Check-in at the Qantas Airways counter at Los Angeles International Airport

Depart Los Angeles International Airport on Qantas flight 108 Economy Class

Cross the International Date Line

Arrive Sydney International Airport in Terminal 1
Collect your luggage and clear customs and immigrations

Sydney sits on one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. This vibrant, cosmopolitan gateway to Australia is a captivating city packed with natural and man-made charms.  Its superb beaches, historic enclaves, top-flight restaurants and surrounding attractions all combine to make it an essential Australian experience.

Sunny and sophisticated, Sydney basks in its worldwide recognition as the shining star of the southern hemisphere.  The white-sailed Sydney Opera House, caught mid-billow over the waters of Sydney Cove, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are the pride and joy of locals and visitors alike.

Newmans South Pacific Vacations sales team will greet and transfer you to the Sofitel Wentworth

This five star hotel in the heart of Sydney has a reputation for being a welcoming and memorable luxury hotel.

Opening Evening of the Newmans Amazing Adventure

Please meet the Newmans Sales Team in the Sofitel Wentworth Lobby at 4pm.
As a group we will proceed to Ives Steps where you will board the MV Sydney 2000 for an evening on Sydney Harbour. 

Departure from Ives Steps will be promptly at 4.30pm

Board Captain Cook’s Sydney 2000                               

Your evening’s entertainment will be held in the Endeavour Lounge where you will enjoy fine Australian food and wine. This is the best way to see Sydney and the perfect venue to celebrate the start of your amazing adventure!

Disembark at Circular Quay, less than a 15 minute walk to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your evening at leisure.

Inclusions: Dinner

Hotel Pick-up at the Sofitel Wentworth to Sydney domestic airport.

Depart Sydney Terminal 3 on Qantas flight 421 Economy Class

Arrive Melbourne Terminal 1

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and Australia's second largest city.  Cultured and cosmopolitan, Melbourne is an architectural gem, lined with gracious buildings built from the profits of the 1850s Goldrush.  The wonderfully preserved Victorian architecture of Melbourne gives the city a special charm, reminiscent of the great cities of Europe.  Melbourne is often referred to as the 'Garden State' due to the magnificent parks and gardens throughout the city.  Food is a top priority here, with exceptional restaurants and whole areas dedicated to gourmet pursuits.  Melbournians are sports fanatics too, cheering on Aussie Rules Football and the Melbourne Cup horserace, while premier festival and cultural offerings all help to make it the events capital of Australia.

You will be met and transferred from Melbourne Airport to the  Swanston Grand Mercure

Accommodation
THE SWANSTON, GRAND MERCURE

Conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne on the historic and popular Swanston Street. Relax and unwind as you enjoy the personalized and attentive service and ambiance.

Afternoon at Leisure

Please meet in the hotel lobby for a 10-15min walk to the departure point of the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant

Early Dinner - Colonial Tram Car Restaurant                                       

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant cruises the scenic streets of Melbourne while diners enjoy fine cuisine and drink the very best of Australian wines or make a selection from our fully stocked bar.

Your evening concludes – please make your own arrangements back to the hotel

Inclusions: Three course meal and all beverages from a bar service, including tea, coffee and liqueurs

Morning at Leisure in Melbourne

Please meet in the hotel lobby

Penguins, Koalas and Wildlife        

After leaving the city of Melbourne you will continue past Westernport Bay with views of French Island before crossing over the bridge to Phillip Island. Recognized as a world leader for environmental conservation, Phillip Island's sandy and rocky shorelines team with wildlife. Visit Churchill Island, where the very first farm for Victoria was established. View the old houses, highland cattle and black faced Suffolk sheep.

Travel to the south-side and check out some local surfers on a pristine beach overlooking the highest point of the island before arriving at the Koala Conservation Centre. Walk amongst the treetops on a specially constructed boardwalk in nature reserve bushland and see wild koalas. Continue on passing Swan Lake, the island's largest fresh water lake, to the Nobbies with its magnificent views over Mornington Peninsula and Bass Strait.

Finally arriving at the Penguin Parade where each evening at dusk Little Penguins arrive in groups on the beach after a day of fishing.

Enjoy the Penguin Parade from an exclusive viewing platform and boardwalk. Rangers are on hand to provide interpretation of the world's smallest penguins and their fascinating lives. Your evening finishes with dinner in the township of Cowes before returning to Melbourne late evening.

Inclusions: Home style afternoon tea and dinner.

