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Day 1 Fly USA
to Melbourne (Via 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 Melbourne, Australia
On arrival into Melbourne you will need
to clear customs and make your way through the main arrivals hall
where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.
At first glance, Melbourne may resemble any other modern city with
its skyline full of concrete & glass. However, if you look a
little closer, you'll find the real Melbourne, a city of unique
charm. There are the clanging trams (street cars), swanky
boutiques, friendly taxi drivers, Australian Rules Football,
fickle weather and 'BYO's', by the hundred (restaurants to which
you bring your own liquor or wine). Add to this, Melbourne's
traditional virtues of tree lined boulevards, glorious parks,
elegant buildings & imposing Victorian Banks & Churches, and of
course the giant Melbourne Cricket Ground and you'll have some
idea of the city. Melbourne has become a polyglot society with a
huge diversity of cultures, Italian, Greek, East European, Middle
Eastern & Asian. This diversity is reflected in the food styles,
the lifestyle, & even the language spoken in the street. Day 4 Tour
Savannah Walkabout full day tour
A one day cultural and nature tour where
you may see and learn about native animals and plants both in the
famous open-range grasslands of Serendip Sanctuary on the Western
Plains and in the bushlands of Brisbane Ranges National Park. We
search for kangaroos, koalas, birdlife and discover a rich
Aboriginal heritage. Departing from your city hotel, we travel the
short distance to the western plains of Victoria - one of the
largest volcanic plains on earth. Open grasslands stretch in all
directions with the occasional extinct volcano or ancient mountain
range rising steeply out of the plain. Our first stop is Serendip
Sanctuary, an open range reservation for rare and endangered
indigenous wildlife of the Western Plains. Run by the National
Parks Service, Serendip plays a pivotal role in the conservation
of some of Australia's rarest birds, including the Bustard, Brolga
and Cape Barren Goose. Seek out the large free-range mobs of our
tallest kangaroo, the Eastern-grey and family groups of the
world's second largest bird, the Emu. We have a bush lunch before
traveling to the Brisbane Ranges National Park, to walk a wide
Savannah of grass, bush and wetlands searching for kangaroos and
koalas. The park has a large population of wild Koalas and we
very rarely miss out on sighting a number of these delightful
creatures, we also visit places of importance to the Aboriginal
people of the region. Day 5 At
leisure, Melbourne
At your leisure to explore the very
cosmopolitan city of Melbourne. The many attractions of the city
vary from the spectacular parklands and gardens that surround the
city, to the museums and festivals that are a continuing part of
the city life. Excellent restaurants are on every corner and cater
to every taste in the world. Day 6 Fly
Melbourne to Adelaide
Transfer 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 7 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
Day 8 Tour –
Barossa Valley
Savor the Barossa Valley, a wonderful
mix of German wine growers in a watered Australian Valley, with
villages dotting the countryside! Travel in a comfortable
air-conditioned vehicle on a tour that provides the unique flavors
of premium wineries, a sumptuous lunch and an insight into the
rich history and current lifestyle of this world renowned
region. Day 9 Fly
Adelaide to Cairns
Transfer to the airport for your flight
to Cairns. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your
accommodation. Cairns is the gateway to Tropical Far North
Queensland, a region of contrasts and surprises. It is home to
the Great Barrier Reef, palm-fringed isolated beaches, Kuranda and
the Atherton Tablelands, World Heritage listed rainforests and the
sun burnt outback. This dynamic area serves as a diverse hub for
many attractions and activities of the Tropical North. Apart from
the major tourism attractions of the Reef & Rainforest, there are
many adventure sports such as white water rafting and bungy
jumping, as well as other activities such as golf and trail
riding.
Day 10 Tour Great Barrier Reef
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 11 At
leisure, Cairns
The major centre in Tropical North
Queensland is Cairns, a popular gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
The city is fringed by lush rainforests and, to the north and
south, are miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise oceans
teeming with marine life. Day 12 Fly
Cairns to Sydney
Transfer to the airport for your flight
to Sydney. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your
accommodation. Sydney - Australia's premier city is the oldest
settlement in Australia, the economic powerhouse of the nation and
the country's capital in everything but name. Built on the shores
of the stunning Port Jackson, you would have to die and go to
heaven before you see a more spectacular setting for a city. It's
a vital, self-regarding metropolis, exuding both a devil-may-care
urbanity and a slavish obsession with global fads. The Sydney
area was the ancestral home of the Daruk tribe, whose territory
extended from Botany Bay to Pittwater. There are some 2000
Aboriginal rock engraving sites in the Sydney area, and many of
Sydney's suburbs have Aboriginal names. The city of Sydney began
life as a penal colony in 1788 and for the next 60 years received
the unwanted, persecuted and criminal elements of British society.
Despite its brutal beginnings, the city's mixture of pragmatic
egalitarianism and plain indifference has transformed it into a
thriving multicultural society. Sydney now attracts the majority
of Australia's immigrants and the city's predominantly Anglo-Irish
heritage has been revitalized by large influxes of Italian,
Lebanese, Turkish, Greek, Chinese and Vietnamese. Day 13 Tour
Blue Mountains
On today’s Blue Mountains excursion, we
stop at a Wildlife Park, where you have the opportunity to have
your photo taken with a koala, and to see Australian animals and
reptiles, such as crocodiles, kangaroos, goannas and possums. At
the Blue Mountains National Park, enjoy a stroll through the bush,
a visit to historic Katoomba, and time an optional ride on the
world's steepest railway, the Skyway Cable Car or the Sceniscender
Cable Car (rides at own expense).
See scenic echo point, and learn about the 'blue haze' effect,
giving the region its name. There are excellent photo
opportunities of the Three Sisters rock formation, and spectacular
views of Jamison and Megalong valleys, with a return to the city
via Sydney's Olympic Site. Lunch is included today. 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 |
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