2026 Football in Australia

Thursday, Sep 10 - Sunday, Sep 20, 2026

Your Experience

Experience the best of Australia—from Melbourne's sports culture to the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney's stunning harbour—on this 11-day journey culminating in a history-making regular-season football game at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. While the official game date and teams are not yet confirmed, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure combines world-class sightseeing, authentic Australian culture, and unforgettable sporting moments across three incredible cities.

Highlights:
• Watch the first-ever regular-season football game played in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (L.A. Rams vs. TBD).
• Explore Melbourne's rich sports heritage with a behind-the-scenes MCG tour and visit to the National Sports Museum.
• Sail the Great Barrier Reef aboard a luxury catamaran with snorkeling, semi-submarine viewing, and a gourmet buffet lunch.
• Discover Sydney's landmarks on guided tours of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and more.

• Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture and wildlife encounters—from koalas and penguins to kangaroos and wallabies.

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: Thursday, Sep 10, 2026

Melbourne

Arrive at Melbourne International Airport. Clear Customs and immigration and meet your guide and proceed on an orientation tour of Melbourne.

Melbourne Skydeck The Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing attraction, Melbourne comes alive when you take it all in from nearly 300 metres high. It’s Melbourne on another level.

Max VR Experience Begin your journey in the award-winning virtual reality Voyager Theatre, where you’ll be immersed in 16 iconic Melbourne and Victorian experiences. Feel the adrenaline rush as you ride Luna Park’s thrilling rollercoaster or hear the roar of the crowd at the MCG—all presented in a stunning 360-degree cinematic experience featuring 6D effects, Super 8K high definition, and amazing scent sensations.

Hotel Check-In at 3:00 PM

Welcome Reception Dinner at a local restaurant with a glass of wine/beer to toast the beginning of our Australian adventure.

DAY 2: Friday, Sep 11, 2026

Melbourne

Koorie Heritage Trust Learn from an Aboriginal how the land on which Melbourne is located has changed over time and about the significance of the Birrarung Wilam to the local Kulin people. You will gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of this incredible location, an important gathering place for the Kulin Nation and one of Melbourne’s most popular meeting hubs.

Lunch on your own

Travel by Coach to Phillip Island A natural home for koalas, seals, shearwaters, and Little Penguins.

Koala Conservatory Reserve Enjoy fantastic koala viewing in their natural habitat. Come ‘face to face’ with koalas in their natural habitat along the treetop boardwalks through the Australian bushland.

The Nobbies The Nobbies is located in Summerlands, Victoria, on the south-western tip of Phillip Island. Visitors can stroll along the boardwalks, taking in the coastal views at lookout points set amongst natural sea bird gardens and can spot a rare sighting of penguins. Close to The Nobbies is Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest colony of fur seals. Here, visitors can look closely at fur seals and enjoy a wildlife tour.

A 2-course dinner in Phillip Island

Penguin Parade Phillip Island is home to the largest Little Penguin colony in the world. Visitors can experience the magic of watching these seabirds waddle home from the ocean to their burrows from viewing platforms and boardwalks. Visitors can also enjoy self-guided viewing options or choose from ranger-guided tours at the Penguin Parade. Visitors can also choose from the a-la-carte and snack menu at the Shearwater restaurant or grab a drink from the Boardwalk Coffee Cart.

DAY 3: Saturday, Sep 12, 2026

Melbourne

Stadium Tour of The MCG Immerse yourself in the history and world-class facilities of the MCG as you go behind the scenes to gain an insight into Melbourne's sporting culture while exploring one of the world's most iconic stadiums.

Cricket Clinic Learn about the rules of Cricket, the positions, the tournaments played worldwide, and all its subtle nuances.

National Sports Museum The museum houses the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, the Australian Football exhibition (including Australian Football Hall of Fame), Champions.

Visit a local Baseball Stadium

Evening Leisure Time We suggest visiting the Queen Victoria Market on your own.

DAY 4: Sunday, Sep 13, 2026

Game Day

NFL Match today at The MCG; L.A RAMS VS TBD This will be the first time the NFL has hosted a regular-season game in Australia.

Free time after the game.

DAY 5: Monday, Sep 14, 2026

Cairns

Arrive at CNS Airport. Meet and greet your local guide.

Depart for Melbourne International Airport and travel to Cairns Airport.

A short orientation of the city

Hotel Check-in

Afternoon and evening free to walk around the Esplanade and Waterfront

DAY 6: Tuesday, Sep 15, 2026

Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Cruise Set sail aboard the beautiful 32-meter sailing catamaran, Ocean Spirit, to experience Michaelmas Cay’s unique reef environment - a pristine sand cay surrounded by fringing reef and a protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds. Your cruise will combine motor and sailing, depending on the day’s conditions.

