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11 Days Australia: A Connoisseur's Perspective Tour Package
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights Priced From: $11,775 ( Price is per person, based on double occupancy ) Dates: October
'Australia: A Connoisseur's Perspective' lets you experience the full essence of destinations iconic to the Land Down Under with expert travel companions, private access, and vantage points away from the crowds. Discover Melbourne off the tourist track with renowned historian Kenneth Park. Gain a deeper appreciation of Australia's wool industry as guests at Coliban Park, a private sheep station where your hosts serve a home-cooked meal. Enjoy breakfast during a private sunrise tour of Uluru, and later sit around a campfire and hear ancient Aboriginal beliefs first-hand from tribal elders. Relish the grandeur of the Sydney Opera House with a private tour, dinner at the Opera House restaurant, and an exclusive performance. It's a journey of privileged insight with time to absorb Australia's unique treasures.
Tour Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 En route to Melbourne, Australia.
Day 3 Arrive Melbourne, Australia Arrive at Melbourne International Airport where your Guides meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the day exploring the cultural capital of Australia or relax. Discover the shops and restaurants, take a leisurely stroll down the 'Paris End' of Collins Street, or visit one of the cities many parks and gardens. After a light lunch in Café La, meet historian and raconteur Kenneth Park, an expert in cultural tourism, fine arts, and architecture for a private walking tour of Melbourne's best-kept secrets. This evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner at Melbourne's landmark restaurant, Grossi Florentino's. Sofitel Melbourne L, D
Day 4 Melbourne
Spend the day at one of Victoria's oldest and most delightful country properties, Coliban Park. This private sheep station provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of Australia's wool industry. Enjoy a lovely home-cooked lunch with Rita, Duncan, and Jess Barber in their traditional family homestead. After lunch help plant a native Australian Tree to commemorate your visit. Return to Melbourne in the late afternoon with time to relax before dinner aboard the only travelling tramcar restaurant in the world - The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Sofitel Melbourne B, L, D
Day 5 Melbourne / Alice Springs Enjoy breakfast at leisure before your private transfer to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Alice Springs.
Arrive in Alice Springs and transfer by private luxury vehicle to Mbantua Gallery. Sip a glass of champagne, enjoy a fabulous private lunch and tour the extensive Mbantua Galleries with Proprietor Tim Jennings or Gallery Manager Josh van Haaren. Mbantua Gallery has been directly involved in the Utopia Aboriginal artist's movement and today you have the opportunity to purchase some pieces (shipping to your home is available). Continue to your hotel where check-in has been arranged in advance and your luggage will be in your room.
Tonight dine at the Milky Way Café, a unique venue dedicated to some of the most magnificent stargazing night skies in the world. Enjoy a gourmet dinner and the award-winning presentation of Spirit of the Night Sky. Learn how to identify the planets and constellations with your private astronomer. Alice Springs Resort B, L, D
Day 6 Alice Springs / Ayers Rock After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, transfer by private luxury vehicle to your flight to Ayers Rock. Drive from your resort Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to watch the sunset from a viewing platform. Short treks with your guide are an opportunity to learn about the unique characteristics of the desert with rewarding panoramic views of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Arrive at Walpa Gorge for a guided walk through its mystic environs. At sunset, enjoy a glass of champagne, canapés and the beauty of the desert's solitude. After sunset return to Sails in the Desert for dinner and drinks in Kunya. Sails in the Desert B, L, D
Day 7 Ayers Rock This morning's private sunrise tour around Uluru provides the opportunity to witness the spectacular sunrise at a leisurely pace, followed by a delightful breakfast. Afterward, walk through the exquisite rock sculptures of Uluru. Your guided tour is designed for an unrushed exploration of this unique place with plenty of time to appreciate and absorb the surroundings. Continue to Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre for a unique cultural interaction with the local tribe, Anangu. Mingle with the local Aborigines and share in their cultural activities and demonstrations of ancient bush life. Listen to the law of Uluru directly from the Aboriginal elders in the glow of a campfire. There's also an opportunity to learn about Aboriginal art first-hand from the artists themselves. They will help you create your own masterpiece to take home as a memento of this incredible experience.
Return to your resort for an afternoon at leisure.
Shortly before sundown, you are driven out to a special site in the middle of the desert. Dine under a million stars at the award-winning Sounds of Silence restaurant. Enjoy a glass of champagne and canapés with the sound of a lone didgeridoo filling the air as the sun slowly sets behind the many domes of the Olgas and Ayers Rock. After a gourmet feast of Northern Territory delights and delicacies, the lanterns are dimmed for some of the best star gazing on earth, with the assistance of a resident astronomer on a tour of the clear Southern night skies. Sails in the Desert B, L, D
Day 8 Ayers Rock / Sydney After breakfast, you have a unique opportunity for up-close encounters of Uluru's local wildlife with the presentation of Predators of the Red Centre. Under the guidance of an expert animal handler, take part in a unique interaction with some of Uluru's snakes and lizards. Late morning transfer to the Ayers Rock airport for your flight to Sydney.
Arrive in Sydney and transfer to your hotel with time to freshen up before your special introduction to an Australian icon, the Sydney Opera House. Explore this magnificent architectural landmark on a privately guided tour. Continue your Opera House experience with pre-theatre dinner at the world famous Guilliame at Bennelong restaurant located inside the Opera House. A special performance after dinner concludes this unforgettable evening. Four Seasons Sydney B, L, D
Day 9 Sydney / Blue Mountains
This morning join resident art expert, Judy Friend, for a private tour of some of Sydney's best galleries. After your tour, reboard your luxury coach for the journey west from Sydney to the spectacular Blue Mountains. Savor the incredible beauty of this natural paradise from outstanding lookouts offering panoramic views of the magnificent Jamison Valley and Three Sisters rock formations.
After lunch continue to Scenic World in Katoomba for a train ride aboard the steepest incline railway in the world and descend to a lush, hidden valley. Explore the Scenic Walkway with your guide, walking through ancient forest to the scenic cableway platform. Find the Marrangaroo Spring for a refreshing drink of pure Blue Mountains water, then take a break in the Rainforest Room deep within the valley. Depart the valley on the exhilarating Scenic Cableway, the steepest aerial cable car in Australia. Return to your award-winning hotel. Lillianfells B, L, D
Day 10 Blue Mountains / Sydney After breakfast return to Sydney for a visit to The Australian Wine Centre, Australia's premier boutique wine shop specializing in hard-to-find Australian wines. Enjoy a glass of vino and delicious canapés as you learn about Australia's vintages from your private wine expert. Continue to the Four Seasons where the remainder of your day is at leisure. Your Guide is available to host an optional Walking Tour (included in the program at no additional cost) of the Historic Rocks.
This evening meet for pre-dinner cocktails in a private lounge at the Four Seasons before boarding your private yacht, Oceanos II. Enjoy dinner, drinks and entertainment as you cruise magnificent Sydney Harbour aboard your luxury cruiser. Four Seasons B, D
Day 11 Sydney / USA or Canada Enjoy breakfast before your private transfer to Sydney Airport for your onward flights. Your Guides will assist with departure and emigration arrangements. B B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
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Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
10/08
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