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Stunning aerial view across Capella Lodge

Australia's Cities, Coast & Country

16 nights from £6,185pp

Australia's Cities, Coast & Country

From Melbourne's buzzing laneways and the spectacular Great Ocean Road to the rugged mountains of the Grampians, Sydney's iconic harbour and the laid-back beaches of Byron Bay, this journey brings together some of our favourite corners of southern Australia. You'll enjoy fabulous city hotels, charming coastal hideaways and peaceful country retreats, with plenty of opportunities to discover Australia's wildlife, wonderful food and beautiful scenery along the way.

Your Journey

Arrive in Melbourne, where you'll be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Australia's cultural capital is a wonderful place to begin your adventure, with its lively laneways, fantastic restaurants, independent boutiques and thriving café culture.

Spend a few days exploring the city, from the colourful street art and hidden bars to the Queen Victoria Market and beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. We'd also recommend getting out of the city for a day to explore the Yarra Valley's vineyards or the wildlife and coastal scenery of the Mornington Peninsula.

Stay at Crown Towers Melbourne, overlooking the Yarra River in the heart of Southbank. With spacious rooms, fabulous views and some of the city's best restaurants on your doorstep, it's a lovely base for discovering Melbourne.

Accommodation -

The pool at Crown Towers Hotel in Melbourne

Crown Towers, Melbourne

Lavishly appointed and offering impeccable standards of service, five star Crown Towers enjoys a perfect location on Melbourne’s South Bank,…

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Today you'll collect your hire car and set off along one of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road. Take your time as you wind past sweeping beaches, dramatic cliffs and charming seaside towns, stopping along the way for a coffee, a walk or simply to enjoy the views.

Your home for the next two nights is Chocolate Gannets, a collection of beautiful beachfront villas just outside Apollo Bay. With wonderful ocean views and the beach on your doorstep, it's a gorgeous spot to unwind after a day exploring.

There's plenty to discover nearby, from the lush rainforest walks and waterfalls of the Otway Ranges to secluded beaches and coastal viewpoints. Keep an eye out for koalas in the eucalyptus trees around Kennett River, or simply enjoy a quiet afternoon watching the waves from your villa.

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General_beachfront luxury accommodation chocolate gannets

Chocolate Gannets, Apollo Bay

Located directly opposite a beautiful sandy beach, Chocolate Gannets offers luxury accommodation and superb ocean views on the Great Ocean Road. Four…

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Continue west along the Great Ocean Road today, passing some of its most famous landmarks. Stop to admire the towering limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles, explore the dramatic coastline around Loch Ard Gorge and take your time enjoying the wonderful scenery.

Your destination is Port Fairy, a charming little coastal town with historic cottages, lovely beaches, independent shops and some excellent places to eat. It's a great place to break the journey before heading inland towards the Grampians.

Spend the night at Oak & Anchor, a beautifully restored heritage hotel in the heart of town. With just seven individually designed suites, it combines the character of its historic building with a fresh, contemporary feel.

Leave the coast behind today and head inland to the spectacular Grampians National Park, a landscape of rugged sandstone mountains, ancient Aboriginal rock art, waterfalls and wonderful wildlife. There are some fantastic walks here, from gentle trails through the bush to more challenging hikes with incredible views across the mountains. Visit the lookouts at Boroka and Reeds, explore the pretty town of Halls Gap and keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, emus and colourful birdlife.

Your accommodation is Boroka Downs, a peaceful retreat surrounded by native bushland just outside Halls Gap. The beautifully designed residences have huge windows looking out towards the mountains, and you may well find kangaroos grazing just beyond your terrace. It's a lovely place to slow down, enjoy the scenery and experience a quieter side of Australia.

Return to Melbourne today, drop off your hire car and fly to Sydney, where you'll be transferred to your hotel. With its spectacular harbour setting, fabulous beaches, superb restaurants and laid-back outdoor lifestyle, Sydney is one of our favourite cities in the world.

