13-Day Deluxe Spotlight on Australia Escorted Tour

Day 01: Leave USA - main gateway airport Los Angeles/San Fransisco

Day 3 Melbourne
A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to The Langham Melbourne. Welcome to Australia, where friendly g'days greet you from arrival to departure! Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight as you meet your traveling mates. (D)

Day 4 Melbourne’s Victorian charms
You’ll see a lot of Melbourne on a sightseeing tour of the city, including St. Patrick's Cathedral, the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and the ANZAC War Memorial – the Shrine of Remembrance. The city is also home to the oldest tram network in the world; experience it up-close tonight when you dine aboard the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant as it travels around the city. (B,D)

Day 5 All about Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Fly to Alice Springs en route to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for an overnight at a desert Outback resort. Join us for a "silver service" champagne party overlooking Uluru this evening; while the celebration by itself is very special, wait until you experience it under the setting sun when the light bathes the mystical rock with a palette of ever-changing color. (B,L)

Day 6 Aboriginal adventures in the Outback
Aboriginal traditions define life in the Outback, especially at Uluru (Ayers Rock); learn about the "dreamtime" legends associated with this massive monolith on a guided tour. Have lunch, then board a flight from the Outback to Queensland for a three-night stay on the ocean in Cairns, gateway to the amazing Great Barrier Reef, at Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa, where you'll have dinner tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Life at the Great Barrier Reef
Spend a full day exploring one of earth's most incredible "living" sites, the Great Barrier Reef, with a cruise aboard the catamaran Wave Dancer to the Low Isles. Marvel at the colors and beauty of the coral and fish while swimming, snorkeling or observing from a glass-bottom boat, and gain insights on what you're seeing from Tauck's marine biologist. Spend the evening at leisure back at your resort on the beach. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Fun in the Rainforest
Have an amazing day in and around Port Douglas in tropical North Queensland! Ride a gondola on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway through the mist-shrouded canopy... learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know (and more) about crocodiles at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures with a tour, a special crocodile feeding presentation, and an exclusive boat cruise on the lagoon. Tonight, torches, candelabras and aboriginal musicians create a true feast for the senses during a memorable outdoor dining experience at Flames of the Forest. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Optional balloon ride and on to Sydney
Soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional early morning balloon ride* (additional cost of $229 per person applies) or spend the morning at the resort at your leisure. Everyone takes off for Sydney late this morning for a four-night stay in the heart of the city. Your hotel is within walking distance of the Botanic Gardens, shopping and restaurants. (B,D)

Day 10 Sightseeing & Harbour Cruise in Sydney
One of Australia's most famous iconic sights takes center stage today when you visit the Opera House on a personally guided tour. A private luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour is a fabulous way to unwind and relax, while getting a good look at some of this extraordinary city's landmark sites from the water. City sightseeing continues as you view The Rocks and Kings Cross. (B,L)

Day 11 Meet koalas and Bondi Beach life savers
Accompanied by an informative, knowledgeable local guide, head to Sydney's Featherdale Wildlife Park for a visit with some of Australia's native animals, as you watch resident koalas dine on eucalyptus leaves and just be their adorable selves this morning. Travel next to Bondi Beach, home to the world-famous Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club (Bondi Surf Club). Go behind-the-scenes as you visit the members-only clubhouse, hear about the history of life-saving, and even enjoy a dry surfing lesson on the beach, before spending the rest of the day exploring Sydney as you please. (B)

Day 12 Sydney for "foodies" & as you please
Start an unforgettable day in Sydney by tasting your way through some of the city's coolest culinary nooks and crannies on a “Foodie Tour.” The noted local eateries you'll check out (schedule permitting) include an Italian deli, a chocolatier, one of Sydney's oldest fish markets, an 1840s brewery and a café that began life as a post-WWII pie cart. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore more of Sydney, your way. There is so much to see and do here – from museums to shopping, from Aboriginal art to an array of historic sites that tell the story of Australia's earliest days, Sydney's got it all! Cap the day by dining at a local restaurant tonight. (B,D)

Day 13 Farewell Australia
Your escorted tour ends: Sydney. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the InterContinental, Sydney to Sydney Airport. Please allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in; ask about booking additional hotel nights. (B)

Hot Air Balloon Option, Day 7 – add $229 per person