Globus > GREAT BARRIER REEF ISLAND EXPLORER (PI2008)

GREAT BARRIER REEF ISLAND EXPLORER (PI2008)
17 Days starting from $4,539

Countries Visited:
Marshall Islands

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Length: 17 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: REGIONAL DISCOVERY AUSTRALIA
Operator: Globus
Tour Code: PI-2008
   
 
About This Tour



Vacation Overview
Explore the beautiful east coast of Australia during this exciting Regional Discovery vacation. Begin in Sydney, where guided sightseeing shows off this beautiful city to the fullest. Travel over Sydney Harbour Bridge to Brisbane, capital of Queensland. See the Glass House Mountains and Australia Zoo of Crocodile Hunter fame. Via the Sunshine Coast, travel north to Hervey Bay for a cruise to Fraser Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While here, choose from a selection of activities, plus enjoy a bush tucker talk and barbeque. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn in Rockhampton, with visits to the botanic gardens and a working cattle ranch. Then, on to Shute Harbour for a scenic cruise through Whitsunday Passage. Enjoy a day of leisure on Hamilton Island and cruise back to the mainland where you will transfer to Dunk Island for two relaxing overnights. Take a wildlife cruise at Lake Barrine, then marvel at Millaa Millaa Falls and the curtain fig tree. In Port Douglas, choose the way you want to spend the day exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Finally, arrive in Cairns and journey aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Rainforestation Nature Park, where you’ll view wildlife and see the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, an unforgettable way to end the adventure of a lifetime.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • Additional Details
  • SPECIALS

Hotels
SYDNEY Sofitel Wentworth Sydney (D), COFFS HARBOUR Novotel Pacific Bay Resort (F), BRISBANE Royal on the Park (SF), FRASER ISLAND Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village (SF), ROCKHAMPTON Travelodge (MF), HAMILTON ISLAND Reef View Hotel (MF), DUNK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK Dunk Island Resort (F), PORT DOUGLAS Mantra Treetops Resort and Spa (F), CAIRNS Rydges Tradewinds Hotel (SF)

Meals
American breakfast daily (B); 1 lunch (L); and 8 dinners (D), including a Welcome Dinner in Coffs Harbour, a Barbeque on Fraser Island, and a special Farewell Dinner in Cairns.
Day 1:
Fly to Australia. (Sun. & Mon.) Board your transpacific flight and skip a day as you cross the International Date Line on your way Down Under for the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 2:
Fly to Australia. (Sun. & Mon.) Board your transpacific flight and skip a day as you cross the International Date Line on your way Down Under for the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 3:
Sydney, Australia (Tue.) G’day and welcome to Australia! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 4:
Sydney. (Wed.) Enjoy the morning at leisure. Then, a sightseeing tour of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. See the Botanic Gardens with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Take a stroll along Bondi Beach and see vibrant Kings Cross and the historic Rocks area, home to Sydney’s original convicts. (B)

Day 5:
Sydney–Coffs Harbour. (Thu.) Leave Sydney behind and travel over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, crossing beautiful Hawkesbury River en route to the resort town of Coffs Harbour. Tonight, enjoy a WELCOME DINER and meet your traveling companions. (B,D)

Day 6:
Coffs Harbour–Byron Bay–Brisbane. (Fri.) Travel to Byron Bay, famous for its bohemian lifestyle, unspoiled beaches, and coastal scenery. Watch the surfers and maybe even see dolphins off the point. Cape Byron is the most easterly point on the Australian mainland and is an excellent place to spot humpback whales along the coastline ( June through July). Cross over the Queensland border to its capital city, Brisbane. (B)

Day 7:
Brisbane–Sunshine Coast–Fraser Island. (Sat.) See the Glass House Mountains on our way to AUSTRALIA ZOO, made famous by ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin and housing more than 500 animals. We continue north via the Sunshine Coast, renowned for its golden beaches fringed with native bush. Arriving in Hervey Bay, join a CRUISE to Fraser Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest sand island. (B,D)

Day 8:
Fraser Island. (Sun.) For the early risers, perhaps join our optional escorted bird-watching walk through bushlands. Later, choose to join the ranger for a 4WD ADVENTURE TOUR to explore the island’s lakes and rainforest, or join a CRUISE watching for humpback whales or dolphins (subject to season). Tonight, enjoy a BUSH TUCKER TALK and BARBEQUE. (B,D)

Day 9:
Fraser Island–Rockhampton. (Mon.) Today we bid farewell to Fraser Island and recross the Great Sandy Strait to Hervey Bay before heading north. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn in the cattle town of Rockhampton and visit the BOTANIC GARDENS. (B,D)

