Coast to Coast

Welcome to Perth. Time to pick up your hire car and get ready to explore this buzzy city. With 300+ sunny days a year, chances are the sun will be shining, in which case you’ve simply got to pay a visit to the beautiful Cottesloe Beach. Don’t fancy the sand? Perhaps take a picnic to Kings Park, a 990-acre green space featuring historical memorials and native flora and fauna. You could also get your culture fix at one of the many galleries and museums. Enjoy a tour of Rottnest Island, home to an array of wildlife including the cute quokka, as well as a tasty lodge lunch.

Drive down to Busselton, a small coastal city on the southwest tip of Australia. Be sure to pay a visit to the beach here; Geographe Bay is particularly nice and provides the opportunity to swim, snorkel and fish, as well as hike and explore rock caves. You can also go whale watching (Sep-Nov) or perhaps visit the Underwater Observatory on the jetty where you can spot all manner of sea creatures.

Next, you’ll be making your way to the Margaret River – best known for its craft breweries, wineries and beaches. If you’re feeling energetic, why not hike the Cape to Cape Track that fringes the limestone caves and sea cliffs of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park? Trust us, the views are magnificent. While here, you’ll get the opportunity to indulge on the Gourmet Wine Gallery & Brewery tour, visiting four wineries and a brewery, tucking into an Australian wild food lunch and indulging with over 40 free tastings!

Continue on to Canberra, Australia’s capital city, fringed by the beautiful Snowy Mountains. You could visit Parliament House to learn about the country’s history and politics and admire the city views from Capital Hill. Or why not hire a bicycle to explore the city or cycle around Lake Burley Griffin? Culture and history buffs can also visit the Australia War Memorial and the National Gallery of Australia or, for a taste of home, the quaint Cockington Green Gardens, an adorable miniature British village.

Drive on to Wollongong, a lively beachside city teeming with bars and restaurants and a laid-back, surfer’s lifestyle. There are several beaches to explore, many with safe swimming spots as well as top-notch waves. You could also hike Mount Keira Lookout – which, at 464 metres high, offers incredible views over the city and ocean – or perhaps pay a visit to Nan Tien, the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere, housing over 10,000 Buddha statues.

Catch your flight from Perth to Sydney, where you’ll have three days to explore this lively city. Discover the old boutiques and pubs of The Rocks area and take in the sights and scents of the Royal Botanical Gardens, before checking out the waterfront and Sydney Harbour Bridge. You could do a boat tour there or climb the bridge itself to see the city from a different perspective. While you’re here, don’t miss a trip to Bondi Beach, a great big stretch of sandy beach ideal for people-watching and surfing. Finally, enjoy your included tour of the majestic Sydney Opera House, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon.

Continue on to the breathtaking Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest and main wine region, and home to some of the most beautiful, lush landscapes. Here you can enjoy a day’s bush walking, mountain biking, or take in the scenic views from a hot-air balloon. Make the most of your Picnic amongst the Vines tour, a splendid day of premium wine tasting with a delicious picnic in a tranquil vineyard. You’ll even get to take home a bottle of hand-picked wine and chocolates, so you can raise a glass to your time in Australia even after you leave...