Highlights of Australia and New Zealand Part 3

Highlights of Australia.

Today we take our flight from Auckland to Melbourne Airport  arriving at 

23:05 on Tuesday 26 Feb 2019.

We enjoy a day at leisure in New Zealand’s largest city. Auckland boasts a beautiful waterside set around Waitemata Harbour which offers the fun and pleasure of a real sailing experience and at the same time providing magnificent views of the city’s skyline. There are lots of boutique shops at nearby Parnell or lie us you can take a trip to the top of Sky Tower. The panoramic views from the tallest building in the southern hemisphere are truly breath taking. 

We are situated at the Pullman on the Park Hotel in East Melbourne overlooking MCC Cricket Ground and Fitzroy gardens. This is only a 2 minute walk from Jolimont Station giving easy access to Rod Laver Arena, Royal Botanic Gardens and Princess Theatre.

27/2/2019 - Day 15 – Melbourne
We take our first look at Melbourne on a sightseeing tour. Sights include Captain Cook’s Cottage at the park next to the hotel. This cottage removed from England stone bty stone and re-erected here. 

We pass the Victoria Markets and  Federation Square.

 We look over the MCC cricket ground and Rod Laver Arena. 

 In the afternoon we board the central loop tram for a view of the city.

28/2/2019 - Day 16 – Melbourne, Freedom Day

This is our first Freedom Day in Australia, where we chose to enjoy a tour along one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives, the internationally renowned Great Ocean Road. The tour begins in Torquay (home to the surfing paradise of Bells Beach) and meanders along the dramatic southwest coastline of Victoria to the impressive Twelve Apostles. 

1/3/2019 - Day 17 – Cairns, 4 nights

This morning we return to the airport in time for our flight to Cairns where we take the  afternoon to become acquainted with tropical Queensland. Centrally located in the heart of Cairns, our home for the next four nights is the four star DoubleTree by Hilton.

Cairns City is the heart of the tropical North Queensland and is the primary gateway to Northern Australia. Cairns is framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rain forest mountain ranges and the sparkling coral sea. It is a modern, sophisticated city base to explore the wider tropical northern region with access to the heritage listed Reef, Rain Forest and outback. 

2/3/2019 - Day 18 – Great Barrier Reef

The majestic coral structures of the Great barrier Reef covers over 2,300kms from the top of Cape York peninsula to the central Queensland Coast. A holiday to Australia would not be complete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Its vibrantly coloured marine life and breathtakingly beautiful coral make this World Heritage site a must see for all visitors. During your full day Great Barrier Reef excursion, we board a high-speed catamaran and journey out to the Marine World platform located on the Outer Reef. Snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon, or if you prefer to stay dry, view the reef from the semi-submersible reef viewer, glass bottom boat or underwater observatory. With five hours at the reef there is plenty of time to do it all. 

3/3/2019 - Day 19 – Cairns Freedom Day

Today take a trip to Kuranda. To begin the day, we immerse ourselves in traditional aboriginal culture at the Tjapukai Cultural Centre, with authentic music, dance and story telling by the Tjapukai people. 

We then take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a beautiful experience gliding over the rainforest canopy, to the picturesque market town of Kuranda, ‘the village in the rainforest’. Kuranda is a lovely place to while away a few hours visiting the daily markets.

 We return to Cairns by a scenic railway journey.

Cairns City has a relaxed and easy going pace that makes it the perfect place to spend a day exploring. In the warmer summer months it can be demanding for those people travelling from cooler northern climates however most shops and arcades are air-conditioned providing the perfect respite from the heat and humidity. Most of the activity in Cairns focuses on the waterfront. 

The main tourist strip is the Esplanade which runs for approximately 6km parallel to the Coast. It is only the three blocks at the southern end that are busy with restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. The Esplanade itself is very popular for people wanting to go for a pleasant walk, bike ride or roller blade. There are shelters and toilets along the length of this coastal parkland and the view is very attractive. Here are also two main shopping centres, The Pier Marketplace and Cairns Central. The Pier is located on the waterfront and it is a very popular place to visit for both tourists and locals alike. There are over 100 specialty retailers with a large aquarium and numerous restaurants and cafes. Most visitors to Cairns include a visit to The Pier during their stay. 

4/3/2019 - Day 20 – Cairns Freedom Day

Another free day to enjoy and relax in tropical northern Queensland. We take a stroll along the sea front and visit the catholic cathedral, a modern building built with the most beautiful stained glass windows. 

5/3/2019 - Day 21: Alice Springs, 2 nights

This morning we make our way back to Cairns Airport in time for our flight to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and Australia’s Red Centre. Upon arrival we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the outback’s largest town. Alice Springs was originally established in the 1870’s as a staging post for the overland telegraph line between Darwin and Adelaide. 

During our sightseeing tour we relive a bygone era at the Old Telegraph Station historic reserve, which faithfully recreates the settlement’s earliest years. This was the site of of the original Alice Springs. Also included is the remarkable Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air.  The Alice Springs Flying Doctor Base was built in 1939by the efforts of the Country Women's Association of South Australia as a tribute to the pioneering women of the outback and to celebrate their first centenary.  The service covers a radius of 600kms from Alice Springs and approximately 16,000 people live in that area of which 90% are aboriginal. Medical consultations are held on an 'as required' basis people calling up by radio or telephone. The service is 24/7 providing primary and emergency care. It relies heavily on public donations.These unique institutions provide real insight into life in the vast Australian outback. 

