DAY 1 ARRIVE MELBOURNE

              Welcome to Melbourne Australia!  On arrival into Melbourne Airport you will be met and assisted by your Aussie Travel Reservations representative who will hand over your touring documentation, run through all your arrangements until your clients are thoroughly satisfied and assisted with your transfer to your hotel.

Renowned to be Australia's cultural and fashion capital, Melbourne has an air of graciousness with its wide tree-lined boulevards, old bluestone buildings and its many public parks and gardens.  The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

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DAY 2  CITY HIGHLIGHTS - FAIRY PENGUIN PARADE

                   This morning enjoy a City Highlights tour visiting the many parks and gardens of this gracious city. See the tranquil Fitzroy Gardens and the magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens. Make a special visit to the Shrine of Remembrance and see the Arts and Cultural Centre, Albert Park Lake and the gracious tree lined St. Kilda Road.

This afternoon board your coach tour to Phillip Island to watch the Fairy Penguins come home from sea.  Arriving before sunset, visit the Koala Conservation Centre Nobbies and Seal Rocks, home to a colony of Australian fur seals before continuing to Summerland Beach, home to the Fairy penguin Parade.  From the waves, across the beach, to the sand dunes - the penguins can almost be touched as the make their way across the sand to their burrows. 

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DAY 3  BLUE DANDENONGS - PUFFING BILLY - WINERIES - HEALESVILLE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

(L)             Located just a short drive to the east of Melbourne, the beautiful Blue Dandenong Ranges are home for colourful native birds, fern gullies and tall mountain ash eucalypts.  Tour through quaint mountain villages noted for their restaurants and craft shops.  Board the Puffing Billy steam train - an original steam locomotive.  Delight at the sounds of the whistle and the steam as your ride Puffing Billy through the forest.  Tour the Yarra Valley, a noted wine producing region and taste award winning wines as well have lunch at one of the wineries. 

This afternoon visit Healesville Sanctuary which has the largest collection of Australian wildlife.  You can walk through the bushland setting, talk to the keepers and observe native animals in their natural habitats.  See Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, parrots, emus and the recently opened world of the Platypus exhibition and much more before returning to Melbourne.

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DAY 4  MELBOURNE - DEVONPORT "SPIRIT OF TASMANIA"

(D)             Morning free at leisure for own activities.

This afternoon transfer to the Spirit of Tasmania wharf where you will board your overnight ferry transfer across Bass Strait to Devonport.  A range of bars, restaurants and on board facilities will ensure a relaxing and enjoyable experience.  A buffet dinner will be served on board.

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DAY 5  DEVONPORT - CRADLE MOUNTAIN (car)

(CB)     Continental breakfast on board before disembarking in Devonport.  On arrival collect your rental vehicle and drive at leisure to the World Heritage Listed Cradle Mountain National Park renowned for its pristine environment.  Check in to your lodge and this evening make friends with the native animals including possums, wallabies and native cats as they gather by the lodge waiting to be fed.

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DAY 6  CRADLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (car)

            Today is free at leisure to further explore this unique area.  Inspect the Visitors Information Centre that details the history, present and proposed future of the National Park.  An adjoining boardwalk gives you the opportunity to venture into the wilderness and view the many plant and tree species and the falls below Continue on to Waldheim Chalet for more magnificent mountain scenes or take a drive to Dove Lake and  admire the beautiful surrounding scenery.

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DAY 7 CRADLE MOUNTAIN - STRAHAN (car)

               Today drive south through picturesque countryside and Tullah, Rosebery and Murchison to Zeehan, a town rich in history and heritage. Continue on to the beautiful seaside town of Strahan.  Strahan is the gateway to one of the most outstanding wilderness areas on Earth - a land of majestic mountains, ancient rainforest and famous wild rivers, the Franklin and the Gordon.  Nestled on the edge of magnificent Macquarie Harbour, Strahan provides access to the Franklin - Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

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DAY 8  WORLD HERITAGE CRUISE

               This morning join a cruise across Macquarie Harbour and past infamous Sarah Island and into the reflective waters of the Gordon River.  At Heritage Landing take a stroll through the rainforest and view a 2000 year old Huon Pine.  

               The remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure.

