Thirteen, Twenty or Twenty-one Days
Austrilia is an easy country to visit, but it isn't an easy country to get to know. Yes, everyone speaks English and the beer is cold. But Austrilia is also a large, and varied, in some ways, surprisingly discreet corner of the world, and all to often the casual visitor sees only the nation's public face, with no hint of the complex and vastly more interesting private life beneath.
In our experience, the secret of "getting to know Australia" lies in a carefully planned itinerary and a superlative escort-guide. 1996 marks our theth year of travel to Australia, and Discovery Down Under is the result of a decade's-worth of experience and advice from staff members and past travellers. This program is an excellent introduction to the wide-flung wonders of Australia, combining the great costal cities of Melbourne and Sydney with the tropical pleasures of the Great Barrier Reef, contrasted against the ochre-tinted Outback in Alice Springs and Ayers Rock.
For travellers who wish to add a second destination to their Australian journey, all Discovery Down Under departures can extend to a seven-day New Zealand tour, and many connect to our Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea itinerary.
Ayers Rock, an Aboriginal "cathedral", The Rock's, Sydney's historic district
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 A&K escort and transferred to our luxurious hotel. A morning at leisure is followed by an orientation tour of the city and a welcome dinner, with an introductory program briefing, hosted by A&K Australia. Hotel Sofitel Melbourne, Lunch, 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. Melbourne is the cultural center of Australia and this evening you may choose to attend a theatre performance, a concert or a ballet (an optional extra). Hotel Sofitel Melbourne, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5, Thursday
Melbourne - Alice Springs
We board an early morning flight to Alice Springs, where sightseeing includes the Royal Flying Doctor Base and the Old Telegraph Station, dating bact to 1871. We also visit a remarkable Aboriginal nArt Gallery where paintings and artifacts produced by local artisans are available for sale. This evening we enjoy a private bush barbecue outside town. Plaza Hotel Alice Springs, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6, Friday
Alice Springs - Ayers Rock
We board a midday flight to Ayers Rock, visiting this geographic monolith and stopping at the "sunset Strip" vantage point to watch the colorful effects of the setting sun on its massive slopes. Sails in the Desert Hotel, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ernest Giles, first European to see the Olgas, called them "huge memorials to the ancient times of the earth."
Day 7, Saturday
Ayers Rock - Cairns
Energetic travellers may climb to the summit of Ayers Rock, 1,144 feet up; others will be content to observe from the ground this morning. We also explore the Olgas, a monumental collection of 28 boulders rising from the desert floor, before transferring to the airport for our flight to Cairns and our hotel in Palm Cove, a quaint sea-side village just north of the city. For dinner tonight, we are free to choose from any of the city's excellent restaurants. Reef House Hotel, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8, Sunday
Cairns - Kuranda - Lizard Island
After transferring from our hotel to Kuranda, we depart on a spectacular trip through rainforest canopy on the new Skyrail Cableway. Our ride ends at Smithfield, where a short walk brings us to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for a dance performance, cultural demonstrations and theatrical presentation of Aboriginal myths. Then, after lunch at a local restaurant, we fly to Lizard Island. Lizard Island Lodge, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9, Monday
Lizard Island
Today we are leisure to enjoy Lizard's white sand beaches, windsurfing, tennis courts and marvelous opportunities for coral viewing. Game fishing is available as an optional extra. Lizard Island Lodge, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10, Tuesday
Lizard Island - Cairns - Sydney
After a final morning on our reef island, we board a flight via Cairns. We are met and transferred to our hotel, just minutes from the Opera House. The Regent Sydney, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11, Wednesday
Sydney
Today and tomorrow we may be joined by travellers from A&K's Wonders of Australia tour. Among other sightseeing possibilities, we visit the historic Rocks area, enjoy a tour of the Sydney Opera House and take a walk along Bondi Beach with its surfers and sunbathers. For lunch we stop at Doyle's on the beach at Watson Bay, then return to our hotel . The afternoon is at lesiure, and for dinner tonight we may choose from any of Sydney's fine resturants. Optional Opera House tickets for tonight's performance can be arranged upon request. The Regent Sydney, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12, Thursday
