The Great Australian Adventure

Transcription

1 The Great Australian Adventure Worldwide Tour 21 Days Comfortable Sydney - Tasmania Melbourne Uluru - Cairns Embark on a great adventure through the very best sights of Australia. As well as exploring two of the country s most cosmopolitan and dynamic cities, Sydney and Melbourne, you ll also get to spend time on the pristine island of Tasmania, stand before the magnificent Uluru-Ayers Rock and experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef. See Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House Explore the untouched beauty of Tasmania Traverse the Great Ocean Road Go wine tasting in the Yarra Valley Witness Uluru-Ayers Rock at sunrise Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef

2 The Great Australian Adventure tour inclusions: Return international economy flights, taxes and current fuel surcharges (unless a land only option is selected) All accommodation Most meals as stated (17 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 8 dinners) All sightseeing and entrance fees All domestic transportation and transfers Touring with guides and entrance fees Specialist advice from our experienced travel consultants Safe and secure with ABTA, ATOL and IATA The only thing you may have to pay for are personal expenditure e.g. drinks, optional excursions or shows, insurance of any kind, tipping, early check in or late checkout and other items not specified on the itinerary. Worldwide Tours: With these worldwide tours you can expect exactly the same Wendy Wu Tours experience. You ll get to see the iconic sites and magnificent treasures of Australia on an excellent value group tour, whilst also getting to travel with like-minded people. This tour includes most meals, which gives you some freedom at lunch time and in the evenings to go out and try some restaurants of your choice. You will be accompanied by our dedicated and professional National Escort throughout, whose unparalleled knowledge will turn your holiday into an unforgettable experience. Comfortable Tours: The Great Australian Adventure is a comfortable paced tour. Although this is the easiest pace of tour Wendy Wu Tours offers it still requires a reasonable level of fitness. There will be sightseeing on foot for both short and extended periods of time There will be walking on uneven ground, climbing on and off boats and time spent on boats in the ocean Of course, our National Escort and local guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.

3 Itinerary The Great Australian Adventure Days 1-3: Sydney (D) Board your flight to Sydney in the evening. Due to flight times and the time difference, you will arrive into Sydney two days after you departed the UK. On arrival on day three you will be met at the airport by your National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer approximately 30 minutes to your city hotel for a threenight stay. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. Sydney Australia s most populous city, Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and sits spectacularly around the world s largest natural harbour. Although the area was long occupied by indigenous people, the city was founded in 1788 as a penal colonial by the British. Today, Sydney is a major cultural and economic centre and an exceptionally popular tourist destination who can resist it with landmarks such as Sydney Harbour with its bridge and Opera House and Bondi Beach. Day 4: Sydney (B,L) Start the day with a walking tour of The Rocks, where Sydney was founded. As you wander the atmospheric cobbled lanes, it s hard to imagine the terrible reputation the area once had your guide will fill you in on all the details! Catch your first glimpse of the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House as you stroll towards Circular Quay, about a five-minute walk. Take a two hour Sydney Harbour Cruise around the harbour for panoramic views and enjoy a seafood buffet lunch. On disembarking your cruise, the rest of the day is at leisure. The Rocks A historic area in Sydney s city centre, The Rocks is one of the first areas around Sydney s harbour to be settled, shortly after the founding of the colony in The area became notorious for its decaying buildings and seedy reputation, before a great number of buildings were demolished when the Harbour Bridge was constructed in the 1920s. The area today is wonderfully atmospheric, with plenty of historical buildings, cobbled streets and interesting stories. Captain Cook Cruises This cruise includes a seafood lunch buffet that features Sydney Rock Oysters or mussels, king prawns and fish, along with an abundance of meat and vegetarian dishes, salads, desserts and cheeses. Please note, drinks are not included. Lunch is served inside, with expansive windows whilst from the spacious top deck, you can enjoy views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the natural resplendence of the harbour as a whole. There is commentary throughout.

