Australia Escorted Tours

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS 2012/2013

(Valid: 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013)

To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Excursions for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. We understand that everyone is an individual, and have therefore allowed some free time for you to experience different types of touring. These have not been included in the tour fare as we realise they may not appeal to all people. Our selection of optional excursions include scenic flights, helicopter rides, cruises, dinners, ballooning, fishing trips, four wheel drive tours, cultural experiences, and even camel riding.

Bookings

The excursions can be booked through your Tour Director. You will be asked during the early part of your tour to name those that you may wish to join, as advance reservations are often necessary. Please note that occasionally weather or seasonal conditions may not permit their operation. Some also depend on a minimum number of participants and suitable time being available.

Prices

Prices are valid from 01 April 2012, are in Australian dollars and may be subject to change. Please note that reduced rates for pensioners or children may apply on some tours. Prices are inclusive of GST.

MELBOURNE

K10 PENGUINS WITH KANGAROOS & KOALAS
PRICE: ADULT $112.50 / CHILD $90.00

See Port Phillip Bay and the prestigious bayside suburbs on your way to Phillip Island. Visit the Koala Conservation Centre, then observe the nightly ritual of the world famous Penguin Parade. Every day at dusk you can experience the natural wonder of the Little Penguins returning from a day of fishing. This unique scene is viewed from elevated stands under subdued floodlights. Koalas can be seen in their natural environment, and there is the opportunity to inspect the Visitor Information Centre to learn about the animals that inhabit Phillip Island.

COLONIAL TRAMCAR RESTAURANT
PRICE: EARLY DINNER (MON-SUN) ADULT $65.45 / CHILD $56.95 LATE DINNER (SUN-THU) ADULT $102.85 / CHILD $94.35 LATE DINNER (FRI-SAT) ADULT $116.88 / CHILD $108.38

Dine and see the sights aboard the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. The restored 1927 trams are amongst the oldest in Melbourne. Included in your fare is a delicious meal, full bar service-including wine, beer, spirits and liqueur with dessert.

K4 GREAT OCEAN ROAD DELUXE
PRICE: ADULT $107.10 / CHILD $85.50

Admire panoramic views of the Melbourne city skyline. Enjoy Devonshire Tea at Torquay. See Bells Beach, home to the World Surfing Championships. Travel along Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road. Drive through the beautiful coastal towns of Anglesea, Lorne and Wye River. See spectacular Cape Patton. Arrive at the beautiful white sandy beaches of the scenic coastal town of Apollo Bay for lunch (own expense). Drive through lush tree-fern gullies and towering mountain-ash forests of the Otway National Park. See the stone monoliths of the Twelve Apostles. Soak up the spectacle on a scenic walk to the lookouts. Enjoy the amazing shipwreck story of survival of the Loch Ard and visit its famous Gorge and Razorback Lookout. Stop at Port Campbell for afternoon tea (own expense). See the rock known as London Bridge, parts of which collapsed in recent years. Relax on your return journey
to Melbourne.

K35 PUFFING BILLY & YARRA VALLEY WINERIES WITH LUNCH
PRICE: ADULT $171.00 / CHILD $87.75

Drive through lovely Ferntree Gully to the Dandenong Ranges and Grant's Reserve. Enjoy Billy Tea with home-made lamingtons and Aussie Vegemite. Feed the Crimson Rosella birds in the mountain ash tall forest. Ride on Puffing Billy, Australia's oldest operating steam train, through the spectacular rainforest of tall mountain ash, eucalypts and fern-filled gullies. Arrive at Fergusson Winery and enjoy a delicious spit roast lunch with wine tasting and tea/ coffee. Visit two more wineries for tasting, appreciation and education. The wineries may be Rochford Wines, Dominique Portet, Domaine Chandon or others. The Yarra Valley is Victoria's premium wine region with its rolling green hills overlooking the Great Dividing Range.

AYERS ROCK

CAMEL TO SUNSET PRICE: ADULT $119.00

Travelling for one hour on friendly camels in this spectacular desert region brings you closer to nature and offers great views of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. A refreshing glass of sparkling wine or beer and tasty snacks wait at the end of the trail.

CAMEL TO SUNRISE PRICE: ADULT $119.00

A peaceful one hour camel ride through stunning sand dune country with the awe inspiring back drop of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Take in the cool morning air and watch as the rising sun lights up Uluru and the surrounding plains. Skilled cameleers describe the flora and fauna along the trail. Enjoy billy tea, coffee and freshly baked beer bread after the ride.

CAMEL EXPRESS PRICE: ADULT $75.00

Catch the Camel Train and enjoy a 45 minute ride on our good natured camels through classic Central Australian desert landscape with spectacular views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

AYERS ROCK SCENIC FLIGHTS
Uluru and Kata Tjuta 40 Minute Scenic Flight
PRICE: ADULT $200.00
Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Lake Amadeus 60 Minute Scenic Flight PRICE: ADULT $320.00
Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Lake Amadeus and Kings Canyon 120 Minute Scenic Flight PRICE: ADULT $495.00
Full Day Kings Canyon PRICE: ADULT $640.00
Uluru Only Scenic Flight PRICE: ADULT $100.00

HELICOPTER FLIGHTS
15 Minute Ayers Rock Flight PRICE: ADULT $145.00
30 Minute Ayers Rock and Olgas Flight
PRICE: ADULT $275.00
36 Minute Ayers Rock and Olgas Flight
PRICE: ADULT $310.00

