Twenty, Twenty-seven or Twenty-eight Days
Since the 17th century, the kangaroohas been a symbol of Austrilia's "otherness."
It may strike you as you wander among emus on Kangaroo Island, or watch Ayers Rock change from brick red to blue-violet to khaki brown in the light of the setting sun. You may feel it on the dusty streets of Alice Springs or deep in the Daintree rainforest. But sooner or later, on this trip you'll find yourself sharing the wonder and excitement that drove early explorers over "one more horizon" into the farthest corners of the Australian continent.
Like the country it explores, Wonders of Australia is a study in contrasts. Sparkling coastal cities are miles away, literally and figuratively, from sleepy outback villages and sprawling sheep ranches. Wallabies, emus, and koalas flourish in the wild, while convict housing can still strike a chill on the island of Tasmania. You'll travel by plane, by boat and by rail to explore a destination that exhilarates with its liveliness, overwhelms with its beauty and charms with its unique point of view.
Many of these departures connect to our Lakes and Landscapes tour of New Zealand or our Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea.
Day 1, Sunday
USA or canada - Melbourne
Today's flight begins a unique voyage of discovery in Australia.
Day 2, Monday
International Date Line
We "lose" a day to the International Date line - to be recovered on our return trip.
Day 3, Tuesday
Melbourne, Australia
Upon arrival at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport, we are meet by our A&K escort and transferred to our hotel. After a city sightseeing tour this afternoon, we meet for a tour briefing followed by a welcome dinner hosted by A&K Australia. Hotel Sofitel Melbourne, 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. You may choose to attend a performance at one of Melbourne's many theaters (an optional extra)Hotel Sofitel Melbourne, 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. Hotel Sofitel Melbourne, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6, Friday
Melbourne - Hobart, Tasmania
This morning we fly to Hobart to spend the day among the ruins of the convict settlement at Port Arthur. Nineteenth century British justice recognized one fate worse than the noose: resettlement in a penal colony like Tasmania. Hotel Grand Chancellor, Breakfast
Day 7, Saturday
Hobart
There is time to visit the interesting market at historic Salamanca Place before we set out on a sightseeing tour, including the well-preserved suburb of Battery Point, built with convect labor nearly 200 years ago. Finally, we visit the summit of Mt. Nelson for a spectacular view of the city. Hotel Grand Chancellor, Breakfast
Day 8, Sunday
Hobart - Melbourne - Adelaide
We depart this morning on a flight via Melbourne to Adelaide. Upon arrival, a sightseeing tour ends at our comfortable hotel. Hyatt Regency Adelaide, Breakfast
Day 9, Monday
Adelaide - Kangaroo Island - Adelaide
Early this morning we fly to Kangaroo Island, less than 100 miles long and untouched by modern development. We tour the island by four-wheel drive; walk among the seals; lunch with kangaroos; see wallabies, emus and koalas in the wild; and visit an unusual cottage industry - the distillation of eucalyptus oil, in 1804 Australia's first export. Late this afternoon we fly back to Adelaide. Hyatt Regency Adelaide, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10, Tuesday
Adelaide - Ayers Rock
A morning flight to Ayers Rock brings us deep into the Red Centre of Australia. An afternoon sightseeing tour ends at the "Sunset Strip" vantage point, where we watch the rock turn color in the rays of the setting sun. Sails in the Dessert Hotel, Breakfast
Day 11, Wednesday
Ayers Rock - Alice Springs
Energetic travellers may want to climb to Ayers Rock's summit, 1,144 feet up; others will be content to observe from the ground this morning. We then explore the Olgas, a monumental collection of 28 boulders rising from the desert floor. An afternoon flight brings us to Alice Springs in time for an early evening bush barbecue in a nearby dry billabong. Plaza Hotel Alice Springs, Breakfast, Dinner
Ernest Giles, first European to see the Olgas, called them "huge memorials to the ancient times of the earth."
Day 12, Thursday
Alice Springs - Cairns - Daintree Rainforest
This morning we visit Alice Springs' 19th Century Telegraph Station and Flying Doctor service, a vital necessity for the scattered communities of this region. Our tour ends at the airport, where we board our flight for cairns, driving onto the Daintree Rainforest in North Queensland. Our resort hotel is located on the edge of Mossman Gorge, nestled into and overlooking the rainforest itself. Silky Oaks Lodge, Breakfast
Day 13, Friday
Daintree Rainforest
Protected by World Heritage status, Daintree is the oldest living rainforest on Earth. This morning our guide introduces us to its pristine beauties. We can take an optional four-wheel drive safari or a cruise on the daintree River.Silky Oaks Lodge, Breakfast
Day 14, Saturday
Daintree Rainforest - Cairns
We transfer to Cairns to board the Coral Princess, beginning our cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Princess, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 15-16, Sunday - Monday
Barrier Reef Cruise
Our cruise winds its way through the channels and islands of the Great Barrier reef. We stop at deserted beaches, swim in the clear water and marvel at the colorful coral and tropical fish. Snorkeling and scuba diving equipment is carried on board and meals feature the excellent seafood and tropical fruits that North Queensland has to offer. Coral Princess, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17, Tuesday
Barrier Reef Cruise - Townsville - Sydney
Our cruise ends this morning in Townsville, where we board a flight for Sydney. On arrival we transfer to our elegant hotel overlooking the harbor. The Regent Sydney, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 18, Wednesday
Sydney
Today and tomorrow we may be joined by travellers from A&K's Discovery Down Under 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 through the charming residential area of Paddington. optional Opera House tickets for tonight's performance can be arranged upon request. The Regent Sydney, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 19, Thursday
Sydney
Another day to become aquainted with beautiful Sydney. we meet at our hotel this evening to board a launch for a dinner cruise on the harbor. Here is Sydney from a new perspective, and we tip our glasses to the lovely city, bidding farewell to Australia tonight. The Regent Sydney, Breakfast, Dinner
Travellers continuing to Papua New Guinea transfer to the airport for a flight to Port Moresby
Day 20, Friday
Sydney - Auckland, New Zealand or USA or Canada
After a morning free for last-minute shopping or packing, we board the flight that marks the end of our Australian adventure. Some of us may continue our journey in New Zealand on A&K's Lakes and Landscapes tour; others head home, arriving back in the USA or Canada the same day. Breakfast
| Land Arrangements | Basic Tour | With NZ | With PNG |
| April - June | |||
| Double Occupancy | $4,440 | $6,970 | $7,790 |
| Single supplement | $1,580 | $2,370 | $1,900 |
| Balance of Year | |||
| Double Occupancy | $4,990 | $7,820 | $8,340 |
| Single supplement | $1,580 | $2,370 | $1,900 |
| Internal Airfare | $1,125 | $1,470 | $1,655 |
| Airfare from West Coast Economy Class from* | $1,178 | $1,553 | $1,628 |
| Land Arrangements 1997 pricing | Basic Tour | With NZ | With PNG |
| April - June | |||
| Double Occupancy | $4,950 | $7,505 | $8,535 |
| Single supplement | $1,990 | $2,850 | $2,350 |
| Balance of Year | |||
| Double Occupancy | $5,490 | $8,390 | $9,075 |
| Single supplement | $1,990 | $2,850 | $2,350 |
| Regent of Sydney harbor View Supplement | |||
| Double Occupancy | $146 | $146 | $98 |
| Single supplement | $142 | $142 | $95 |
| Internal Airfare | $1,029 | $1,350 | $1,639 |
| Airfare from West Coast Economy Class from* | $1,208 | $1,529 | $1,733 |
*excludes Sydney/Auckland or Sydney/Port Moresby
| Depart | Return | Depart | Return | |
| *Oct 13 | Nov 1 | Nov 3 | Nov 22 | |
| 1997 Tour Dates | ||||
| Jan 12 | Jan 31 | Sep 07 | Sep 26 | |
| Feb 09 | Feb 28 | Oct 12 | Oct 31 | |
| Mar 2 | Mar 21 | Nov 09 | Nov 28 | |
| 1998 Tour Dates | ||||
| Jan 11 | Jan 30 | Mar 01 | Mar 20 | |
| Feb 08 | Feb 27 |
* 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; shore excursions on the Wind Song; port taxes; gratuities to ship's crew; any airfares.