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Australia

Great Australian Wonders

Day 1. Sydney.
Today you will be met at the airport by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy time at leisure to settle in to your accommodation or perhaps take a stroll around the local shopping districts and harbour foreshore. This evening, take your time and explore Sydney’s cosmopolitan dining scene and vibrant nightlife (own expense).
Three Night Stay: The Menzies Sydney (Standard), Sofitel Wentworth (First-Class), Shangri-La Hotel (Deluxe).

Day 2. Sydney City Sights, Beaches, Harbour Lunch Cruise, Kings Cross.
The morning is free for you to discover the delights of Sydney for yourself. Sydney is Australia’s largest and most widely recognised city. Famous for its unique landmarks of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, Sydney is also renowned for its fabulous beaches and picturesque bushland, making it one of the world’s most beautiful cities. After your morning at leisure, enjoy a glimpse of the city’s historic and contemporary flavour, all in one afternoon. Board a cruise on beautiful Sydney Harbour and enjoy a delicious lunch while you glide across the sparkling waters. Later, take in the city sights, including Hyde Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium. See the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge and wander through the historic Rocks district. Stroll along the white sands of famous Bondi Beach. Late this afternoon, take a drive through bohemian Kings Cross, with its colourful characters and multicultural cafes.

Day 3. World Heritage Blue Mountains, Australian Wildlife Park, Koalas and Emus.
Today, tour the spectacular Blue Mountains National Park, with superb mountain scenery, beautiful gardens and unusual rock formations. A World Heritage-listed area, the Blue Mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range; linking the tropical north to the temperate south and dividing the coastal cities from the vast Outback. This rugged and beautiful region is indeed a sight to see. Take in fabulous views from Govett’s Leap Lookout and travel along the Scenic Cliff Drive. Perhaps take up the option to ride aboard the Skyway for stunning views over the Three Sisters rock formation (own expense). Later in the day, visit an Australian wildlife park to see emus, kangaroos, wallabies and dingoes (native dog). Have your photo taken with a koala (own expense).

Day 4. Sydney, Adelaide.
Enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight to Adelaide (flight not included). Arrive in Adelaide, the ‘City of Churches’, where you will be met by your APT representative and transferred to your tour hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore.
Two Night Stay: Adelaide – Hotel 208 (Standard), Holiday Inn on Hindley (First-Class), Radisson Playford Hotel (Deluxe).

Day 5. A Day in the Barossa Valley.
The Barossa Valley is the largest wine-producing region in Australia. Enjoy premium wines, magnificent old churches, boutique wineries, cottages, music, arts and crafts, all in a peaceful rural setting. This tour is a superb balance of sightseeing, winetasting and good food presented in a relaxed, friendly manner. Visit three vineyards and sample a shiraz from some of the world’s oldest vines. Call into Angus Fruit Company and a unique German bakery at Hahndorf. Return to Adelaide.

Day 6. Kangaroo Island, Sea Lions, Kangaroos.
Depart Adelaide by air, arriving on Kangaroo Island. Meet your guide for an introduction to the island. Visit Seal Bay and walk along the beach that is home to a colony of Australian sea lions. Enjoy lunch in a secluded bushland setting, followed by a bushwalk. See the diverse birdlife at one of the many wetland areas, and listen for the bird calls that punctuate the tranquil island ambience.
Ozone Hotel (Standard), Kangaroo Lodge (First-Class), Selected B&B (Deluxe).

Day 7. Flinders Chase National Park, Koalas, Remarkable Rocks, Fur Seals.
Today, discover Flinders Chase National Park. See at close range a New Zealand fur seal colony, and view Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks. See historic Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse before lunch in a bush setting. Explore the Rocky River region. Enter Hanson Bay Sanctuary in search of koalas and, by special permit, enter the Kelly Hill Conservation Park. Be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Adelaide.
Adelaide – Refer to Day 4 accommodation.

Day 8. Kangaroo Island, Ayers Rock Resort, Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Uluru (Ayers Rock) Sunset.
Transfer to the airport for flight to Ayers Rock (flight not included) to begin your exploration of fascinating Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Travel to Kata Tjuta, a formation of 36 huge rock domes, deep valleys and creek beds. Walk into Olga Gorge (Walpa), with the giant domes towering above you. It is believed that at one time the domes may have been a giant single sedimentary rock, many times the size of Uluru, but wind and rain over millions of years have whittled it back to the domes that stand today. Keep an eye out for ancient stone carvings and learn of the Aboriginal mythology and cultural significance of the area. Late this afternoon, journey to our superb vantage point to see Uluru at sunset. Admire the magnificent array of changing colours on this iconic monolith and enjoy a complimentary wine.
Ayers Rock Resort – Outback Pioneer Hotel (Standard), Desert Gardens Hotel (First-Class), Sails in the Desert Hotel (Deluxe).

Day 9. Uluru, Mutitjulu Walk, Mala Walk.
Rise early and experience Uluru at sunrise. Join a guided walk to the waterhole known as Mutitjulu, a wonderful site to see Aboriginal rock paintings. Hear about the local Aboriginal legends of Kuniya Tjukurpa (Python Dreaming). Alternatively, in place of sunrise and Mutitjulu, you can choose to climb Uluru. Later, join the Mala Walk along the base of the mighty monolith. Learn the story of the Mala (Hare Wallaby), view rock art and sacred sites, and learn of the region’s geology and flora. Stop at Kantju Gorge, a sacred waterhole and old hunting ground. Visit the Cultural Centre, dedicated to interpreting Anangu culture and law. Visit the Maruku Arts and Craft Cooperative to see Aboriginal artists at work before travelling onto striking Kings Canyon.
Kings Canyon – Kings Canyon Resort, Range View Rooms (Standard/ First-Class), Spa Rooms (Deluxe).

