Sunday 9th & Monday 10th April: Flight to Australia & Cairns
Check in for our flight to Cairns, where we are met by our tour manager on arrival and transfer to the Pacific Hotel, our base for the next three nights. We have the afternoon at leisure to explore the diverse city of Cairns, known as the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north.
Later, we enjoy a welcome meeting at the hotel with our tour manager and Pete Lawrence.
Meals: Breakfast
Tuesday 11th April: Great Barrier Reef
We meet our guide in the hotel lobby and walk to Cairns marina. From here we board our cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef complex and a World Heritage listed natural wonder. Our day includes a marine biologist presentation, morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, semi-submersible tour and glass bottom boat tour. Snorkelling equipment is also available for those who would like to experience the Great Barrier Reef underwater.
Meals: Breakfast, Buffet Lunch
Wednesday 12th April: Cape Tribulation & Daintree
This morning we depart for our private tour, which includes a Daintree River ferry to Cape Tribulation, often described as a little slice of tropical paradise where stunning beaches meet dense rainforest. We enjoy a guided rainforest walk, scenic drive past Thornton Beach and lunch at the Rainforest Café as well as free time in Cape Tribulation and the magnificent Alexandra Lookout. We also venture into the heart of the oldest rainforest in the world in search of saltwater crocodiles during our Cooper Creek cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Thursday 13th April: Ayers Rock
We have an early start today to catch our flight to Ayers Rock. Upon arrival, we meet our driver/guide and then spend the day embracing the area’s culture, geology and environment. We begin with a drive around the base of Ayers Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also known by its Aboriginal name of Uluru, followed by a short walk into the natural wonder of the Mutitjulu Waterhole. We then visit rock art sites and the local waterhole to learn about Uluru’s significance to the Anangu (local Aboriginal people). Next we drive around the rest of the base and experience the Mala walk, which follows the north-west side of Uluru, before transferring to the Voyages Ayers Rock Resort for check in.
This evening we enjoy a special sunset tour of Uluru, which includes sparkling wine and nibbles. We stay until after dark for a unique experience – star gazing with the imposing Ulhuru in the background.
Meals: Packed Breakfast
Friday 14th April: Ayers Rock & Flight to Sydney
This morning we are picked up early for a sunrise tour at Uluru, where we watch the desert come to life as the first rays of sunshine hit Australia’s best-known natural landmark. We return to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast before departing for a visit to the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) to view the spectacular rock formations and be dwarfed by these huge, mysterious red domes, with the tallest of them around 546 metres high. After our tour, we transfer to the airport and catch our flight to Sydney.
Upon arrival in Sydney we meet our local guide and transfer to the Metro Marlow Sydney Central Hotel where we stay for the next four nights.
Meals: Breakfast
Saturday 15th April: Sydney & Bondi Beach
A tour of Sydney’s highlights awaits us today, including St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, as well as the suburbs of The Rocks, Paddington, Kings Cross and Chinatown. Later we visit the famous Bondi Beach, where there is free time to relax or you can choose to join a guided walk from Bondi to Bronte. Next we are dropped off at the bustling Circular Quay for time at leisure and a chance to have lunch (not included) before walking to the Sydney Opera House, where we enjoy a private tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Sunday 16th April: Blue Mountains
Following breakfast we meet our guide for a full-day tour of the spectacular Blue Mountains, named after the delicate azure haze that lingers in the region. On the way, we visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park to get up close to Australian native animals before continuing to the Blue Mountains’ Echo Point Lookout to admire the famous Three Sisters, an iconic rock formation. We then have time for lunch (not included) before heading to Scenic World, where we enjoy a unique nature-based experience. With an unlimited pass on all attractions, take in the views at the Eaglehawk lookout before riding on the scenic cableway, railway and skyway or wind your way through the rainforest on the elevated boardwalk.
Afterwards we head back to the hotel and enjoy an informative presentation with Pete Lawrence in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Monday 17th April: The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour & Captain Cook Cruise
We start the day with a visit to The Rocks, a historic area of Sydney’s city centre. Here we join The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour and journey into the culture of Aboriginal people with our guide. Next we head to King Street Wharf to board the famous Captain Cook Cruise and depart on a seafood buffet lunch cruise around Darling Harbour. This afternoon we enjoy time at leisure in Darling Harbour where there is plenty to see, from the Chinese Garden to the Australian National Maritime Museum (entrance not included).
Meals: Breakfast, Buffet Lunch
Tuesday 18th April: Flight to Perth & Scitech
Today we fly to Perth and meet our local guide at the airport. We then transfer to the Quality Hotel Ambassador and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
This evening we head to Scitech, an interactive and engaging science museum located in the heart of Perth, for a private function, which includes access to the largest planetarium in the Southern Hemisphere. Once inside, experience the wonders of the Universe during one of the internationally-renowned shows.
Meals: Breakfast
Wednesday 19th April: Dolphin, Penguin and Sea Lion Adventure Cruise
We head to the lovely city of Rockingham and depart on our Dolphin, Penguin and Sea Lion Adventure Cruise through the spectacular Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, where dolphins are the star attraction! Look out for them leaping from the wake of our boat or mothers with their new born calves. We then return through the wildlife sanctuary zone to visit the sea lions at Seal Island and to watch out for pelicans, ospreys, cormorants, terns and more. The cruise concludes on Penguin Island to see the penguin feeding, and we then enjoy free time on the island before heading back to the hotel.
Please be aware that we are visiting wild animals in their natural environment and therefore have no control over the animals’ appearance or behaviour.
This evening we enjoy a pre-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence who gives advice, information and guidance on the forthcoming eclipse.
Meals: Breakfast
Thursday 20th April: Eclipse Day & Exmouth
This morning we take a packed breakfast and transfer to Perth airport to catch our flight to Exmouth, located on the tip of the North West Cape in Western Australia. Upon arrival we board our coach and are taken close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track, where we can enjoy the total solar eclipse for the maximum duration. There’s plenty of time to find your own space and set up any equipment ready to take in the wonder of the eclipse.
In the afternoon we visit the beautiful city of Exmouth where we enjoy some free time. Take the chance to explore the city, do some souvenir shopping or simply relax with a cup of coffee. After a few hours we fly back to Perth and are transferred to our hotel.
Meals: Packed Breakfast, In-flight snack
Friday 21st April: Perth
On our last full day we head to Kings Park, the world’s largest inner city park which displays over 3,000 species of the state’s unique flora. During our time here we enjoy a guided walk over the famous glass bridge and visit the war memorial, set against the stunning backdrop of the Swan River and Perth’s skyline.
Next we stop for a photo at Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach before arriving in Fremantle, the historic port of Western Australia known for its Victorian architecture and maritime heritage. We drive through the city, passing the Cappuccino Strip, Fishing Boat Harbour and Monument Hill, before stopping at Little Creatures brewery for lunch (not included). Our coach then takes us to the B Shed Jetty, where we depart on a cruise along the Swan River back to Perth. We enjoy complimentary wine tasting and take in famous sights such as the Yacht Club, the magnificent Mansions and Swan Brewery, complete with commentary from our captain. We disembark at Elizabeth Quay and from here our guide accompanies us on the short walk back to the hotel.
This evening we gather for a post-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence at the Goodearth Hotel, just across the road from our hotel, which also gives us a chance to share our eclipse experiences with our fellow travellers.
Meals: Breakfast
Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd April: Departure
After our last breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Perth airport for our flight home, arriving back in the UK the following day.
Meals: Breakfast (Saturday)
Please note: as the tour has been planned far in advance, the itinerary and price are subject to change.