DAY 3 , DAY 4 , DAY 5 , DAY 6 , DAY 7 , DAY 8 , DAY 9 , DAY 10 , DAY 11 , DAY 12 , DAY 13 , DAY 14 , DAY 15 , DAY 16 , DAY 17 , DAY 18 , DAY 19 and ACCOMMODATION & COST

DAY 3 ARRIVE MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Welcome to Melbourne, Australia. On arrival in Melbourne you will be met and assisted with your hotel transfer. Remainder of the day is free.
Accommodation:
Savoy Park Plaza x 2 Nights

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DAY 4 FULL DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOUR
(Breakfast Included)
Today travel across the spectacular Westgate Bridge to Geelong, Victoria's largest provincial city. We join the Great Ocean Road at Torquay and explore this magnificent road carved into the cliffside offering some of the most spectacular coastal views in Australia. Travelling through the popular seaside resorts of Anglesea and Lorne, enjoy the scenery as we pass wide surf beaches, dramatic stretches of precipitous cliffs and idyllic coves where fern-shaded creeks join the sea. Time at the peaceful township of Apollo Bay to take a walk along a beautiful beach. After crossing the beautiful Otway Ranges we arrive at the Port Campbell National Park, an area of immense beauty featuring some of the most rugged and dangerous coastline in Victoria. See the power of the ocean at work at the Twelve Apostles, a row of great stone pillars, and the remains of London Bridge. Behold the marvel of nature which is Loch Ard Gorge, the scene of the dramatic shipwreck of the "Loch Ard" with only two survivors over 100 years ago. This area is truly a photographer's paradise. Return to your hotel this evening.

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DAY 5 MELBOURNE - DROUIN (Self Drive)
(Breakfast Included)
Pick up your rental car this morning for your self drive journey to Sydney. Drive north along the picturesque coastline to your Guest House at Drouin East. Just 90 kilometres north of Melbourne and perched on the brow of Camp Hill the views from Parnassus Guest House are spectacular. Close to native bush and national parks with the nearby towns offering a relaxed shopping atmosphere, spend the day exploring the area or relaxing in your country retreat.
Accommodation:
Parnassus Guest House x 1 Night

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DAY 6 DROUIN - ORBOST (Self Drive)
(Breakfast Included)
Continue driving today, travelling through the country towns of Morwell, Sale and Bairnsdale to Orbost, where you will overnight in Killarney B & B. Set amongst extensive gardens which attract a wide range of birdlife, take in the magnificent valley views from the comfort of your glassed - in lounge room. Killarney is a wonderful base from which you may explore the Snowy River National Park, Ninety Mile Beach and Wilderness Coast.
Accommodation:
Killarney Bed & Breakfast x 1 Night

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DAY 7 ORBOST - TERMEIL (Self Drive)
(Breakfast Included)
Travel north today along the picturesque coastline through the towns of Eden, Narooma and Moruya to Termeil. Nestled in a south coast rainforest and surrounded by stunning gardens, this magnificent part of eastern Australia is an ideal place to relax. You will stay in one of the quaint cottages at Barry's Country Guest House, which is linked to the main house by a grand timber bridge which crosses a rainforest ravine. As you cross, you are literally in the forest where you can see lyre birds, wallabies, echidnas, owls and more.
Accommodation:
Barry's Country Guest House, Termeil x 1 Night

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DAY 8 TERMEIL - SYDNEY (Self Drive)
(Breakfast Included)
Drive the final 160 mile leg of your journey to reach Sydney today. This afternoon drop off your rental car. Remainder of the day is free.
Accommodation:
Grace Hotel x 2 Nights

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DAY 9 SYDNEY CITY SIGHTS - OPERA HOUSE - HARBOUR CRUISE
This morning enjoy a city sights tour visiting the historical Rocks area, where the First Fleet landed in 1788 to establish Australia's first European settlement. Observe examples of early architecture and the beautiful sandstone buildings, made out of the same rocks, which gave this area its name. Visit the Sydney Opera House, described as the Eighth Wonder of the World for a guided tour. See St Mary's Cathedral, Parliament House, Darling Harbour and Chinatown. Visit Mrs Macquarie's Chair for splendid views over this magnificent harbour and the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Continue on your coach tour through cosmopolitan Kings Cross, Rushcutters Bay and Double Bay. Visit Watson's Bay for spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean before stopping at the world famous Bondi Beach. This afternoon return to Circular Quay for your afternoon cruise on magnificent Sydney Harbour. See spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, million dollar mansions and the bays and inlets that dot the harbour.

