See the sights of Sydney and regional New South Wales, Melbourne and Cairns in this amazing new tour!

INCLUSIONS

• Round-trip airfare with Qantas Airways from Los Angeles to Sydney, returning from Cairns
• Internal domestic flight on Qantas Airways from Melbourne to Cairns
• Eleven nights accommodation, first class hotels
• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with experienced professional Tour Director & Tour Driver (Escorted portion) & Driver/Guide (Independent Day tours)
• Meals as noted:  Breakfasts (B), 11; Lunches (L), 3; Dinner (D), 1
• Applicable fuel surcharge

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Depart Los Angeles
DAY 2: Cross International Date Line
DAY 3:  Arrive Sydney
On arrival at Sydney Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure. Stroll through the historic Rocks area and Circular Quay. Why not take a walk to the Opera House and watch the world go by as you relax in a cafe along the concourse. Accommodation:  Sydney, 3 nights. Independent touring day 3 - 5
DAY 4: City Sights - Harbour Cruise
Visit Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Travel to Sydney’s world-famous Bondi Beach.  Visit Milsons Point for a close-up view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch while cruising on Sydney Harbour and later discover the northern beaches including Manly. (B L)
DAY 5: Blue Mountains
Visit the award-winning Featherdale Wildlife Park and pat a cuddly koala. See the amazing Australian animals including kangaroos, crocodiles, goannas and possums. In Katoomba take a gentle bushwalk to Govetts Leap with breathtaking views from the lookouts. See the Three Sisters rock formation and enjoy views of the Jamison Valley. (B)
DAY 6: Sydney - Canberra
Meet Your Tour Director and depart Sydney for the nation’s capital via the Southern Highlands with a stop at historic Berrima, famous for its jail, and a visit to a working sheep farm with an Aussie barbecue lunch. Traveling onwards to Canberra, tour through Parliament House and visit the Australian War Memorial before enjoying a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travelers. Accommodation: Canberra. (B,L,D)  Escorted touring day 6 - 10
DAY 7: Snowy Mountains
Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme start your day, before you get the option to take a ride on the Mt. Kosciuszko chairlift and experience Australia’s highest point! You’ll be awestruck by the stunningly picturesque Kosciuszko National Park - home to mobs of kangaroos - as you travel the Alpine Way, over the mighty Murray River into Victoria and beautiful Beechworth, Victoria’s best preserved gold rush town, for a unique overnight stay in one of the Bed and Breakfast properties. Accommodation:  Beechworth. (B)
DAY 8 Melbourne
Get to know Beechworth with a tour and some free time to explore the legendary Beechworth Bakery with its fresh pastries and sweets, as well as the antique shops and galleries. Later you’ll see the museum then it’s on through Glenrowan and Ned Kelly country to culturally diverse and cosmopolitan Melbourne. This evening you have the opportunity to dine on the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant (own expense). Accommodation:  Melbourne, 3 nights. (B)
DAY 9: Penguin Parade
Experience the sights of cosmopolitan Melbourne. See Parliament House, Queen Victoria Market and visit the Royal Botanic Gardens. Travel around Westernport Bay to Warrook Farm. See sheep, cattle, kangaroos and Australian birds. Visit koalas in their natural habitat at the Koala Conservation Centre.  Arrive at the famous Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach on Phillip Island and watch the nightly ritual, as the little penguins march up the sand to their nesting places. (B)
DAY 10: Great Ocean Road
See world-famous Bells Beach, home to the World Surfing Championships. Travel along Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road before arriving at the beautiful white sandy beaches of Apollo Bay, a scenic coastal town. Drive through lush tree-fern gullies and towering mountain ash forests in Otway National Park. See the stone monoliths of the Twelve Apostles. Enjoy the amazing shipwreck story of survival of the Loch Ard and visit its famous Gorge and Razorback Lookout. Visit the rock known as London Bridge, parts of which collapsed in recent years. (B)
DAY 11: Melbourne - Cairns
You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival in Cairns you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore this tropical city. You could take a stroll along the Esplanade or simply relax in a Cafe.  Later browse the night markets and the Pier Marketplace.  Accommodation: Cairns, 3 nights. (B)
DAY 12: Great Barrier Reef Independent touring day 12 - 14
Join a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a reef education presentation and view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible craft. There is the opportunity to go snorkeling and view this natural living wonder up-close (equipment provided). Enjoy a delicious tropical buffet lunch. (B,L)
DAY 13: Kuranda - Skyrail - Tjapukai
Board the Kuranda Railway at Freshwater Station for an historic journey taking you through the scenic countryside behind Cairns. Arrive at the cultural rainforest village of Kuranda with time to wander through the various stalls of the Kuranda Markets. Later, board the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park. Visit the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Experience the History, Creative and Dance Theatres where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. (B)
DAY 14: Depart Cairns
You will be transferred to Cairns Airport to connect with your onward flight. (B)

Departure Dates from Los Angeles: 2010: May 20;  Jun 3; Aug 25;  Sep 09

Departures June 9, 2010 - July 23, 2010 from $4149 per person twin share.
Departures July 24,2010 - September 21, 2010 from $3899 per person twin share.

Gateway add-ons:
$125   Las Vegas (NV), Reno (NV), San Diego (CA)
$240   Phoenix (AZ),  Tuscon (AZ)
$255   Seattle (WA)
$290   Eugene (OR), Spokane (WA), Portland (OR)
$365   Albuquerque (NM), Boise (ID), Denver (CO), Houston (TX), Oklahoma (OK), Billings (MT), Dallas (TX)
$400   Cleveland (OH), Columbus (OH), Chicago (IL),  Detroit (MI),  Minneapolis (MN)
$425   Jacksonville (FL),  Orlando (FL), Washington (DC), Birmingham (AL), New York (NY), Memphis (TN), Charlotte (NC), Boston (MA), Atlanta (GA), Philadelphia (PA), Charleston (SC)
Please ask for applicable add-on when booking.  Other cities available

REF:  ESMC