Collette > The Essence of Australia

The Essence of Australia
18 Days starting from $3,249

Countries Visited:
Australia

 

Length: 18 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: Australia and New Zealand Tour
Operator: Collette
Tour Code: 3474
   
 
 
About This Tour


Nature was inspired when it created Australia. Rainforest, coastline, outback, mountains and savannah paint a colorful palette of magical sights against an azure sky. On this leisure stay tour, you can immerse yourself in the land "down under" experiencing in-depth exploration of each area at a relaxed pace. You'll spend extended time in the region around the Great Barrier Reef; plus three nights in Australia's rugged Outback and four nights in Australia's fun-loving city, Sydney.
 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • Details

Enjoy the services of a professional tour manager who accompanies you throughout your trip.

Meals
14 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(s), 10 Dinner(s)

Hotel Accommodations:
Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

PALM COVENovotel
AYERS ROCKSails in the Desert
ALICE SPRINGSNovotel
BAROSSA VALLEYNovotel
COONAWARRAChardonnay Lodge
CANBERRANovotel
SYDNEYThe Menzies

Complimentary hotel-to-hotel baggage handling.
Sightseeing
Private transportation via a deluxe, climate-controlled motorcoach
Day 1 and Day 2
Depart from Home
Today you board your Qantas flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime in Australia. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day.

Day 3
Arrive Brisbane, Australia - Hamilton Island
Today you will arrive in to Brisbane, Australia. Upon arrival, you will have a flight taking you to Hamilton Island, situated in the Great Barrier Reef amongst the 74 Whitsunday Islands. Hamilton Island offers an experience like no other with its glorious weather, turquoise waters, beautiful beaches, and awe-inspiring coral reefs. Enjoy some time on your own to explore this beautiful island before enjoying a delightful dinner.

Day 4
Hamilton Island - Great Barrier Reef – Hamilton Island
Discover the amazing wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef today. One of the seven natural wonders of the world the Great Barrier Reef will surely be unforgettable with its stunning corals and endless marine life. View the beauty of the reef from the underwater observatory, enjoy snorkeling, or just relax on the sundeck! Return to Hamilton Island for an evening at leisure.

Day 5
Hamilton Island - Sydney
Today you fly to the bustling city of Sydney where upon arrival enjoy a fantastic tour of this wonderful and energetic city. You will see Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one of the world’s most perfectly designed buildings as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Enjoy an informative opal presentation and learn how raw opals are transformed - from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry store. This evening, dine atop the city at Sydney''s Revolving Restaurant enjoying the spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House at night!

Day 6
Sydney - Alice Springs
Today you will fly to the Outback. Here, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour including the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Gain insight into the educational system in the Outback with a visit to the School of the Air - you may even see a class in session! Tonight you may choose to complement your Australian tour with a popular Collette option, “Take a Camel to Dinner,” during which you will ride a camel through the Outback and then enjoy a fantastic dinner.

Day 7
Alice Springs
Discover the history and beliefs of the Aboriginal people this morning during the ‘Dreamtime Tour’. Your specialist guide, along with members of the Walpiri tribe in traditional dress, will teach you about their unique customs. Meet Aboriginal people at their camp and see various dreamtime stories depicted in paintings. Tonight, a delicious dinner in the bush allows you to experience the real Outback complete with entertainment under the stars.

Day 8
Alice Springs - Ayers Rock
Today you fly to the heart of the Australian Outback, Ayers Rock. Experience the majestic beauty and cultural significance of both the sandstone domes of the Olgas and Ayers Rock. During your exploration, you will learn about the importance of Uluru and the Olgas to the Aboriginal people. This evening enjoy the phenomenon of the sunset at Ayers Rock. Watch in awe as the Rock changes color before your eyes. Tonight an unforgettable experience awaits you as you dine under the stars while your very own storyteller shares tales as told in the stars. As the sun sets in a blaze of reds and oranges, and well into the starlit night, you feast on a barbecue buffet of authentic Australian delicacies including barramundi, kangaroo, emu, crocodile, bush salads and classic desserts, complemented by some of Australia''s finest wines.

Day 9
Ayers Rock – Sydney
This morning retrace the path of the Liru Ancestors through the bushland near Uluru. Hear the tragic fate of Lungkata, who is still lying at the base of the Uluru. Breakfast will be included in your morning tour. Next, fly to Sydney. Sydney’s laid-back outdoor lifestyle and physical allure make it one of the world’s easiest and most pleasant cities to visit. The people who live here are friendly and energetic. Enjoy the city’s wide-range of cultural life, dynamic food, and vibrant cityscape of outstanding contemporary and colonial architecture. Upon arrival, you will have the remainder of your day at leisure to explore this great city on your own.

Day 10
Sydney
This morning you will visit one of Australia''s best wildlife parks where you can feed the kangaroos, pet a wombat and have a photo taken with one of the local koalas! Later today you are on your own to explore this great city. You may have the option to choose to either climb one of Australia''s world-renowned icons, The Sydney Harbour Bridge or enjoy an easily paced Sydney by bike tour and ride through The Rocks and over the Harbour Bridge. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour that will give you the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. Enjoy views of Sydney’s greatest icons - the Harbour Bridge and the world-famous Opera House. Following the cruise, return to the Sydney Opera House to enjoy a captivating performance!

Day 11
Sydney – Depart For Home


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)
10/20/2008 - 11/5/2008
$3,249
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2/2/2009 - 2/18/2009
$3,249
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3/2/2009 - 3/18/2009
$3,249
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3/16/2009 - 4/1/2009
$3,249
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Package Notes:
Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may change.
The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights need to be arranged and purchased separately if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through the tour company.
Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in.
*Upgrading your visit with the Outer Reef option is at an additional cost.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
On this vacation you will experience the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, the Outback, Melbourne, Sydney and more.

Discover the beliefs and customs of the Aboriginal people during the 'Dreamtime Tour' in Alice Springs.

A wine tasting at a local Barossa Valley winery introduces the flavors of this major wine-producing region in South Australia.

Journey across the iconic Great Ocean Road, created from the rocky cliffs and bluffs along Victoria's southwest coast.

An evening dinner cruise on sydney Harbour will give you a different perspective of this beautiful city.

Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excusion to the Great Barrier Reef. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, rain forest walking tour, or relax on the beach.

Cruise on Hartley's Lagoon, home to many of the saltwater crocs. Then enjoy an authetic Aussie BBQ.

Visit to the school of the air.

Authentic dinner in the bush to experience the real outback.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: world's longest gondola cableway, built over the Barron Falls National Park.

Naracoorte Caves National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Canberra panoramic city tour to the war memorial, National Museum of Australia.

Package Notes:
Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may change.
The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights need to be arranged and purchased separately if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through the tour company.
Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in.
*Upgrading your visit with the Outer Reef option is at an additional cost.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
   
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