This will be our 5th visit
to the "Land Down Under" and we're doing it right.
Come join us as we explore this wonderful country and take
in the best tours. This is the
Australia trip you've been waiting for - with a fun group
of singles to the 2 most interesting places in the country
without a whole lot of moving around. With this trip
we will be spending 5-nights in Sydney, then 5-nights in
Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
SYDNEY
We
start off in Sydney where, over the course of 5 days, we'll
have a chance to
visit the top beaches and attractions. You will fall in
love with this cosmopolitan city. Surrounded by water,
beautiful beaches and scenic parks everywhere you turn,
it's beautiful. We'll start off with a nice city tour to
visit the highlights of Sydney - the
Opera House & Harbour Bridge; see the shopping heart
of the city; visit Sydney's trendy district of Oxford Street;
travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses
before arriving at the Pacific Ocean to see the superb coast
cliff walk. We'll travel on to famous Bondi Beach, visit
the beachfront promenade, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at
own cost) and see bronzed Aussie lifesavers & Sydney's
best panoramic view. We'll return to Sydney via Double
Bay, Kings
Cross & city centre.
There are an abundance
of tours in Sydney that we offer at group rates icluding
the Sydney Bridge Climb, a wonderful bike tour, jet boating,
opera house tour and a harbor sailing cruise.
There is so much
to do in Sydney, this is not even scratching the surface!
Plus, if you enjoy nightlife, there's an abundance in Sydney
and we'll be walking distance to much of it.
The bike tour is one of the highlights and a great way
to see Sydney. Check
out my video!
The other optional tour
highlight is to the famous Blue Mountains. This fantastic
Ecotour makes our way to the Great Dividing Range of Australia.
It is here we leave the ‘average’ Blue Mountains tourist
behind & enter the National Park to unlock a piece of
Australia you would never have known existed. We visit
an ancient Aboriginal site & 
outstanding
lookouts; examine rock formations 
&
the unusual plants & wildlife that abound the area.
From the quaint little village of Leura we skirt around
Cliff Drive to Katoomba
where you will find yourself looking out over the magnificent
Jamieson Valley (Australia’s Grand Canyon) & the Three
Sisters. We enjoy a delicious barbeque lunch including a
selection of fine Australian wines with a cheese platter
under the canopy of the Australian bush. Before returning
to Sydney we drop into a hidden valley where we roam the
area, seeking out the many kangaroos that graze in the wild
(conditions permitting). Reluctantly we leave the National
Park passing through the Olympic 2000 site, arriving at
your hotel around 5.30pm.
CAIRNS
No Australia trip is complete without
spending some time at the gateway to the 
Great
Barrier Reef, which is Cairns. Again, we'll be
staying
at the Novotel Oasis, a 4-star hotel right in the heart
of Cairns walking distance to the Esplanade where all the
shops and restaurants are. We'll have snorkel and scuba
trips set up as well as some more adventure tours.
Of course the diving is the best in the world, which I can
vouch for. Unbelievable soft and hard corral and extremely
clear turquoise water. We will typically get quite
a few divers on this trip, and you won't be disappointed.
We'll take our divers
and snorkelers to
the most spectacular sites for the maximum number of hours
on the outer Great Barrier Reef. In one day you will visit
two magnificent sites where you will explore vast coral
gardens, walls drop-offs, caverns and isolated pinnacles
with an array of colorful marine life.
If
you want the ultimate in rafting, you want an unforgettable
day on the Tully River. The Tully is Australia¹s most famous
one-day whitewater rafting experience. It¹s the North¹s
guaranteed tropical white water, white-knuckle adventure.
On our Tully River full day trip, rafters can tackle over
45 extraordinary rapids. The magnificent waterfalls that
cascade down the gorge walls through World Heritage Jurassic
era rainforest provide an unforgettable backdrop.
November is an excellent time to raft, and the rapids are
up to Grade 4. Lots of excitement. A person
looking for a good, exciting time will absolutely love it.