4 Day 5: Blue Mountains (B,L) Transfer approximately 1 hour 30 minutes into the Blue Mountains. An area so spectacular that it was World Heritagelisted by UNESCO, the mountains earn their moniker thanks to the blueish haze emanated by their dense canopy of eucalyptus. Use your unlimited ticket for the scenic railway, skyway, cableway and walkway at Scenic World, for an allencompassing Blue Mountains experience. Return to Sydney, stopping en route at Featherdale Wildlife Park. This is a great place to meet Australia s wildlife in fact, you can have your photo taken with a koala and hand feed kangaroos! Scenic World The ultimate Blue Mountains adventure, Scenic World offers a range of wonderful ways to see and experience some of Australia s most glorious scenery. Your ticket will give you the freedom to explore as you wish, giving you unlimited access to the Skywalk - a gondola that glides over ancient ravines, the Walkway a pathway through a Jurassic rainforest, the Cableway the steepest aerial cable car in the southern hemisphere, and the Scenic Railway the world s steepest passenger railway. There are also plenty of viewpoints to just sit and admire the views. A two-course lunch in the Blue Mountains village of Leura is included. Featherdale Wildlife Park Located about 40 minutes from central Sydney, the Featherdale Wildlife Park offers a hands-on wildlife experience. Home to 1,700 mammals, birds and reptiles, there is no better place to meet Australia s iconic creatures, and those that are lesser known too. You ll get to meet a koala, and have your picture taken with it, and feed kangaroos as well as seeing, and learning about, echidnas, dingoes, crocs, snakes and wombats. Day 6: Fly to Tasmania (B,L) Transfer to the airport and fly to Hobart, Tasmania s capital city. This flight takes approximately 1 hour 55 minutes. Nestled at the foot of Mt Wellington, the city is wonderfully scenic, full of heritage and a cultural hub. This afternoon, travel to an Oyster Farm where you will have a tour and a tasty lunch. Hobart Tasmania s capital, Hobart was founded in 1803 as a penal colony and Australia s second oldest city. With towering Mount Wellington as its backdrop and the estuary of the River Derwent in front, it is one of Australia s most picturesque cities. A very arty and gastronomic city, full of excellent restaurants, cafes and galleries, it is a delightful place to explore.

5 Day 7: Port Arthur (B,L) Head out of Hobart to explore the fascinating Port Arthur Historic Site, about 1 hour 30 minutes away. Originally established in 1830 s as a timber station, it became a small town constructed to contain notorious convicts. Take a walking tour of this open-air museum with an expert before cruising over to the Isle of the Dead to tour the cemetery. Return to Hobart. Port Arthur This former convict settlement and open-air museum was once the destination for the hardest British criminals, generally ones that were sent to Australia as punishment but then committed another crime. Set on a wonderfully scenic peninsula it is one of the most well-preserved and complete penal colonies left, with over 30 buildings, ruins and gardens, giving a real taste of what life was like for criminals here in the 19 th century. You will take a guided walking tour around the complex, which lasts about 40 minutes, take a cruise around the harbour with commentary (about 30 minutes) and take a tour of the Isle of the Dead where you can tour the cemetery and learn about some of the famous people buried here. Your ticket also includes entry to many exhibitions, including the Interpretation Gallery, Convict Water Supply Trail and the Dockyard. Day 8: Hobart to Freycinet Peninsula (B,D) Travel to Freycinet Peninsula, approximately three hours, stopping en route to spend some time in Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Working hard to protect and conserve Tassie s native wildlife, here you can come face to face with creatures including Tasmanian devils, the Tasmanian bettong, potoroos, echidnas, quolls and wombats. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary A wonderful social enterprise, where the funds generated by the sanctuary are used to proactively find solutions to problems in the local environment and communities, Bonorong is the place to meet Tasmania s wildlife. This is a rehabilitation centre, so many of the animals that you meet here will go back to the wild when they are healthy all funded by visitors. There are creatures that have only ever existed on Tassie, and some that are now extinct in other parts of Aussie, such as devils, wombats, quolls, bettong and potoroos.

6 Day 9: Freycinet Peninsula to Launceston (B,L) The very best way to enjoy the beauty of the Freycinet Peninsula is from the water. Cruise along the coastline of this pristine area, a national park, marveling over secluded bays, the granite peaks of The Hazards and beautiful beaches. The cool waters of the Tasman Sea are bountiful, so you might be joined by seals and dolphins on your journey. Wineglass Bay itself is a breathtaking, secluded inlet where, with the anchor dropped, you can enjoy lunch and savour the views. Transfer north to Launceston, approximately two hours. Freycinet Peninsula Tasmania s best known place of scenic beauty, the Freycinet Peninsula is as dramatic as they come. With a backbone of pink granite mountains - The Hazards, pristine beaches, and spectacular bays, the whole peninsula is contained within the Freycinet National Park, the first national park declared in Tasmania. Wineglass Bay Cruise This four-hour cruise takes you along the rugged coastline of the peninsula from the boat you ll be able to spot sheer granite cliffs, sea caves and hidden coves, before you arrive at Wineglass Bay itself. With the anchor dropped you will enjoy a Ploughman s lunch (please note drinks are not included) here. With commentary from the local skipper, who has a vast knowledge of natural history, geology, eco systems and heritage, you may also get to spot some of the abundant wildlife here. Creatures you may see include seals, dolphins and a variety of sea birds such as wandering albatross, white-bellied sea eagles and short-tailed shearwaters. Day 10: Fly to Melbourne (B,D) Transfer to the airport for a flight to the dynamic and stylish city of Melbourne. This evening, prepare for an exciting dining experience aboard a fleet of colonial-era tramcars. Travel the city streets whilst dining on seasonal Australian produce and quality local wines.

7 Melbourne Victoria s state capital, Melbourne was one of the world s largest and wealthiest cities when it was the centre of the 1850 s Victoria gold rush. Today it is a cosmopolitan and dynamic place, and considered Australia s cultural capital, with a treasure trove of gold rush architecture, great places to eat, drink and get to grips with the culture. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Climb aboard one of Melbourne s colonial trams, enjoying a tour of the city as you have dinner. Dine on three-courses of seasonal, quality food and sip quality Australian wines. There is a choice of two dishes per course, plus tea and coffee. Day 11: Yarra Valley (B,L) Travel about an hour out of Melbourne to the Yarra Valley. The Yarra Valley is Victoria s premier wine region an internationally-recognised name in viticulture, and a patchwork of vineyards, national parks and farmland. Today is a day of indulgence, with visits to two vineyards with tastings, a twocourse luncheon with wine and a visit to a Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery where there will be abundant tastings too. Return to Melbourne. Yarra Valley The valley formed by the Yarra River is home to a thriving wine industry and is one of Australia s premier wine regions. As the climate here is slightly colder, it is more suited to the production of chardonnay, pinot noir and to sparkling wines. There are around 80 wineries here and plenty of beautiful scenery to admire. Day 12: Great Ocean Road (B,L,D) The Great Ocean Road needs little introduction today will be spent following this fabled highway along one of the world s most incredible stretches of coastline. Enjoy lunch at the awe-inspiring Apollo Bay before stopping to gaze out over the rollicking Bass Strait and the iconic Twelve Apostles. This is a full 12-hour touring day, returning to Melbourne.

8 Great Ocean Road Beginning at Torquay, 1 hour 15 minutes from Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road runs 151 miles along some of the world s most spectacular coastline to Allansford. There are several prominent landmarks en route, including the Twelve Apostles and Apollo Bay were a two course lunch is included. Day 13: Phillip Island (B,D) Travel approximately two hours to Phillip Island. A haven of wildlife, surfers and Grand Prix fanatics, Phillip Island is best known for its resident little penguins. Meet these pint-sized birds and enjoy a talk from a ranger. Visit a Koala Conservation Centre and spend some time at the Churchill Island Heritage Farm. Return to Melbourne. Phillip Island Nature Park Your Phillip Island Nature Park tickets included entrance to the Penguin Parade, with an upgrade to Penguin Plus, which gets you closer to the little penguins and a talk from a penguin ranger, the Koala Conservation Centre here you can walk tree-top boardwalks to see koalas up close in their natural habitat, and Churchill Island, a historical farm set in tranquil scenery. Day 14: Fly to Uluru-Ayers Rock (B,D) Transfer 30 minutes to the airport and fly deep into the Red Centre to visit one of Australia s best known sights, Uluru, called Ayers Rock by the Australian/British explorer William Gosse after Sir Henry Ayers, Chief Secretary of South Australia. This is a three-hour flight; on arrival you will be transferred 10 minutes to your hotel. Later, transfer 30 minutes out to Uluru- Ayers Rock to explore the sacred area around its base, wandering through the landscapes of the Outback, listening to Aboriginal stories and lore as you go. Return to the perfect viewing point and sip a drink and enjoy some canapes as the sun sets. Uluru Base Tour Explore the desert landscapes and visit the sights around the Uluru-Ayers Rock s base, particularly those that are sacred to indigenous Australians, such as Kuniya Piti, the Kantju Gorge and Mutitjulu Waterhole. There will be a reasonable amount of walking on uneven surfaces involved in this tour.

