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A Taste of Australia
Departure Date: April 12, 2003
Itinerary | Pricing | What's Included

Itinerary      Print Itinerary
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.

 

 

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