Aussie Adventure

17 nights from $4105

Highlights

Destinations
Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Uluru (Ayers
Rock), Cairns, Sydney

Your Itinerary Includes

Internal coach class air in Australia
Round trip airport transfers
3 nights Melbourne
Savannah Walkabout full day tour
1 night Adelaide
1 night Kangaroo Island
2 nights Adelaide
2 nights Uluru
Kata Tjuta and Dunes half day sunset tour
Spirit of Uluru half day sunrise tour
4 nights Cairns
Great Barrier Reef full day tour
Kuranda full day tour
4 nights Sydney
Sydney half day city tour
4 lunches (Deluxe option also includes 3 breakfasts)

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

This itinerary can be fully customized; to tailor this package to your specific requirements please call one of our travel specialists at 1-800-22-SWAIN.

Day 1 Fly USA to Melbourne
Please note international air from the USA has not been included in the package price.

Day 2 You cross the International Dateline
The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day; traveling west, takes the traveler forward one day.

Day 3 Welcome to Melbourne, Australia
On arrival into Melbourne you will need to clear customs and make your way through the main arrivals hall from where you will either catch a taxi into the city or be transferred to your accommodation.

At first glance, Melbourne may resemble any other modern city with its skyline full of concrete and glass. However, if you look a little closer, you'll find the real Melbourne, a city of unique charm. There are the clanging trams (street cars), swanky boutiques, friendly taxi drivers, Australian Rules Football, fickle weather and ‘BYO’s’, by the hundred (restaurants to which you bring your own liquor or wine).

Add to this, Melbourne's traditional virtues of tree lined boulevards, glorious parks, elegant buildings and imposing Victorian Banks and Churches, and of course the giant Melbourne Cricket Ground and you’ll have some idea of the city.

Melbourne has become a polyglot society with a huge diversity of cultures, Italian, Greek, East European, Middle Eastern and Asian. This diversity is reflected in the food styles, the lifestyle, and even the language spoken in the street.

Day 4 Savannah Walkabout tour
See kangaroos and koalas in the wild! In small groups this naturalist guided eco-tour gives you quality time to learn about wildlife and enjoy the wide open spaces of Australia. Watch the natural behavior of wild kangaroos, koalas and abundant birdlife. Get involved in koala research with your naturalist guide. Walk amongst free ranging “mobs” (groups) of wild kangaroos. Spot emus, cockatoos and other unique Australian wildlife on the grasslands, in the bush and around the billabongs of Melbourne’s Western Plains.

Visit an open forest in a National Park that is home to a large and healthy population of wild koalas. An ongoing Koala Research Project ensures that on most days there are multiple sightings of these delightful creatures.

Within easy reach from the center of the city of Melbourne, these environments provide the perfect introduction to Australia's unique wildlife and indigenous culture. During your journey your guide will share with you the great significance of the Western Plains to Aboriginal People. A delicious bush lunch is included.

Day 5 At leisure, Melbourne
At your leisure to explore the very cosmopolitan city of Melbourne. The many attractions of the city vary from the spectacular parklands and gardens that surround the city, to the museums and festivals that are a continuing part of the city life. Excellent restaurants are on every corner and cater to every taste in the world.

Day 6 Fly Melbourne to Adelaide
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Adelaide. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

The gracious capital of South Australia, Adelaide is the City of Churches, orderly streets, manicured parks and superb restaurants, where cultures from all over the world have contributed to a vibrant, energetic community. Adelaide is today, an orderly, airy city ringed by beautiful parks and gardens and graced with elegant sandstone buildings and cottages. There are more restaurants per head of population than any other Australian city. From expensive bistros to the formal and exotic, most serve a range of outstanding local wines from the famous 'valleys' nearby. Home to over one million people, Adelaide is best explored on foot to properly experience the wealth of art galleries and museums, festivals, markets, cafe society and superb shopping.

Day 7 Fly Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
Depart from Adelaide airport for your short flight to Kangaroo Island. On arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation. The two days of touring tour shows you the sights and aromas of the Australian bush, close up wildlife encounters and stunning flora. Gourmet style picnic lunches are enjoyed in tranquil bush settings and overnight accommodation is included.

See and visit natural bush land sanctuaries rich in wildlife, dramatic coastlines, sea lion and fairy penguin colonies. Visits to the well known Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks and Flinders Chase National Park are also highlights of the tour.

Day 8 Kangaroo Island
Enjoy another day exploring Kangaroo Island before your tour ends at Kingscote airport on the afternoon of day two, for your return flight to Adelaide. Upon arrival you will transfer to your hotel.

