State: New South Wales
Operator: Australian Eco Adventures
Minimum Price: AUD $ 8,200

In this fantastic 30 day experience, you will experience Australia's complete diversity.. from the cities of Sydney and Melbourne, to the Outback of the Northern Territory and on to the famous Great Barrier Reef

Day 1 Arrive Sydney
On arrival in Sydney, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Day 2 Sydney (B/L)
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel at 7.00am and departing the city we travel to Featherdale Wildlife Park where we enjoy a delightful of Continental breakfast followed by a guided tour of the park to enjoy meeting Australian animals including kangaroos, emus, wombats, dingos and more…. without other tourists. We then travel to the Blue Mountains – we ascend to Bilpin, citrus region of Sydney and then stop near Mt Wilson to enjoy a short nature walk where the native flora is described in an informative and interesting manner and we see wonderful Blue Mts valley and wall views. Cross to Govetts Leap for magnificent Valley and waterfall views. Enjoy lunch at a historic Pub at Mt Victoria. Next we see the views of Megalong Valley from amazing Narrowneck Plateau – hear our guide demonstrate a “cooee call and echo”. Visit the 3 Sisters at a little used location (away from the crowds) and here our guide relates an Aboriginal Dreamtime story about the 3 Sisters. We enter the national park for one of the moste memorable highlights of their day - kangaroos in their natural environment while enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne or fruit juice. Tour concludes with River Cat for the ferry trip down the river to arrive at Circular Quay approximately 5.00pm. On arrival, make your way back to the hotel with the remainder of the evening free at leisure.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Day 3 Sydney
Today is a free day at leisure to explore Sydney and enjoy optional touring.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Day 4 Sydney (L)
This morning make your way at leisure to Cockle Bay Marina for 11.00am departure. On arrival at the Marina ou will be welcomed aboard Sydney’s newest and most luxurious motor cruiser, MV Maverick. Your 4 hour luncheon cruise departs Darling Harbour and is a perfect way to discover Sydney for discerning travellers who appreciate personalised service that a smaller group can offer.Cruising up the Harbour you'll pass under the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Opera House, Circular Quay and see the Rocks, Farm Cove and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. We’ll see traditionally wealthy suburbs of Sydney, spectacular private homes and the national parks of Clarke and Shark Islands. We continue on past Watson's Bay and the famous beachside restaurant Doyles, before crossing the Harbour entrance to a lovely quiet beach surrounded by natural bushland. The peaceful atmosphere is enhanced by the sound of a small waterfall cascading over rocks and the laughter of a Kookaburra in the trees. This is our lunch venue and the chance to cast a fishing line or have a swim. Enjoy a delicious lunch of seasonal seafood, cold cuts, salads, pasta, and bread with a glass of premium Australian wine or beer relaxation takes over and a desert of fruit and cheese – it’s almost impossible to leave. After this relaxing lunchtime, we continue our cruise and leisurely explore some of the secret areas of the harbour before arriving at Darling Harbour at 3.45pm. Make your way at leisure back to your hotel with the remainder of the evening free at leisure.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Day 5 Sydney - Eaglereach Wilderness Lodge (L/D) (THIS TOUR DEPARTS SUN-WED ONLY)
We collect you at your Sydney accommodation and departing the city, we travel north over the Sydney Harbour Bridge via the Gore Hill Freeway to join the Pacific Highway and then the F3 Freeway. Crossing the Hawkesbury River we leave the Freeway to travel on sealed roads through the Yengo National Park. Here we travel through contrasting rural farmland and Australian Natural Bush, mountains ranges and grazing land. Enroute we view several sections of the original convict built Old Great Northern Road on foot. This road, built in the 1820’s was considered to be one of the world’s great engineering feats of this time and is an exceptional example of English road building. Enjoy morning tea at historic Mulla Villa before travelling through the historic Wollombi village established in the early 19th Century and a wonderful example of the small colonial rural townships of this era . Departing Wollombi, our journey takes us over Mt View where we gain a panoramic perspective of the Hunter Valley wine areas. From here we adjourn to a renowned Vineyard Café to enjoy our lunch. A tasting of some of the Hunter Valley's famous wines rounds off the day nice and leisurely before driving to Eaglereach Wilderness Resort. Nothing will prepare you for the breathtaking views and standard of accommodation here. Time to relax and settle in. This evening, you dine in the resort restaurant (cost is at clients expense)
Accommodation; Eaglereach Wilderness Lodge

