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13-Nights Australia Food and Wine Journey - Tailormade Journeys — CALL
Abercrombie & Kent
OFFER ID 1699102
Australia promises excellent gourmet experiences wherever your adventure takes you, be it to the bustling, cosmopolitan streets of Sydney or the lush, vine-striped valleys of Adelaide’s wine country. Whether you opt for behind-the-scenes tours of award-winning wineries, delicious degustation menus or epic outdoor adventures, A&K’s experts can tailor an Australian odyssey to your tastes, getting to the heart of the destination. Expect overnight stays in beautiful hotels and lodges, and one-on-one encounters with the country’s iconic wildlife in Kangaroo Island and Freycinet National Park. You can also meet recovering birds of prey at Raptor Refuge, a beneficiary of A&K Philanthropy.
13 nights | Call for pricing
Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Melbourne, Australia
A bright patchwork of neighborhoods, Melbourne assumes numerous identities, including that of art lover, cricket enthusiast and fine wine connoisseur. This diverse, laid-back city is a tapestry of vivacious bars and cozy cafés, flora-rich botanic gardens and museums stuffed with artistic treasures.
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2 Melbourne – Yarra Valley Winelands
Join your guide for a private epicurean experience in the picturesque Yarra Valley wine region, experiencing the fruits of its vineyards and terroir firsthand. Tuck into a tasting menu at a renowned winery, where the chef’s multi-course menu served with carefully matched estate wines delights the palate.
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3 Freycinet National Park – Tasmania’s Natural Wonderland
As if trying to wriggle free from the land, the Freycinet Peninsula reaches into the Tasman Sea — an exceptional beauty where cockatoos sing from gum trees and pink granite cliffs crumble into bright, blue seas. A sumptuous coastal sanctuary lies in the heart of Freycinet National Park, a breathtaking reserve on the east coast of Tasmania. Here, bushwalking trails stretch for miles and honeyeaters and wallabies roam their natural habitat. Wineglass Bay Beach is the park's crown jewel, with its flawless sweep of white sand that scythes into the mountains.
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4 Freycinet National Park – Choose Your Adventure
The many experiences of Tasmania's iconic national park are at your fingertips: savor delicious oysters plucked fresh from the ocean on a visit to a working oyster farm, shake cocktails in a mixology masterclass or explore the island's scenic bays by paddleboard.
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5 Hobart – Exclusive Raptor Refuge Visit
Drive along Tasmania's sunny east coast, passing seaside villages like Swansea, Triabunna and Orford. Have lunch at Mount Nelson Signal Station and head to Kettering to visit the Raptor Refuge for an A&K-exclusive experience with the refuge owner. Meet wedge-tailed eagles, falcons and owls undergoing rehabilitation as they prepare to return to the wild. Hobart is a delightful surprise, blending cultural richness with a laid-back charm, featuring emerging breweries, art galleries, and bustling food markets that breathe new life into Australia's second-oldest city.
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6 Hobart – Oysters And Vistas Of Bruny Island
Leave the city behind and ascend Mount Wellington (kunanyi) for views of the greater Hobart area before travelling to Ranelagh for a cider tasting at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed. Continue to award-winning Home Hill Winery for a two-course lunch and a glass of wine. In Kettering, board your ferry to Bruny Island, a peaceful oasis where time seems to stand still. Take in the stunning scenery and sample a plate of freshly shucked oysters. Visit the Neck, an isthmus connecting North with South Bruny, and walk up the Truganini steps for 360-degree views of the Great Bay and the Storm Bay, as well as the rest of the island and mainland Tasmania.
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7 Adelaide – Estate Cellar Wine Experience
As a vibrant gateway to wine country, Adelaide — known as the "City of Churches" — offers stunning steeples, lush parklands, a buzzing bar scene and easy access to both the coast and the countryside. Jet into Adelaide and dive straight into the heart of Australia's premier wine country. Settle into your charming accommodation nestled in the picturesque Adelaide Hills. This afternoon, remain on site for an estate cellar wine experience at your lodge. Indulge in a curated tasting, where a savvy sommelier introduces you to hidden gems and iconic South Australian vintages.
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8 Adelaide – Barossa Valley Private Tasting
Start another marvelous day with a visit to Cleland Wildlife Park before hours, when the resident animals come to life. Encounter Australia's iconic wildlife, including koalas rescued from the Kangaroo Island bushfires, hand-feed roaming kangaroos and emus, then wrap up with an up close meeting with a koala. Prime your palate for a visit to the Barossa Valley, Australia's iconic wine haven, originally settled by English and German pioneers in the mid-19th century. Set out on a private tour of its top wineries, such as Torbreck, which has earned no less than five 100-point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Have lunch paired with wines at a hidden local gem. Finish at another venerated winery for a private VIP tour and tasting that also reveals Australia’s winemaking history.
