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Globus
OFFER ID 1507772
Laugh and the kookaburras laugh with you. Cry and the kookaburras still laugh. That’s the beauty of a journey to happy-go-lucky Australia where sunny days are accentuated by its even sunnier inhabitants. Koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats are among the many locals eager to greet you on this breezy tour of Australia. With visits to four wondrous waterfront cities, you’ll easily see why the world gushes about the land Down Under. Go behind the scenes at Brisbane’s Australia Zoo, snorkel above the dazzling coral at the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns and devour the panoramic scenery and a delicious lunch at the iconic Sydney Opera House. With two days in eclectic Melbourne, you can also gobble up all the goodies this hipster city and surrounding areas have to offer. Perhaps take in the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island or chill with a nice chardonnay at a Yarra Valley winery.
Did you know the koala sleeps an average of 20 hours a day? Why not add three nights in Fiji to your tour of Australia and curl up in a beachside hammock yourself? Between naps, you’ll enjoy a Sigatoka River safari and the sun, fun, and genuine warmth of the islanders.
14 nights from $6,836 per person
Great Sights Of Australia With Fiji
Day 1 ARRIVE IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA Welcome to Brisbane, The Capital of Queensland! Your hotel room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner. (D)
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Day 2 BRISBANE. EXCURSION TO THE AUSTRALIA ZOO Koalas, Crocs, and Roos, Oh My! Enjoy an orientation tour of Brisbane, including the historical buildings and modern high-rises. Learn about the city’s convict past along with its modern cosmopolitan culture. Afterward, travel to the Australia Zoo, “Home of the Crocodile Hunter” where you’ll see some of Australia’s famous wildlife. You can hand-feed kangaroos, pet a dingo, see the amazing saltwater crocodiles, and more. Return to Brisbane where the evening is at leisure. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
CONSERVATION HEROES Go behind-the-scenes for a look at Australia Zoo’s [LF] Wildlife Hospital. Founded by Steve and Terri Irwin, it is home to amazing work being done by an extraordinary team of veterinarians. All proceeds from your included visit directly benefit the hospital to help provide specialized care to wildlife. Whether it’s a kangaroo hit by a car, a flying fox entangled in a fence, or a sea turtle that has ingested plastic, the team at the Wildlife Hospital is dedicated to returning them back in to the wild.
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Day 3 BRISBANE Brilliant Brisbane A full day to explore more of vibrant Brisbane. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, a large Ferris wheel overlooking the city. Maybe just relax at Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner-city man-made beach, or enjoy a stroll on the city’s pedestrian street, Queen Street Mall, full of shops and restaurants. Enjoy free time with optional excursions available on your MyGlobus site. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE For those wanting a little more activity, consider a visit to Tangalooma Island for an optional swim and snorkel excursions among the local shipwrecks.
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Day 4 BRISBANE–CAIRNS Diving In Depart Brisbane for Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Upon arrival enjoy an orientation tour of Cairns followed by a visit to the Cairns Aquarium. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SEA STUDIES Touted as Australia’s newest aquarium, the Cairns Aquarium won’t disappoint. Journey through the waterways from freshwater rivers flowing through the rainforest, into the mangroves and finally into the depths of the Great Barrier Reef. Discover 71 different exhibits showcasing this regions extremely rare and unique species. Enjoy animal presentations, habitat talks, and daily shark feeds. It will be a great introduction for your experience on the Reef tomorrow.
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Day 5 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEFBelow the Surface Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of dazzling hues. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
BUCKET LIST. CHECK! The only living structure on Earth that can be seen from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Comprising over 3,000 individual reefs and spanning over 135,135 miles (350,000 square kilometres), your day at the Reef will be one to remember. After your scenic catamaran cruise, the day is yours to explore the Reef how you like. Choose to snorkel amongst a kaleidoscope of fish and coral, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attend an informative presentation by a marine biologist, or just relax and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings.
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Day 6 CAIRNS Aussie Adventures Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore more of Cairns. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE You may wish to take a ride on one of the world’s most beautiful railway journeys to Kuranda, soar high on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, stroll Cairns’ famous Esplanade home to shops and art galleries, or just sit back and relax at your resort’s pool. Options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
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Day 7 CAIRNS–MELBOURNE Cosmopolitan Cool Touch down today in one of Australia’s most well-known cities. Melbourne is home to a diverse culture, world-class shopping, art galleries, museums, coffee shops, vibrant street art, hidden laneways and more. Along with its beaches, parks, amazing restaurants, and near-flawless weather, it’s the perfect place to visit year-round. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour before arriving at your hotel. (B)
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Day 8 MELBOURNE Explore More in Melbourne Free time today to explore more of this vibrant city. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Melbourne with a trip to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck for amazing views of the city below. You may also choose to venture to the breathtaking Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s premier wine regions. Other options include a full-day trip to the Great Ocean Road to see fantastic scenery and the “Twelve Apostles,” or choose to venture to Phillip Island for the famous Penguin Parade. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
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Day 9 MELBOURNE–SYDNEY Spectacular Sydney Fly to Sydney, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with free time in Sydney, home to first-class restaurants, grand shopping arcades, and top tourist attractions. This evening, why not enjoy dinner at a waterside restaurant?
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Day 10 SYDNEYSurf, Sky & Sips On your morning sightseeing tour, travel to the famous Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s Botanic Gardens. The sandstone rock chair was carved by convicts in 1810 and is said to be where Mrs Macquaire would sit and watch the ships from Great Britain sail into the harbor. Next, visit the famous Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The remainder of your day is at leisure. (B,L)
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURAL GEM Go inside the Sydney Opera House, one of the most well-known buildings in the world. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour, hear untold stories, be amazed at the acoustics, and learn how this amazing hall was built. Afterward, sit below the sails and enjoy a [LF] panoramic lunch at one of the Opera House’s restaurants where you’ll enjoy great photo opportunities and sweeping views of the harbor and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with an optional excursion to see the city from a different view from atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Enjoy amazing views of the harbor and city skyline below from this unique perspective. In the evening, you might want to walk in the footsteps of Australia’s early settlers on the Rocks Pub Tour. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
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Day 11 SYDNEY Sights & Bites in Sydney Another day for you to explore Sydney. Tonight, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE You may wish to visit the elegant Queen Victoria Building with its three levels of fashion, jewellery, and gifts. Other options including visiting the Art Gallery of New South Wales, strolling through the Royal Botanic Garden, or enjoying delicious Asian food at one of the restaurants in Spice Alley. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.
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Day 12 SYDNEY–NADI, FIJI–CORAL COAST Hello, Paradise! Board your flight and fly to Fiji for three nights in this tropical paradise. Fiji is known as the Soft Coral Capital of the world with the Great Astrolabe Reef surrounding its islands and atolls. Composed of more than 300 islands, you are sure to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle and friendly Fijians. From white sandy beaches to tropical rainforests and mountain peaks, there is lot to explore on land as well in the water.. Arrive in Nadi and transfer to your resort on the Coral Coast. The remainder of your day is at leisure. (B)
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Day 13 CORAL COAST Sand & Sees This morning, cruise up the magnificent Sigatoka River to visit an authentic Fijian village. Return to your resort where the remainder of the day is yours to explore the beautiful beaches or perhaps sample some local cuisine. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Aboard a custom-built safari jet boat, you’ll be transported deep into the heart & soul of Fiji. As you journey up the river, hear the history of the region. Children from the villages that line the river and wave as you cruise past. When you reach the village, you are given a warm welcome by the villagers and then are escorted to the village Chief’s bure (house) or to the community hall. Take part in a kava ceremony, then tour the village before sitting down to a traditional Fijian lunch. Your visit ends with traditional Fijian singing and dancing. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to join in! After heartfelt goodbyes, board your jet boat for the return trip. It’s sure to be a highlight of your time in Fiji. Bula!
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Day 14 CORAL COAST Living on Island Time Today is at leisure. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE with daily activities offered at your resort. You may wish to take a dip in the pool, enjoy a Fijian handicraft demonstration, spend some time in the water with kayaks or paddleboards, or simply enjoy an amazing sunset with a cool drink. An underwater adventure should be high on your to-do list and will not disappoint. Your Local Guide will have suggestions for sightseeing, shopping, and dining.
