Home/Trips/Australia 2026

15 Days · Melbourne · Brisbane · Sydney

Australia.

From the iconic red heart of the Outback to the vibrant coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef.

Jul 5 – 19
2026
15 days
Length
12 travelers
Group Size
1:4
Staff Ratio
From $13,950
All-Inclusive

Overview

Three Australias, one journey.

Experience the wonder of Australia — from the iconic red heart of the Outback to the vibrant coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef. This carefully crafted journey takes our group to the most breathtaking landscapes and wildlife encounters on Earth, all within the supportive, structured environment that Frontier Travel Club is known for.

We'll explore the ancient wonder of Uluru at sunrise, discover the unique wildlife of Kangaroo Island, snorkel the world's largest coral reef system, and immerse ourselves in the cosmopolitan energy of Sydney. Each day is thoughtfully planned with sensory-friendly accommodations, clear schedules, and a dedicated support team — so every traveler can focus on the adventure ahead.

From the moment we depart to the day we return home, you'll be surrounded by fellow travelers who share your spirit of adventure and a team committed to making every experience accessible, memorable, and joyful.

All-inclusive with air from New York. Single supplement and pre/post-trip nights available.

Where we go

10 stops on the route.

VIC · Stop 1
Melbourne
VIC · Stop 2
Great Ocean Rd
VIC · Stop 3
Phillip Island
QLD · Stop 4
Brisbane
QLD · Stop 5
Gold Coast
NSW · Stop 6
Byron Bay
QLD · Stop 7
Noosa
QLD · Stop 8
Australia Zoo
NSW · Stop 9
Sydney
NSW · Stop 10
Blue Mountains

Real city photography arrives once we add the trip imagery library. For now, an editorial map of the route.

A glimpse

Day By Day

The itinerary.

Fifteen days, four hotels, six flights. Tap a day for details. Same itinerary your travelers will see in the Frontier app.

01

Sunday, July 5

Depart LAX to Melbourne

+

Qantas Airways flight QF0094 departs Los Angeles at 9:50pm bound for Melbourne, Australia. Settle in for the long-haul flight. Estimated arrival in Melbourne: July 7th at 6:45am (+2 days).

Flight: QF0094 · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

02

Monday, July 6

In Transit — Melbourne, AU Bound

+

Continue the long-haul flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne. Rest and relax aboard the aircraft.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

03

Tuesday, July 7

Arrive in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Arrive in Melbourne, AU at 6:45am and check-in to our hotel. Afternoon orientation of the city. Dinner at the hotel, then rest up for a busy trip in Australia.

Stay: VOCO Hotel by IHG · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

04

Wednesday, July 8

Melbourne, Australia

+

Breakfast, then explore the city throughout the morning. Afternoon activities TBA, with dinner in town in the evening.

Stay: VOCO Hotel by IHG · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

05

Thursday, July 9

Great Ocean Road, Victoria

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Breakfast, then we head to the Great Ocean Road. Many stops along the road throughout the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel and rest up.

Stay: VOCO Hotel by IHG · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

06

Friday, July 10

Phillip Island, Victoria

+

Breakfast, then depart for Phillip Island. See local wildlife on the islands — different types of kangaroos. Dinner at the Penguin March, then return to hotel at 8pm.

Stay: VOCO Hotel by IHG · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

07

Saturday, July 11

Fly to Brisbane, Queensland

+

Breakfast then depart for an early flight to Brisbane (Qantas QF610, departs MEL 10:15 AM, arrives BNE 12:35 PM). Arrive in Brisbane and we go straight to the Australia Zoo. Check in to hotel and have dinner in the evening, then rest up.

Stay: Westin Hotel Brisbane · Flight: QF610

08

Sunday, July 12

Gold Coast & Byron Bay

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Breakfast then we head to Byron Bay. Explore the Gold Coast in the afternoon. Dinner on the Gold Coast in the evening, then sleepy time.

Stay: Westin Hotel Brisbane · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

09

Monday, July 13

Noosa Heads, Queensland

+

Breakfast then head to the Sunshine Coast. Spend the afternoon in Noosa Heads. Dinner in Brisbane in the evening, then pack and prepare to fly to Sydney.

Stay: Westin Hotel Brisbane · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10

Tuesday, July 14

Australia Zoo

+

Spend the day at the Australia Zoo. Afternoon and evening details TBD; dinner in the evening, then rest.

Stay: Westin Hotel Brisbane · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11

Wednesday, July 15

Fly to Sydney, NSW

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Breakfast then fly to Sydney (Qantas QF523, departs BNE 11:25 AM, arrives SYD 1:00 PM). Check-in to our hotel in the afternoon. 6:30pm dinner, then rest up.

Stay: The Margot Hotel — Kimpton · Flight: QF523

12

Thursday, July 16

Sydney, N.S.W.

+

Breakfast and tour the city in the morning. Continue to tour the city in the afternoon. Dinner TBA, then relax in the evening.

