12 Days Tour
Cairns, Sydney, Alic Springs, Melbourne
From $2999 (land only) or $3719 (air & land)
Package Includes
• Flights Los Angeles-Cairns, Melbourne-Los Angeles
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices.
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• All intra-flights: Cairns-Sydney, Sydney-Alice Springs, Alice Springs-Melbourne
• 9 nights First Class accommodations
3 nights Cairns, 2 nights Sydney, 2 nights Alice Springs, 2 nights Melbourne
• Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
• Hotel porterage
• All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates
• 13 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinnersSightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coachServices of an English-speaking tour managerEntrance fees per itinerary
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of English-speaking tour managers
• Entrance fees per itinerary
Special Features
• Visit the Great Barrier Reef at the Low Isles
• View many of Sydney's highlights, including the famous Opera House
• Discover Alice Springs, of the Northern Territory in central Australia
• Explore Melbourne's lively and cosmopolitan neighborhoods
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Depart for Australia
Depart for Australia
DAY 2 - En Route
Cross the International Date Line en route to Australia and skip a day ahead
DAY 3 - Arrive in Cairns
Arrive in Cairns, the tourist capital of tropical North Queensland and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a Welcome Drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager on the exciting journey that lies ahead, followed by a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Dinner
DAY 4 - Low Isles
Today, travel to the beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay of the Low Isles, a short journey across the Coral Sea, located in the inner Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The island is famous for its beautiful reef and rainforest, home to many species and magnificent coral gardens. Enjoy snorkeling or simply relax on the boat admiring the views. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 5 - Full Day in Cairns
Enjoy all of the delights of this resort city on your day at leisure or, join the optional Crocodile Farm Tour with lunch. Depart Cairns and head north to explore an eco-park and working crocodile farm. Learn about Australia's incredible wildlife and discover the park's five different ecological zones. Enjoy lunch before your return to Cairns. In the afternoon, participate in the optional Skyrail Experience with dinner. Ride the Kuranda Skyrail for great views of the rainforest canopy. Along the way, stop for a Ranger guided boardwalk tour and visit the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, lookouts and historical displays. Conclude your tour with an authentic Australian dinner
Optional: Crocodile Farm Tour with lunch
Optional: Skyrail Experience with dinner
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6 - Flight to Sydney
Depart Cairns and head south to Sydney, one of Australia's largest cities. Upon arrival, take a panoramic tour of the city. View the celebrated Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge and the striking Sydney Opera House located on the water's edge, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass historic buildings including the Parliament House, St. Mary's Cathedral and the Queen Victoria Building. Then, head to The Rocks, a historic area where the city was founded by Captain Arthur Phillip and his working parties of convicts. Arrive at the hotel and spend the evening at leisure
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7 - Full Day in Sydney
Spend your last day in Sydney at leisure for individual explorations. Perhaps, participate in the optional full day excursion to Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Blue Mountains. Featherdale is home to over 300 species of Australia's diverse wildlife. Admire the koalas, feed the kangaroos, view the Fairy Penguins, and see the colorful Parrots, Cockatoos and Lorikeets. For wilderness and wildlife, the magnificent Blue Mountains region is a must see for any visitor to Sydney. Travel through quaint mountain villages, past spectacular lookouts, and through the rugged Australian Bush to Katoomba Scenic World. Returning to Sydney in the late afternoon
Optional: Blue Mountains with Featherdale Wildlife Park
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8 - Flight to Alice Springs
Depart Sydney this morning by flight to Alice Springs, in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and spend the balance of the day at leisure. This evening, join the not to be missed optional Aboriginal Barbecue Dinner, a truly unique and authentic experience. Get a true taste of the Australian Outback and learn about the local people's life and survival in this harsh environment. Savor your tasty barbecue dinner while listening to authentic Australian bush songs
Optional: Aboriginal Barbecue Dinner
Overnight: Alice Springs
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9 - Full Day in Alice Springs
A full day to independently explore Alice Springs, or join the optional Rainbow Valley Tour. Your guide will take you on a tour of the spectacular Rainbow Valley with its scenic sandstone bluffs and cliffs. View ancient engravings and experience Aboriginal rock art. This afternoon meet with Warlpiri Aboriginal people of the Outback and learn about their history, culture and traditions. After dinner, return to Alice Springs
Optional: Rainbow Valley Tour
Overnight: Alice Springs
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 - Flight to Melbourne
This afternoon, fly to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. Upon arrival, take an orientation tour that highlights the mingling of the city's cultures, monuments and scenic delights, from the magnificent gardens to the riverside complexes, with elegant 19th century architecture. Check into the hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. This evening, get together for dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11 - Full Day in Melbourne
Today is free to explore Melbourne on your own, or participate in the optional Melbourne Culinary Walking Tour. Melbourne is the culinary capital of Australia. On this walking tour, discover the city's foodie hot spots and get introduced to Melbourne's gastronomic scene. In the afternoon, join the optional tour to Phillip Island Little Penguin Parade. Depart the busy city and suburbs, and travel out into the rural countryside to visit Australia's most popular wildlife attraction and home to the one of the largest Little Penguin colonies in the world. Afterwards, return to Melbourne for an evening at leisure
Optional: Melbourne Culinary Walking Tour
Optional: Phillip Island Little Penguin Parade
Overnight: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12 - Depart Australia
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast