Aboriginal Culture & Australian Highlights

Arrive early in Australia's cultural capital to explore art-filled laneways, galleries and boutiques at your own pace. Melbourne is also Australia's food capital - we have something special planned for your Welcome Dinner. (D) Stay: Intercontinental Melbourne

Australia's Aboriginal culture spans oceans, rivers, rainforest, outback and cities, as you'll discover with Koorie Heritage Trust. From the organisation's base at Federation Square, explore Melbourne with a First Nation's guide along the banks of the Yarra River, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. It's only a few steps to Big Esso by Mabu Mabu, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, celebrating contemporary Torres Strait Islander culture through cuisine.

The menu is an explosion of native Australian bush flavours, from finger lime to quandong, with a drinks list that heroes Indigenous-owned businesses - their art also decorates the walls. More awaits at the Ian Potter Centre (NGV) in Federation Square, which hosts one of Australia's most significant collections of art from First Nations Creatives. (B/L) Stay: Intercontinental Melbourne

Take the pulse of Melbourne in your own time. Need touring suggestions? Your Travel Director can assist. You might choose to stay in the heart of the city exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens with an Aboriginal guide. Or for a bird's-eye view, zip to the Melbourne Eureka Skydeck - it's the highest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. While it's tempting to linger, a bevy of attractions await on the outskirts of the city, including the Great Ocean Road.

Spending a day driving this World Heritage-listed route is a rite of passage, uniting surf, seaside towns and wilderness walks. You might choose to head to the other side of the bay - Phillip Island is a mecca for wildlife, including penguins that waddle from the ocean to their sandy burrows every evening. (B) Stay: Intercontinental Melbourne

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa is World Heritage-listed for a reason. Explore spiritual landscapes that are sacred to the Anangu; your Travel Director on the Kuniya walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole will point out rock art and bush foods. The ultimate way to end the day is watching the sinking sun paint the outback all manner of fiery hues - flute of bubbles in hand. This is your backdrop for an exclusive Barbecue Dinner. (B/D) Stay: Desert Gardens

The outback inspires creativity, as you'll discover meeting Aboriginal artists and sculptors at Maruku Arts, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Their works capture the drama of Australia, and they'll show you how to do the same during an art class. Spend the afternoon visiting the Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA), spotlighting ethically sourced Aboriginal art. Or, take to the sky on a scenic flight (own expense). Back at ground level, wander into Walpa Gorge, then say cheers to a Kata Tjuta sunset with a glass of bubbles. (B) Stay: Desert Gardens

50,000 - that's the number of lights that artist Bruce Munro used to create his alfresco artwork, Field of Light. This blanket of bulbs casts a surreal glow over the Uluru countryside, and is particularly beguiling on a sunrise visit.

Tonight, is yours to explore Sydney. We have a little black book of hot restaurants to try if you need tips. (B) Stay: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney

Bring your stamina for an action-packed day exploring the Harbour City, including a tour of the Opera House. It sits on land belonging to the Eora Nation, as you'll discover when you meet an Aboriginal Guide of Dreamtime Southern X, on a walking tour around the Rocks district. Swap the shore for the water on an expedition to explore Sydney from the water on a harbour cruise. (B) Stay: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney

Go your own way or ask your Travel Director to assist booking tours like BridgeClimb, which sees you scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Or spend the day with an AAT Kings guide in the Blue Mountains. You don't need to go far to have an adventure, as you'll discover on Dave's Rocks Pub Tour, taking you to some of the city's most historic drinking establishments. (B) Stay: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney

What's better than one free day to explore Sydney at your leisure? A second free day. We wouldn't blame you for spending hours strolling the sand at Bondi Beach or catching the ferry across the harbour to Manly or choosing another optional experience. (B/D) Stay: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney

After your morning flight from Sydney, spend your free afternoon soaking up the steamy climes of Cairns. Explore the vibrant esplanade or opt for an Indigenous-owned cruise by Mandingalbay Tours. (B) Stay: Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel's catamaran tours tell the story of the Great Barrier Reef through First Nations' eyes. The company's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea rangers regale you with 65,000-year-old Dreamtime creation stories, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, while you cruise to Moore Reef; here, slip into warm water to flipper among some of the 1,500 species of fish. (B/L) Stay: Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort

Spend your free day soaking up the sights of Tropical North Queensland, perhaps joining a tour to catch the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway deep into the rainforest. Or maybe on an Outback Tasting Adventure, uniting distillers, brewers, cheesemongers and farmers. You may opt to discover native bush tucker on a Cape Tribulation, Mossman & Daintree tour, taking you through one of the world's oldest rainforests. End your wild adventure with a Farewell Dinner at Ochre Restaurant on the Cairns waterfront. (B/D) Stay: Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort

You'll not only depart Cairns a more seasoned traveller, but also a more thoughtful one. And don't be surprised if you leave with a posse of new friends - Australia's Aboriginal guides are as generous with their stories as they are with their time. (B)