22-Nights Down Under Journey With Fiji - Classic, First-Class from $11,849
Globus
OFFER ID 1708432
Crikey! If you’ve always wanted a complete tour of Down Under, with no red stone left uncovered, this is it. Doubling the fun with sightseeing in Australia and New Zealand, this exciting vacation covers Australia’s vibrant cities, golden beaches, and mystical Red Center as well as New Zealand’s North and South Islands . As you hop from Sydney to Cairns to Uluru to Melbourne, you’ll marvel at the architectural masterpieces of Australia’s renowned cities, the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, and a special highlight of this encompassing journey–an awe-inspiring dinner under the starlit Outback sky. From Rotorua’s boiling mud pools to Waitomo’s Glowworm Caves, the stunning sites keep coming with the hottest–and coolest–sights of New Zealand. Aptly named “The Remarkables,” the South Island’s mountain range sets the tone for the incredible sights you’ll see throughout the land of the kiwi–and the home of the kangaroo.
Did you know the koala sleeps an average of 20 hours a day? You’ll enjoy three nights in Fiji to dream about your tour of Australia and New Zealand while snoozing in a beachside hammock yourself. Between naps, you’ll enjoy a Sigatoka River Safari and the sun, fun, and genuine warmth of the islanders.
22 nights from $11,849 per person
Itinerary Details
Down Under Journey With Fiji
Day 1: ARRIVE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Welcome To Sydney! Your room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 4pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner. (D)
Day 2: SYDNEY Sights & Bites Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the Sydney Opera House and travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s botanic gardens for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Next, visit world-famous Bondi beach for an insider’s tour of [LF] Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club with one of the lifesavers. Afterward, set sail for some of the city’s best views with a cruise on Sydney Harbour. (B,L)
LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORIC SPOT Enjoy lunch at the historic North Bondi Retired Servicemen’s Leagues Club. Learn about the history of this place and the courageous “Rats of Tobruk” that stopped the Nazis in North Africa during WWII. You’ll enjoy delicious food while looking out at amazing waterfront views.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM The Sydney Opera House is one of the most well-known buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was designed by Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, and was finally completed in 1973, after sixteen years of construction, at a cost of over $100 million dollars. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the Opera House and see its interiors and theaters. Hear untold stories, be awed by the acoustics, and learn the history and future of this amazing hall beneath the sails.
Day 3: SYDNEY Spectacular Sydney Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE You may choose to take an optional excursion to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience or to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city.
Day 4: SYDNEY–CAIRNS Tropic Wonder Today, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Cairns is known for its mild winters, great nightlife, and plenty of fun things to see and do. Why not explore the Cairns Night Markets whose vendors sell a vast array of souvenirs, delicious foods, and the work of local artisans and designers.
Day 5: CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF Below the Surface Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a brilliant kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
BUCKET LIST. CHECK! The only living structure on Earth that can be seen from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Comprising of over 3,000 individual reefs and spanning over 135,135 miles (350,000 square kilometres), your day at the Reef will be one to remember. After your scenic catamaran cruise, the day is yours to explore the Reef how you like. Choose to snorkel amid a dazzling array of fish and coral, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attend an informative presentation by a marine biologist, or just relax and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings.
Day 6: CAIRNS Ticket to Paradise A full day at leisure. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE For a truly amazing experience consider an optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey, you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway; or maybe spend the day in the magical Daintree Rainforest thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest. Your Tour Director will have recommendations for shopping, dining, and additional sightseeing.
Day 7: CAIRNS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)Into the Outback Today, fly to the heart of Australia’s Outback. Enjoy a tour at the base of the massive monolith of Uluru. Also known as Ayers Rock, its nearly 6-mile circumference is studded with caves adorned with ancient Aboriginal paintings. Visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Center and learn about the local indigenous culture. Tonight, visit the Sunset Strip, where you will enjoy a champagne toast while experiencing one of the world’s greatest spectacles--Uluru at sunset. (B)
NOTE:
Due to this remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Cairns to Uluru.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Explore the Cultural Center at Uluru and the galleries that showcase Anangu (local Aboriginal people) arts and crafts. Then, meet with local Anangu during an interactive cultural talk. You will be mesmerized by their story-telling art, sense of humor, and perception.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Experience a spectacular way to end the day at Uluru. This fascinating icon stands 1,141 feet (348 meters) high, however, most of its mass is below ground level. You’ll be overwhelmed by its incredible size, presence, and inherent spirituality. As the sun sinks over the horizon and the evening sky brings out the many shades of color for which Uluru is famous, you’ll enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles and bid farewell to another wonderful day.
