Itinerary

Day 1 Sydney

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.28 million. It is the state capital of New South Wales, and the site of the first British colony in Australia, established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, leader of the First Fleet from Britain. Located on Australia's south-east coast, the city is built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour, leading to the city's nickname, "the Harbour City". It is noted for the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and its beaches. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and contains many bays, rivers and inlets.

Includes airport transfer to city/hotel with private vehicle, professional driver and local representative.

Upon check in at your hotel you will be provided with your welcome package. In the package you will receive a welcome letter, detailed itinerary, vouchers for each service, supplier contact list as well as various brochures of the destinations you will be visiting.

A unique Sydney hotel offering chic accommodation in the heart of Sydney, Vibe Hotel Sydney (4*) exudes the style of this fantastic city. You will love the convenience of staying in this vibrant location and in the heart of all the action. The hotel is perfectly positioned for you to easily discover Sydney’s vibrant CBD fringe villages of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Chinatown and the Sydney entertainment precinct offering live theatre and music year round. Sydney’s premier tourist destinations like Sydney Centrepoint Tower, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, The Rocks and Circular Quay are only minutes away so you may want to stay just a little bit longer…and enjoy the vibe!

Overnight at Vibe (4*).

Day 2 Sydney

Depart this morning you are collected from your hotel for an unforgettable Panoramic Sydney City sights tour. On the tour you visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House & Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, QVB, Centrepoint. Visit Sydney's trendy new district Oxford Street. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the superb coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach and visit the beachfront promenade, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at own cost). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers & Sydney's best panoramic view. Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross & city centre (small group tour)

There are so many things to do in Sydney it may be hard deciding what to choose. We would recommend some of the following attractions: Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower + Oz Trek, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales which also houses an Aboriginal Art exhibition. You can also choose to take a half day city sights tour, a one hour Majestic Harbour Cruise (which operates daily at 10:30 or 15:00) or the Sydney Opera House Essential Tour (1 hr, operates daily between 09:00 and 17:00). All are included in the SmartVisit free pass card. Ask your Travel Consultant if you would like to purchase this card.

Overnight at Vibe (4*).

Day 3 Sydney

Today you will be picked up along with a small group of other travellers and taken on a luxury 4WD tour to the Blue Mountains. You will meet Australia’s unique native animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park with a rewarding photographic opportunity where you will come in close contact with Australian animals. Experience an off road Adventure as you descend a deep canyon. Enjoy a remote stop along the way in this World Heritage area and breathe in the essence of the Australian eucalyptus while your friendly Guide explains the unique qualities of the Aussie bush. Then you visit the Mt. Tomah Botanic Gardens - home to Australia’s largest collection of cool climate plants and the ‘Dinosaur Age’ Wollemi Pine. The journey leads along the scenic Bells Line of Road with views over the Grose Canyon, with its towering sandstone walls. The afternoon will be spent in the Glenbrook National Park with a close up experience with wild Kangaroos and the many varieties of birds that inhabit this area.

Overnight at Vibe (4*).

Day 4 Ayers Rock

Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a World Heritage Site.

Includes airport transfer to city/hotel with private vehicle, professional driver and local representative.

You will be picked up from your hotel by coach along with fellow travellers. We will visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and Maruku Arts and Craft Cooperative, dedicated to interpreting Anangu culture and law. Travel to the waterhole of Mutitjulu for a guided walk, viewing ancient cave paintings and learning about the Aboriginal legends of Kuniya Tjukurpa (Python Dreaming). Join the guided Mala Walk to learn the story of the Mala (Hare Wallaby) people who once lived at Uluru. See painted caves and learn of the region’s geology and flora. As you tour the base of Uluru, visit Kantju Gorge, a waterhole and old hunting ground. Late in the day, watch the sunset over Uluru, admire the ever-changing colours of the monolith while the sun sinks below the horizon. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and canapés as the dusk deepens into night.

