Page 282 - Discoveries Await in 2022 & 2023

Itinerary of Australia’s “First Peoples.” Today, we visit the old DAY 11 • Port Douglas • Controversial
Telegraph Station. Topic: Coral bleaching • Mossman Gorge •
B,L — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs or similar Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride

DAY 1 • Depart U.S. You can join an early morning optional hot air
Fly from the U.S. to Melbourne, Australia. DAY 7 • Overland to the Outback balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands. Later,
• Controversial Topic: Aboriginal visit Cooya Beach for a guided tour and the
DAY 2 • Cross International Date Line Australians • Outback Camping chance to look for crabs, mussels, and sea snails
Continue your flight to Melbourne, losing one day Today we venture into the deep Australian Outback. with traditionally-crafted spears. Later, visit
en route as you cross the International Date Line En route, we’ll stop at Simpsons Gap to explore Mossman Gorge, gateway to Daintree Rainforest.
(which you regain when you fly back home). the red cliffs and to discuss the Controversial A marine biologist will also enlighten us about
Topic of systemic victimization against Aboriginal the Controversial Topic of mass coral bleaching
DAY 3 • Melbourne, Australia Australians with an Aboriginal elder. events over the last few decades.
At your hotel in Melbourne, meet your fellow B,L,D — Private Tented Camp B,L — Oaks Port Douglas Resort or similar
travelers, including those who took our optional
Undiscovered Tasmania or New! Adelaide & Kangaroo DAY 8 • Outback • Kings Canyon • Uluru DAY 12 • Port Douglas • Cruise to the Great
Island: Australian Culture, Charm & Wildlife pre-trip (Ayers Rock) Barrier Reef
extensions. Journey overland to Kings Canyon for a guided Today, we board our catamaran for a cruise to
Jazz Corner Hotel or similar tour along the walking trails. After a light lunch, the Outer Reef. A local marine biologist will be
continue to our lodgings in Yulara, just outside Uluru with us during our day swimming, snorkeling,
DAY 4 • Melbourne National Park. or viewing the wonders of the Reef from a semi-
Visit the 19th-century English Royal Botanic B,L,D — Desert Gardens Hotel or similar submersible vessel.
Gardens with an indigenous guide and participate in B,L — Oaks Port Douglas Resort or similar
a traditional smoking ceremony. This evening, enjoy DAY 9 • Uluru (Ayers Rock) • Kata Tjuta
a Welcome Dinner. National Park DAY 13 • Port Douglas • Optional Koala
B,L,D — Jazz Corner Hotel or similar Early risers can witness Uluru in the light of dawn. Gardens Tour
Then, discover Kata Tjuta National Park and its rock Today is free to explore on your own, or you can join
DAY 5 • Melbourne • Optional Dandenong formations called the Kata Tjuta. Later, watch the an optional Koala Gardens tour to witness wildlife
Ranges tour sun set over Uluru, a spiritual site for Australia’s like koalas, wombats, and quokkas on a private,
Enjoy free time today to make your own discoveries. Aboriginal people for at least 20,000 years. behind-the-scenes tour. The optional tour also
Or experience the tranquility of the Dandenong B,L — Desert Gardens Hotel or similar include lunch and a visit to Barron Falls.
Ranges on an optional tour. B,D — Oaks Port Douglas Resort or similar
B — Jazz Corner Hotel or similar DAY 10 • Cairns • Port Douglas
You can rise early this morning to revisit Uluru at DAY 14 • Sydney
DAY 6 • Alice Springs sunrise one last time. Early this afternoon, fly to Upon arrival in Sydney early this evening, we’ll
Fly to Australia’s Alice Springs, located in the Cairns, and transfer to Port Douglas. enjoy an orientation walk.
“red centre” of the continent. “The Alice” is a B,D — Oaks Port Douglas Resort or similar B — Novotel Sydney Darling Square or similar
quintessential Outback town, infused with the spirit

Meet the people who call
Australia and New Zealand
home

An Indigenous Guide : On Day 4, we’ll see
Melbourne through an indigenous guide’s
eyes during a guided tour of the city’s
highlights. We’ll tour the Royal Botanic
Gardens and participate in a traditional
smoking ceremony.

Local Fisherman : During a visit to Queensland’s Cooya Beach on
Day 12, we’ll explore the traditional fishing mecca from an indigenous guide’s
perspective during a tour of the area before hunting for crabs and mussels
using an authentically-fashioned spear.

Rubicon Valley Farmer : On Day 19, we’ll experience rural New Zealand life
with a visit to Rubicon Valley’s working farm in the Southern Alps. We’ll have
the opportunity to see how the sheepdogs and sheep work together, and the
important work being done on this local farm.

On Day 8, we’ll discover Kings Canyon on foot.

282 A South Pacific Odyssey: Australia, the Outback & New Zealand www.oattravel.com/ azo

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