Sydney
Today we have time to continue our own explorations, before reconvening this evening on a launch in the harbor. As our cruiser takes us on a leisurely tour of Sydney-from-the-sea, we have a chance to dine and compare notes with fellow travellers. The Regent Sydney, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travellers continuing to Papua New Guinea transfer to the airport for a flight to Port Moresby
Day 13, Friday
Sydney - Auckland, New Zealand or USA or Canada
The morning is free before our outbound journeyon toNew Zealand or home to the USA or Canada. Breakfast, Lunch
Extension
Those of us continuing to New Zealand arrive in Auckland this evening and are transferred to our hotel where we are joined by travellers on A&K's Lakes and Landscapes tour. Tonight's dinner is in a restaurant of your choice. Stamford Plaza Auckland, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14, Saturday
Auckland
Morning sightseeing includes the Auckland Museum and a wonderful Maori concert. The afternoon and evening are at leisure.Stamford Plaza Auckland, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15, Sunday
Auckland - Rotorua
This morning we take a senic drive to Rotorua.Dine where you wish tonight. Sheraton Rotorua, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16, Monday
Rotorua - Queenstown
After sightseeing this morning at the thermal reserve and trout farm, we have an early lunch before boarding our flight for Queenstown. Dinner tonight is in the home of a local family. Millbrook Resort, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17, Tuesday
Queenstown
This morning we take a gondola ride and visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park to see New Zealand's native birds, including the unique Kiwi. This afternoon there are many optional activities available - try white water rafting or meet the local players at Queenstown's lakeside 18-hole golf course. Millbrook Resort, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18, Wednesday
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
This morning we begin a spectacular drive from Queenstown to Fjordland National Park, where we embark on a lunchtime boat trip along the senic spectacle Rudyard Kipling called the "Eighth Wonder of the World": Milford Sound. Our party returns to Queenstown by road or on a spectacular scenic flight (an optional extra) for an evening at leisure. Millbrook Resort, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19, Thursday (extension)
Queenstown - Christchurch
Visit a local deer farm and experience a true working farm. A farmhouse morning tea is served prior to departing on our flight to Christchurch-the "Garden City". Our farewell dinner is in a local restaurant. Parkroyal Christchurch, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20, Friday (extension)
Christchurch - Auckland - Pacific Islands or USA or Canada
Spend the morning getting acquainted with Christchurch situated on the beautiful Avon river. Our half day tour includes the Antartic centre and lunch at a rural homestaed overlooking magnificent landscaped gardens. This evening we fly to Auckland, connecting on to the Pacific Islands or boarding a flight home to the USA or Canada. Breakfast, Lunch
| Land Arrangements | Basic Tour | With NZ | With PNG |
| April - June | |||
| Double Occupancy | $3,770 | $6,300 | $7,050 |
| Single supplement | $980 | $1,770 | $1,300 |
| Balance of Year | |||
| Double Occupancy | $4,290 | $7,120 | $7,570 |
| Single supplement | $980 | $1,770 | $1,300 |
| Internal Airfare | $875 | $1,220 | $1,405 |
| Airfare from West Coast Economy Class from* | $1,228 | $1,553 | $1,628 |
| Land Arrangements 1997 pricing | Basic Tour | With NZ | With PNG |
| April - June | |||
| Double Occupancy | $3,970 | $6,525 | $7,465 |
| Single supplement | $1,390 | $2,250 | $1,750 |
| Balance of Year | |||
| Double Occupancy | $4,490 | $7,390 | $7,985 |
| Single supplement | $1,390 | $2,250 | $1,750 |
| Regent of Sydney Harbor View Supplement | |||
| Double Occupancy | $146 | $146 | $98 |
| Single supplement | $142 | $142 | $95 |
| Internal Airfare | $995 | $1,316 | $1,605 |
| Airfare from West Coast Economy Class from* | $1,058 | $1,379 | $1,583 |
*excludes Sydney/Auckland or Sydney/Port Moresby
| Depart | Return Aus/NZ | Depart | Return Aus/NZ | |
| **Oct 20 | Nov 1/8 | Nov 10 | Nov 22/29 | |
| Dec 15 | Dec 27/Jan 3,'97 | |||
| 1997 Tour Dates | ||||
| *Jan 19 | Jan 31/ Feb 07 | *Sep 14 | Sep 26/ Oct 03 | |
| *Feb 16 | Feb 28/ Mar 07 | **Oct 19 | Oct 31/ Nov 07 | |
| *Mar 9 | Mar 21/28 | *Nov 16 | Nov 28/ Dec 05 | |
| Apr 13 | Apr 25/ May 02 | Dec 21 | Jan 02/ 09 '98 | |
| *Jul 13 | Jul 25/ Aug 01 | |||
| 1998 Tour Dates | ||||
| *Jan 18 | Jan 30/ Feb 06 | *Mar 08 | Mar 20/ 27 | |
| *Feb 15 | Feb 27/ Mar 06 |
* Connects to Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea
** in addition to (*), these dates only Days 8 & 9 are spent on Bedarra Island.
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.