Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
Priced From: $1,130 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: Jan - Mar /09 

Day 1 Fly USA to Melbourne (Via Sydney)

Please note international air from the USA has not been included in the package price.

Day 2 You cross the International Date Line
The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian line (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day, traveling west takes the traveler forward.                               

Day 3 Welcome to Melbourne, Australia
On arrival into Melbourne you will need to clear customs and make your way through the main arrivals hall from where you can catch a taxi to your accommodation.

At first glance, Melbourne may resemble any other modern city with its skyline full of concrete & glass. However, if you look a little closer, you'll find the real Melbourne, a city of unique charm.

There are the clanging trams (street cars), swanky boutiques, friendly taxi drivers, Australian Rules Football, fickle weather and 'BYO's', by the hundred (restaurants to which you bring your own liquor or wine). Add to this, Melbourne's traditional virtues of tree lined boulevards, glorious parks, elegant buildings & imposing Victorian Banks & Churches, and of course the giant Melbourne Cricket Ground and you'll have some idea of the city.

Melbourne has become a polyglot society with a huge diversity of cultures, Italian, Greek, East European, Middle Eastern & Asian. This diversity is reflected in the food styles, the lifestyle, & even the language spoken in the street.

Day 4-6 At leisure, Melbourne
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and a cultural hub, is known for the good things in life - fashion, food, entertainment and sport. This is a city of style, architecture, trams, theatres and art. The influence of decades of immigration from all over the world has made Melbourne a paradise for those who love food and wine. Whole streets are dedicated to food, whether it be Indian, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, or a host of other styles. You can't miss the world-class wines either. You’ll barely meet a visitor who hasn’t fallen in love with Melbourne. Rattling trams, parklands singing with blackbirds, stately architecture and palm trees - it’s like northern Europe on the Mediterranean.

Day 7 Fly Melbourne to Cairns
Please make your own way to the airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival in Cairns you will need to make your own way to your accommodation.

The heart of the tropical north, Cairns offers great access to reef and islands and is a perfect base for exploring the wider region. With 600 day tours departing the city daily there is plenty to do.

Days 8-10 At leisure, Cairns
The Cairns & Northern Beaches is the centre of one of Australia's most unique & beautiful areas. "Tropical North Queensland" offers a huge range of activities for the visitor. Rent a car for the day & take a drive north along the spectacular Cook Highway between Cairns & Port Douglas. You'll pass mostly deserted, unspoiled, palm fringed beaches, one after another. In the Port Douglas/Mossman area, visit the Mossman River Gorge National Park, or take a 4WD Safari into the Daintree & Cape Tribulation areas, Australia's largest expanse of coastal rainforest.

Inland from Cairns is the scenic Atherton Tablelands. Take the Kennedy Highway beyond Kuranda & visit the volcanic crater lakes; Lake Echam & Lake Barrine. Drive down the winding Gillies Highway to Gordonvale for some classic Aussie bush scenery; mist covered mountains, rainforest clad valleys, sugarcane plantations. Other worthwhile National Parks to visit within a 50 mile drive of Cairns include the Babinda Boulders, Crystal Cascades, Josephene Falls & Milla Milla Falls. If you decide to stay in Cairns itself for the day, you should visit the Cairns Aquarium and the downtown shopping area. 

By night, Cairns has a wonderful range of restaurants, with seafood being the specialty of the area. Whatever your interests, the Cairns area has something to offer everyone.

Day 11 Fly Cairns to Sydney
Please make your own way to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel.

Sydney, a dazzling, vibrant city built around one of the world’s most beautiful harbors, with scores of sparkling beaches within easy reach of its cosmopolitan heart – that’s Sydney, capital of New South Wales.  Sydney is Australia’s oldest and largest city, where the first settlers landed in 1788.   Situated on Sydney harbor, adjacent to Circular Quay, The Rocks is the site of Australia’s first European settlement. Colorful streetscapes and elegantly restored buildings house a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment venues and specialty shops.

Days 12-14 At leisure, Sydney
At your leisure to explore the city of Sydney. It’s been said that Sydney never sleeps. In daylight hours the city buzzes with life and remains active long after workers have left their offices. All-night pubs, cutting-edge dance clubs, and gay reviews could keep you out until dawn. Fancy a late-night meal or a final coffee - that’s not a problem. Be seen on trendy Oxford Street from Darlinghurst to Paddington or try the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, Surry Hills, the quay or the Rocks. It’s too many choices, not too few, that make the decision hard!

During your stay ideally you should take a harbor cruise around one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, maybe take a short trip to one of the wildlife parks to see the unique animals (koalas and kangaroos) Australia has, climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge for some awesome views, and after all that, enjoy the great restaurants that Sydney has to offer. The local chefs take full advantage of the fresh seafood and produce.

Day 15 Fly Sydney to USA
Make your way to the airport for your departure flight.

• Cairns Colonial Club
• Pacific International
• Sebel Reef House & Spa

• Travelodge Southbank
• Rydges Melbourne
• Langham Hotel

• Travelodge Sydney
• Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
• Sheraton on the Park

3/09