Be active and enjoy all the included activities – snorkel in the cay’s protected shallow waters, cruise in the semi-sub for a diver’s view of the reef, watch the fish feeding presentation, and observe the island birdlife. The “beach buggy shuttle” will transfer you between Ocean Spirit and the beach throughout the day. To protect this renowned bird sanctuary, access to the cay is limited to the roped beach area. If you prefer a more leisurely day on the Great Barrier Reef, relax on the beach or onboard Ocean Spirit’s spacious decks. The choice is yours!

Included in your Ocean Spirit Day:
• 8.5 hours of experience with 4 hours on the Reef.
• Morning and afternoon teas.
• Hot and cold buffet lunch including fresh prawns.
• Fish feeding presentation on arrival
• Snorkeling equipment and instruction.
• Buoyancy vests.
• Marine Biologist presentation.
• Semi-submersible coral viewing tour with commentary.
• A glass of complimentary sparkling wine, cheese, and crackers served on the homeward journey.
• Lycra suits

A 5-star Cairns Hotel caters the buffet lunch to meet a variety of tastes and needs, including Gluten-Free and vegetarian dishes.

Evening is free to explore Cairns and the Night markets on your own/Dinner on your own

DAY 7: Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026

Cairns

Kuranda Scenic Railway The famous Kuranda Scenic Railway was built over 120 years ago and winds through the tropical mountain ranges between Cairns and Kuranda.

9:00 AM: You will journey by Scenic Rail to Kuranda

11:45 AM: Board the Shuttle from Kuranda to Rainforestation

12: 00 Noon: Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience

12: 30 PM: Dreamtime Walk

1: 00 PM: Buffet Lunch at Rainforestation

2: 00 PM: Shuttle to Kuranda village, where you have some free time to explore.

Later, walk to the Kuranda Train Station

3:30 PM - Board the Scenic Rail train to Freshwater station. (90 minutes journey)

Dinner on your own. Explore the town and the Esplanade area

DAY 8: Thursday, Sep 17, 2026

Sydney

Depart for Cairns Airport and travel to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport

Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

In the evening, you are free to explore the Darling Harbor area, where many cafes and restaurants abound

DAY 9: Friday, Sep 18, 2026

Sydney

Tour of Downtown Sydney This tour is a thorough introduction to Sydney and its neighbours. It takes you through the historic Rocks area and offers views of Hyde Park, St Mary's Cathedral, Parliament House, and the Art Gallery.

Opera House. 1-hour guided; See inside the world's most recognizable sails.

Mrs Macquarie's Chair A stop for magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and visit The Gap for stunning views.

Bondi Beach The beach features golden sands and sparkling blue water that are perfect for an ocean pool swim. Visitors can enjoy various activities at the beach, including a dip in the Bondi Icebergs, a walk along the Coogee Coastal Trail, and food at the nearby restaurants. The beach features the oldest surf lifesaving clubs and one of the oldest swimming clubs in Australia.

The evening is free to explore the city on your own. Dinner on your own.

DAY 10: Saturday, Sep 19, 2026

Sydney

Featherdale Wildlife Park See kangaroos, wombats, dingos, emus, echidnas, wallabies, and cute little penguins.

Free Time/Lunch on own

Journey Beyond All-Inclusive Dinner Cruise Enjoy a magical evening cruising along Sydney Harbour, with picturesque sunsets and the breathtaking spectacle of Sydney’s iconic attractions lit up at night. Our dinner cruise has a thoughtful and regionally focused menu served over three courses.

DAY 11: Sunday, Sep 20, 2026

Departure Day

Transfer to the Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport for your flight back home.

Hotel Information

Thursday, Sep 10 - Monday, Sep 14, 2026

Oaks Melbourne On Market Hotel

Monday, Sep 14 - Thursday, Sep 17, 2026

Pacific Hotel Cairns

Thursday, Sep 17 - Sunday, Sep 20, 2026

Parkroyal Darling Harbour

General Information

Breakfast Daily

2 Buffet Lunches in Cairns during the tours (Great Barrier Cruise and Rrainforestation in Kuranda)

An All-inclusive Dinner Cruise in Sydney

Porterage at all hotels Except Cairns (porterage unavailable)

All transfers in appropriately sized coaches

Stand-alone guides as indicated in the itinerary in MEL and SYD.

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DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

PRICES STARTING AT (see exclusions below):

Reserve now with a fully-refundable $500.00 per person deposit.
(Click "Deposit Payment" in the Select Payment Options)

Pricing Info:

Single: $5,650.00 USD
Double: $4,350.00 USD
Triple: Call for pricing
Quad: Call for pricing

Book this Trip

PRICING Excludes

> Any International or Domestic flights (Two intra trip flights are not included and will be added to the trip cost once they are available to purchase)

> NFL Game tickets (once the game is officially announced, we will purchase tickets and add them to your trip cost)

> Any meals not mentioned or beverages during meals other than tap water, or as mentioned.

> Porterage at the Airports

> Any optional tours

> Gratuities to drivers and guides

> Travel Insurance

> Visa costs

Any Game...Any Place...Any Time!

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2026 Football in Australia