The Very Best of Australia Tours 2012

Luxury Australia Escorted Tour - 25 Days

A sensational tour kick-starting in Singapore and taking in the sights of Australia’s most beautiful regions. Watch the incredible light transformation over Ayers Rock at sunset and get close to nature at Cleland Wildlide Park near Adelaide where its diverse wildlife includes kangaroos, wallabies and wildfowl. Finally choose to enhance your time here with a legendary journey on the famous Ghan train from Alice Springs to Adelaide. All neatly fitted into this leisurely 25 day luxury holiday

Holiday highlights
   -Sightseeing tours include Singapore, Perth, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
   -A splendid colourful walk through Singapore’s National Orchid Gardens.
   -The incredible light transformation over Ayers Rock at sunset.
   -The option of an overnight journey on Australia’s legendary scenic train, The Ghan.
   -Cleland Wildlife Park near Adelaide with its roaming landscape and diverse wildlife of kangaroos, wallabies and waterfowl.
   -The drive over Westgate Bridge, Australia’s largest cable-stayed bridge, with fantastic views over the River Yarra.
   -The extraordinary Great Barrier Reef with its seductive clear blue waters, colourful coral and wealth of tropical marine life.
   -A sensational cruise around Sydney Harbour captures the dramatic skyline including the iconic Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

The Ghan

Join us on one of Australia’s great rail journeys on board The Ghan. More than simply a mode of transport that takes you from Alice Springs to Adelaide, this trip is an unforgettable holiday experience. Experience unsurpassed views of the passing landscapes as we travel trough the majestic Flinders Ranges to the sweeping Adelaide Plains.

We take the overnight journey in Gold Service accommodation. Twin cabins feature a three-seater lounge which converts to upper and lower berths at night, as well as en-suite facilities with a WC, washbasin and shower. Carriage attendants ensure your every need is taken care of.

The Gold Service includes all meals during the journey, which are served in the beautifully decorated Restaurant Car. The meals are freshly prepared by the onboard chefs and menus feature a selection of Australian and international cuisine (drinks are not included). Gold Service passengers also have access to the on-board Gold Lounge and its licensed bar – the perfect place to socialise with your fellow travellers.

Upgrade to Platinum Service

For the ultimate in comfort and style, why not upgrade to The Ghan’s Platinum Service? By day your cabin is a private lounge with plenty of space to relax and entertain. By night your private cabin converts to your choice of comfortable full size double or twin beds. Unsurpassed levels of luxury and service will leave you feeling pampered, relaxed and special.

Holiday extensions

Blue Mountains
Stay at the luxurious Lilianfels Resort & Spa amid the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Mountains National Park. This exclusive country house style hotel sits on the cliffs above the Jamison valley and offers the perfect place to relax. 3 nights from £595 per person based on double/twin share, including return transfers from Sydney & deluxe room accommodation with daily breakfast. Single supplement: £520.

Early booking offer
Hong Kong Stopover just £149

As an incentive for you to book early on our Very Best of Australia tour, we are pleased to offer a 3-night extension in Hong Kong for an amazing £149 per person.

This is a great way to break your journey home and offers the chance to explore this exciting city. We stay at the luxurious Harbour Grand Hong Kong which offers views across the harbour to the famous skyline and is well located for shopping and sightseeing.

•  3-nights bed and breakfast at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong

•  Half day city tour

•  Return transfers

£149pp based on twin/double share. Single supplement: £149
There is no expiry date to this offer, but only a limited number of rooms are available at these special prices and the offer is only available using the scheduled return date for this tour.
Usual price £295pp based on twin/double share.
Single supplement: £215

Looking for a 2012/2013 holiday?