Spend a few days exploring, from the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge to the waterfront neighbourhoods of The Rocks and Barangaroo. Take the ferry to Manly, walk the beautiful coastal path between Bondi and Coogee or enjoy a long lunch overlooking the water.

We would definitely recommend getting out on the harbour while you're here, whether on a private sailing trip or a relaxed cruise. For something really special, take to the skies by seaplane for a wonderful lunch or picnic along the coast.

Stay at Crown Towers Sydney, an impressive contemporary hotel in Barangaroo with wonderful harbour views, fabulous restaurants and a spectacular outdoor pool.

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Crown Towers Sydney - Opera Tower Suite Bedroo

Crown Towers Sydney

Crown Towers, the latest addition to the Sydney skyline, boasts prime position in the prestigious new Barangaroo area of the waterfront, with its…

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If you'd like to experience more of Australia's spectacular wilderness, we can also arrange a few nights in the Blue Mountains, just west of Sydney. This World Heritage-listed region is famous for its dramatic sandstone escarpments, deep eucalyptus forests and the distinctive blue haze that hangs over the valleys.

For a classic Blue Mountains stay, we love Lilianfels, a charming country house hotel close to the Three Sisters and the pretty village of Leura. Spend your days exploring scenic walking trails, visiting the region's beautiful lookouts or simply relaxing in the peaceful surroundings.

For something really special, we'd recommend extending your journey to Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge. Set within a vast private conservation reserve in the Greater Blue Mountains, this extraordinary retreat offers a completely different side of Australia, with dramatic mountain scenery, abundant wildlife and a wonderful sense of seclusion.

The luxurious private villas provide a beautiful base for exploring the surrounding wilderness, while the lodge's all-inclusive concept allows you to relax and make the most of your time here. Expect memorable dining, opportunities to discover the landscape with expert guides and plenty of time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the valley.

We'd suggest adding two or three nights here, either in place of some of your time in Sydney or as an extension to the itinerary. It's a wonderful contrast to the city's energy and a particularly special way to experience Australia's natural beauty.

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Darleys restaurant at Lillianfels

Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains

Conveniently located just a short stroll from the Three Sisters, Lilianfels is a haven of elegance in the heart of the Blue Mountains.

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Fly north to the Byron Bay region today, where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Known for its beautiful beaches, excellent surf breaks, relaxed lifestyle and abundance of cafés, restaurants and independent shops, Byron is a lovely place to finish your Australian adventure.

Base yourself at the stylish Crystalbrook Byron, tucked amongst subtropical rainforest just a short walk from the beach. Its spacious suites, natural timbers and wide verandas blend beautifully with the surrounding landscape, and the resort's lovely pool and spa make it very tempting to do very little at all.

There's plenty to explore if you feel like being active. Learn to surf, kayak along the coast in search of dolphins, take a walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse or head into the lush hinterland to discover pretty villages, waterfalls and local markets. During the whale migration season, you might even spot humpbacks passing along the coast. Otherwise, simply enjoy the sunshine, the beach and Byron's wonderful restaurants before heading home.

Accommodation -

Cyrstalbrook Byron Bay Luxury Resort & Spa accommodation surrounded by lush greenery

Crystalbrook Byron

Blending effortlessly with the majestic rainforest which surrounds it, Crystalbrook Byron's open-plan design is enhanced by the use of rich timbers…

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What's Included

16 nights from £6,185 per person

  • International flights included from the UK
  • Includes return airport, in-destination transfers and car hire

Package price shown is based on travel in May 2027. Exact pricing is dependent on exact departure dates and availability at the time of booking. Please contact our team of experts for further information and your bespoke quote.

Best time to travel

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Australia’s cities, coast and countryside are best explored from September to November and March to May, although some seasons suit certain regions better. Spring and autumn bring pleasant temperatures to many parts of the country, while summer is ideal for beach escapes in the south. These months offer excellent conditions for discovering vibrant cities, beautiful coastlines and the country’s vast, rugged landscapes.

