Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
Priced From: $3,295 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Jan - Mar /09 

Itinerary

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

Day 3 Welcome to Sydney, Australia

Upon arrival into Sydney you will need to clear customs and make your way to the domestic terminal for your connecting flight to Adelaide.  Upon arrival, transfer by shuttle service to your hotel.

The capital of South Australia, Adelaide is nestled between the sea and hills. It is a graceful city of wide streets, elegant buildings and parkland. Adelaide is compact and easy to walk around. It is known for its refinement and has a charm and grace that shows in sophisticated wining and dining, and beautiful architecture that has been well preserved.  The state of South Australia is home to some of the freshest food and finest wines in Australia. Adelaide has a reputation for innovative, affordable cuisine which, when combined with local wines, is a memorable experience

Regardless of the season, the Adelaide Hills offer a welcome respite in country air. Investigate historic townships and enjoy heritage accommodation properties with stunning gardens. Adelaide has a great reputation for its art and culture. The Adelaide Festival of Arts and associated Fringe Festival generate a constant energy in the city. The Festival Centre on King William Road is the hub of opera, theatre and orchestra. For visual arts, the Art Gallery of South Australia is a must for its collection of Aboriginal works, Australian 19th century paintings and a collection of Rodins. Several galleries specialize in indigenous art and Melbourne Street is the place for antiques.

Day 4 Tour - Kangaroo Island

Today you will take the brief flight to Kangaroo Island for a full day of touring.  Highlights will include 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.  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 to Kingscote for your return fight to Adelaide.  Today’s excursion includes round trip air, full day touring, National Park fees and lunch.

Day 5 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.

Days 6-7 Ghan Train from Adelaide to Alice Springs

Transfer by shuttle service to the train station for your overnight train journey into the heart of the Australian outback.

A legendary journey on a legendary train.  The Ghan is internationally recognized as one of the world's most famous long distance luxury trains. Named after the Afghan camel drivers who did so much to open up the heart of Australia last century, this magnificent train is of great historical significance to the nation.

Its 1555 kilometer journey from Adelaide to Alice Springs takes 22 hours. And it’s truly a legendary experience to watch the vast Australian Outback unfold as you journey to the centre.

Day 7 Arrive Alice Springs

You will be met at the train station and transferred by shuttle service to your accommodation.

The central Australian capital of Alice Springs is a pleasant combination of heritage and modern facilities. Within easy reach are colorful outback culture, ancient Dreamtime lore and fabulous nature. Alice Springs is a perfect base for an outback holiday, giving easy access to many natural wonders: Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park, Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) and the MacDonnell Ranges.

Tour - Alice Springs Town Tour

This afternoon you will join an informative tour of the Alice Springs town and its humble beginnings, with interesting and informative commentary. Sights visited include: The Royal Flying Doctor Base, School of the Air - the largest classroom in the world!  The historic Telegraph Station - the first settlement in Central Australia.  Visit the Panorama Guth Art Museum, depicting the wide expanses of Central Australia and a private Aboriginal artifacts collection.  Enjoy the views from Anzac Hill before returning to your accommodation.  All entry fees are included - travel is by mini-coach with Tailormade Tours.

Day 8 Coach Alice Springs to Ayers Rock

An early start this morning as you depart from your hotel bound for Ayers Rock. This coach ride takes about four and a half hours and truly gives you a great appreciation of the Australian Outback.  You arrive in Ayers Rock in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel.

Uluru (Ayers Rock), in the heart of the Red Centre, has a desert climate - mostly dry, with brilliant blue skies all year. Autumn and spring will give you sunny days with cloudless skies and crisp, cool nights which is the perfect kind of weather for exploring the sights by foot or in the comfort of a vehicle. Summer is the time when Central Australia is at its most vivid, with hot days and balmy nights. December to February are the hottest months -usually more that 35º-Celsius - so take a hat and sunscreen.

