Summary

Trip Length
12 days / 11 nights

Price
from USD$ 2,582
Details >

Outline
Start in Sydney
3 nights Sydney
1 night Alice Springs
1 night Uluru (Ayers Rock)
1 night Kings Canyon
1 night Alice Springs
2 nights Cairns
2 nights Port Douglas
End in Cairns

Starts
Sydney

2007-2009
Daily, year round

Accommodation
Popular, Superior or Deluxe

Options & Upgrades
Additional nights and tours

Day 1- Sydney Arrival
Begin your classic Australian vacation in Sydney. 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 - 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, combined with a harbour cruise. By land you’ll see Sydney Harbour Bridge, the historic Rocks area, and the northern and southern beaches - including Manly. From the water you’ll see Darling Harbour, the Opera House, and get a sense of the magnificence of the whole city, while enjoying a relaxing buffet lunch on board.

Day 3 - Sydney
Enjoy a day to explore on your own - or you can choose one of several optional day trips, such as a wine-tasting tour of the Hunter Valley or a walking trip in the Blue Mountains. Just ask your Fresh Tracks agent about these great options.

Day 4 – Sydney to Alice Springs
Leave the hustle and bustle of Sydney and fly to Alice Springs - capital of Australia’s red centre and gateway to the Outback (flight not included). 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.

Day 5 – 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 see how these animals 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 6 – Ayers Rock to Kings Canyon
Wake up in the early morning to watch as the sun rises 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 7 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
You’re in for a treat this morning! 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 8 – Alice Springs to Cairns
If you have time, consider two great early morning experiences - a Sunrise Balloon trip or the Aboriginal Cultural Experience – before heading to the airport for your flight to Cairns (not included). Upon arrival in Cairns, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. With the Great Barrier Reef beneath its offshore waters and incredible tropical outback adventures in the surrounding area, Cairns and neighbouring Port Douglas are among the best destinations in Australia.

Day 9 - Full day Kuranda, Rainforest and Dreamtime Tour.
Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a memorable journey through amazing Heritage Rainforest, past cascading waterfalls and through lush stretches of foliage. Enter the impressive Rainforestation Nature Park in the village of Kuranda – 40 hectares of gardens and rainforest – and see the cuddly creatures of the tropics at the Koala and Wildlife Park. The day includes a BBQ lunch and an appearance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers. Return to Cairns via the famed Skyrail, a 4.5 mile (7.5 km) gondola ride over the rainforest. Overnight in Cairns.

Day 10 - Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Cairns’ and Port Douglas’ 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.’ Today you take an all-day trip to the Outer Reef. Your friendly crew will take you to a part of the 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 snorkeling areas. We suggest getting in the water, but those who wish to stay dry can still explore the stunning reef world just one metre under water from the comfort of a sub - or watch the fish feeding from a unique viewing platform and underwater observatory.
Included: pick up and drop off from your hotel, return cruise, morning and afternoon teas on board, informative reef presentation by a marine biologist, tropical smorgasbord lunch, all snorkeling equipment, qualified snorkeling safety officers on hand, underwater observatory fish and coral viewing and coral viewing by semi-submersible vessels. Overnight in Port Douglas.

Day 11 - Port Douglas
Port Douglas has nice palm-fringed beaches and is another departure point for the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a free day to explore on your own - 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 12 - Depart Cairns
Following check-out from your hotel, your Australia vacation ends with a transfer to the airport.

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
• 11 nights accommodation in carefully selected, well located hotels, choose from Popular, Superior or Deluxe options
• Morning city and beaches tour with lunch harbor cruise
• 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
• Day trip aboard scenic railway to Kuranda, lunch at the Rainforestation Nature Park , cultural display from by Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Troupe. Amphibious Army Duck rain forest tour . Have your photo taken with a koala (optional), hand feed kangaroos and view crocodiles at the Koala and Wildlife Park. Return to Cairns via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. (Tour may operate in reverse).
• Outer barrier reef tour based at the activity platform, transfer by High speed catamaran. Options available for non swimmers.
• Meals as specified
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Support of our 24-hour customer service hotline
• Good & Services Tax (GST)

Not Included
• International or domestic airfares
• Meals other than specified, Tips, Porterage, 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