Day 1 & 2 – Sunday, November 3 and Monday, November 4
Depart Board your overnight flight for your trip to Australia (air not included). Crossing the International Dateline, you skip a day ahead.
Day 3 – Tuesday, November 5
Arrive Melbourne, Australia – Tour Begins Our tour begins in the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne, set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse. Tonight, you will be welcomed by a group orientation and icebreaker, followed by a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 4 – Wednesday, November 6
Melbourne Today we’ll enjoy a kangaroos and koalas guided Ecotour. We’ll take an easy walk through the gum trees of the You Yangs Park looking for koalas, wallabies, kangaroos and birds in their natural settings. Next, we travel to Serendip Open Range Sanctuary, developed by the Victorian government to provide refuge for a large variety of Australian fauna. With our guide, we’ll discover water birds and dry land birds, viewing of wallabies, kangaroos, emus and other Australian wildlife. After our “outback lunch”, a short walk through forest alongside a quiet stream provides an opportunity to spot koalas in the treetops. Tonight we enjoy a group dinner at a local Melbourne restaurant. (B, L, D)
Day 5 – Thursday, November 7
Melbourne Today, embark on a morning city tour of Melbourne featuring the Parliament House, The Shrine of Remembrance, Cook’s Cottage and the Fitzroy Gardens – valued for their historic, architectural and horticultural significance. After our tour, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to discover all that Melbourne has to offer! (B)
Day 6 – Friday, November 8
Melbourne – Ayers Rock Today we fly to Ayers Rock in the heart of the Australian Outback. The huge monolith called Ayers Rock and the sandstone domes of the Olgas were created through the process of upheaval and erosion. We’ll tour the Olgas and around the base of “the Rock.” Enjoy time to relax or hike around the Olgas. We’ll then have the opportunity to enjoy an experience like no other during the “Sounds of Silence” dinner under millions of stars. Sip on a glass of champagne with the sound of a lone didgeridoo filling the air as the sun slowly sets over the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and Ayers Rock (Uluru). Dine on a gourmet BBQ of Australian delicacies and then sit back and take in the mystery of the desert at night as an astronomer takes you on a tour of the Southern night skies. We’ll enjoy a Shabbat you will not soon forget as the base of Ayers Rock is the backdrop and we are surrounded by a carpet of bright red ground beneath our feet and only the sounds of our voices to fill the night sky. (B, D)
Day 7 – Saturday, November 9
Ayers Rock Today we have left open for you to explore the beauty of the Outback. Hike around Ayres Rock, take an optional sunrise tour on the back of a camel or enjoy the pool at our luxury resort hotel. Later, join us for “steaks on the barby” in a casual Aussie setting! (B, D)
Day 8 – Sunday, November 10
Ayers Rock – Cairns Leaving behind Australia’s Outback, today we are off to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. One of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions, the reef was established as a marine park in 1975 and is a collective haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and birds. In 1981 the United Nations designated the Great Barrier Reef a World Heritage site. We arrive in Cairns tonight, and the rest of your evening is at leisure to explore this enjoyable sea-side town. (B)
Day 9 – Monday, November 11
Cairns – Great Barrier Reef – Cairns This morning is at leisure to enjoy the beach or perhaps hold a koala or even take an optional hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Northern Australian landscape. Later, our group will board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. From our base on Green Island, we are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a trip on a glass bottom boat where beautifully colored fish swim by in their natural habitat. Choose to stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest and the beaches, or watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. You may also visit the underwater observatory. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available. (B, L)
Day 10 – Tuesday, November 12
Cairns Cairns is a wonderful town and your day will be filled with rest and relaxation, enjoying the tropical surroundings. For those who want to fill their day, there is an optional tour exploring the rainforest, rivers and beaches of Daintree and Cape Tribulation that will be offered. (B)
Day 11 – Wednesday, November 13
Cairns – Sydney This morning you will experience the beauty of Far North Queensland’s World Heritage Rainforest as we travel on the Kuranda Skyrail – the world’s largest gondola railway. Your gondola trip takes us above the canopy of the tropical rainforests of the Barron Gorge National Park. Next, experience the unique lifestyle of the Aborigine people with a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. See an Aboriginal dance show, learn about the Aboriginal life style, learn to throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center which boasts a collection of interesting artifacts. Later, depart for the exciting city of Sydney. (B)
Day 12 – Thursday, November 14
Sydney Today is a full day of exploration in the fun-loving city of Sydney. We begin with a tour that includes sights such as 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 fascinating architectural sites as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour. This afternoon head to world famous Bondi Beach for a surfing lesson. Don’t worry, you don’t even have to get wet. Learn the history of the beach and explore the rigorous training lifeguards must go through. Hear stories of the famous surfers that hale from Bondi. Enjoy time at leisure to explore, experience great views and beach time. Tonight is yours to explore all of the wonderful culinary opportunities and nightlife in Sydney. (B)
Day 13 – Friday, November 15
Sydney Climb Australia’s most exciting and accessible of adventures, The Sydney Harbour Bridge. Get a perfect bird’s-eye view of the Opera House and Sydney’s beautiful harbor. Experience the incredible adventure that will take you to the top of the Bridge some 440 feet above sea level. For those who prefer, you can walk across the bridge without climbing it. The remainder of your day is at leisure for you to experience more of Sydney’s sites on your own. Tonight, we’ll join together with the local Jewish community for a special Shabbat Service at The Great Synagogue. (B, D)
Day 14 – Saturday, November 16
Sydney Today enjoy a day of leisure to discover in this cosmopolitan city. Later, join your fellow travelers for our Amazing Journeys Farewell Event and dinner. (B, D)
Day 15 – Sunday, November 17
Sydney – Depart for Home Today you will fly home. Re-crossing the International Dateline, you regain the day you lost at the beginning of your trip. (B)
Your Australia Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 – 2 Overnight Flight
Day 3 – 5 Novotel Melbourne on Collins, Melbourne
Day 6 – 7 Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock
Day 8 – 10 Pacific International, Cairns
Day 11 – 14 Menzies Hotel, Sydney
Please Note:
1. Hotels listed above may change without notice.
2. Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days may change.
3. Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in.
4. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
All rooms are non-smoking where we match roommates. Items listed on this website are subject to change at any time. By providing payment you agree to the terms and conditions as outlined on this website.
Cancellation Policy: From the time of deposit until August 1, 2013, there is a $75.00 penalty for cancellation. From August 2 – September 3, 2013, the cancellation penalty is the amount of the deposit. From September 4 – October 3, 2013, the cancellation penalty is 25% of the total cost of the package plus 100% of the airfare (including taxes and fees). From October 4- 17, 2013, the cancellation penalty is 50% of the total cost of the package plus 100% of the airfare (including taxes and fees). From October 18, 2013 until the day of travel, the cancellation penalty is 100% of the total package price. Cancellations made on the day of departure and “no-shows” will receive no refund. There is no refund in the event of interruption or cancellation by the passenger after the start of the journey.
This tour is operated by Collette Vacations
Cancellation insurance: Cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Information will be sent with your tour confirmation.
Taxes and Gratuities: All taxes and gratuities have been included in the cost of the tour package. These include gratuities for baggage handling (one bag per person), tour manager, local guides, drivers and meal servers for included features. Taxes are based on February, 2013 rates and are subject to change.
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