Classic: Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island, Red Centre e Sydney

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia after Sydney, and the rivalry between the two knows no truce. Melbourne does not have the spectacular position of Sydney, but it has a more subtle charm and a more vibrant cultural life, with a multicultural population that has turned it into a paradise of diverse cuisines. The dense city center of skyscrapers pleasantly contrasts with the numerous parks and wide avenues that give the city a European atmosphere.

It is recommended to visit the Phillip Island. Phillip Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is one of Australia's most famous tourist destinations, thanks mainly to the hundreds of little penguins that return to their burrows at Summerland Beach every evening - the so-called Penguin Parade, with a large audience of visitors every night. Don't miss the excellent Penguin Parade Visitor Centre. However, the island is also worth visiting for its beautiful coastline, surf waves, beautiful beaches, and natural parks. The main town is Cowes, on the inner bay, a lively and pleasant town. Other smaller towns worth seeing are San Remo, on the mainland just before the bridge, Newhaven, Rhyll, and Ventnor. In addition to the famous penguins, you can also observe a large colony of seals and numerous koalas on the island. Every year at the end of October, the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix takes place on Phillip Island. The best riders in the world compete in the Phillip Island MotoGP, on motorcycles up to 1000cc in displacement and with top speeds of 320 km/h. You can take boat trips to observe seals and dolphins. Don't miss the visit to the Otama submarine and the visit to French Island, the largest island in the state of Victoria.

Car rental from Melbourne to Adelaide.

Long day of travel. We suggest a stop in Kingston, a town famous for its lobsters: that's why a Giant Lobster has been placed in the fishermen's port. Then, you will drive along the Coorong National Park until you reach the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula in the town of Victor Harbor. (Approximately 500KM/5 hours).

The stop in Victor Harbor is strategic in order to be able to take the first ferry in the morning to Kangaroo Island for those coming from the Great Ocean Road, or the last ferry in the evening from the island to enjoy a full day on Kangaroo Island and continue safely to the next stop the following day.

Short transfer to Cape Jervis to board the first ferry. Arrive at least one hour before boarding (Kangaroo Island is a remote area and driving in the dark is not allowed). Arrive at Kangaroo Island after approximately 50 minutes of crossing. (60KM approx / 1 HOUR + FERRY)

The third Australian island after Tasmania and Melville Island has spectacular coasts and forests, and an impressive variety of animals: kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, platypuses, penguins, seals, sea lions, and sometimes even whales passing by. Despite being one of the main Australian tourist destinations, it is still remarkably wild.

You can start your visit to Seal Bay with a memorable walk on the beach among the sea lions (at a safe distance!). With a bit of luck, you will see some lazy koalas resting on the ancient eucalyptus trees. In the western part of the island, explore Flinders Chase National Park with a walk in search of kangaroos, wallabies, and the numerous varieties of birds; from August to November, the park is covered in wildflowers, a fantastic sight. At Cape du Couedic, around the impressive Admirals Arch cave, over 10,000 southern fur seals rest, and you can also see the curious rock formations of Remarkable Rocks, perched on the cliff above the turbulent waters of the ocean.

It is recommended to visit the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. You can visit the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, which houses over 150 species of endemic Australian wildlife, such as koalas, wombats, kangaroos and wallabies, reptiles, and birds.

Despite being a big city, Adelaide is relaxed and pleasant, surrounded by green parks even in the driest months, with spacious squares and avenues. The Italian community is the second largest after the English one and gives the city a vaguely Mediterranean atmosphere.

Car rental from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock.

We recommend the visit/excursion. OUTBACK BALLOONING -
The hot air balloon adventure begins before dawn from your hotel in Alice Springs. Upon arrival at the launch site, the crew will begin inflating the balloon. Gas burners shoot flames that illuminate the MacDonnell Ranges. Once in flight, you can appreciate the vastness of the Australian outback, the wildlife, especially large red kangaroos and flocks of parrots in flight. After landing, there will be a toast with Australian sparkling wine accompanied by a variety of muffins, cookies, cheese, and fresh fruit before returning to the city.

Alice Springs / Kings Canyon (approximately 360km / 5 hours). A landscape dominated by the brick red of the earth, the yellow of spinifex bushes, and the blue of the sky.

For those with a 4x4 and a spirit of adventure, depart towards Kings Canyon following the Larapinta Drive, through the West MacDonnell Ranges. We suggest a stop to explore Simpson Gap, Standley Chasm, Serpentine Gorge, and Ormiston Gorge (a longer and more challenging itinerary along the Namatjira Drive).

After passing the historic town of Hermannsburg, home to an Aboriginal community, you will access the Mereenie Loop Road, an unpaved road to be traveled only with a 4x4, used by Aboriginal people and experienced bushmen to reach Kings Canyon more quickly.

Along the way, a magnificent scenery awaits: Gosse Bluff, a crater caused by a meteorite impact millions of years ago. The Aboriginal legend, of course, is different: during a dance of the Ancestors that took place in the Milky Way, a mother placed her baby in a nearby cradle. Unintentionally, she fell to Earth and was covered by soil and vegetation. Despite the search for the child, the Morning Star, the Mother, and the Evening Star, the Father, still wander in search of the baby. It is an Aboriginal reserve closed to tourism, but with tact, you can access it without problems. If the sun is in the right position and the light doesn't play tricks, it will seem like you are crossing a lunar landscape with a mystical and wonderful atmosphere.

