A N  I N T R O D U C T I O N  T O  A U S T R A L I A  S E R I E S
TOUR (A) 12 DAYS

SYDNEY - AYERS ROCK - ALICE SPRINGS - CAIRNS RAINFOREST AND REEF

DAY 1   ARRIVE SYDNEY                    Welcome to Sydney, Australia.  On arrival you will be met and assisted with your transfer to your hotel which is located within an easy walking distance to Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House, the historical Rocks precinct and, many restaurants, bars and retail outlets. The remainder of the day is free at leisure to explore this beautiful harbour city.                At your own convenience, take a guided tour of the magnificent Sydney Opera House which encompasses the foyer areas as well as the theatres and performance areas. Discover the building's history, construction and art work - stories that bring the Opera House to life. Accomm: 3 star: Sydney Vista Hotel (Standard Room)   4 star: Sydney Renaissance (Deluxe City View) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 2   WILDLIFE PARK - HARBOUR CRUISE - CITY SIGHTSEEING (L)          This morning your tour begins by crossing the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge to North Sydney.  Continue through picturesque harbourside suburbs, arriving at the Spit Bridge and Middle Harbour, with its flotilla of expensive yachts and cruisers overlooked by magnificent homes.  Within minutes the scenery changes to native flora as you travel through the Wakehurst Parkway. Visit Waratah Park in a true bushland setting.  Witness face to face, Australian birds and animals. Feed the kangaroos and cuddle a Koala.  Returning to the city, take in the magnificent views of surfing beaches and the tranquillity of Manly, a popular seaside resort boasting superb Norfolk Island Palms. On arrival at Circular Quay, board a luncheon 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.  This afternoon enjoy a city sights coach 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. 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 Watsons Bay for spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean before stopping at the world famous Bondi Beach. Your tour will terminate at your hotel. Accomm: 3 star: Sydney Vista Hotel (Standard Room)   4 star: Sydney Renaissance (Deluxe City View) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 3 AT LEISURE Today is free at leisure for your own activities or optional touring. Accomm: 3 star: Sydney Vista Hotel (Standard Room)   4 star: Sydney Renaissance (Deluxe City View) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 4     SYDNEY - AYERS ROCK (air) (D)          This morning transfer to the airport to board your flight to Ayers Rock. On arrival at Ayers Rock airport, transfer to your accommodation by courtesy shuttle. This afternoon you will experience the mysterious rock domes of Kata Tjuta. Travel through the great dome formations to discover the secrets of plant and animal survival in the desert. As the sun sets you will stroll into the grand recesses of Olga Gorge and appreciate why Aboriginal people found this place so important. Later relax with champagne and experience the magic of sunset in this special place. Accomm: 3 star: Emu Walk Apartments (1 Bedroom)   4 star: Desert Gardens Hotel (Standard Rm) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 5  ABORIGINAL ULURU TOUR - OLGAS & DUNES (CB)     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.                    This afternoon you will experience the mysterious rock domes of Kata Tjuta. Travel through the great dome formations to discover the secrets of plant and animal survival in the desert. As the sun sets you will stroll into the grand recesses of Olga Gorge and appreciate why Aboriginal people found this place so important. Later relax with champagne and experience the magic of sunset in this special place. Accomm: 3 star: Emu Walk Apartments (1 Bedroom)   4 star: Desert Gardens Hotel (Standard Rm) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 6  AYERS ROCK - ALICE SPRINGS (air)                 Transfer to the airport by courtesy shuttle for your flight to Alice Springs. On arrival at Alice Springs airport, transfer to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a tour of the historic town of Alice Springs.  Visit the Old Telegraph Station, Strehlow Aboriginal Research Centre,  the Royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air. Take in a panoramic view of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill lookout, which stretches over the township to the majestic MacDonnell Ranges.  Accomm: 3 star: Alice Springs Vista Hotel (Standard Room)   4 star: Rydges Plaza Hotel (Standard Room) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 7 ALICE SPRINGS - CAIRNS (air)                Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Cairns. On arrival at Cairns airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation at Cape Tribulation.  Travel along one of Australia's most spectacular scenic drives.  