Adventure Down-under
“Walkabout” is the Australian Aboriginal term for “travel”. Go on walkabout through this fascinating island continent. Visit exotic rainforests & coloured deserts, magnificent reefs & beautiful harbours, see weird animals and plant life, learn about the Aboriginal Dream Time and see friendly Aussies who talk funny.
To experience your own walkabout call All Inclusive Travel Hut at 281-383-7321.
Whether you want to tour Australia or dive into a wonderful beach getaway: Let us take you to the other side of the world to discover the fascinating islands of the Pacific.
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ALL INCLUSIVE FIRST CLASS TOURING
The Best Of Oz
15 daysThis is one of only ten ideas that we have designated This is a very special inclusive and exclusive vacation. Provides a professional escort who takes care of all the day to day details…all the way. Virtually everything is included from North America back to North America.Don’t expect just another escorted tour… you will be on “the best escorted tour”.
YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1. Depart your hometown:to our recommended departure cities of Los Angeles, Vancouver or Toronto.
Day 2. Cross International Dateline.We lose a day which will be regained on our return trip.
Day 3. Arrive Cairns.Welcome to the island continent of Australia! On arrival in Cairns, we will be met and transferred to our hotel. Cairns is a modern, vibrant city and the unofficial capital of tropical North Queensland. Not only is the city the gateway to two amazing natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park, it is also connected to a strong Aboriginal Culture and historical links to WW II and the battles for the Pacific. Enjoy a Welcome to Downunder dinner at a local restaurant.Hilton Cairns Hotel (3 nights)
Day 4. Full Day Kuranda Rail/Rainforestation Tour. A great day today as we transfer from the hotel to Freshwater Station, Queensland’s unique heritage railway station for breakfast. After breakfast, we board the train for one of the most spectacular journeys in Australia. We will enjoy “Royale Champagne Service” as the train slowly winds its way up the epic pioneer track with every turn revealing a new panorama – sugar plantations, Barron Falls and Stoney Creek Falls. Our Royale service includes champagne and orange juice which we can sip while we listen to the informative commentary as the majesty of this area unfolds.On arrival into Kuranda Station–a cool, tropical environment of native shrubs, ferns and flowers – we meet up with our coach driver for the short transfer to Kuranda Village where we will have some free time to browse around the quaint township before heading to our next adventure at Rainforestation.We begin our visit to Rainforestation with lunch at Frog’s Reataurant before continuing on with the entertainment including the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers who perform in the Rainforest Amphitheatre, a guided Dreamtime Walk, a boomerang throwing demonstration and an exciting ride on an amphibious army duck for an informative tour through the rain forest. Later we will also have the opportunity to visit the native animal enclosure to meet “Matilda”, “Walter” and “Kiah” – our three koalas who are proudly sponsored by Goway Travel. From Rain forestation, we take our coach back down to Cairns and the hotel.Tonight enjoy a poolside Australian seafood buffet dinner at the hotel.
Day 5. Full Day Great Barrier Reef.Another great day today as we board our Great Adventures catamaran for our reef experience. Details of your chosen option – Green Island or Outer Reef Excursion — are outlined below.
Green Island/Outer Reef Option: Depart Cairns at 8:30am on Great Adventures fast catamaran for the short trip to Green Island, a true coral cay. On arrival, you have 2 hours free time to explore the island. The island is perfect for strolling through cool rainforest, lazing on white coral sands, swimming or snorkeling on the surrounding coral reef or relaxing around the resort’s pool. From Green Island, you re-board the catamaran and head to Great Adventure’s 3-level pontoon on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The pontoon features undercover seating and tables where you will enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch. The pontoon also has a large sundeck, full bar facilities, an underwater observatory, and a semi-submersible coral viewing tour. You will be able to snorkel or dive (surcharge applies) among the reef’s spectacular coral gardens and beautiful marine life. Return to Cairns at approximately 5:30 pm.
Green Island Only Option: Depart Cairns at 8:30am on Great Adventures fast catamaran for the short trip to Green Island, a true coral cay. On arrival, you have the rest of the day to explore the island. The island is perfect for strolling through cool rainforest, lazing on white coral sands, swimming or snorkeling on the surrounding coral reef or relaxing around the resort’s pool. While on the island, your snorkeling equipment and an excursion on a glass-bottom boat are included. A delicious buffet lunch is also included in the island’s resort restaurant. We will return to Cairns at approximately 3:30pm.For both options we strongly recommend you take a hat and plenty of sunscreen lotion.This evening is at our leisure.
Day 6. Fly Cairns to Sydney.
