Natural Australia

Day 1. Sydney
Welcomed on arrival in Sydney and transferred to your centrally located hotel.
Three Night Stay: Sydney - All Seasons Premier Menzies (Standard), Sofitel Wentworth (First-Class), Shangri-La Hotel (Deluxe).

Day 2. City Sights, Beaches and Lunch Cruise
The morning is at your leisure to explore. At midday, join a luncheon cruise on one of the world's most beautiful harbors, enjoying a delicious meal and the scenery for which Sydney is famous. Admire the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. After your cruise, take in the sights, including Hyde Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and bustling Kings Cross. (L)

Day 3. Blue Mountains, Koalas
Travel west today to the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park. See the famous Three Sisters, a giant rock formation towering over the Jamison Valley. Take in the views from Echo Point and tour the charming town of Katoomba. Perhaps ride the Scenic Skyway or the new Sceniscender (own expense). Later, visit a wildlife park to see kangaroos, wombats and koalas.

Day 4. Sydney at Leisure, Adelaide
A free morning in Sydney before your airport transfer. Fly to Adelaide (airfare not included), where the rest of the day is yours to explore this beautiful city.
Accommodation: Adelaide (room only), Holiday Inn (Standard), Novotel on Hindley (First-Class), Radisson Playford (Deluxe).

Day 5. Kangaroo Island, Sea Lions, Kangaroos
Depart Adelaide by air arriving on Kangaroo Island by 9.45 a.m (airfare included). Meet your guide for an island introduction before discovering kangaroos, koalas, and echidnas in the wild. A highlight is a guided walk at Seal Bay, home to an Australian sea lion colony. See these fascinating mammals up close as they bask on the beach. Enjoy a picnic lunch, followed by a walk in the bush. Visit the wetlands to encounter birdlife.
Two Night Stay: Ozone Hotel (Standard), Kangaroo Lodge (First-Class), Selected B&B, with dinner and breakfast included (Deluxe). (L)

Day 6. Remarkable Rocks, Koalas, Fur Seals
Explore Flinders Chase National Park today. See the New Zealand fur seals that inhabit these waters and view the unique geological formations of Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch in a bush setting, sampling island foods and South Australian wines. Later, explore the Rocky River region to see yet more wildlife. Visit Hanson Bay Sanctuary in search of koalas, then, by special permit, we enter the Kelly Hill Conservation Park. As dusk approaches, kangaroos graze on the open plains. (L)

Day 7. Fly to Adelaide and Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Uluru Sunset Drinks
Join a morning flight to Adelaide (airfare included), connecting with a flight to Ayers Rock Airport (airfare not included). You are welcomed at the airport prior to 1.00 p.m. for transfer to Ayers Rock Resort. Enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and travel to Kata Tjuta (Olgas). Walk into Olga Gorge, exploring the mystical domes. Travel to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for sunset. Glass of wine in hand, see the rock cast in an array of colors.
Accommodation: Ayers Rock Resort - Outback Pioneer Hotel (Standard), Desert Gardens (First-Class), Sails in the Desert (Deluxe).

Day 8. Uluru (Ayers Rock) Sunrise, Guided Mala Walk, Kings Canyon
Rise early for a tea or coffee as you view the sunrise over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then take a walk to Mutitjulu waterhole. In place of sunrise and Mutitjulu, you can choose to climb Uluru for stunning views across the desert. Later, join the guided Mala Walk, visiting traditional art sites and learning of the region's geology and flora. Travel to Kings Canyon.
Accommodation: Kings Canyon Resort - Rangeview Room (Standard and First-Class), Spa Room (Deluxe).

Day 9. Kings Canyon Walk, Alice Springs
Enter Watarrka National Park and travel to remarkable Kings Canyon, where you have a choice of guided walks. The rim walk takes you to the canyon rim for spectacular scenery and down to the 'Garden of Eden' waterhole (requires a good degree of fitness). Join the canyon floor walk to explore lush plant life. Travel to Alice Springs, stopping at Kings Creek Station to learn about life on an Outback cattle ranch.
Accommodation: Alice Springs - Alice Springs Resort (Standard), Crowne Plaza Alice Springs (First-Class), Alice Springs Resort Rivergum Room (Deluxe).

Day 10. Alice Springs, Cairns
Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore 'The Alice' before your flight to Cairns (airfare not included). You are welcomed on arrival in this tropical city for transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Three Night Stay: Cairns - Mercure Harbourside (Standard), Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel (First-Class), Radisson Plaza Hotel (Deluxe).

Day 11. Great Barrier Reef Quicksilver Cruise
Enjoy this day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Board the luxury Quicksilver catamaran in Cairns and cruise north to Port Douglas. Head out to the Outer Reef, stopping at magnificent Agincourt Reef, the only ribbon reef accessible on a day trip. Here, you can snorkel amid tropical fish, view colorful coral aboard the semi-sub or inspect the underwater observatory. Indulge in a buffet lunch on board. Cruise back to Port Douglas, then it's a short drive to Cairns. (L)

Day 12. Skyrail, Rainforestation, Pamagirri Dancers, Kuranda Train
This morning, board the Skyrail Cableway for a unique journey above the tropical rain forest canopy. Visit Rainforestation to see a traditional performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers. Join the guided Dreamtime Walk and ride aboard the Army Duck, taking you deep into the rain forest by both land and water. Visit the wildlife enclosure and have your photo taken with a koala (own expense). Time to browse Kuranda village before joining the Kuranda Train, traveling through the rain forest back to Cairns.

Day 13. Cairns
Enjoy free time in Cairns. Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination.

Departures: Daily

Price per person:
Standard = US$2370 double, single = US$3530
First Class = US$2585 double, US$3940 single
Deluxe = US$3020 double, US$4855 single