10 meals- 2 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), 3 dinners (D)Domestic and International airfare not included.
Day 1: Arrive Melbourne
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure (standard), Novotel Melbourne on Collins (first class) or Sofitel Melbourne (deluxe) for 3 nights
Day 2: Melbourne City Sights & Tramcar
Today, explore Melbourne. Highlights include Yarra River, Captain Cook's Cottage, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens and Albert Park, home to the Formula One Grand Prix. This evening, dine aboard a magnificently-restored 1927 tramcar as it trundles the streets of Melbourne. (D)
Day 3: Phillip Island Penguins Tour
Travel out of Melbourne and past beautiful landscapes before crossing over the bridge to Phillip Island. Walk amongst the treetops at the Koala Conservation Centre and see wild koalas within touching distance! Travel to the Nobbies for magnificent views over Mornington Peninsula and Bass Strait. Offshore are Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest Australian Fur Seal colony. Continue on to the Penguin Parade where each evening at dusk, Little Penguins arrive in groups on the beach after a day of fishing. Witness this fascinating event from an exclusive viewing platform and boardwalk. Enjoy dinner before returning to Melbourne late evening. (D)
Day 4: Melbourne-Adelaide
attractions are the Hillstowe Winery Estate and Beerenberg Strawberry Farm. Afternoon tea is included at Muggletons General Store before returning to Adelaide. Overnight: Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (standard), This morning, you'll be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your onward flight to Adelaide (flight not included) and escorted by private car to your choice of accommodation. This afternoon, enjoy a brief city highlights tour on the way to the German Township of Hahndorf. At Hahndorf, there's time to stroll among century-old Cork Elms to see quaint cottages displaying local crafts. Other North Adelaide Heritage Apartments (first class) or Hyatt Regency Adelaide (deluxe)
Day 5: Adelaide-Kangaroo Island
Travel by coach to Cape Jervis and board the ferry to Kangaroo Island. Your first stop is secluded Stokes Bay on the North Coast, accessible only by rock tunnel. Next, head south for Parndana Wildlife Park to feed kangaroos. In the afternoon, travel on to Seal Bay for a walk among a breeding colony of Australian Sea Lions. Visit a honey farm and a bush-engineered eucalyptus distillery. After dark, discover Kangaroo Island's little penguins on a guided penguin walk. Overnight: Kangaroo Island (L)
Day 6: Kangaroo Island-Adelaide
Visit Kelly Hill Caves. After lunch head on to Flinders Chase National Park, a sanctuary for native Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas. See Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch. Experience the Island Pure Sheep Dairy farm, observe sheep being milked and sample delicious yogurt and various cheeses. Return to Adelaide by ferry and coach. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Adelaide. Overnight: Mercure Grosvenor Hotel (standard), North Adelaide Heritage Apartments (first class) or Hyatt Regency Adelaide (deluxe) (B,L)
Day 7: Adelaide-Uluru (Ayers Rock)
This morning you will be transferred from your Adelaide accommodation to the airport for your flight to Ayers Rock Resort (flight not included). The afternoon is at leisure. We suggest you visit the art galleries and the informative visitors' center. Tonight, experience the romance of the desert, the setting of the sun behind the domes of Kata Tjuta and Uluru, the haunting sounds of a didgeridoo, sumptuous Outback fare and the star-filled heavens in the "Sounds of Silence" dinner. After a feast of Northern Territory delights, you can dream away under a canopy of stars as a resident astronomer points out a plethora of constellations in the vast skies of the Outback. Return to your hotel in the evening. Overnight: Outback Pioneer (standard), Desert Gardens (first class) or Sails in the Desert (deluxe) for 2 nights (D)
Day 8: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
At sunrise take a short tour around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Enjoy breakfast with a panoramic view of Ayers Rock, then join your Aboriginal guides for the famous Liru Walk, learning the real meaning and history of Uluru. See demonstrations of traditional Aboriginal methods of spear-holding and starting a fire. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 9: Uluru (Ayers Rock)-Cairns
A shuttle will transfer you to Yulara Airport to connect with your onward flight to Cairns (flight not included). Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Cairns Colonial Club (standard), Novotel Oasis Resort (first class) or Cairns International Hotel (deluxe) for 3 nights
Day 10: Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Journey up the scenic Marlin Coast to charming Port Douglas. Enjoy a full-day cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef aboard a luxurious 120-foot catamaran. Moor at a special pontoon on Agincourt Reef. Dive, snorkel, view the underwater observatory or ride in the semi-submersible viewer (diving, own expense). Cruise includes lunch, water sports, and an informative talk by a marine biologist. (L)
Day 11: Kuranda Railway, Skyrail Gondola & Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Board the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway for a breathtaking journey to Kuranda, nestled in the rainforest with attractive shops and galleries. Return to Cairns via the Skyrail Gondola, traveling over 9 miles of rainforest canopy. Then visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for a fascinating dance performance by local Aborigines. Return to your hotel late this afternoon. (L)
Day 12: Cairns-Sydney
This morning you will be met and transferred for your onward flight to Sydney (flight not included). Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight: Hotel Ibis Darling Harbor (standard), The Grace Hotel (first class) or Sydney Harbor Marriott (deluxe) for 3 nights
Day 13: Sydney City Sights
You will have a chance to get an overview of the city and surroundings as you view the Opera House, Botanic Gardens and Conservatorium of Music. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for a view of the city and harbor. Continue through Darling Harbor and the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay and Rose Bay, known for their cosmopolitan cafe society, designer shopping and Rodeo Drive ambience. Then, on to The Gap for spectacular ocean views. Arrive at Bondi Beach where you will see the famous Bondi Lifesavers. We have a short stop here then continue back to Sydney via trendy Paddington.
Day 14: Blue Mountains Luxury 4WD Tour
Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will pick you up this morning in a luxury-touring vehicle. Experience the magnificent World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, only 90 minutes west of Sydney. Enjoy lunch at a unique rainforest hut and continue on to the Three Sisters. This afternoon, you'll seek out the many kangaroos that roam the area. On your return to Sydney, pass by the Olympics 2000 site en route to your hotel. (L)
Day 15: Depart Sydney
This morning you will be met and transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight.
Departures: Daily.
TOTEM TRAVEL
