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Day 1: Arrive Sydney
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. The
rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Sydney, Menzies Sydney
(standard), The Grace Hotel (first class) or Sydney Harbor
Marriott (deluxe) for 3 nights
Day 2: Sydney City Sightseeing
You will have a chance to get an overview of the city and
surroundings as you view the Opera House, Botanic Gardens and
Conservatorium of Music. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for a
view of the city and harbor. Continue through Darling Harbor and
the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay and Rose Bay, known for
their cosmopolitan café society, designer shopping and Rodeo
Drive ambience. Then, on to The Gap for spectacular ocean views.
Arrive at Bondi Beach where you will see the famous Bondi
Lifesavers. Enjoy a short stop here then continue back to Sydney
via trendy Paddington.
Day
3: Blue Mountains Wilderness 4WD Tour
 Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will pick you up this
morning in a luxury-touring vehicle. Experience the magnificent
World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, only 90 minutes west of
Sydney. Enjoy a buffet barbeque lunch complimented by Australian
Wines and continue on to the Three Sisters. This afternoon,
you’ll seek out the many kangaroos that roam the area. On your
return to Sydney, pass by the Olympics 2000 site en route to
your hotel. (L)
Day 4: Sydney—Cairns
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward
flight to Cairns (flight not included). On arrival you will be
transferred to your hotel where you relax by the pool or enjoy
the shopping opportunities along the Esplanade. Overnight:
Cairns, Cairns Colonial Club (standard), Novotel Oasis (first
class) or Shangri-La, The Marina (deluxe) for 3 nights
Day 5: Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Journey up the scenic Marlin Coast to charming Port Douglas.
Enjoy a full-day cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef aboard a
luxurious 120-foot catamaran. Moor at a special pontoon on
Agincourt Reef. Scuba dive, snorkel, view the underwater
observatory or ride in the semi-submersible viewer (diving, own
expense). Cruise includes lunch, water sports, and an
informative talk by a marine biologist. (L)
Day 6: Kuranda Railway, Skyrail Gondola & Tjapukai
Aboriginal Cultural Park
Board the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway for a breathtaking
journey to Kuranda, nestled in the rainforest with attractive
shops and galleries. Return to Cairns via the Skyrail Gondola,
traveling over 9 miles of rainforest canopy. Then visit the
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for a buffet lunch followed by
a dance performance by local Aborigines. Return to your hotel
late afternoon. (L)
Day 7: Cairns—Uluru (Ayers Rock)
This morning you will be met and transferred for your onward
flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock) (flight not included). Your eco
tour of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) begins in the early afternoon.
Journey through Walpa Gorge and hear about the geological
surroundings. Tonight, experience the romance of the desert as
the sun sets over Uluru, the haunting sounds of a didgeridoo,
sumptuous Outback fare and the starfilled heavens in the “Sounds
of Silence” dinner. After a feast of Northern Territory
delights, you can dream away under a canopy of stars as a
resident astronomer points out a plethora of constellations in
the vast skies of the Outback. Overnight: Ayers Rock Resort,
Outback Pioneer (standard), Desert Gardens (first class) or
Sails in the Desert (deluxe) for 2 nights (D)
Day 8: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Enjoy a picnic breakfast while watching the sun rise over
Uluru. Then you will have a choice of either walking the base of
Uluru with your guide (6.5 miles) while hearing about Aboriginal
creation stories and learning about the fauna and flora of the
region. Or, gain the “Spirit of Uluru” with a combination of
short walks to cultural significant waterholes and rock art
features of Uluru followed by a visit to the Uluru & Kata Tjuta
Cultural Center. The rest of the day is at leisure. We suggest a
helicopter flight over this unique monolith at sunset. (B)
Day 9: Uluru (Ayers Rock)—Adelaide
A shuttle will transfer you to Ayers Rock airport to connect
with your onward flight to Adelaide (flight not included), where
you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of
the day is at leisure. Overnight: Adelaide, Mercure Grosvenor
Hotel (standard), Oaks Embassy (first class) or Hyatt Regency
Adelaide (deluxe) for 3 nights
Optional: You can choose to stay
in one of the boutique North Adelaide Heritage Apartments.
Please ask for details and prices.
Day
10: Barossa Valley Wine Tour
In a luxury vehicle, travel from Adelaide to the picturesque
Barossa Valley. Enjoy premium wine tastings and a gourmet lunch
in peaceful settings. Whether you prefer red or white, sweet or
dry, you will visit wineries appropriate to your palate. (L)
Day 11: Adelaide—Kangaroo Island
Travel by coach to Cape Jervis and board the ferry to
Kangaroo Island—a haven for a variety of wildlife, birdlife and
native wildflowers (seasonal). At Seal Bay you will be escorted
along the beach to view an Australian Sea Lion colony basking on
the shore. After lunch in a secluded bush setting, take a
bushwalk to see the many species of birds and wallabies in their
natural habitat. At dusk, watch as the wildlife emerge from the
bush to graze on the open pastures. Overnight: Kangaroo Island
(L)
Day 12: Kangaroo Island—Adelaide—Melbourne
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to
Adelaide arriving at around 11:00am. From there, fly to
Melbourne (flight not included) where you will be met and
escorted to your choice of accommodation. This evening, dine
aboard a magnificently-restored tramcar as it trundles the
streets of Melbourne. Overnight: Melbourne, Ibis Melbourne
(standard), Novotel Melbourne On Collins (first class) or
Langham Hotel (deluxe) for 3 nights (D)
Day 13: Melbourne City Sights
Discover the charm of Melbourne. Throughout your morning you
will see Captain Cook’s Cottage, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy
Gardens and Albert Park, home to the Australian Grand Prix, the
Royal Botanic Gardens, the Royal Exhibition Buildings and
Federation Square. Visit the Shrine of Remembrance and see the
Southbank waterfront precinct. See some of the city’s
architecture including St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Princess and
Regent theatres. Your tour concludes approximately midday and
the remainder of your day is at leisure (hotel transfers not
included).
Day
14: Phillip Island Penguins Tour
Travel out of Melbourne and past beautiful landscapes before
crossing to Phillip Island. Walk among the treetops at the Koala
Conservation Center and see wild koalas within touching
distance! Travel to the Nobbies for magnificent views over
Mornington Peninsula and Bass Strait. Offshore are Seal Rocks
and the largest Australian Fur Seal colony. Continue on to the
Penguin Parade where each evening at dusk, Little Penguins
arrive in groups on the beach after a day of fishing. Witness
this fascinating event from an exclusive viewing platform and
boardwalk. Enjoy dinner before returning to Melbourne late
evening. (D)
Day 15: Depart Melbourne
This morning you’ll be met and transferred to Melbourne
airport for your onward flight (flight not included).
Departures: Daily.
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