Vacations by Randy
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20-Nights New Year's Eve Down Under from $12,357
Globus
OFFER ID 1488506
Five, four, three, two, one! The countdown is on Down Under for the most uplifting New Year kick-off. This aspirational tour of Australia and New Zealand gets the party started with a celebratory cruise on Sydney Harbor complete with beats, bites, and bubbly – and one of the world’s most famous fireworks displays. The stunning sights keep coming for 21 days as you snorkel over the rainbows of coral at the Great Barrier Reef, enjoy an Outback barbecue in Australia’s fiery red desert, and delight in the kaleidoscope of blossoms at Melbourne’s famous Fitzroy Gardens. Say farewell to the koalas, kangaroos, and other party animals as the festivities continue in New Zealand with a breathtaking cruise through the thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound, a silent boat ride through the glowworm-lit Waitomo Caves, a traditional cooked-beneath-the-ground hot stone Hangi dinner in Rotorua, and a high-in-the-sky farewell celebration atop Auckland’s rotating Sky Tower.
20 nights from $12,357 per person
Itinerary Details
New Year's Eve Down Under
Day 1 ARRIVE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIAWelcome 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 3pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner. (D)
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Day 2 SYDNEYSpectacular Sydney 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. Enjoy a walk around the Rocks District, the site of the first European settlement in Australia now home to shops, restaurants, and art galleries. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining. (B)
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 theatres. Hear untold stories, be awed by the acoustics, and learn the history and future of this amazing hall beneath the sails.
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Day 3 SYDNEYAn Aussie Auld Lang Syne Today is at leisure. You may wish to spend some time in Darling Harbour with its many shops and restaurants. Other options including visiting the Art Gallery of New South Wales, strolling through the Royal Botanic Garden, or enjoying delicious Asian food at one of the restaurants in Spice Alley. This evening, board a Sydney Harbour cruise for a special [LF] New Year’s Eve celebration awaits. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Take to the water on a harbor cruise complete with canapés and a 4-course dinner followed by music and dancing. At the stroke of midnight, be treated to a champagne toast and some of the most amazing fireworks you’ll ever see. Here is your chance to ring in the New Year under Sydney’s world-famous fireworks. It will be a night to remember!
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Day 4 SYDNEYRelax & Enjoy Today, enjoy time to relax after your New Year’s Eve celebration. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Sydney with a relaxing day on the beaches of Manly or Bondi. Maybe explore the cobblestone streets of the Rocks District or stroll through one of the city’s many gardens. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
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Day 5 SYDNEY–CAIRNSReady for the Reef Fly to Cairns, “Gateway of the Great Barrier Reef.” Check-in to your Cairns hotel for a 3-night stay. 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. (B)
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Day 6 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEFBelow 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 dazzling 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.
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Day 7 CAIRNSTicket to Paradise A full day at leisure.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE You may wish to visit nearby Cape Tribulation or Mossman Gorge, spend some time at the Cairns Lagoon, enjoy a stroll along the Esplanade or visit the Cairns Aquarium. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for the best way to spend your time in this tropical location. (B)
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Day 8 CAIRNS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)Rock Stars Fly this morning to Australia’s “Red Center.” Enjoy a tour at the base of the rock, learning of its significance to the Anangu Aboriginal people. Visit magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendour of some 36 brilliant domes. Later, visit the “Sunset Strip” for a drink and to witness the changing hues painting the rock. (B)
NOTE:
Due to this remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Cairns to Uluru.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS A spectacular way to end the day. Travel out to 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 for which Uluru is famous, you’ll enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles and say goodbye to another wonderful day.
