Experience… THE REAL AUSTRALIA
February 13-24, 2011

Day 1: Sunday, February 13 - Depart LAX

On this first day of your journey, meet your tour manager and make connections with your International flight departing from Los Angeles for an unbelievable adventure to Australia. (In-flight meal service)

Day 2: Monday, February 14 - En route

We cross the International Dateline and lose a day.

Day 3: Tuesday, February 15 - Sydney / Ayers Rock

Arrive at the Sydney International Airport around 8:00 am. Once customs and immigration formalities are complete, we continue our flight to Ayers Rock, arriving mid-morning. Upon arrival in Ayers Rock, we are welcomed by our Australian tour guide. After a long flight, you'll be ready for a well deserved lunch followed by our hotel check-in. Rest and refresh yourself because tonight well be one of several tour highlights. Our motor coach will pick us up at the hotel and transfer us to the outback, I am talking the middle of nowhere! After a generous social hour with your favorite wine, beer and non alcoholic beverages, we'll sit down to a camouflaged dinner table set up in the dessert. You'll enjoy a wonderful dinner followed by a special surprise. We overnight in Ayers Rock. (In-flight meal service, D)

Day 4: Wednesday, February 16 - Ayers Rock / Cairns

Wake up early this morning for a sunrise tour of the magnificent Ayers Rock. The early morning sun casts a red hue on the huge monolith. Savor this once in a lifetime experience - viewing the Rock in both the early morning and the full light of day. After our experience, we'll drive back to the hotel for breakfast and our hotel check out, followed with another viewing of the rock and a tour around the base. For those of you who want to climb the rock, you will be given time to climb, those of you who do not, will be treated to an Ayers Rock museum tour. Following the tour, we will make our way to the nearby airport for our flight to Cairns, Australia where we will stay the night. You'll love our hotel in Cairns, located one block from the pier on the busy esplanade. Restaurants, shops and excitement make it one of my favorite places to stay. (B, in-flight meal service)

Day 5: Thursday, February 17 - Cairns / Great Barrier Reef

Today we experience a wonderful and exciting cruise to one of the marine wonders of the world. It's only a short walk from our hotel to the Marlin Jetty where we board the Ocean Spirit, a luxury high-speed catamaran, to one of Australia's most significant and spectacular natural phenomena - the Great Barrier Reef. We sail out to Michaelmas Cay, a picturesque coral sand island, where we are surrounded by waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park containing magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. A marine biologist answers questions as we observe some of the world's most colorful coral and fish in the South Pacific's crystal clear water through our glass bottom boat. Have you ever thought about snorkeling? This is the time and place! The pristine water is about 90 degrees - unbelievably beautiful! An absolute haven for nature lovers, Michaelmas Cay is also a seabird sanctuary, playing host to 27,000 birds. Lunch is served onboard our catamaran. We return to our resort hotel on the Esplanade - enjoy another evening in paradise! (B, L)

Day 6: Friday, February 18 - Cairns / Kuranda Rail / Skyrail

After breakfast at the hotel we venture out to explore the World Heritage Rainforest north of Cairns. Our luxury motorcoach takes us to the Kuranda Rail Station where we anxiously await the "All Aboard" call for departure on the famous Kuranda Rail. While journeying through breathtaking scenery, our train climbs 328 meters above sea level, across awesome ravines and gorges, through exotic vegetation, and past hiding places of endangered rainforest creatures before arriving at the village of Kuranda. Time allows us to explore this picturesque town and to browse the wide variety of craft and souvenir shops. We regroup for a delicious lunch and then board the award-winning Skyrail, the world's longest tram, and glide over the pristine rainforest in gondolas, just inches above the forest canopy - truly unique! Back in Cairns, we visit the Tjapukai Cultural Centre. Tjapukai (pronounced Job u ki) is the Aboriginal word for "People of the Rainforest." Here we experience many facets of this ancient culture: Original dance, didgeridoo music, and boomerang throwing. We return to our resort hotel for a delicious dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Saturday, February 19 - Cairns / Sydney

