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| Day 1 & 2 |
Los Angeles - Sydney - Cross the Dateline |
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| With the setting sun before us, fly over the Pacific and across
the Equator to that “Wonder Down Under”… Australia,
the world’s largest island and last frontier. We actually
skip to the next calendar day by crossing the International
Dateline. |
| Meals: |
In-flight |
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| Day 3, 4 & 5 |
Sydney, Australia |
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| Land
in Sydney, the sophisticated city built on one of the most
beautiful natural harbors in the world. The Opera House and
Sydney Harbor Bridge— both remarkable feats of design
and engineering— vie with each other for the title of
best-known landmark. On today’s Port Jackson Harbor
Cruise we see the largest single-span bridge in the world
and tour the spectacular performing arts complex in the unique
Opera House beneath its white curving roofline shaped like
sails. Then stroll along sailors’ haunts of the historic
“Rocks” area where British colonists first landed
in 1788. Get to know all your new traveling companions tonight
at our Welcome Dinner. Tasty Aussie specialties are served
up with that famous “Down Under” hospitality. |
| Enjoy leisure
days meandering through art galleries and smart boutiques or
sipping coffee at an Oxford Street café. Visit the Australian
Museum rich with Aboriginal Artifacts or sun-worshippers may
frolic in the waves on nearby surfer beaches known the world
over. Other possibilities are excursions to the Blue Mountains
or Hot Air Ballooning over the famous vineyards of Hunter Valley. |
| When
the sun sets over Sydney, the lights go on all over town. Your
only care is choosing whether you prefer theater parties featuring
the best productions from Broadway or London’s West End
or attending an Opera or ballet performance. Then mingle with
the Sydneysiders at their favorite pub or nightclub in King’s
Cross. |
Meals: |
Breakfast & Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast |
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| Day 6 |
Sydney - Uluru (Ayers Rock) & The Olgas |
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| “G’day mate” – morning flight to Australia’s
red center. Ayers Rock is one of the world’s greatest
monoliths and is over 600 million years old. We’ll hike
along the base of the Rock to see Aboriginal paintings depicting
ancient myths and legends. Aborigines have the longest continuous
cultural history of any group of people on Earth - dating back
some 65,000 years. “Dreamtime” is Aboriginal Religion
and Culture. |
| Later
walk along the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).
Experience the awesome red glow of Uluru at sunset from our
desert oasis. |
| Meals: |
Breakfast |
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| Day 7 |
Kings Canyon & Uluru |
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| Journey into the rugged outback to the Kings Creek Camel and
Cattle Station with free time to check out your camel riding
skills. Continue on to Watarrka National Park in the rugged
outback. Enjoy breathtaking views as we walk along the Kings
Canyon rim including tropical pools in the “Garden of
Eden” and beehive rock formations of the “Lost City.”
Then venture to the red desert sand of the canyon floor and
learn about bush skills or try out your boomerang throwing skills. |
| Meals: |
Breakfast & Dinner |
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| Day 8, 9 & 10 |
Uluru - Cairns - Great Barrier Reef Excurion |
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| Fly
to the tropical coast and Cairns, where the hospitality is as
warm as the year-round sunshine. Explore secluded inlets along
coconut palm-fringed beaches, laze in the sun and gather seashells
by the seashore. This fun, laid-back town shares tropical latitude
with Tahiti and is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and
Coral Sea. |
| On
our next day, transfer to the Reef Fleet Terminal and board
Reef Magic’s Catamaran destined for the Great Barrier
Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, where we
spend at least five hours. Upon arrival at 'Marine World,' we’re
given snorkel equipment and our friendly crew assists with free
snorkel lessons. The Glass Bottom Boat is another magical way
to experience the reef and is excellent for non-swimmers. We
can also see the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef without getting
our feet wet in the Fish and Coral Viewing Observatory, located
underwater on the lower level of Marine World. A hot/cold sumptuous
seafood and tropical fruit smorgasbord lunch will be served
as well as complimentary morning & afternoon tea, coffee
and cakes. Return to shore for more leisure time in tropical
Cairns. |
| Kick
back and relax on this next free day or join today’s optional
excursion as we board the Kuranda Scenic Railway and journey
through jungles and steep gorges, and past spectacular waterfalls
of the Tablelands. Free time to have lunch and explore the quaint
rainforest village of Kuranda. Perhaps consider a visit to Koala
Gardens to cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and encounter
a large variety of Aussie wildlife in their natural habitat.
Then board Skyrail- the world’s largest gondola cableway,
and glide just meters above the rainforest canopy to enjoy sights
that were once strictly for the birds. Also visit Tjapukai Aboriginal
Culture Park’s fascinating display of Aboriginal culture
and dreamtime, a fun and educational insight in to the indigenous
lifestyle. Farewell buffet dinner tonight back in Cairns and
time to watch yet another spectacular sunset. |
| Meals: |
Breakfast, Breakfast & Lunch, Breakfast & Dinner |
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| Day 11 |
Homebound Flights from Cairns |
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| Go
for a little more beach time or visit “Wild World”
to see a few of the locals… kangaroos, wombats, cockatoos
and crocodiles. Say final farewells before flying east across
the Pacific. Regain the day you lost as we cross the International
Date Line. |
| Meals: |
Breakfast, In-flight |
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| Personalize
your trip - extend your stay: |
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| Want more time in Cairns to explore the Great Barrier Reef more
or go white-water rafting on the jungle rapids? We can arrange
it! The choice is yours with extra hotel nights in Cairns starting
from $60 based on double occupancy. |
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