A
Taste of Australia
Departure Date: April 12, 2003
Itinerary
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| What's
Included
Itinerary
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This fully escorted luxury tour is right for all age
groups and for family vacations. Travel the eastern
seaboard of Australia from Cape Tribulation in the north
to Kangaroo Island in the south. Enjoy a taste of wine,
art, beaches and wildlife, dive the reef and explore
the rainforest all in a two week tour. All accommodations
are in five star luxury hotels . The exciting excursions
which are included in this tour will give you a true
taste of Australia. If a taste is not enough, explore
'Sydney On Your Own', 'Uluru - The Red Center' (Ayers
Rock), or 'The Sounds of New Zealand' post tour.
Included Excursions
- Dandenong and Winery Tour - includes the Dandenong
Observatory, William Ricketts Sanctuary and Yarra
Valley Wine Tour.
- Barossa Wine Valley Tour - includes train transportation
to and from the Barossa Wine Valley in classic railroad
cars and wine tasting at several wineries in this
famous valley
- Kangaroo Island - includes flight to and from Kangaroo
Island. We will visit the famous Flinders Chase Park,
the home of Kangaroos and Koalas.
- Day at Sea - includes snorkeling and swimming at
the Great Barrier Reef. For non-swimmers the semi-submersible
and underwater and above water viewing platforms will
afford you the opportunity to see the gorgeous fish
that make the reef their home.
- Daintree Rainforest 4 wheel Drive Safari - is an
exciting day in the world famous rainforest. Included
in our driving safari are a cruise on the Daintree
River, swim in a quiet freshwater stream, bar-be-cue,
a ride on the Bloomfield Track and a swim at Cape
- Tribulation where the Rainforest meets the sea,
and finally a stop to visit the Kangaroos.
Farewell Dinner - A very special evening which will
end your tour with entertainment and romance.
- The Last Hurrah - Opera Afloat - an evening cruise
in beautiful Sydney Harbor while enjoying dinner and
complimentary wines and the world's most popular arias
performed by principal Australian opera singers.
Your tour cost includes all accommodations, meals,
tours, flights within Australia, transfers and entry
visas as noted in the itinerary. International airfare
is not included.
Day 1 |
Depart U.S. |
Day 2 |
International Dateline |
Day 3 |
Melbourne - Hotel
Le Meridien at Rialto - Day at Leisure
Melbourne, the Capital of Victoria, is the arts
and fashion center of Australia. Le Meridien at
Rialto, housed in a National Trust Building, is
located on World famous Collins Street, known
for Victorian architecture, shopping arcades and
upmarket boutiques. Just one short block from
the Yarra River, and a short walk to the grand
Regent Theatre, our beautiful five star hotel
is at the heart of this lovely Victorian city.
Le Meridien offers a rooftop heated pool, sauna,
spa, fitness area and sun deck, beauty salon and
boutiques.
Spend today exploring the arts, parks, gardens
and architecture of this town. From our hotel
you will find easy access to the extensive tram
system. |
Day 4 |
Melbourne - Dandenongs
& Winery Tour - (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, we depart our hotel for our journey
into the forest and fern filled gullies east of
Melbourne. April is the fall season and we may see
the forests at their most beautiful from the Dandenong
observatory.
William Ricketts Sanctuary is an adventure into
the mysterious. A walk along the peaceful paths
will reveal the exquisite sculptures of William
Rickett which are camouflaged within natural wood
and rock.
The Yarra Valley is known for its cool climate
wineries, sparkling wines, Chardonnays and Pinot
Noirs. We will have lunch at Fergussons Winery,
famous for their gourmet luncheons and their lovely
wines. We will take a guided tour of the winery
and finish with a glass of sparkling wine. |
Day 5 |
Melbourne - Day at
Leisure (Breakfast)
This is our last day in Melbourne. Visit the
National Gallery of Victoria, the finest collection
of Australian art in the country or spend the
morning at Rippon Lea Mansion, part of the National
Trust Estate, or catch a matinee at one of the
many entertainment venues of this national arts
center, or visit the Botanic Gardens, the Fitzroy
Gardens or take in Chinatown. Or rent a car or
bicycle and explore The Great Ocean Road.
Tonight, you may choose to take a night tour of
the chilling Old Melbourne Gaol. |
Day 6 |
To Adelaide - Medina
Grand Adelaide Treasury - Day at Leisure (Breakfast)
The Medina Grand Adelaide is a new five star
hotel located in the Heritage Listed Treasury
Building and situated on Victoria Square, at the
heart of this lovely town. Adelaide is best explored
on foot. You will have time to see a bit of Adelaide
this afternoon.
The hardest decision you will find in this lovely
town is where to dine. Adelaide is home to world
renown chefs with specialties ranging from modern
Australian to classic European. The restaurants
in Adelaide are a showcase for the great wines
of the Barossa Valley. |
Day 7 |
Adelaide - Barossa
Valley Wine Tour (Breakfast & Lunch)
After an early breakfast we are off to the Adelaide
Train Station. We will ride in classic railroad
cars into the heart of the lush Barossa Valley,
home to dozens of famous wineries. We will visit
small family owned wineries as well as large well
known wineries. A two course luncheon is included
in today's activity. We will return to our hotel
at about 6:00 p.m. |
Day 8 |
Adelaide - Kangaroo
Island - Finders Chase Park (Breakfast & Lunch)
After a very early breakfast, we will be picked
up at our hotel at 6:30 a.m. for our transfer
to the Adelaide Airport and our flight to Kangaroo
Island.
