Australia by Private Air - Family Adventure
Australia - Great Reefs, Great Rocks, Great Fun
Departure Dates:
- Jun 17, 2008 - Jun 29, 2008
Departure Dates
- June 17, 2008
Trip Summary
Australia is a land like no other; tropical rainforests filled with exotic wildlife, white sand beaches and the world's largest coral reef, savage deserts of sand and red-hewn rocks inscribed with ancient Aboriginal art, egg-laying mammals and cuddly Koalas, and modern cities set amidst sparkling waterfilled skylines.
To help families explore this vast and wondrous land, we have crafted a "Best of Australia" adventure in a format that makes sense for all ages. To learn about Australia's early colonial history, we visit the outdoor museum of Sovereign Hill. In Alice Springs we'll visit the famed School of the Air for a chance to learn about how kids in the Outback "go to school" over the radio. And we'll spend one night on a real cattle station to experience life on a working ranch.
From there, we'll spend three days at the luxurious Dunk Island Resort on one of Australia's most beautiful barrier reef islands. And of course, we visit Sydney, as well as Uluru (Ayers Rock), the world's largest monolith, for a full day of explorations and learning about Aboriginal culture. We'll end our program with a visit to Steve and Terry Irwin's famous Australia Zoo. Check out more details in our colorful itinerary!
Highlights
- A Bushtracks Ranger's Reading List and a gift book selected just for them
- Pen pals in Oz
- Visit the School of the Air to see how children in the Outback "go to school" via radio
- Explore Kangaroo Island with a chance to see Australia's famous animals up close and personal
- Spend a night "in the bush" in an Australian swag at a working cattle station
- Learn about Australia's gold mining history at Sovereign Hill with a chance to pan for gold
- Dunk Island, a fabulous family friendly resort on the Great Barrier Reef, with opportunities for snorkeling, outdoor activities and marine arts and crafts
- Be a Zoo Keeper at Steve and Terry Irwin's Australia Zoo - feed giant tortoises (crikey!), handle huge Burmese pythons, and interact with many more of Australia’s awesome animals.
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)
Price: $
Single Supplement: $
Post-Trip Extension to Tasmania
Price: $2695
Single Supplement: $470
Days 14 - 15
Syndney, Port Arthur, Tasmania
Fly commercially to Tasmania and transfer to our hotel for the evening. The next day enjoy a cruise on Port Arthur's picturesque harbor, concluding at the Cadbury Chocolate Factory.
Our guided tour of this famous factory includes the opportunity to taste chocolate samples, always a favorite of Bushtracks Rangers. Continue to the Port Arthur Historic Site, offering a rare opportunity to experience convict history "hands on."
Lodging:Somerset on the Pier (B,L)
Days 16 - 17
Cradle Mountain
Today we fly across Tasmania to the World Heritage Site of Cradle Mountain National Park. En route to the park, visit the Tasmanian Devil Park where Bushtracks Rangers can pat Koalas, hold baby Wombats and see Tasmanian Devils being hand-fed. The next day explore Cradle Mountain National Park, famous for its mountain peaks and lakes, and its wild alpine moorlands. There are a number of activities and options available from Cradle Mountain Lodge, or you may wish to simply relax at the resort.
Lodging:Cradle Mountain Lodge (B)
Day 18
Cradle Mountain, International Flights Home
Transfer this morning to Launceston for our domestic flight back to Sydney, and connecting flights home. (B,L)
Cost
Capacity: This expedition is limited to 32 guests.
Dates: June 17 - 29, 2008
Private Air Program, per adult double occupancy: $14,980
Private Air Program, per child (6-11 yrs.), double occupancy: $11,980
Single supplement: $2,240
Post-trip extension to Tasmania, per adult, double occupancy: $2,695
Post-trip extension to Tasmania, per child (6-11 yrs.), double occupancy: $2,245
Single supplement: $470
International Airfare: This is not included in the cost of your trip, and Bushtracks Expeditions would be happy to assist you in making your air arrangements. Itineraries and prices will be supplied upon request.
Cost Includes: All private air in Australia, and light aircraft transfers to the Great Barrier Reef; accommodations, meals and beverages, activities, and tours and transfers as indicated in the itinerary; all entrance fees; laundry at two locations; services of a Bushtracks Ranger leader; services of a Bushtracks Expedition Leader; professional local guides; all gratuities; airport departure taxes; porterage of checked bag weighing no more than 22lbs.; and medical evacuation insurance.
Cost does not Include: International airfare; personal expenses such as souvenirs and telephone/fax charges; excess baggage fees; travel and personal insurance; activities at Dunk Island; mini bar and room service charges; passport, visa, and inoculation fees; extra tours, meals, beverages and activities not indicated in the itinerary; porterage of carry on luggage weighing no more than 6 lbs.
Preparing For Your Adventure
At Bushtracks, we believe that being prepared for your adventure makes a world of difference in your ability to savor your travels.
Our experienced team knows just what kind of information you'll find most valuable in your final preparations for the exciting adventure ahead. We'll include much of this in your Expedition Planner and Preparation Package, sent to you before departure. Our knowledgeable staff is on hand to answer any additional questions. So you can know before you go, you'll receive:
Detailed itinerary and typical day on safari. Learn what a "typical day" might look like, even though we all know each day holds a new adventure.
Etiquette and customs highlights. As a guest in any country it is best to be aware of local customs and expected behavior. You'll be privy to critical insights into tactful behavior and overall cultural sensitivities.
Health and insurance information. Bushtracks Expeditions automatically covers you with International Medical Evacuation Insurance and Accident/Sickness Medical Coverage. We'll also send you information on supplemental insurance and a listing of immunization requirements.
Travel tips. Keeping you safe and healthy is our number one priority. We'll help you determine food and water safety, how to avoid sun over-exposure, clothing and packing lists, tips for avoiding motion sickness, local currency exchange suggestions and much more.
Reading lists. To help you prepare for this expedition, we'll send you specially selected field guides and a comprehensive reading list.
Documents. Passport requirements and visa kits with full instructions.
Voucher wallet. Just before departure, you will receive an attractive voucher wallet holding all relevant air tickets and travel vouchers to submit to ground operators for prepaid flights, tours and accommodations.
Contact information. An extensive list of contact information so those at home can be informed on how to reach you.