16 Day Essence of Australia Fully Escorted in Australia Nights at Destinations: Melbourne (3), Kangaroo Island (2), Adelaide (1), Alice Springs (1), Ayers Rock (2), Cairns (3), Sydney (3) Highlights Melbourne city sights tour Visit Kangaroo Island, the unique untouched island with abundant wildlife Town tour of Alice Springs The Red Center and Aboriginal art Sunrise and sunset over Uluru and Kata Tjuta Uluru base tour or climb Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars at Uluru Kata Tjuta and Walpa Gorge The magnificent Great Barrier Reef Sydney city sights & harbor luncheon cruise Price Includes Sightseeing as specified Expert Drivers & Guides throughout Australia 22 meals included: 15 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D) (optional), 4 feature lunches (FL), 1 feature dinner (FD) Note: Itinerary effective 01 Apr 2007. Day 1: Arrive Melbourne Welcome to Melbourne! Upon arrival you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. The remainder of day is at leisure to explore the delights of Melbourne. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director. Overnight: Melbourne, Hotel Sofitel for 3 nights Day 2: Melbourne, City Sights Tour This morning discover the charm of cosmopolitan Melbourne, with its wide boulevards and historic buildings. Visit the famous Collins Street shopping district, and witness the architectural splendour of St Paul’s Cathedral. Enjoy a stroll through the botanic gardens before exploring Captain Cook’s cottage in Fitzroy Gardens, and the bustling Queen Victoria Market. See the MCG, one of Melbourne’s worldrenowned sporting arenas, on the way to the historic Shrine of Remembrance to pay tribute to Australian soldiers of war. Enjoy amazing city views as you cross the West Gate Bridge. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps choose to visit the Little Penguins on Phillip Island (own expense). (B) Day 3: Melbourne at Leisure Today is yours to do with as you wish in beautiful Melbourne. Perhaps take a tour to visit the wineries of the Yarra Valley for some wine tastings or travel to the magnificent Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles and London Bridge (optional, own expense). (B) Day 4: Melbourne—Kangaroo Island After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight to Adelaide (airfare not included). From there, arrive on Kangaroo Island by plane, (airfare included). Meet your guide for an introduction to Kangaroo Island. Stop at the Eucalyptus Distillery to witness the remarkable oil distilling process before enjoying morning tea. Then travel to Seal Bay for a leisurely stroll on the beach among the rare and endangered Australian sea lion colony with your specially trained guide. After a picnic lunch in a peaceful bush setting, explore wild trails, surrounded by koalas and bird life. Continue along the scenic South Coast to the majestic Kelly Hill Caves and explore the underground caves. In Kelly Hill Conservation Park (accessible with special permit) watch as kangaroos, wallabies and other wildlife graze in the open plains. Overnight: Kangaroo Island, Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat for 2 nights (B,FL,D) Day 5: Kangaroo Island, Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks Enjoy a leisurely breakfast then join your guide on the short journey down the road to Flinders Chase National Park. Explore the interesting and informative visitor center at Rocky River Headquarters. Spend the remainder of the morning observing the fur seals frolicking in the wild ocean at the base of Cape du Couedic and in the amazing geological formation that is Admirals Arch. You’ll also get to walk among the phenomenon that is the Remarkable Rocks— ancient granite carved into massive natural sculptures by the elements. Enjoy a picnic lunch among tall gum trees, serenaded by different bird calls. After lunch, travel to the spectacular North Coast to explore stunning beaches and walk on secretive bush tracks in search of the elusive Kangaroo Island Glossy Black Cockatoo. Kangaroos, wallabies and koalas abound and you may even spot an echidna. (B,FL, D) Day 6: Adelaide City Sightseeing Tour Transfer to the airport for your flight to Adelaide (airfare included). Today you’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Adelaide, known as the “City of Churches.” The only major metropolis in the world where the city center is completely encircled by parkland, Adelaide’s gardens and parks are beautiful. Take the historic Glenelg tram down to the seaside suburb of Glenelg and experience the old-world charm of the amusements, cafés and shopping area. Overnight: Adelaide, Sebel Playford Hotel (B) Day 7: Adelaide—Alice Springs, Town Tour Transfer to the airport for your flight to Alice Springs. On arrival, you’ll be transferred from the airport to your hotel (arriving after midday, airfare not included). This afternoon, enjoy a town tour which includes the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and the School of the Air. Overnight: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B) Day 8: Alice Springs—Uluru (Ayers Rock)— Sounds of Silence Dinner After a leisurely breakfast, travel from Alice Springs to Uluru, passing vast Outback landscapes. Stop at the Outback Camel Farm where you can ride a camel (own expense). Continue to Ayers Rock and join the Sounds of Silence dinner, a three-course dinner of gourmet local produce served while the sun sets with an uninterrupted view of Uluru. Listen to the sounds of the didgeridoo as you enjoy an astronomical tour of the Southern night skies. Overnight: Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel for 2 nights (B,FD) Day 9: Uluru Base Tour, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) With a cup of tea or coffee in hand, watch the sun’s first rays strike Uluru. Join a guided walk to the waterhole of Mutitjulu and join the Mala Walk, touring the base of Uluru while hearing stories of its original inhabitants. See caves, ancient Aboriginal rock art and enter sacred Kantju Gorge. Alternatively, forgo the Mutitjulu and Mala walks to climb to the summit of Uluru and enjoy views across the desert. Visit the Cultural Centre where you might see Aboriginal artists at work at the Maruku Arts & Craft Cooperative. This afternoon travel to Kata Tjuta, which is made up of 36 dramatic rock formations. Enjoy a walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge and hear about the unique flora, fauna and geology of the area. Late this afternoon, enjoy a glass of wine as you admire the spectacular colors of Uluru at sunset. (B) Day 10: Ayers Rock—Cairns After breakfast, transfer to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Cairns, (flights any time, airfare not included). On arrival in Cairns, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina for 3 nights (B) Day 11: Cairns—Great Barrier Reef Take a cruise out to the ribbon reefs located at the outer edge of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. The Agincourt Ribbon Reef system provides unsurpassed coral formations, colorful marine life and spectacular underwater visibility. There are facilities for swimmers and non- swimmers alike so everyone can experience this reef world. Explore the reef from a semi- submersible, an underwater observatory or snorkel and dive. (B,FL) Day 12: Cairns at Leisure Today is yours to do with as you wish. Perhaps take a tour to Kuranda to see the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, ride the Skyrail over the rainforest and take the Kuranda Scenic Railway passing over 40 bridges and through 15 tunnels traveling through tropical rainforest and past rushing waterfalls (optional, own expense). (B) Day 13: Cairns—Sydney Transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney, (flights any time, airfare not included). On arrival in Sydney, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore this exciting city. Overnight: Sydney, Sofitel Wentworth for 3 nights (B) Day 14: Sydney, Manly, Harbour Cruise Begin the day with morning tea (own expense) at Manly and stroll along The Corso before a magnificent Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. While you cruise, see the homes of Australia’s wealthy along with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening, perhaps discover King Cross, one of Sydney’s eclectic suburbs. (B,FL) Day 15: Sydney at Leisure Today is a great opportunity to explore Sydney and its regions on your own. Perhaps discover the Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves or the Hunter Valley and its famous wineries (optional, own expense). (B) Day 16: Depart Sydney Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) Departure Dates 2007: Apr 15; May 13; Jun 17; Jul 15; Aug 19; Sep 16; Oct 14; Nov 11; Dec 23 2008: Feb 3, 17; Mar 16 Please inquire for pricing details Note: Price is valid until 31 March 2008. Please inquire for price details beyond this date. Single traveler must pay single room price. All flights referred to in this itinerary are at an additional cost, not included in the above price (except for the flight between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island). Tour Code: EFK16 |
AUSTRALIA
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