Amazing Australia
Extension to Grand NZ Adventure

This morning we enjoy breakfast at our hotel in New Zealand before checking out and transferring to Queenstown Airport to check-in for our fligth to Sydney.

We arrive at Sydney Airport and after completing entry formalities will be met by our local Australian Tour Manager who will accompany us for our time in Australia.

Sydney is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia – one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on earth. Host of the Year 2000 Olympics, Sydney is a magnet for the best the world has to offer. Its harbour, its beaches and the buzz that surrounds it, combines to create a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and a worthwhile destination for anyone.

We transfer to our centrally located hotel, where the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore the vibrant Darling Harbour area nearby.

This morning we embark on a sightseeing tour of Sydney that will include the harbour foreshore and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. This location provides wonderful views of some of Australia's most famous sights - the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison, so bring your camera!

The next stop is at “The Rocks”, a very historic part of Australia and where the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour. Your touring concludes at King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour and here join a buffet lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour. Sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning Sydney Harbour, as well as the Sydney CBD (Central Business Distrcit) skyline and the waterfront mansions that are along Sydney Harbour.

At the conclusion of the cruise, we'll walk back to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

This morning, we depart the hotel and head inland to the Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney.

Travelling through the western suburbs of Sydney, past the former Sydney 2000 Olympic site, the first stop is at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Here, we get the opportunity here to feed a kangaroo, wallaby or emu.

From here our coach climbs up into the Blue Mountains and takes the scenic Cliff Drive to Echo Point to see the Three Sisters at Katoomba – a great stop for a photo opportunity!

After lunch at local restaurant, we visit Scenic World for a ride on the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway! Descend 415m down the escarpment at a gradient of 52 degrees and travel through the tunnel and ancient rainforest. When we disembark, walk the 300-metre rainforest boardwalk to connect with the Flyway platform. The Scenic Cableway is the steepest aerial cable car in Australia.

The final adventure at Scenic World is to join the Scenic Skyway to take the journey 270m above ancient ravines and dazzling waterfalls. The 360 degree birdseye view takes in the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Mount Solitary and the never ending expanse of the Jamison Valley.

We return to Sydney for an evening at leisure.
Afterwards return to Sydney where the evening is at leisure.

This morning, we depart Sydney and transfer to Sydney Airport to check in for your onward flight to Ayers Rock - Uluru.

Ayers Rock is located in the World Heritage Listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It rises 348 metres from the desert floor and has a girth of 9.4km. It’s the world’s most famous monolith with at least two thirds of the Rock lying beneath the surface.

After dropping luggage at the hotel, we head out to take a tour around the base of Uluru and visit the Mutijulu Waterhole. It’s the site of one of Uluru’s most dramatic creation stories – the deadly battle between Kuniya (the woma python woman) and Liru (the poisonous brown snake man).

We stop at the Uluru Cultural Centre before returning to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

An early start to the day as sunrise showcases Uluru in a different light to the evening. An early departure awaits as we head to the Sunrise Viewing Area to experience the first glimpse of the day and see the contrasting colours during sunrise. Afterwards, we return to the hotel for breakfast.

Today visit an area known as The Olgas, called by the Aboriginal people, ‘Kata Tjuta’ or place of many domes. There are excellent views from an observation deck and time for a walk before returning to the Ayers Rock Resort for some free time. There are several free activities available around the resort that showcase the local indigenous culture.

Tonight, enjoy the magnificent Sounds of Silence Dinner. Beginning with canapes, sparkling wine and the sound of the didgeridoo as the sun sets in the spectacular Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, you’ll then be treated to an Australian bush tucker inspired dinner incorporating native ingredients. 

The contrasting landscapes in Australia are evident today, as we make your way from the Australian Outback to Tropical North Queensland as we fly north. 

On arrival at Cairns Airport, we'll drive to the small village of Kuranda and arrive at Rainforestation Nature Park.

Here we can witness the Pamagirri Aboriginal dancers perform and experience a dreamtime walk where you learn of the local aboriginal culture, spear throwing and try your hand at boomerang throwing.

In Kuranda there is also some free time to look through the souvenir shops and markets before you board the Skyrail Cable Car for the journey above the rainforest. There is time to stop for a short walk through the Rainforest to see the magnificent Barron Falls before arriving at ground level.

We continue on to our hotel for an evening at leisure. 

Cairns is a major gateway to the Great Barrier Reef - the largest and most complex expanse of living coral on earth. It extends from north of Cape York to south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Nothing you have read or seen on film will prepare you for the reality of its underwater coral gardens, its cays and islands and the huge variety of fish, marine mammals, turtles and birds.

This morning, we take a short walk to the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to board our cruise to Michaelmas Cay.

Michaelmas Cay is a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. The Cay is a protected seabird sanctuary playing host to over 20,000 migratory seabirds. The surrounding outer reef is a spectacular garden of exotic marine life, magnificent coral and giant clams, boasting more varieties of tropical fish than the entire Atlantic Ocean.

There's a chance to ride a semi-submersible vessel for coral viewing, enjoy snorkelling from the beach, listen to informative ecological presentations by a marine biologist and a smorgasbord luncheon.

Following breakfast, there will be some free time before your transfer to the Cairns Airport for our flight to our final destination on our Australian adventure - Brisbane.

In addition to being the third most populous city in Australia, Brisbane is the largest of Australia's six capital cities by geographic area and the third largest in the world.

On arrival in Brisbane, we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city and Brisbane River area, finishing with the stunning views across Brisbane and surrounding areas at the Mount Cootha lookout.

Tonight, we round off our time 'Down Under' with a farewell dinner.

Sadly, our Antipodean adventures come to an end this morning as we say goodbye to Australia. 

You will be transferred to Brisbane Airport in time for your onward flights home.