Prices From £5295pp - 23 Days
Fully Inclusive from UK
Departures available from: 09 Jan 2010 - 19 Feb 2011
Flight departs from Heathrow. Other departures available at a supplement.
Hotel details
1 & 2. London to Singapore and Melbourne:
Your door-to-door driver takes you to London Heathrow for your Qantas flight, via Singapore, to Melbourne.
3. Melbourne:
Arrive in Melbourne early this morning and head straight to the Clarion Suites Gateway Hotel in the entertainment district, your home for three nights. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Victoria’s charming capital, passing Toorak Village, the Shrine of Remembrance and Fitzroy Gardens.
4. Dandenong Ranges:
Journey into the Dandenong Ranges today for a packed lunch and a ride aboard the Puffing Billy, a genuine turn-of-the-century steam locomotive, bound for the Healesville Sanctuary which houses more than 200 species of native Australian wildlife.
5. Melbourne:
Take an optional tour to Phillip Island, home to Fairy Penguins, or, alternatively, enjoy free time.
6. Melbourne to Hamilton:
Leave early for the journey through Colac to Port Campbell with incredible views of the national park’s coastline: its distinctive features include the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge. Continue through Warrnambool into Hamilton where you’ll be collected by your Farmstay host for a home-cooked meal and an overnight stay.
7. Hamilton to Adelaide:
Lend your hosts a hand before travelling through the Coonawarra wine-producing area, via Cularain and Casterton. Reaching Penola, visit a winery for a tour, wine tasting and lunch before continuing through Naracoorte and Keith and Murray Bridge. Finally, traverse the Adelaide Hills to South Australia’s capital for two nights at the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, close to the shopping and entertainment areas.
8. Adelaide:
Fly to Kangaroo Island on today’s optional trip and see a wealth of wildlife in its natural habitat. Otherwise, your day is free in Adelaide.
9. Adelaide and The Ghan train:
From North Adelaide to the vibrant seaside resort of Glenelg, today’s city tour reveals a unique blend of old-world charm and new-world sophistication. This afternoon, board the famous Ghan for the overnight rail journey to Australia’s Red Centre, crossing some of the world’s most inhospitable and ancient terrain.
10. Alice Springs:
Arriving in Alice Springs this afternoon, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This evening, the Aboriginal Arts and Culture Centre presents the Red Centre Dreaming Dinner and Show, including Aboriginal music and dancing. Relax for the next two nights at the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Hotel.
11. Alice Springs:
A chance to get right into the outback this morning with a visit to the Western MacDonnell mountain ranges. You’ll have views of Simpson’s Gap and Standley Chasm. This afternoon we head out to the Alice Springs Desert Park to discover how the Aboriginal people both exploit and protect the land.
12. Alice Springs to Ayers Rock:
Visit a Camel Farm this morning before heading for the red rock domes of the Olgas, or ‘Kata Tjuta’. This evening, relax at the Ayers Rock sunset viewing area to see the world’s largest monolith change colour in spectacular style. Retire to the Desert Gardens Hotel, part of the self-contained Ayers Rock Resort, for your two-night stay.
13. Ayers Rock:
Watch the sun rise over Ayers Rock this morning before a tour around the base to explore ancient caves adorned in Aboriginal art: find out more at the cultural centre. Your afternoon is at leisure.
14. Ayers Rock to Cairns:
Today, fly to the tropical north of Queensland, Cairns – the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Rain Forest Region. Unpack for four nights at the central Pacific International Hotel, which overlooks the waterfront.
15. The Great Barrier Reef:
Spend the day at the Great Barrier Reef’s Michaelmas Cay, a sandy cay surrounding a seabird sanctuary. Discover the coral gardens and colourful marine life from the decks of the award winning Ocean Spirit with guided snorkelling tours, presentations by marine biologists and optional scuba dives.
16. Kuranda:
Join the Kuranda scenic railway as it winds through the dense tropical forests. This afternoon, board the Skyrail, the world’s largest gondola cableway, for an amazing ride just above the rainforest canopy, before visiting the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park to meet some of the local Aboriginal people and discover more about their rich cultural heritage.
17. Cairns:
A day at leisure to explore the resort of Cairns or check out some of the nearby coastal islands, steamy rainforest and miles of perfect beaches on one of the optional tours that can be booked locally.
18. Cairns to Sydney:
Head to the capital of New South Wales by air – Sydney, a cultural melting-pot and Australia’s largest city. Relax within easy walking distance of the harbour and opera house at The Grace, your home for four nights.
19. Sydney:
See the bridge, the opera house and several stunning waterfront homes from the harbour on a morning cruise. This afternoon, take in many of the highlights on a city tour, including some exclusive suburbs and a walk on Bondi Beach.
20. Sydney:
Your day is at leisure to enjoy the city’s attractions: the harbour bridge, where you can take part in an optional Bridge Climb; Sydney Aquarium; and Pitt Street Mall, site of the AMP tower, which offers spectacular views over the city.
21. Sydney:
Visit the forested valleys, canyons,waterfalls and abundant wildlife of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains on an optional tour, or take advantage of some more free time.
22. Sydney and flight home:
Fly from Sydney on your overnight Qantas flight to London Heathrow via Bangkok.
23. London:
Your door-to-door driver will take you home.
Offer details
Staying from 08 Jan 2011 for 23 nights
Departing from London airport, arriving at Melbourne
