American breakfast (B) daily, 1 lunch (L); Local Host service in Cairns; sightseeing as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary (inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE).
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Cairns, Australia. Welcome to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The balance of the day is at your leisure.
Day #2 Cairns. Today, 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. Return to Cairns and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. (B)
Day #3 Cairns. A full day at leisure to explore tropical Cairns. (B)
Day #4 Cairns–Ayers Rock. Today, fly to Ayers Rock. This afternoon, a guided sightseeing tour includes a visit to the CULTURAL CENTRE and a WALKING TOUR around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Late in the day, travel to “Sunset Strip” for a DRINK AND CANAPÉS, and to witness the changing colors of the rock. (B)
Day #5 Ayers Rock. This morning, included sightseeing takes you to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), where you will enjoy a GUIDED WALK. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day #6 Ayers Rock–Alice Springs. Today, fly to Alice Springs for guided sightseeing that includes visits to the OLD TELEGRAPH STATION, ANZAC HILL, SCHOOL OF THE AIR, and the ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE. (B)
Day #7 Alice Springs–Melbourne. Fly to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day #8 Melbourne. Your morning guided sightseeing tour includes Queen Victoria Market (when open), the Italian Quarter, the Shrine of Remembrance, the ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, Fitzroy Gardens, and spectacular city views from Bolte Bridge. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day #9 Melbourne. Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent activities. (B)
Day #10 Melbourne–Hobart. Today, fly to Hobart, Tasmania, home of the famed Tasmanian Devil. The remainder of the day is at your leisure in this charming town. (B)
Day #11 Hobart. Port Arthur Excursion. Today, travel through the scenic Tasman Peninsula with stops to see the Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen coastal formations. Continue on to PORT ARTHUR, where you will enjoy a WALKING TOUR of the Penal Settlement. Afterward, take a CRUISE on Carnarvon Bay around the “Isle of the Dead.” Return to Hobart in the late afternoon. (B)
Day #12 Hobart. A full day at leisure to explore Hobart. (B)
Day #13 Hobart–Adelaide. Today, fly via Melbourne to Adelaide. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for independent activities. (B)
Day #14 Adelaide. Kangaroo Island Excursion. Early this morning, depart Adelaide and travel by coach and ferry to KANGAROO ISLAND, one of the world’s last unspoiled habitats. Visit SEAL BAY with a national park 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. Stop here 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 #15 Adelaide. A full day at leisure to explore Adelaide and the surrounding area. (B)
Day #16 Adelaide–Sydney. Today, fly to beautiful Sydney. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day #17 Sydney. Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes a Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop, the historic “Rocks” area, and a visit to world-famous BONDI BEACH. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)
Day #18 Sydney. Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city. (B)
Day #19 Sydney. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)