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Icons of Australia

12 nights from $2735

Highlights

Destinations
Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Sydney

Your Itinerary Includes

Internal coach class air in Australia
Round trip airport transfers
3 nights Melbourne
Savannah Walkabout full day tour
3 nights Adelaide
Kangaroo Island full day tour
Barossa Valley full day tour
3 nights Cairns
Great Barrier Reef full day tour
3 nights Sydney
Blue Mountains full day tour
5 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 where you will be met and 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
A one day cultural and nature tour where you may see and learn about native animals and plants both in the famous open-range grasslands of Serendip Sanctuary on the Western Plains and in the bushlands of Brisbane Ranges National Park. We search for kangaroos, koalas, birdlife and discover a rich Aboriginal heritage.

Departing from your city hotel, we travel the short distance to the western plains of Victoria - one of the largest volcanic plains on earth. Open grasslands stretch in all directions with the occasional extinct volcano or ancient mountain range rising steeply out of the plain.

The first stop is Serendip Sanctuary, an open range reservation for rare and endangered indigenous wildlife of the Western Plains. Run by the National Parks Service, Serendip plays a pivotal role in the conservation of some of Australia's rarest birds, including the Bustard, Brolga and Cape Barren Goose. Seek out the large free-range mobs of our tallest kangaroo, the Eastern-grey and family groups of the world's second largest bird, the Emu.

Enjoy a bush lunch before traveling to the Brisbane Ranges National Park, to walk a wide Savannah of grass, bush and wetlands searching for kangaroos and koalas. The park has a large population of wild Koalas and we very rarely miss out on sighting a number of these delightful creatures, we also visit places of importance to the Aboriginal people of the region.

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 Kangaroo Island tour
Today you will take the brief flight to Kangaroo Island for a full day of touring. Highlights will include a visit to Seal Bay, where you can walk with a Park Ranger amongst a colony of rare Australian Sea Lions resting on the beach after their long fishing expeditions.

Discover the Island's most renowned park, Flinders Chase National Park, a sanctuary for numerous native Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and Cape Barren Geese. On the southern tip of Flinders Chase National Park are Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch, both providing great photographic opportunities.

Return to Kingscote for your return fight to Adelaide. Today’s excursion includes round trip air, full day touring, National Park fees and lunch.

Day 8 Barossa Valley tour
Savor the Barossa Valley, a wonderful mix of German wine growers in a wateredAustralian Valley, with villages dotting the countryside! Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle on a tour that provides the unique flavors of premium wineries, a sumptuous lunch and an insight into the rich history and current lifestyle of this world renowned region.

Day 9 Fly Adelaide 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 burnt 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 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 Blue Mountains tour
On today’s Blue Mountains excursion, stop at a Wildlife Park, where you have the opportunity to have your photo taken with a koala, and to see Australian animals and reptiles, such as crocodiles, kangaroos, goannas and possums. At the Blue Mountains National Park, enjoy a stroll through the bush, a visit to historic Katoomba, and time an optional ride on the world's steepest railway, the Skyway Cable Car or the Sceniscender Cable Car (rides at own expense).

See scenic echo point, and learn about the 'blue haze' effect, giving the region its name. There are excellent photo opportunities of the Three Sisters rock formation, and spectacular views of Jamison and Megalong valleys, with a return to the city via Sydney's Olympic Site. Lunch is included today.

Day 14 At leisure, Sydney
At your leisure to explore the city of Sydney. It’s been said that Sydney never sleeps. In daylight hours the city buzzes with life and remains active long after workers have left their offices. All-night pubs, cutting-edge dance clubs, and gay reviews could keep you out until dawn. Fancy a late-night meal or a final coffee - that’s not a problem. Be seen on trendy Oxford Street from Darlinghurst to Paddington or try the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, Surry Hills, the quay or the Rocks.

Day 15 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	-

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 #	SWSP326	SWSP315	SWSP327	-

1/1/10-3/31/10	$2785	$3630	$4495	-

4/1/10-8/31/10	$2735	$3540	$4590	-

9/1/10-11/30/10	$2735	$3580	$4640	-

12/1/10-3/31/11	$2735	$3580	$4575	-

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

1/1/10-3/31/10	-	$180	-	-

4/1/10-8/31/10	-	$125	-	-

9/1/10-11/30/10	-	$145	-	-

12/1/10-3/31/11	-	$145	-	-

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	$905	$1570	$2200	-

4/1/10-8/31/10	$895	$1530	$2265	-

9/1/10-11/30/10	$895	$1570	$2315	-

12/1/10-3/31/11	$895	$1570	$2250	-


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

1/23/10-2/15/10; 10/1/10-10/31/10				$1170

2/16/10-4/30/10				$770

5/1/10-6/8/10				$470

6/9/10-7/23/10				$870

7/24/10-9/21/10				$670

9/22/10-9/30/10				$970

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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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