Parade. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 9 MELBOURNE–SYDNEY

Spectacular Sydney Fly to Sydney one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is home to first-class restaurants, grand shopping arcades, and top tourist attractions. Arrive at your centrally located hotel for a 3-night stay. This evening, why not enjoy dinner at a waterside restaurant?


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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 10 SYDNEY

Surf, Sky & Sips On your morning sightseeing tour, travel to the famous Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s Botanic Gardens. The sandstone rock chair was carved by convicts in 1810 and is said to be where Mrs Macquaire would sit and watch the ships from Great Britain sail into the harbor. Next, visit the famous Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURAL GEM Go inside the Sydney Opera House, one of the most well-known buildings in the world. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour, hear untold stories, be amazed at the acoustics, and learn how this amazing hall was built. Afterward, sit below the sails and enjoy a Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite panoramic lunch at one of the Opera House’s restaurants where you’ll enjoy great photo opportunities and sweeping views of the harbor and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with an optional excursion to experience one of Sydney’s famous beaches, Bondi Beach, where a local surf instructor will give you a tour of the lifesaving club and teach you how to surf. You can also choose to see the city from a different view from atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Enjoy amazing views of the harbor and city skyline below from this unique perspective. In the evening, you might want to walk in the footsteps of Australia’s early settlers on the Rocks Pub Tour. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 11 SYDNEY

Sights & Bites in Sydney Another day for you to explore Sydney. Tonight, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE You may wish to visit the elegant Queen Victoria Building with its three levels of fashion, jewellery, and gifts. Other options including visiting the Art Gallery of New South Wales, strolling through the Royal Botanic Garden, or enjoying delicious Asian food at one of the restaurants in Spice Alley. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 12 SYDNEY

Until We Meet Again! Your tour 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.

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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

KAREN CHOPPING

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“I have been a Tour Director for over 20 years and I love showcasing the South Pacific region to so many like-minded passionate and adventurous travelers like myself. Family is a very important aspect of my life and I spend a lot of time introducing world adventure travel to my own two children. I live in Cairns, the gateway to two world heritage listed UNESCO Sites which are a must do when you visit my home town. Where the Rainforest meets the Reef is an unforgettable experience, one that shouldn't be missed when visiting Far North Queensland.”

Tour Director - KAREN CHOPPING

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

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


Brisbane
Cairns
Melbourne
Sydney

Brisbane

Moreton Island & Tangalooma Ship Wrecks

Moreton Island & Tangalooma Ship Wrecks

Throw your swimwear into a bag and set sail to Moreton Island, a world-renowned destination for encountering dolphins, dugong, turtles, and shipwrecks.

Price Range: $$$$

Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

Enjoy the exhilaration of flying over the 8th Wonder of the World - The Great Barrier Reef. You've seen the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef from below, now get ready to see if from a whole new angle! Flying low over the reef, your pilot will show you the wonders that live beneath the sea as you search for sea turtles, manta rays and dugong (an aquatic mammal). You will marvel at the sheer size of coral displays that form part of the Great Barrier Reef. The scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef lasts approximately 10 minutes.

Price Range: $$$$

Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail

Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail

Tropical North Queensland awaits on this memorable day trip that combines the scenic Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the world-famous Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Price Range: $$$$

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Experience the world's most beautiful rainforest experience. The Skyrail experience is a must do Cairns attraction spanning 7.5kms/4.6mi over pristine rainforest, allowing you to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest and learn about one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth.

Price Range: $$$

Melbourne

Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour

Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour

Discover just what makes Melbourne so enchanting on this excursion that reveals the city's hidden gems. We'll pair you up with a passionate expert guide for a casual stroll through the city's back streets and beautiful old lanes and arcades.

Price Range: $$$

Melbourne Skydeck & Edge Experience

Melbourne Skydeck & Edge Experience

Nothing will prepare you for this awesome, bird's-eye view of Melbourne! Partake in a unique experience that will get your heart racing as you step out 984 feet above the ground (that's almost as high as the Eiffel Tower). The Melbourne Skydeck 88 takes you right to The Edge, a special glass cube observation deck that slides out from the building with you inside! It's a city view you'll never forget!

Price Range: $

Yarra Valley Food & Wine Day Tour

Yarra Valley Food & Wine Day Tour

Discover the flavors of the Yarra Valley on a full-day food and wine tour. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply would like to spend the day surrounded by beautiful, off-the-beaten-path scenery, this is the perfect day trip from Melbourne.

Price Range: $$$$

The Penguin Parade Plus

The Penguin Parade Plus

Enjoy a full afternoon and evening exploration of fascinating Phillip Island and its surroundings with the day's highlight being the fabuloulos Penguin Parade with grandstand viewing.

Price Range: $$$$

The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road

On this full day tour, you'll experience this majestic coastal drive in style, with time to relax and fully appreciate the wonders of this world famous route.

Price Range: $$$$

The Penguin Parade

The Penguin Parade

Enjoy a full afternoon and evening exploration of fascinating Phillip Island and its surroundings with the day's highlight being the fabuloulos Penguin Parade.

Price Range: $$$$

Sydney

The Rocks Pub Tour

The Rocks Pub Tour

Walk in the footsteps of Australia's early convicts, mischievous gangs and locals of the past, as you share a drink in four of Sydney's oldest pubs. A unique, fun tour that highlights the history, stories, and characters that helped shaped Sydney.

Price Range: $$$

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Get ready for the climb of your life! This exhilarating excursion at the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is a unique way to enjoy incredible views of the city and its beautiful harbor.

Price Range: $$$$

Blue Mountains Deluxe Tour

Blue Mountains Deluxe Tour

Join us for a full day excursion to the famed Blue Mountains, a journey into the heart of a unique UNESCO World Heritage Region.

Price Range: $$$$

Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise

Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise

Grab your camera and step aboard for a sumptuous lunch and a relaxing cruise around the famous Sydney Harbour.

Price Range: $$$



The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.