If you're looking for a date later in 2012 or in 2013 please visit our new season Australia escorted tours

Day 1 Departure from London Heathrow
Join your Tour Manager and fellow travel companions in the executive lounge at London Heathrow ready to board your Qantas flight.
Meals: In-flight

Day 2 Arrive in Singapore
The lavish Swissôtel Stamford awaits your arrival this morning, so settle into your beautiful guestroom and relax. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the surroundings of this marvellous hotel or venture out into Singapore. Join your Tour Manager and fellow travel companions this evening for a get-together and welcome drinks.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Swissôtel Stamford

Day 3 Singapore
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Singapore’s modern and historic districts. Visit Thian Hock Keng Temple, Singapore’s oldest and most important monument before calling at Chinatown and Little India. We also visit the wonderful National Orchid Gardens. With over 60,000 plants of splendid colour this tranquil place is inspiring even if you’re not the green-fingered type.
The remainder of the day is yours to venture out into this fabulous city with its abundance of dining experiences and varied entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Swissôtel Stamford

Day 4 Singapore to Perth
This morning we board our flight to Perth where our Australian adventure begins. On arrival we head to our hotel, the Parmelia Hilton, where the rest of the day is yours to relax. Settle into your surroundings ready for a wonderful few days in this city of wide open spaces.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Parmelia Hilton

Day 5 Perth
Our tour of Perth and Fremantle starts with a visit to Kings Park and Botanic Gardens with beautiful views over the Swan River. We also stop at bustling Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia’s summer retreat, with glorious beaches and clear coastline scattered with trendy café bars and smooth terrace lawns.
The district of Fremantle is a cultural and entertainment centre boasting colonial architecture scattered with vibrant restaurants, quaint streets and a number of fine art galleries.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Parmelia Hilton

Day 6 Perth
You have a free day to explore this stunning region. A ferry over to Rottnest Island with its beautiful bays is a relaxing way to discover this terrain of plants, birds and unusual animals including the quokka – a small marsupial that looks like a tiny kangaroo.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Parmelia Hilton

Day 7 Perth to Ayers Rock
This morning we board our flight to Ayers Rock. This landscapeof rugged beauty is over 500 million years old and is one of Australia’s key natural attractions. In the afternoon we will drive across the stark, open landscape to Kata Tjuta, popularly known as the Olgas where the huge red domes rise out of the barren landscape set against vivid blue skies. Then take a steady guided walk through Walpa Gorge, learning about the region’s cultural significance and unique flora and fauna.
Later in the evening we will see Ayers Rock at sunset as the light casts a shimmering spectacle of colour over this inspirational landscape.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Desert Garden Hotel

Day 8 Ayers Rock
This morning we head to Ayers Rock for our guided base tour. Later we will stop by the Aboriginal Cultural Centre for an insight into aboriginal history and discover its rich art antiquities. The afternoon is free for you to relax around the hotel.
As our day closes here at Ayers Rock you have time to relax before we venture out into the dark twinkling sky to enjoy dinner at the mesmerising Sound of Silence experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 
Hotel: Desert Garden Hotel

Day 9 Ayers Rock to Alice Springs
This morning we journey through Australia’s amazing desert landscape to Alice Springs, the heart of the ‘Red Centre’.
Our tour begins as we re-live a bygone era with a visit to the old Telegraph Station and a stop at the Flying Doctor base and the School of the Air which educates over 140 children living across more than a million square kilometres. We will also have some free time to explore this outback town.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Crowne Plaza

Day 10 Alice Springs to Adelaide
We have a lunchtime flight down to Adelaide in Southern Australia. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a day of relaxation or step out into this incredible region with all its delights.
You also have the option to make the journey from Alice Springs to Adelaide overnight on board the legendary scenic train, The Ghan.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Adelaide Hilton or onboard The Ghan

Day 11 Adelaide
A free day for those flying from Alice Springs and maybe a chance to explore Kangaroo Island. ‘KI’, as the locals know it, is a landscape so diverse with soaring cliffs, dense forest and native wildlife making it a spectacular and rewarding visit.

