22 meals: 15 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L), 3 dinners (D) (15 breakfasts and 2 dinners optional)Note: Itinerary effective 1 Apr 2008.
Day 1: Arrive Sydney
Be met on arrival and transferred from the airport to your hotel. The remainder of day is at leisure to explore, before a Welcome Drink tonight. Overnight: Sydney, Sofitel Wentworth for 3 nights
Day 2: Sydney, Manly, Harbor Cruise
Travel over the Sydney Harbor Bridge to see the northern beaches. Stop for morning tea (own expense) at Manly and stroll The Corso. Then join a Sydney Harbor luncheon cruise, passing the Sydney Opera House, one of the modern wonders of the world and the historic Harbor Bridge. This afternoon is free to explore. (B,L)
Day 3: 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 (own expense). (B)
Day 4: Sydney-Cairns
Be transferred to Sydney Airport for your flight to Cairns (airfare not included). On arrival, you will be transferred to your Cairns hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this tropical city. Overnight: Cairns, Rydges Tradewinds Hotel for 3 nights (B)
Day 5: Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Take a cruise out to the ribbon reefs located at the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The Agincourt Ribbon Reef system provides coral formations, colorful marine life and great underwater visibility. There are facilities for swimmers and non-swimmers. Explore the reef from a semi-submersible, an underwater observatory or snorkel and dive. (B,L)
Day 6: Cairns at Leisure
Today is yours to do with as you wish. Perhaps take an optional tour to Kuranda - ride the Skyrail Cableway over the rainforest to see the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers. Then take the Kuranda Scenic Railway, traveling through tropical rainforest and past waterfalls (own expense). (B)
Day 7: Cairns, Ayers Rock Sounds of Silence Dinner
After breakfast, depart for your flight to Ayers Rock, (airfare not included). On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore. This evening enjoy the exclusive "Sounds of Silence" dinner and savor a unique taste of the Outback. Overnight: Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel for 2 nights (B,D)
Day 8: Uluru (Ayers Rock) Base Tour & Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
This morning, rise early to witness the first rays of the sun strike Uluru. After breakfast, join a guided walk to the waterhole of Mutitjulu and undertake the Mala Walk, touring the base of Uluru. See caves, ancient Aboriginal rock art and sacred Kantju Gorge. Or forgo the Mutitjulu and Mala walks to climb to the summit of Uluru. Visit the Cultural Centre and perhaps see Aboriginal artists at work at the Maruku Arts and Crafts Cooperative. This afternoon travel to Kata Tjuta and walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge, learning about the ecology of the area. (B)
Day 9: Uluru (Ayers Rock)-Alice Springs
After a leisurely breakfast, travel from Uluru to the township of Alice Springs, stopping along the way at the Outback Camel Farm where you may like to take the opportunity to ride a camel (own expense). Arriving this afternoon in the iconic Outback town of "Alice", take a town tour and see the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and the School of the Air before heading to the top of Anzac hill for wonderful views. Overnight: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B)
Day 10: Alice Springs-Adelaide
Fly on to Adelaide (airfare not included) and be transferred from the airport to your hotel upon arrival. Today you'll enjoy a tour of the historic city of Adelaide. Adelaide is the only major metropolis in the world where the city center is completely encircled by parkland and gardens, which create a peaceful atmosphere and a green outlook from every angle. Overnight: Adelaide, Holiday Inn on Hindley (B)
Day 11: Kangaroo Island
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Kingscote (airfare included). Meet your local guide for an introduction to Kangaroo Island. The first stop for the day is the Eucalyptus Distillery before enjoying morning tea. Then travel to Seal Bay for a stroll near an endangered Australian Sea Lion colony with your trained guide before a picnic lunch. Afterwards explore wild trails, home to koalas and a variety of birds. Journey to the majestic Kelly Hill Caves and discover the underground caves. In Kelly Hill Conservation Park, only accessible by special permit, watch as kangaroos, wallabies and other wildlife leave the bush at dusk to graze on the open plains. Overnight: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat (or similar) for 2 nights (B,L,D)
Day 12: 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 visitor centre 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. Enjoy a picnic lunch among tall gum trees, then travel to the spectacular north coast of the island to explore beaches and walk on bush tracks in search of the elusive Kangaroo Island Glossy Black cockatoo. Kangaroos, wallabies and koalas also abound. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Kangaroo Island-Melbourne
Be transferred to the airport for your flight to Melbourne (airfare to Melbourne not included). On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Melbourne, Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure for 3 nights (B)
Day 14: Melbourne City Sights
Discover the delights of cosmopolitan Melbourne, with its historic buildings on a city tour this morning. View the up-market shopping district of Collins Street, St Paul's Cathedral and both the Princess and Regent theatres. See the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Buildings, Federation Square and stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Explore Captain Cook's cottage in Fitzroy Gardens before visiting the Queen Victoria Market. See Melbourne's famous sporting arenas, including the MCG before paying tribute to Australian soldiers at the Shrine of Remembrance. Then cross the West Gate Bridge for city views. This evening, dine at one of Melbourne's many great restaurants (own expense). (B)
Day 15: Melbourne at Leisure
Today is yours to do with as you wish in beautiful Melbourne. Perhaps take an optional 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 (own expense). (B)
Day 16: Depart Melbourne
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight (airfare not included). (B)