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Day 15 CORAL COAST–NADI Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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Brisbane
Laze in the lush riverside gardens of South Bank, then browse the markets and swim in its lagoon. Bike ride in the City Botanic Gardens and abseil the cliffs of Kangaroo Point. Glide down the river on a majestic paddle steamer or take a high-speed ferry to vibrant inner-city villages like Bulimba and New Farm. When culture cravings hit, wander the art galleries and museums, watch a performance by the Queensland Ballet, Opera or Orchestra perform or see cutting-edge theatre in the Powerhouse. In the boating hub of nearby Moreton Bay and Islands, you can swim, sea kayak, snorkel coral reefs, toboggan down the world's tallest sand dune, hire a sail boat or tussle with a marlin.
Five things you should do in Brisbane:
1. Glide down the river and relax in the gardens
Bike ride beneath macadamia trees and mangroves in the City Botanic Gardens or roller blade over a floating walkway. Then cruise down the river in a wooden paddle steamer, spotting pelicans and eastern water dragons. Laze or picnic under the palms on South Bank's 17 hectares of riverside gardens. Here you can swim from the lagoon and pools of Paul Breka Beach, browse the markets, visit a summer open-air cinema and dine alfresco in the sun. Follow an Aboriginal art trail through the bushland in Mount Coot-Tha Reserve, also the place to spot native wildlife and take in panoramic city views. At the foot of the mountain you can wander the tropical zone, rainforests and Japanese gardens of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. Cuddle up to koalas and meet possums, kangaroos, wombats, emus and lyrebirds in the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, just a short bus drive from the city centre.
2. Soak up culture and architecture
See the skeleton of a Queensland dinosaur in the Queensland Museum and the work of famous Australian artists in the Queensland Art Gallery. Both sit in the sprawling Queensland Cultural Centre on South Bank. At night, visit the dress circle of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre or catch a show by the Queensland Ballet, Opera or Orchestra. Watch plays, browse art galleries and dine out in the transformed industrial space of the Powerhouse, which towers over the wide, brown river like a post-apocalyptic vision. Brisbane also houses many cultural institutions in fine old civic buildings, such as Customs House, the Treasury Building, Brisbane City Hall, the Commissariat Store and the Old Mill. In Brisbane, sandstone cathedrals and classic Queenslander houses on stilts blend seamlessly with steel and glass skyscrapers.
3. Hit the water and islands of Moreton Bay
Sea kayak from North Stradboke Island or Moreton Island or go deep-sea fishing from Scarborough, Bribie Island, Manly or Raby Bay. Jet ski and windsurf on the Redcliffe Peninsula or kite-surf on Wellington Point. Slide down the world's tallest sand dunes on a toboggan or sand buggy on Moreton Island. Scuba dive with colourful fish, crustaceans, corals and turtles at Cowan's Artificial Reef, Flinders Reef and in the Tangalooma shipwrecks. Watch out for humpback whales between July and October and dolphins and dugongs all year round. Meet colonies of koalas in Victoria Point and hundreds of wading birds in the Egret Colony and Boondall Wetlands. Aqua-bike from Coochiemudlo Island then mountain bike the BMX tracks at Cleveland and Deception Bay. Four wheel drive Moreton, North Stradbroke and Bribie Islands. See Queensland's oldest banyan tree in Cleveland Point, Aboriginal scar trees and middens in the Redlands and Myora Springs and a notorious old convict settlement on St Helena Island.
4. Eat, drink and enjoy in the urban villages
Listen to live music, shop along the lively outdoor mall and feast on Chinatown dumplings in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane's cultural core. Next door in New Farm, you can people watch from trendy cafes, buy gourmet delights from the famous deli and picnic in the riverside parklands. Dine in warehouse converted restaurants and explore the transformed industrial space of the Powerhouse, now a buzzing centre for the live arts. Take the citycat to Bulimba on the river. Then visit pretty Paddington and hop between the popular bars, cafes and restaurants of Latrobe and Given Terraces. Then take in the traditional Queenslander homes which dot the hills and wide-lined streets. Cross the river for the funky restaurants and art house theatres of the West End, the shops of Stones Corner and the brewery of Queensland's most famous beer.