Day 8: ULURU Rock Stars Rise early for an inspiring sunrise over Uluru. As the first rays of sunlight creep across the desert sky, gaze in awe as the sun rises in the distance behind Uluru and Kata Tjuta, flooding the landscape with light. Later, visit a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological spectacle of some 36 brilliant domes. Enjoy time in the afternoon at your leisure to explore the town center, art gallery, or just relax at your hotel. Tonight, a unique [LF] welcome awaits you at the Sounds of Silence dinner experience. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
TASTES & TRADITIONS
Your evening begins with canapés and chilled sparkling wine upon a dune top overlooking Uluru. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of a didgeridoo welcoming you for an unforgettable dining experience. Enjoy a bush tucker inspired menu along with a selection of Australian wines and beers. Afterward, sit back and listen to a star talker decode the southern night sky. You’ll soon be able to locate the Southern Cross, signs of the zodiac, the Milky Way as well as planets and galaxies. From amazing scenery to delicious food and wide-open spaces, it’s sure to be a memorable evening!
Day 9: ULURU–MELBOURNE G’day Melbourne! Today, fly to Melbourne, Australia’s cultural capital. The city is a blend of world-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and interesting hidden laneways. Before arriving at your hotel, travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
REACH NEW HEIGHTS Be ready to be wowed when you travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck, the southern hemisphere’s highest observation deck. The city comes to you when you take it all in from nearly 1,000 feet/300 metres high. Enjoy awe inspiring views of Melbourne from the observation deck. The Skydeck will change the way you look at Melbourne and maybe the world.
Day 10: MELBOURNE Sights & Heights Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, then drive past the Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Following lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy free time the remainder of the day. (B,L)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Tonight’s optional excursion is a visit to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Experience the magic of little penguins returning home at sunset to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia. Watch as these beloved fairy penguins waddle from the ocean to their burrows in the sand around you. You’ll get up close and personal from the special Penguins Plus grandstand. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director has all the tips and guidance to help you enjoy your free time.
Day 11: MELBOURNE Cosmopolitan Cool Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Melbourne by dining at a local restaurant to immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene, or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take an optional trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.”
Day 12: MELBOURNE–QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND New Zealand Bound Board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 13: QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND Fjords, Forest & Falls Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park for a full-day excursion to the Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously described by author, Rudyard Kipling, as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Return late this evening to Queenstown. (B,L)
NOTE:
The excursion to Milford Sound may take place on Day 14 depending on weather and road conditions today.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Cruise on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. Experience dense rainforest, towering mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Have your cameras ready for marine life such as playful dolphins, seals, and penguins. It will be a day to remember as you experience New Zealand’s wild side at its absolute best!
Day 14: QUEENSTOWN Vineyards & Views A full day at leisure for your own discoveries before dinner with a view tonight. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE This evening, take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains. Make sure to have your camera ready for fantastic photo opportunities.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with an optional visit to a local vineyard, or maybe take a thrilling jet boat ride on the Dart River. These and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director has all the tips and guidance to help you enjoy your free time.
Day 15: QUEENSTOWN-MOUNT COOK Alpine Adventures Today’s journey brings you to magnificent Mount Cook National Park. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. (B,D)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP Weather permitting, consider the opportunity to join a stargazing program this evening in Mount Cook—offering some of the darkest skies in the world – perfect for viewing the southern night sky! This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director has all the tips and guidance to help you enjoy your free time.
Day 16: MOUNT COOK–CHRISTCHURCH–ROTORUA New Zealand Treasures Travel to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island and then fly to Rotorua, the heart of the Maori culture. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
LOCAL LIFE This evening, you may wish to join an optional dinner at a New Zealand family’s home or indulge yourself in the relaxing hot springs or massage therapies at the Polynesian Spa.
Day 17: ROTORUA Earthly Wonders This morning, enjoy a guided tour and a special visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery. Then, visit the Agrodome to learn more about one of the country’s major industries–sheep! Continue to Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area. Enjoy a [LF] Hangi dinner this evening. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CONSERVATION HEROES Only about 5% of all Kiwi birds hatched in the wild survive to adulthood, making them endangered. At the National Kiwi Hatchery, you’ll see conservation in action. Known as the national leader in hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing, you’ll see each stage a kiwi chick goes through before being released into the national parks. 100% of your entry goes straight back to the Kiwi hatching program.
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITION
Journey back to a time of proud warriors and ancient Maori traditions. Tour the village and learn about Maori traditions and customs followed by a delicious Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones). You’ll be entertained by master storytellers and singers, and you might even be asked to join in a Haka, the traditional war dance.
Day 18: ROTORUA–WAITOMO–AUCKLAND Glowing Views Depart Rotorua and cross over the Mamakue ranges to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Then, travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to Auckland. This evening, why not enjoy a glass of New Zealand’s famous wine while dining at one of Auckland’s world-class restaurants? (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Your visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves starts with a guided tour through the limestone chambers, delicate formations, and passages of the cavern. Next, discover an ancient world of 30 million years in the making and marvel at Mother Nature’s light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. See the lights of thousands of these tiny creatures as they radiate their light in a subterranean world. The glowworm (Arachnocampa Luminosa) is unique to New Zealand making the Waitomo Glowworm Caves an absolute must-do.
