This tour takes in some of the most varied and spectacular scenery as you travel from Melbourne to Sydney. Enjoy the diversity of the coastal environment of Wilson's Promontory and Lakes Entrance before turning inland across the Snowy River alpine country. Walk to "The Roof Of Australia"! Stay at Thredbo Alpine Village and visit Canberra before arriving into Sydney.

Day 1: Melbourne to Lakes Entrance via Wilsons Promontory National Park

Travelling southeast of Melbourne through pastoral South Gippsland we arrive at mainland Australia’s most southern point - Wilsons Promontory National Park. Walk along gleaming beaches, hike along amazing granite rock formations and learn about coastal flora and native wildlife. You might even see emus and wombats! In the afternoon we travel to the coastal town of Lakes Entrance. Here, we’re at the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia’s longest beach – Ninety Mile Beach. (D)

Day 2: Lakes Entrance to Thredbo Alpine Village

A journey from Australia’s southernmost point to Australia’s highest point! This morning we begin our journey into Snowy River Country. It’s a spectacular drive along The Barry Way, watching the Snowy River wind below. In the afternoon we climb high into the Australian Alps to the village of Thredbo (October to May). In Thredbo we catch the express chairlift towards the “Roof of Australia”. You can walk to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko, which is Australia’s highest mountain, or to the viewing point. The chairlift is your own expense, but Oz Experience gets a mega-cheap rate!

In ski season - from June to the end of September - we stay in Jindabyne. During winter, we’ve got time to play in the snow at the ski resort of Perisher/Smiggins (optional toboggan hire or snow tube at own expense).

Day 3: Thredbo to Sydney via Canberra

Leaving Thredbo, we pass through Cooma, learning about the historically important Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme. Next stop is Canberra, Australia’s capital city, where the Prime Minister hangs out. We’ll take you to the top of Mt Ainslie so you can see for yourself how a custom-made capital city was built. We also do a tour of Parliament House, then check out a few embassies and see other city highlights before travelling back to Sydney. (B)