Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Priced From: $2,475 pp dbl. occ. 
Dates: Jan - Mar /09 

Day 1 Fly USA to 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 (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day; traveling west takes the traveler forward one day. 

Day 3 Welcome to Sydney, Australia
On arrival into Sydney you will need to clear customs and make your way to your next flight north to Hamilton Island. (Standard, Superior & Deluxe)

Upon arrival you will board a luxury cruiser for your launch service to Hayman. (Deluxe)

Hamilton Island (Standard & Superior)
Hamilton Island is nestled amongst the Whitsunday Islands, a group of 74 islands just off the Queensland Coast and at the edge of the world famous Great Barrier Reef.  Hamilton Island offers the promise of a tropical getaway where you’ll be spoiled for choice with plenty of opportunities to try something new. With over 40 different activities to choose from you can experience sea-kayaking, game fishing, scenic helicopter flights, or even have breakfast with the Koalas at our Koala Gallery. Of course, you might simply want to concentrate on doing nothing at all, like laying around one of six pools or simply relaxing on the beach.

Hayman (Deluxe)

Award-winning Hayman in Australia's magnificent Great Barrier Reef, is one of the world's most acclaimed resort destinations and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Hayman presents a unique private island experience of natural beauty, tranquility and adventure. Hayman is Australia's most celebrated private island destination, beautifully situated and presenting an array of unique and memorable resort and Reef experiences.

Days 4-5 At leisure
Hamilton Island (Standard & Superior)
Located in the magnificent Whitsunday’s and close to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is a place to experience everything or enjoy doing absolutely nothing. The weather is pleasant all year round with temperatures perfect for sun and swimming. As the Hamilton slogan says, it's the island that is spoiling Australia, and the world.

Hayman (Deluxe)

Hayman offers something for everyone. For the more energetic guests, there is tennis [with a pro] and scuba learn-to-dive courses. The Island has an interesting network of hiking trails ranging from easy to more difficult. Hayman has its own charter sailing and motor yachts, and a fully equipped game fishing boat. For a little seclusion, rent your own outboard equipped dingy and motor over to nearby, uninhabited Hook Island. Pack a picnic lunch, find a deserted beach and live it up! Hayman can arrange day trips by catamaran, seaplane or helicopter to the Outer Reef. If you don't wish to get wet, there are glass bottom boat excursions available over the reef. Highly recommended is a heli or plane flight over the islands of the Whitsunday Group. Let your pilot take you to see the stunningly beautiful Whitehaven Beach with its brilliant silicon sands. Then of course there's Hayman Resort itself. You may just wish to sit by one of the pools with a book, enjoy a cocktail at the pool bar or fall asleep under a palm tree.

Day 6 Fly Hamilton Island to Cairns
Launch from Hayman to Hamilton Island. (Deluxe)

Upon arrival into Cairns you will be transferred to your accommodation up in the Daintree Rainforest.

Day 7 Tour - Daintree Rainforest full day tour
Departing from Cape tribulation Resorts, travel toward the southern reaches of Cape Tribulation National Park.  A stop is made to walk on Maardja Boardwalk in a spectacular and fascinating rainforest mangrove area.  We visit the Daintree Environmental Centre for the opportunity to understand more about this unique part of the world.  Climb the 25 meter canopy tower and experience life from the tree-tops.

Following morning tea, the trail leads inland to Thorntons Peak.  Immerse yourself in the natural environment, swimming in pristine streams and feasting on gourmet sandwiches deep in the rainforest.  Travel to Cooper Creek for a 1-hour discovery cruise.  Watch for abundant bird-life, pythons and the estuarine crocodiles that inhabit this coastal mangrove system (sightings not guaranteed).

En route back to your resort, pleasure your taste buds with exotic homemade ice cream at the Daintree Ice Cream Factory (own expense).  Tour duration is 8 hours.

Day 8 At leisure, Daintree Rainforest
Named in 1770 by Captain Cook, for the trouble he ran into before grounding his ship on a nearby reef, Cape Tribulation is anything but that for visitors today. The experience now is incomparable relaxation. A genuinely delightful holiday is in store for you. You can bushwalk, horse-ride, kayak, snorkel, fish in the estuaries or simply let go in one of Australia's most beautiful settings.