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Day 9 ULURU–ALICE SPRINGSCampfire Stories Today, travel through the Outback to Alice Springs. Upon arrival, sightseeing includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station. Tonight, a unique [LF] Outback Barbecue features traditional campfire fare and awe-inspiring Outback ambiance. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES A fun filled evening of entertainment and outback cuisine is in store for you this evening. Huddle around a cozy campfire, learn about bush damper cooking, enjoy music, local storytelling, and a boomerang demonstration. Sink your teeth into a mouth-watering meal of prime Australian beef and wet your whistle with a cold drink. There’s even time for some star gazing to finish off this memorable evening.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
FLIGHT FOR LIFE The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was established in 1928 to bring much needed medical care to the residents of the remote Outback. Learn the history of Reverend John Flynn, the founder, and hear the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the RFDS. Through the interactive displays you can experience what it’s like to fly with an RFDS pilot and the issues they have faced from dirt runways, inadequate maps, and more.
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Day 10 ALICE SPRINGS–MELBOURNEG’day Melbourne! Today, fly to Melbourne. Enjoy three nights in the city often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital. Melbourne is a blend of world-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and interesting hidden laneways. (B)
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Day 11 MELBOURNESights & Bites This morning’s sightseeing includes landmarks such as Federation Square, the Melbourne Museum, and beautiful Fitzroy Gardens. See Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Discover Victorian terraced homes in East Melbourne, and the bustling streets of Chinatown and the Queen Victoria Market. Following lunch at a local restaurant, travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck, the southern hemisphere’s highest observation deck. Free time the remainder of the day. (B,L)
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.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Witness the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island and 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 and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
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Day 12 MELBOURNECosmopolitan Cool Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore more of this vibrant city on your own. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Melbourne by exploring the Old Melbourne Gaol, once home to legendary outlaw, Ned Kelly. Linger at a café and enjoy a coffee and wander along the scenic Yarra River or take an optional excursion to see the incredible Great Ocean Road. These and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
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Day 13 MELBOURNE–QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALANDNew 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)
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Day 14 QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORDSights on the Sound Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park. 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.” Late this evening, return to Queenstown. (B,L)
NOTE: The excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 15 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!
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Day 15 QUEENSTOWNVineyards & Views A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SCENIC WONDERS 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 Remarkables Mountains. Make sure to have your camera ready for fantastic photo opportunities.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Queenstown with an optional visit to a local vineyard to sample some of the prize vintages or a thrilling jet boat ride on the Dart River. Other options include a scenic ride across Lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship, shopping for souvenirs, or enjoying some fresh seafood at a local restaurant. These and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
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Day 16 QUEENSTOWN–MOUNT COOKAlpine Adventures Today’s journey brings us to magnificent Mount Cook National Park. Weather permitting, you may wish to join a stargazing program this evening. The Mount Cook region offers some of the darkest skies in the world – perfect for viewing the southern night sky (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Spend the evening at the historic Hermitage Hotel, located at the base of Mount Cook. The Hermitage is the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of Mount Cook and has a variety of dining options, unique activities, and genuine kiwi hospitality. Enjoy splendid views, fresh mountain air, and all the modern amenities of this first-class property.
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Day 17 MOUNT COOK–CHRISTCHURCH–ROTORUANew 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.
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Day 18 ROTORUAEarthly 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! There’s time to watch a sheep shearing demonstration, visit the farmyard nursery, and see the remarkable farm dogs as they demonstrate their ability to respond to commands and keep the sheep in line. Continue to Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area. This evening, enjoy a traditional [LF] Hangi dinner. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Explore the ancient Maori culture and learn the history of the area, hear storytelling, be captivated by songs and dance, and experience the famous Haka (war dance). Afterward, sit down in the Wharenui (ancestral meeting house) for an authentic Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones) and be entertained with music and dancing.
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.
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Day 19 ROTORUA–WAITOMO–AUCKLANDGlowing 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.
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Day 20 AUCKLANDThe City of Sails Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy a festive [LF] farewell dinner. (B,D)
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!
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Day 21 AUCKLANDUntil We Meet Again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Auckland and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
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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.
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.
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.
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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Vacations by Randy
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