Day 6 Eaglereach Wilderness Lodge (BD)
Eaglereach is a nature based private wilderness resort that has 1000 acres of natural wilderness which is home to a variety of flora and fauna. There are 32 custom built holiday lodges. All lodges are self-contained with first class facilities including private bedrooms and bathrooms, and accommodate between 2 and 16 people. All lodges also have verandahs with spectacular views. Activities offered at the resort include walking, horse riding trail rides, mountain biking, tennis, swimming in the salt-water rock pool, yabbying, fishing in the freshwater lake, and barbecues. Eaglereach has its own restaurant 'Treehops' which has large verandahs and a wine tasting area . Awake to the splendour of the valley views and enjoy coffee served in your room or out on the adjoining balcony. Breakfast follows this then the day is yours to enjoy activities of your choice as listed above... Breakfast follows this then the day is yours to enjoy activities of your choice as listed above (your guide will assist in these arrangements). This evening a 2 course dinner in Treehops Restaurant (beverages own cost).
Accommodation; Eaglereach Wilderness Lodge

Day 7 Eaglereach Wilderness Lodge - Sydney (B)
After breakfast this morning, we depart about 8.30am and cross the Hunter Valley through the historic townships of Paterson and Raymond Terrace. We drive alongside the beautiful waterway of Port Stephens for some 15 kilometers as we approach the port town of Nelson Bay where the cruise boats depart. Here we board the vessel for a 2 hour cruise. Pods of Bottle Nose Dolphins inhabit the bay and we commonly see between 6 and 30 of the gentle creatures, sometimes marveling as they ride the bow waves. At the completion of the cruise enjoy a café lunch comprising gourmet sandwiches and freshly squeezed juice - following lunch we rejoin the vehicle for the 2 ½ hour drive along the freeway back to Sydney where we plan to arrive about 5.00pm. This evening is free at leisure.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Day 8 Sydney
Today is a free day at leisure to explore Sydney and enjoy optional touring.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Day 9 Sydney - Melbourne
Today you are collected and transferred to the airport and connect with your flight to Melbourne (NOT INCLUDED). On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure to explore.
Accommodation: Novotel Melbourne on Collins Hotel

Day 10 Melbourne
This morning is free at leisure before being collected from your hotel at 2.00pm for your Classic Penguins & Wildlife Tour. Philip Island is only a short drive from Melbourne and features a unique blend of intrigue and tranquillity created by the wonders of Mother Nature. Each night at sunset, groups of the world’s smallest penguins make their way up the beach after a busy day at sea hunting for food for their young. After struggling up the beach they each find their own burrow in the sand dunes of Summerland Beach. The sheer beauty of this unique experience is revealed from the stands on the beach or the stunning board walk, enabling visitors to virtually look in to the homes of the penguins. In the summer months, they are eagerly feeding their hungry chicks in the burrows – the experience is unbelievably beautiful, nature at its finest. We include a visit to one of the many wildlife parks providing you with the opportunity of viewing a large variety of native wildlife. We return to Melbourne late evening. (Dinner is own expense today). Accommodation: Novotel Melbourne on Collins Hotel.

Day 11 Melbourne
Today is a free day at leisure to explore Sydney and enjoy optional touring.
Accommodation: Novotel Melbourne on Collins Hotel.

Day 12 Melbourne
This morning you are collected from your hotel at 8.30am for your Classic Natural Wonders and Wildlife Discovery tour of the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road is listed as one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, offering a photo shoot at every turn. Native animals are frequently sighted in their natural habitat and each vehicle is equipped with binoculars and several bird books to assist you with identification. Highlights of the tour include viewing kangaroos and koalas, enjoying the ancient rainforests of the Otway Ranges and viewing the famous 12 Apostles and the Loch Ard Gorge Formations. We return to Melbourne via the rich agricultural farming lands of the Western Plains to return back to your hotel at appxoimately 8.30pm. (Lunch is own expense today)
Accommodation: Novotel Melbourne on Collins Hotel.

Day 13 Melbourne - Adelaide
This morning you are collected from the hotel and transferred to the airport to connect with your flight to Adelaide (NOT INCLUDED). On arrival in Adelaide, you are met and transferred to your hotel with the remainder of the afternoon free at leisure to relax and explore at your own pace
Accommodation: Mercure Grosvenor Hotel

Day 14 Adelaide
Today is free at leisure for you to explore the “City of Churches”.
Accommodation: Mercure Grosvenor Hotel

Day 15 Adelaide - Kangaroo Island (L/D)
This morning, transfer to the airport to check in for your morning flight to Kingscotte, Kangaroo Island (FLIGHT INCLUDED IN TOUR COST). On arrival at Kingscotte, you will be met by your guide for the next 2 days. Today is then spent discovering the Island life of Kangaroo Island. Explore a redgum forest in the Cygnet River Valley - seek out sleeping Koala’s in the forks of the trees. Travel through some of the island’s best wool producing areas to Lathami Conservation Park. Take a walk through the habitat of Kangaroo Island kangaroos, tammar wallabies and endangered glossy black cockatoos. Break for lunch and enjoy a delicious seafood barbeque with fine South Australian Wines. At Seal Bay Conservation Park, walk with your guide amongst Australian Sealions on a beautiful sandy beach. Watch pups nursing, or playing in the surf, see old bulls scarred by territorial disputes and learn of their unique breeding biology. Visit Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park including D’Estrees Bay where ospreys nest and kangaroos come out late in the day to feed. At the end of the day you will be taken to your overnight accommodation where you will enjoy a delicious dinner.
Overnight; Wanderer’s Rest Hotel