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9 Kangaroo Island – Teeming Wildlife Haven
Fly to Kangaroo Island, widely acclaimed as Australia’s Galápagos, owing to the abundant wildlife roaming its 1,800 square miles. Visit Cygnet Park, a habitat restoration project, and seek out koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and some of the many birds that inhabit this private reserve. Meet with Dr. Peggy Rismiller, an internationally recognized environmental physiologist with 15 years’ experience researching the western grey kangaroo, assisting with bird banding and helping with animal rescue. Continue to Stokes Bay, a favorite destination for locals that sports a rocky bay with a hidden beach on the other side of a secret tunnel. Walk quietly through the bush, discovering the local wildlife through their sounds and tracks. Venture on to your own private lunch site in the bush where your guide turns into your personal chef.
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10 Kangaroo Island – Adventure Along The Coastline
Continue exploring the island, beginning with the vast frontier of Flinders Chase National Park. At Admirals Arch, the red-topped Cape du Couedic Lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s cottages offer a perfect photo opportunity. Take to the boardwalk that leads down the coast, past two remote islands called the Casuarinas (The Brothers) to the fur seal colony. Watch the seals frolic in a natural wave pool, surf in the Southern Ocean swell or laze in the sunshine along the rocks. Press on to one of Kangaroo Island’s signature landmarks, the Remarkable Rocks, a gathering of weirdly weathered rocks on a granite outcrop. Wander through the arches and crevices, absorbing the seaside ambience.
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11 Sydney – The Harbor City
Fly to vibrant Sydney on the east coast with its delicious food, live music, effervescent social scene and dueling architectural styles, along with the world’s most beautiful natural harbor.
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12 Sydney – City Highlights And Harbor Dinner Cruise
Discover Sydney’s hidden gems on a private tour starting in the historic Rocks precinct, the city's birthplace. After lunch, dive into the secrets of the Sydney Opera House on an insider tour. As evening falls, embark on a progressive dinner cruise from Circular Quay, sipping sparkling wine and savoring canapés while gliding past the Harbour Bridge and the opera house.
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13 Sydney – Private Blue Mountains Tour
Venture out from the city to UNESCO Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. After morning tea, stretch your legs with a walk to the Wentworth Falls. Cross the creek and continue onto the National Pass to experience the splendid Blue Mountains, with their dramatic cliff faces and plunging valley drop-offs. At every turn you are rewarded with a different stunning view. Alternatively, opt for the easier walk to the Princes Lookout for a great view over the falls, followed by a walk to the idyllic Pool of Siloam, where water cascades down the rock face into shallow sandy pools surrounded by ferns. Easier still, opt for a short walk to the lookouts as well as a visit to Everglades House and Gardens and the Lost Bear Gallery, a showcase of contemporary art. Eat lunch with wine at a local restaurant before exploring the township of Leura. Finish at Eagle Hawk Lookout for views of the stately Three Sisters rock formation and the sprawling, verdant Jamison Valley.
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14 Depart Sydney, Australia
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Enjoy one of the world's most beautiful and unique wilderness holiday destinations in which the locals include wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins,
sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys.
Share with them the pure air and clean water that makes Kangaroo Island one
of the last unspoiled wonders of the world. The people of Kangaroo Island see prosperity in tourism but know the value
of what they have and are working hard to find the right balance between development
and conservation.
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.
Adelaide
This elegant city is known for its colonial stone architecture, expansive parklands, lively festivals and incredible sense of space. Explore the museums and libraries of North Terrace, dine on dedicated 'eat streets' or picnic in gardens that sprawl over almost half the city. Go bike riding in Botanic Park or row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg or fish from the jetty in Henley. Just beyond the city centre you'll find the picturesque Adelaide Hills and the world-class wineries of the Barossa Valley.
Five ways to immerse yourself in Adelaide:
1. Hit the eat streets
Sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in Adelaide's East End or live it up in one of the city's many elegant wine bars and fashionable restaurants. Enjoy a beach sunset with your meal in the coastal suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach or wind down with a wine at the National Wine Centre. If you're a fresh food addict, Adelaide Central Markets offer premium produce from growers across the state.
2. Feel green and serene in Adelaide's parks
Hire paddleboats and bikes in Elder Park or row past formal rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in the local's beloved Botanic Park or cycle from the hills to the coast in River Torrens Linear Park. For serious tranquility, head to the classic Japanese oasis of Adelaide-Himjei Garden. Adelaide's 29 parks take up almost half of the city, and come with walking trails, quiet spaces and sporting fields for everything from football to archery.
3. Head for the coast
Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg, which bustles with sidewalk cafes, alfresco dining and summer entertainment. In the beach suburb of Henley, you can fish from the jetty or go on a culinary world tour at the ethnic food stores and eateries. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide, the city's maritime heart. Or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Further along the spectacular Le Fevre Peninsula, you can swim on protected beaches and walk one of the state's few heritage-listed jetties at Largs Bay.
