TRIPS

Begin your journey on Day 1 by arriving in Melbourne, where you’ll check into your hotel in the CBD or Southbank area. Ease into the trip with a relaxed walk around Federation Square, then visit the Koorie Heritage Trust, an important center dedicated to the art and culture of Victoria’s Aboriginal people. A stroll through Birrarung Marr Park, along the Yarra River, offers a thoughtful introduction to Indigenous Melbourne.

On Day 2, dive deeper into Melbourne’s city highlights with an Aboriginal perspective. Join the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens, where a guide will share knowledge about the cultural uses of plants and the spiritual importance of the landscape. Spend your afternoon exploring the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV Australia), which hosts one of the nation’s leading collections of Indigenous art.

Day 3 will be a full-day trip along the spectacular Great Ocean Road. As you marvel at iconic sites like the Twelve Apostles, remember you are travelling through the ancestral lands of the Gadubanud people. Visitor centers along the way often highlight the Aboriginal connections to this stunning coastline.

On Day 4, choose between two memorable day trips. You could tour the Yarra Valley for a day of wine tasting, or head to Phillip Island. If you opt for Phillip Island, you’ll have the chance to visit areas such as Woolamai, home to the Bunurong people, before witnessing the famous Penguin Parade at sunset.

On Day 5, fly north to Brisbane and check into your accommodation near South Bank, Fortitude Valley, or the CBD. After a relaxed afternoon exploring the South Bank Parklands, consider dining at Birrunga Gallery & Dining, which combines Indigenous art exhibitions with a menu celebrating native Australian ingredients.

Day 6 will focus on Brisbane’s city and cultural highlights. Start with a visit to the Museum of Brisbane, often showcasing exhibitions on the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, Brisbane’s original custodians. Later, head to Walkabout Creek at Enoggera Reservoir, where you can enjoy a bushwalk and connect with the stories embedded in the landscape.

On Day 7, enjoy a full-day adventure. You could head to Moreton Island, where you can snorkel among shipwrecks and hear the stories of the Quandamooka people, the traditional owners of the land and sea. Alternatively, visit Australia Zoo, where you’ll find educational exhibits on the cultural significance of Australian wildlife to Aboriginal peoples.

Day 8 brings another day trip opportunity. Visit the Gold Coast Hinterland for a rainforest walk around Tamborine Mountain, learning about the Aboriginal connections to the area, or visit the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Burleigh Heads, where Dreamtime stories and ancient traditions come alive on a guided walk.

On Day 9, you’ll fly south to Sydney. After checking in to your hotel near Circular Quay, The Rocks, or Darling Harbour, embark on a Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour through The Rocks. This guided walk will introduce you to Sydney’s deep Indigenous history, touching on both ancient and modern stories.

Day 10 is your day to explore Sydney’s main attractions while keeping Indigenous culture in focus. Start at Barangaroo Reserve, a beautiful public space that honors its namesake, a significant Aboriginal woman leader. Continue with a visit to the Australian Museum, particularly the First Nations Gallery, offering a fascinating journey through 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

On Day 11, head out for a full-day excursion to the Blue Mountains. Here, an Aboriginal-guided tour will reveal the Dreamtime legends of the Three Sisters and the surrounding landscapes, adding cultural depth to the region’s renowned natural beauty.

Day 12 is dedicated to Sydney’s beaches and coastlines. Take the ferry to Manly Beach, where you can join an Aboriginal cultural tour at North Head, a site of great ceremonial importance. In the afternoon, explore Bondi Beach and walk the spectacular Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, keeping an eye out for Indigenous rock carvings at Marks Park.

Finally, on Day 13, enjoy a relaxed morning. If time allows before your departure, consider a final stroll through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, where self-guided Indigenous heritage signage provides a peaceful and meaningful end to your Australian journey.

Embark on an unforgettable two-week journey through some of Northern California’s most iconic cities, national parks, and coastal gems, where each destination offers a distinct blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural richness. Begin your trip in San Francisco, a vibrant, eclectic city that serves as the perfect introduction to California’s diverse charms. Over the course of three days, immerse yourself in the city’s renowned attractions. Stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise for panoramic views of the bay, then explore the colorful streets of Chinatown, the oldest and one of the most vibrant Chinese communities outside Asia. Wander the bohemian district of Haight-Ashbury, visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and indulge in fresh seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf. Don’t miss a ferry ride to the haunting Alcatraz Island, where you can delve into the island’s storied past. As evening falls, enjoy the culinary scene in the Mission District or savor a sunset from Twin Peaks, overlooking the entire city skyline.

Leaving the urban sprawl behind, head north along the scenic coastal route toward Redwoods National and State Parks, where you’ll spend two days enveloped by the serenity of the world’s tallest trees. Meander through trails like the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, stand in awe beneath towering coastal redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and drive the Avenue of the Giants, a mesmerizing stretch of road winding through ancient forests. These lush, cathedral-like landscapes offer a profound sense of wonder and tranquility.

From the redwood forests, journey inland to the pristine shores of Lake Tahoe, where crystal-clear waters meet rugged mountain scenery. Over two days, embrace the outdoors with hiking trails such as Eagle Lake Trail or Mount Tallac, or relax on the sandy beaches of Sand Harbor. For those seeking adventure, kayaking, paddleboarding, or even a scenic boat cruise across the lake reveal the region’s breathtaking beauty from a new perspective. As the sun sets over the Sierra Nevada, enjoy lakeside dining in South Lake Tahoe, reflecting on the area’s alpine charm.

Continue your adventure into the heart of Yosemite National Park, where you’ll dedicate three days to exploring its granite giants, waterfalls, and meadows. Discover iconic landmarks like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall, or embark on hikes such as the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. Venture to Glacier Point for sweeping views of Yosemite Valley and beyond, and spend evenings gazing at star-filled skies in one of the park’s many campgrounds or lodges. For a quieter experience, explore Tuolumne Meadows and the serene beauty of the High Sierra.

After Yosemite’s dramatic landscapes, make your way to California’s central coast and settle into Monterey Bay for two relaxing days. Wander the historic streets of Cannery Row, explore the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, and stroll along Lover’s Point Park, where seals, otters, and seabirds thrive. Embark on a whale-watching tour from Fisherman’s Wharf, offering the chance to witness migrating whales and playful dolphins. In the evenings, enjoy seaside dining overlooking the bay, sampling fresh local seafood.

Conclude your epic California adventure with two scenic days along the legendary Big Sur coastline. Drive the winding Highway 1, where every bend reveals dramatic cliffs plunging into the Pacific Ocean. Stop at landmarks like the Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls, and the enchanting redwood groves of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Take time to relax on the hidden beaches of Garrapata State Park, and hike the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park trails for panoramic coastal views. Unplug from the bustle of everyday life in this rugged, untouched paradise. Finally, make your way back north to San Francisco, reflecting on a journey filled with towering forests, alpine lakes, granite cliffs, and the mesmerizing rhythms of the Pacific Coast.

Single Supplement rooms are available at $2500

We must have a minimum of 10 travelers to run this tour.

Additional Information is available by clicking the corresponding links below:

Medical History registration:  www.app.campdoc.com/register/frontiertravelclub

Packing List:  www.frontiertravelclub.com/2026itinerary.pdf