Itinerary:
Day 1: Sydney. Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome meeting.
Accommodation: Rydges Sydney Central (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Meet your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2: Sydney/Manly Beach. Sunny Sydney welcomes you and hit the road right away with your CEO to dive into exploring this stunning city. Set off on a walking orientation tour of some of the city's well known landmarks. Slowly make your way to Circular Quay, where you'll hop onto a ferry to cross the harbor to Manly beach. Your CEO will point out some must do's while you're in Manly, like the coastal walk to Shelly beach, and some places to grab some local food. You can't go wrong with some fish and chips by the sea. In the evening, opt to join your CEO and fellow travelers for a meal together at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Rydges Sydney Central (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Sydney Orientation Walk: Get a feel for the city on a short orientation walk led by your CEO.
- Manly Beach: Join your CEO and take a local ferry out to Manly Beach. Enjoy free time at Manly! Opt to explore this seaside suburb, relax on the beach or choose to walk to Shelly Beach.
Day 3: Sydney. Today is yours to spend as you see fit. There is quite literally too much choice in Sydney, so use your time wisely. Choose from exploring on foot the Rocks neighborhood, which is also home to the city's Museum of Contemporary Art. Or get the blood pumping by booking a jet boating tour or climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Accommodation: Rydges Sydney Central (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Free Time: Enjoy free time in Australia's biggest beachside city, Sydney!
If you are interested in a Sydney Opera House Tour while in Sydney, we suggest you pre-book before arriving in Australia, as this activity can sell out well in advance.
Day 4: Sydney/Yulara. Board a flight bound for Yulara, the gateway to the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Spend the afternoon getting straight out there and exploring, starting with the Walpa Gorge walk at Kata Tjuta. Catch the sunset at Uluru before making your way back to your permanent tented camp. Enjoy an outdoor meal cooked at camp and some time under the stars.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Uluru Camp (or similar) - Campground
Today's activities:
- Plane: Sydney - Yulara. Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Walk: Walk into Walpa Gorge where the sheer faces of the dome extend hundreds of meters above you. The gorge itself is a natural creek that carves its way between the two tallest domes of Kata Tjuta.
- Sunset at Uluru: Marvel at the changing colours over the desert and keep reminding yourself that yes, you really are there.
Please note: Due to flight schedules, days 4-6 of your itinerary may be reversed when required.
Day 5: Yulara/Kings Canyon. Sunrise over Uluru is not to be missed, so rise early and catch sunrise over Australia's most iconic Indigenous landmarks. This morning, take the time to explore Uluru on foot on a guided walk through some of the most culturally significant areas of the site. These sacred spaces are some of the oldest on the planet, and understanding the interpretation behind them makes them even more impactful. Later, head to the Kings Canyon region overland, to your next permanent tented camp in the bush.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Kings Canyon Camp (or similar) - Campground
Today's activities:
- Uluru at Sunrise: Get up early, grab a coffee and watch the reddish hues of massive Uluru come to life as the sun rises.
- Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park: Visit Uluru this morning with the guided interpretive Mala walk. Exploring on foot with an accredited guide is the best way to fully grasp the size and cultural significance of Uluru.
- Private Vehicle: Yulara - Kings Canyon, 3 hours and 30 minutes. Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Please note: Due to flight schedules, days 4-6 of your itinerary may be reversed when required.
Day 6: Kings Canyon/Alice Springs. In the desert morning, head out for an early hike throughout Kings Canyon. Choose between the harder 3 hour hike and a more approachable one hour option. The Rim walk is a 6km walk along the upper rim of Kings Canyon. The most difficult part of the hike is the very beginning with a 500 step ascent, but the landscapes and views you are rewarded with are more than worth the effort. You won't even remember the effort it took to get up there. (Sort of!) If you prefer to take it easy, enjoy a 2km hike through canyon valley. Later on, rest up on a drive East to Alice Springs, where you will have dinner with your group.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Desert Palms Alice Springs Hotel (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Private Vehicle: Kings Canyon - Alice Springs, 4 hours. Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
- Kings Canyon Hike: Hike through beautiful Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park on this walk that visits the natural amphitheatre, the North and South walls, and the Garden of Eden.
Day 7: Alice Springs/Melbourne. In addition to its rich Indigenous history and culture, Alice Springs is home to the Telegraph Station that linked Australia top to bottom in the 19th century. This telegraph connection also integrated Australia into the wider network within the British Empire, allowing Australia to be connected to the outside world in a matter of hours, versus days. Enjoy a tour of Alice Springs including insight into Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Next up, grabbing a flight to quirky, cool, Melbourne, the city of food and arts.
Accommodation: Causeway 353 Hotel (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Plane: Alice Springs - Melbourne. Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Tour of Alice Springs: Enjoy a guided tour of Alice Springs to explore the town. You'll drive to the top of Anzac Hill, learn about the significance of Telegraph Station, and more!
Day 8: Melbourne. Melbourne is one of the easiest cities to traverse on foot and by public transport, so you will be getting your steps in today. Start the morning off by exploring the Queen Victoria markets with your CEO, before jumping into a guided tour where you will be led through some of the famous and off the beaten track-spots in Melbourne's famous laneways. Choose from one of dozens of lunch spots for a bite to eat and catch your breath, before ending the afternoon at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne, a sprawling 38 hectares of green space housing over 800 species of plants from the world over.
Accommodation: Causeway 353 Hotel (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Queen Victoria Markets: Visit the largest market in the state of Victoria. With hundreds of vendors, from food, to handicrafts and thrifted treasures, its easy to spend hours here.
- Melbourne Laneways Walk: Discover the small laneways packed with shops, cafés and restaurants that make Melbourne so unique. Grab a delicious barista coffee to-go (which no trip to Melbourne would be complete without!), and set out to experience Melbourne's laneways with an expert local host. Journey through this 'secret city,' seeing local hotspots and incredible street art while learning about the city's history.
- Royal Botanic Gardens: Wander through a green haven right in the middle of massive Melbourne. Walk through the 1.6 mile loop, accessible for all.
Day 9: Melbourne. Another Australian city with tons to do, so a day at leisure gives you plenty of time to craft the perfect day. You may want to take a trip out to see the Phillip Island Penguin Parade or embark on a full day tour out along the Great Ocean Road.
Accommodation: Causeway 353 Hotel (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Free Time: Spend today exploring Australia's cultural capital, Melbourne.
Day 10: Melbourne. Depart at any time.
Today's activities:
- Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Next Steps
Ready to go? Simply request a spot via your MyIVHQ profile, and our team will reach out with availability and seasonal pricing details.
This tour can be completed before or after your volunteering experience in Australia, we'll help with recommendations to bridge any gaps between your volunteer program and the tour. These arrangements are your responsibility and we can provide you with personalized transit and accommodation advice to make your travel straightforward.
Best of all, you’ll be in great hands with our trusted partners who have led sustainable, community-first travel for 30 years. Your adventure makes a real, positive difference every step of the way.
Please note that exact activities and timing can vary depending on the season and availability. Don't worry, your tour provider will share your final, confirmed itinerary once your dates are set!
Let’s get your journey started!
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