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DAY 10 SYDNEY - ALICE SPRINGS (Air) - TOWN TOUR
Transfer to the airport today for your flight to Alice Springs. On arrival in Alice Springs enjoy a personalised tour of the town. See the Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air, Anzac Hill, Guths Panorama, explore the Opal Museum, the Gem Cave before continuing on to Bond Springs Outback Retreat and settle in for the evening. Bond Springs is an elegant and charming retreat situated in the MacDonnell Ranges and in the centre of a large cattle station. You have the opportunity of exploring the fully restored, Heritage Award winning buildings on the station to see how the early pioneers lived. You may also enjoy walks, birdwatching, swimming and tennis on your stay.
Accommodation:
Bond Springs Outback Retreat x 2 Nights
(Homestead Acacia Suite Room)

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DAY 11 EMBRACE THE OUTBACK TOUR
(Breakfast Included)
Today you will visit Simpson's Gap, Stanley Chasm or the Desert Park. In the afternoon, tour the cattle station and see the wonders of how a working cattle station functions. Return to the Homestead late afternoon.

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DAY 12 ALICE SPRINGS - AYERS ROCK (Air) - OLGAS - SOUNDS OF SILENCE DINNER
(Breakfast and Dinner Included)
Transfer to the airport today for your flight to Ayers Rock. Upon arrival in Ayers Rock transfer to your hotel. This afternoon visit Mt Olga to view the spectacular rock formations and be dwarfed by these 36 huge, mysterious domes. This is part of the Uluru National Park, a region now given back to the Aboriginal people and leased back to the nation. Return to Ayers Rock to experience the magnificent sunset and watch the startling colour changes that take place over this huge monolith. It is a sight not to be missed. This evening enjoy the "Sounds of Silence" - the quietest restaurant on earth. You will be transferred to a desert dune where you will sip champagne and listen to the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo as you watch a magnificent sunset over Kata Tjuta. When the sun has finally set, lanterns are lit and a delicious Northern Territory gourmet barbecue is served. After dinner the lights go down revealing a star filled sky, clearer and brighter than most city dwellers will ever see. The resident Astronomer will then introduce you to the magnificent constellations, stars and planets that make up the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.
Accommodation:
Desert Gardens Hotel x 1 Night

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DAY 13 ABORIGINAL CULTURE TOUR - AYERS ROCK - CAIRNS (Air) - PALM COVE
(Breakfast Included)
Breakfast in the early morning light with panoramic view of Uluru from the magnificent Uluru Cultural Centre restaurant. After breakfast browse the Cultural Centre's Aboriginal art galleries, shops and interpretative displays, before joining your Aboriginal guides on the Liru Tour. This tour is a walk of discovery along a path to Uluru following the track of the ancestral Liru. Hear the ancient Tjukurpa of the Western Brown Snake, the Liru. Watch demonstrations of traditional bush skills such as how to make adhesive resin from spinifex grass, a multi-purpose spearthrower from the mulga tree and a water carrying bowl from the inner bark of the bloodwood tree. Following your tour, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival in Cairns, transfer to lovely Palm Cove beach.
Accommodation:
Reef House Hotel x 3 Nights

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DAY 14 FULL DAY MICHAELMAS CAY AND GREAT BARRIER REEF WORLD HERITAGE PARK
(Breakfast and Lunch Included)
Today sail by Catamaran to Michaelmas Cay, a unique sand cay which is a protected sanctuary for more than 28,000 migratory sea birds of 14 species. The surrounding outer reef is a spectacular garden of exotic marine life, magnificent coral and giant clams, boasting more varieties of tropical fish than the entire Atlantic Ocean. Ride a semi-submersible vessel for coral viewing, enjoy guided snorkel tours from the beach accompanied by a marine biologist, and a smorgasbord luncheon.