Day 16 Kangaroo Island - Adelaide (B/L)
This morning after breakfast, your guide will pick you up and today is spent exploring Flinders Chase National Park, a 74,000 hectare wilderness home to kangaroos, wallabies, possums, goannas, echidnas, koalas, platypus and many birds including rare Cape Barren Geese. Visit Rocky River Homestead - originally a small farm and now Park Headquarters. At Cape du Couedic, visit a New Zealand fur seal colony which is rapidly expanding. These animals can be observed at rest on the rocks or frolicking in the surf under Admirals Arch - a spectacular coastal grotto. On the headland above is du Couedic Lighthouse which plays an important role in navigation. Further down the coast, explore Remarkable Rocks, huge natural granite sculptures on the cliff top. Lunch is a picnic in the bush before exploring more of the Island. We might walk to a secluded cove, or watch for a platypus by a quiet pool. Return to the Eastern end via Vivonne Bay, one of the few protected bays on the south coast. Late in the afternoon, return to the airport and connect with your early evening flight back to Adelaide where on arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Mercure Grosvenor Hotel

Day 17 Adelaide - Ayers Rock (B)
This morning you are collected and transferred to the airport to connect with your flight to Ayers Rock (NOT INCLUDED). On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time to settle in and relax. You will be collected from the hotel at 3.30pm for your afternoon Olgas and Dunes sunset tour. Travel through the great dune formations, observing a landscape fashioned by an ancient sea. The secrets of plant and animal survival in the desert are explained. A walk between the sheer walls of the Olga Gorge lead to magnificent plains, captured as the sun dips. Later relax with champagne and enjoy the sunset bathing the Olgas in changing hues of red, before returning to the resort. Remainder of the evening free.
Accommodation: Desert Gardens Hotel

Day 18 Ayers Rock (B/D)
This morning you will be collected from the hotel at 6.45am to enjoy the ultimate tour of Uluru, inclusive of Sunrise, Ayers Rock Base Tour and restaurant breakfast. Enjoy Continental breakfast overlooking Uluru followed by time to visit the Cultural Centre’s Aboriginal Art Galleries, shops and interpretive displays before joining your Aboriginal Guide for the famous Liru Tour. On this unique Aboriginal tour, learn first hand from Uluru’s Aboriginal custodians the real meaning and history of Uluru and retrace the path of the Ancestors through unique bushland to Uluru. Here you will see the scars left on the rock during their battle with Kuniya thousands of years ago. Learn to hold a spear and imagine your on the hunt. Hear the tragic fate of Lungkata, the emu thief whose body we see at the base of Uluru. See demonstrations of ancient bush skills. Return to the resort at approximately 11.00am with the remainder of the afternoon free at leisure. At approximately 5.00pm (please confirm time with reception), you will be collected for a truly memorable experience. As the sun sets over Uluru, enjoy the magnificent sight of the changing colours. Then a dining experience never to be forgotten - under the brilliant desert skies at the base of Uluru, enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner with beverages and listen to the “Sounds of Silence” - perhaps a dingo in the distance, or the crickets chirping. This is an unforgettable experience. Return to the resort approximately 10.30pm.
Accommodation; Desert Gardens Hotel

Day 19 Ayers Rock - Darwin
This morning is at leisure before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Darwin (NOT INCLUDED). On arrival in Darwin you are met and transferred to the hotel. Remainder of the day/evening free.
Accommodation; Mirambeena Resort - deluxe room

Day 20 Darwin - Kakadu (L/D) (THIS SAFARI DEPARTS TUESDAYS/SATURDAYS ONLY)
Depart Darwin around 0700 and travel down “The Track” to Humpty Doo. The first stop will be a visit to Fogg Dam to see the many waterbirds that congregate here in the dry season. Then travel across the Marrakai Plains, Adelaide and Mary Rivers and on into Kakadu National Park. We then head across the Jabiluka floodplains to Ubirr (Obiri Rock) to view the Aboriginal Rock Art spanning 23,000 years of seasonal occupation. The view from the top of the rock is magnificent. After lunch we travel to another of Kakadu’s famous rock art sites at Nourlangie Rock. Your guide will explain the stories and mythology relating these famous ancient ochre paintings. From Nourlangie, we travel south to tonight’s camp at Mardugal Billabong.
Overnight; Permanent Safari Tents

