Hotel porterage and restaurant gratuitiesNote: Itinerary effective 1 Apr 2008.
Day 1: Los Angeles
Board your evening flight to Sydney, Australia (D)
Day 2: In Flight
Cross the International Dateline and "lose" a day.
Day 3: Sydney
Arrive in Sydney and meet your Tour Director for a superb welcome dinner. Overnight: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel for 3 nights (B,D)
Day 4: Breakfast with the Koalas, Sydney City Sights, Harbor Cruise
Enjoy a unique breakfast with the koalas this morning, before visiting Sydney's iconic sights and surrounding beaches. Take a luncheon cruise on Sydney's harbor for great views of the Harbor Bridge and Opera House, before enjoying a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. (B,L)
Day 5: Sydney at Leisure
Relax and enjoy Sydney at your own pace today. Perhaps take a sightseeing tour to the Hunter Valley or the Blue Mountains (optional, own expense). (B)
Day 6: Melbourne, Tramcar Restaurant
Fly to Melbourne and enjoy a sightseeing tour before dining on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, a fully restored vintage tramcar. Overnight: Melbourne, Hotel Sofitel for 2 nights (B,D)
Day 7: Melbourne at Leisure
Perhaps take a tour along the Great Ocean Road or go see the penguins at Phillip Island (own expense). (B)
Day 8: Alice Springs
Fly to Alice Springs and take a tour on arrival, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base. Tonight, enjoy a special Outback dinner and Aboriginal performance. Overnight: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza (B,D)
Day 9: Camel Farm, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
This morning visit a camel farm before traveling to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Join a walk through the domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). View the evening sun setting on Uluru (Ayers Rock). Tonight, you may wish to dine at the Sounds of Silence dinner (additional $120 per person). Overnight: Ayers Rock Resort, Sails in the Desert (B)
Day 10: Uluru (Ayers Rock)-Cairns
Walk around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock), viewing galleries of Aboriginal rock art before our flight to tropical Cairns. Tour the city sights on arrival. Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La Hotel The Marina (B)
Day 11: Dunk Island
Cruise to tropical Dunk Island. The afternoon is free to explore the island at your own pace. Overnight: Dunk Island for 2 nights (B,D)
Day 12: Great Barrier Reef Cruise
The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is a sight to behold as you spend the day at Beaver Cay. (B,L)
Day 13: Kuranda, Scenic Railway, Cairns
Depart Dunk Island and follow the coastline north to Kuranda, a picturesque rainforest retreat. Enjoy some time to explore before riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway back down to Cairns, for your farewell dinner. Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La Hotel The Marina (B,D)
Day 14: Cairns-Los Angeles
Departure Dates
2008: Apr 1; May 13; Jun 17; Sep 30; Oct 7, 21, 28; Nov 4, 11, 25; Dec 2, 23
2009: Jan 13; Feb 3, 10, 24; Mar 3, 17, 24, 31; Apr 14
