• Round trip airfare from Los Angeles or Vancouver (connecting fares from other cities available on request)
• domestic Australia air
• hotel accommodation with private facilities and air conditioning
• sightseeing as indicated
• meals as indicated by BLD
• transfers in Cairns
• Northern Territory Government Tax, National Park entry fee and Reef Tax
• Discount bonus booklet & souvenir map

Day 1. Depart your home town today. Your flight will depart Los Angeles this evening.

Day 2. Cross international dateline. You will lose a day which will be regained on your return trip.

Day 3. Arrive Sydney. G’day! Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 4. Sydney sightseeing. This morning during your guided walking tour of the historic Rocks area, you will enjoy views of the harbour and see historic buildings and sandstone stairs while wandering through the many alleyways. Your guide will tell you the story of the settlement of New South Wales. An afternoon city tour past the Opera House, Botanical Gardens and the southern beaches including Bondi.

Day 5. Canberra Day Tour. Enjoy an excursion through rural countryside to the fully planned Australian national capital where highlights are the War Museum, High Court, Parliament House, the Prime Minister’s official residence “The Lodge”, and Mount Ainslie Lookout. Return to Sydney late this evening.

Day 6. Sydney. Your cruise of Sydney Harbour today includes stops at the Rocks, Opera House, Watson's Bay and Taronga Zoo. Your ticket is flexible enabling you to take any of the 8 daily departures, spending as long as you wish at each stop before rejoining the cruise. Entrance to the Taronga Zoo, where you can see many native animals including kangaroos and koalas, is included in your ticket.

This evening is free to enjoy Sydney. (Alternatively you can take the overnight train to Melbourne – please ask for details).

Day 7. Sydney to Melbourne. Transfer to the airport today for your short flight from Sydney to Melbourne (airfare not included). An early morning arrival gives you a full day at leisure to enjoy this cosmopolitan city. Melbourne is a great place for shopping! Go for a tram ride or visit the casino. Tonight try one of Melbourne's BYOB restaurants or the Tramcar Restaurant.

Day 8. Melbourne sightseeing and Penguin Parade. This morning’s sightseeing tour takes you to cathedrals, parks, gardens and historic landmarks. An afternoon tour to Phillip Island to see the world renowned “Little Penguin Parade”.

Day 9. Melbourne to Ayers Rock.This morning you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Ayers Rock. This afternoon tour the nearby Olgas and afterwards watch the spectacular sunset over “The Rock”.

Day 10. Ayers Rock to Kings Canyon. This morning is spent visiting the area with time to climb the Rock if you wish. You’ll hear some of the Aboriginal mythology and legends which surround this region. In the afternoon depart for Kings Canyon.

Day 11. Kings Canyon to Alice Springs. This morning you have the chance to explore Kings Canyon, one of the most spectacular gorges in the Northern Territory. In the afternoon travel to the legendary “A town like Alice”.

Day 12. Alice Springs to Cairns. Today is at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 13. Great Barrier Reef. Today visit the Outer Barrier Reef. There will be time for a swim (snorkel or dive) and to view the abundant sea life from the underwater observatory and see the beautiful coral from a glass bottom boat. L

Day 14. Kuranda & Aboriginal Experience. Board the Kuranda train for a scenic ride to Kuranda, famous for its markets. Travel into the towering rainforest on an amphibious army duck. Enjoy an Aussie barbecue lunch and an authentic Aboriginal cultural performance under the canopy of the rainforest. Experience a “Dreamtime” walk with an Aboriginal guide. Throw a boomerang and see Australian native animals including koalas and kangaroos and enjoy a ride on Skyrail. L

Day 15. At leisure. A full day for you to enjoy Queensland’s tropical north.

Day 16. Depart Cairns. At leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your flight back to North America.

Day 12. Arrive Darwin. Arrive into Darwin, the afternoon is free to explore the city.

Day 13. Darwin To Kakadu National Park . Departing Darwin travel the Arnhem Highway deep into Kakadu National Park. Watch out for wildlife and birds as you make your way to Nourlangie Rock. Join a guided walk to view the aboriginal rock art and learn a little of the culture of the Aboriginal people. Continue to Cooinda for lunch. Later join the renowned Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise - a local guide will provide information on the ecology of this waterway. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre, view the informative displays here. Later you visit Jabiru, the only town inside a national park in Australia. L

Day 14. Kakadu National Park To Darwin. You join a cruise on the East Alligator River where you may have the opportunity to spot some saltwater crocodiles. Generally you have an Aboriginal Guide with you and with the special permission of the local people you will be able to go ashore in Arnhem Land. Continue to Ubirr Rock where the paintings are believed to be 20,000 years old. Inspect the Bowali Visitors Centre before returning to Darwin. L

Day 15. Darwin to Cairns. At leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Day 16. Great Barrier Reef. Today visit the Outer Barrier Reef. There will be time for a swim (snorkel or dive) and to view the abundant sea life from the underwater observatory and see the beautiful coral from a glass bottom boat. BL

Day 17. Kuranda & Aboriginal Experience. Board the Kuranda train for a scenic ride to Kuranda, famous for its markets. Travel into the towering rainforest on an amphibious army duck. Enjoy an Aussie barbeque lunch and an authentic Aboriginal cultural performance under the canopy of the rainforest. Experience a "Dreamtime" walk with an Aboriginal guide. Throw a boomerang! You will also see and touch Australian native animals including koalas and kangaroos. BL

Day 18. At leisure. A full day for you to enjoy.

Day 19. Depart Cairns. At leisure until you are transferred to the airport.