The Essential Australia

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The Essential Australia

13 Days from Sydney – Independent Touring from £1295 (excludes flights)

Sydney (4 nights), Uluru (2 nights), Kings Canyon (1 night), Alice Springs (1 night), Cairns (4 nights)

Highlights include:
• Four nights in fabulous Sydney
• Panoramic views of Sydney Harbour by helicopter
• Sydney sightseeing, including a harbour luncheon cruise
• Visiting the picturesque Blue Mountains
• Two nights at Ayers Rock, including a Sunset and Sunrise tour
• The ‘Sounds of Silence’ champagne dinner in The Outback
• Overnight at magnificent Kings Canyon
• Four nights in tropical north Queensland
• Viewing coral and snorkelling on a full-day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
• Ride the exciting Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• White-water rafting, hot air ballooning or cruising the reef – the choice is yours!

Departures: from Sydney daily.

Day 1: Arrive Sydney – Scenic Harbour Flight
Limousine transfer from the airport to your chosen hotel for four nights. Depending on your arrival time in Sydney, you may choose to go heli-sightseeing either today or on day four, which is your day at leisure. You’ll be transferred from your hotel to the heliport to discover ‘the most beautiful city in the world’ from above. Sweep over the harbour and view the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House, city skyscrapers and the colourful sailing boats.
Accommodation: Standard: Mercure Sydney, Superior: The Menzies Sydney, Deluxe: InterContinental Sydney

Day 2: Sydney Tour & Harbour Cruise
Today’s sightseeing starts as you travel north over the Harbour Bridge to the northern beaches. Stop at Milson’s Point for panoramic views of the bridge and skyline and enjoy a stroll under the Norfolk Pines in Manly, a wonderful seaside resort. Return to the city in time for a fabulous luncheon cruise on beautiful Sydney Harbour. The afternoon’s sightseeing will include the Rocks, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour complex, Bondi Beach and much, much more! (L)

Day 3: The Blue Mountains
Travel to the picturesque Blue Mountains National Park. Enjoy a ride on the Scenic Skyway or Scenic Railway (own expense) before taking a walk to Katoomba Falls. At Echo Point witness the spectacular Three Sisters rock formation and views over the Jamison Valley. Continue on to the famous Australian Wildlife Park, where there will be an opportunity to hand feed kangaroos, walk through rainforest aviaries, see crocodiles and cuddle a koala before travelling back to Sydney.

Day 4: Full day at leisure
Explore at your leisure. If you didn’t have time on your arrival day for the heli-sightseeing, then now’s the time to enjoy your 20-minute scenic flight.

Day 5: Sydney to Uluru
A limousine will be waiting to take you to the airport for your flight to the Red Centre. On arrival transfer to your chosen accommodation for the next two nights. Tonight you’ll enjoy a wonderful ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner, experience the romance of the desert, with the sun setting behind the domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), the haunting sounds of didgeridoos and a sumptuous Northern Territory feast of barramundi, kangaroo, emu and bush salads. (D)
Accommodation: Standard: Voyages Outback Pioneer Hotel, Superior: Voyages Desert Gardens, Deluxe: Voyages Sails in the Desert

Day 6: Uluru
Morning at leisure. Afternoon departure for the Olgas where massive domes tower above the surrounding plain. This evening stop at a special viewing area to see the setting rays of the sun over Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Day 7: Ayers Rock to Kings Canyon
Rise early this morning to view the spectacular sunrise over Uluru. Enjoy a guided tour of the base of the rock and visit ancient Aboriginal occupation sites. Return back to your hotel for an early lunch (own expense) before departing for Kings Canyon. This evening is at leisure.
Accommodation: Standard, Superior & Deluxe:, Kings Canyon Resort

Day 8: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Depart early this morning to view the sunrise at Kings Canyon. See the breathtaking views from the north and south walls as you are guided around the canyon. Visit the Lost City and the beautiful Garden of Eden. Depart for Alice Springs, arriving early afternoon, and check in to your chosen hotel for one night.
Accommodation: Standard: Novotel Outback Alice Springs, Superior: Voyages Alice Springs Resort (Standard Room), Deluxe: Voyages Alice Springs Resort (Deluxe River Gum Room)

Day 9: Alice Springs to Cairns
A limousine will be waiting to take you to the airport for your flight to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Met on arrival, you’ll be transferred by limousine to your chosen hotel for four nights.
Accommodation: Standard: Mercure Hotel Harbourside Cairns, Superior: Holiday Inn Cairns, Deluxe: Sofitel Reef Hotel Cairns

