Experience… THE REAL AUSTRALIA

February 18-March 3, 2009
Itinerary is Subject to Change

Day 2: En route
We cross the International Dateline and lose a day.

Day 3: Melbourne
Arrive at the Melbourne International Airport by mid-morning.  Once customs and immigration formalities are complete, we are welcomed by our Australian tour guide.  Travel through the city and enjoy Melbourne ’s lush parklands and elegant European style architecture.  We stop for lunch before checking into our hotel.  This afternoon you can either rest or start exploring Melbourne at your own pace.  Tonight we enjoy a special welcome dinner in Melbourne.   (B, L, D)

Day 4: Melbourne
Enjoy a late wake-up call this morning followed by a leisurely breakfast before we continue our Melbourne city tour.  Highlights of the tour include the Yarra River, Captain Cook’s Cottage, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens, and Albert Park Lake, best known as the site of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.  We visit the Shrine of Remembrance, an Australian War Memorial, and then travel through exclusive bayside suburbs to the Mornington Peninsula for a stunning view of Port Phillip Bay and Arthur’s Seat.  Continuing on, we journey through farmlands and vineyards and then we’re off to see those loveable little penguins on Phillip Island.   The Phillip Island Nature Park Tour includes an array of natural Australian wildlife attractions – the little penguins, the Koala Conservation Center, and Churchill Island.   At dusk, the large penguin colony waddles ashore from their ocean feeding grounds, chattering loudly as they make their way into the dunes.  Boardwalks enable us to see the penguins close-up as they waddle to their nests.  Tonight we enjoy an Aussie Barbeque Buffet at The Nobbies.  We return to Melbourne for the night.  (B, D)

Day 5: Melbourne / Cairns
This morning we depart for the airport and our flight to Cairns.   Upon arrival in Cairns, we transfer to the Pacific International Resort Hotel on the Esplanade, the best location in Cairns.   Our hotel lies in close proximity to the city center, the marina, and the Reef Casino.  Surrounding the hotel complex are scores of restaurants and shops for your convenience.  Self service laundry is also available in our hotel, as well as valet services.  (B)

Day 6: 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, for 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 always wanted to snorkel?  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 7: 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 local crafts and souvenir shops.  We re-group 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 8: 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 9: 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 20^th 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 10: Sydney / Hunter Valley
Our journey begins with a trek northward across the Harbor Bridge, through Sydney ’s suburbs, and on to 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 that are produced there.  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 11: Muswellbrook / Katoomba
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 big lunch on the Barbie – what a treat this is! Continuing our journey, we drive through the scenic landscape of the Blue Mountains en route to Katoomba.  (B, L)

Day 12: Katoomba / Blue Mountains / Sydney
Following breakfast we enjoy a ride through the beautiful scenery of the Blue Mountains.  The Three Sisters, one of Australia ’s famous rock formations, are a strong focal point and are 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.  Continuing our journey back to Sydney we take in many more wonderful sights.  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 – you’ll be awe-struck by the 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 13: Sydney Australia / Return to the U.S.
This morning we bid farewell to Australia and either 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

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