Summary

Trip Length
14 days / 13 nights

Price
from USD$ 2,815
Details >

Outline
Start in Sydney
3 nights Sydney
3 nights Melbourne
1 night Alice Springs
1 night Ayers Rock
1 night Kings Canyon
1 night Alice Springs
3 nights Cairns
End in Cairns

Start
Sydney

2007-2009
Daily, year round

Accommodation
Popular, Superior or Deluxe

Options & Upgrades
Additional nights and tours

Day 1- Sydney Arrival
This ‘classic’ itinerary begins in Sydney, Australia’s largest and most well-known city. Built around a spectacular natural harbour, Sydney has a vibrant atmosphere with great restaurants, shops, nightlife, and a bustling waterfront. The down-to-earth friendliness of four million ‘Aussies’ helps you feel right at home. Whether you arrive from an international or domestic flight, your package includes a transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 - In Sydney
Today is your day to get acquainted with Sydney, and one of the smartest ways to do that is with comprehensive tour by land of the city’s highlights and its famous beaches, together with a harbour cruise to give you a perspective of the city from the water. By land you’ll see Sydney Harbour Bridge, the historic Rocks area, and the northern and southern beaches - including Manly and Bondi. From the water you’ll see Darling Harbour, the Opera House, and get a sense of the magnificence of the whole city, whilst enjoying a relaxing buffet lunch on board. All-in-all a great way to feel at home fast in this vibrant and friendly city.

Day 3 - Canberra
Australia’s National Capital, Canberra, is a great day trip destination and you can see all the essential sights on this tour. Leave Sydney and stop at the historic town of Berrima for morning tea before continuing via Goulburn to Canberra. Visit the National Museum, Parliament House, Diplomatic Embassies, Mount Ainslie Lookout, and enjoy some free time to browse around the Australian War Memorial. The return journey to Sydney includes a stop for dinner (meals are not included).

Day 4 – Sydney to Melbourne
Say goodbye to Sydney and take a short flight down to Melbourne (not included). Australia’s second largest city prides itself on being the country’s centre for the Arts, and is also known for its wealth of parks and gardens. Melbourne bustles with lively cafes, restaurants and shops, and it is also the gateway to exploring the state of Victoria and the spectacular south coast.

Day 5 - Melbourne City Tour, Phillip Island & Penguin Parade
This is your day to get to know Melbourne with a full day tour of the city and a visit to Phillip Island to see the fairy penguins and their nightly ‘parade’ when they return from the sea to their nests. The morning’s city tour highlights include Melbourne Cricket Ground, Fitzroy Gardens, Westgate Bridge, Shrine of Remembrance, Chinatown and City Square. In the afternoon, travel along Bass Highway, skirting Westernport Bay and cross the Narrows Bridge at the pretty village of San Remo before arriving on Phillip Island. A tour of the island includes unbelievable coastal views such as Seal Rock and the Nobbies and you can also visit the Koala Conservation Centre before witnessing the nightly ritual of penguins returning and feeding their young. On the way back the tour stops in Cowes so you can have dinner at a restaurant of your choice (not included).

Day 6 - Melbourne
Spend a day exploring on your own. Visit the beach, do some shopping or you can choose one of several optional day trips - so don’t forget to ask your Fresh Tracks agent about great options for today.

Day 7 – Melbourne to Alice Springs
Transfer to the airport for your flight into the mysterious centre of Australia and the city of Alice Springs (flight not included). Capital of Australia’s red centre and gateway to the Outback, Alice Springs is a must-visit destination. Alice’s claim to fame is its close proximity to Uluru (Ayers Rock) but the independent traveler will soon find that there is far more to see. After you arrive at your hotel, enjoy an afternoon tour of Alice Springs and discover the town’s unique ruggedness with a contemporary touch. Visit the Old Telegraph Station, Royal Flying Doctor Base, and Alice Springs Reptile Centre. Travel up to Anzac Hill for panoramic views of the town and surrounding MacDonnell Ranges. Whether you arrive from an international or domestic flight, your package includes a transfer to your hotel.

Day 8 – Alice Springs to Ayers Rock
Today you’ll make your journey to Ayers Rock, Australia’s most recognizable icon and a place with a definite mystical feeling. Stop along the way at a camel farm for a morning tea break and to see how camels played a big part in the early days of the Outback. Continue on the road to the massive series of conglomerate domes named Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). See the mysterious rock pile stretch over 35 square kilometres before returning to the Sunset Strip for a truly spectacular sight: the changing colours of Uluru as the setting sun casts its rays on the gigantic monolith.

Day 9 – Ayers Rock to Kings Canyon
Wake up in the early morning to view sunrise over Ayers Rock and the vast desert. For adventurous ones, it’s off to the Rock for an early morning climb while the air is still cool. This is indeed a memorable experience and is suited for those with a good level of fitness. Rejoin the group on descent for an informative base tour. This afternoon, depart Ayers Rock to the desert oasis at Kings Canyon.

Day 10 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
This morning you’re in for a treat. Admire the views of sunrise over Kings Canyon before going on a guided walk through the canyon’s diverse landscape. Pass by refreshing waterholes, deep gorges, fascinating rock formations, and a diversity of plants and animals. The main highlights of the tour include a stop at the Garden of Eden and Lost City, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley floor. Depart in the mid afternoon and return to Alice Springs.

Day 11 – Alice Springs to Cairns
Today is the day you leave the Red Center, but if you have time consider two great early morning options - a Sunrise Balloon trip or the Aboriginal Cultural Experience. T ransfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns (not included). With the Great Barrier Reef beneath its offshore waters and incredible tropical outback adventures in the surrounding area, Cairns is a must-visit destination in Australia.

Note: In Cairns you may choose to stay in the city or on the Northern Beaches. The city is where most people stay -- where all the ‘action’ is -- but if you want a quieter time and a nice beach we recommend staying in the northern beaches (applies to Superior & Deluxe packages only - ask when booking otherwise we will assume you want to stay in the city.)

Day 12 - Great Barrier Reef Cruise or Michaelmas Cay Cruise
Cairns’ greatest claim to fame is of course the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living thing visible from space and generally considered one of the natural ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ along with the likes of the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest. You have two choices of trip on which to enjoy the reef today:

Option 1 - Outer Barrier Reef cruise
Your friendly crew will take you to a reef at the very edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and life. The reef lagoon at Agincourt offers excellent swimming and snorkelling areas. We suggest getting in the water, but those who wish can stay dry and still explore the stunning reef world from the comfort of a sub, just one metre underwater, or watch the fish feeding from a unique viewing platform and underwater observatory. Included: pick up and drop off from your hotel, return wavepiercer cruise, morning and afternoon teas on board, informative reef presentation by a marine biologist, tropical smorgasbord lunch, all snorkelling equipment, qualified snorkelling safety officers on hand, underwater observatory fish and coral viewing and coral viewing by semi-submersible vessels .

Option 2 - Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise
This is for those who would like a smaller vessel with sails. Michaelmas Cay is everyone’s idea of a sandy tropical islet surrounded by reef, and you reach it on this cruise by a magnificent twin-hulled sailing boat. Snorkel from the boat with a marine biologist, explore the island with its 14 species of birdlife or just relax and drink in the magic of the place. Included: pick-up and drop off from your hotel, morning and afternoon teas on board, informative reef presentation by marine biologist, tropical smorgasbord lunch, all snorkelling equipment, snorkelling safety officers on hand, coral viewing by semi-submersible vessels.

Day 13 - Cairns
Enjoy a day at leisure in Cairns. Do some last minute souvenir hunting, head to the beach to catch a few rays, or book an optional tour like the Kuranda Rainforest Train – ask your Fresh Tracks agent for more information.

Day 14 - Depart Cairns
Your Australia vacation concludes as you check-out from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight.

return to top

2007 - 2009 Package start dates
Daily departures, year round

Options & Upgrades
Additional nights and tours

Price Notes
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people sharing

Included
• 13 nights accommodation in carefully selected, well located hotels, choose from Popular, Superior or Deluxe options
• Morning city and beaches tour with lunch harbor cruise
• Day tour of the Australian capital; Canberra
• Melbourne City tour and Philip Island, see Kangaroos, koalas and fur seals, and watch the penguin parade
• Alice Springs tour with panoramic viewpoint
• Transfer from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock (Uluru) stopping to meet outback camels at a local farm
• Tour to Kata Tjuta, walk amongst the 36 amazing rocky domes. Spot ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) as you stroll through the Olga Gorge.Enjoy a glass of wine as the sun set provides the perfect backdrop to Ayers Rock
• Morning walking tour to Mutitjulu waterhole before arriving at the base of Ayers Rock for a guided walking tour on the Mala walk. (Clients wishing to climb Uluru may forgo this tour)
• Transfer to Kings Canyon
• Guided walk through the ‘Lost City’ and to the rim of King’s Canyon (degree of fitness required, alternative can be provided)
• Stop at Kings Creek cattle station on return to Alice Springs
• Choose from either
1.Outer barrier reef tour based at the activity platform, transfer by High speed catamaran. Options available for non swimmers or
2. Michaelmas Cay Day Cruise- 4 hrs at the Reef , view amazing coral from the semi-submersible, snorkel or take a guided walk with a marine biologist along the beach . Complimentary champagne and entertainment on the homeward sail. Lunch inc.
• Airport transfers on arrival (Sydney) and departure (Cairns)
• Support of our 24-hour customer service hotline
• Good & Services Tax (GST)

Not Included
• International or domestic airfares
• Meals other than specified, Portage, Gratuities or items of a personal nature
• Fuel surcharge and environmental taxes at Great Barrier reef
• Transfers to and from railway stations (we recommend local taxis with a small local charge)
• Travel & medical insurance

return to top