DISCOVER THE BEST OF AUSTRALIA

This tour links from and to our BEST OF NEW ZEALAND and COOK ISLANDS tours.

PLEASE NOTE:
TWO-FIVE PASSENGERS ON ANY TOUR
This tour is guaranteed to operate for a minimum of 2 and is semi independent using the best local day tours (usually with AAT Kings - big bus) we can find with exclusive vehicle in Adelaide only for your arrival day tour. The package is totally adaptable - spend an extra day in your chosen city/cities, start any day of the week, (unless Ghan is included), we can adapt it to your requirement. Tell us what you would like to do and we will give you a quote.
Exclusive vehicle and driver/guide can be provided in any city for additional cost.
SIX PASSENGERS PLUS ON ANY DEPARTURE
You will have an exclusive vehicle and driver/guide in each city and all transfers are included.

ESCORTED GROUP DEPARTURE: Tour commencing Sydney 26th February, 2012 will be escorted from Sydney to Cairns subject to a minimum of 10 travelling.

BONUS: Enjoy our GRAND TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND tour commencing Auckland 3rd February OR BEST OF NEW ZEALAND TOUR commencing 12th February and receive a free one way air ticket from Christchurch to Sydney on the 26th.

Day 1. Sunday. ARRIVE SYDNEY
Arrive Sydney. Arrive Sydney and you will be met and transferred to our accommodation at Novotel Rockford in Darling Harbour, Menzies hotel Downtown or similar.

Day 2. Monday. SYDNEY (BL)
Enjoy a full day sightseeing in Australia’s largest and most vibrant city. Drive through the historic "Rocks" area and cross the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore beaches. Stroll along famous Manly Surf beach before returning to Sydney -to enjoy a cruise on Sydney Harbour with lunch included. This afternoon continue your sightseeing and see Cadmans cottage - Australia’s oldest house, the Opera House, Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Bondi Beach, and the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay and Vaucluse.

Day 3. Tuesday. WILDLIFE PARK AND BLUE MOUNTAINS. (B)
See the site of the 2000 Olympics and visit a wildlife park to cuddle a koala, feed kangaroos, and see wombats, dingoes, crocodiles, penguins, and other Australian wildlife. Continue to the Blue Mountains with many scenic views along the way including Govetts Leap, Echo Point, the Three Sisters, and hear the ‘folk tales’ as you view the marvellous escarpments and ‘Australia’s Grand Canyon’. Optional rides on the Sceniscender and/or the world's steepest incline railway are available - own expense. Cruise along the Parramatta river to Darling Harbour or Circular Quay where the tour ends.

Day 4. Wednesday. SYDNEY (B)
Free day to explore Sydney as you wish.

Optional Tours
CANBERRA DAY TOUR
Drive south to Canberra - Australia's capital city. Enjoy a guided tour through Parliament House and the renowned National Museum, visit Mt Ainslie, for a panoramic view over the city, see Lake Burley Griffen, Captain Cook Memorial Fountain, Commonwealth Park, High Court, and drive through the embassy and residential areas. Return to Sydney around 9pm. Extra cost $NZ250

HUNTER VALLEY
Your choice of 2 full day tours
(A) Hunter Valley wineries including tasting and lunch... $NZ280
(B) Hunter Valley Gardens including lunch...$NZ280

Day 5. Thursday. SYDNEY - MELBOURNE. (B)
Make your way to the rail station, a short taxi ride away (own expense). Join the Countrylink XPT express departing at 7.45am and travel south through New South Wales and Victoria. 1st class seats provided. Arrival Melbourne is scheduled for 6.55pm. Accommodation is a short taxi ride away (own expense) at the Novotel on Collins Hotel
Note: You are welcome to fly this sector if you wish but costs will increase.

Day 6. Friday. MELBOURNE (BD)
Morning tour of Melbourne city includes tailored gardens, historic Victorian buildings, Royal Botanic gardens, Fitzroy Gardens including a visit to Captain Cooks Cottage, Carlton, Port Melbourne, and Queen Victoria markets. Enjoy a cruise along the Yarra River and this afternoon tour the Blue Dandenong mountains including wonderful views of Melbourne, traditional billy tea, walks in the forest with the opportunity to see some of the prolific native bird life. Return to your hotel about 5.30pm.

