Australian Wonders & Wildlife - 18 Days

See Melbourne and Adelaide explore the Red Centre and outback of the Northern Territory, then travel to Cairns to visit the amazing Great Barrier Reef before completing your tour in Sydney with visits to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Tour Highlights

- Stay on Kangaroo Island

- Explore Uluru & Kata Tjuta

- See Darwin & Kakadu

- Cruise the Great Barrier Reef

- Explore Sydney

Day 1 Arrive Melbourne

On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon you'll tour the sights of this cosmopolitan city. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers. Overnight at the Crowne Plaza, Melbourne. Meals included dinner.

Day 2 Melbourne (Free Time)

Enjoy a day at leisure in Melbourne. Perhaps join an optional tour to the Dandenong Ranges and ride through the magnificent rainforest on Puffing Billy, Australia's oldest operating steam train, followed by wine tasting in the Yarra Valley. Or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Or visit Phillip Island to witness the worldfamous Penguin Parade on Summerland Beach where the little penguins march up the sand to their nesting places (excursions not included). Overnight at the Crowne Plaza, Melbourne. Meals included breakfast.

Day 3 Melbourne to Adelaide*

You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Adelaide (airfare not included) where you'll have free time. You could ride Adelaide's historic tram from Victoria Square to the beachside suburb of Glenelg. If you enjoy alfresco dining, try Rundle Street East for dinner tonight. Overnight at the InterContinental, Adelaide. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 4 Adelaide to Kangaroo Island

Travel through the Fleurieu Peninsula and board a ferry to Kangaroo Island. At Seal Bay Conservation Park walk among Australia's most accessible colony of sea lions as they doze in the sun after lengthy forays in the Southern Ocean. Overnight at the Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kangaroo Island. Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 5 Kangaroo Island to Adelaide

See the Remarkable Rocks, Admiral's Arch and a colony of fur seals, within Flinders Chase National Park. Return to Adelaide by ferry and coach, arriving late evening. Overnight at the InterContinental, Adelaide. Meals included: breakfast & lunch.

Day 6 Adelaide to Alice Springs*

Today you will fly to Ayers Rock (airfare not included). Explore the mysterious 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and walk through Walpa Gorge before witnessing a magnificent sunset at Uluru (Ayers Rock). Overnight at the Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 7 Ayers Rock to Alice Springs

Rise early to view the spectacle of sunrise at Uluru (Ayers Rock). Tour the caves at the base of Uluru and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Later, you will travel to Alice Springs. Overnight at the Chifley Alice Springs Resort. Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 8 Alice Springs (free time)

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps take a 4WD safari through the rugged Central Australian landscape into Palm Valley. You are invited to join a discovery tour at the Earth Sanctuary Nature Centre near Alice Springs. After a barbecue dinner you'll learn from the Falzon brothers, Tom and Danny, about the sustainable lifestyle they have established. Overnight at the Chifley Alice Springs Resort. Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 9 Alice Springs to Darwin*

Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Learn how this marvellous facility operates to provide a 'mantle of safety' for the people of the outback. Later fly to Darwin (airfare not included, where on arrival you'll tour the sights of this Top End city. Overnight at the Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 10 Darwin to Kakadu

Travel deep into Kakadu National Park and stop at Nourlangie Rock to view its Aboriginal rock art. Later join a local expert guide for a wildlife cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. Learn about the vegetation and birdlife of the region and hopefully you will see the feared estuarine crocodile that inhabits many of Kakadu's river systems. Overnight at the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Jabiru. Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 11 Kakadu to Darwin

Today you will travel to the Bowali Visitor Centre. The displays here will take you on a journey through Kakadu's varied habitats and landscapes. Later, stop at Ubirr where a short guided walk will introduce you to the area's Aboriginal culture dating back some 20,000 years. Cruise on the Adelaide River, home to over 1,600 crocodiles. Overnight at the Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 12 Darwin to Cairns*

You will be transferred to Darwin Airport for your flight to Cairns (airfare not included). This afternoon you'll encounter unique Australian animals at the Cairns Wildlife Dome. Overnight at the Hilton Hotel. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 13 Great Barrier Reef

This morning board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. You will have the opportunity to go snorkelling (equipment provided) to view the colourful coral and tropical fish up close. Enjoy a reef presentation on this living wonder by a marine naturalist and a tropical buffet lunch before returning to Cairns. Overnight at the Hilton Hotel. Meals included: breakfast & lunch.

Day 14 Cairns (free time)

A full day at leisure in Cairns. Perhaps take an excursion to Kuranda including a scenic rail journey on the Kuranda train and a ride on the Skyrail Cableway. Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park or take a trip to the beaches of Cape Tribulation and rainforests of the Daintree National Park (excursions not included). Overnight at the Hilton Hotel. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 15 Cairns to Sydney*

You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney (*airfare not included). This evening you'll have free time to explore the city. Overnight at the Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 16 Sydney Sightseeing

See the sights of the city. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs. Macquarie's Chair and join a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Visit Bondi Beach with time for a stroll along the sand then return to the city for a Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. Then you'll have the chance to learn about Australia's national gemstone - the opal. Overnight at the Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour. Meals included: breakfast & lunch.

Day 17 Sydney (free time)

Make the most of your final day. Explore Sydney or perhaps take an excursion to the Blue Mountains or visit the Hunter Valley, New South Wales' premier wine-growing region (excursions not included). Enjoy a farewell dinner with your Tour Director and new-found friends tonight. Overnight at the Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour. Meals included: breakfast & dinner.

Day 18 Depart Sydney

You will be transferred to Sydney Airport to connect with your onward flight. Meals included: breakfast.

DEPARTURE DATES

2012

April 15

May 13

July 01

September 16

October 14

November 11

December 16*

2013

January 13

February 17

March 17

PRICE INCLUDES 

- 17 nights accommodation as shown

- 27 meals (17 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners)

- Sightseeing and attractions as described

- Professional tour driver & tour director throughout

Not Included

- Airfares to/from Australia*

- Airfares within Australia*

  Melbourne to Adelaide (day 3)

  Adelaide to Alice Springs (day 6) 

  Alice Springs to Darwin (day 9) 

  Darwin to Cairns (day 12)   

  Cairns to Sydney (day 15)

- Gratuities

*We can arrange these flights for you, please ask for details.

This tour is operated by AAT Kings