Stay: The Margot Hotel — Kimpton · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

13

Friday, July 17

Sydney, New South Wales

+

Explore Circular Quay in the morning. Tour the Sydney Opera House in the afternoon. 6:30pm dinner on the ship, followed by shows and disco.

Stay: The Margot Hotel — Kimpton · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

14

Saturday, July 18

Blue Mountains, N.S.W.

+

Breakfast then head to the Blue Mountains. Our last opportunity to buy souvenirs in the afternoon. Farewell dinner aboard the ship in the evening, then prepare for our trip home.

Stay: The Margot Hotel — Kimpton · Meals: Farewell Dinner

15

Sunday, July 19

Fly Home — Sydney to LAX

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Qantas flight QF11 departs Sydney at 5:50pm, arriving LAX 2:30pm (we cross the date line). Connecting American AA 0274 LAX → JFK departs Jul 20 at 12:00 PM, arriving JFK at 8:29 PM.

Flights: QF11 + AA 0274

Where We Stay

Hotels.

LAX Renaissance Hotel

Pre-trip · Jul 3 – 5, 2026

LAX Renaissance Hotel

Los Angeles, CA

VOCO Hotel by IHG

Jul 7 – 11, 2026

VOCO Hotel by IHG

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Westin Hotel Brisbane

Jul 11 – 15, 2026

Westin Hotel Brisbane

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The Margot Hotel — Kimpton

Jul 15 – 19, 2026

The Margot Hotel — Kimpton

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Group Flights

All booked. All tracked.

Frontier handles every group flight. Travelers using the app see live status — gate, terminal, delays, baggage belt — pulled from AeroDataBox.

AA 0341
JFK LAX
Sat Jul 4 · 2:30 PM → 5:38 PM
Pre-trip
QF 0094
LAX MEL
Sun Jul 5 · 9:50 PM → Tue Jul 7 · 6:45 AM
Outbound
QF 610
MEL BNE
Sat Jul 11 · 10:15 AM → 12:35 PM
Internal
QF 523
BNE SYD
Wed Jul 15 · 11:25 AM → 1:00 PM
Internal
QF 11
SYD LAX
Sun Jul 19 · 5:50 PM → 2:30 PM
Return
AA 0274
LAX JFK
Mon Jul 20 · 12:00 PM → 8:29 PM
Return

What’s included

  • All international & domestic flights from New York
  • All hotels — private-room accommodations
  • All meals on tour days, plus welcome & farewell dinners
  • All ground transfers and excursions in itinerary
  • Full Frontier staff support (1:4 ratio), 24/7
  • Medical readiness staff with medication management
  • Frontier app — itinerary, hotels, flights, gallery, live map
  • Tips and gratuities

Available add-ons

  • +
    Single supplement(price on request)
  • +
    Night before LAX departure$500
  • +
    Night after return to LAX$450

Not included

  • Travel insurance (required, sold separately)
  • Australia ETA (visa) — ~$20, traveler obtains
  • Personal incidentals, souvenirs, alcohol outside meals
Scott Fineman

Your trip leader

Scott Fineman.

Scott founded Frontier in 1997 and has personally led nearly every Australia trip since. He’ll be on this one too.

Travelers who’ve come back year after year describe him as something between a guide, a friend, and family. New travelers usually understand within a day.

Meet the full team

From a past traveler’s family

“My son’s travels have been all over the world — Europe, Australia, Russia, Alaska, Hawaii, and many cruises to all the major seaports. The staff-to-traveler ratio is excellent and what you would expect from the finest travel companies. Scott Fineman is a world-class travel guide.”

— Matt F. · Boynton Beach, FL

Common questions

Before you apply.

Who is this trip for?

High-functioning adults (18+) on the Autism Spectrum or with related learning differences. Travelers should be ambulatory, able to self-feed and self-toilet, and comfortable in a structured group setting. We're happy to talk through fit before you apply.

What's the medical support like?

Every trip travels with a trained medical lead who manages medications (including controlled substances), tracks dietary needs, and is the point of contact for any medical event. We coordinate with hometown providers before departure.

How do roommate matches work?

All accommodations are private rooms; no traveler is asked to share. Travelers who request a roommate (siblings, partners, friends) are matched on application.

Does this match what's in the Frontier app?

Yes — every detail on this page (itinerary, hotels, flights, photos) is pulled from the same place that powers your Frontier app. When staff update a flight or change a hotel, you see it in both immediately.

What if I've never traveled with Frontier before?

About a third of every trip's roster is first-timers. Many international travelers do a short domestic trip first to get a feel for the group. Scott will recommend a starting point if you're not sure.

Ready when you are

Three spots left for Australia.

Reserve with a $2,500 deposit. Pay 50% by Feb 1 and the balance by Apr 15. Refundable for 90 days.

See our cancellation & refund policy for refund tiers and the full deposit terms.