Australia

DEPARTURE

Passport and baggage check-in. Departure.

A DAY SPENT TRAVELLING - WE OVERCOME THE PACIFIC

Our flight over the Pacific is only a dozen or so hours, but due to crossing the date change line, we will “lose” one day on arrival, which we will “regain” on our return.

SYDNEY - A VISIT TO THE OLDEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY OF AUSTRALIA

Arrival in Sydney. City tour. We will start the day in Darling Harbour – a multinational tourist district located in the vicinity of the port, where we will admire the replica of HMB Endeavor, the ship on which Captain Cook sailed to eastern Australia during his 1st voyage to the Pacific. Then we will sail to the oldest part of the city of Rocks, where Sydney was born at the end of the 18th century, when the first settlers – prisoners carved shelters in the rocks that still exist today. Lunch break. Walk along Circular Quay, Sydney’s main waterfront. On the way, we will stop for a short visit to the Museum of Modern Art and the historic Customs House, where we will see a spectacular model of Sydney laid out on the floor. Then we will go by ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay, a part of the city full of nature, where the Australian bush meets the Ocean and the local beaches are dominated by surfers and divers, and in many coffees, shops serve excellent coffee. Here we will take a short walk around South Head and Hornby Lighthouse with exceptional views of the bay, city and the ocean. Return to Circular Quay. Dinner. Free time.

SYDNEY - BEACHES, CLIFFS AND STRESS-FREE LIVING ON THE PACIFIC COAST

After breakfast, we will go to one of the most beautiful Australian beaches – Manly. We will be sunbathing here on snow-white sand. For those interested, the possibility of a 6-mile trekking through the bush, along the Pacific coast, among eucalyptus groves. It is one of those places where tourists rarely come, and the locals consider it their “secret” and often spend time here with friends and families. We will have lunch at a local brewery and taste one of the most recognizable buildings in Australia, the city’s showcase – the Sydney Opera House. Then we will visit the picturesque botanical garden with examples of exotic Australian flora. Right next to it is the historical and administrative center of the city, where we will see, among others, the state public library, the first municipal hospital, the state art gallery, the seat of the state parliament, the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was visited by John Paul II during his pilgrimage to Australia, and the famous Archibald Fountain and Anzac Memorial. Dinner. Return to the hotel and an overnight stay.

BLUE MOUNTAINS - EUCALYPTUS JUNGLE SUSPENDED IN THE AIR AND FEATHERDALE, A SANCTUARY OF AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS

On this day we will go on a day trip out of the city. We will start with a few hours of sightseeing in the fabulous Blue Mountains National Park with its picturesque valleys, rocks and cliffs. This place is not to be missed for lovers of Australian flora. One of the biggest attractions will be a ride on a network of cable cars and the steepest funicular railway in the world, which used to be used to transport the output from the local mines. On the way back to Sydney, we will stop at the Featherdale Zoo, where we will meet representatives of the Australian fauna. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.

ULURU - THE MOUNTAIN THAT DECEIVES THE SENSES

Morning check-out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport and Ayers Rock – “the red heart of Australia”. After landing, a drive to Olgas, called by the Aborigines “kata tiuta”, meaning “many heads”. It is a complex of 36 rock monoliths. Some parts of this area are as important to the Aborigines as the nearby mountain Uluru. We will admire the sunset with a view of the famous Uluru from a special viewing platform. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner. An overnight stay.

ALICE SPRINGS - THE BEATING HEART OF THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

On this day, before breakfast, we will again go to the Uluru area to admire the spectacular sunrise and go for a walk to the foot of the mountain, where we will see the rock drawings of the Aborigines and learn about their history, tradition and way of life. After a late breakfast, check out and a drive across the desert to the largest city in the “red heart of Australia” – Alice Springs. On the way we will see the famous Mt. Connor. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel, dinner and then admire the sunset in Simpsons Gap National Park, where with a bit of luck we will meet Wallabies – the famous kangaroos living among the local rocks.

DARWIN - TOP END OR THE END OF THE WORLD FOR AUSTRALIANS

Breakfast and check-out from the hotel. Morning tour of Alice Springs. We will see here two iconic places depicting the specificity of hard life in the wilderness. The first is the Flying Doctors station – a famous Australian institution providing medical services in an area half the size of Europe. Flying doctors have saved human lives many times in these remote areas. The second is the telegraph station from which news from Europe was broadcast as early as in the 19th century. There was also a school for the “lost generation”, i.e. Aboriginal children, forcibly taken from their parents. Currently there is a museum here. Then transport to the airport and flight to Darwin – the capital of the Northern Territory. Accommodation and an overnight stay.

KAKADU NATIONAL PARK - CROCODILES, KANGOORS, ABORIGINS

After breakfast check out and drive to Kakadu National Park. On the way we will take a short cruise on the Adelaide River where we will see the famous jumping crocodiles. In the park itself, we will visit, among others, Nourlangie Rock, a giant sandstone formation, which in itself makes a huge impression, additionally enhanced by numerous rock drawings painted by Aborigines thousands of years ago. The whole region is full of the history of people who once lived and still living in these areas. Then we will go to another famous rock full of Aboriginal rock art – Ubir. Considered by many to be the most beautiful place of this type in Australia. Nearby, we will also be able to see numerous crocodiles lounging on the shore. We will also spend a picturesque sunset here, for which we will go to one of the surrounding hills. Overnight stay in the park.

YELLOW WATER, MEANING WATER SAFARI

We will start this day very early with a morning cruise on a charming reservoir called Yellow Water (actually a giant pond). It will actually be a water safari, during which we will not only satisfy our eyes with another captivating sunrise, but we will also meet numerous local animals – buffaloes, wild horses, kangaroos, crocodiles ubiquitous here and numerous waterfowl, delighting us with their singing. After the cruise, we will have breakfast and go to the airport, from where we will fly to Cairns.

GREAT BORE REEF - TIME FOR DIVING

After breakfast, a trip to the coral reef in two options to choose from. Option one is a cruise with a professional diving company to the outer coral reef and diving there in two options: scuba diving and snorkeling. During the full-day cruise, the ship’s passengers will have the opportunity to dive twice in the coral reef, and will also receive professional training, as well as breakfast and lunch. There will also be an opportunity to learn what a coral reef is thanks to the stories of professional naturalists. There will also be a chance to sunbathe on the upper deck of the ship. The adventure ends around 4pm. Then it’s time to relax and have dinner. There is also the option of a boat trip to Green Island (inner reef). During this peaceful trip, we will be able to admire the beauty of the inner coral reef, as well as sunbathe on the beaches of the Green Island. There will be a possibility of snorkeling. After returning to the city, free time for shopping, relaxation and dinner. Option 1 – around $250, option 2 – around $150.

DAINTREE NATIONAL PARK - RAIN FOREST

On this day we will go on a journey to the heart of the tropical rainforests, that is, to the Daintree National Park. While on the way there, we will admire the beauty of the local coast, which has been known to the white man since the times when Capitan James Cook damaged his ship on the local rocks. There will also be an opportunity to track down the cassowary – the most dangerous of all ostriches, as well as pythons, crocodiles and toads spitting deadly saliva. From the less dangerous specimens, you will certainly see crabs living in the roots of mangroves, hummingbirds, butterflies, numerous lizards and the world-famous green ants. After visiting the National Park and crossing the Daintree River by ferry, we will return to Cairns for dinner and free time.

CAIRNS - HISTORIC RESORT ON THE TROPICAL PACIFIC COAST

This is the last day on Australian soil. It’s time to go home today. But before we go to the plane, we will also find a moment for relaxing free time. Whether it’s a leisurely walk along the ocean, last-minute errands at the local market or a visit to the aquarium. Doesn’t matter! Cairns still has a lot to offer. Even for those who have been here for 3 days already. In the afternoon, departure for Brisbane or other international airport in Australia and transfer to a flight to the USA.

BRISBANE

Arrival in Chicago and a farewell to the group.

Podobne wycieczki – kierunek Australia i Oceania:

• Nowa Zelandia – Kraj Długiej Białej Chmury
• Rajska Polinezja: Bora Bora – Tahiti – Moorea