Description
The Tour
13 days/12 nights - the essential fully escorted tour of Australia with AAT Kings, combining the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, the stunning Red Centre, tropical Cairns and spectacular Sydney.
Day 1: Arrive Melbourne
On arrival at Melbourne airport (flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm), you will be transferred to the Saville on Russell Hotel, Melbourne for the next 3 nights. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your tour director and fellow travelling companions. (RO)
Day 2: Melbourne City Sights
Enjoy a morning tour of Melbourne, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, St Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance. This afternoon is at leisure to explore. It's said that the best shopping can be found in Melbourne, with magnificent city arcades, the lanes around Swanston Street, massive Melbourne Central Shopping Complex, trendy Chapel Street for Australian fashions and Toorak Road for top brands. Other popular attractions to explore include the zoo, the Gold Treasury Museum and Rialto Towers observation deck for breathtaking views across the city and beyond. Take a cruise down the Yarra River or head to bayside St Kilda to walk along Port Phillip Bay, sampling the waterfront bars and cool clubs. (B)
Day 3: Melbourne At Leisure
Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. Perhaps join an optional tour (extra cost) along the Great Ocean Road, following the rugged coastline and viewing the famous Twelve Apostles, Island Arch and Loch Ard Gorge. You may also like to take an optional ride (extra cost) on the historic steam train Puffing Billy through the picturesque Dandenong Ranges, followed by wine tasting in the Yarra Valley. For nature lovers, Phillip Island boasts the famous Penguin Parade, where the penguins waddle ashore and make their way to burrows in the sand dunes. It also features the Koala Conservation Centre, for an opportunity to see koalas in their natural habitat from treetop boardwalks. (B)
Day 4: Melbourne - Alice Springs
Transfer to Melbourne airport for your early morning flight to Alice Springs (flights to arrive prior to 1.00pm, not included in tour price). You will then enjoy a tour of this unique outback town. Visit the historic Telegraph Station, the Royal Flying Doctor Service to see how medical aid reaches those who live in the remote outback and the School of the Air, where sometimes you are able to listen to the children taking lessons on air. Enjoy panoramic views of Alice Springs from the top of Anzac Hill. Overnight at Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs. (B)
Day 5: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Depart early for Uluru (Ayers Rock) travelling south through the MacDonnell and James Ranges. Visit a camel farm where you can try your hand riding 'a ship of the desert' (extra cost). Pause to view majestic Atila (Mount Conner) before arriving at the resort. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at Ayers Rock Resort. Enjoy a glass of wine this evening while watching sunset over Uluru (Ayers Rock) from the special viewing area known as the 'sunset strip'. The subtle colour changes are truly amazing. Your accommodation for the next 2 nights is at the Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort. (B)
Day 6: Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
Rise early to view Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunrise, with an opportunity to climb to the summit (optional). Tour the caves at the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Later, visit the Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. This afternoon, travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). The size and grandeur of these 36 massive domes of red rock will amaze you. Take a walk through Walpa Gorge, following the natural creek bed between 2 of the domes. After a sunset with sparkling wine, enjoy a delicious Australian barbecue dinner and stargazing. (B/D)
Day 7: Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Cairns
This morning is at leisure at Ayers Rock Resort. Perhaps visit the Mulgara art gallery or relax by the swimming pool. Later, you will be transferred to Ayers Rock airport for your flight to Cairns (flights depart Ayers Rock prior to 1.00pm, not included in tour price). On arrival at Cairns airport you will be transferred to the Cairns International, Cairns for the next 3 nights. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in tropical Cairns. Perhaps walk the famous esplanade, shop in the fantastic Pier Marketplace, relax by the pool or sample the freshest fish imaginable in the alfresco restaurants. (B)
Day 8: Great Barrier Reef
Today, cruise on the Great Adventures high-speed catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. The Reef is simply one of the great natural wonders of the world. Spanning more than 2,000km of Queensland's coastline, it's the world's largest and most complex reef, with an area half the size of Texas. View the breathtaking world of coral and tropical fish from a semi-submersible vessel or perhaps enjoy some snorkelling (equipment included). Enjoy a reef education presentation on this living wonder and a tropical buffet lunch on board the pontoon. Return to Cairns in the afternoon. (B/L)
Day 9: Cairns at Leisure
Today is at leisure to relax by the hotel pool or go shopping. There will be an optional tour to Kuranda (extra cost) with a ride aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway and a Skyrail Cableway ride above the rainforest canopy. A visit to the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a must, where you will see demonstrations of boomerang and spear throwing. For beach lovers, head north of Cairns to Palm Cove, a quiet resort with a stunning, palm-fringed white sand beach. A little further along is Port Douglas, a former fishing village with old-world tropical charms. (B)
Day 10: Cairns - Sydney
You will be transferred to Cairns airport for your flight to Sydney (flights depart Cairns after 1.00pm, not included in tour price). On arrival at Sydney airport, you will be transferred to Four Points by Sheraton, Sydney, your base for the next 3 nights. The rest of the day is at leisure. This spectacular, ocean-side city is consistently voted the world's best by visitors, as well as the one people would most like to go to! Overlooking the harbour is the historic Rocks area, its narrow streets packed with colonial buildings, restaurants, bars and upmarket shops. Circular Quay is the departure point for ferries to various beaches, including the famous surf beach of Bondi. (B)
Day 11: Sydney Harbour Cruise
This morning, take a tour of Sydney and see the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair and Kings Cross. Visit famous Bondi Beach, with time to explore, then return to the city for a Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. This afternoon, you have the chance to learn about Australia's national gemstone - the opal. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B/L)
Day 12: Sydney at Leisure
Today is at leisure to explore the beautiful harbour city of Sydney. There will be the chance to take an optional tour to the Blue Mountains (extra cost) to see the spectacular Three Sisters rock formation and breathtaking views from Govetts Leap. The name Blue Mountains derives from the bluish tinge the range takes on when viewed at a distance, caused by the release of oils from eucalyptus forests. There will also be an optional tour to the Hunter Valley wine producing region (extra cost) to enjoy wine tasting and panoramic views of the area. (B)
Day 13: Depart Sydney
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Sydney airport to connect with your onward flight. (B)
Tour Notes
International flights and Australian domestic flights are not included in the tour price. Any flights referred to in the itinerary are at an extra cost - please refer to the flight information below for details of flights required.
Flight Information
Day 1: Flights to arrive into Melbourne prior to 4.00pm.
Day 4: Flights to arrive into Alice Springs from Melbourne prior to 1.00pm.
Day 7: Flights to depart prior to 1.00pm from Ayers Rock to Cairns.
Day 10: Flights to depart after 1.00pm from Cairns to Sydney. Your tour includes travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with WC, seatbelts, reclining seats and panoramic windows, an experienced professional tour director and tour driver, meals as detailed in the itinerary, airport transfers, hotel porterage and sightseeing as specified. Departure dates operate subject to min numbers.
2008 Departure Dates
13, 27 Jan; 10, 17, 24 Feb; 09, 30 Mar; 13, 27 Apr; 15 Jun; 13 Jul; 31 Aug; 28 Sep; 12, 26 Oct; 23 Nov; 07, 28 Dec.
2009 Departure Dates
11, 25 Jan; 08, 15, 22 Feb; 08, 15 Mar.