Day 10:
Rockhampton–Hamilton Island. (Tue.) Enjoy a fascinating tour of Henderson Park, a working CATTLE RANCH. Then, travel north to Mackay, the sugar capital. At Shute Harbour we join a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Passage to arrive at Hamilton Island. (B)

Day 11:
Hamilton Island. (Wed.) Awaken to views of the Whitsundays and spend the day at your leisure. Choose to relax on the beach or perhaps take one of the many touring options available on the island. This evening, enjoy SUNSET DRINKS followed by dinner at a local island restaurant. (B,D)

Day 12:
Hamilton Island–Townsville–Dunk Island. (Thu.) Today, CRUISE through the Whitsunday Passage back to the mainland. Stop in Townsville, the center for marine research for the Great Barrier Reef. At Mission Beach, we transfer to Dunk Island, one of the most beautiful Barrier Reef islands. Unwind with two nights on this idyllic resort. (B,D)

Day 13:
Dunk Island. (Fri.) Today has been left at leisure for you to relax at the resort or explore the nearby reef and rainforest. Perhaps discover the vibrant marine wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. (B)

Day 14:
Dunk Island–Port Douglas. (Sat.) Explore the lush Atherton Tablelands with its rich volcanic soil, tropical setting and spectacular waterfalls. Hop on a wildlife cruise at LAKE BARRINE, formed by volcanic processes and surrounded by lush rainforest. Afterwards, enjoy a short walk to beautiful MILLAA MILLAA FALLS and then marvel at the unusual CURTAIN FIG TREE. Travel to the resort town of Port Douglas and tonight, dine at a local restaurant along the renowned Macrossan Street or enjoy dinner and a quiet evening at the resort. (B,D)

Day 15:
Port Douglas–Great Barrier Reef Excursion–Cairns. (Sun.) Today, explore the Great Barrier Reef your way, at no extra cost to you. Choose from three exciting Quicksilver cruises. Cruise aboard the Wavepiercer to go snorkelling, the Wavedancer over the Coral Sea, or ride on the Silversonic for a reef discovery. Arrive in Cairns this evening. (B,L)

Day 16:
Cairns. Excursion to Kuranda. (Mon.) Journey aboard the KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY up to Rainforestation Nature Park. Here you can see the PAMAGIRRI ABORIGINAL DANCERS and view wildlife, including koalas. There’s also time to ride aboard the Army Duck for a journey on land and through water. Later, traverse the KURANDA SKYRAIL and glide just meters above the rainforest canopy, passing the lush Cairns Highlands and waterfalls as we journey down the range. This evening, enjoy a special FAREWELL DINER hosted by your Tour Director. (B,D)

Day 17:
Homebound Flight. (Tue.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)


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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
10/26/2008 - 11/11/2008
$4,539
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11/2/2008 - 11/18/2008
$4,539
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12/14/2008 - 12/30/2008
$4,539
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1/18/2009 - 2/3/2009
$4,539
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2/15/2009 - 3/3/2009
$4,539
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2/22/2009 - 3/10/2009
$4,539
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3/8/2009 - 3/24/2009
$4,539
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Price Details US
Single Room Supplement:
$1585. Triple rooms not available.

Extra nights per person in Sydney:
in single room $235; in twin room $125.

Extra nights per person in Cairns:
in single room $165; in twin room $90.

2009 prices and itineraries subject to change.

City Highlights
SYDNEY:
Half-day sightseeing tour

COFFS HARBOUR:
Welcome Dinner

SUNSHINE COAST:
Visit the Australia Zoo

FRASER ISLAND:
Cruise to/from the island; 4WD tour of the island or whalewatching cruise; Bush Tucker Talk and Barbeque

ROCKHAMPTON:
Henderson Park Cattle Ranch; visit the Botanic Gardens

HAMILTON ISLAND:
Cruise to/from the island; two nights on this beautiful reef island

DUNK ISLAND:
Cruise to/from the island; two nights on this beautiful reef island

ATHERTON TABLELANDS:
Cruise on Lake Barrile; see Millaa Millaa Falls and the Curtain Fig Tree

PORT DOUGLAS:
Full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef

CAIRNS:
Kuranda Scenic Railway; watch the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers perform; Ride the Kuranda Skyrail; Farewell Dinner

Price Details US
Single Room Supplement:
$1585. Triple rooms not available.

Extra nights per person in Sydney:
in single room $235; in twin room $125.

Extra nights per person in Cairns:
in single room $165; in twin room $90.

2009 prices and itineraries subject to change.

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.

Pay less for your second vacation

We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.

Triple room reduction

On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.

Avoid the single room supplement

We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!


Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel?

Right now when you book between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


   
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