Take a grand tour of Australia on this 15-night tour. Start in Sydney, where you see the famous Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. From there, travel to Cairns, where you take a full-day tour of the Great Barrier Reef. The following day, take a train ride and visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Next, travel to Ayers Rock, visiting the Olgas and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Then, travel to Darwin, en route to the Kakadu National Park, where you cruise on the Yellow Waters and visit Nourlangie Rock. Return to Darwin and continue to Adelaide, where you visit Richmond Grove and the Whispering Wall. Finally, travel to Melbourne and see the Shrine of Remembrance and Queen Victoria Market before returning home. Starting from $7310, including air, with weekly guaranteed departures.
Day 1 - USA/Sydney
Depart from the US on Fiji Airways trans-Pacific flight to Sydney.
Day 2 - En Route
Cross the International Date Line.
Day 3 - Sydney
Arrive in Sydney and transfer to hotel. (Hyatt Regency/Radisson Blu Plaza)
Day 4 - Sydney
Today, tour Sydney's birthplace (The Rocks), Sydney Opera House, Mrs Macquaries Chair, and famous Bondi Beach. Then board Captain Cook's lunch cruise in Sydney Harbor. After lunch, explore Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World. (B/L)
Day 5 - Sydney
A full day at leisure. (B)
Day 6 - Sydney/Cairns
Fly to Cairns and transfer to your hotel. (Pacific/Pullman Cairns) (B)
Day 7 - Great Barrier Reef
Experience an exciting full day on the Great Barrier Reef. Cruise by catamaran to the stunning Marine World coral reef location. Enjoy morning tea, an informative presentation by a marine biologist, a buffet lunch, semi-submersible tours, glass-bottom boat tours, and underwater observatory coral viewing. All snorkeling equipment, wet suit and Lycra suit are included, and a qualified snorkeling advisor is on hand. Scuba diving available at additional cost. (B/L)
Day 8 - Cairns
Board the Kuranda Scenic Train and visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for a dance performance, museum and lunch. (B/L)
Day 9, - Cairns/Ayers Rock
Take a morning flight to Ayers Rock. Afternoon tour begins with a drive around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Continue to the Kuniya Walk and Mutitjulu Waterhole, and see Aboriginal rock paintings. Visit the cultural center, where the collections provide insight into the culture of the Uluru's traditional custodians. As the sun sets over Ayers Rock, witness (and photograph) the striking color changes that take place in this majestic natural park. (Desert Gardens/Sails in the Desert) (B)
Day 10 - Ayers Rock
Enjoy a morning cup of tea or coffee as the first rays of sunlight slowly change the color of Ayers Rock. Then travel to the mystical domes of Kata Tjua (the Olgas). View the sunrise over Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Continue on a walk through the Walpa Gorge, a lush desert haven for plants and animals. Balance of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 11 - Ayers Rock/Darwin
After breakfast at hotel, fly to Darwin. (Hilton) (B)
Day 12 - Darwin/Kakadu National Park
Travel deep into Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre and view the informative displays and exhibits. Join the famous Yellow Water Billabong Cruise to observe saltwater crocodiles and colorful birdlife. After lunch, stop at Nourlangie, and take a guided walk to view ancient Aboriginal rock art. (Mercure Kakadu Crocodile) (B/L)
Day 13 - Kakadu National Park/Darwin
This morning stop at Ubirr to view rock art. Join the Guluyambi Cruise along the East Alligator River. With your aboriginal guide, go ashore in Arnhem Land. Visit the Bowali Visitor Centre. Return to Darwin early this evening. (Hilton) (B/L)
Day 14 - Darwin/Adelaide
Fly to Adelaide and transfer to hotel. (Stamford Plaza/InterContinental) (B)
Day 15 - Adelaide
Today's tour highlights include Richmond Grove, Barossa, lunch at Lanzerac Estate Winery, Menglers Hill, Whispering Wall, Angas Park Fruits and Seppeltsfield. (B/L)
Day 16 - Adelaide/Melbourne
Travel to Melbourne and transfer to hotel. (Pullman Melbourne/Sofitel) (B)
Day 17 - Melbourne
Morning tour includes famous Queen Victoria Market, Shrine of Remembrance, peaceful King's Domain Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens. Drive down Collins Street and see the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (B)
Day 18 - Melbourne/USA
Depart via Fiji Airways and arrive home in the US. Or join our New Zealand Extension or Fiji Extension. (B)