Adelaide is also home to many fascinating and sometimes moving museums including the nostalgic Museum of Childhood and the exhibitions on display at the Museum of Migration. Those on The Ghan will arrive in Adelaide this lunchtime.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Adelaide Hilton

Day 12 Adelaide
This morning we enjoy a city tour of Adelaide. We’ll see Victoria Square in the heart of the city, the majestic Parliament House and the grand boulevard of King William Street.
Adelaide is surrounded by sweeping gardens and beautiful lush green belts including our next visit, Cleland Wildlife Park. This amazing landscape is home to a diverse area of wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and waterfowl.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Adelaide Hilton

Day 13 Adelaide to Melbourne
This morning we fly to Melbourne. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore. The heart of this city is enclosed to a large degree by some stunning parklands including the fine Royal Botanic Gardens – a wonderful place to take a peaceful stroll.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Sofitel Melbourne

Day 14 Melbourne
This morning our sightseeing tour of Melbourne starts with a visit to Captain Cook’s Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. This quaint cottage has undergone two restorations and now sits proudly surrounded by eighteenth century gardens.
We see Westgate Bridge, an amazing feat of engineering high above the River Yarra. Our final stop is St Kilda, situated on the most picturesque point of the bay.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Sofitel Melbourne

Day 15 Melbourne
If you need any information on things to do or see on this free day, your Tour Manager is on hand to make suggestions.
As the city is known for its great shopping, why not visit Rose Street artist’s market or the funky boutiques on Brunswick Street?
Browse a superb collection of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria or take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Sofitel Melbourne

Day 16 Melbourne to Cairns
This morning we fly to Cairns. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Shangri-La Marina

Day 17 Cairns
This wonderful city is yours to explore at your leisure. Perhaps visit the picturesque market town of Kuranda known as the ‘Village in the Rainforest’.
One of the most invigorating ways to capture some of the region’s beauty is on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This incredible journey glides above dense rainforest canopy offering dramatic views of natural tropical plantations and wildlife.
This region is also known for its markets including the famous Rusty’s, with its exotic atmosphere, reminiscent of a colourful carnival.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Shangri-La Marina

Day 18 Cairns
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world and today is your chance to venture into this extraordinary environment of rich colourful coral, clear blue waters and a wealth of tropical marine life.
Whilst at the Reef and onboard the catamaran, marine naturalists are on hand to offer their expertise and guidance.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Hotel: Shangri-La Marina

Day 19 Cairns
Enjoy another day at leisure in Cairns. If you want to explore a little further your Tour Manager can organise a stunning ride onboard the thrilling Kuranda Scenic Railway. This amazing train journey travels through dense tropical rain forest, steep ravines, and picturesque waterfalls and into the sensational Barron Gorge.
If you want a quiet, unhurried day then take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk, with its relaxed atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Shangri-La Marina

Day 20 Cairns to Sydney
Today we fly to Sydney where we stay right on the harbour. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Four Seasons

Day 21 Sydney
This morning our tour starts with one of the city’s great iconic buildings – Sydney Opera House. Then it’s time for lunch onboard our harbour cruise. The informative voyage takes in the sights including Sydney Opera House to Double Bay and under the magnificent Harbour Bridge to Balmain and Darling Harbour.
Our final visit today is to one of Sydney’s most popular coastal regions, the famous Bondi Beach, known for its terrific surf and stretches of golden sand.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Hotel: Four Seasons

Day 22 Sydney
The next two days here in Sydney are yours to explore. Your Tour Manager is on hand if you need suggestions for your two free days.
Perhaps experience the fresh mountain air in the majestic Blue Mountains, home to many splendid attractions including Sylvia Falls, historic Hartley and the magnificent rocky outcrop known as Three Sisters situated at Echo Point.
Meals: Breakfast 
Hotel: Four Seasons

Day 23 Sydney
Our incredible adventure is near to an end. If you fancy a little last minute shopping Sydney is the place! This evening we enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 
Hotel: Four Seasons

Day 24 Depart Sydney
Today we transfer to the airport ready for your flight home to London Heathrow via Hong Kong.
Meals: Breakfast, Inflight

Day 25 Arrive London Heathrow
You arrive back in London today. Time to bid a fond farewell to your Tour Manager and travelling companions.

Looking for a 2012/2013 holiday?

If you're looking for a date in 2012/2013 please visit our new pre-launch Australia escorted tours