Transfer this morning to Cairns Airport for the flight to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel.Sydney, Australia’s gateway city and the capital of New South Wales, is a vibrant city of unsurpassed style and variety. Established in 1788 as a convict settlement, Sydney has grown from these humble beginnings to become Australia’s biggest, oldest and liveliest city and one of the great international cities of the world. Today, over 5 million people live in Sydney and its suburbs. Sydney is built around one of the largest and most beautiful natural harbours in the world. Miles of surfing beaches stretch north and south of the city on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The most famous of Sydney’s landmarks are the Harbour Bridge and the spectacular Opera House with its graceful ‘sails’ – the centre of Sydney’s cultural activities. Combined with a sunny climate and a relaxed outdoor lifestyle, Sydney is a magnet for the best the world has to offer.After checking into our hotel, we have a free afternoon or you can join your tour director for an optional visit to Costello’s of Australia where you will learn about the Australian opal mining business and about the three beautiful types of opals and how they are valued via a multi media presentation. You will have an opportunity to hear stories from the opal’s colourful history and see demonstrations of mining methods and even participate in puddling, cutting and polishing of stones.This evening is at our leisure.Radisson Blu Plaza.
Day 7. Sydney Sightseeing.
After a relaxing breakfast this morning at our hotel, we take a leisurely walk to the Sydney Opera House for a guided tour. The Opera House is Australia’s premier venue for the performing arts and home to the Australian Opera Company, the Australian Ballet, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Theatre Company.It was designed by Jorn Utzon, and, on completion in 1973, was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Beneath the huge sail roofs are four major halls which are acoustically balanced to suit its own particular form of entertainment. In addition to the spectacular architecture, the appeal of the Opera House is its location on the harbour foreshores, bounded by the Botanical Gardens, Circular Quay and overlooked by the Harbour Bridge. At completion of the tour, we board our coach for our City sightseeing tour.Our tour includes views of the historic Rocks area, the Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park, The Domain and a stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair to view the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.Our journey also takes us through the affluent suburbs of Double Bay and Rose Bay en route to the famous Gap located at Watson’s Bay with its views of the Pacific Ocean. After our tour, we will have lunch at Doyle’s on the Beach fish restaurant at Watson’s Bay before we take the ferry back to downtown Sydney and Circular Quay.Upon arrival at Circular Quay, we’ll join Captain Cook’s afternoon Sunset Cocktail Cruise on Sydney Harbour. Relax and enjoy the sights of Sydney’s foreshore suburbs and the upper and lower reaches of Sydney Harbour while enjoying a complimentary cocktail and some light refreshments. We then cruise past Fort Denison, a fortress island also known as “Pinchgut,” where convicts prone to escaping were detained on a diet of bread and water. Looking back at the city skyline we gain a totally different perspective of Sydney’s best known landmarks – the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. At the end of the cruise, it is just a short stroll back to our hotel for a free evening.
Day 8. Sydney At Leisure.
Today is a full day at leisure to explore Sydney on your own — take an optional tour to Canberra or to the Hunter Valley; shop in all the stores and boutiques of the downtown core; stroll through the narrow alleys of The Rocks or visit a museum or art gallery… the choices are endless. Tonight we enjoy a delicious dinner at our hotel.
Day 9. Fly Sydney to Ayers Rock.
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to the “Red Centre” of Australia and Ayers Rock. Upon arrival into Ayers Rock Airport, our coach will be waiting to transfer us out to the Olgas also known in the Aboriginal language as “Kata Tjuta” translated as “many heads.” The Olgas are a collection of smaller, more rounded rocks, located 32km to the west of Ayers Rock. Each of the 36 domes has a story in mythology and is of significance to the Aboriginal Dreamtime (legends).After our visit, we head to our hotel to relax and freshen up before transferring to the site of the amazing Sounds of Silence Dinner Experience. This evening we will absorb the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo and dine, al fresco, on true outback cuisine whilst witnessing the sunset. After a feast of Northern Territory delights including barramundi, kangaroo, emu, crocodile, bush salads, and classic Australian desserts, we will then be treated to some of the world’s best stargazing before returning to our hotel.Desert Gardens.
Day 10. Coach Ayers Rock/ Alice Springs.
