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Adventures Down Under

Niall Caraher

Niall Caraher

9 Jan 2024

Embark on an epic journey through Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, and Auckland. Discover iconic landmarks, immerse in vibrant cultures, and get up close with fascinating wildlife. Join me as I explore the best of Down Under!

Trip to Melbourne

Day 1Beaches and Gardens in Melbourne
+

$0

·

$ 4

Brighton Bathing Boxes
Iconic & much-photographed group of 96 brightly coloured wooden beach huts from the early 1900s.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
•
Free
21 - 26 min

~

Directions

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens
36-hectare botanic garden founded in 1846, planted with Australian species and non-native gardens.
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
Free
Day 2Wildlife Safari in Melbourne
+

$38

Werribee Open Range Zoo
Family-friendly zoo for viewing African giraffes & zebras on safari tours, plus casual dining.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$38
Day 3Art and Sky-high Views in Melbourne
+

$25

·

$ 4

National Gallery of Victoria
Public gallery with vast, varied collection of noted Australian and international art and artefacts.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Melbourne Skydeck
Gold-plated observation deck on the 88th floor with panoramic city views & a protruding glass cube.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$25
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

State Library Victoria
State landmark opened in 1856, spanning one city block & featuring a grand reading room.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
•
Free
Day 4Sports and Remembrance in Melbourne
+

$0

·

$ 4

Melbourne Cricket Ground
Home of Australian football and the National Sports Museum, also serving as a music venue and more.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Shrine of Remembrance
Shrine commemorating Australian wartime service with memorials, exhibitions & gardens.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
•
Free
Day 5Museums and Gardens in Melbourne
+

$19

Melbourne Museum
Modern building of an institution founded in 1854 containing dinosaur and regional history exhibits.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$19
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Carlton Gardens
Landscaped Victorian-era park now containing the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
•
Free

Budget breakdown: $921 In total

Activities & Food:$869
Transport:$52

Trip to Sydney

Day 1Beaches and Gardens in Melbourne
+

$63

·

$ 4

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Glass viewing tunnels allow patrons to observe Australia's freshwater & marine aquatic environments.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$38
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Iconic structure opened in 1932, offering a BridgeClimb & the Pylon Lookout, hosting exhibitions.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
•
$25
Day 2Wildlife Safari in Melbourne
+

$69

·

$ 4

Luna Park Sydney
Longstanding fun park reopened in 2004 after redevelopment, including a big top & a Ferris wheel.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$38
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Sydney Opera House
Landmark, skyline-dominating arts centre for opera, theatre, music & dance, plus guided tours.
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
$31
Day 3Art and Sky-high Views in Melbourne
+

$19

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Cutting-edge Australian & international contemporary art in a grand, waterside art deco building.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$19
12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Harbourside haven for city wildlife with a rose garden, fernery and 'Jurassic Jungle' for kids.
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
•
Free
Day 4Sports and Remembrance in Melbourne
+

$57

·

$ 4

Taronga Zoo Sydney
Harbourside animal attraction with over 350 separate species & a ferry service to the city centre.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$44
19 - 23 min

~

Directions

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Contemporary, modern & indigenous art displayed in a classical-style building, founded in 1871.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$13
Day 5Museums and Gardens in Melbourne
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$38

·

$ 4

Australian Museum
Founded in 1827, Australia's oldest museum has expansive zoological and anthropological collections.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$19
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Darling Harbour
Waterfront destination housing many of Sydney's major attractions & hosting large-scale events.
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
$19

Budget breakdown: $921 In total

Activities & Food:$869
Transport:$52

Trip to Gold Coast

Day 1Beaches and Gardens in Melbourne
+

$119

·

$ 4

Sea World
Oceanographic theme park with marine animals & polar bears, plus shows, rides & interactive tours.
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$88
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

SkyPoint Observation Deck
A 230m-high observation deck & cafe offering sweeping Gold Coast views, plus nightlife on weekends.
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$31
Day 2Wildlife Safari in Melbourne
+

$107

·

$ 4

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
Treetop walk including steel bridges reaching up to 30m above the rainforest.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$31
34 - 41 min

~

Directions

Warner Bros. Movie World
Film-themed amusement park with thrill rides including rollercoasters & regular live stunt shows.
10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
$75
Day 3Art and Sky-high Views in Melbourne
+

$82

Dreamworld
Sprawling amusement complex featuring themed areas, with rides, attractions & a wildlife park.
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
•
$81
Day 4Sports and Remembrance in Melbourne
+

$0

·

$ 7

Broadwater Parklands
Spacious park featuring a marine-themed water play area for kids, plus BBQ grills & walking paths.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

HOTA, Home of the Arts
Cultural complex with facilities hosting movies, concerts & other events, plus a gallery & bar/cafe.
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
17 - 21 min

~

Directions

Burleigh Head National Park
Coastal headland area with shoreline & rainforest trails, plus wildlife viewing.
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
•
Free
Day 5Museums and Gardens in Melbourne
+

$38

·

$ 4

Springbrook National Park
Huge park with walking tracks & campsites featuring rainforest, a natural bridge & waterfalls.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
60 - 72 min

~

Directions

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Native animals on display in natural surrounds, plus shows, encounters & a wildlife hospital.
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
$38

Budget breakdown: $921 In total

Activities & Food:$869
Transport:$52

Trip to Auckland

Day 1Beaches and Gardens in Melbourne
+

$19

·

$ 3

Auckland Botanic Gardens
Sprawling botanical garden featuring many flowers, plants & trees, plus event venues & a cafe.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
Free
25 - 30 min

~

Directions

Auckland War Memorial Museum
Museum & war memorial in a neoclassical building with a permanent collection & temporary exhibits.
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
•
$19
Day 2Wildlife Safari in Melbourne
+

$38

·

$ 3

Rainbow's End
Popular theme park with many rides & roller coasters for kids, costumed characters & concessions.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$38
19 - 23 min

~

Directions

Auckland Domain
Established city park containing museums, memorials & the entire blast crater of Pukekawa volcano.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
Day 3Art and Sky-high Views in Melbourne
+

$25

·

$ 3

MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology
Interactive zones & exhibits on a 40-acre site including original 1877 pump house & Kiwi cars.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$25
13 - 16 min

~

Directions

Cornwall Park
This tranquil, grassy park with a cafe & creamery is popular with runners, bikers & picnickers.
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
•
Free
Day 4Sports and Remembrance in Melbourne
+

$50

·

$ 3

Auckland Zoo
New Zealand's largest zoo, with 130+ species & nearly 900 animals in a range of exhibits.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$31
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Auckland Art Gallery
Vast array of national & international art, plus Maori works, in a château-style 1800s building.
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
•
$19
Day 5Museums and Gardens in Melbourne
+

$69

·

$ 3

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
Aquatic life habitats are explored via glass viewing tunnels, displays & shows at this site.
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
•
$31
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Sky Tower
Landmark 60-storey tower with panoramic views, bungee jumping & a high-end revolving restaurant.
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
•
$38

Budget breakdown: $921 In total

Activities & Food:$869
Transport:$52