Day 9 At leisure, Adelaide
Regardless of the season, the Adelaide Hills offer a welcome respite in country air. Investigate historic townships and enjoy heritage accommodation properties with stunning gardens. Adelaide has a great reputation for its art and culture. The Adelaide Festival of Arts and associated Fringe Festival generate a constant energy in the city. The Festival Centre on King William Road is the hub of opera, theatre and orchestra. For visual arts, the Art Gallery of South Australia is a must for its collection of Aboriginal works, Australian 19th century paintings and a collection of Rodins. Several galleries specialize in indigenous art and Melbourne Street is the place for antiques.

Day 10 Fly Adelaide to Ayers Rock (via Alice Springs)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ayers Rock. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Uluru, in the heart of the Red Centre, has a desert climate – mostly dry, with brilliant blue skies all year. Autumn and spring will give you sunny days with cloudless skies and crisp, cool nights which is the perfect kind of weather for exploring the sights by foot or in the comfort of a vehicle. Summer is the time when Central Australia is at its most vivid, with hot days and balmy nights. December through February are the hottest months – usually more that 95º Fahrenheit – so take a hat and sunscreen.

Kata Tjuta And Dunes
Leaving from your hotel mid-afternoon, the guide will explain the nature of the desert and its development. A short walk to the dune lookout puts one in touch with the environment and lets you delight in the spectacular panoramic view of Kata Tjuta – a very sacred place to the Aboriginal people.

Arriving at Walpa Gorge, walk into this mystic place, to hear how it has evolved over millions of years. The scale of the walls and the wind far above, add a sense of mystery here. The sky deepens and the great domes of Kata Tjuta flush red as you move to the sunset viewing area to celebrate the fantastic color changes wrought by sunset with complimentary champagne. Sit back and absorb the desert solitude or relax and chat to your guide about Australia’s red center. The spectacle fades as you return to Yulara beneath a sky of brilliant stars – afternoon tour duration of around 4 hours.

Day 11 Spirit of Uluru
This is a vehicle based tour around Uluru, providing the opportunity to witness the spectacular sunrise and absorb Uluru’s natural history and deep significance to the Anangu people. Short walks will bring you close to this wonderful and powerful place, viewing rock art, waterholes and appreciating the unique flora and fauna of Uluru.

There is time to amble, to absorb images and to gain an insight into Uluru’s remarkable presence. The final step is to the Uluru and Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Light breakfast is included – morning tour duration of around 4 hours.

Day 12 Fly Ayers Rock to Cairns
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Cairns is the gateway to Tropical Far North Queensland, a region of contrasts and surprises. It is home to the Great Barrier Reef, palm-fringed isolated beaches, Kuranda and the Atherton Tablelands, World Heritage listed rainforests and the sun burned outback.

This dynamic area serves as a diverse hub for many attractions and activities of the Tropical North. Apart from the major tourism attractions of the Reef and Rainforest, there are many adventure sports such as white water rafting and bungy jumping, as well as other activities such as golf and trail riding.

Day 13 Great Barrier Reef tour
This morning, transfer to the wharf for your full day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. You will have four hours at the reef site, to explore what makes the Great Barrier Reef one of the wonders of the world.

The day trip has been designed with the water enthusiast or novice alike - snorkel gear and instruction is provided for all guests, or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible vessel, just one meter underwater.

Introductory and certified dives are run in conjunction with snorkeling day trips at an additional cost, and guided snorkel trips with a marine biologist are also available for a nominal fee. A tempting hot and cold buffet lunch is included, as well as morning and afternoon tea on board.

Day 14 Kuranda tour
Transfer to Freshwater Railway station to meet your host who will run through the day’s schedule. Board the train, sit back and enjoy the scenic journey through tunnels and past waterfalls to Kuranda.

On arrival, you are taken to Birdworld (optional extra cost), followed by some leisure time to explore the village and markets before meeting your host back at the Skyrail Terminal. Marvel at the spectacular views as you glide silently above the rainforest canopy. There are two stations en route where you can alight to walk through the rainforest to scenic lookouts.

Skyrail ends at Caravonica Lakes where we have a buffet lunch at the Boomerang Restaurant. Next, enter the Tjapakai Aboriginal Cultural Centre – you will be personally escorted by an Indigenous guide during your time at Tjapukai. There are stage shows, movie theatres, craft demonstrations and an Aboriginal Village - just a few of the attractions that provide an insight into Aboriginal culture and history.

Day 15 At leisure, Cairns
The major centre in Tropical North Queensland is Cairns, a popular gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The city is fringed by lush rainforests and, to the north and south, are miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise oceans teeming with marine life.

Day 16 Fly Cairns to Sydney
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Sydney – Australia’s premier city is the oldest settlement in Australia, the economic powerhouse of the nation and the country’s capital in everything but name. Built on the shores of the stunning Port Jackson, you would have to die and go to heaven before you see a more spectacular setting for a city. It’s a vital, self-regarding metropolis, exuding both a devil-may-care urbanity and a slavish obsession with global fads. The Sydney area was the ancestral home of the Daruk tribe, whose territory extended from Botany Bay to Pittwater.