FAQs

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Why Choose Turquoise?

Family Owned & Run

We are one of the few remaining family owned and run operators of our size. We have direct relationships with every single destination, island, resort and hotel we work with, in order to deliver exceptional and truly personalised service.

Our Passion Runs Deep

We are - and always have been - mad about travel. For almost 25 years we've been scouring the globe for the best places to stay, the newest routes to take, the perfect people to meet. No-one will care more about your holiday.

Definition of Luxury

Luxury means something different to everyone. Whether you are seeking the silence of vast spaces, the isolation of a private island, the buzz of a new city, the adrenaline of a safari or anything in between, we listen, we learn, we advise.

Fun & Refreshing

We endeavour that every Turquoise experience is unique, fun and refreshing. Travel is all about experiences, about serendipitous moments and endless smiles. It is a joy and an honour to plan each and every Turquoise holiday.

What Our Travellers Say

“As enthusiastic retirees with a serious case of wanderlust, my wife and I now travel abroad at least four times a year.We'd been subscribed to The Turquoise Holiday Company mailing list for years, but it wasn't until we spotted a special offer for Thailand in November 2019 that we finally booked our first holiday with them.Interestingly, a few months earlier, while waiting for a flight to the Maldives in June 2019, we noticed another couple travelling with a Turquoise travel bag. At the time, we thought little of it, but looking back, it was perhaps an early sign that we were about to discover a travel company that would become our go-to specialist for luxury holidays.Our first experience with Turquoise was excellent and gave us the confidence to book a Maldives holiday for June 2020. Then, of course, COVID struck and brought the travel industry to a standstill. What impressed us most was the way Turquoise handled an incredibly difficult situation. Rather than leaving us in limbo, they worked tirelessly to rearrange our holiday multiple times, adapting to constantly changing restrictions and circumstances. Eventually, in November 2020, despite flying with a different airline and staying at a different hotel than originally planned, we were able to enjoy a much-needed Maldives escape when many other travel plans around the world had simply been cancelled altogether.That experience cemented our trust in The Turquoise Holiday Company. Since then, we have booked many holidays through them and now use them for the vast majority of our trips abroad.What consistently sets Turquoise apart is the quality of its people. Every member of staff we have dealt with has been knowledgeable, professional, friendly and exceptionally thorough. Their expertise, attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile give us complete confidence that every aspect of our holiday is being carefully managed.In an age where genuine customer service can be hard to find, The Turquoise Holiday Company continues to deliver it in abundance. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone looking for a travel agent that combines expert knowledge, outstanding customer care and absolute professionalism. They have played a major part in some of our most memorable travel experiences, and we look forward to booking many more adventures with them in the years ahead.”
“Right from first contact, Bethany & colleagues were great. Bethany adjusted the holiday offered several times to get it just how we wanted it, & it was everything she said it would be. We went to Coco Bodu Hithi & it was amazing, I thoroughly recommend it. Turquoise have a great app which was really useful & they were there for us all along the way, even sending me updates on flights. I recommend them 100%.”
“Everything was so efficient from our very first contact. We are not seasoned travellers so the support/help/advice we received from Lucy all the way through was so reassuring. Even the daftest question was never too much trouble. Looking forward to booking again for 2028 - we wouldn’t dream of looking forward alternative travel agents. Thank you so much 🥰”
“I am so thankful we used Turquoise Holidays! From start to finish they were exceptional. A shout out to Martha who designed and organised our honeymoon for us - she took the stress out of planning, understood the vision and put together our dream holiday. She was a pleasure to work with and it was beyond anything we could have imagined. I can’t tell you how relieved we were to have all of our transport and transfers sorted the other side. Especially for a trip like ours with lots of flights and travel, using Turquoise Holidays made it so much easier. We also used the concierge services to book activities and they were so helpful and kind. Will definitely use Turquoise again, I can’t wait for our next holiday!”
