Australian Adventure to the Great Barrier Reef, Kangaroo Island, and Sydney

Like a subway car filled with fiery autumn leaves, Australia is renowned for both its urban flair as well as its startling natural beauty. Combine the best of both worlds with this Getaway from Down Under Answers, which includes round-trip airfare on Virgin Australia from LAX, transportation between hotels and events, accommodations at hotels in Cairns, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney, and an adventure package.

Click here to see a day-by-day breakdown of the trip and its exciting possibilities.

Days 1–3: After boarding a Virgin Australia aircraft from LAX, you'll cross the Pacific Ocean en route to the tropical city of Cairns, known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Guests will settle in for three nights at the relaxing Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, which is located within walking distance of the esplanade and marina. To the north is the Daintree Rainforest, which is a habitat for 65% of Australia’s butterfly species and 30% of the nation’s frog, marsupial, and reptile species.

Day 4: For the next leg, you'll hop on a luxury cruiser to the Great Barrier Reef. The largest reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a collection of more than 2,900 individual reefs where more than 1,500 resident species of fish live year-round and six well-to-do kraken families keep summer homes. Over five hours, a professional crew will watch over passengers as they go snorkeling or join an introductory diving session (fee not included with this Groupon). The boat also has glass paneling you can peer through to get an up-close view of the reef.

Day 5: Full day spent in Cairns.

Days 6–8: Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, sits on the southern tip of the continent and overlooks Port Phillip Bay. For three nights, you’ll camp out at Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens in the city center. After the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s, there was an influx of money in the area; this led to the construction of some lavish 19th-century architecture. Tour groups will see some of these buildings up close in a half-day tour on day 7, with an additional stop at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Days 9–10 Kangaroo Island is just that: a landmass where kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas roam the woodlands and subsist on eucalyptus. Marsupials don't dominate the island, though—the coastline is a haven for fur seals, sea lions, and osprey. You'll stay at the all seasons Kangaroo Island Lodge, which was designed to blend right into the surrounding forest. Groups will then take an all-day tour of the island on day 10. Along the way, they'll pay a visit to wild sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park.

Day 11 More than 60% of Australian wines are produced in Adelaide. You'll enjoy a day in Adelaide and a night at the 1920s landmark hotel Mercure Grosvenor Adelaide.

Days 12–15 Then it's onward to Sydney for a three-night stay at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour, which is situated in the city’s central business district. First on the itinerary is a city tour and lunch at the famed Botanical Gardens Pavilion, with a few stops at some of Sydney’s most affluent suburbs. The day after, you have the option of going to the Taronga Zoo or to world-famous Bondi Beach, where you'll take a three-hour surfing lesson under the guidance of a professional instructor. Day 15 concludes the trip with a return flight to LAX that defies time by landing on the same day that it left.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.