Australia Vacations

Sydney, Reef & Rainforest
13 Days / 10 Nights from $2838


Destinations

Hamilton or Hayman, Daintree, Sydney

This Itinerary Features

Collection, Family, Groups, Adventure, Beach, Nature, Culture

Your Itinerary Includes

• International coach class air
• Internal coach class air in Australia
• All round trip airport transfers
• 4 nights Hamilton Island OR Hayman
• 3 nights Daintree Rainforest
• Daintree Rainforest full day tour
• 3 nights Sydney
• Sydney half day small group city tour
• 2 lunches

Day-By-Day Itinerary

This itinerary can be fully customized; to tailor this package to your specific requirements please call one of our travel specialists.

Day 1 Fly USA to Sydney

Day 2 You cross the International Date Line
The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day; traveling west, takes the traveler forward one day.

Day 3 Welcome to Sydney, Australia
On arrival into Sydney you will need to clear customs and make your way through the main arrivals hall from where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Sydney - Australia's premier city is the oldest settlement in Australia, the economic powerhouse of the nation and the country's capital in everything but name. Built on the shores of the stunning Port Jackson, you would have to die and go to heaven before you see a more spectacular setting for a city. It's a vital, self-regarding metropolis, exuding both a devil-may-care urbanity and a slavish obsession with global fads. The Sydney area was the ancestral home of the Daruk tribe, whose territory extended from Botany Bay to Pittwater.

There are some 2000 Aboriginal rock engraving sites in the Sydney area, and many of Sydney's suburbs have Aboriginal names. The city of Sydney began life as a penal colony in 1788 and for the next 60 years received the unwanted, persecuted and criminal elements of British society. Despite its brutal beginnings, the city's mixture of pragmatic egalitarianism and plain indifference has transformed it into a thriving multicultural society. Sydney now attracts the majority of Australia's immigrants and the city's predominantly Anglo-Irish heritage has been revitalized by large influxes of Italian, Lebanese, Turkish, Greek, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Day 4 Tour - Sydney half day city tour
Sydney truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its spectacular harbor setting, fascinating convict history, bustling downtown area and an exciting blend of architecture, ranging from convict built early colonial style reflecting our heritage, through to the world famous Sydney Opera House.

This is a very special small-group tour designed to give you a feel for this great city by showing you more than just the normal must-see 'tourist sites' Because we only use small luxury mini-vans, we will get behind the scenes to some fascinating city and suburban areas. Your driver is a very experienced private guide able to answer questions and discuss things of interest, with the knowledge and flexibility to cater for most interests.

You will be collected late morning from your hotel to see the highlights of downtown Sydney before venturing into some of the exclusive harbor-side residential areas where we stop for a 2 course lunch at the Vaucluse House Tea Rooms. Vaucluse House is one of Australia’s most historic houses and was home to the father of the Australian Constitution. From lunch we continue our sightseeing including the famous areas of Bondi Beach and Paddington before returning to the city to commence a leisurely cruise of magnificent Sydney Harbour aboard a sailing catamaran. Your cruise ends at Circular Quay and Darling Harbour by 5pm, from where you make your own way to your hotel.

Day 5 At leisure, Sydney
At your leisure to explore Sydney. Most of the major attractions of the city are within easy walking distance of your accommodation - Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Centrepoint Tower, Circular Quay, The Rocks etc.

Day 6 Fly Sydney to Uluru (Ayers Rock)
You will be met at your hotel and transferred by shuttle to the airport for your flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Upon arrival, transfer to your accommodation via the courtesy airport shuttle bus.

Uluru (Ayers Rock), in the heart of the Red Centre, has a desert climate - mostly dry, with brilliant blue skies all year. Autumn and spring will give you sunny days with cloudless skies and crisp, cool nights which is the perfect kind of weather for exploring the sights by foot or in the comfort of a vehicle. Summer is the time when Central Australia is at its most vivid, with hot days and balmy nights. December through February are the hottest months - usually more that 95º Fahrenheit - so take a hat and sunscreen.

Day 6 Tour - Sounds of Silence
Tonight is an outback dining experience to remember, with Desert Oaks framing the view, the sounds of the didgeridoo, the taste of outback cuisine, the 'sounds of silence' and the Milky Way.

Depart from your hotel and journey into the desert to see the brilliant outback sunset over Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Enjoy a three course meal prepared before we dim the lanterns and listen to the sounds of the great outback. Look up to see the brilliant southern skies, the Milky Way gleaming amongst stars and constellations.

Group size is limited to a maximum of 50 in order to preserve the fragile outdoor sites. Excursion includes transfers, pre-dinner drinks (local beer, wine & soft drinks), Canapés, BBQ Buffet, Dessert, tea, coffee & port.

Day 7 Tour - Spirit of Uluru
This is a vehicle based tour around Uluru (Ayers Rock), providing the opportunity to witness the spectacular sunrise and absorb Uluru's natural history and deep significance to the Anangu people. Short walks will bring you close to this wonderful and powerful place, viewing rock art, waterholes and appreciating the unique flora and fauna of Uluru.