Kangaroo Island is perhaps the best place to
view the amazing Australian wildlife in natural
settings. Kangaroos and Koalas, wallabies and
Penguins, Fur Seals and Sea Lions make this tiny
island their home. Kangaroo Island encompasses
the world of Australia in one tiny bit of land;
with breathtaking ocean views, grottos and rocky
shorelines, sandy beaches, magnificent red rocks,
and the wildlife that have become the icons of
Australia, Kangaroo Island cannot be missed.
We will visit a fur seal colony on the Rocky
Shores of Cape du Couedic, we will make our way
to Admiral's Arch, a spectacular coastal grotto.
We will see the Remarkable Rocks, breathtaking
red rocks hewn into strange shapes by wind and
water. Weather permitting, we will walk into a
secluded cove to discover the wildlife by the
sea. Our picnic lunch will include the wonderful
island produce.
After a full day of touring Kangaroo Island,
we will return to Adelaide in time for a late
dinner. |
Day 9 |
To Cairns - Palm
Cove - Sebel Reef House - Day at Leisure (Breakfast)
Today we travel across Australia, from the Southern
tip to the Northern Coast. An early start gets
us to Cairns in time to settle into our Palm Cove
Hotel before dark. The Sebel Reef House sits on
the beautiful white sand beach of the Coral Sea.
A breezy white colonnaded walkway shades your
path to the ocean. This magnificent resort, reputed
to be the most romantic in all of Australia, also
offers three pools and two spas. The Reef House
will be home base for the next four nights. |
Day 10 |
Palm Cove - Day at Sea (Breakfast
& Lunch)
After an early breakfast, we transfer to Cairns
to board a Quicksilver high-speed catamaran for
our trip to Agincourt Reef, part of the fabulous
Great Barrier Reef. Agincourt Reef is a ribbon
reef on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef
at the continental shelf. Quicksilver has built
a modern two-level, covered, floating platform
which is moored permanently in the lagoon at Agincourt
to provide a comfortable base for its guests.
The lagoon offers excellent swimming and snorkelling
areas. The scuba diving is among the best in the
world. Not a swimmer? Explore the wonders of the
coral from Quicksilver's semi submersible which
is based at the platform. The platform itself
has an underwater observatory and an above-water
viewing platform.
Snorkeling and swimming are part of the day's
activities, scuba diving is available at an additional
charge. Morning tea, afternoon tea and luncheon
are served on board.
Snorkeling expedition with a marine biologist,
introductory scuba dive and dives for certified
divers are all available at an extra charge. Sign
up for these extras early to assure your space. |
Day 11 |
Palm Cove - Day at Leisure (Breakfast)
Let the Reef House's resident Tour Specialist
help you plan your day. Whether you choose to
spend another day on the Great Barrier Reef, go
Deep Sea Fishing, visit Cairns, rent a car and
explore the Coral Sea Coastline, go white water
rafting, take a hot air balloon ride, go horseback
riding, play golf or just relax on the beach,
the tour specialist will help you with details.
|
Day 12 |
Palm Cove - Daintree
Rainforest 4 wheel Drive Safari (Breakfast, Lunch
& Dinner)
After an early breakfast we depart for a magical
day in the Daintree Rainforest. We travel north
to the Daintree River where we will have morning
tea and then a beautiful cruise on the Daintree
River. We then ascend the Alexandra Range, panoramic
views of the meeting of the Rainforest and the
Coral Sea lay before us.
While our BBQ luncheon is prepared, take a swim
in a tranquil freshwater stream, or photograph
the exotic birds and butterflies at our lunch
site.
After lunch we head for Cape Tribulation National
Park. We will travel on the Bloomfield Track,
an elevated track, beyond Cape Tribulation to
the meeting of the Rainforest and the Great Barrier
Reef of the Coral Sea. Here we take time for a
swim in the sea.
We then begin our journey back to Palm Cove,
but not before we have stopped to pet a Kangaroo
and scratch a Cockatoo!
Tonight a special farewell dinner! Wear long
pants a bring a shirt with sleeves! |
Day 13 |
To Sydney - Four
Seasons Hotel - Day at Leisure (Breakfast &
Dinner)
This morning, take your last swim in the gorgeous
Coral Sea. We depart our hotel at 10:55 a.m. for
our flight to Sydney. We will arrive at the Four
Seasons with enough time to get ready for tonight's
dinner - "Opera Afloat". Enjoy some
of the world's favorite arias performed by Sydneys's
opera stars while enjoying a dinner and wines
on a cruise in Sydney Harbor! |
Day 14 |
(Breakfast)
Today you will depart for home, or:
A. Join the Post Tour to New Zealand
B. Begin Independent Post Tour of Sydney |
Pricing
$3037.00 Double Occupancy
$743.00 Single Supplement
What's
Included
All Accommodations
All Meals as Noted
All Tours as Noted
All Domestic Flights
All Transfers
Entry Visas
Not Included
International Flights
Drinks
Tips
Meals not noted in itinerary
Travel Insurance
For more information or to reserve space on this tour,
contact
DreamCatchers, Inc. |
|