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DAY 9    STRAHAN TO HOBART (car)

                   Your drive today will take you through the mining township of Queenstown.  Cross the Franklin River and continue to Mt. Field National Park and experience the beautiful rainforest, alpine moors and flowing waterfalls which make this National Park unique.  Take a short walk to Russell Falls and see the crystal water cascading to the bottom of the falls.   At Florentine Valley you will see managed forest areas and other areas which have been re-generated after logging. Marvel at the tall Eucalypt trees, some of which are over 400 years old and 90 metres high and take a walk through the magnificent rainforests and fern glades Continue along the picturesque Derwent Valley to the New Norfolk district (hop growing) before arriving into historic Hobart. 

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DAY 10  HOBART (car)

                   Free at leisure with your rental vehicle.  Suggested sightseeing includes:  Hobart's many historic buildings, Salamanca Place, Mt Wellington and historic Richmond Village.

Accomm:	3 star:	Lenna of Hobart
	4 star:	Battery Point Guest House

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DAY 11 HOBART - PORT ARTHUR (car)

                   This morning, travel to geological features of the Tasman Peninsula, then on to Port Arthur penal Settlement - one of Australia's most significant historical sites .  Your guided tour through the ruins, many dating back to the early 1800's and the restored building details the history of the settlement from when the first convicts arrived in the 1830's to restoration completed in recent years.  Also included is a Isle of the Dead landing cruise (Port Arthur’s Cemetery 1833-1877).  A memorable tour providing an enthralling insight into the hardships endured by the convicts.

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DAY 12  PORT ARTHUR - HOBART (car) - SYDNEY (air)     

                   This morning return to Hobart.  Drop off your rental vehicle at Hobart airport before boarding your flight to Sydney. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.       The remainder of the day is free at leisure to explore this beautiful harbour city.
 

DAY 13  HARBOUR LUNCHEON CRUISE - SYDNEY CITY SIGHTS TOUR

(L)                Make your own way to Circular Quay for your 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 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.

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DAY 14 SYDNEY - BLUE MOUNTAINS (car)

              This morning your rental car will be delivered to your hotel. At leisure follow the trail of Australia's early explorers as you climb the Blue Mountains.  These are aptly named by the distinctive blue haze, caused by light striking droplets of eucalyptus oil evaporating from the gum trees.  The Blue Mountains National Park covers an area of 247,021 hectares, abundant in rare wildlife, flora and fauna,  Discover the "Grand Canyon" of giant rock formations, geological history, deep tree studded valleys and cascading waterfalls.  View the world famous rock formation "The Three Sisters" and panoramic views of the Jamieson Valley, Mount Solitary and the Ruined Castle.

Accomm:	3 star:	Jemby Rinjah Lodge
	4 star:	Lillianfels Guesthouse

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DAY 15  BLUE MOUNTAINS (car)

                   Today is free at leisure to further explore this picturesque area with your rental vehicle.

Accomm:	3 star:	Jemby Rinjah Lodge
	4 star:	Lillianfels Guesthouse

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DAY 16   BLUE MOUNTAINS - SYDNEY (car)

                   Today drive at leisure to Sydney.

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DAY 17  DEPART

                   Drop off your rental vehicle at Sydney International Airport before boarding your departure flight

END OF SERVICES

Prices Are Valid Till 31 March 2002
*Based on 3 star properties: 2 Paying Passengers Twin Share  AUD2507.00 per person	* Based on 4 star properties: 2 Paying Passengers Twin Share AUD3289.00 per person
* Single rates on application.
Cost includes: Accommodation as per the itinerary with  private facilities Transfers by taxi (3 star) or private vehicle (4 star) Touring by scheduled day tours (seat in coach basis) 10 days x  mid size sedan car rental with unlimited kilometres, vehicle damage insurance and government stamp duty. Meals only as indicated on the itinerary by (CB) Continental Breakfast and (L) Lunch and (D) Dinner Entrance fees to attractions listed Met on arrival in Sydney by an Aussie Travel Reservations representative Welcome Kit and Travel documentation on arrival Australian Goods & Services Tax	Cost does not include:   International and Australian Domestic Airfares (HBA - SYD) Meals not indicated by (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner Items of a personal nature Pre-registration of Accommodation if early arrival in Sydney Use of Accommodation before / after normal check in / out times Optional Touring Fuel or Airport Concession Recovery Fee for rental. This must be paid direct by the client. Pre-registration of rooms if early arrival into Melbourne Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary.