Ancient Australia

Day 1: Depart Canada

Depart Canada today. You will cross the International Dateline and ‘lose’ a day. You will gain this day back on your return journey.

Day 3: Arrive in Sydney, Australia

G’Day and welcome to Sydney! Upon arrival, you will transfer to your hotel by shuttle. The balance of your day is at leisure. Stay in Sydney for 5 nights.

Days 4-7: Sydney, New South Wales

There is so much to see and do in and around Sydney. Enjoy a beach day at one of the many beaches from Bronte Beach to Bondi, explore different  inner-city neighborhoods, take a behind the scenes tour or performance at the incredible Sydney Opera House, climb the Harbour Bridge or venture further to discover the wilderness in the World-Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park or taste wine in the Hunter Valley!  We have included the following two excursions during your stay to get you started exploring:

Cultural Heart of Sydney tour – embark on a 90-minute leisurely ‘walkabout’ with an Aboriginal guide to learn about the city and the most ancient human culture. This experience includes a traditional welcoming ceremony and guided walk around key locations in the historic ‘Rocks’ precinct.

Sydney Harbour lunch cruise – Enjoy 3 relaxing hours cruising Sydney Harbour to enjoy lunch, live commentary an excellent city views from the water. Discover secrets of one of the world’s most famous and spectacular natural harbours, including icons such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Botanical Gardens and more.

Day 8: Sydney to Uluru (Ayers Rock)

You will take a shuttle to the airport for your flight to Ayers Rock. On arrival, transferred to your hotel in Ayers Rock Resort where you will stay for 3 nights.

Kata Tjuta Sunset tour – this afternoon explore Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) for a one of the best sunset experiences in central Australia. Learn about the geological and cultural history of the area and admire the view of the domes of Kata Tjuta at a magnificent outback sunset with canapés and Australian wines.

Day 9: Kings Canyon & Watarrka National Park

Travel to Kings Canyon today, a spectacular natural landmark that is part of Watarrka N.P.  This area has been home to the Luritja and Arrente people for over 20,000 years and is an important conservation area and refuge for over 600 species of native plants and animals.

Kings Canyon and the Outback tour – Travel to Kings Canyon, stopping at Kings Creek Station. Take one of the most scenic hikes with a steep rocky climb and spectacular views over the red rock landscape of Watarrka National Park. If there is time you may get to see the green oasis of the ‘Garden of Eden’ waterhole. There is also an easier, shorter walk along the canyon floor available.

Day 10: Ayers Rock

Today is spent around Uluru-Kata Tjuta N.P. including stunning desert vistas, ancient rock art and sacred stories.  The following excursions are included:

Uluru Sunrise, Walpa Gorge & Kata Tjuta tour – Rise early to travel to the sunrise viewing area and watch the first rays of sun light up the desert. After sunrise travel to the mystical 36 domes of Kata Tjuta, stopping for panoramic views of Kata Tjuta at a dune viewing platform before arriving at Walpa Gorge. Explore the gorge and its unusual rock formations on a 1.3km walking trail following a natural creek between two of the tallest domes.

Kata Tjuta National Park sightseeing tour – in the afternoon visit the Cultural Centre to explore the galleries and possibly see local Aboriginal artists at work. Travel to the base of Uluru where your local guide shares the Aboriginal Tjukurpa (creation) stories that breathe life into this giant formation. Feel the spirit of the land as your guide takes you on a walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole to see ancient Rock Art and sacred sites you’ll see along the way. Finish the day at the Uluru sunset viewing area relaxing with a sparkling wine and enjoy a famous Uluru sunset of incredible changing colours.

Day 11: Ayers Rock to Cairns

Before you leave Australia’s Red Centre today, we have included one more memorable sunrise! Rise early for your final Uluru experience at ‘Field of Light’.

Uluru Sunrise and Field of Light tour – Arrive before dawn to walk through the field of 50,000 globes of light as the dawn light creeps above the horizon. This spectacular art installation was created by world-famous artist Bruce Munro.  Make your way to the top of a large sand dune to the sunrise viewing area for a hot drink as the sun starts to rise behind Uluru and lights up the surrounding desert.

Farewell the outback as you take a shuttle to the airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from Cairns Airport to your central Cairns hotel. Stay in Cairns for 4 nights.

Days 12-14: Cairns, Queensland

Cairns is the gateway to explore the tropical north Queensland region including two ancient UNESCO World-Heritage listed areas. The Great Barrier Reef is approximately 500,000-600,000 years old and the most extensive reef system in the world, made up of 2,900 individual reefs and over 900 islands. The worlds oldest tropical rainforest, the Daintree is more than 180 million years old and home to generations of Aboriginal people. It contains the relicts of the Gondwanan forests that covered Australia and parts of Antarctica before the continents split up 50 to 100 million years ago and today has the greatest diversity of plants and animals in Australia. There is much to see and do in this region, we have included the following excursions to get you started:

Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – Snorkelling is one of the best ways to view the incredible underwater world up close! Travel to the pristine outer reef and locations chosen for water clarity, coral density and overall quality of marine life. Snorkeling equipment is provided with friendly tuition for beginners and easy reef access from water level platforms.

Daintree Rainforest Art & Culture tour – travel north to Mossman Gorge to visit a gallery and take a painting class with a local Aboriginal artist. Learn how stories are told through painting and techniques used to create your own work of art. Travel to Mossman Gorge where you are greeted with a traditional smoking ceremony to welcome you to the land. Wander through the lush rainforest of Manjal Dimbi (Mossman Gorge), home to the Kuku Yalanji rainforest people. During this easy walk across boardwalks, tracks and bridges, your Aboriginal guide will share details of the special relationship that the Kuku Yalanji people have with this unique environment.

Day 15: Depart Cairns, Australia

Farewell Australia today as your vacation comes to an end.  Transfer to Cairns airport where your journey home commences.

Why not stay longer? Ask your Australia Destination Specialist about customizing your trip to explore more of what Australia has to offer.