DAY 1 UK
Depart on your scheduled flight to Perth.
DAY 2 - Perth
Arrival in Perth. Transfer to the hotel for a four night stay.
DAYS 3 TO 5 - Perth
Experience has shown us that our clients appreciate the opportunity to relax and rest after their flight, so we have allowed plenty of time for this and also to explore the delightful surroundings of Perth. Perth is the ideal first stop for our Australian extravaganza! This beautiful city, with its neighbouring port of Fremantle, is one of the most envied locations in the world in which to live. The golden beaches, superb restaurants, lush green parks, stunning broad expanses of the Swan River and lovely warm climate give the visitor a fine introduction to the relaxed, contented lifestyle of modern day Australia. A half day sightseeing tour is included during your stay. There are also plenty of fascinating optional tours. You can take a cruise on the Swan River in Fremantle and a full day drive to the gigantic Wave Rock.
DAY 6 - Darwin
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Darwin. On arrival you will be taken on an introductory city tour prior to arriving at the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 7 - Kakadu National Park
Leave Darwin and drive to Kakadu National Park and experience its wealth of flora and fauna. See the waterbirds and crocodiles in their natural habitat on our included cruise on the famous Yellow Waters Lagoon. You will visit the National Park Headquarters and Nourlangie Rock. We have also included a ‘Jumping Crocodile Cruise’ on the Adelaide River, to witness giant crocodiles leaping from the water. The Adelaide River is also good for spotting an array of wildlife including magpie, geese, brolgas, kites and kingfishers. The river bank often has wild pig or buffalos darting through the tall grass. Overnight stay.
DAY 8 - Katherine
Leaving Kakadu National Park you will drive to Katherine and Nitmiluk National Park. Here we have included a cruise through Katherine Gorge. You will learn about the extensive plant and wildlife and see the ancient rocks and caves decorated with Aboriginal rock paintings. Overnight stay.
DAY 9 - Darwin
Return to Darwin for an overnight stay.
DAY 10 - Alice Springs
Morning transfer for your flight to Alice Springs. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel for a two night stay. A half day sightseeing tour is included, showing you the Flying Doctor Base, the Old Telegraph Station and the famous School of the Air (when open).
DAY 11 - Alice Springs
Alice Springs is situated amid a vast area of natural springs and shimmering red desert. You can join an optional excursion into the spectacular MacDonnell Range of mountains to see the Standley Chasm. There will also be an opportunity to take a dawn balloon flight over the outback (weather permitting).
DAY 12 - Ayers Rock
Travel through the heart of Australia, stopping en route at a camel farm, where you may take a camel ride if you wish, before arriving at Ayers Rock. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the nearby hotel. During the afternoon an excursion will be made to the mysterious Olgas and we include a visit to the rock at sunset.
DAY 13 - Cairns
Up early to visit Ayers Rock for sunrise. There will also be a tour of the base to see the caves and Aboriginal rock paintings. Afternoon flight to Cairns, Accommodation here is for four nights.
DAY 14 - Cairns
Today we include a full day return trip by catamaran to Frankland Island on the Great Barrier Reef with lunch also included. The Great Barrier Reef is variously described as the world’s largest living thing, the eighth wonder of the world and the marine equivalent of Ayers Rock. It is a stupendous 1,400 mile wonderland of breathtakingly beautiful coral and colourful marine life, studded with unspoilt tropical islands.
DAYS 15 & 16 - Cairns
Now that you are halfway through your tour it’s time to relax and soak up some sunshine! There are plenty of excursion possibilities. The most popular is a visit to the Atherton Tablelands, featuring a ride on the Kuranda Railway which is widely regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys.
DAY 17 - Sydney
Early morning flight to Sydney with a city sightseeing tour included. Four nights’ accommodation has been arranged. Sydney is Australia’s biggest and most exciting city. We include a half day sightseeing tour, featuring Bondi Beach, Hyde Park, Darling Harbour and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
DAYS 18 TO 20 - Sydney
Optional excursions include a drive to the Blue Mountains and Wildlife Park, a harbour cruise and a tour of Sydney by night.
DAY 21 - Canberra
We leave Sydney by coach for the drive to Canberra. Your included city sightseeing tour features the government buildings and the Prime Minister’s Lodge. En route you will stop at a sheep station for a sheep shearing demonstration including BBQ lunch. An overnight stop in Canberra has been arranged.
DAY 22 - Melbourne
Morning visit to the Australian War Memorial Museum. Drive to Melbourne for a three night stay and an included city sightseeing tour this afternoon. Colonial style buildings, beautiful parks, wealthy garden suburbs, wide boulevards and trams make Melbourne the most European of Australia’s cities. On our included sightseeing tour you will see Captain Cook’s cottage and the old gaol where Ned Kelly was held prisoner.
DAYS 23 & 24 - Melbourne
Free in Melbourne for individual sightseeing and shopping. Optional afternoon visit to Philip Island for the remarkable Penguin Parade.
DAY 25 - Warrnambool
Depart Melbourne to start your journey along one of the most spectacular coastal routes in the world, the Great Ocean Road, and see the Twelve Apostles, the Arch and many other fantastic rock formations. You will enter Port Campbell National Park renowned for its ragged and spectacular coastal landscape. Continue to Warrnambool for an overnight stay.
DAY 26 - Barossa Valley
Complete your journey along the Great Ocean Road today. You will then drive to the Barossa Valley via Mount Gambier. On arrival transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 27 - Adelaide
This morning you will have an included sightseeing tour of the Barossa Valley, famous for its wines. A visit to the famous Jacobs Creek visitors centre for wine tasting and lunch is included today. Continue to Adelaide for a two night stay. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of Adelaide this afternoon.
DAY 28 - Adelaide
Today is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace or do some last minute shopping.
DAY 29 - Adelaide
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
DAY 30 - UK
Arrival in the UK.