Day 10. Kings Canyon, Kings Creek Station.
Choose from two walks at Kings Canyon. For the more energetic, enjoy an exhilarating walk to the canyon rim. Take in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the towering orange walls. Continue through the ‘Lost City’ and descend into the lush valley where the ‘Garden of Eden’ is found. (Good supportive footwear, hat and water are essential – the walk takes around three hours and requires a reasonable degree of fitness.) A gentler alternative is the canyon floor walk between the sheer orange walls to see plants and birdlife. Head to Kings Creek Station, an enormous operating cattle station where we learn about life on an Outback property. Together with its cattle operations, the station herds and exports wild camels to Arabian countries for breeding and racing. On to the town of Alice Springs.
Two Night Stay: Alice Springs – Alice Springs Resort, Palm Court Rooms (Standard), Crowne Plaza (First-Class), Alice Springs Resort, Rivergum Rooms (Deluxe).

Day 11. West MacDonnells, Alice Springs Tour.
Tour the West MacDonnell Ranges, traditional land of the Arrernte people and home to diverse plant life. Visit Simpsons Gap before arriving at the striking cleft of Angkerle (Standley Chasm). Walking through this colourful five-metre break in the the range, with its fiery red walls towering above you, is a truly unforgettable experience. Return to Alice Springs and enjoy a town tour, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, historic Telegraph Station, the dry Todd River and views over the township from atop Anzac Hill.

Day 12. Alice Springs, Cairns.
Enjoy a free morning to relax and do some shopping before your transfer to the airport for your flight to tropical Cairns. Welcomed on arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is at your leisure to discover this modern, vibrant city. Explore the busy waterfront, colourful parklands and interesting shops, or simply relax by the hotel pool.
Four Night Stay: Cairns – Mercure Harbourside Hotel (Standard), Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel (First-Class), Shangri-La, The Marina (Deluxe).

Day 13. Quicksilver Outer Reef Cruise.
Today enjoy a full-day Quicksilver cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, home to the world’s most diverse collection of marine life. In Cairns, board your cruising vessel, the ‘Wavepiercer‘ and journey via the township of Port Douglas to the outer reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. Stop at Agincourt Reef, located at the very edge of Australia’s continental shelf. Agincourt is the only ribbon reef accessible on a day trip. With the assistance of your friendly and knowledgeable Quicksilver crew, cruise the azure waters and experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef for yourself. Choose to snorkel or swim among the colourful coral and fish. Alternatively, you may wish to view the stunning underwater world from aboard the semi-submersible boat or from the unique underwater viewing platform. Whatever option you choose, you’ll enjoy a day of unforgettable reef experiences.

Day 14. Skyrail Cableway, 'Rainforestation', Dreamtime Walk, Kuranda Train.
Travel to Kuranda, an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Village in the Rainforest’. Enjoy a ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and glide above the lush rainforest canopy. Tour this pretty village and wander through the many shops and markets that offer a full range of local handicrafts, souvenirs and gifts. Visit ‘Rainforestation’ Nature Park, where you can see the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers perform a traditional dance. Afterwards, join the guided Dreamtime Walk to learn about Aboriginal legends and traditions. Witness spearthrowing, didgeridoo playing and try your hand at boomerang throwing. Board the amphibious ‘Army Duck’ and journey into rainforest and on the water. Wander through a tropical fruit orchard and perhaps enjoy a refreshment from Tropical Treats (own expense). Continue on to the wildlife enclosure where you can have your photo taken with a koala (own expense). Handfeed kangaroos and see crocodiles, snakes, wombats and turtles. To end a fantastic day, join the scenic Kuranda Train to Cairns. This historic rail journey winds its way along the Kuranda Range through 15 tunnels and over 40 bridges. You can almost touch the tumbling waterfalls as you journey through this pristine rainforest.

Day 15. Daintree National Park, 'Bloomfield Track', Cape Tribulation.
Tour into the pristine wilderness of Daintree National Park. Follow the coast to the resort town of Port Douglas for morning tea. From here, join your guide for a personalised cruise through the mangroves of the Daintree River, keeping an eye out for the infamous and fearsomely dangerous saltwater crocodiles and other wildlife. Travel further into this wilderness, where reef and rainforest meet at the only place in the world where one World Heritage wilderness area meets another. Stop to enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch. Admire the fabulous coastal scenery and join a guided walk through the pristine rainforest, the oldest on earth. As you journey along the renowned ‘Bloomfield Track’ to Emmagen Creek, your guide will explain the area’s fascinating history. At Cape Tribulation Beach, there is time to stroll the isolated beaches or explore the rainforest in this tropical World Heritage area – a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget. We then travel back to Cairns.

Day 16. Cairns.
This morning is at your leisure to do some last minute shopping and sightseeing in and around Cairns, the unofficial capital of the Far North Queensland. Perhaps take in the relaxed promenade or sit in one of the many cafes and soak up the tropical climate. Maybe take a quick swim in the hotel pool or relax in your room before your transfer to Cairns Airport.

Daily Departures

Price per person in US$ for departures till March 31, 2007