RETURN TO JOURNEY SEARCH
Departure
January 01, 2012
Trip Length
11 Days
Price (per person)
$10,711
Single Supplement
$2,195
Internal Airfare
Pricing Notes
Taste of Australia
See more of Down Under before or after your cruise by deeply exploring the country’s beautiful metropolitan areas and natural wonders on this 11-day adventure. Enjoy the lush parklands, beautiful architecture and charming character of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, including a private excursion to Barossa Valley wineries and a full-day expedition on Kangaroo Island to discover Australia’s unique wildlife. Also venture deep into Australia’s Red Center on an adventure to Ayers Rock complete with dinner and storytelling under the star filled sky. Accommodations are at the Four Seasons Sydney, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Intercontinental Adelaide and Sails in the Desert Hotel at Ayers Rock.
|
|
Meeting Point
Sydney, Australia
Departure Point
Sydney, Australia
Journey Includes
- Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- All transfers and fully guided daily sightseeing provided by private deluxe A/C vehicles
- Local English speaking guide for sightseeing in each city
- Entrance fees per final scheduled itinerary
- Airport porterage, where available (2 bags per person)
- Local taxes
- TravcoAssist (Medical & Travel Assistance Plan)
Travel Insurance
Print Itinerary
DAY 1Arrive Sydney, Australia Welcome to Australia. You are met on arrival in Sydney, and transferred to your luxury hotel overlooking Sydney Harbor and the famed Opera House. The remainder of your day is at your leisure. Four Seasons, Sydney DAY 2Sydney Sightseeing This morning’s sightseeing will feature the highlights of the city and its beaches. Visit the Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, for spectacular views of the Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. Your tour will continue through lively Kings Cross and Watson’s Bay, the Gap, Paddington, Chinatown, and finally the popular Bondi Beach. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy this modern, welcoming city. (B) Four Seasons, Sydney DAY 3Sydney Historic Sightseeing Today discover the history of Sydney, starting with a private morning tour inside the Sydney Opera House, Australia’s premier performing arts center and one of the most distinctive buildings in the world. You will also enjoy a visit to the Museum of Sydney housed in Australia’s first Government House built in 1788. The museum explores Sydneyʹs colonial, contemporary and Aboriginal history, including the “convict era,” where over 165,000 convicts were taken from Britain to penal colonies in Australia to relieve the overwhelmed prison facilities. For lunch, venture into Sydney Harbor on a “Captain Cook” cruise. Dine as you enjoy views of one of the world’s most beautiful harbors and the magnificent waterfront homes and parklands. After you disembark, enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic Rocks area, site of the first colonial settlement in Australia in 1788. Explore the beautifully restored historic buildings, art galleries and museums. (B, L) Four Seasons, Sydney DAY 4Sydney to Melbourne Today fly from Sydney to Melbourne, the “culture capital of Australia.” This cosmopolitan city is full of Victorian architecture and a major hub for Australian film, dance and music. The gold rush of the 1850s transformed Melbourne into one of the world’s largest and wealthiest cities. You will be met upon arrival, and taken to your hotel located at the top end of renowned Collins Street, the center of the shopping, theatre and restaurant district. (B) Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Melbourne DAY 5Melbourne Sightseeing This morning, tour Melbourne’s most notable landmarks such as the war memorial, The Shrine of Remembrance, the Royal Exhibition Building, Parliament House, the Yarra River and Fitzroy Gardens, Victorian‐era gardens including an ornamental lake, model Tudor village and fairy tree. This afternoon, an exploration of Phillip Island will allow you to see the Penguin Parade, where Fairy Penguins come ashore in groups and waddle into their beach burrows, Seal Rocks, the largest colony of fur seals in Australia, and koalas. (B, D) Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Melbourne DAY 6Melbourne to Adelaide This morning take a short flight to Adelaide, a coastal city and capital of South Australia. You will be met upon arrival, and taken to your hotel located in the heart of the city and on the picturesque River Torrens. Your afternoon visit to the Tandanya Cultural Centre will deliver an insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, culture, history and heritage. You can meet the indigenous people, walk through exhibitions and galleries, and watch didgeridoo and dance performances. (B) Hyatt Regency/InterContinental, Adelaide DAY 7Adelaide & the Barossa Valley Excursions Today you will have a full‐day tour of Adelaide and the Barossa Valley including the scenic Torrens Gorge, the German town of Tanunda, the town of Angaston, and Mengler Hill, one of the most popular lookouts in the Barossa Valley. You will also visit a few of the notable wineries. A delectable lunch at Maggie’s Beer Farm, a Barossa food tradition, will complete your afternoon. You will then be transferred back to your hotel for an evening at your leisure. (B, L) Hyatt Regency/InterContinental, Adelaide DAY 8Kangaroo Island Excursion Early this morning take a flight to the pristine paradise of Kangaroo Island. Australia’s third‐largest island, Kangaroo Island remains much as it was when first discovered in 1802. On your full day private 4WD tour, view wildlife including kangaroos, koalas and seals in their natural habitat, as well as the gorgeous white sand beaches and rugged coastline. A stop at Lathami Conservation Park will allow you to see the protected bird subspecies, the Glossy Black Cockatoo. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Seal Bay Conservation Park, one of the world’s rarest marine mammals. Return to Adelaide by plane late this afternoon, and the remainder of your evening is at your leisure. (B, L) Hyatt Regency/InterContinental, Adelaide DAY 9Adelaide to Ayers Rock This morning depart the coast and fly to Ayers Rock, a large and sacred sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory. It is notable for appearing to change color at different times of the day and year. It prominently glows red at dawn and sunset. Upon arrival, you will be taken directly to your hotel – the ‘Sails in the Desert.’ Named after the soaring white sails that crown its roof, this is Ayers Rock Resort’s premium hotel. A destination in itself, the hotelʹs interior décor focuses on Aboriginal heritage and culture, with a gallery in the lobby and significant artworks featured throughout. This evening enjoy dinner under the stars at the award‐winning Sounds of Silence dinner. You will dine at a secluded formal setting in the middle of the desert, sip champagne to the sounds of the didgeridoo, and watch the sun set slowly. After dinner listen to star talk and stargaze at the millions of stars. (B, D) Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock DAY 10Ayers Rock to Sydney This morning get an early start to witness a spectacular sunrise at Uluru (previously known as Ayers Rock), a sacred monument of the Aboriginal people. A short walk with your expert guide brings you close to this magnificent and omnipotent place, viewing rock art, exploring waterholes and appreciating the unique flora and fauna of Uluru. Visit Uluru‐Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to discover more about the region. Fly to Sydney, where you are met and transferred back to your luxury hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to catch up on any last minute sightseeing or shopping. (B) Four Seasons, Sydney DAY 11Depart Sydney Today, you are taken to the Sydney airport for your departing flight home or on to your next destination. (B) |
|
Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details. |
 | Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney |
 | Grand Hyatt, Melbourne |
 | InterContinental, Adelaide |
 | Sails in the Desert |
|
Want to extend your journey?
|
