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The Essence of Australia
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Explore Australia from the tropical north to the Shipwreck Coast, to the dramatic Outback. Learn about the Aboriginal culture and traditions. Watch the sunset at Ayers Rock. Take a catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. Stroll along the leafy canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Enjoy three nights at a Queensland beach resort. Travel the Great Ocean Road and take in the spectacular scenery. Explore Australia's wine country with tours and tastings. Discover Melbourne for two nights and enjoy the vibrant city and its culture. Enjoy a tour and a performance at the Sydney Opera House.
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| Details | | Collette Vacations | | Offer valid through 8/31/2008 | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1-2 | Depart From Home | Depart from Home : Today you board your Qantas flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime in Australia. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day. | | Day 1-2 | Depart From Home | Depart from Home : Today you board your Qantas flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime in Australia. | | Day 3 | Cairns | Cairns (Northern Beaches), Australia - Tour Begins : Your tour begins today in the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the Northern Beaches of Queensland. Tonight, you'll enjoy a special welcome dinner with your new mates.Today dinner is included. | | Day 4 | Great Barrier Reef | Great Barrier Reef : Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many different ways. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride*, a rain forest walking tour, relax on the beaches, or just watch from the pier as the fish and sea turtles swim past. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour* are also available.Today breakfast and lunch are included. | | Day 5 | Cairns | Cairns : Experience the rain forest this morning from the treetops as you ride through the rain forest canopy. You'll view waterfalls, fabulous scenery, and diverse fauna. This afternoon, cruise the still waters of Hartley's Lagoon, home to many of the regions saltwater crocs, before enjoying an authentic Aussie BBQ.Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 6 | Ayers Rock | Cairns - Ayers Rock : Today you fly to the heart of the Australian Outback, Ayers Rock. This huge monolith and the sandstone domes of the Olgas were created through a process of upheaval and erosion. They are renowned for their changing hues during different times of the day. During your exploration, you will learn about their significance to the Aboriginal culture, after which you view Ayers Rock change color as the sun sets.Today breakfast is included. | | Day 7 | Alice Springs | Ayers Rock - Alice Springs : Drive across the vast Outback and arrive in the central city of Alice Springs. Here, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour including the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Gain insight into the educational system in the Outback with a visit to the School of the Air - you may even see a class in session! Tonight you may choose to complement your Australian tour with a popular Collette option, "Take a Camel to Dinner," during which you will ride a camel through the Outback and then enjoy a fantastic dinner. | | Day 8 | Alice Springs | Alice Springs : Discover the history and beliefs of the Aboriginal people this morning during the "Dreamtime Tour
. Your specialist guide, along with members of the Walpiri tribe in traditional dress, will teach you about their unique customs. Meet Aboriginal people at their camp and see various dreamtime stories depicted in paintings. A special experience is in store for you this afternoon as you will have the opportunity to meet the young Aboriginal group, Drum Atweme. Supported by the Collette Foundation, Drum Atweme is a musical group comprised of at-risk youth from the local community. Tonight, a delicious dinner in the bush allows you to experience the real Outback complete with entertainment under the stars.Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 9 | Barossa Valley | Alice Springs - Adelaide - Barossa Valley : Enjoy a leisurely morning before boarding your afternoon flight to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and its 5th largest city. Upon arrival you transfer to the Barossa Valley, one of Australia's most popular destinations - well known for breathtaking scenery and some of the world's best wine production. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel which overlooks the vineyards of recognized wineries such as Jacobs Creek.Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 10 | Barossa Valley | Barossa Valley : Barossa Valley is Australia's richest and best-known wine-making region. First settled by German immigrants more than a century ago, today some of the world's finest wines are produced here. Enjoy tours and tastings at two of the area's finest vineyards.Today breakfast is included. | | Day 11 | Coonawarra | Barossa Valley - Coonawarra : Travel through the southern Australian countryside, stopping at Naracoorte Caves National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the archeological findings of southern Australia as you tour the fossil center and view the "megafauna" that once thrived in the area. Continue to Coonawarra, another of Australia's rich wine-making regions.Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 12 | Melbourne | Coonawarra - Melbourne : Drive along Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most scenic. Pass through Port Campbell National Park, revealing the magic of the "12 Apostles," a dramatic row of stone pillars rising from the ocean. Created from rock formed over 20 million years ago and softened by the erosion of limestone, the arches were originally caves in the cliffs that collapsed by the forces of nature. Also here, marvel at Loch Ard Gorge, the sight of one of Victoria's most tragic shipwrecks, before arriving in Melbourne.Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 13 | Melbourne | Melbourne : Welcome to Melbourne, boasting a vibrant arts and cultural scene and home to most of Australia's major sporting events. A tour of Melbourne features the Shrine of Remembrance, Parliament House, and a visit to Fitzroy Royal Botanical Gardens. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Australia's most cosmopolitan city. Stroll along the river, enjoy the great shopping, or just relax.Today breakfast is included. | | Day 14 | Canberra | Melbourne - Canberra : A drive across the countryside unveils the breathtaking snow-capped mountains that symbolize Australia's capital, Canberra. Located in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounded by New South Wales, Canberra is modeled after Washington, DC. Upon arrival enjoy a panoramic city tour with a visit to Canberra's war memorial as well as the National Museum of Australia which interactively celebrates the land, nation and people of the country. The evening is yours to explore the city's shopping district and great eateries. An evening at leisure allows you to relax or explore the city of Canberra on your own.Today breakfast is included. | | Day 15 | Sydney | Canberra - Sydney : This morning you travel north to lively Sydney. Tonight, a perfect introduction to Sydney is in store as you view the city from one of her spectacular revolving restaurants.Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 16 | Sydney | Sydney : Tour the fun-loving city of Sydney today. You will see Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one of the world's most perfectly designed buildings as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. An evening dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour will give you the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. Enjoy views of Sydney's greatest icons - the Harbour Bridge and the world-famous Opera House. Following the cruise, return to the Sydney Opera House to enjoy a captivating performance!Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 17 | Sydney | Sydney : Today you visit Koala Park. Not only will you see koalas in their natural habitat, but you might also have the unique opportunity to pose for a photo with one of these cuddly creatures. You will also have the chance to feed the kangaroos and pet a wombat. Later, enjoy a fascinating opal presentation and learn how raw opals are transformed - from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry store. This evening, enjoy a delightful farewell dinner while overlooking Darling Harbour.Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 18 | Sydney | Sydney : Your tour ends in Sydney today.Today breakfast is included. |
| | | Total meals - 24 | Breakfasts - 14 | | Lunches - 1 | Dinners - 9 |
| Base Rates Per Person
Air rates are based from the following airport: Los Angeles Intl AirportTour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on double occupancy and include fuel surcharges and internal flights, these rates are subject to change. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. Taxes and fees are additional, for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices above.
*All special offers are valid on non-group and new bookings only. Special offers can not be combined with any other offer, except AARP discounts. |
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