Tour - Kata Tjuta and Dunes

Leaving from your hotel mid-afternoon, the Discovery Ecotours guide will explain the nature of the desert and its development.  A short walk to the dune lookout puts one in touch with the environment and lets you delight in the spectacular panoramic view of Kata Tjuta (the Olga’s) - a very sacred place to the Aboriginal people.

Arriving at Walpa (Olga) Gorge, walk into this mystic place, to hear how it has evolved over millions of years. The scale of the walls and the wind far above, add a sense of mystery here. The sky deepens and the great domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olga’s) flush red as the tour retires to the sunset viewing area to celebrate the fantastic color changes wrought by sunset with complimentary champagne. Sit back and absorb the desert solitude or relax and chat to your guide about Australia’s red center. The spectacle fades as you return to Yulara beneath a sky of brilliant stars. This afternoon tour is around 4 hour’s duration.

Day 9 Tour - Spirit of Uluru

This is a vehicle based tour around Uluru (Ayers Rock), providing the opportunity to witness the spectacular sunrise and absorb Uluru's natural history and deep significance to the Anangu people.  Short walks will bring you close to this wonderful and powerful place, viewing rock art, waterholes and appreciating the unique flora and fauna of Uluru.

There is time to amble, to absorb images and to gain an insight into Uluru's remarkable presence. The final step is to the Uluru and Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre This is a small group tour (max 18) with Discovery Ecotours. Light breakfast included - morning tour duration of around 4 hours.

Day 10 Fly Ayers Rock to Cairns

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns.  Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

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.

Day 11 Tour - Great Barrier Reef day cruise

This morning, transfer to the wharf for your full day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef.  You will have four hours at the reef site, to explore what makes the Great Barrier Reef one of the wonders of the world.  The day trip has been designed with the water enthusiast or novice alike - snorkel gear and instruction is provided for all guests, or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible vessel, just one meter underwater.   Introductory and certified dives are run in conjunction with snorkeling day trips at an additional cost, and guided snorkel trips with a marine biologist are also available for a nominal fee. A tempting hot and cold buffet lunch is included, as well as morning and afternoon tea on board.

Day 12 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 13 Fly Cairns to Sydney

Transfer to the airport by shuttle service for your flight to Sydney.  Upon arrival you will be met and transferred by shuttle to your accommodation.

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.

Day 14 Tour - Rocks walking tour

The Rocks Walking Tours conduct 90 minute guided tours of Sydney's Historic area known as 'The Rocks' at a relaxed pace in small manageable groups.  The story of the first settlement of the colony of New South Wales in 1788 will be brought alive while you are entertained with stories of rascals, rats and restoration.

Tours include some of Sydney's oldest dwellings, shops old and new, homes of the 'well-to-do' and the cottages of the working class. Still to be seen do the locals and sailors alike and the haunts of cut- throats and rogues once frequent the pubs and hotels. The many narrow alleyways, sandstone stairs and a beautiful church combine to weave a fascinating tapestry of life in past and present times.

Day 14 Tour - Sydney Harbour lunch cruise

The Sydney Harbor Bridge, the world renowned Opera House, Mrs. Macquaries Chair… Just some of the sights you will see on when cruising on Sydney’s famous harbor.  Cruise in air conditioned comfort as you glide effortlessly past some of the most wonderful sights in the world. Panoramic windows allow you to enjoy lunch without missing any of the Harbor sights.  A unique way to see the highlights of this fabulous city.

Day 15 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 16 Fly Sydney to USA

You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

Hotels

Adelaide

• Mercure Grosvenor Hotel
• Medina Grand Treasury
• Hyatt Regency

• The Ghan (Red Kangaroo Sleeper)
• The Ghan (Gold Kangaroo Service)
• The Ghan (Deluxe Gold Kangaroo Service)

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

• All Seasons Oasis
• Crowne Plaza
• Alice Springs Resort

• The Lost Camel
• Desert Gardens
• Sails in the Desert

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

3/09