Day 7. Saturday. MELBOURNE (B)
We have left today free for your own options. Enjoy the ‘culture capital’ of Australia or take one of the following optional tours
A. Gold fever! Ballarat and Sovereign Hill 8.55am - 5.30pm $NZ230
B. Great Ocean Road including Bells Beach, Anglesea, Apollo Bay, Twelve Apostles, London Bridge, and Loch Ard gorge - $NZ250
C. Phillip Island nature reserve and Penguin Parade including cattle farm and Koala Conservation centre. 1pm - 10.30pm - $NZ230

Day 8. Sunday. MELBOURNE - ADELAIDE (B)
Make your way to the airport (shuttles and taxis are available from your hotel - own expense). Fly to Adelaide this morning. You will be met on arrival for your tour to the Adelaide Hills and the charming Bavarian style town of Hahndorf. Also visit Mt Lofty summit for panoramic views over Adelaide. This afternoon tour the city including Chinatown, Montefiore Hill, Rundle Mall, etc. Accommodation at Grand Chancellor Hotel or similar.

THE GHAN OPTION
On arrival Adelaide transfer to the rail station and settle in for one of the worlds great rail journeys aboard the "Ghan". Depart early afternoon. Red service daynighter seats included. meals are not included but may be bought in the dining car. We recommend upgrading to GOLD SERVICE SLEEPER CABINS with meals included. Extra cost per person $NZ840. Red Service sleeper cabin extra $390 - no meals included. Travel north through South Australia and arrive Alice Springs early monday afternoon. You will be transferred to your hotel with free afternoon and tomorrow morning until others arrive from Adelaide.

Day 9. Monday. ADELAIDE (B)
Free day to explore at your leisure. Optional tours are available including
(A) Barossa Valley Premium food and wine experience...$NZ145
(B) Murray River including Mannum and leisurely cruise...$140 (September to April only)
(C) Kangaroo Island by coach. 6.45am to 10.40pm. $NZ320 Includes coach and ferry to Kangaroo Island, island tour including Seal Bay National Park, Birds of Prey display, Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. A 2 course lunch is included.
NOTE: You have the option to fly from Kangaroo Island back to Adelaide for an additional $NZ190, or fly both ways for an additional $NZ370. Airport taxes and levies additional.

Day 10. Tuesday. ADELAIDE - ALICE SPRINGS
Fly to Alice Springs this morning. This afternoon enjoy a Highlights of Alice Springs tour including the Flying Doctor base and School of the Air, panoramic view of the city from Anzac Hill, see the Old Telegraph Station and Alice Springs Reptile Centre

Day 11. Wednesday. ALICE SPRINGS - ULURU (AYERS ROCK) (B)
Drive through the McDonnell ranges and enjoy a short stop at a camel farm and continue past the remarkable Mt Connor Mesa before arriving at Ayers Rock resort. This afternoon tour the magnificent domes of the Kata Tjuta mountains (Olga's). Walk between the domes in Walpa Gorge and during the return to your hotel enjoy a glass of wine as you watch the changing colours of Uluru as the sun sets over the desert plain.

Day 12. Thursday. ULURU - CAIRNS (B)
Up early for the best of the day and be in position to watch the sun rise over Uluru (Ayers Rock) before joining a guided walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and see the ancient rock paintings. Continue along the Mala way and your guide will point out the unique flora and fauna of the area. Visit the cultural centre and Arts and Crafts co-operative.(Optional climb of Uluru instead of cultural tour if you wish - same cost applies. A good level of fitness is required). This afternoon fly to Cairns and transfer to Mercure Harbourside or similar hotel.

Day 13. Friday. GREAT BARRIER REEF (BL)
Set sail this morning aboard an Ocean Spirit Catamaran for the 2 hours (approx) cruise to Michaelmas Cay for a day of sun, sand, and sea. You are welcome to go ashore on the sand Cay and a naturalist will introduce you to the bird life in this sanctuary with often up to 20,000 migratory birds in residence. Enjoy the magical coral gardens and teeming marine life while swimming, snorkelling. or on the air conditioned semi submersible. Morning and afternoon tea and a lunch buffet are included.

Day 14. Saturday. KURANDA AND CULTURE (BL)
Transfer to the station to join the world famed Kuranda Scenic Rail ride to Kuranda village with views of Barron falls en route. You have time to explore Kuranda and maybe visit the Butterfly Sanctuary, Koala Gardens, or Bird World (admissions extra) before joining the Skyrail to glide above the rainforest canopy with the opportunity for 2 stops along the way to walk in the rainforest. On arrival at base your indigenous gudie will escort you to the fascinating Tjapukai Cultural Park and escort you through the park as you discover this ancient culture through theatres, stage shows, and demonstrations. You will be transferred back to your accommodation about 5.30pm.

