Relaxing Australia: Beaches, Vineyards and Coastal Spas
Nine days of absolute relaxation on Australia's east coast — from the Gold Coast's beaches and Hunter Valley's vineyards to Daylesford's spas and the Great Barrier Reef at Cairns — unhurried and without steep trails.
Description
This itinerary travels Australia's east coast at an easy pace over nine days, combining paradise beaches, fine dining, vineyards and luxury spas. It begins on the Gold Coast, where Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach offer days of sun and gentle surf with sunset cocktails. Hunter Valley's vineyards, cradle of Australian Semillon, offer private tastings among green hills and chef restaurants like Muse. The Blue Mountains are seen from the comfort of the Scenic World cableway and accessible lookouts. Melbourne is the gastronomic capital of the southern hemisphere: laneways with specialty cafees, Southbank's restaurants and the Queen Victoria markets are a feast for the senses. Daylesford, in Victoria's spa country, is the country's spa town with mineral springs and the two-hatted Lake House restaurant. Finally, Cairns offers two days of tropical relaxation: the Great Barrier Reef from a luxury pontoon boat, the Kuranda scenic train and the thermal pools.
Health & safety
- The Australian sun is extremely dangerous: apply sunscreen every two hours and avoid the sun between 11 am and 3 pm
- The Irukandji jellyfish (November-May) at Cairns require a stinger suit provided by the cruise operators
- Tap water is drinkable throughout Australia
- Healthcare is top-level; private hospitals offer VIP service to resort guests
Day-by-day itinerary
Gold Coast: arrival and beach
Gold Coast, Australia
Gold Coast: arrival and beach
Arrival, beach relaxation and sunset at Surfers Paradise
Arrival and check-in at an oceanfront resort
Rest2hBeach and sunset at Surfers Paradise
Rest3hGold Coast: spa and wine bar
Gold Coast, Australia
Gold Coast: spa and wine bar
Morning at the spa and an afternoon of boutiques and fine food
Morning spa at the resort
Rest3hLunch at Rick Shores
gastronomy2hStroll through Broadbeach and its shops
Rest2hHunter Valley: wine and gourmet
Hunter Valley, Australia
Hunter Valley: wine and gourmet
Semillon tasting and chef-hat lunch at the vineyards
Private tasting at Tyrrells Wines
gastronomy2hLunch at Muse Restaurant
gastronomy2hSunset balloon ride (optional)
Nature1.5hBlue Mountains: lookouts and tea
Katoomba, Australia
Blue Mountains: lookouts and tea
Accessible views, Scenic World and afternoon tea
Echo Point and Scenic World
Nature2.5hAfternoon tea at The Hydro Majestic
gastronomy2hStroll through Leura Village
Rest1.5hMelbourne: laneways and coffee
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne: laneways and coffee
Specialty coffee, street art and Southbank
Coffee and Melbourne's laneways
Culture3hSouthbank and dinner by the Yarra
gastronomy3hMelbourne: market and spa
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne: market and spa
Queen Victoria Market and spa in Daylesford
Queen Victoria Market: gourmet tour
gastronomy2.5hSpa in Daylesford
Rest3hFlight to Cairns and the Esplanade
Cairns, Australia
Flight to Cairns and the Esplanade
Arrival in the tropics and an afternoon of relaxation at the lagoon
Flight Melbourne-Cairns and check-in
Rest3hEsplanade Lagoon and Thai massage
Rest3hGreat Barrier Reef: luxury cruise
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Great Barrier Reef: luxury cruise
Luxury cruise to the reef with gourmet lunch
Luxury catamaran to the Outer Reef
Nature2hRelaxed snorkeling with a private guide
Sports2hChef-prepared lunch at the pontoon
gastronomy1.5hCairns: Kuranda and farewell
Cairns, Australia
Cairns: Kuranda and farewell
Scenic railway, Skyrail and last tropical dinner
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail
Nature4hLast dinner in Cairns
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