Itinerary for: The Great Australian Explorer 2009 (QGAEC)

Australia	Sydney
Hay	Adelaide
Wilpena Pound	Port Augusta
Coober Pedy	Ayers Rock
Kings Canyon	Alice Springs
Tennant Creek	Katherine
Kakadu	Darwin
Cairns	Great Barrier Reef

• Day 1 - Arrive Sydney (3 nights) On arrival at Sydney Airport you are transferred to our hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure. 
  
  Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton



• Days 2 & 3 - Sydney sightseeing & at leisure Morning sightseeing features views of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, before heading to the infamous Kings Cross. Continue to Bondi Beach, with time for a stroll along this famous surf beach. See Darling Harbour on your return to the city. The balance of your stay is at leisure. Why not sightsee further or do some shopping? (Buffet breakfast / Buffet breakfast)
  
  
  



• Day 4 - Sydney – Hay Today after breakfast our drive takes us along the Hume Highway and through Goulburn to Hay, located in the heart of the Riverina District. This evening, we enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with our Tour Director. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Comfort Inn
  



• Day 5 - Hay – Adelaide This morning our journey will continue through Mildura. We'll see the Murray River before crossing the South Australian border. From here we travel through the Riverland District and on to Adelaide for our overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Stamford Plaza
  



• Day 6 - Adelaide – Flinders Ranges After a sightseeing tour of Adelaide we make our way through the Clare Valley and sample some local wines. Then, into the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound for the night. (Buffeet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Wilpena Pound Resort



• Day 7 - Flinders Ranges – Port Augusta After breakfast, enjoy a free morning with time to explore Wilpena Pound. Perhaps take a walk to Wangarra Lookout before we continue our journey to Port Augusta. On our arrival we will visit the Wadlata Outback Interpretive Centre. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments



• Day 8 - Port Augusta – Coober Pedy Today we stop to visit Woomera, established in 1947 as an experimental rocket launching site. Then we continue our drive to Coober Pedy. Here we enjoy a tour of this unique town and visit an underground home before dinner at our hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel



• Day 9 - Coober Pedy – Ayers Rock (2 nights) We cross the Erldunda and Mount Ebenezer cattle stations as we make our way to Ayers Rock Resort. This evening, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles as we watch a spectacular sunset at Uluru (Ayers Rock). (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel



• Day 10 - Ayers Rock – The Olgas Rise early to view Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunrise with time for those wishing to climb to the summit. Then we tour the base to see rock paintings and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Later we visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and walk through Walpa Gorge. After sunset with complimentary sparkling wine, we enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and time for stargazing too! (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)



• Day 11 - Ayers Rock – Kings Canyon We travel to Kings Canyon this morning. Climb to the rim of the mighty canyon and enjoy the spectacular views, or you may like to take a more leisurely walk and explore the canyon floor. This afternoon, relax at the resort before dinner at the hotel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort



• Day 12 - Kings Canyon – Alice Springs (2 nights) Our first stop today is Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges, with its lovely river red gum scenery. Then we're off to Alice Springs where a sightseeing tour includes highlights of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Telegraph Station and School of the Air. Later, our day ends with panoramic views from Anzac Hill. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Alice Springs Resort



• Day 13 - Alice Springs Desert Park This morning we travel out to Alice Springs Desert Park where you will be greeted by a local Aboriginal Guide. See the park from a different perspective as you learn about the traditions of the local Arrente people. Explore the Desert Rivers and Sand Country habitats and learn about survival in this arid country. Visit the Nocturnal House and enjoy reserved seating at the Birds of Prey Presentation. Continue on to the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct where you can view the paintings in the Albert Namatjira Gallery and wander through the Museum of Central Australia which follows the evolution of the local landscape and the creatures that inhabited it. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 14 - Alice Springs – Tennant Creek We travel north across the Tropic of Capricorn and see the Devils Marbles, enormous round boulders rising from the plain. Then we continue on to the gold mining town of Tennant Creek for a guided mine tour followed by a barbecue dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Eldorado Motor Inn



• Day 15 - Mataranka Thermal Springs – Katherine Today we visit historic Daly Waters, before entering the Never Never country of the Northern Territory. Next, we stop at the beautiful Mataranka Thermal Springs with time for a swim. Finally, a late afternoon arrival at Katherine. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Paraway Motel



• Day 16 - Katherine Gorge Cruise – Kakadu Our day begins with an early morning cruise through Katherine Gorge. Then
  from here we continue our journey deep into Kakadu National Park where we join the famous Yellow Water Billabong cruise. We stay in the heart of Kakadu National Park for dinner and overnight stay. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn
  



• Day 17 - Kakadu – Darwin (2 nights) This morning we visit the Ubirr rock art site. Here there's a chance to take an optional scenic flight over the Arnhem Land Escarpment. Next we stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre, before traveling via the Marrakai Plains and Adelaide River to Darwin. (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Mantra Pandanas



• Day 18 - Litchfield National Park Today we travel to Litchfield National Park where we see beautiful Florence Falls, Wangi Falls and the Termite Mounds. Enjoy a special evening, including dinner, when we visit Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin’s newest attraction. Enter the world of the awesome Northern Territory Saltwater Crocodile, where you’ll see some of the largest in captivity on display. You can choose to get up close and personal and ‘swim with the crocs’! Plus you’ll see the Jumping Croc presentation. See the largest display of Australian reptiles, a turtle sanctuary, as well as Aboriginal Art and local Aboriginal Culture displays. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)



• Day 19 - Darwin – Cairns (3 nights) After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our early morning flight to Cairns where we spend the next three nights. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel. (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Cairns International



• Day 20 - Great Barrier Reef This morning we board the high speed catamaran and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an informative reef education presentation. See a myriad of coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible craft, plus enjoy a tropical buffet lunch. (Buffet breakfast / Buffet lunch)



• Day 21 - Cairns at Leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure in this tropical city. Why not join an optional excursion on the Kuranda train, returning on a magical journey above the rainforest on the Skyrail Cableway? (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 22- Cairns After breakfast we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. (Buffet breakfast)

Departs	Returns	Price	Guarantee	Available
Fri 27 Aug 2010	Fri 17 Sep 2010	£3385		Full
Fri 17 Sep 2010	Fri 08 Oct 2010	£3385		Full
Fri 24 Sep 2010	Fri 15 Oct 2010	£3385		Full
Fri 08 Oct 2010	Fri 29 Oct 2010	£3385		Full
Fri 29 Oct 2010	Fri 19 Nov 2010	£3385		Full
Fri 26 Nov 2010	Fri 17 Dec 2010	£3385
Fri 04 Feb 2011	Fri 25 Feb 2011	£3250		Full
Fri 04 Mar 2011	Fri 25 Mar 2011	£3250		Full