Australia by Private Air - Family Adventure
Australia - Great Reefs, Great Rocks, Great Fun
Departure Dates:
- Jun 17, 2008 - Jun 29, 2008
Itinerary
Day
Depart USA Bound For Sydney, Australia
Travel across the International Date Line, "losing" a day en-route.
Day 1
Tuesday, June 17
Arrive Sydney, Australia
On arrival into Sydney, transfer to our superbly situated hotel overlooking the opera house. Then head out to experience Sydney's sparkling waterways with a lunch cruise and spectacular harbor views, followed by a walk through the historic Rocks District, the first settlement area in Australia and one-time penal colony. This evening enjoy a special welcome dinner.
Lodging: Park Hyatt Hotel (Meals Aloft, L,D)
Day 2
Wednesday, June 18
Sydney
Today Bushtracks Rangers enjoy breakfast at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, before a visit to Australia's Powerhouse Museum which offers interactive displays and over 385,000 objects related to history, science, technology, design, decorative arts, music, and space exploration. An afternoon insider tour of the famous Opera House is followed by a dinner at leisure.
Lodging: Park Hyatt Hotel (B, L)
Day 3
Thursday, June 19
Sydney, Ballarat, Kangaroo Island
This morning we board our private aircraft and head for Sovereign Hill, a recreated 1850s goldfields township where Bushtracks Rangers get to pan for real gold in the creek, and history comes alive in this interactive outdoor museum of Australia's heady gold rush days. After lunch continue by private air directly to the coastal regions of Kangaroo Island, Australia's second largest island and nature reserve.
Lodging: Kangaroo Island Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 4
Friday, June 20
Kangaroo Island
Today we explore the incredible diversity of Kangaroo Island, where wildlife such as wallabies, koalas and kangaroos await us! Following breakfast in the bush, we visit Seal Bay, a large sandy beach and dune area and home to a breeding colony of rare Australian sea lions. Then it's on to Flinders Chase National Park where soaring eucalyptus forest, native fauna, colorful birds and wildflowers form a natural paradise unique to the island.
Lodging: Kangaroo Island Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 5
Saturday, June 21
Kangaroo Island, Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Leaving the coastal regions behind, our private aircraft heads inland to the vast desert plains of Australia's interior for a day stop at the opal mining town of Coober Pedy. Due to extreme temperatures in the region, Bushtracks Rangers learn about miners who choose to live in fascinating underground accommodations. After lunch we fly to the World Heritage Site - Uluru - the largest monolith in the world.
Lodging: Sails in the Desert (B,L)
Day 6
Sunday, June 22
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
After an early drive and walk around the base of this great monolith. Our next point of call is Kata Tjuta, a sacred area for the local Aboriginal tribes. This afternoon Bushtracks Rangers visit the Aboriginal Cultural Centre taking away fascinating insights into the ecology and culture of the region. This evening - an unforgettable dining experience under the stars on the red desert sands of the Australian outback.
Lodging: Sails in the Desert (B,L,D)
Day 7
Monday, June 23
Uluru (Ayers Rock), Alice Springs, Ooraminna
Depart early from Uluru and enjoy spectacular aerial flight-seeing over this giant red rock before landing in Alice Springs. On arrival visit the Royal Flying Doctors Service and the School of the Air before driving to Ooraminna Homestead for lunch. This afternoon enjoy the ranch's activities, including a Bushtracks Ranger tracking course where they gain an insight into the bush skills needed for life on the Outback. Tonight your bed is a comfy swag around the campfire.
Lodging: Ooraminna Homestead (B,L,D)
Day 8
Tuesday, June 24
Ooraminna, Cairns, Dunk Island
Awake this morning to billy tea and coffee, and a fully cooked camp breakfast. Returning to Alice Springs, we leave the desert and fly to the tropical Far North of Queensland, landing at Cairns. Next a short and scenic bush flight takes us to Dunk Island, and guests waiting for the transfer have the opportunity to visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, with its theatrical interpretation of Aboriginal culture that looks to the past and the future. We end our day at Dunk Island, reputed to be Australia's most beautiful tropical rainforest island.
Lodging: Dunk Island Resort (B,L,D)
Days 9 - 10
Wednesday & Thursday, June 25 & 26
Dunk Island
The next two days are spent enjoying tropical surrounds. Start the day with a rainforest trail hike and take in the spectacular views from the summit of Mt. Kootaloo, then snorkel at Muggy Muggy beach. The next day board a boat and explore the outer Barrier Reef at Beaver Cay Marine Sanctuary. See the reef from a glass bottom boat, or snorkel amongst spectacular coral gardens and shoals of tropical fish. Bushtracks Rangers can choose from a host of special activities such as a treasure hunt, nature arts and crafts, rainforest discovery walks, turtle spotting, stargazing and night walks, and visit Dunk's own farm. As for dining - the pleasure is yours, gourmet sandwiches by the pool to fine dining.
Lodging: Dunk Island Resort (B)
Day 11
Friday, June 27
Dunk Island - Maroochydore
This morning take a short bush flight back to Cairns, and board your private aircraft for breathtaking aerial views of the coral cays and reefs that line the Queensland coastline, before landing near the coastal town of Noosa.
Lodging: Sheraton Noosa (B,L,D)
Day 12
Saturday, June 28
Maroochydore, Sydney
Today we are welcomed on a special tour of one of the world's most famous zoos - Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo - which has gained world recognition through the ongoing efforts of the late Steve Irwin and his family. Their passion for wildlife conservation is evident, and the zoo's interactive approach allows the opportunity to witness up close interactions between handlers and the reptiles. This afternoon we return to Sydney and transfer to our hotel to relax before tonight's farewell dinner.
Lodging: Park Hyatt (B,L,D)
Day 13
Sunday, June 29
Syndey, International Flights Home
After a leisurely breakfast, board international flights home. (B, Meals Aloft)
The Details
- Trip Summary & Highlights
- Itinerary
- Optional Extensions
- Itinerary Map
- Cost
- Preparing For Your Adventure
- FAQs
- Pack Smart
- Testimonials
- Useful Links
- Terms & Conditions
- Print All Trip Details
- Download PDF Brochure
- How To Book