Hugging the forest-clad coastline, with the crystalline sea just metres away, past tiny deserted beaches and past lookout points which the glorious South Pacific coastline can be surveyed. Passing through the beautiful Daintree you arrive at Cape Tribulation and the magnificent award winning Coconut Beach Rainforest Resort.  This is a unique, natural rainforest environment experience where the rainforest meets the reef.  Enjoy an orientation tour of the rainforest with the Resident Naturalist.  Learn about the flora and fauna of this unique rainforest. Accomm: 3 star: Coconut Beach Resort (Hillside Unit)   4 star: Coconut Beach Resort (Rainforest Villa) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 8   FULL DAY DAINTREE RIVER & NOAH VALLEY EXPEDITION (CB,L)     This morning explore the Southern area of the Daintree National Park. One of Australia’s leading ornithologists will take you on a Daintree River cruise with some of the largest concentrations of birds and wildlife on the continent.  Travel on to the Daintree Environmental Centre where you can access the CDI touch screen technology and rainforest interpretive information.  Also included is a visit to the Daintree Ice Cream Company to sample exotic fruit treats.  Lunch will be served at the beautiful Thornton Beach and followed by a coastal ecology walk, a swim in the rainforest waters of the Blue pools and finishes with a guided walk through some of the most ancient remaining rainforest in the world. Accomm: 3 star: Coconut Beach Resort (Hillside Unit)   4 star: Coconut Beach Resort (Rainforest Villa) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 9  CAPE TRIBULATION - PALM COVE Free until you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Cairns.  On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel located at Port Douglas.  Travel along one of Australia's most spectacular scenic drives.  Hugging the forest-clad coastline, with the crystalline sea just metres away, past tiny deserted beaches and past lookout points which the glorious South Pacific coastline can be surveyed.  The remainder of the day is free at leisure. Accomm: 3 star: Reef Retreat (1 Bedroom Studio)   4 star: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard Room) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 10 GREAT BARRIER REEF WORLD HERITAGE PARK (L)     This morning board the Quicksilver, a high speed catamaran.  Your destination is the unique wilderness of the Outer Great Barrier Reef.  This is  your opportunity to explore the magic of the reef.  A Marine Biologist will conduct informative lectures on marine life during the day.  It is an area of extraordinary beauty, an amazing underwater world filled with colour and variety.  View the exotic reef, abounding with myriads of tropical fish for you to discover, and be amazed by the magnificent coral formations.  After lunch you may swim, snorkel, or ride in a submersible coral viewer. Accomm: 3 star: Reef Retreat (1 Bedroom Studio)   4 star: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard Room) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 11  KURANDA SCENIC RAIL -  SKYRAIL                 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 before boarding the 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 Carvonica Lakes at the base of the range.   Accomm: 3 star: Reef Retreat (1 Bedroom Studio)   4 star: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard Room) --=={ TOP }==-- DAY 12    DEPART               This morning transfer to the airport to board your departure flight. END OF SERVICES Prices Are Valid Till 31 March 2002 *Based on 3 star accommodation: 2 Paying Passengers Twin Share  AUD2225.00 per person * Based on 4 star accommodation: 2 Paying Passengers Twin Share AUD2753.00 per person * Single rates on application. Cost includes: Accommodation as per the itinerary with private facilities Transfers taxi (3 Star), private car (4 Star), courtesy coach or scheduled resort transfer. All touring on a seat in coach basis (or) scheduled touring Met on arrival into Sydney by an Aussie Travel Reservations representative Meals as indicated by (CB) Continental Breakfast (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch Admission to attractions listed National Park Entry fees in Ayers Rock Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) Welcome Kit and Travel documentation on arrival Cost does not include:   International and domestic airfares (SYD - AYQ, AYQ - ASP, ASP - DRW, DRW - CNS, CNS - SYD) Meals not indicated by (CB) Continental Breakfast  (B) Breakfast  (L) Lunch Personal expenses such as telephone calls, dry cleaning, mini bar purchases etc Use of hotel rooms before/after normal check in/out times Pre-registration of rooms if early arrival in Sydney 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. Payment by credit card is available (we accept Amex, Visa or Mastercard only). Please note that if paying by this channel there is a 3.5% merchant fees surcharge for Visa and/or Mastercard and a 3.95% merchant fees surcharge for American Express.

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