Day 19: AUCKLAND The City of Sails Start your day with a visit to the All Blacks Experience followed by a sightseeing tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy a festive [LF] farewell dinner. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS OF THE GAME Immerse yourself into the legacy, culture and people who have made the All Blacks rugby team an important part of the history of New Zealand. You’ll experience first-hand the excitement and emotion of game day and be inspired by the full force of the haka. Hear about past and present legends of the game and enjoy hands-on interactions. You’ll quickly understand how deeply this team and sport are intertwined with the heart and heritage of the country.
LOCAL FAVORITE
THE HIGH LIFE Join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a festive farewell dinner high atop Auckland’s Sky Tower. Enjoy 360-degree views of the city and harbor below as the dining room rotates once every hour providing a unique experience. The perfect ending to your vacation!
Day 20: AUCKLAND–NADI, FIJI–CORAL COAST Island Bound Board your flight and fly to Fiji for three nights in this tropical paradise. Arrive in Nadi and transfer to your resort on the Coral Coast. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours, offering scenic views of the stunning coastline and charming villages along the way. The remainder of your day is at leisure. (B)
Please note: Your Tour Director does not accompany you to Fiji. A Local Host will be available during your time in Fiji.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ISLAND LIFE Composed of more than 300 islands, you are sure to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle and friendly Fijians. From white sandy beaches to tropical rainforests and mountain peaks, there is lot to explore on land as well in the water. Fiji is known as the Soft Coral Capital of the world with the Great Astrolabe Reef surrounding its islands and atolls.
Day 21: CORAL COAST Sand & Sees This morning, cruise up the magnificent Sigatoka River to visit an authentic Fijian village. Return to your resort where the remainder of the day is yours to explore the beautiful beaches or perhaps sample some local cuisine. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Aboard a custom-built safari jet boat, you’ll be transported deep into the heart and soul of Fiji. As you journey up the river, hear the history of the region. Children from the villages that line the river and wave as you cruise past. When you reach the village, you are given a warm welcome by the villagers and then are escorted to the village Chief’s bure (house) or to the community hall. Take part in a kava ceremony, then tour the village before sitting down to a traditional Fijian lunch. Your visit ends with traditional Fijian singing and dancing. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to join in! After heartfelt goodbyes, board your jet boat for the return trip. It’s sure to be a highlight of your time in Fiji. Bula!
Day 22: CORAL COAST Living on Island Time Today is at leisure. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Make sure to check the daily activities offered at your resort. You may wish to take a dip in the pool, enjoy a Fijian handicraft demonstration, spend some time in the water with kayaks or paddleboards, or simply enjoy an amazing sunset with a cool drink. An underwater adventure should be high on your to-do list and will not disappoint. Your Local Host will have suggestions for sightseeing, shopping, and dining.
Day 23: CORAL COAST–NADI Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
At the heart of the action are cafes, the entire spectrum of accommodation, boutique shopping, restaurants and the visitor services expected in a small town with a big reputation.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques. Here you can soak up culture, hit the sporting grounds, taste the dynamic food and wine scene, dance til dawn or wander the parks and leafy boulevards. Visit Federation Square, the city's landmark cultural space, and enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade. Shop till you drop on funky Brunswick Street or upmarket Chapel Street. Wander Southbank's cafes, bistros and bars and get a world tour of cuisines in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and cheer with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Five Must-Have Melbourne Experiences:
1. Shop till you drop
Bag a bargain at the Rose Street Artist's Market and browse the funky boutiques on Brunswick Street. Buy designer labels such as Akira Isogawa and Zimmerman on Chapel Street in Prahran or in the historic Melbourne General Post Office, which covers an entire city block. For everything from fashion to furnishings at fantastic value, visit Bridge Road in Richmond. Melbourne is a shopper's haven, offering eclectic boutiques, high-end fashion, funky homeware stores and European style piazzas in the city's arcades and hidden laneways.
2. Bar hop and dance till dawn
Sip a cocktail in a converted sea container in Chinatown, enjoy a sunset beer in a St Kilda pub or listen to cabaret in lush retro surroundings in jazz bars in the city. Linger over exquisite tapas and exotic wine in a Little Collins Street bar and mingle in a pink parlour with fake grass in Bourke Street. You can party from dusk in the bars of Brunswick Street. Or dance till dawn in bars in the city's lantern-lit laneways, secret apart from the spill of coloured light under heavy brass doors.
