Welcome to Australia, a country where a casual, outdoor lifestyle intersects with cosmopolitan cities and scenic beauty. It offers you so much—unique wildlife, brilliant colors in the tropics, an Outback adventure, sumptuous restaurants, lively nightlife, fun shopping, and much more—and on this tour, you’ll have a chance to experience it all! Plus, you’ll spend time in beautiful Honolulu relaxing after your grand Australia adventure. Discover some of Australia’s unique wildlife, including the famed Tasmanian Devil, a carnivorous marsupial with the appearance of a small, stocky dog; the iconic kangaroo, which number roughly 40 million in Australia; koala; wallaby; crocodile in Kakadu National Park; and rare Australian sea lions on Kangaroo Island.Learn about the way of life in the remote Outback with your visit to Alice Springs and a trip highlight—a journey on the Ghan Train. This overnight train journey will offer a fascinating perspective of the Outback as you travel from Adelaide to Alice Springs. Of course, this vacation offers you the opportunity to see Australia’s most famous sights, including the remarkable and colorful Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Also discover its most popular cities, including Melbourne, Cairns, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and Sydney.If you want to explore Australia and experience the way of life here, this vacation is for you. You’re sure to return with lots of photos, memories, and stories to share with friends and family back home.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Melbourne, Australia. G’day and welcome to Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Melbourne. Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful FITZROY GARDENS, then drive past the lush Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the differing architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. We also stop at one of the country’s leading OPAL COMPANIES to discover how the beautiful gems are mined. Then, enjoy a truly unique lunch experience on board the historic [LF] COLONIAL TRAMCAR RESTAURANT as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. Tonight’s optional excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is highly recommended. (B,L)
Day #3 Melbourne-Hobart. Fly to Hobart, Tasmania, home of the famed Tasmanian Devil. (B)
Day #4 Hobart. Excursion to Port Arthur. Today’s tour of the scenic Tasman Peninsula features the blowhole, the Devil’s Kitchen, and the Tasman Arch coastal formations. Visit PORT ARTHUR, which began housing convicts in the 1830s. A guided tour of the penal settlement shows you the ruins of the 4-story penitentiary and the model prison—grim reminders of Australia’s days as a penal colony. Also included is a short stop at a nearby WILDLIFE SANCTUARY to see the famous Tasmanian Devil, the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial. (B,L)
Day #5 Hobart-Adelaide. Today, fly via Melbourne to Adelaide. Upon arrival, take a brief orientation tour along the wide, tree-lined streets and well-manicured gardens. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B)
Day #6 Adelaide. Excursion to Kangaroo Island. Early this morning, depart Adelaide and travel by motorcoach and ferry to [LF] KANGAROO ISLAND, one of the world’s last unspoiled habitats. Visit SEAL BAY with a national parks ranger to see a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Explore FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK, a sanctuary for native Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. Here you will stop for a walk on REMARKABLE ROCKS, with stunning views of the sea. You will also take a boardwalk down a rugged cliff face to ADMIRALS ARCH, a unique rock formation and home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals, which can be seen resting on the rocks and playing in the waves. Return to Adelaide late this evening. (B,L)
Day #7 Adelaide-Ghan Train. This morning, enjoy free time to relax. Later, a highlight of your vacation begins as you board the GHAN TRAIN for an overnight journey that offers a fascinating perspective of the Outback. (B,L,D)
Day #8 Ghan Train-Alice Springs. You are scheduled to arrive in Alice Springs midday. Upon arrival, visit the ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE and the SCHOOL OF THE AIR to appreciate how medical and education services are provided to those living in remote regions. Then, on to Anzac Hill, a tribute to the war heroes of Australia and New Zealand. You will also visit the historic OLD TELEGRAPH STATION to discover the history of how early settlers developed communications. This evening, enjoy a truly unique Aussie experience—an [LF] OUTBACK BARBECUE that features a meal of typical campfire fare, fascinating tales of the Outback, and Aboriginal folklore. (B,D)
Day #9 Alice Springs-Ayers Rock. Today, fly to the “Center of Australia.” Travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant monoliths. There is time to take photos before returning to “Sunset Strip” for a DRINK and the changing colors of the rock. (B)
Day #10 Ayers Rock-Cairns. Your Outback adventure continues this morning. For an unforgettable experience, you may choose to rise early for an optional camel ride to watch the sunrise at Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then, enjoy a TOUR around the base of Uluru, learning of its significance to the Anangu Aboriginal people. For an even more amazing view of Uluru, perhaps take an optional aircraft ride. Later, fly to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. (B)
Day #11 Cairns. Great Barrier Reef Excursion. Board a fast catamaran for a CRUISE to Green Island, one of the many tropical islands on Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef. Here you can choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT TOUR, or walk through the island’s cool rainforest. This afternoon, your Tour Director can assist you with a variety of optional activities, including crocodile spotting. Tonight, join a unique dinner event at TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK for an interactive, entertaining portrayal of the culture, dance, and folklore of this indigenous tribe. (B,D)
Day #12 Cairns-Darwin. This morning, enjoy a special visit to CAIRNS TROPICAL ZOO for your chance to meet Australia’s native animals. You’ll also enjoy breakfast in the park, a talk by a wildlife keeper, and will have the opportunity to have your picture taken with a koala! Afterward, you may choose to join our optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery, lush rainforests, and twisting waterfalls from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Tonight, fly to the top end of Australia to Darwin, famous for its strategic importance during WWII. (B)
Day #13 Darwin-Kakadu National Park. Today, see giant termite nests on the way to KAKADU NATIONAL PARK. Explore parts of nearly 7,300 square miles of unspoiled waterways with a rich heritage of Aboriginal culture and stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn about Kakadu’s habitats. [LF] CRUISE the wetlands, where you may see crocodiles, and walk ancient trails to see Aboriginal rock petroglyphs. An optional light-aircraft flight over the park should not be missed. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B,D) NOTE:During the wet season (December through April) it can be difficult to see crocodiles in the wild.
Day #14 Kakadu National Park-Darwin. Depart your hotel this morning and stop at WINDOWS ON THE WETLANDS VISITOR CENTRE, an interactive display of Kakadu fauna. Return to Darwin for sightseeing. See the elegant colonial architecture of the city’s historic buildings that survived Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Visit the splendid BOTANIC GARDENS and beautiful East Point, an area rich in WWII memorabilia. Also visit the ART GALLERY to view fine collections of Aboriginal art. (B)
Day #15 Darwin-Sydney. Today, fly to Sydney, the largest city in Australia. (B)
Day #16 Sydney. Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interior and theaters. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s BOTANIC GARDENS for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Tour the world-famous [LF] BONDI SURF BATHERS’ LIFE SAVING CLUB and enjoy a lifesaving demonstration! See some of the city’s suburbs and the historic Rocks area, home to Sydney’s original convicts. For a truly memorable experience, enjoy lunch as you CRUISE on Sydney Harbour. (B,L)
Day #17 Sydney. Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join our optional excursions to the Blue Mountains or to Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! Your Tour Director will help you make the most of this exciting city. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at THE WATERFRONT RESTAURANT with fantastic views of the highlights of Sydney. (B,D)
Day #18 Sydney-Honolulu, Hawaii. Today, depart Sydney and fly to Honolulu for three nights in this tropical paradise. (B)
Day #19 Honolulu. Enjoy two full days at your leisure to explore Honolulu and Oahu. Your local host will have suggestions for optional activities. (B daily)
Day #20 Honolulu. Enjoy two full days at your leisure to explore Honolulu and Oahu. Your local host will have suggestions for optional activities. (B daily)
Day #21 Honolulu. Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)