Voyages Lost Camel Hotel (3*) offers contemporary 3 ½ star accommodation. The lobby features contemporary furnishings, bright open spaces, and an intimate café and bar. At the heart of the hotel is an inviting pool and deck, where guests soak up the sun and relax in between tours. At the end of the day, relax in the lobby's bar and lounge, where a plasma screen plays anything from CNN to music videos.

Overnight at Lost Camel Hotel (3*).

Day 5 Ayers Rock

Rise early and enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park by shared coach along with fellow travellers. Enjoy a revitalising cup of tea or coffee as you witness Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunrise and see the desert come to life. With the sun climbing in the morning sky, travel to the western section of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the immense 36 rock domes of Kata Tjuta. Enjoy a guided walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Marvel at the sheer walls that flank you as you enter the gorge. Learn of the domes’ formation and of the wildlife of the region. Some of the plants you will see here are so rare that they are only found among these rocky domes.

Here is an unforgettable evening, eating beautifully prepared food under the Outback sky by the Sounds of Silence Dinner. A special location is chosen where you are escorted to shortly before sundown. A lone didgeridoo echoes across the desert as you enjoy champagne and canapés. While the sun sets in a blaze of reds and oranges, and well into the starlit night, you feast on array of the Northern Territory's culinary delights, including barramundi, kangaroo, emu, crocodile, bush salads, and classic Australian desserts. Attention then turns to some of the world's best stargazing, with the assistance of the resident astronomer. As you wind down, coffee or tea are served. In winter, guests gather around a campfire to savour a special treat of hot mulled wine.

Overnight at Lost Camel Hotel (3*).

Day 6 Cairns

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef supports a wide diversity of life, and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Travel between Ayers Rock airport to hotel and vice versa. Wait times may vary but approximately 20minutes.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Transfer between Cairns airport and your city hotel with private vehicle and driver.

Located in the centre of Cairns City, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (4*) is set upon five acres of beautifully landscaped, award-winning gardens which surround a superb lagoon pool complete with beach and swim-up bar. Boasting stylish and contemporary décor, the resort embraces muted natural tones and materials throughout. All 314 newly refurbished rooms now offer the latest in style, functionality and comfort, each with a balcony and either pool or garden views. Novo Bar and Terrace overlooks the lagoon and gardens and offers a fresh and sophisticated look and feel, while Mizuna Restaurant offers a modern dining experience where guests can interact with chefs.

Overnight at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (4*).

Day 7 Cairns

Discover the unique wilderness area of the World Heritage listed rainforests of Cape Tribulation & Mossman Gorge. This tour includes an early morning guided walk of Mossman Gorge, in the quieter morning environment, where you will experience this ancient rainforest firsthand, or instead (subject to river volume) enjoy a refreshing swim. The experienced naturalist guide will provide interpretation of this ancient rainforest area and also included is an exclusive, private rainforest walk along all-weather boardwalks, and also at canopy, level where unsurpassable rainforest viewing may be experienced - a naturalist's paradise and photographer's dream! The Daintree Rainforest Aerial Walkway and Canopy Tower allows people of all ages easy access to every part of the rainforest. The tours go up amongst the Daintree rainforest canopy and allows you to observe the diversity of plants and wildlife living in this unique environment. A sumptuous buffet lunch awaits you at the luxurious Cape Restaurant and Bar at Cape Tribulation Resort and Spa or the Ferntree Resort. Swim in the resorts pool and explore the beach at the doorstep of the resort. Stroll along idyllic Cape Tribulation Beach to the lookout and observe where two of the world's natural wonders converge - the rainforest gives way to white sand and fringing coral reef!

Overnight at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (4*).

Day 8 Cairns

Join fellow travellers on a memorable tour of the famous Great Barrier Reef. Michaelmas Cay is a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. The Cay is a protected seabird sanctuary playing host to over 20,000 migratory seabirds ... one of the most important nesting sights in the Southern Hemisphere. Set Sail aboard a five star catamaran and enjoy a reef experience - a day to remember .

Overnight at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (4*).

Day 9 Cairns

Transfer between Cairns airport and your city hotel with private vehicle and driver.

Depart from Cairns international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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