Page 218 - 2022 & 2023 Adventures by Land & Sea

Itinerary DAY • Overland to the Outback • Controversial venture to Cooya Beach for a guided tour and the
Topic: Systemic Victimization of Aboriginal chance to look for crabs, mussels, and sea snails with
Australians • Begin Outback Camping traditionally-crafted spears. This afternoon, we’ll
DAY 1 • Depart U.S. Today we venture into the deep Australian Outback. visit Mossman Gorge, gateway to Daintree Rainforest.
Fly from the U.S. to Melbourne, Australia. En route, we’ll stop at Simpsons Gap to explore the Later, a marine biologist will enlighten us about
red cliffs and to discuss the cultural significance of the Controversial Topic of mass coral bleaching
DAY 2 • Cross International Date Line this gap with an Aboriginal elder. events that have occurred over the last few decades.
You continue your flight to Melbourne, losing one day en B,L,D — Private Tented Camp B,L — Oaks Port Douglas Resort or similar
route as you cross the International Date Line. You regain
this day when you fly back home at the end of the trip. DAY • Outback • Kings Canyon • Overland DAY 12 • Port Douglas • Cruise to the Great
to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Barrier Reef
DAY 3 • Arrive in Melbourne, Australia Today, we drive to Kings Canyon for a guided tour along Today, we board our catamaran for a cruise to the
We begin our adventure in Australia’s second-largest the walking trails. After a light lunch, we’ll continue to Outer Reef. A local marine biologist will be with us
city, where we’ll also be joined by travelers who took our lodgings in Yulara, just outside Uluru National Park. during our day swimming, snorkeling, and taking in
our optional Undiscovered Tasmania or New! Adelaide B,L,D — Desert Gardens Hotel or similar the bounty of color and life.
& Kangaroo Island: Australian Culture, Charm & Wildlife B,L — Oaks Port Douglas Resort or similar
pre-trip extensions. DAY 9 • Uluru (Ayers Rock) • Kata Tjuta
Jazz Corner Hotel or similar National Park • Sunrise and sunset viewings DAY 13 • Port Douglas • Optional Koala
Early risers can witness Uluru in the light of dawn. Gardens Tour
DAY 4 • Explore Melbourne Then, we’ll discover Kata Tjuta National Park and Today, you can choose to join an optional Koala
This morning, we’ll visit the 19th-century English its spectacular rock formations called the Kata Gardens tour, where you’ll discover an array of
Royal Botanic Gardens with an indigenous guide and Tjuta. Later in the day, we’ll all watch the sun set over wildlife, such as koalas, wombats, and quokkas, on
participate in a traditional smoking ceremony. This Uluru, the 650-million-year-old monolith that has a private, behind-the-scenes tour. Then, we visit
evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. been a spiritual site for Australia’s Aboriginal people
B,L,D — Jazz Corner Hotel or similar for at least 20,000 years.

DAY 5 • Melbourne • Optional Dandenong B,L — Desert Gardens Hotel or similar Watch this independent video to learn
Ranges tour DAY 10 • Fly to Cairns • Transfer to more about this adventure
Enjoy free time today to make your own discoveries. Port Douglas
Or experience the tranquility of the Dandenong You can rise early this morning to revisit Uluru at
Ranges on an optional tour. sunrise one last time. Early this afternoon, we’ll head to
B — Jazz Corner Hotel or similar the airport, fly to Cairns, and transfer to Port Douglas.
B,D — Oaks Port Douglas Resort or similar
DAY 6 • Fly to Alice Springs
This morning we travel to Australia’s Alice Springs, DAY 11 • Port Douglas • Controversial Topic:
located in the “red centre” of the continent. “The The conflicting reports of coral bleaching
Alice” is a quintessential Outback town, infused with • Mossman Gorge • Optional Atherton
the spirit of Australia’s “First Peoples.” Today, we Tablelands Hot Air Balloon Ride watch video
visit the old Telegraph Station.
Early this morning, you can join an optional hot air
B,L — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs or similar balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands. Later, we’ll

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 11, 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.
Kiwi Hotel Owners : We’ll enjoy a classic lamb roast dinner hosted by the hotel
owners in their lodge on Day 19, where we can further discover New Zealand
through stories about their established heritage and daily life in the region.
On Day 8, we’ll discover Kings Canyon on foot.
218 A South Pacific Odyssey: Australia, the Outback & New Zealand www.oattravel.com/azo2022

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