Early this morning we transfer to the airport and board our flight for Sydney. Upon arrival in Sydney, we enjoy a relaxing city tour including the Botanical Gardens and Paddington, the city's elegant residential area. We cross the famous Harbour Bridge for a view of the Sydney Opera House, see Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, the historic Rocks area, and conclude with a great lunch at the Casa Di Nico restaurant, located right on the pier. The balance of the afternoon is yours to enjoy. We'll help you with ideas. (B, L)

Day 8: Sunday, February 20 - Sydney

After a leisurely breakfast we visit the Sydney Opera House, one of the architectural wonders of the world. The Opera House is perhaps the best known building of the 20th century with its countless innovative design ideas and construction techniques. Later we board a luxury catamaran for a magnificent Sydney Harbor luncheon cruise a wonderful way to view this major Australian city. We sail beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past homes of the rich and famous, and enjoy beautiful city views from a different perspective as we meander across the harbor. After the cruise we have the remainder of the day to explore the wide variety of tourism opportunities that Sydney offers. You might want to stroll through the Queen Victoria Building, just steps from our hotel. This grand Victorian building is not only a gorgeous structure, it also houses the Great Australian Clock and many elegant shops that will satisfy the most discerning shopper. Another option is to catch a scenic ride on the elevated monorail that travels around the city. (B, L)

Day 9: Monday, February 21 - Sydney / Hunter Valley

Our journey begins with a trek northward across the Harbor Bridge, through Sydney's suburbs, and onto picturesque Hunter Valley. Hunter Valley is referred to as Australia's Horse Capital, because of its renowned horse breeding and racing industry. We visit an incredible thoroughbred racehorse stud farm where we see standing sires, brood mares, and yearling foals. Hunter Valley is also recognized for the flavorful wines they produce. About 60% of the wine is exported around the world. While ambling through one of the vineyards, our guide explains how these luscious grapes are cultivated and grown, producing the sought-after wines that have become so popular. Enjoy a fantastic lunch at the vineyard with an opportunity to sample their vintage. Our day draws to a close in the regional center of Muswellbrook, where we spend the night. (B, L)

Day 10: Tuesday, February 22 - Muswellbrook / Gunnedah - Koala Capital

Today we travel north through the Liverpool Plains, one of the most fertile and productive areas of Australia, where irrigated and dry land grain is grown. We stop for a visit with a local farmer and enjoy the Aussie style hospitality and commentary while touring their operation. We break for a great lunch and family conversation on the Barbie - what a treat this is! In the afternoon, we continue our journey to the outback and the Koala capital of Australia, Gunnedah. You are guaranteed to see Koalas in the wild and almost certain to see kangaroos. We stay the night in Gunnedah. (B, L)

Day 11: Wednesday, February 23 - Blue Mountains / Sydney

Following breakfast we enjoy a ride through the beautiful scenery en route to the Blue Mountains. The Three Sisters, one of Australia's famous rock formations, is a strong focal point and is best viewed from Echo Point at Katoomba. The spires rise steeply from the floor of the Jamison Valley just south of town and from a viewing platform, you can enjoy the view of The Three Sisters and an awesome view of the valley below. We make a lunch stop in the quaint little town of Luera, which you are sure to fall in love with. Continuing our journey back to Sydney, time permitting, we may stop by Sydney's Olympic Park. We check into our hotel and get ready for an elegant dinner in the beautiful Sydney Tower Restaurant. The iconic Sydney Tower Restaurant is the highest revolving restaurant in the world with a striking panoramic views of the city. These views of the city and harbor provide a picturesque background for us as we savor the Australian cuisine of our farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 12: Thursday, February 24 - Sydney, Australia / Christchurch, New Zealand

This morning we bid farewell to Australia and fly to New Zealand and continue our tour, or return to the USA. (B, In-flight meal service)

If you wish to join us on our New Zealand Tour, please click here for itinerary.