There are some 2000 Aboriginal rock engraving sites in the Sydney area, and many of Sydney’s suburbs have Aboriginal names. The city of Sydney began life as a penal colony in 1788 and for the next 60 years received the unwanted, persecuted and criminal elements of British society. Despite its brutal beginnings, the city's mixture of pragmatic egalitarianism and plain indifference has transformed it into a thriving multicultural society. Sydney now attracts the majority of Australia’s immigrants and the city's predominantly Anglo-Irish heritage has been revitalized by large influxes of Italian, Lebanese, Turkish, Greek, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Day 17 Sydney city tour
Sydney truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its spectacular harbor setting, fascinating convict history, bustling downtown area and an exciting blend of architecture, ranging from convict built early colonial style reflecting our heritage, through to the world famous Sydney Opera House.

Enjoy a city sights tour, which will provide you with an introduction to the highlights of this fabulous city, giving you a taste of what you may wish to further explore during your stay.

Days 18-19 At leisure, Sydney
At your leisure to explore Sydney. Most of the major attractions of the city are within easy walking distance of your accommodation - Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Centrepoint Tower, Circular Quay, The Rocks etc.

Day 20 Fly Sydney to USA
You will be met and transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

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Hotels

For more information about the hotels visited in this itinerary please click the hotel name below.

City	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury

Melbourne	Travelodge Southbank	Rydges Melbourne	The Langham	-

Adelaide	Mercure Grosvenor	Majestic Roof Garden Hotel	InterContinental Adelaide	-

Kangaroo Island	Wisteria Lodge	Kangaroo Island Lodge	Stranraer Homestead (or similar)	-

Uluru	The Lost Camel	Desert Gardens	Sails in the Desert	-

Cairns	Cairns Colonial Club Resort	Pacific International	The Sebel Reef House & Spa	-

Sydney	Travelodge Sydney	Holiday Inn Darling Harbour	Sheraton on the Park	-

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Pricing

Please note all prices listed below are subject to current rate of exchange adjustments. Please call for exact price quote for your travel dates.

To determine pricing for your tour select the appropriate travel season and desired accommodation level from the table below.

	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury
Reference #	SWSP386	SWSP404	SWSP406	-

1/1/10-3/31/10	$4170	$4195	$6480	-

4/1/10-8/31/10	$4125	$4970	$6570	-

9/1/10-11/30/10	$4195	$5010	$6800	-

12/1/10-3/31/11	$4105	$4910	$6458	-

Upgrade Sydney Hotel (pp total)	n/a	$238/168/ 197/197	$0/88/ 345/345	-

Upgrade to a Harbor View Room at Four Points Darling Harbor in Sydney

1/1/10-3/31/10	-	$235	-	-

4/1/10-8/31/10	-	$165	-	-

9/1/10-11/30/10	-	$195	-	-

12/1/10-3/31/11	-	$195	-	-

Upgrade to an Opera View Premier Room at Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney

1/1/10-3/31/10	-	-	$0	-

4/1/10-8/31/10	-	-	$85	-

9/1/10-11/30/10	-	-	$345	-

12/1/10-3/31/11	-	-	$345	-

Single Supplement
1/1/10-3/31/10	$1340	$2115	$3310	-

4/1/10-8/31/10	$1425	$2185	$3335	-

9/1/10-11/30/10	$1495	$2250	$3565	-

12/1/10-3/31/11	$1400	$2145	$3250	-


International Airfare Pricing
Routing: LAX-MEL//SYD-LAX

1/23/10-2/15/10; 10/1/10-10/31/10				$905

2/16/10-4/30/10				$505

5/1/10-6/8/10				$205

6/9/10-7/23/10				$605

7/24/10-9/21/10				$405

9/22/10-9/30/10				$705

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Terms & Conditions

*Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. Travel may be restricted to certain days of the week and be available from one or multiple US departure points. Add on fares are available from most US cities and surcharges may be applicable for travel on particular days of the week. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. US and Foreign Govt. taxes and fees vary depending on the itinerary selected and may range from $90 to $395 per person. Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per person, are not included. After ticketing changes may not be permissible in some circumstances, or a change fee may be applied. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note that some air segments may be served by an associated carrier. Full payment for special deals may be required within a number of days of the reservation being made as nominated by your consultant at the time of booking (or 60 days prior to departure). Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Group inquiries are welcome however specials remain subject to hotel and airline capacity control and therefore may not be applicable for group travel. The best deal available for group travel will always be given in lieu of the offer indicated. Unless otherwise indicated all travel must be completed by March 31, 2011 if not before. CST #2012413-20 See our Complete Terms and Conditions.

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