Twelve or Twenty-one Days
Many of our travelles now preferto take two or more short holidays each year, minimizing their time away from home and maximizing the number of destinations they can visit. With this travel trend in mind, we've expanded our roster of shorter tours overall, and this new Highlights of Australia is an excellent example of the genre.
We wanted a program which would give travellers a taste of the multi-cultural delights of the world's smallest continent and largest island - in just twelve days - and asked our Melbourne staff members to bring their experience to bear. The resulting itinerary, which visits two major cities, tours one of the vast sheep ranches for which Australia is famous, and spends three relaxing nights at a marvelous Great Barrier Reef resort, is a triumph of careful selection based on their personal experience. Best of all, it manages to introduce a complex country with speed but without any sense of urgancy or haste. Bravo, Melbourne office!
"It's part San Fra ncisco. A bit of England. The flavor of New York." - 1980's advertisement for Sydney.
Day 1, Sunday
USA or Canada - Melbourne
Our flight today begins a comfortable journey to Australia
Day 2, Monday
International Date Line
On our return trip, we recover the day temporarily "lost" here, as we cross the International Date Line.
Day 3, Tuesday
Melbourne, Australia
We arrive at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport this morning, to be met and transfered to our hotel. This evening a breifing on our upcoming itinerary precedes a welcome dinner. Sheraton Towers Southgate Dinner
Day 4, Wednesday
Melbourne
This elegant city is renowned for its wonderful parks, gardens and historic architecture. Our tour this morning shows us the highlights of the city, including the Aboriginal Resources walk at the world famous Botanical Gardens, once home to the Wurundjeri tribe, and the National Gallery, the finest in Australia. Melbourne is the cultural center of Australia and this evening you may choose to attend a theater performance, concert or ballet (an optional extra). Sheraton Towers Southgate, Breakfast
Day 5, Thursday
Melbourne
We drive north to spend the day as guests of the Barber family at their magnificent sheep ranch, Coliban Park, set in its own secret valley. We learn about this vital rural industry, watch the farmwork in progress and lunch at this historic homestead. Sheraton Towers Southgate, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6, Friday
Melbourne - Hayman Island
Today we fly to Hayman, an idyllic tropical resort in the Whitsunday Islands off Australia's northeastern coast. Hayman Resort, Breakfast
Days 7-8, Saturday and Sunday
Hayman Island
We have two full days to enjoy the bushlands, palm-fringed beaches and underwater gardens which surround our resort, as well as its magnificent swimming pools, restaurants, golf and tennis courts. Our time is our own to relax as we please. Hayman Resort, Breakfast
Day 9, Monday
Hayman Island - Sydney
We leave our "paradise island" to fly to Sydney, birthplace of Australia and the city inhabitants tout as "the best address on earth." The Regent of Sydney, Breakfast
Day 10, Tuesday
Sydney
Morning sightseeing includes a tour of the landmark Opera House, the quaint suburb of Paddington and famous (infamous?) Bondi Beach. We lunch at a restaurant that may be Sydney's most picturesque: Doyle's on Watson Bay. Optional Opera House tickets for tonight's or tomorrow's performances can be arranged by request. The Regent of Sydney, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11, Wednesday
Sydney
After a morning "coffee break" cruise on Sydney Harbour - a chance to view the city from a unique seaside persppective - we have an afternoon at leisure to continue our own explorations. Golfers may choose to play one of the superb 18-hole courses close to the city center. Tonight we meet for a farewell dinner. The Regent of Sydney, Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12, Thursday
Sydney - USA or Canada
Transfer to the airport for a flight back to the USA or Canada, arriving the same day you left, courtesy of the International Date Line. Breakfast
Today , travellers continuing to Papua New Guinea transfer to the airport for a flight to Port Moresby
| Land Arrangements | Basic Tour | With PNG |
| April - June | ||
| Double Occupancy | $2,330 | $5,920 |
| Single supplement | $1,250 | $1,650 |
| Balance of Year | ||
| Double Occupancy | $2,650 | $6,240 |
| Single supplement | $1,250 | $1,650 |
| Internal Airfare (excludes Sydney/Port Moresby) | $340 | $870 |
| Airfare from West Coast Economy Class from | $1,178 | $1,628 |
| Land Arrangements 1997 pricing | Basic Tour | With PNG |
| Double Occupancy | $2,990 | $6,840 |
| Single supplement | $1,560 | $2,030 |
| Regent of Sydney Harbor View Supplement | ||
| Double Occupancy | $146 | $146 |
| Single supplement | $142 | $142 |
| Internal Airfare (excludes Sydney/Port Moresby) | $613 | $1,223 |
| Airfare from West Coast Economy Class from | $1,028 | $1,458 |
| Depart | Return | Depart | Return | Depart | Return | ||
| Oct 27 | Nov 7 | Nov 10 | Nov 21 | Dec 22 | Jan 2 '97 | ||
| 1997 Tour Dates | |||||||
| *Jan 19 | Jan 30 | Apr 20 | May 01 | *Oct 19 | Oct 30 | ||
| *Feb 16 | Feb 27 | *Jun 08 | Jun 19 | *Nov 16 | Nov 27 | ||
| *Mar 9 | Mar 20 | *Sep 14 | Sep 25 | Dec 28 | Jan 08 '98 | ||
| 1998 Tour Dates | |||||||
| *Jan 18 | Jan 29 | *Feb 15 | Feb 26 | *Mar 08 | Mar 19 |
* Connects to Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea
Prices and dates are subject to change
Your land arrangements include:
Not included are personal expenses such as laundry; travel insurance; excess baggage fees; communication charges; cost of obtaining passports or visas; scenic flights; meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in the itinerary; any airfares.