9 Day 15: Uluru-Ayers Rock (B,D) Rise early for sun rise over Uluru, watching as this sandstone monolith emerges from the night in a kaleidoscope of colours. After breakfast, drive 45 minutes to the Kata Tjuta National Park to visit the Olgas red stone like Uluru, they are made up of 36 striking rock formations. After an afternoon as leisure, this evening you will dine under the stars. Sip a drink as the sun sets to the haunting tones of the didgeridoo, before tucking in to a bush tuckerinspired dinner and taking a guided tour of the night sky. Uluru Sunrise Departing about 90 minutes prior to sunrise, transfer 30 minutes to the Uluru sunrise viewing area, where you will learn a bit more about this magnificent monolith. Take a short drive to the cultural centre at the base of the rock, and have breakfast. Kata Tjuta National Park At the heart of this national park is Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas, a group of 36 magnificent domed rock formations. Get the perfect view from the viewpoint and marvel at the scale of the domes with a walk along the Walpa Gorge, a rocky but easy walk of 2.6 kilometres. Sounds of Silence Dinner Transfer from the hotel, about 10 minutes, into the wilderness of the Red Centre for a unique and exciting experience. Beginning with canapes and sparkling wine, watch the sunset over Uluru-Ayers Rock and listen to the haunting tones of the didgeridoo. Dinner is three-courses served buffet-style, with plentiful Australian wine and beer the food incorporates native bush ingredients such as kangaroo, emu and crocodile (vegetarian options are available on request). Sitting out under the stars, you will be joined by the resident star talker to tour the night sky. Please note that this experience is not private and is open to non-wendy Wu Tours customers. Day 16: Fly to Cairns (B) Transfer to the airport and fly to tropical Queensland, and the laidback city of Cairns. This flight is around 2 hours 25 minutes. On arrival transfer to your city centre hotel, which takes about 15 minutes. Cairns Cairns is the gateway to Queensland s tropical north, best known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and laidback attitude. Once a major port for exporting sugar cane, gold and minerals, Cairns has always been a tourist town at heart, as it s easy going atmosphere suggests (the tropical climate helps too) a walk along the Boardwalk and Esplanade to the Lagoon is a must.

10 Day 17: Great Barrier Reef (B,L) This morning, board a boat bound for the Frankland Islands, cruising along the Mulgrave River with commentary to reach the open water. An archipelago of uninhabited islands the Franklands offer unsurpassed snorkelling opportunities, complete with Marine Biologist-led tours, with colourful corals and marine life which may include sea turtles and octopus, just off the shore. Lunch will be served on a deserted beach. Frankland Islands Cruise Transfer 40 minutes south of Cairns to the Deeral landing on the Mulgrave River, and board your cruise boat for the day. Starting with a 30-minute cruise along the river, with commentary on the surrounding flora and fauna, you will hit the open water and, after a short crossing, reach the Frankland Group National Park. Reach the beach by dinghy and take a short snorkelling tuition, before heading straight into the water for a snorkelling guided tour with a marine biologist. Beautiful, colourful coral is accessible directly off the beach, and you ll see a huge variety of fish and potentially sea turtles. You will have the option of viewing more of the reef with a semi-submersible or glass bottom boat tour. A tropical lunch is served in a shady area at the back of the beach, after which you can explore the island or the reef at your leisure. There will also be a rock pool discovery walk with the marine biologist for those who wish to join. Return to dry land via the Mulgrove River and transfer back to Cairns. Day 18: Daintree and Mossman Gorge (B,L) Spend the day in the Daintree National Park, discovering the lush rainforest of the Mossman Gorge, located about 1 hour 30 minutes north of Cairns. Your guide, a member of the local indigenous community, will impart many stories and legends about the area. Later, take a Daintree Wildlife River Cruise on which you ll be able to spot crocodiles, frogs, pythons and a huge variety of birds. Daintree National Park and Mossman Gorge The Daintree National Park is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland and a World Heritage Site. Incorporating the Mossman Gorge and Daintree River, this is an area of exceptional biodiversity. The Mossman Gorge is the traditional homeland of the Kuku Yalanji people and has a 2.4 kilometre walk through the rainforest, which you will complete (see below).

