Price Includes

Note: Itinerary effective 1 April 2010.
For tours departing before this date, refer to our 2009 brochure.

Day 1: Arrive Melbourne

On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. This evening you have the option to dine on board the popular Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.
Hotel: Mercure Hotel Welcome (standard), Rydges (superior), Crowne Plaza (first class) or Crown Metropol (deluxe), Melbourne, 2 nights.

Day 2: Great Ocean Road

Travel along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay. View the stone monoliths of the Twelve Apostles, the Loch Ard Gorge shipwreck site & the remains of the rock formation known as London Bridge (B)

Day 3: Melbourne-Adelaide

See the sights of Melbourne including Fitzroy Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. Later, you will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Adelaide.
Hotel: Grand Chifley (standard), Stamford Plaza (superior) or InterContinental (first class or deluxe), Adelaide. (B)

Day 4: Adelaide - Kangaroo Island

Enjoy a scenic drive through the Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jervis to board the ferry to Kangaroo Island. Walk among the nation's third largest and most accessible colony of Australian sea lions, as these creatures doze in the sun after lengthy fishing forays in the Southern Ocean, at the popular Seal Bay Conservation Park.
Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel (standard or superior) or Executive Rooms (first class or deluxe), Kangaroo Island. (B,L)

Day 5: Kangaroo Island - Adelaide

Tour Kelly Hill Caves, the Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch and see fur seals, within Flinders Chase National Park. This afternoon return to Adelaide.
Hotel: Grand Chifley (standard), Stamford Plaza (superior) or InterContinental (first class or deluxe), Adelaide. (B,L)

Day 6: Adelaide - Alice Springs

You will be transferred to Adelaide Airport for your flight to Alice Springs where on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Tour the sights of "The Alice" including the historic Telegraph Station and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Stop at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre where you can see unique central Australian reptiles. Stop for a panoramic view of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill.
Hotel: Aurora Alice Springs (standard), Crowne Plaza (superior) or Chifley Alice Springs Resort, River Gum Rooms (first class or deluxe), Alice Springs, 2 nights. (B)

Day 7: Palm Valley

Join a 4WD Safari through the West MacDonnell Ranges into Palm Valley. (B,L)

Day 8: Alice Springs-Ayers Rock

Travel south through the MacDonnell and James Ranges. Visit a camel farm where there is time for a camel ride (own expense). View Atila (Mt. Conner) before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. This afternoon your guide will escort you on a walk through the Kata Tjuta domes to the Valley of the Winds lookout. Enjoy complimentary sparkling wine as you take in the outback sunset at Kata Tjuta and later enjoy a delicious Aussie barbecue dinner.
Hotel: Outback Pioneer Hotel (standard), Desert Gardens Hotel (superior) or Sails in the Desert Hotel (first class or deluxe), Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. (B,HD)

Day 9: Kings Canyon

Drive through sandhill country into Watarrka National Park. Make the rocky climb with your guide to the rim of Kings Canyon. Or you may wish to explore the canyon floor, an easier walk. (B)

Day 10: Ayers Rock - Darwin

Travel to the sunrise viewing area at Uluru and watch the first rays of sunlight creep across the desert plains. Transfer to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Darwin, where on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Travelodge Mirambeena Resort (standard), Holiday Inn Esplanade (superior) or Mantra on the Esplanade (first class or deluxe), Darwin. (B)

Day 11: Darwin-Kakadu

Travel deep into Kakadu National Park. Visit Nourlangie Rock and cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong.
Hotel: Aurora Kakadu (standard) or Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn (superior, first class or deluxe), Kakadu. (B,L)

Day 12: Kakadu-Darwin

Join the Guluyambi Cruise along the East Alligator River in search of saltwater crocodiles. Continue to Ubirr for a guided walk to see Aboriginal rock art. Later, visit the Bowali Visitor Centre.
Hotel: Travelodge Mirambeena Resort (standard), Holiday Inn Esplanade (superior) or Mantra on the Esplanade (first class or deluxe), Darwin. (B,L)

Day 13: Darwin-Cairns

Transfer to Darwin Airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Rydges Esplanade (standard), Novotel Oasis Cairns (superior), Hilton Hotel (first class) or Pullman Reef Hotel & Casino (deluxe), Cairns, 3 nights. (B)

Day 14: Kuranda, Skyrail, Tjapukai

Join the Kuranda train and journey to Kuranda. Return on the Skyrail Cableway. Visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, where legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. Return to Cairns. (B)

Day 15: Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Cruise on a high-speed catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. View the coral and fish from a semi-submersible vessel. Snorkelling gear is INCLUDED. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch today. (B,L)

Day 16: Cairns-Sydney

Transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival at Sydney Airport you will be transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Park Regis City Centre (standard), The Grace Hotel (superior), InterContinental, City View Room (first class) or InterContinental, Harbour View Room (deluxe), Sydney, 3 nights. (B)

Day 17: Sydney City Sights-Harbor Cruise

See the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens. Visit famous Bondi Beach. Enjoy a Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Milsons Point for fabulous views of the city skyline. Visit Manly surf beach before returning to the city. (B,L)

Day 18: Sydney "Free Time"

Today is at leisure to explore Sydney. (B)

Day 19: Depart Sydney

You will be transferred to Sydney Airport to connect with your onward flight. (B) Departs: Daily