We have an early start this morning for our Sunrise Base Tour of Ayers Rock. The Rock has become one of the symbols of Australia that is recognized everywhere in the world. Nothing can give a sense of its size except standing beneath the towering 348 meters wall of rock.As we tour the Rock’s base with our knowledgeable guide, we will fully appreciate not only its size but also the way it appears to continually change. From one angle it looks almost like a huge box; from another, it sprawls elegantly across the plain. A visit to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre is included in this morning’s tour. After sunrise and the base tour, we will return to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast.After breakfast, we join our coach for the journey to Alice Springs via the Lasseter and Stuart Highways. Places of interest along the way include Curtin Springs Station and Roadhouse, one of the largest in the district, and Mt. Connor, a large rock formation which is often mistaken for Ayers Rock and is visible from the roadside. A lunch-stop will be made en-route (own expense).On approach to Alice Springs, we pass the Western MacDonnell Ranges and Pine Gap, a top-secret US satellite tracking station, before stopping at Pynan Camel farm to enjoy afternoon tea. After tea, we will experience a unique Outback activity – a camel ride through the desert as the sun sets! As the sun sets, the colours of the ranges deepen to a glowing red and the sky shifts from cobalt blue to orange pink. What better vantage point than from the top of a camel. After our Sunset Camel ride, we transfer to our hotel in Alice Springs for our overnight.Crowne Plaza Alice Springs.
Day 11. Fly Alice Springs to Adelaide.
Our morning begins with a tour of Alice Springs, the main service centre for the vast Outback region. Alice Springs is set against the rugged mountain backdrop of the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges 1500 kms from the nearest capital city. ‘Alice’ was originally known as Stuart Town after the first European who, on his fifth attempt to cross Australia from Adelaide to Darwin surveying the route for the Overland Telegraph Line, discovered the spectacular mountain range now known as the MacDonnell Ranges. The largest of the many repeater Telegraph Stations completed in 1872, it was situated at Stuart Town, later renamed Alice Springs after the Postmaster’s wife.Our tour includes visits to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to see how this marvelous facility operates to provide a “Mantle of Safety” to the people of the Outback as well as a visit to the School of the Air. After our tour, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Adelaide in the state of South Australia. On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Dinner is included at our hotel this evening.Ghan Option (must be pre-booked): You may opt to travel aboard the legendary Ghan train overnight from Alice Springs to Adelaide. Travel in style in Gold Service aboard The Ghan. Enjoy fine dining in the Stylish Restaurant and relax over a drink in the Lounge before retiring to your private sleeper cabin. The Ghan travels once a week between Alice Springs and Adelaide. For supplementary prices, see price box.Hilton Hotel Adelaide (2 nights).
Day 12. Adelaide at Leisure.
Today is a free day to explore Adelaide on our own or take an optional tour (additional costs): visit Kangaroo Island famous for its sea lion & penguin colonies; take a guided tour to explore Australia’s most important wine region, the Barossa Valley; Adelaide is a dignified city, boasting an orderly layout, graceful parklands and distinctive bluestone architecture. Known locally as the Festival City, Adelaide hosts a Festival of Arts every “even” year that attracts a major gathering of international and local creative personalities and performers.
Day 13. Fly Adelaide to Melbourne.
This morning we travel to the Mount Lofty Ranges where we will enjoy spectacular views in every direction. Visit Cleland Wildlife Park and enjoy a guided tour. From here we continue onto the quaint village of Hahndorf for wine tasting and lunch before heading to Adelaide Airport in time for our flight to Melbourne.On arrival in Melbourne, we are transferred to our hotel for the evening.Melbourne is an elegant and charming city markedly different from other mainland Australian capitals in that it has four distinct seasons giving it a more sophisticated European atmosphere. Encircled by parkland, Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia with everything from grand opera to sidewalk art. The city is rich in its multi-cultural identity, classic buildings, beautiful parks and gardens, sophisticated dining and enviable shopping. Our evening will be at leisure.Crowne Promenade (2 nights)
Day 14. Melbourne Sightseeing.
This morning’s tour includes views of the Royal Botanic Garden, home to over 12,000 species of plants, St. Paul’s Cathedral, which houses the largest and best surviving example of an English Romantic pipe organ designed by T C Lewis, one of the greatest organ builders of the 19th century and stately Parliament House. We will also enjoy a traditional style Aussie morning tea at the Terrace Restaurant set amongst the lush greenery of the Botanic Gardens.Our afternoon and evening are free to explore Melbourne on our own: take a tram car to St Kilda, a trendy beachside suburb; ‘shop til you drop’ at the famous Victoria Markets; take a tour of the Melbourne’s world renowned cricket grounds (MCG) or visit one of the city’s many museums or art galleries. This evening we enjoy a unique Farewell to Australia dinner on a historic colonial tramcar as it travels through Melbourne.
Day 15. Melbourne to home.This morning, we transfer to Melbourne Airport for our flight to Los Angeles. Assistance will be given with check-in but please make sure your luggage is tagged to your final destination. Please refer to your detailed flight itinerary included with your air ticket.