11 Dreamtime Gorge Walk Walk through the rainforest of the Mossman Gorge with an indigenous guide, who will introduce you to the traditional uses of plants, things that you can eat and not eat and tell you all sorts of enchanting stories and legends of the rainforest. You ll get to admire views of the Mossman Gorge and be able to swim in a swimming hole if you wish. The tour lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and traverses boardwalks and suspension bridges. Daintree Wildlife River Cruise Cruise along the Daintree River for approximately 1 hour in a comfortable boat. Joined by a river guide, you ll be able to admire the incredible flora of the area, and spot animals such as crocodiles, frogs and pythons as you cruise through rich mangrove estuaries. Day 19: Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (B,D) Today will be a day at leisure to enjoy the warmth and relaxed vibes of Cairns. This evening head to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for an evening of indigenous Bama culture, located about 15 minutes from Cairns. Enjoy a didgeridoo blessing with spirit interpretation, a fire making ceremony, good food and a performance by the Tjapukai Dancers. An unforgettable final evening in Australia. Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park Meet the indigenous rainforest people, the Bama, in an evening that introduces you to their traditional lands. On arrival your face will be painted and your journey begins, with a corroboree, a dance ceremony, and a Rainbow Serpent circle to learn traditional language songs. Dinner is an array of Australian meats, seafood, salads and desserts full of tantalising indigenous flavours. The night ends with more exciting cultural entertainment. Days 20-21: Fly to UK (B) Transfer from Cairns to the airport, a journey that takes about 15 minutes and fly to the UK, arriving home the following day.

12 The Great Australian Adventure Travel Information Visas A visa is required for entry into Australia. For UK passport holders this comes in the form of an electronic visa which, when acquired online through the Department of Immigration & Border Protection, ( is free of charge. Insurance It is a condition of booking with us that you take out suitable travel insurance. You must provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number when you book with us or as soon as possible thereafter. These details will be available to your national escort should they be required. Wendy Wu Tours will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking. Eating in Australia We ve included fewer meals on this tour to give you the time and freedom to get out and have your own culinary adventures. Australia s cuisine combines, amongst many global flavours, a lot of British influence with the bush-tucker eaten by the indigenous Australians for millennia. Whilst you recognise many dishes on restaurant menus, such as roast dinners, fish and chips and meat pies, you ll also come across much more local options, such a kangaroo and crocodile. Meat is a core component of Australian food, and to barbecue is seen as a traditional cooking method. Of course, you ll see plenty of fast-food chains that you know from the UK, but in cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart, you ll find a wonderful foodie scene, that focuses on seasonal local foods and fusions with the exotic flavours of Australia s neighbours. All of this combined with the delicious Australian wines, and you ll eat very well in Australia. Accommodation Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location and comfort or character, and on this tour are mainly high standard city centre hotels. Hotels are generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note that there is no international classification system for hotels though you can expect that standards in Australia will be similar to those in the UK. All group tour hotels have private bathroom facilities, air conditioning, TV and telephone. If you experience any difficulty, please speak to your National Escort/Local Guide. Rest assure that all hotels used by Wendy Wu Tours are regularly inspected by our staff and our partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. Transport Coaches: Coaches with air conditioning are used on our group tours for city sightseeing, short excursions to the countryside and longer transfers where necessary. Roads in Australia are of a very high quality, but please bear in mind that factors such as traffic and weather conditions may extend driving times. Planes: Internal flights are based on economy class, with reputable airlines.

13 Optional activities A list of optional activities and approximate costs will be provided with your final documents. These can be arranged by your guide and are paid for locally. Souvenirs On this tour you have some free time that you are able to use for any souvenir shopping that you might wish to do. This time is particularly in the evenings, though you also have a free afternoon or free day dotted throughout the itinerary. Group Size Most of our groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by a national escort. There will usually be no more than 29 travellers in each group although you may encounter other Wendy Wu tour groups while you are travelling. All our departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 8 travellers booked (unless cancelled due to factors beyond our control). However, at our discretion we may operate departures with a smaller group size as we try to operate advertised departures wherever it is viable to do so. Tipping Policy Australia has a non-tipping culture, so you are not obliged to tip for anything. It is common to show appreciation for good service with a tip in restaurants and other services industries. Climate Being in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia has the opposite seasons to the UK. The summer months of December to February brings very tropical even monsoonal weather to the north of the country, whereas in the south there is a dry heat and plenty of sun. Over the winter months between June and August the northern states are very dry, whilst in the south it is wet, with snow falling in the highest alpine regions. After your booking Once you have booked with Wendy Wu Tours, you will receive a confirmation invoice followed by deposit documentation, which includes a visa application form (if applicable), and a help sheet. Your final documentation pack will be sent to you approximately 2 weeks prior to departure. Itinerary changes It is our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, the order of events or sightseeing may change as we look to improve our tours or as local conditions dictate; in these circumstances we will make the best possible arrangements whilst maintaining the integrity of your trip. Last updated: September 2016

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