Highlights of Australia (15 Days starting from $3,160)

Highlights of Australia

A 15-Day tour starting from $3,160

Length:	15 Days
Type:	First Class Tour
Category:	South Pacific Tour
Operator:	Swain
Tour Code:	SWHGAU

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About This Tour

Explore Melbourne, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Cairns, Sydney on a 12 night tour.

What's Included
Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Sightseeing
Details

• Services of a professional Tour Director
• Extensive fully escorted sightseeing
• All round trip airport transfers
• 3 nights Melbourne
• 1 night Alice Springs
• 2 nights Ayers Rock
• 3 nights Cairns
• Great Barrier Reef day cruise
• 3 nights Sydney
• 11 breakfasts 2 lunches 1 dinner

Tour departs Friday

Day 1 Fri - Fly USA to Melbourne (Via Sydney)

Day 2 Sat - You cross the International Date Line
The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day; traveling west, takes the traveler forward one day.

Day 3 Sun - Arrive Melbourne
On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow traveling companions.

Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, 3 nights.

Day 4 Mon - Melbourne
Enjoy a morning tour of Melbourne including the Royal Botanic Gardens, St. Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take an optional tour to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade.

Day 5 Tue - Melbourne
Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. You may like to join an optional tour and ride on Puffing Billy followed by wine tastings in the Yarra Valley or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road.

Day 6 Wed - Alice Springs
You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your early morning flight to Alice Springs. Enjoy a tour of this unique outback town. Visit the Telegraph Station, Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air and enjoy panoramic views of Alice Springs from the top of Anzac Hill.

Accommodation: Alice Springs Resort.

Day 7 Thu - Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Depart early for Ayers Rock Resort, stopping at a camel farm where you can try your hand riding 'a ship of the desert' (own expense). This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at Ayers Rock Resort. Enjoy a glass of wine this evening while watching sunset over Uluru (Ayers Rock) from the special viewing area known as the 'sunset strip'. The subtle color changes are truly amazing.

Accommodation: Desert Gardens Hotel, 2 nights.

Day 8 Fri - Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Rise early to view Uluru at sunrise. There is the opportunity to climb to the summit (optional). Tour the caves at the base of Uluru and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Later, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. This afternoon travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (Olgas). The size and grandeur of these 36 massive domes of conglomerate red rock will amaze you. Take a walk to through Walpa Gorge following the natural creek bed between two of the domes. After sunset with sparkling wine, enjoy a delicious Australian barbecue dinner and stargazing.

Day 9 Sat - Cairns
This morning enjoy free time at Ayers Rock Resort. You will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Cairns (flights anytime, airfare not included). On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is at leisure.

Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, Cairns, 3 nights.

Day 10 Sun - Great Barrier Reef
Cruise on the Great Adventures high-speed catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. View the coral and fish from a semi-submersible vessel. Snorkeling gear is included (extra charge for scuba). Enjoy a reef education presentation on this living wonder and a tropical buffet lunch on-board the pontoon. Return to Cairns.

Day 11 Mon - Cairns
Today is at leisure in Cairns to relax by the hotel pool or go shopping. You may like to join an optional tour to Kuranda including a scenic rail journey on the Kuranda Train, Skyrail Cableway ride above the canopy of the rainforest and visit to the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.

Day 12 Tue - Sydney
You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival at Sydney Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation: Sheraton On The Park, Sydney, 3 nights.

Day 13 Wed - Sydney
This morning, tour Sydney and see the Sydney Opera House, Botanical Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair and Kings Cross. Visit famous Bondi Beach, with time to stroll along the beach, then return to the city for a Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge and stop at Milson's Point to photograph fabulous views of the city skyline. Later, visit the Manly surf beach, before returning to the city.

Day 14 Thu - Sydney
Explore the beautiful harbor city of Sydney further today. Perhaps take an optional tour to the Blue Mountains to see the spectacular Three Sisters or enjoy some wine tasting in the Hunter Valley.

Day 15 Fri – Fly Sydney to USA
You will be transferred to Sydney Airport to connect with your onward flight.

To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
11/21/2008 - 12/5/2008	$3,870
12/5/2008 - 12/19/2008	$3,745
12/26/2008 - 1/9/2009	$3,745
1/9/2009 - 1/23/2009	$3,745
1/23/2009 - 2/6/2009	$3,745
2/6/2009 - 2/20/2009	$3,745
2/13/2009 - 2/27/2009	$3,745
2/20/2009 - 3/6/2009	$3,745
3/6/2009 - 3/20/2009	$3,745
3/13/2009 - 3/27/2009	$3,745

All tour prices are per person, in US dollars. International Airfare Pricing LAX-MEL-ASP//AYQ-CNS-SYD-LAX 2/1-3/31/08, 6/9-7/25/08, 9/22-12/8/08 $1,799 4/1-4/30/08, 6/1-6/8/08, 7/26-7/31/08, 9/1-9/21/08 $1,599 5/1-5/31/08 & 8/1-8/31/08 $1,399 If you have obtained your international air independently and only require internal Australia and/or New Zealand flights, please refer to pricing and routing below. Domestic Air Only Routing: MEL-ASP//AYQ-CNS-SYD $780

• Melbourne
• Alice Springs
• Ayers Rock
• Cairns
• Sydney

All tour prices are per person, in US dollars.

International Airfare Pricing

LAX-MEL-ASP//AYQ-CNS-SYD-LAX
2/1-3/31/08, 6/9-7/25/08, 9/22-12/8/08 $1,799

4/1-4/30/08, 6/1-6/8/08, 7/26-7/31/08, 9/1-9/21/08 $1,599

5/1-5/31/08 & 8/1-8/31/08 $1,399

If you have obtained your international air independently and only require internal Australia and/or New Zealand flights, please refer to pricing and routing below.

Domestic Air Only
Routing: MEL-ASP//AYQ-CNS-SYD $780

Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.