Arrive at Kings Canyon before sunset, and don't miss the magic of the evening colors on the Canyon, following the shortest route inside it, leaving the longer and more challenging one for the next morning.

Note: in case the Mereenie Loop Road is closed or if you have a conventional rental car, you will need to return to the Stuart Highway and turn onto the Lasseters Highway to reach Kings Canyon following the Luritja Road (approximately 470km / 7 hours).

Kings Canyon / Ayers Rock (approximately 310km / 4.5 hours). At dawn, there is the possibility to take a 3-hour itinerary to climb the canyon. Not to be missed!!! Continue to Ayers Rock. After passing Ayers Rock Resort, you enter Uluru National Park (25 AUD) and the Olgas Mountains, sacred Aboriginal mountains, for a walk through the valleys that separate them. Return to Ayers Rock in time to admire the spectacle that the sunset creates around the monolith.

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects the spectacular rock formations known as Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Uluru/Ayers Rock is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking natural wonders on Earth; equally mesmerizing is the cluster of round rocks of Kata Tjuta/the Olgas.
If you are traveling between May and October, make sure to pack appropriate clothing. The nights and mornings can be quite cold, so it is important to have warm clothes in your suitcase, especially if you plan on activities at sunset or sunrise.

We recommend the visit/excursion. New and evocative art installation in the Red Center desert. Approximately 50,000 stems light up after sunset for about a kilometer, a short distance from the resort, with the silhouette of Uluru in the background, creating enchanting atmospheres. Designed by English artist Bruce Munro, it is powered exclusively by solar energy, thanks to approximately 3,290km of optical fibers.
There are several opportunities to admire it:
- Field of Light base pass: includes transfers and entrance to walk along the various paths, informative brochure. Departure possible 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours after sunset - duration approximately 2 hours.
- Field of Light Star Pass: includes transfers and entrance to walk along the various paths, access to an elevated panoramic area, English-speaking guide, drinks and sandwiches, informative brochure. Departure 30 minutes before sunset - duration approximately 2 hours (children from 6 years old and up).
- A Night at Field of Light: includes transfers and entrance to walk along the various paths, English-speaking guide, drinks and canapés on top of a dune to see the structure light up, three-course Aboriginal dinner, cultural performance, informative brochure. Departure 1 hour before sunset - duration approximately 4 hours (children from 10 years old and up).
Advance booking is required.

Arrive at Sydney. The most Australian of Australian cities, with its surroundings, is a true microcosm of the country. Sydney is the only city in Australia to have a tangible sense of history in the Rocks neighborhood, a unique city that goes beyond the wonderful bay, but reveals its true soul in the neighborhoods and beaches of the suburbs, with a cosmopolitan and sophisticated population and the highest number of Aboriginal people.

If you have little time to discover Sydney, here are some ideas:
- 9:00 THE CLASSICS reach Circular Quay and observe the traffic of incoming and outgoing ferries. Take a look at the famous Sydney Opera House (you can also visit the interior, but you have to book). Then continue to the Royal Botanic Gardens to the panoramic point called "Mrs Macquarie's Chair". From here you can take the perfect photo of the bay with the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Follow the walk along the bay to the Art Gallery of NSW, an introduction to Australian art.
- 11:30 PANORAMAS Return to the city center and go up to the observation deck of the Sydney Tower Eye for a beautiful 360° panorama of the city.
- 12:30 ZOO or AQUARIUM? If you haven't seen the local fauna yet, head to Darling Harbour to visit the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium or the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. A ferry can take you to Taronga Zoo.
- 14:30 BONDI BEACH Take a train to Bondi Junction, then with a bus from the Bondi Junction Interchange reach Bondi Beach and have lunch on one of the most famous beaches in the world! Take a walk on the beach or, if you have time, try the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee (about 2 hours).
- 18:00 HAPPY HOUR AND DINNER AT THE ROCKS The Rocks, the historic district of the city, is ideal for an aperitif and dinner. Try The Argyle for a drink.
- 20:00 SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE Why not try an evening at the opera in this spectacular theater?
- 22:30 SKY-HIGH COCKTAILS End the day spectacularly with a final drink at the 360 Bar overlooking the city skyline and try The Glenmore for the bay view and a Rooftop Royale cocktail.

We recommend the visit/excursion. BLUE MOUNTAINS DELUXE - This excursion to the Blue Mountains is a true journey into the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage region. Departure from the hotel at 7 am. First stop at Calmsley Hill, an agritourism attraction located in the center of Sydney, surrounded by fabulous forests. It is a veterinary clinic where various species of animals are hosted and where you can visit exhibitions and nature-themed shows. We will arrive at Calmsley Hill early in the morning, in order to fully enjoy and get up close to the native fauna, including kangaroos and koalas, while sipping a good cup of tea. We continue to the Blue Mountains with a stop at a beautiful viewpoint in Jamison Valley. Arrival at Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote viewpoint overlooking the Three Sisters, away from the crowds. The tour continues through picturesque villages, spectacular views, until we reach Medlow Bath for a 2-course lunch (drinks not included) at the Boiler House restaurant in the Hydro Majestic Hotel, which offers a breathtaking view of the valley. In the afternoon, we will stop at several other panoramic points, starting with Govett's Leap, one of the most famous in Australia. The last stop is at Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens, with a beautiful view of Sydney, for a glass of local sparkling wine or orange juice, before returning to the hotel around 4.30-5.00 pm.

Continuation to la destinazione successiva.