Enjoy the coastal meccas of Sydney and Cairns and the beauty of the Australian outback & the Northern Territory.

INCLUSIONS

• Round-trip airfare on Qantas Airways from Los Angeles to Sydney, returning from Cairns
• Internal domestic flights on Qantas Airways from Sydney to Ayers Rock & Darwin to Cairns
• Sixteen 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), 16; Lunches (L), 2; Dinner (D), 7
• 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 remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore. 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 our 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 - Ayers Rock
You will be transferred to Sydney airport to connect with your flight to Ayers Rock. On arrival at Ayers Rock airport you will be transferred to your hotel. Meet your Tour Director this evening and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine as you watch a spectacular sunset at Uluru. Accommodation:  Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. (B)   Escorted touring day 6 - 16
DAY 7: Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
You may wish to view sunrise at Uluru. Enjoy a guided walk into Mutitjulu Waterhole and stop at the Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and walk through Walpa Gorge. Enjoy sunset with a complimentary glass of wine followed by a barbecue dinner under the stars. (B,D)
DAY 8 Kings Canyon
Travel to Kings Canyon today. For the energetic, a guided climb to the canyon rim will be rewarded with magnificent views of Watarrka National Park. Accommodation: Kings Canyon. (B,D)
DAY 9: Alice Springs
Leaving Watarrka National Park behind, travel through to Alice Springs. See the sights of Alice Springs including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air and Telegraph Station. Stop for panoramic views from Anzac Hill. Accommodation: Alice Springs, 2 nights. (B,D)
DAY 10: Aboriginal Culture
Spend time with a local Aboriginal guide and learn of life of the Arrente People. Later we visit the Alice Springs Desert Park. We travel to Simpsons Gap, one of the most prominent waterholes in the West MacDonnell Ranges, with its lovely river red-gum scenery. (B)
DAY 11 Tennant Creek
Travel north to mysterious Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). In Tennant Creek, join a local guide for a tour of the historic Battery Hill Precinct. At the Battery Mine Centre enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner.
(B,D)
DAY 12 Mataranka - Katherine
Visit the historic Daly Waters Hotel before continuing on to Mataranka, where you can take time to visit the replica of the Elsey Homestead, used in the filming of ‘We of the Never Never’. Or you may take the beautiful palm lined walkway for a swim in the famous thermal springs. Travel on to Katherine. Accommodation: Katherine. (B,D)
DAY 13: Katherine Gorge
Join your local guide for a cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. The cruise through the gorge takes you past sheer sandstone walls and all manner of flora and fauna. Continue deep into Kakadu National Park for a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. You should see a variety of bird life and we may also see the feared estuarine crocodile basking in the muddy waters.
Accommodation:  Jabiru. (B,D)
DAY 14; Kakadu National Park
Explore the Bowali Visitor Centre then travel to Ubirr to view Aboriginal rock art. Continue to Darwin and enjoy a sightseeing tour of this tropical city.  Accommodation:  Darwin, 2 nights. (B)
DAY 15:  Litchfield National Park
Venture into Litchfield National Park. Your first stop is the amazing stand of Termite Mounds. View beautiful Florence Falls from a high vantage point before visiting Tolmer Falls for a magnificent view of the water cascading down to the waterhole below.  Visit Wangi Falls for a swim in the large crystal clear pool. Dine out this evening at Crocosaurus Cove, where you’ll enter the world of the awesome Northern Territory saltwater crocodile. (B,D)
DAY 16: Darwin - Cairns
You will be transferred to Darwin Airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Accommodation: Cairns, 3 nights. (B)   Independent touring day 16 - 19
DAY 17: Great Barrier Reef
Join a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a reef education presentation and view the coral and fish from the underwater observatory. There is the opportunity to go snorkeling (equipment provided). Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch today. (B,L)
DAY 18: Kuranda - Skyrail - Tjapukai
Board the Kuranda train for an historic journey to the village of Kuranda where there is time to wander through the various stalls of the Kuranda Markets. Board the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park.  Visit the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Experience the History, Creative and Dance Theatres where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. (B)
DAY 19: Depart Cairns
You will be transferred to Cairns Airport to connect with your onward flight. (B)

Departures June 9, 2010 - July 23, 2010 from $6639 per person twin share.
Departures July 24, 2010 - September 21, 2010 from $6349 per person twin share.

Departure Dates from Los Angeles:  Jun 21; Jul 12; Aug 2, 30; Sep 19

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