Day 15. Sunday. CAIRNS DEPART (B)
You will be transferred to the airport for departure.

ADD THE COOK ISLANDS

Why not stayover in Auckland sunday night (free hotel provided) and depart for the beautiful islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki monday morning. See below for itinerary.

Tour cost per person in New Zealand dollars valid to 31st May, 2012.	2 per room	Single room
Full tour 14 nights (4 star hotels*)	$NZ6,900	$NZ7,960

Tour Cost Includes (Full Tour):

** All travel by mini bus, coach, plane, and train within Australia
** 14 nights accommodation including breakfast daily
** 3 lunches on day tours
** Sightseeing listed including all admissions
services of tour escort from Sydney to Cairns for minimum of 10 travelling

ADD THE COOK ISLANDS

Rarotonga was my home for 3 years and I love to show it off. What better way for North Americans to complete 2 busy weeks touring than to chill out in Rarotonga and Aitutaki - two of the most beautiful islands on earth. (For full details of all my Cook islands tours see www.cookislandsdiscoverytours.com)

Day 15. Sunday. STAY AUCKLAND (B)
Travel from Cairns to Auckland with Air New Zealand - air fares not included. Transfer by hotel shuttle to the airport Grand Chancellor Hotel for the night.

Day 16. Monday/Sunday. AUCKLAND - RAROTONGA (BD)
Transfer to the airport and depart at 10.45am for Rarotonga. Crossing the dateline means arriving 4.30pm sunday afternoon again. Transfer to the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa. Dinner at the hotel tonight.

Day 17. Monday again RAROTONGA (BL)
You will be picked up by Tangaroa Tours for a 4WD tour of the island. First set the Umu (Underground oven) for lunch before driving along both the coastal and "Ara Metua" (inland traditional) roads. Visit Wigmores waterfall, drive inland up the mountains for panormaic views over the lagoon, visit local farms and learn of the agridculture and see beautiful Muri Lagoon and the pass from where the great migration to New Zealand is reputed to have left from. Also visit a perfume factory and taste the Noni juice. Back to base to lift the Umu and enjoy lunch including local delicacies such as marinated raw fish before we return to the hotel early afternoon to relax.

Day 18. Tuesday. RAROTONGA (BD)
This morning explore the main town of Avarua. See the harbours of Avatiu and Avarua, visit the museum and main theological centre, and government centres. We take a leisurely tour back to the hotel around the coastal road. Stop off at Muri lagoon to swim if you wish and return by local bus later. This evening visit Highland Park cultural centre for an introduction to pre european history and culture at an ancient marae before enjoying dinner and a cultural show.

Day 19. Wednesday. RAROTONGA - AITUTAKI. (BD)
Fly north to Aitutaki (renowned as one of the most beautiful atolls in the Pacific) this morning. Transfer to the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa. This afternoon ejoy a 4WD tour of the island including ancient Marae, main village, historical landmarks, a local plantation, and World War 2 tracks and bunkers. Dinner at the hotel included tonight.

Day 20. Thursday. AITUTAKI (BL)
Enjoy a full day cruise on beautiful Aitutaki Lagoon to Barefoot and Akiami islands with snorkelling time on the main reef if weather permits. A barbecue lunch is included.

Day 21. Friday. AITUTAKI - RAROTONGA. (B)
Free time to relax and enjoy the island before flying back to Rarotonga and the Rarotongan Beach Resort. Dinner is not included today

Day 22. Saturday. RAROTONGA DEPART (BD)
Free day to relax. We recommend a visit to the local market in Avarua this morning. Rooms are retained until 6pm and dinner is included at the hotel tonight. Mid evening transfer to the airport for departure at midnight with Air New Zealand non stop to Los Angeles. (air fares not included)

Extra cost per person for Cook Islands transfers, accommodation and breakfasts, domestic air fares, sightseeing and meals listed in itinerary
GARDEN ROOMS
2 per room.... $NZ1,790
Single room... $NZ2,600
BEACHFRONT ROOMS/SUITES
2 per room.... $NZ2,400
Single room... $NZ3,600