Day 1 Wed. Darwin at Leisure.
Coast, Centre & Top End Discovery
See the elevated lakes, rainforest and beaches of World Heritage Fraser Island
Swim, snorkel or take the semi-submersible to explore Green Island's corals
Keep an eye out for crocodiles and other Top End wildlife on the East Alligator River cruise
Arrive in Darwin and enjoy the rest of the day at your
leisure, perhaps taking in some of the local sights.
Stay: Darwin, Holiday Inn Darwin.
Breakfast
Day 2 Thur. Kakadu National Park, Yellow Water Billabong, Rock
Art.
Today we journey to Kakadu National Park, World Heritage
listed for its cultural and natural significance. Visit the
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre and cruise Yellow Water
billabong. See Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock.
Stay: Kakadu National Park, Aurora Kakadu.
Breakfast Feature Lunch
Day 3 Fri. Ubirr, East Alligator River, Arnhem Land Walk.
See ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr. With an Aboriginal
guide cruise the East Alligator River, spotting wildlife and the
fearsome saltwater crocodile. Take a short walk into Arnhem Land
before returning to Darwin.
Stay: Darwin, Holiday Inn Darwin.
Breakfast Feature Lunch
Day 4 Sat. Ayers Rock Resort, Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Uluru Sunset
Drinks.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Ayers Rock Resort (airfare
not included). Enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a region that
has been inhabited for the past 22,000 years by the Anangu people.
Travel to Kata Tjuta and walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Learn of the
fascinating myths and legends of this sacred place. We then return
to Uluru (Ayers Rock) late in the afternoon. Enjoy a glass of wine
as you admire the ever-changing colours of Uluru at sunset.
Stay: Ayers Rock Resort, Outback Pioneer
Hotel.
Breakfast
Day 5 Sun. Uluru Base Tour, Mutitjulu Waterhole, Kings
Canyon.
Watch the sunrise over Uluru with a tea or coffee in hand.
Next, take a walk to the waterhole of Mutitjulu. Then join the
guided Mala Walk, visiting traditional art sites and learning of
the region's geology and flora. Alternatively, forgo the Mutitjulu
and Mala walks to climb Uluru and take in the splendid views of the
surrounding desert plain. Visit the Cultural Centre then travel to
Kings Canyon.
Stay: Kings Canyon Resort.
Breakfast Feature Dinner
Day 6 Mon. Kings Canyon, Kings Creek Station, Alice
Springs.
Choose from two guided walks at Kings Canyon. Walk to the
canyon rim, through the 'Lost City' to the 'Garden of Eden'. Or
follow the canyon floor to discover the local flora. En route to
Alice Springs, stop at Kings Creek Station, a working cattle
station, with an opportunity to ride a camel (own expense).
Stay: Alice Springs Resort, Palm Court.
Breakfast
Day 7 Tue. Alice Springs, Cairns.
Spend the morning at leisure in Alice Springs before
transferring to the airport to join your flight to the tropical
city of Cairns, (airfare not included). On arrival in Cairns, enjoy
the rest of the day at your leisure.
Three Night Stay: Cairns, Mercure Harbourside Hotel,
overlooking Trinity Bay.
Breakfast
Day 8 Wed. Cairns, Port Douglas, Tjapukai Dinner and Show.
Take one of Australia's most spectacular drives to the resort
town of Port Douglas. Spend your time exploring or perhaps visit
the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, (own expense). On our
return to Cairns, stop at Rex Lookout for stunning views of the
Coral Sea, Tonight experience the Tjapukai by Night, a show where
guests become an interactive part of an ancient corroboree
(traditional dance) ritual climaxing in the ceremonial making of a
fire. Then, be led down a flame-lit path to enjoy a dinner banquet
of the regions best food.
Breakfast Feature Dinner
Day 9 Thur. Great Barrier Reef, Green Island.
Cruise to beautiful Green Island, a coral cay which is part of
the Great Barrier Reef. You can choose to snorkel or ride aboard
the semi submersible. We then cruise back to Cairns this afternoon,
where you have time to relax and explore on your own.
Alternatively, you can experience an extended full day on Green
Island.
Breakfast
Day 10 Fri. Kuranda, Millaa Millaa Falls, Curtain Fig
Tree.
Today we visit the Atherton Tablelands, and you have the
option to travel to Kuranda on the Scenic Railway or on the Skyrail
Cableway over the rainforest. Journey to Millaa Millaa Falls and
visit the Curtain Fig Tree. Explore the volcanic Lake Barrine
(optional cruise available, own expense). Arrive at Mission Beach,
a region of unspoilt rainforests and wide beaches
Stay: Mission Beach, Castaways on the Beach, next to the
ocean.
Breakfast
Day 11 Sat. The Whitsundays, Daydream Island.
This morning we visit Townsville. Departing Shute Harbour,
cruise the idyllic Whitsunday Passage to Daydream Island, part of
the Great Barrier Reef.
Two Night Stay: Daydream Island Resort and Spa.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 12 Sun. Relax at Daydream Island.
Today explore other nearby Whitsunday islands or relax on
Daydream's secluded beaches. Perhaps explore Daydream Island's lush
rainforest or snorkel the fringing reefs (activities at own
expense).
Breakfast
Day 13 Mon. Whitsundays, Rockhampton.
Cruise back to the mainland. Visit Mackay, the sugar capital
of Australia, before heading to Rockhampton and visiting the
delightful Botanic Gardens.
Stay: Rockhampton Plaza Hotel.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 14 Tue. Tropic of Capricorn, Hervey Bay.
Cross the Tropic of Capricorn at Rockhampton then travel south
on our way to the pretty coastal town of Hervey Bay.
Two Night Stay: Hervey Bay, Kondari Resort.
Breakfast
Day 15 Wed. Fraser Island by 4-Wheel Drive.
Cruise to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and explore the
world's largest sand island by 4-wheel drive. Discover unspoilt
surf beaches, pristine inland lakes and lush tropical rainforest.
On our return cruise to Hervey Bay, watch for migrating whales
(Aug.-Oct.).
Breakfast Feature Lunch
Day 16 Thur. Australia Zoo, Moreton Island.
Visit Australia Zoo, made famous by the 'Crocodile Hunter',
Steve Irwin. Watch the feeding of the crocodiles who 'have a go' at
the keepers as the staff walk around with wildlife for you to see
and touch. Then cruise to Moreton Island National Park.
Two Night Stay: Moreton Island, Tangalooma Wild Dolphin
Resort.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 17 Fri. Day at Leisure at Tangalooma.
Snorkel around the shipwrecks, try sand tobogganing or take a
4-wheel drive tour, it's up to you what you would like to do
(activities at own expense). Tonight interact with the wild
dolphins that swim close to shore.
Breakfast
Day 18 Sat. Brisbane, City Sightseeing Tour, Gold Coast.
Travel to Brisbane this morning and tour the city,
Queensland's capital. Visit the famous beaches of the Gold Coast,
an international holiday playground.
Stay: Kingscliff, Outrigger on the Beach at Salt.
Breakfast
Day 19 Sun. Byron Bay, Port Macquarie.
Visit Byron Bay, renowned for its surf beaches and bohemian
culture. Relax and take in the views from Cape Byron. We travel on
to Coffs Harbour, stopping at Kempsey, home to the iconic
Australian Akubra hat. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner.
Stay: Port Macquarie, Rydges Port Macquarie.
Breakfast Feature Dinner
Day 20 Wed. Sydney.
Cross the Hawkesbury River this morning before travelling
across the Sydney Harbour Bridge into Sydney's city centre where
your holiday concludes.
Breakfast
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