Day 21 Kakadu National Park (B/L/D)
Up bright and early this morning for a spectacular dawn cruise on the world renowned Yellow Waters Wetlands. Here you have the opportunity to see some of the myriad birdlife and of course, the awesome saltwater crocodile. From Yellow Water we visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, an impressive building built in the shape of the local freshwater turtle. Here you will learn about the traditional Aboriginal owners of the park, their culture, beliefs and lifestyles. We return to camp briefly for “smoko” then begin our journey into the southern reaches of the park knows as the stone country. This afternoon we spend time in the Yirmikmik area where we take a walk into one of the many gorges of the area. It is only a short drive from Yirmikmik to this evenings camp at Gunlom where you have the chance to explore the surrounding monsoon rainforest and swim the in beautiful plunge pool at the base of the falls. Gunlom Falls was made famous by the movie Crocodile Dundee.
Overnight; Permanent Safari Tents

Day 22 Kakadu - Darwin (B/L)
This morning we put on our walking shoes and take a short hike to the top of the escarpment to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Sough Alligator Valley. There will also be the opportunity for a refreshing swim in the cascades above the falls. Mid morning we return to camp for lunch before breaking camp to begin our journey back to Darwin. We travel through the old gold mining township of Pine Creek before turning north then on to Adelaide River where we stop briefly at the famous Adelaide River War Cemetery. Then on to Darwin arriving at your accommodation around 1700 hours.
Accommodation; Mirambeena Resort - standard room

Day 23 Darwin
Full day free at leisure to explore Darwin.
Accommodation; Mirambeena Resort - standard room

Day 24 Darwin - Cairns
This morning transfer to the airport and connect with your flight to Cairns (NOT INCLUDED). On arrival in Cairns, you are met and transferred to your accommodation located at picturesque Palm Cove. The remainder of the day is free at leisure to relax and explore.
Accommodation; Sebel Reef House, Brigadier Room.

Day 25 Cairns (L)
This morning you will be collected from your hotel at approximately 8.00am by Ocean Spirit Cruises and transferred to the Marina. Set sail aboard an award winning Catamaran for a luxurious reef experience. Michaelmas Cay is a picturesque reef cay where coral gardens abound with a myriad of marine life surrounding a protected seabird sanctuary - an absolute haven for any nature lover. The day is spent relaxing and snorkelling this Marine Park Paradise. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch. Return back to Cairns approximately 5.30pm.
Accommodation; Sebel Reef House, Brigadier Room.

Day 26 Cairns
This morning you will be picked up from the hotel at 7.35am and transferred to Freshwater Station. Depart the station at 8.45am and travel to Kuranda, enjoying the stunning views on the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway . On arrival in Kuranda at 10.00am you have a couple of hours free time free to explore this lovely village before departing at 1.15pm on Skyrail scenic cable cars and journey back to Cairns high above the magnificent World Heritage Listed rainforest. Stop along the way and walk along the boardwalks and learn more about the species of plants found here. Arrive at Caravonica Lakes at 2.45pm where you will be transferred to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Here spend the next 2 hours exploring this fascinating cultural park and learning the history of the Tjapukai People before transferring back to your hotel at 5.00pm..
Accommodation; Sebel Reef House, Brigadier Room.

Day 27 Cairns
Today is a full free day at leisure to relax and explore Cairns at your own pace.
Accommodation; Sebel Reef House, Brigadier Room.

Day 28 Cairns (L)
A fascinating day in the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics rainforests of the Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge. Your day begins with a hotel pickup at 7.00am and departing from Cairns, travel alongside the Marlin Coast’s idyllic deserted beaches, imposing coastal ranges and lush fields of sugar cane to the infamous Daintree River. A great spot for morning tea. Across the river by cable ferry and travel on into the primeval jungle of the Daintree Rainforest to Cape Tribulation. Take a walk with your naturalist guide beside a jungle creek and marvel at nature’s adaptability as the vegetation changes from freshwater rainforest to saltwater mangroves. Learn about the intriguing plants and animals of these two special and complex eco systems. Feel the magic of the oldest rainforest on planet Earth. Relax with a beachside tropical lunch and complimentary wine before boarding a riverboat to cruise on mangrove lined jungle creeks. An excellent chance to see and photograph crocodiles in the wild. Afternoon refreshments and an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim at picturesque Mossman Gorge. A leisurely drive back to Cairns ends your day of fun adventure and discovery.
Accommodation; Sebel Reef House, Brigadier Room.

Day 29 Cairns
Today is a final free day at leisure to relax and explore Cairns – or catch up on last minute shopping!
Accommodation; Sebel Reef House, Brigadier Room.

Day 30 Cairns - Depart
Sadly today is departure day. Make your way from the hotel to Cairns Airport and connect with your return flight home, taking with you many unforgettable memories of your holiday in Australia.

Notes:

Tour Code: A907
Special Departure Dates: on client's request