Day 10: Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
Today’s destination, Agincourt Reef, lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage area, one of the most diverse and delicate eco-systems in the world. Enjoy this dazzling underwater world, a kaleidoscope of colour and life, the reef lagoon at Agincourt offers excellent swimming and snorkelling areas. You’ll travel by Wavepiercer, a state-of-the-art catamaran that cruises at high speed and offers the smoothest possible ride in all weather conditions. There’s an underwater observatory or a semi-submersible vessel for fish and coral viewing. A tropical buffet lunch is included. (L)

Day 11: Kuranda and Skyrail
Experience the contrast of the region’s oldest and most picturesque railway and the invisible technology of the world’s most beautiful cableway. Sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular views as you journey through 15 hand-cut tunnels and past spectacular waterfalls on board the train to Kuranda. Continue on to Skyrail, once aboard you’ll be amazed as you glide silently above the rainforest canopy on the world’s most beautiful rainforest experience. Enjoy an extravagant buffet lunch at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. After lunch, there will be ample time to explore the attractions – movie theatres, stage shows, craft demonstrations and of course the Tjapukai Dance Troupe. (L)

Day 12: Go white-water rafting, hot air ballooning or cruise the Great Barrier Reef
Today we have a number of options for you to select from, depending on your level of adventure!|Option One: Enjoy a spectacular 30-minute balloon ride followed by a tropical breakfast with Australian champagne – the flight gently floats above the tips of the blue gums and paper bark trees and the wide open spaces of the Tablelands as the sunrise begins.|Option Two: Experience Australia’s best one-day rafting adventure, travel south to the mighty Tully River for over five hours of rafting through more than 45 rapids. Morning tea, a riverside barbecue lunch and buffet supper are included.|Option Three: The Frankland Islands are a short open-water cruise from the mainland. Altogether a different experience to the Outer Barrier Reef, here you can enjoy leisurely island walks exploring the rainforest, surrounding rock pools and reef-flats. Alternatively, snorkelling and reef viewing are easily accessed from the beach. A delicious barbecue lunch under the shade of a canopy amongst the trees is included. Option One (B), Options Two and Three (L)

Day 13: Depart Cairns
Your limousine awaits for your onward or homeward flight.

Prices Include:
• Your choice of quality hotels
• Meals as specified
Breakfast is included in option one on day 12.
Lunch is included on days 2, 10, 11 and in options two and three on day 12.
Dinner is included on day 5.
No other meals included.
Key: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
• Sightseeing & Touring - All sightseeing and touring as specified inthe itinerary.
• Airport Transfers - Limousine transfers have been included for all arrivals and departures.

We offer the opportunity to visit Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and/or Bali en route to Australia. Usually, one stopover is permitted on your outbound journey and one on your way home. There are no additional flight charges, the only extras you will have to pay are any applicable local airport taxes plus the cost of your hotel accommodation. Examples of hotel prices are shown below.

Bangkok: Visit the magical bustling city of Bangkok. An intoxicating blend of modern-day sophistication combined with the history and culture of times gone by.
Two nights at the Century Park Hotel from £30.
Hong Kong: The sophistication of the West combined with the charm of the East gives Hong Kong a vibrant atmosphere unlike any other city.
Two nights at the Metropole from £40.
Singapore: A city that offers a vast array of glittering shopping malls, traditional colourful markets and much, much more.
Two nights at the Miramar from £50.
Bali: Glorious beaches, tranquil lakes, lush green rice terraces combined with a vibrant culture, unique arts and the charm of the Balinese themselves, make a visit to Bali truly unforgettable.
Three nights at the Griya Santrian from £39.

Stopover prices shown above are per person, sharing a twin/double room and staying at standard (three-star) properties – meals and transfers are not included.
We offer an extensive range of accommodation throughout Asia and the Pacific from standard three-star to deluxe five-star – full details on request.

Prices Exclude:
• All flights
• Locally paid airport taxes and airline security surcharges.
• Visa fees and insurance.
• Gratuities and items of a personal nature.
• $5 Quicksilver Environmental Management Fee (payable locally)
• $25 Rafting Levy

Essential New Zealand
If you're travelling to Australia, why not combine The Essential Australia with our 12 Day Essential New Zealand tour? This tour has been designed to showcase the very best of New Zealand.

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