There is time to amble, to absorb images and to gain an insight into Uluru's remarkable presence. The final step is to the Uluru and Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre This is a small group tour (max 18) with Discovery Ecotours. Light breakfast included - morning tour duration of around 4 hours.

Tour - Kata Tjuta and Dunes
Leaving from your hotel mid-afternoon, the Discovery Ecotours guide will explain the nature of the desert and its development. A short walk to the dune lookout puts one in touch with the environment and lets you delight in the spectacular panoramic view of Kata Tjuta (the Olga’s) - a very sacred place to the Aboriginal people.

Arriving at Walpa (Olga) Gorge, walk into this mystic place, to hear how it has evolved over millions of years. The scale of the walls and the wind far above, add a sense of mystery here. The sky deepens and the great domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olga’s) flush red as the tour retires to the sunset viewing area to celebrate the fantastic color changes wrought by sunset with complimentary champagne. Sit back and absorb the desert solitude or relax and chat to your guide about Australia’s red center. The spectacle fades as you return to Yulara beneath a sky of brilliant stars. This afternoon tour is around 4 hour’s duration.

Day 8 Fly Ayers Rock to Cairns
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The heart of the tropical north, Cairns offers great access to reef and islands and is a perfect base for exploring the wider region. With 600 day tours departing the city daily there is plenty to do.

Day 9 Tour - Great Barrier Reef day cruise with Ocean Spirit
This morning, transfer to Cairns wharf and board the 'Ocean Spirit', a luxury 105ft sailing vessel - the largest of her kind in the world. Sail to Michaelmas Cay, known as the Isle of the Birds, a year round home to thousands of sea birds of some 14 different species. Its spectacular coral reef which thrives in the ideal conditions of clear, shallow, sunlit water is home to a variety of marine life including giant clams and brilliant fish.

Because Michaelmas Cay is a National Park the fish are so tame you can feed them from the beach and birds know they are safe to wander among you with their chicks.

Lunch is a buffet of seafood, hot and cold meats, roasted potatoes, salads and tropical fruit, freshly prepared in the spacious galley. We spend four hours at the reef with time for a variety of activities. You may wish to do a guided snorkeling tour with a graduate marine biologist, scuba dive with a qualified instructor (extra cost), or just laze on the beach. Enjoy a leisurely sail back to Cairns and afternoon tea, arriving back at the wharf around 4.30pm.

Day 10 At leisure, Cairns
Cairns is the gateway to Tropical Far North Queensland, a region of contrasts and surprises. It is home to the Great Barrier Reef, palm-fringed isolated beaches, Kuranda and the Atherton Tablelands, World Heritage listed rainforests and the sun burnt outback. This dynamic area serves as a diverse hub for many attractions and activities of the Tropical North. Apart from the major tourism attractions of the Reef & Rainforest, there are many adventure sports such as white water rafting and bungy jumping, as well as other activities such as golf and trail riding. The choice is yours, we can either pre-arrange something for you or the concierge at your accommodation can make some suggestions.

Day 11 Tour - Daintree Rainforest full day tour
You will be collected from your accommodation to travel one of Australia's great scenic Highways before arriving at the Daintree River. We cross the Daintree River and continue to the Daintree Environmental Centre for morning tea. Here an expert guide will take you on a boardwalk whilst explaining some of the fascinating secrets of one of the world's oldest rainforests. After the walk, you may obtain a closer look at life in the rainforest by ascending the Rainforest Canopy Tower.

We then continue to Cape Tribulation Beach while your driver/guide explains the rich history of the area. Walk the beach or boardwalk and relax in this tranquil outdoor environment, before heading for lunch in a rainforest setting. During the afternoon, we make a stop to enjoy the panoramic view from Alexandra Lookout. Re-crossing the river, we join a calm water cruise of this important waterway - your guide will point out the different types of wildlife and plants that make their home along the river. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive and fearsome estuarine saltwater crocodile!

The cruise terminates in Daintree Village, where you will board the coach for the return journey to Cairns, stopping enroute at beautiful Mossman Gorge. Arrive back at your accommodation after an informative and fascinating day.

Day 12 Fly Cairns to USA (Via Sydney)
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Sydney to connect with your international flight back to the USA.

Pricing

To determine pricing for your tour select the appropriate travel season and desired accommodation level from the table below.

Standard Superior Deluxe Reference # 433541 433542 433543 Low Season $2838 $3269 $4345 Shoulder Season $3238 $3669 $4795 High Season $3638 $4069 $5195 Peak Season $3705 $4136 $5262 Single Supplement $846 $1312 $2237 All prices reflect a 3% discount for purchases made by cash/check.  There are no discounts for payment made by credit card. International Airfare Credit Air credit pricing can be deducted from the overall package cost if you have already obtained/plan to obtain your international flights independently.  For this itinerary, the air credit includes the following flight segments: LAX-SYD-LAX Low Season $725 Shoulder Season $1025 High Season $1325 Peak Season $1375 Travel Seasons   Low Season 5/1–6/9/05 and 8/1–9/15/05 Shoulder Season 4/1–4/30/05; 6/10–7/31/05; 9/16–12/2/05 and 3/1–3/31/06 High Season 12/3–12/9 and 12/24–2/28/06 Peak Season 12/10–12/23/05