Australia Vacations

Tropical Escape
13 Days / 10 Nights from $3039


Destinations

Daintree, Dunk or Lizard Island, Sydney or Brisbane or Melbourne

This Itinerary Features

Collection, Groups, Spa, Beach, Nature

Your Itinerary Includes

• International coach class air
• Internal coach class air in Australia
• All round trip airport transfers
• 3 nights Daintree Rainforest
• Daintree Rainforest full day tour
• 4 nights Dunk Island OR 4 nights Lizard Island
• 3 nights Sydney OR 3 nights Brisbane OR 3 nights Melbourne
• 4 breakfasts 1 lunch 4 dinners (Lizard Island option includes
• 4 additional 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 Dateline
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 to your next flight north to Cairns. Upon arrival into Cairns you will be transferred to your accommodation up in the Daintree Rainforest.

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 4 Tour - Daintree Rainforest full day tour
Departing from Cape tribulation Resorts, travel toward the southern reaches of Cape Tribulation National Park. A stop is made to walk on Maardja Boardwalk in a spectacular and fascinating rainforest mangrove area. We visit the Daintree Environmental Centre for the opportunity to understand more about this unique part of the world. Climb the 25 meter canopy tower and experience life from the tree-tops.

Following morning tea, the trail leads inland to Thorntons Peak. Immerse yourself in the natural environment, swimming in pristine streams and feasting on gourmet sandwiches deep in the rainforest. Travel to Cooper Creek for a 1-hour discovery cruise. Watch for abundant bird-life, pythons and the estuarine crocodiles that inhabit this coastal mangrove system (sightings not guaranteed).

En route back to your resort, pleasure your taste buds with exotic homemade ice cream at the Daintree Ice Cream Factory (own expense). Tour duration is 8 hours.

Day 5 At leisure, Daintree Rainforest
Named in 1770 by Captain Cook, for the trouble he ran into before grounding his ship on a nearby reef, Cape Tribulation is anything but that for visitors today. The experience now is incomparable relaxation. A genuinely delightful holiday is in store for you. You can bushwalk, horse-ride, kayak, snorkel, fish in the estuaries or simply let go in one of Australia's most beautiful settings.

The dense rainforest reaches all the way down to the coast from rugged mountains rising in the west, with ancient, exotic plant life bordering the waterfalls and clear jungle streams. The area is home to some of the oldest species of ferns, including the renowned Angiopteris, the largest in the world.

Day 6 Fly Cairns to Dunk or Lizard Island
Transfer back to Cairns for your onward flight to either Dunk Island or Lizard Island.

Days 7-8 At leisure
Dunk Island (Standard & Superior)

Enjoy a superb range of resort facilities including a choice of dining and bar facilities, swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, a fully-equipped gym and a beauty salon offering massage services. There is a wide range of complimentary daily activities the family can enjoy together. These include bushwalking along the scenic rainforest, garden or beach trails, golf on the six-hole course, catamaran sailing, windsurfing and archery. For an additional charge, guests can experience snorkeling trips to the Great Barrier Reef, game fishing charters, parasailing and jetskiing as well as exhilarating horse rides through the rainforest and along the beach.

Lizard Island (Deluxe)

Lizard Island is one of a kind - a work of nature's art. Located right on the Great Barrier Reef, it is a private paradise with 24 powdery white beaches. During his epic voyage of 1770, Captain James Cook climbed the peak on Lizard Island to chart a course out to sea through the maze of reefs which confronted him. Today Lizard Island offers an escape of a different kind; a unique holiday on the Great Barrier Reef's northern most island resort.

Being right on the Great Barrier Reef is rare enough, but Lizard Island offers the full spectrum - both the inner and outer Reef experiences. Here you can snorkel off a secluded beach to discover a garden of giant clams, many a meter long and some reputed to be over 120 years old. And there are 23 more soft, powdery white beaches just waiting to be explored. Lizard Island is renowned for its diving. At the world famous 'Cod Hole', you'll come face to face with a massive yet curious Potato Cod swimming right up to inspect you with child-like curiosity.

Pack a picnic lunch for two and be whisked away to a 'private beach' to enjoy this magic location without disruption. There are many magnificent walks, and on at least one you can expect to glimpse a Monitor, the lizard after which the island was named.

Day 9 Fly Dunk or Lizard Island to Brisbane or Sydney or Melbourne (Via Cairns)
Fly to Cairns and connect to your onward flight to your choice of city – Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Days 10-12 At leisure, Brisbane or Sydney or Melbourne
Brisbane

There are many activities and attractions available at the doorstep of your hotel. South Bank Parklands offers a vibrant atmosphere with parklands, restaurants and cafes. The Cultural Centre, Queensland Art Gallery, Museum and State Library are also close by.

Sydney

At your leisure to explore Sydney. Most of the major attractions of the city are within easy walking distance from your accommodation – Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Centrepoint Tower, Circular Quay, The Rocks, etc. During your stay ideally you should take a harbor cruise around one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, maybe take a short trip to one of the wildlife parks to see the unique animals (koalas and kangaroos) Australia has. Climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge for some awesome views, and after all that, enjoy the great restaurants that Sydney has to offer. The local chefs take full advantage of the fresh seafood and produce.

Melbourne

At first glance, Melbourne may resemble any other modern city with its skyline full of concrete & glass. However, if you look a little closer, you'll find the real Melbourne, a city of unique charm.

There are the clanging trams (street cars), swanky boutiques, friendly taxi drivers, Australian Rules Football, fickle weather and 'BYO's', by the hundred (restaurants to which you bring your own liquor or wine). Add to this, Melbourne's traditional virtues of tree lined boulevards, glorious parks, elegant buildings & imposing Victorian Banks & Churches, and of course the giant Melbourne Cricket Ground and you'll have some idea of the city.

Melbourne has become a polyglot society with a huge diversity of cultures, Italian, Greek, East European, Middle Eastern & Asian. This diversity is reflected in the food styles, the lifestyle, & even the language spoken in the street.

Day 13 Fly Brisbane or Sydney or Melbourne to USA (Via Sydney)
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Sydney (if required) before connecting to your international flight.

Pricing

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

Standard Superior Deluxe Reference # 433544 433545 433546 Low Season $3039 $3562 $4230 Shoulder Season $3439 $3962 $4682 High Season $3839 $4362 $5082 Peak Season $3906 $4429 $5149 Single Supplement $815 $1108 $1370 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//MEL-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