Later in the afternoon we visit the School of the Air. The Alice Springs School of the Air Visitor Centre is a multi-award winning interpretive centre located 3.5km from the CBD, which offers visitors from around the globe a virtual journey into "The World's Largest Classroom". Since 1951 it has provided an educational resource for isolated school children, servicing an area of over 1.3 million square kilometres.The visitor experience includes a film and guided presentations that reveal stories about the school and its students, sharing a distinctive history, insights into outback lifestyles and showcases world-renowned innovations of this uniquely Australian school

We also visit the Telegraph Office . On 11 March 1871 an overhead telegraph line surveyor, William Mills discovered a waterhole and named it Alice Springs after the wife of Charles Todd the Superintendent of telegraphs. The railroad arrived in 1929 seeing a period of expansion  and development. From Anzac Hill you can get a superb view of Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges especially at sunrise and sunset when the hills are fired with a golden glow. 

Our hotel is the Double Tree by Hilton - Between the Todd River and Alice Springs Golf Club, and with the MacDonnell Ranges as a backdrop, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs is a luxury resort awarded for its environmentally friendly innovations. 

6/3/2019 - Day 22 – Alice Springs Freedom Day

Our day is free to relax in the outback town of ‘Alice’. It is so hot here and the flies are a nuisance so we decide to rest up. After breakfast we walk into town a 20 minute walk from the hotel and it is hard work in this heat. We have a look around the shops but are glad of somewhere to stop for a drink. We male our way back to the hotel and spend the rest of the day by the pool. 

7/3/2019 - Day 23 – Uluru (Ayers Rock), Overnight

Leaving Alice, we head west through amazing outback landscapes as we journey along the scenic Lasseter and Stuart Highways as we make our way to Uluru. Rising from the flat surrounding scrubland, Uluru is a site of deep cultural significance to the Aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory. We stop off at a remote station for refreshments and the Erldunda is supposed to mark the dead centre of Australia. 

Uluru is the icon of Australia’s outback, and is also the world’s largest monolith. This afternoon we take a gentle stroll around certain areas of the rock to learn more about its historical and cultural importance. Later, we have the opportunity to witness the changing colours with a glass of sparkling wine, as the sun begins to set. It’s truly a photographer’s delight. Overnight at the four star Desert Gardens Hotel. Another highlight of this trip is the wonderful, iconic Uluru. 

8/3/2019 - Day 24 – Sydney, 3 nights

For early risers, a dawn visit to the rock has been arranged. Seeing Uluru at sunrise, from a different vantage point and in a different light, offers a totally new perspective on the ever changing colours and character of the rock. We return to the hotel in time for breakfast. Afterwards, we visit the impressive series of rounded sandstone domes known as the Olgas.

Later this morning we must say a fond farewell to the Red Centre as we board our Jetstar flight to Sydney. Upon arrival we head to the four star North Sydney Harbour view Hotel, overlooking Sydney’s magnificent harbour. Sydney is a city that takes full advantage of its natural setting – its sparkling harbour is host to the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and the spectacular Sydney Opera House. Sydney’s suburbs are blessed with lush native bushland and pristine sandy beaches.  Add to this the excellent restaurants and cafes, endless shopping opportunities and a vibrant culture and it’s so very easy to understand why Sydney is one of the world’s favourite cities.

Flight: Ayers Rock / Sydney Airport Check in: 11:00 Ayers Rock for Flight QF5661 - Qantas Depart: 13:00 Ayers Rock - Arrive: 17:30 Sydney Airport 

North Sydney Harbour view Hotel- Overlooking beautiful Sydney Harbour and the city's iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, this hotel has the most amazing views. 

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbour front Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

9/3/2019 - Day 25 – Sydney Sightseeing - Lyn's Birthday

This morning’s sightseeing tour begins with a drive through some of Sydney’s most fashionable inner city suburbs en route to Bondi Beach. Travel by Double Bay and Rushcutter's Bay as we make our way back to the city centre. Travel via Hyde Park and Parliament House to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanical Gardens, where we stop for the ‘classic’ photo opportunity of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. We complete our tour in the best possible way – enjoying a lunch cruise around Sydney’s beautiful harbour. 

The views of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the many dream homes nestled along the edge of the water are truly amazing. The afternoon had been left free for you to spend as you please.

10/3/2019 - Day 26 – Sydney Freedom Day

Today has been left free but we have opted to take a  trip to the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are a perfect example of native Australian bushland, with gum trees, majestic peaks and deep gorges stretching as far as the eye can see. Experience the panoramas from a series of lookouts, including Echo Point – the prime position to view the Three Sisters rock formation. The excursion also visits Wentworth Falls and the pretty village of Leura, famous for its annual garden festivals and playing host to many of the region’s local artists.

11/3/2019 - Day 27 – Depart Sydney

The morning we enjoy a liesurely breakfast followed by a short metro trip to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and a wander back through Sydney then catching the ferry to Luna Park and a walk back to our hotel before it is time to leave for the airport and our next destination, Bali.