Your tour concludes at your hotel

Please check out of your hotel room and meet in the hotel lobby

Sovereign Hill and Ballarat                          

Travel to Ballarat and visit Sovereign Hill, a perfectly re-created 1850s gold mining settlement. Explore the shops and wander the main street to visit goldsmiths and craftsmen at work. Journey through the town and see the Victorian architecture of a prosperous era. Cross the original route of the early horse drawn stage coaches.  Discover the turbulent story behind one of Australia’s most notorious incidents at the Eureka Stockade Centre in Ballarat. View its historic sites and beautiful Victorian architecture; a thriving monument to the towns golden era of prosperity. Visit the Gold Museum. Enjoy browsing the unique period style stores along with real life characters and story re-enactments. Morning Tea will be in one of the Historic Hotels inside the grounds of Sovereign Hill.

After sightseeing this historic village, we will take a short drive through the town of Ballarat and stop for lunch at The Gamekeepers Secret. 

This afternoon we visit the Ballarat Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy an afternoon tea within the sanctuary amongst the displays of kangaroos and emus.

Inclusions: Admission to Sovereign Hill, Ballarat Wildlife Park Morning and afternoon tea

Drop off at CHATEAU YERING HISTORIC HOUSE

Accommodation
CHATEAU YERING HISTORIC HOUSE

This heritage listed Victorian mansion on 250 acres, borders the Yarra River and is set amidst established gardens dating from 1854. The luxury period accommodation and award winning Eleonore's Restaurant boast some of the best rural vistas in Victoria, whilst the lounges and sitting room are a showcase for fine paintings and antique furniture.

Dinner with Sue O’Brien – the General Manager of Chateau Yering

Inclusions: Dinner

Please meet in the hotel lobby

Yarra Valley Sunrise Flight                         

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as your pilot gives you a short briefing. You will then be transported to the launch site where you may help with the launch, or stand back and take pictures. Then away you go, drifting gently over the countryside. The Yarra Valley is one of Victoria's most spectacular winery regions. Let the breeze usher you along the corridors of grape vines and over the Yarra River as you take in the breathtaking views of mountains that surround the valley. The Yarra Valley is situated only 50 minutes from Melbourne’s city centre. 

What to wear and what to bring
Ballooning is an audience participation activity and you will be encouraged to assist with the set up and pack away of the balloon. It is an active morning in the outdoors, so wear clothes that can get stained or dirty.

Please note: The burners can sometimes drip water mixed with Carbon. Global Ballooning will not be responsible for clothing that is stained or damaged as a part of our adventure activity.

Wear clothes as for hiking, including sturdy shoes, warm socks and a cap, plus sunglasses if you wish.

• We meet before sunrise so depending on the time of year and weather, it can be extremely cold
• Generally it will not be any colder in the air during the flight than on the ground, so wear layered clothing that can be removed as the day warms up
• The burners can radiate heat so a hat is recommended
• Your feet can get wet and cold in the early morning dew, you may like to bring a change of socks
• High-heeled shoes are not suitable
• Please remember to bring your camera!

Inclusions: 1 Hour Balloon Flight and gourmet breakfast at Chateau Yering

Pick up at CHATEAU YERING HISTORIC HOUSE

Afternoon Wine Tasting

Begin your Twilight Gastronomic Journey with a private tasting at De Bortoli Winery in the Trophy Room with a wine expert. Taste wine at TarraWarra Estate Winery with entry to the TarraWarra Museum of Art featuring Australian art and sculptures. Visit the historic Yering Station Winery and the Yering Station Produce Store and Art Gallery, showcasing regional produce. Walk through 100-year-old gardens to Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel.

Arrival back at the hotel for an evening at your leisure

Breakfast at Chateau Yering at your leisure

The Great Ocean Road Full Day

Acknowledged as one of the worlds most spectacular coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road winds along quiet bays and pounding surf beaches, tranquil green rainforests, and historic shipwreck sites.  Penguins, whales and seals are also seen along the road, which starts in the bayside city of Geelong.

The Great Ocean Road was painstakingly built by returned soldiers from the First World War as a permanent memorial to their mates who died fighting and offers a memorable experience.

See a colony of wide koalas in their natural habitat, hanging from trees and looking after their young, oblivious to their human onlookers.

Arrival at your hotel for an evening at leisure

Inclusions: Lunch

Accommodation
MANTRA ERSKINE BEACH RESORT - LORNE

Mantra Erskine Beach Resort is located in Lorne on the Great Ocean Road. With a stunning beachfront location set on 12 acres of lawns and gardens, facilities include tennis courts, volleyball court, bowling green, croquet lawn and an 18-hole putting green. All this is situated right in the heart of Lorne, only a minute’s walk to the main shopping and restaurant strip.