We'll take another optional
tour aboard the luxury
"Ocean Spirit",
a 105-foot
sailing vessel - the largest of her kind in the world.
We'll take a sail/ cruise in the Great Barrier Reef to Michaelmas
Cay, known as the Isle of the Birds, a year-round home to
thousands of sea birds of some 14 different species. It
is a spectacular
coral reef that thrives in the ideal conditions of clear,
shallow, sunlit water, and is home to a variety of marine
life including giant clams and brilliant fish. Because Michaelmas
Cay is a National Park, the fish are so tame you can feed
them from the beach and birds know they are safe to wander
among you with their chicks. Divers will be able
to
put on some tanks and enjoy a very nice dive today as well.
On our last trip, this was one of the most enjoyable days.
Another tour that's set up is
an Aboriginal Culture, Sky Rail and Rainforest tour. This
breathtaking journey, on one of the world's most scenic
train routes, will take us through hand-hewn tunnels and
across bridges with amazing views. Stop at Barron Gorge
to view the Falls
before arriving at beautiful Kuranda Station. We'll have
some time to explore the "Village in the Rainforest".
Explore the markets or visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
and colorful Birdworld. We'll get on the Skyrail and enjoy
the world's most beautiful rainforest experience. Glide
over the Rainforest canopy and take advantage of the two
stops en-route to a walk through the rainforest.
What else? Well,
of course along our journey you will have opportunities
to see plenty of koala bears and kangaroo. 
INCLUDES:
- All
ground transportation
- 10-nights
accommodations (double occ.)
- Daily
Breakfast
DOES
NOT INCLUDE:
- Optional
tours
- Internationa or domesticl air
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:$1,025
OUR
AIR:
We will
be able to get our group air sometime in June
Click
here to see tentative itinerary with tours and approximate
cost of tours (disregard past dates)
See photos of our last Australia trip
HOTELS:
Sydney:
Sydney Harbour Hotel
4-1/2 star hotel right in the most exciting area of Sydney!
Awesome hotel! Check out the rooftop
pool!
Tripadvisor
review
This picture was taken from the rooftop! It's the best locatoin
you can ask for! Discover unparalleled convenience at Sydney
Harbour Hotel, perfectly located in the heart of Sydney’s
dynamic city centre. Positioned at 55 George Street in The
Rocks district, our hotel provides guests with a comfortable
stay and breathtaking views of the renowned Sydney Harbour.
This central hub offers seamless access to Sydney’s most
iconic attractions. The Sydney Opera House and the majestic
Sydney Harbour Bridge, along with the Overseas Passenger
Terminal are just a leisurely stroll away, while Circular
Quay, a pivotal transportation hub, is conveniently close,
ensuring guests effortless connectivity to ferries, trains,
and buses for an easy exploration of the city and its surroundings.Immerse
yourself in the rich history and cultural tapestry of The
Rocks neighbourhood, characterized by cobblestone streets,
historic edifices, lively markets, and an array of dining
and entertainment options. From the prime vantage point
of Sydney Harbour Hotel guests can soak in the charm and
vivacity of Sydney while enjoying captivating views of the
harbor and its iconic landmarks.
Cairns:
Novotel
Oasis 4-1/2 star hotel right in the heart of things.
Walking distance to everything!
Tripadvisor
Reviews #4 out of 69 hotels!
Beautiful tropical surrounds and modern contemporary style
is waiting for you at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort. Each
of the resorts 314 rooms feature a private terrace or balcony
facing either the lagoon swimming pool, lush tropical gardens
or Cairns city. The city location is ideal with easy access
to the award winning Esplanade and Cairns attractions.
All rooms and suites at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort have
individual balconies, air conditioning, mini bars, television
and tea and coffee making facilities. The resort style rooms
are bright and spacious with light furniture and fabrics
in keeping with the tropical environment.
Sign
up for this Trip!