“Sophie was brilliant from start to finish. From the very first email she was professional but also had that friendly touch. Any amendments I wanted to our honeymoon plans she came back with the updated itinerary. Even after 5 iterations she was still incredible with the responses. I would highly recommend using turquoise travel and we will definitely be using them again”
“Amazing Family Holiday and just what we asked for! We wanted a resort and location that was approriate for small kids but had all the luxuries for adults, and Turquoise holidays provided a great service. Commincation was great and they took all the pain out of the small details and provided an excellent service and the value was outstanding!”
“Just got back from a fantastic Holiday in Mauritius with which I booked the Holiday with Turquoise Holidays. This is my first time I have booked with this company and I will have no hesitation in booking again, from start to finish the correspondence I had with Milly and the rest of the team at Turquoise as been outstanding. Thankyou Neil & Jane”
“Enjoyable trip to Canada.Jonty made excellent recommendations as always, hotels were great in every respect.Highly recommend Turquoise for their advice and insight into places and hotels at a very good price point. We have used many times in the past and will continue do use again in the future.”
“Mrs Stone organised all my flights details and extra help extremely well.”
“This was the best travel agent experience we have ever had. We went on a bespoke 5 week trip to Australia. Our agent, Stuart, designed a trip exactly matching our requirements and really listened to us when we described the brief. What came through strongly during the course of the trip was Turquoise’s ability to not just source the best properties/accommodation, but the best rooms in those properties. Likewise with the tours and activities that they organised — everything felt highly curated and considered. When any queries arose or we wanted to change the bugs, the team was super-responsive through the app. We will definitely use them again have recommended them to many friends.”
“We had a really good time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The blend of activity and adventures in Sri Lanka mixed with the relaxation and tranquility of the Maldives, worked extremely well and the itinerary put together by Turquoise was excellent.Overall we were very impressed with Sri Lanka and whilst hectic at times enjoyed our busy agenda. We found all the accommodation wonderful and food was plentiful and enjoyable. We were pleased to have climbed the two rocks to see the sunset/sunrise albeit a bit daunting when we realised the climbing challenge ahead.Special mention has to go to our driver/guide Mahesh who was excellent and really helped make our trip run smoothly. He was knowledgeable, practical and always prompt.In fact our only hiccup occurred when trying to leave the Notary House to fly to Male. We had booked a 4am alarm call, bags to be picked up at 4.20am and “breakfast to go” ready for 4.30am. Fortunately we had used our own phone alarms as we awoke to a completely silent hotel, no alarm call, no bags collected and no breakfast, and no driver.We did however just about hear a car hooting and on seeing some lights at the end of the long drive to the hotel set off and found Mahesh. However, the gates were padlocked shut and Mahesh was locked out and we were locked in! Fortunately Mahesh had a number for the hotel and after ringing several times, an apologetic staff member appeared and unlocked the gate and off we went. Phew !After making our plane we successfully arrived in Male and took the speedboat to Velassaru. We thought the island was impeccably well kept and had obviously been recently modernised in many areas. Our room - 205 - was perfectly positioned close to the Chill Bar, and ideal for drinking cocktails and watching the sunset, yet only a small walk from all other amenities including the buffet restaurant where we ate all our meals. We found the breakfast plentiful and varied but thought the offerings for dinner were less extensive than on other islands( maybe we were a bit spoilt at Six Senses last year ! ). We were also disappointed that given we were half board had we wished to use any of the other 3 à la carte restaurants for dinner then this was additionally chargeable albeit with a 30% discount.And yes, sadly the view from our villa of Thilafushi was certainly not ideal or romantic but overall we still agreed that Velassaru was a lovely island with everything you would expect from a trip to the Maldives.Overall we were very satisfied and would consider doing a similar trip again and definitely using Turquoise albeit I think we would allow for a longer journey from Male and take the seaplane even if that did eat into a bit more of our holiday time.Thanks again to Anthony for listening to our requirement and tailoring our trip to suit our needs.Steve ( and Cathy )”
“Always so helpful, professional and efficient, thank you once again!”
walkway at soneva jani

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