October is the best
time to visit the Outback, Sydney and the Tropical North.
Australia is HUGE, impossible to see in two weeks without flying
so our itinerary includes four internal flights. We’ll
hike the Blue Mountains with an Aborigine woman who’ll show us
rock carvings and teach the culture of her ancestors.
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is outstanding and there is an
option for an introductory dive. We may see dolphins while
sea kayaking, and the rapids on the Tully guarantee great rafting.
Hiking around Uluru and holding a koala will touch your heart.
Serenity is hiking in the Outback canyons where the Southern Cross
hangs low in the night sky. In Alice we’ll learn the
importance of the Flying Doctors and Schools of the Air and even
have a didgeridoo lesson. Our horse ride in Queensland is a
great combination of beach and rainforest. And of course we
explore Sydney, often called the “best address in the world.”
Whether you’re swimming at the beautiful beaches or watching
colorful birds fly by, you’ll feel the spirit of Australia,
wonderfully alive.
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Thursday
Meet at 9.30pm at LAX at the gate for our 10.30pm flight Delta 17
to Sydney.
Friday
Lose this day to the International Date Line.
Saturday
Arrive in Sydney 6am. Transfer to our downtown hotel where we’ll
breakfast and leave our luggage. Prue, our Aussie guide will lead
us around Sydney, which has been called “the best address in the
world.” We’ll walk through the historic Rocks district and climb
one of the towers of the Harbor Bridge enjoying stunning
views of the harbor. Walk across to the Opera House
where we learn what makes this one of the world’s top ten
buildings. Return to our hotel and check in. The rest
of the day is free. Most may want to sleep and catch-up on
jet lagged deprived sleep. Others may want to explore Sydney
and Prue is happy to accompany you. Dinner is on your own
this evening as most choose to sleep through dinner.
Sunday
After breakfast nearby we’ll travel by train to the Blue
Mountains. Ellie, our Aboriginal guide will lead us
on a five-hour walkabout through the eucalyptus trees
teaching us the culture of her Darug ancestors. We’ll walk
the ancient song line of the Emu man carved in stone. Try
ochre bark painting while kookaburras and lorikeets entertain with
a cacophony of sounds. Dine at a local pub before the train
ride back to our hotel in Sydney.
Monday
Breakfast locally then transfer to the airport for our 10am flight
to Brisbane. Travel by van to Byron
Bay one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.
There’s time for a stroll or a swim before lunch and we’ll
drive up to the lighthouse and photograph the sweeping coastline.
This afternoon we’ll sea-kayak (hopefully!) with
dolphins around Cape Byron, the most easterly point in
Australia. We may even get lucky and see a sea turtle or
humpback whale. There’s time for exploring this beach town
before gathering later for dinner.
Tuesday
It’s an early departure for a return to the jacaranda trees of
Brisbane and our visit to the best koala sanctuary in
Australia. You’ll have a chance to hold
one of the 130 koalas, watch a sheep dog demonstration
and even see wombats and Tasmanian devils! Holding a koala
with its scent of eucalyptus will be one of the highlights of your
trip. Transfer to the airport for our 12.40pm flight to Proserpine
Airport. We’ll bus into Airlie Beach for
a two-night motel stay. You’ll have the rest of the
afternoon free to relax and explore. Dinner at a beach
restaurant.
Wednesday
The Whitsunday Islands are our favorite part of the Great
Barrier Reef – the world’s largest living organism.
Our all-day trip on a sleek motorboat in the Whitsundays
initially visits Mantaray Bay for snorkeling. The coral and fish
are stunning and there is an option to try an introductory dive.
After a delicious lunch onboard we’ll have three hours
to relax on Whitehaven – the most beautiful beach in Australia!
Viewed from the Lookout the white silica sand and turquoise
crystal waters make great photographs of an especially memorable
day.
Thursday
There’s time for a sleep in and relaxed breakfast this morning
before boarding our bus for the six-hour journey to Tully.
There’ll be stops for lunch and refreshments along the way.
We’ll travel through small towns and fields of sugar cane and
see rural Australia at work and play. Dinner and motel
accommodation is in the white water rafting town of Tully.
Friday
Breakfast at our hotel then a bus will transport us south to the
Tully River. This is a super day of grade 3-4
whitewater rafting through pristine rainforest. Our
five hours on the water in six-person rafts includes 45 rapids and
opportunities to swim in the calmer sections. A cooked lunch
is provided on shore. After rafting, a bus will deliver us north
to our hotel in Cairns for a two night stay.
Saturday
Breakfast with the birds at a wildlife habitat
near Port Douglas. Feast on a tropical buffet while the
colorful birds wander freely among us. We‘ll meander in
rainforest and wetland habitats feeding kangaroos and seeing the
rare cassowary. Drive into Port Douglas where you’re
free to shop and have lunch on your own. This
afternoon’s horse-ride along Wonga Beach
includes walking with your horse in the waves and an option to
gallop along the beach. Our 3-hour ride passes through
rainforest filled with wonderful bird song. Dine in Port
Douglas before returning to Cairns.
Sunday
Breakfast at our hotel before heading to the airport for our
flight to Alice Springs departing at 11.25am. In
Alice we’ll travel by van to the School of the Air and
the Flying Doctor Service and discover the importance of
these two uniquely Australian organizations in the lives of the
people of the Outback. Relax at our motel’s pool in the
heat of the afternoon – or, if you’re in the market for opal
jewelry, Alice Springs is the place to shop. Dine in town
prior to our Didgeridoo Concert – a musical and
visual journey through the ancient landforms, history and space of
the Outback featuring impromptu didgeridoo lessons!
Monday
An Aussie guide will pick us up early and we join a two-day tour
south though the Outback to Uluru (Ayers Rock).
We will travel through picturesque ranges stopping at a camel farm
where you have an option to try riding a camel. Lunch at our camp
near Uluru. This afternoon we hike the red rocks of
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). We’ll catch the sunset
at Uluru before returning to our campsite where we are
served a camp oven dinner. Shower at camp and sleep cozily
on beds in safari tents.
Tuesday
Breakfast in camp before heading off to circumnavigate
Uluru. This is a leisurely six-mile walk around the
monolith gazing up at eroded rock faces and unusual formations.
Your guide will take you on a Mala walk exploring
sacred waterholes, ancient caves and Aboriginal paintings. We then
return to camp for lunch and showers before catching our 12.40pm
flight to Sydney. Transfer to our airport hotel. We’ll
celebrate the end of our Australian journey with a
farewell dinner. Tours ends.
Wednesday
Departure for USA. Make your own way to the airport by
shuttle bus or taxi. Delta flight 16 departs 9.15am. It
arrives in Los Angeles at 5.55am THE SAME DAY! This is the
day you lost on the flight over. Connect with your homeward
bound flights.