The dense rainforest reaches all the way down to the coast from rugged mountains rising in the west, with ancient, exotic plant life bordering the waterfalls and clear jungle streams. The area is home to some of the oldest species of ferns, including the renowned Angiopteris, the largest in the world.

Day 9 Fly Cairns to Adelaide (one stop)
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Adelaide. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

The gracious capital of South Australia, Adelaide is the City of Churches, orderly streets, manicured parks and superb restaurants, where cultures from all over the world have contributed to a vibrant, energetic community.  Adelaide is today, an orderly, airy city ringed by beautiful parks and gardens and graced with elegant sandstone buildings and cottages. There are more restaurants per head of population than any other Australian city. From expensive bistros to the formal and exotic, most serve a range of outstanding local wines from the famous 'valleys' nearby. Home to over one million people, Adelaide is best explored on foot to properly experience the wealth of art galleries and museums, festivals, markets, cafe society and superb shopping.

Day 10 Tour - Kangaroo Island Sealink full day tour
Transfer to Adelaide airport for your flight to Kangaroo Island. Your day of touring by air-conditioned motorcoach includes a visit to Seal Bay, where you can walk with a Park Ranger amongst a colony of rare Australian Sea Lions resting on the beach after their long fishing expeditions. After a koala walk at Hanson Bay Sanctuary, discover the Island's most renowned park, Flinders Chase National Park, a sanctuary for numerous native Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and Cape Barren Geese. On the southern tip of Flinders Chase National Park are Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch, both providing great photographic opportunities.

Return via the Soldier Settlement township of Parndana to Kingscote for your return fight to Adelaide, and transfer to your hotel.  The tour includes a two course BBQ lunch with home-made salads.

Day 11 At leisure, Adelaide
Often regarded at the most beautiful city in Australia with its parklands surrounding the city and its unique walking mall. You have easy access to the famous Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine districts, beautiful beaches and the Mt Lofty Ranges and Cleland National Park.

Day 12 Fly Adelaide to Sydney
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your onward flight to Sydney.  Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Sunny, sexy, sophisticated - Sydney basks as the shining star of the southern hemisphere. The stunning Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are the pride and joy, but there's much more to offer.

Sydney's sparkling harbor is the jewel in the city's crown. It's flanked by golden beaches and bush land, and is bisected by one of the most famous bridges in the world. Islands sprinkle its waters, and it's crisscrossed by all manner of craft, from water taxis and yachts to tour boats and ferries.

Day 13 Tour - Sydney half day city tour
Sydney truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its spectacular harbor setting, fascinating convict history, bustling downtown area and an exciting blend of architecture, ranging from convict built early colonial style reflecting our heritage, through to the world famous Sydney Opera House.

This is a very special small-group tour designed to give you a feel for this great city by showing you more than just the normal must-see 'tourist sites' Because we only use small luxury mini-vans, we will get behind the scenes to some fascinating city and suburban areas.  Your driver is a very experienced private guide able to answer questions and discuss things of interest, with the knowledge and flexibility to cater for most interests.

You will be collected late morning from your hotel to see the highlights of downtown Sydney before venturing into some of the exclusive harbor-side residential areas where we stop for a 2 course lunch at the Vaucluse House Tea Rooms. Vaucluse House is one of Australia’s most historic houses and was home to the father of the Australian Constitution. From lunch we continue our sightseeing including the famous areas of Bondi Beach and Paddington before returning to the city to commence a leisurely cruise of magnificent Sydney Harbour aboard a sailing catamaran.  Your cruise ends at Circular Quay and Darling Harbour by 5pm, from where you make your own way to your hotel.

Day 14 At leisure, Sydney
At your leisure to explore Sydney. Most of the major attractions of the city are within easy walking distance of your accommodation - Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Centrepoint Tower, Circular Quay, The Rocks etc.

Day 15 Fly Sydney to USA
You will be met and transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

Hotels

Great Barrier Reef Islandso

• Hamilton Island (Palm Terrace)
• Hamilton Island (Reef View Hotel)
• Hayman Island

• Ferntree Rainforest Lodge
• Coconut Beach Rainforest Lodge
• Silky Oaks Lodge

• Mercure Grosvenor Hotel
• Medina Grand Treasury
• Hyatt Regency

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

3/09