highlights of australia
12 Days 11 Nights
Tour Highlights: Flinders St. Station, St. Patrick’s
Cathedral, Fitzroy Gardens, the Botanic Gardens, and the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Cairns, Sydney, etc.
Available Travel Dates:
Sep 14-29
Nov 12-27
Dec 21-Jan 05
itinerary
Day 01 ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Welcome to Australia! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or start exploring this vibrant city.
Day 02 MELBOURNE
This morning begins with a welcome briefing to meet fellow passengers and your Tour Director. Then enjoy a city sightseeing tour which includes landmarks such as Flinders St. Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, FITZROY GARDENS, the Botanic Gardens, and the Shrine of Remembrance. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.
Day 03 MELBOURNE
A full free day to explore more of Melbourne on your own. You may wish to consider a day tour to the scenic Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles” or travel to Phillip Island and see the famous Penguin Parade.
Day 04 MELBOURNE–ALICE SPRINGS
Today, fly to the Outback and visit the SCHOOL OF THE AIR and ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE to learn how education and medical services are provided in remote regions (subject to opening times). Also, visit the OLD TELEGRAPH STATION to discover how early settlers developed communications.
Day 05 ALICE SPRINGS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)
Today, journey through the heart of the Outback, keeping a lookout for red kangaroos, dingoes, camels, and feral horses, known as “Brumbies.” Upon arrival, travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent KATA TJUTA (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant domes. Later, visit the Sunset Strip, where you will enjoy a champagne TOAST while experiencing one of the world’s greatest spectacles—Uluru at sunset.
Day 06 ULURU–CAIRNS
Enjoy a tour around the base of Uluru, the extraordinary monolith whose circumference is studded with caves decorated with Aboriginal paintings. In the afternoon, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.”
Day 07 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
The world’s largest coral reef, made up of over 3,000 individual reefs and over 1,250 miles long, is one of our planet’s most amazing natural wonders. Board a catamaran and CRUISE to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Experience this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR, view the reef from an underwater observatory, watch a fish feeding, or enhoy a marine touch tank. Return to Cairns, where your evening is at leisure.
Day 08 CAIRNS
Today is yours to relax and explore. Set amongst lush rainforests, soaring peaks, and the ocean, Cairns is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. It has many attractions including a scenic railway, which runs to the picturesque market town of Kuranda and a cable car that glides over Australia’s World-Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy.
Day 09 CAIRNS–SYDNEY
Board your flight to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Tonight, you may wish to enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
Day 10 SYDNEY
Sydney boasts one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, home to the instantly recognizable Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous architectural wonder—the Sydney Opera House. This morning, your sightseeing tour will take you through the commercial and shopping heart of Sydney. End the day with a CRUISE along Sydney Harbour for uninterrupted views of the city skyline.
Day 11 SYDNEY
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. You may wish to wander the cobblestone streets of the Rocks district, explore vibrant Darling Harbour, or climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city.
Day 12 SYDNEY DEPARTURE
Your vacation ends this morning.