3. Get into the gourmet goodness
Let the aroma of good coffee waft over you in Melbourne's gothic European laneways. The city is famous for its coffee and old-world café culture but there's so much more to explore. Once you've downed a 'short black' or taken an afternoon aperitif, try tea in a nineteenth-century hotel or salivate over your silver spoon in acclaimed restaurants like Nobu, Botanical and Becco. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood at the Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday, known for its bustling crowds and buskers. Try out the restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars in Southbank or Federation Square. Make your way around Melbourne's multicultural cosmos of cuisines: Carlton for Italian classics, Richmond for budget-friendly Vietnamese and Fitzroy for Spanish tapas.
4. Fill up on culture
See a performance by the Australian Ballet, which is based here in Australia's cultural capital. Or enjoy a dazzling musical at the Princess Theatre. Browse the Southern Hemisphere's best collection of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Or visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation Square, a landmark cultural 'space' for Melbournians. Challenge yourself with the creative collections in the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank. To learn more about Melbourne's Aboriginal cultural heritage, see contemporary and dreamtime art or take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
5. Go sports mad
Cheer for an Australian Rules Football game with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over winter. Go cricket mad in summer, when the city hosts the Ashes and one day internationals. Or join the huge crowds watching the Australian Tennis Open at Melbourne Park. Rev heads head to Melbourne in March for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Albert Park. And whether you are a racing fan or just a casual punter, you won't want to miss the Melbourne Cup - the world's richest horse race on the first Tuesday in November.
Sydney
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.
Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:
1. Explore the historic Rocks
Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.
2. Hit the world-famous harbour
Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.
3. Visit Manly on the ferry
Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.
4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington
Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.
5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee
Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.
The world's largest monolith, located 280 mi/450 km southwest of Alice Springs, is a truly stunning sight, especially at sunset when its burnt-orange glow seems to set the desert on fire. Called Uluru by the Aborigines, the sandstone rock is huge (1,140 ft/350 m high, 9 mi/13 km around) and reddish brown most of the time, taking its color from iron oxide, or rust. Its presence is made more powerful by the mostly barren plain that surrounds it and disappears into the horizon. In 1985, ownership of the rock was returned to its traditional owners. It is rarely referred to as Ayers Rock anymore.
Considered sacred by the Aborigines for thousands of years, the rock is now part of the expansive Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, one of the country's biggest tourist attractions. The park includes the Olgas/Kata Tjuta, a cluster of 36 giant domelike rock formations about 20 mi/35 km west. If you want to visit both, plan to spend at least one night. You'll want to see Uluru at both sunset and sunrise. The Olgas are equally magnificent at both times of day. (But be prepared to jockey for position at either place; tour buses disgorge hundreds of visitors laden with binoculars, cameras and video equipment.)
Start your visit to the park with a stop at the cultural center. Run by the Anangu (a local Aboriginal clan), the center is a wonderful introduction to the unusual rock formations and to the people who lived in their harsh shadows for centuries. Aboriginal artwork and artifacts are on display. You can also see re-enactments of life in the bush and watch informative videos. Most visitors explore the rock as part of a tour led by park rangers, Anangu guides or private tour companies. But you can also pick up a printed walking guide at the cultural center and set off on your own.
Only one trail leads to the top of the rock, and it's fairly steep—those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, asthma, fear of heights or the like should remain earthbound. The Anangu prefer you walk around—not on—the rock because of its spiritual importance. If you do decide to climb it, allow two to three hours and take along a snack and plenty of water. The view from the top is spectacular, but hiking around the base is more educational and less strenuous. We suggest taking one or more of the shorter walks that pass water holes and rock paintings, allowing you to observe the rock's many faces at a leisurely pace. (Walking around the entire base of the rock takes about three hours.)
Allow at least an afternoon to visit the Olgas/Kata Tjuta. A frequent debate among visitors is whether the Olgas outshine the rock. It's a close call—the Olgas are taller, reaching 1,790 ft/545 m at the highest point. Made of conglomerate (pebbles and boulders cemented together by mud and sand), they are off-limits to climbers, but you can explore some of the valleys and chasms between the rocks.
Most visitors fly to Uluru or drive from Alice Springs. About the only place to stay in the area is the Ayers Rock Resort, or Yulara, whose five hotels and a campground can accommodate visitors in all price ranges. Longitude 131 is a magnificent safari camp with 15 luxury tents. Dozens of tours leave from Ayers Rock Resort, including sunrise camel rides around the rock, sunset champagne dinners in the desert, Aboriginal culture tours and stargazing. You can also rent a car there and explore on your own.
Because of the excessive heat in summer, the best time to visit is April-November (winter in Australia). Always take along plenty of drinking water. If you are flying to the Outback, we suggest going overland one way from Alice Springs (four to five hours) but flying the other way—the desert drive is scenic, but it can be tedious the second time around. http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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