5. Embrace adventure
Abseil or rock climb the Kangaroo Point Cliffs at sunrise or at night when the city is dancing with lights. Climb the Story Bridge for spectacular 360 degree views. Free fall on a tandem sky dive or float over the city in a hot air balloon. You can even glide like a bird over the Sunshine Coast on a motor glider. Travel down the Brisbane River on a golden gondola, historic paddle steamer or wildlife cruise. Or take a luxury whale watching cruise from the Redcliffe Peninsula, just 30 minutes north of Brisbane. Do an eco cruise past Bribie Island and the Glasshouse Mountains to Pumicestone Passage Marine Park. Bushwalk, swim, four wheel drive, spot wildlife and explore glow worm caves on an eco-tour to Springbrook and Lamington National Parks. See the city sights on the back of a Harley Davidson or go horseriding in the sprawling bush on the edge of the city.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques. Here you can soak up culture, hit the sporting grounds, taste the dynamic food and wine scene, dance til dawn or wander the parks and leafy boulevards. Visit Federation Square, the city's landmark cultural space, and enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade. Shop till you drop on funky Brunswick Street or upmarket Chapel Street. Wander Southbank's cafes, bistros and bars and get a world tour of cuisines in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and cheer with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Five Must-Have Melbourne Experiences:
1. Shop till you drop
Bag a bargain at the Rose Street Artist's Market and browse the funky boutiques on Brunswick Street. Buy designer labels such as Akira Isogawa and Zimmerman on Chapel Street in Prahran or in the historic Melbourne General Post Office, which covers an entire city block. For everything from fashion to furnishings at fantastic value, visit Bridge Road in Richmond. Melbourne is a shopper's haven, offering eclectic boutiques, high-end fashion, funky homeware stores and European style piazzas in the city's arcades and hidden laneways.
2. Bar hop and dance till dawn
Sip a cocktail in a converted sea container in Chinatown, enjoy a sunset beer in a St Kilda pub or listen to cabaret in lush retro surroundings in jazz bars in the city. Linger over exquisite tapas and exotic wine in a Little Collins Street bar and mingle in a pink parlour with fake grass in Bourke Street. You can party from dusk in the bars of Brunswick Street. Or dance till dawn in bars in the city's lantern-lit laneways, secret apart from the spill of coloured light under heavy brass doors.
3. Get into the gourmet goodness
Let the aroma of good coffee waft over you in Melbourne's gothic European laneways. The city is famous for its coffee and old-world café culture but there's so much more to explore. Once you've downed a 'short black' or taken an afternoon aperitif, try tea in a nineteenth-century hotel or salivate over your silver spoon in acclaimed restaurants like Nobu, Botanical and Becco. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood at the Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday, known for its bustling crowds and buskers. Try out the restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars in Southbank or Federation Square. Make your way around Melbourne's multicultural cosmos of cuisines: Carlton for Italian classics, Richmond for budget-friendly Vietnamese and Fitzroy for Spanish tapas.
4. Fill up on culture
See a performance by the Australian Ballet, which is based here in Australia's cultural capital. Or enjoy a dazzling musical at the Princess Theatre. Browse the Southern Hemisphere's best collection of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Or visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation Square, a landmark cultural 'space' for Melbournians. Challenge yourself with the creative collections in the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank. To learn more about Melbourne's Aboriginal cultural heritage, see contemporary and dreamtime art or take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
5. Go sports mad
Cheer for an Australian Rules Football game with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over winter. Go cricket mad in summer, when the city hosts the Ashes and one day internationals. Or join the huge crowds watching the Australian Tennis Open at Melbourne Park. Rev heads head to Melbourne in March for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Albert Park. And whether you are a racing fan or just a casual punter, you won't want to miss the Melbourne Cup - the world's richest horse race on the first Tuesday in November.
Sydney
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.
Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:
1. Explore the historic Rocks
Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.
2. Hit the world-famous harbour
Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.
3. Visit Manly on the ferry
Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.
4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington
Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.
5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee
Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.