4. Soak up Aboriginal and European heritage
Do a cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with traditional custodians the Kaurna people. You'll learn how native plants have been used for sustenance, shelter, ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum and visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Adelaide also has a proud European heritage for you to explore -in the museums and libraries of North Terrace, in Adelaide Town Hall and in Port Adelaide, the state's first declared heritage area.
5. Escape to the hills
Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen. Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.
Hobart
Don't miss this small, scenic capital, famous for its Georgian buildings and crisp air. Browse bustling Salamanca Markets and run your hands over the sandstone buildings in Salamanca Place. Climb craggy Mount Wellington for sweeping views over Hobart and the wide Derwent River. Do a ghost tour in Battery Point, walk across Australia's oldest bridge in Richmond and visit the cute coastal hamlet of Kettering. Wind past forest and farmland to the cool-climate wineries of the Coal Valley. See bright spinnakers on the water and dine on fresh seafood from one of Hobart's waterside restaurants.
Five must-have Hobart experiences:
1. Wander Salamanca Place
Step back in time in Salamanca Place, the captivating cobblestone square on Hobart's waterfront. On Saturday mornings, you can wander through bustling Salamanca Markets and see glassblowers, potters and painters selling their wares. Buy a one-off piece of craft or pick up organic fruit and vegetables, farmhouse cheeses and freshly-cut flowers from the friendly local growers. Drink coffee under the sun umbrellas while listening to the slap of sails on masts and busking string quartets. Explore the galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants in the 1830s Georgian warehouses, once the haunt of sailors, whalers and workmen.
2. Climb Mount Wellington
Take in panoramic views over Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula from the interpretation centre at the top of windswept Mount Wellington. Stroll through cool forested gullies along the historic Pipeline Track or traverse Wellington Range on the back of a horse or mountain bike. Climb Sphinx Rock and see the Octopus Tree, the forest's tallest tree. Abseil or climb the Organ Pipe's craggy dolerite towers. Camp under the stars, four wheel drive along rough mountain trails or bike-ride down the mountain on an exhilarating tour. Mount Wellington's wilderness experience is 1,270 metres above sea level but just 20 minutes from the city centre.
3. Stay in Hobart's oldest suburb
Stay in bed and breakfasts next to grand old mansions and simple fishermen's cottages in Battery Point, named after a battery of guns put on the point in 1818. The guns have long been dismantled but Battery Point has retained its original seafaring charm. Visit elegant old buildings such as Arthur Circus Cottages, St. George's Anglican Church and Van Diemen's Land Folk Museum, a Georgian building on landscaped grounds. Check out Kelly's Steps, built by legendary adventurer James Kelly in 1839. Or walk in the footsteps of convicts, bushrangers, whalers, sailors, barmaids and prostitutes on a ghost tour.
4. Visit Richmond and Kettering
You can walk across Australia's oldest bridge and stand in the cell of its oldest jail in picturesque Richmond, a 30-minute drive north-east from Hobart. Explore the cobblestone streets by the lantern light of a ghost tour or picnic on the banks of the Coal River. Check out local art and craft in the galleries and cafes. On your way back to Hobart, stop off at one of the Coal Valley's many wineries. South from Hobart, you'll find the sleepy seaside town of Kettering on the shores of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Have lunch watching the yachts and fishing boats bob on the sheltered harbour or take the ferry to Bruny Island.
5. Fill up on seafood and fine wine
Savour classic cool-climate wines at the cellar doors and wineries of the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley and Huon Valley, all a short drive from Hobart. You can team them with a plate full of fresh produce in a sunny vineyard restaurant. Feast on freshly shucked oysters at Barilla Bay and fresh-off-the-boat fish from Salamanca Markets. Or you can watch the catch being unloaded from the balcony of one of Hobart's waterside restaurants. Wrap yourself in the aroma of ground coffee in the cafes of Salamanca Place. Or spice up your holiday with a meal at one of Hobart's many great Indian eateries.
Jutting out from the sea on Tasmania ’s mild east coast is the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. The Freycinet National Park, reserved in 1916, consists of knuckles of granite mountains,surrounded by azure bays and white sandy beaches.The mountains create a spectacular sight from numerous vantage points along the east coast.
The scenic grandeur of Freycinet has long been admired,with the size and barren composition of the granite peaks of the Hazards rising from the low lying coastal vegetation. Freycinet National Park offers a range of opportunities that provide full immersion into the Tasmanian coastal environment. Wildflowers,birds and native animals can be seen,along with various marine creatures.
There are so many things you can do within this beautiful coastal park. You can take a explore the miles of unspoiled, white sandy beaches, go kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving or rock climbing.
It's important to be prepared while exploring the park. Bring in plenty of water, sun protection, insect repellent, sturdy walking shoes and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
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.
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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