Day 1 | ARRIVE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. |
| Welcome to Sydney. The rest of the day is at your leisure. |
Day 2 | SYDNEY |
| Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes an Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop. Visit stunning Bondi Beach, considered the most beautiful beach in Sydney by many. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B) |
Day 3 | SYDNEY |
| Enjoy a full day at leisure. Choose from our selection of optional excursions, including a cruise on Sydney Harbour and a climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. (B) |
Day 4 | SYDNEY–CAIRNS–PORT DOUGLAS. |
| Fly to tropical Cairns and transfer to Port Douglas, a beachside town surrounded by rainforest and the Coral Sea. Enjoy a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. (B) |
Day 5 | PORT DOUGLAS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF. |
| Today, prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Return to Port Douglas, where the evening is at leisure. (B,L) |
Day 6 | PORT DOUGLAS |
| A full day at leisure. You may wish to take a trip into the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest living rainforest, and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include strolling the beach, relaxing by your resort’s pool, or shopping at the unique boutiques and galleries in downtown Port Douglas, where you are sure to find a favorite souvenir. (B) |
Day 7 | PORT DOUGLAS–CAIRNS–DARWIN. |
| Transfer to Cairns and fly to Darwin at the top end of Australia. (B) |
Day 8 | DARWIN. EXCURSION TO KAKADU NATIONAL PARK. |
| This morning, depart Darwin for a full-day excursion to Kakadu National Park. Upon arrival, take a guided walk around Nourlangie Rock to view ancient Aboriginal rock art. Then, take a guided cruise on Kakadu’s famous wetlands for a chance to see crocodiles in the wild. You will also stop at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn more about the cultural significance of the park. Afterward, return to Darwin. (B,L)NOTE:On Mondays & Thursdays, December-March, sightseeing to Kakadu National Park is not available. On Mondays, alternative sightseeing to Katherine Gorge will be given and on Thursdays, alternative sightseeing to Litchfield National Park will be given. |
Day 9 | DARWIN–ULURU (AYERS ROCK) |
| Today, fly to Uluru. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
Day 10 | ULURU. |
| This morning, rise early for an inspiring sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Witness incredible views over the dunes and stunning desert landscape. Continue to Walpa Gorge for a guided walk through Kata Tjuta. Later this afternoon, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, which houses an amazing collection of ceramics, paintings, and punu (woodwork) from the Anangu people, the traditional custodians of Uluru. Finish the day at “Sunset Strip” for a drink & canapes, and to witness the changing colors of the rock. (B) |
Day 11 | ULURU–MELBOURNE |
| Fly to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
Day 12 | MELBOURNE. |
| Your morning guided sightseeing tour includes Federation Square, St. Patrick’s Park, Queen Victoria Market (when open), Albert Park Lake, the Shrine of Remembrance, and St. Kilda Beach. Your tour ends at the Eureka Skydeck for awe-inspiring views of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
Day 13 | MELBOURNE |
| Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent activities. You may want to join an optional excursion to Phillip Island to watch the world-famous Penguin Parade, travel the spectacular Great Ocean Road, or explore the famous lanes and arcades of the city. (B) |
Day 14 | MELBOURNE–HOBART. |
| Today, fly to Hobart, Tasmania, home of the famed Tasmanian devil. The remainder of the day is at your leisure in this charming town. (B) |
Day 15 | HOBART. EXCURSION TO PORT ARTHUR. |
| Today, travel through the scenic Tasman Peninsula, with stops to see the Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen coastal formations. Continue on to Port Arthur Historic Site, where you will enjoy a walking tour of the convict settlement. Afterward, cruise on Carnarvon Bay to the “Isle of the Dead” and enjoy a visit. Return to Hobart in the late afternoon. (B)NOTE:On Saturdays, sightseeing will consist of a walking tour of the Salamanca Market in Hobart followed by a visit to Port Arthur Historic Site. |
Day 16 | HOBART. |
| A full free day to explore more of Hobart. Take the ferry to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), try some of Hobart’s craft beer, wines and whiskey, or climb Mount Wellington for the best views of Hobart. (B) |
Day 17 | MELBOURNE–ADELAIDE |
| Today, fly to Adelaide. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
Day 18 | ADELAIDE. EXCURSION TO KANGAROO ISLAND. |
| Early this morning, depart Adelaide and travel by motorcoach and ferry to Kangaroo Island, one of the world’s last unspoiled habitats. Visit Seal Bay with a national park ranger to see a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Explore Flinders Chase National Park, a sanctuary for native Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. Stop here for a walk on Remarkable Rocks, with stunning views of the sea. You will also take a boardwalk down a rugged cliff face to Admirals Arch, a unique rock formation and home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals, which can be seen resting on the rocks and playing in the waves. Return to Adelaide late this evening. (B,L) |
Day 19 | ADELAIDE. |
| A full day at leisure to explore Adelaide. You may choose to join an optional excursion to Barossa Valley for wine tasting and lunch at a winery or explore the historic Adelaide Central Market. (B) |
Day 20 | ADELAIDE. |
| Your stay in Adelaide ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |