Itinerary

Day 1 – USA > Sydney
Leave the US today and fly on Qantas Airways nonstop service to Sydney. Enjoy the ‘friendly skies’ and arrive in Australia two days later (after crossing the International Dateline).
 
Day 3 - Sydney
Welcome to Australia!
After clearing immigration and customs at Sydney airport take the shuttle to your hotel, located in the city center. The afternoon is at your leisure. You might want to take a cruise on Sydney’s famous harbor, which is included in your package.
 
Day 4 – City Tour
You will be picked up at your hotel for a half-day city sightseeing tour this morning. The tour will take you to the old part of the city, the historic area called The Rocks, now a lively area with small shops and restaurants. Close by is the magnificent Opera House and besides other historic buildings in the city the tour will take you across Harbor Bridge and to Bondi Beach. On the way back enjoy some great views of the city.  The afternoon is free for you to explore Sydney on your own.
 
Days 5/6 - Sydney
The next 2 days are yours to discover this beautiful city and surrounding area on your own. We can also arrange optional sightseeing tours to the spectacular Blue Mountains nearby or the famous vineyards of Hunter Valley.
 
Day 7 – Sydney - Ayers Rock
Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight into the "Red Center" of the Continent, to Ayers Rock. Once you are airborne the scenery changes dramatically. You leave the green hills and dense forests for the rugged outback. On a clear day the sight of the red desert sand is quite remarkable. After arriving at Ayers Rock you will be met and taken to your hotel. Later this afternoon join the group to take a short walk along the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta (Olgas) National park and later view the sunset at Ayers Rock. Return to your hotel later this evening.
 
Day 8 – Ayers Rock – Cairns
The morning is free. Just before noon transfer to the airport for your flight bound for Cairns on the Queensland coast. Again, the landscape changes from the rugged desert to lush green rainforests and the turquoise of the ocean. Spend 4 nights in this tropical region, gateway to the world famous Great Barrier Reef and to one of the oldest rainforest regions of the world.
 
Day 9 – Great Barrier Reef
No visit to the Great Barrier Reef is complete without a cruise to the Outer Reef. A high-speed catamaran will take you out to the reef in approx. 2 hours. Educational videos about the Reef and marine life are screened during the trip - once at the reef, you have the option to snorkel (masks and fins are provided free) or go for a dive (optional extra for certified divers only). Even non-swimmers are catered for - a specially designed semi-submersible vessel with glass windows takes guests through a tour of the clear blue waters. You will be amazed at the sheer variety of living coral, their colors surpassed only by the magnificent tropical fish that make the reef their home. Moored on the reef is a floating platform, which not only makes it easy to swim around - but also incorporated into the platform is an underwater observatory where you can view the coral & fish as often as you wish. A delicious smorgasbord lunch with seafood, salads and cold cuts is also included. Optional tours include Helicopter Scenic Flights; scuba divers are also catered for. Scuba diving equipment has an additional charge. Return to your hotel late this afternoon.
 
Day 10/11 – Cairns/Palm Cove
Spend 2 free days in the Cairns area. You might want to take an optional tour into the rainforest, take the skyrail gondola up to Kuranda or simply relax at your resort.
 
Day 12 – Cairns - USA
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight back to the US (via Sydney).  Crossing the International Date Line again, you will be arriving in the US on the same day.

Sydney, Ayers Rock & Cairns, Great Barrier Reef:
 An independent vacation
 12 Days from $3,539

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