Check out of your hotel and be ready to leave by 9:00am

Great Ocean Road, via Port Campbell to Warrnambool
Before we make our way to the Shipwreck coast area of the Great Ocean Road, our first stop, The Twelve Apostles.

The mighty Twelve Apostles are world-recognized icons of the Great Ocean Road. These giant rock stacks soar from the swirling waters of the Southern Ocean and are a central feature of the spectacular Port Campbell National Park. The dramatic and imposing limestone cliffs that are the backdrop to the Apostles tower up to 70 metres, while the tallest of the rock stacks is around 45 metres high.

Lunch at Port Campbell

Venturing further west we arrive at Loch Ard Gorge. Your first view will be of towering cliffs, sparkling blue-green sea and a small, sandy beach. It's hard to imagine that the drama of one of Victoria's most tragic shipwrecks was played out at this very spot more than 120 years ago, giving its name to the gorge.

Inclusions: Lunch & afternoon tea

Arrive at your hotel for the evening at leisure

Accommodation
MANTRA DEEP BLUE - WARRNAMBOOL

Mantra Deep Blue is located on the ocean front in Warrnambool on the Great Ocean Road with breathtaking views of either Lady Bay or Stingray Bay.

Check out of your room and meet in the hotel lobby.

Warrnambool to Melbourne, Via The Western Highway.
Today you will travel from Warrnambool via the Western Highway to the Grampians where you will experience genuine release with activities like bushwalking and rock climbing, or contemplate some of Victoria’s most inspiring scenery from your perfect Grampians accommodation. Stroll quiet village streets lined with verandah fronted shops where life keeps pace with the seasons and natural surroundings. Immerse yourself in the energy of towns with impressive architecture, broad streets and thriving regional culture.

Inclusions: Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

Arrive at your hotel for an evening at leisure

Accommodation
SOFITEL MELBOURNE

Melbourne, an international destination of 19th century grandeur and known for its vibrant cultural life, leading events and festivals, sport and racing, high fashion, cafés and dining.

City sights and Melbourne Cricket Ground tour

We start this experience by traveling past the sporting
precinct that became famous in the 1956 Olympic Games and now roars to the cheers of Aussie Rules crowds. See the Rod Laver Tennis Centre that hosts the Australian Tennis Open as well as the world famous MCG where you will get the inside scoop to the stadium which has hosted most of the major events that have come to this city.

We take a drive to the Italian precinct of Lygon Street in Carlton and see the historic Exhibition Buildings alongside the ultramodern Melbourne Museum. Traveling along the beach, we pass through Port Melbourne, soon arriving at St Kilda. Your guide will take you for a lap of the Australian Grand Prix track at Albert Park Lake before making a stop at the Queen Victoria Market; a historic landmark and an institution for Melbournians.

Afternoon and evening at your leisure

Please check out of your room and meet in the hotel lobby

Transfer to Melbourne airport

Depart Melbourne Terminal 1 on Qantas flight 420 Economy Class

Arrive Sydney Terminal 3

Transfer to the Menzies Hotel

Accommodation
THE MENZIES SYDNEY ACCOR HOTEL

The Menzies Sydney Hotel - a Sydney hotel steeped in tradition  overlooking Wynyard Park and close to shopping, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney's famous "The Rocks" and Darling Harbour tourist precincts. The Menzies Sydney Hotel offers Sydney accommodation with grace and style in one of the best locations in the city.

Please meet in the hotel lobby for a short walk to the Sydney Harbor Bridge

Discovery Climb – Sydney Bridge

Traversing the suspension arch, you will climb through the Bridge and be able to touch the raw steel and rivets and experience more visual evidence of Sydney Harbour Bridge history.

You will Climb stairs and catwalks never previously opened to the public winding your way through a tangle of hatchways and steel girders suspended above the traffic. You will see the location where the arch was joined for the first time making Sydney Harbour Bridge History, and access walkways used exclusively by maintenance teams until 2006.

At the top you will Climb between the arches to the summit, and see all of Sydney laid out before you.

Please note: You will be asked to take a alcohol breath test; your blood alcohol level must be below 0.05%

Closing Night of the Newmans Amazing Adventure

Please make your way to the Australian Ballroom located in the Menzies Hotel Sydney.  This evening will be a great conclusion to your Amazing Adventure throughout Australia.

Inclusions: Dinner

Check out of your hotel room and meet in the lobby to be transferred to the Sydney airport.

Check in at the Qantas Airways international counter

Depart Sydney Terminal 1 on Qantas flight 149 Economy Class