October is the best time to visit the Outback, Sydney and the Tropical North. Australia is HUGE, impossible to see in two weeks without flying so our itinerary includes four internal flights. We’ll hike the Blue Mountains with an Aborigine woman who’ll show us rock carvings and teach the culture of her ancestors. Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is outstanding and there is an option for an introductory dive. We may see dolphins while sea kayaking, and the rapids on the Tully guarantee great rafting. Hiking around Uluru and holding a koala will touch your heart. Serenity is hiking in the Outback canyons where the Southern Cross hangs low in the night sky. In Alice we’ll learn the importance of the Flying Doctors and Schools of the Air and even have a didgeridoo lesson. Our horse ride in Queensland is a great combination of beach and rainforest. And of course we explore Sydney, often called the “best address in the world.” Whether you’re swimming at the beautiful beaches or watching colorful birds fly by, you’ll feel the spirit of Australia, wonderfully alive.
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Thursday 8th
Meet at 9.30pm at LAX at the gate for our 10.30pm flight Delta 17 to Sydney.
Friday
Lose this day to the International Date Line.
Saturday
Arrive in Sydney 6am. Transfer to our downtown hotel where we’ll breakfast and leave our luggage. Prue, our Aussie guide will lead us around Sydney, which has been called “the best address in the world.” We’ll walk through the historic Rocks district and climb one of the towers of the Harbor Bridge enjoying stunning views of the harbor. Walk across to the Opera House where we learn what makes this one of the world’s top ten buildings. Return to our hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free. Most may want to sleep and catch-up on jet lagged deprived sleep. Others may want to explore Sydney and Prue is happy to accompany you. Dinner is on your own this evening as most choose to sleep through dinner.
Sunday
After breakfast nearby we’ll travel by train to the Blue Mountains. Ellie, our Aboriginal guide will lead us on a five-hour walkabout through the eucalyptus trees teaching us the culture of her Darug ancestors. We’ll walk the ancient song line of the Emu man carved in stone. Try ochre bark painting while kookaburras and lorikeets entertain with a cacophony of sounds. Dine at a local pub before the train ride back to our hotel in Sydney.
Monday
Breakfast locally then transfer to the airport for our 10am flight to Brisbane. Travel by van to Byron Bay one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. There’s time for a stroll or a swim before lunch and we’ll drive up to the lighthouse and photograph the sweeping coastline. This afternoon we’ll sea-kayak (hopefully!) with dolphins around Cape Byron, the most easterly point in Australia. We may even get lucky and see a sea turtle or humpback whale. There’s time for exploring this beach town before gathering later for dinner.
Tuesday
It’s an early departure for a return to the jacaranda trees of Brisbane and our visit to the best koala sanctuary in Australia. You’ll have a chance to hold one of the 130 koalas, watch a sheep dog demonstration and even see wombats and Tasmanian devils! Holding a koala with its scent of eucalyptus will be one of the highlights of your trip. Transfer to the airport for our 12.40pm flight to Proserpine Airport. We’ll bus into Airlie Beach for a two-night motel stay. You’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax and explore. Dinner at a beach restaurant.
Wednesday
The Whitsunday Islands are our favorite part of the Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest living organism. Our all-day trip on a sleek motorboat in the Whitsundays initially visits Mantaray Bay for snorkeling. The coral and fish are stunning and there is an option to try an introductory dive. After a delicious lunch onboard we’ll have three hours to relax on Whitehaven – the most beautiful beach in Australia! Viewed from the Lookout the white silica sand and turquoise crystal waters make great photographs of an especially memorable day.
Thursday
There’s time for a sleep in and relaxed breakfast this morning before boarding our bus for the six-hour journey to Tully. There’ll be stops for lunch and refreshments along the way. We’ll travel through small towns and fields of sugar cane and see rural Australia at work and play. Dinner and motel accommodation is in the white water rafting town of Tully.
Friday
Breakfast at our hotel then a bus will transport us south to the Tully River. This is a super day of grade 3-4 whitewater rafting through pristine rainforest. Our five hours on the water in six-person rafts includes 45 rapids and opportunities to swim in the calmer sections. A cooked lunch is provided on shore. After rafting, a bus will deliver us north to our hotel in Cairns for a two night stay.
Saturday
Breakfast with the birds at a wildlife habitat near Port Douglas. Feast on a tropical buffet while the colorful birds wander freely among us. We‘ll meander in rainforest and wetland habitats feeding kangaroos and seeing the rare cassowary. Drive into Port Douglas where you’re free to shop and have lunch on your own. This afternoon’s horse-ride along Wonga Beach includes walking with your horse in the waves and an option to gallop along the beach. Our 3-hour ride passes through rainforest filled with wonderful bird song. Dine in Port Douglas before returning to Cairns.
Sunday
Breakfast at our hotel before heading to the airport for our flight to Alice Springs departing at 11.25am. In Alice we’ll travel by van to the School of the Air and the Flying Doctor Service and discover the importance of these two uniquely Australian organizations in the lives of the people of the Outback. Relax at our motel’s pool in the heat of the afternoon – or, if you’re in the market for opal jewelry, Alice Springs is the place to shop. Dine in town prior to our Didgeridoo Concert – a musical and visual journey through the ancient landforms, history and space of the Outback featuring impromptu didgeridoo lessons!
Monday
An Aussie guide will pick us up early and we join a two-day tour south though the Outback to Uluru (Ayers Rock). We will travel through picturesque ranges stopping at a camel farm where you have an option to try riding a camel. Lunch at our camp near Uluru. This afternoon we hike the red rocks of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). We’ll catch the sunset at Uluru before returning to our campsite where we are served a camp oven dinner. Shower at camp and sleep cozily on beds in safari tents.
Tuesday
Breakfast in camp before heading off to circumnavigate Uluru. This is a leisurely six-mile walk around the monolith gazing up at eroded rock faces and unusual formations. Your guide will take you on a Mala walk exploring sacred waterholes, ancient caves and Aboriginal paintings. We then return to camp for lunch and showers before catching our 12.40pm flight to Sydney. Transfer to our airport hotel. We’ll celebrate the end of our Australian journey with a farewell dinner. Tours ends.
Wednesday
Departure for USA. Make your own way to the airport by shuttle bus or taxi. Delta flight 16 departs 9.15am. It arrives in Los Angeles at 5.55am THE SAME DAY! This is the day you lost on the flight over. Connect with your homeward bound flights.
