Experience… THE REAL AUSTRALIA
January 9 - 20, 2012 SOLD OUT

Day 1: Depart Dallas / Fort Worth

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

Day 2: En route

We cross the International Dateline and lose a day.

Day 3: Brisbane / Cairns

Arrive at the Brisbane International Airport at 6:15 am. Once customs and immigration formalities are complete, we continue our flight to Cairns, arriving at 12:15. 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. Tonight, enjoy a very special welcome dinner that is quite unique. (L, D)

Day 4: 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 Michaelma's Cay, a picturesque coral sand island, where we are surrounded by waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, containing magical coral gardens teaming 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 here 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 and unbelievably beautiful, an absolute haven for nature lovers. Michaelma's 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 5: 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, their original dance, didgeridoo music, and boomerang throwing. (B, L)

Day 6: Cairns / Ayers Rock

Enjoy a late morning departure from Cairns to Ayers Rock, deep in the Australian Outback. See the mysterious sandstone monolith bursting from the desert floor, named Uluru, better known around the world as Ayers Rock. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the afternoon in this small but interesting little village. Tonight, get ready for another very special dinner. 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 desert. You'll enjoy a wonderful dinner followed by a special presentation by an astronomer. See the Southern Cross star formation and the rest of the galaxy as our astronomer points them out with a special high powered laser. We overnight in Ayers Rock. (B, D)

Day 7: Ayers Rock / Sydney

Wake up early this morning for a sunrise tour of the magnificent Ayers Rock and see the early morning sun casting 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, a guided tour and viewing of the rock around the base is provided as well as a visit to the Ayers Rock Museum. We do not recommend climbing Ayers Rock as it is considered a sacred place to the Aborigine's as well as being somewhat dangerous. Following the tour, we will make our way to the nearby airport for our flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, we will meet our local guide for a brief introduction to Sydney and check into our hotel. Perhaps we'll take a short stroll down to the pier for an evening view of the most beautiful area of Sydney. You might also 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. (B, L)

Day 8: 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 enjoy a guided city tour including the Botanical Gardens and Paddington, the city's elegant residential area, Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, the historic Rocks area, and conclude with an elegant dinner in the beautiful Sydney Tower Restaurant. The iconic Sydney Tower Restaurant is the highest revolving restaurant in the world with 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. (B, L,D)

Day 9: 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: 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: 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. (B, D)

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