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DAY 15 KURANDA SCENIC RAIL - SKYRAIL - TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK
(Breakfast and Lunch Included)
This morning transfer to Freshwater Station, to board the scenic Kuranda Rail and journey through breathtaking scenery before arriving at picturesque Kuranda Station. Free time to enjoy this unique mountain village, which is populated by alternative lifestylers. (Market days are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday). After lunch board Skyrail, an enclosed cable car which takes you skimming across the rainforest canopy taking in breathtaking views of the Coral Sea and Green Island, to Caravonica Lakes at the base of the range. Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and enter a magical, mystical world. For the first time an entire park has been dedicated to preserving and presenting authentic Aboriginal Culture with the aid of modern technology. Enjoy 3 theatres, a museum, an art gallery and a traditional Aboriginal camp which is combined to give you a complete and meaningful glimpse of the Tjapukai Aboriginal people's rich and ancient culture. Return to your hotel late afternoon.

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DAY 16 CAIRNS - BRISBANE (Air) - BYRON BAY (Self Drive)
(Breakfast Included)
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Brisbane. On arrival in Brisbane pick up your rental car for your 115 mile drive to Byron Bay. Make your way to your accommodation for this evening - historic Rosewood House. Be pampered in this beautifully restored and decorated Victorian home within minutes of surf, sun and beautiful beaches. Suggested activities include a stroll along the beach, relaxing on the verandah or take a short drive to Australia's most easterly point at Byron Lighthouse which is recognised as an ideal land based whale watching location.
Accommodation:
Historic Rosewood House x 1 Night

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DAY 17 BYRON BAY - BELLINGEN (Self Drive)
(Breakfast Included)
Continue your drive south today through the coastal towns of Ballina and Coffs Harbour to Bellingen. The small forest town of Bellingen is one of the most cosmopolitan areas on the north coast of New South Wales with its outdoor cafes, Swiss patisserie, Dutch, French and Asian restaurants, art galleries and craft shops. Situated on the edge of town, Koompartoo Retreat is set on 5 acres of magnificent grounds featuring native plants which attract many rainforest birds to the area. You may even see a wallaby heading to the spring for a drink at dusk. Don't miss the treetop boardwalk at nearby Dorrigo National Park.
Accommodation:
Koompartoo Retreat x 1 Night

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DAY 18 BELLINGEN - DUNGOG (Self Drive)
(Breakfast Included)
Drive through the picturesque Lake Macquarie this morning on your way to Dungog, just east of the Hunter Valley region. This evening you will stay in the unique Park Carriageway. Set in an idyllic rural landscape, it features accommodation and dining in beautifully restored, air conditioned railway carriages. The secluded location, set on a 900 acre working cattle farm, has abundant native wildlife and a railway theme which presents many photo opportunities. Enjoy the swimming pool and six hole golf course.
Accommodation:
Park Carriageway x 1 Night

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DAY 19 DUNGOG - SYDNEY (Self Drive) - DEPART SYDNEY
(Breakfast Included)
Drive the final 130 miles to arrive in Sydney today. Travel through the Hunter Valley district, one of Australia's leading wine producing areas before continuing on through Gosford and Sydney's northern beaches to return your hire car and connect with your departure flight.

* All prices in Australian dollars are nett per person on a twin share basis valid from 1 APR 99 to 31 MAR 2000 *

AUD 3450 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

COST INCLUDES: Accommodation in 4 star hotels / luxury Bed & Breakfasts with private facilities Meals as indicated on itinerary by Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Airport transfers by taxi or hotel courtesy coach Sightseeing fees as per itinerary Hotel porterage Northern Territory Bed Tax Welcome kit and documentation on arrival Met on arrival Sydney Government Bed Tax

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: International and domestic Australian airfares (SYD-ASP, ASP-AYQ, AYQ-CNS, CNS-BNE) Meals not indicated by Breakfast , Lunch & Dinner Use of Hotel rooms before / after normal check in / out times Items of a personal nature i.e. telephone calls, liquor, laundry etc Pre registration if early arrival in Melbourne Optional touring Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary

NOTE:
• Costs quoted are subject to availability and confirmation of accommodation as specified.
• Costs are subject to increase should any federal or state government levies or taxes be introduced.
• This tour package is the sole property of Aussie Travel Reservations and therefore must be booked with Aussie Travel Reservations Australia.