ULURU MOTORCYCLE TOURS
15 Minute Quick Spin PRICE: ADULT $55.00
30 Minute Harley Ride PRICE: ADULT $95.00
60 Minute Harley Ride PRICE: ADULT $150.00

CAIRNS

CROCODILE EXPLORER
PRICE: ADULT $62.00 / CHILD $31.00

Enjoy a calm water cruise on Trinity Inlet, while discovering the secrets of the mangroves, wildlife, history and culture of the harbour and its trade. See crocodiles and a variety of native birds in their natural habitat, and then get close up to crocodiles during the Crocodile Farm Tour on Australia's largest commercial crocodile farm. Enjoy a delicious morning or afternoon tea, while cruising back to Cairns via the sugar cane fields.

GREAT ADVENTURES- INTRODUCTORY DIVE
PRICE: ADULT $140.00

No experience is necessary to take a fully supervised introductory dive and explore the reef and its amazing marine life. Snorkel tours are a great way to maximise your experience on the Great Barrier Reef with many magnificent sites to capture the excitement. Note: Age and medical restrictions may apply to diving.

GBR HELICOPTERS – OUTER REEF SCENIC FLIGHT PRICE: ADULT $148.00

Complete your reef experience by joining a reef scenic flight to view the majestic coral formations from the air.

CTR CAPE TRIBULATION DAY TOUR
PRICE: ADULT $181.00 / CHILD $120.00

Travel to the Daintree River, crossing the river by vehicular ferry. Travel through dense rainforest before arriving at the Daintree Discovery Centre. Here you can take a closer look at life in the rainforest from the Rainforest Canopy Tower. There is time to walk along Cape Tribulation Beach before enjoying lunch. Enjoy a cruise through mangroves along the Daintree River before returning to your hotel.

KQST KURANDA, SKYRAIL AND TJAPUKAI DAY TOUR PRICE: ADULT $183.00 / CHILD $94.00

Join the famous Kuranda Railway for a breathtaking journey on one of the world's most scenic railways to the village of Kuranda. Stroll through the famous Kuranda markets. Return to the lowlands by the Skyrail Cableway which takes you above the rainforest canopy. Visit the award winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, meet your Indigenous guide and learn about this ancient culture through theatres, stage shows and demonstrations. You are then transferred back to your hotel.

KQS KURANDA & SKYRAIL DAY TOUR
PRICE: ADULT $147.00 / CHILD $77.00
Join your luxury Down Under Tours coach for the journey to Caravonica Lakes. Here you join Skyrail and marvel at the technology that has created the World's Most Beautiful Rainforest Experience. Stop at Barron Falls Station and learn more about this amazing Eco-system at the CSIRO Interpretive Centre. View the Barron Falls or enjoy a l eisurely stroll along the rainforest boardwalk. On arrival in Kuranda, the Village is yours to explore. The vibrant and colourful Heritage markets take place daily. Your return to Cairns is aboard the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail. Winding around curves, across bridges and through hand-hewn tunnels this amazing engineering feat is a tribute to our pioneers. Spectacular scenery is the order of the day before arriving at historic Freshwater Station, where you will board your coach back to your accommodation.

HOT AIR CAIRNS
30 Minute Flight
PRICE: ADULT $205.00 / CHILD $130.00
60 Minute Flight
PRICE: ADULT $305.00 / CHILD $210.00

Departing Cairns daily, enjoy a spectacular balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands the hot air ballooning capital of the southern hemisphere. See kangaroos and enjoy some of the most reliable and best priced ballooning in the world. Note: An Aviation Insurance Levy of $30.00 is payable direct to Hot Air Ballooning.

RED OCHRE GRILL PRICE: ADULT $47.00

Red Ochre Grill has created a whole new Australian Cuisine utilising the abundant and, until recently, untapped traditional native fruits, berries, game meats and seafood, as well as the best of Australian wines and beers.

TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK by Day
PRICE: ADULT $58.00 / CHILD $29.00

Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. Three theatres, a museum, art gallery and a traditional Aboriginal camp combine to give a fascinating glimpse of the rich and ancient culture of the traditional inhabitants of the region. Try your hand at boomerang and spear throwing too. Transfers included.

TJAPUKAI BY NIGHT
PRICE: ADULT $121.00 / $60.50

Journey into dreamtime legend and discover the magic of Australia's ancient indigenous culture. Immerse yourself in the traditions of Tjapukai The people of the rainforest through traditional and contemporary cultural performances. Includes a welcome drink and face painting upon arrival to initiate you into the Tjapukai tribe, solemn didgeridoo blessing, cultural performances, lake side fire making ceremony and an international buffet dinner.

SYDNEY

J15 BLUE MOUNTAINS & WILDLIFE PARK PRICE: ADULT $98.10 / CHILD $76.50

Travel to the spectacular Blue Mountains. Opportunity to ride the Scenic Railway, Skyway Cable Car or the new Sceniscender (own expense). View the Three Sisters, a giant rock formation of Aboriginal legend. Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to native Australian wildlife and birds. Travel through Homebush, the site of the 2000 Sydney Olympics on your return to Sydney.

J14 HUNTER VALLEY WINE TASTING PRICE: ADULT $130.50 / CHILD $103.50

Depart the city via the Harbour Bridge and travel through the spectacular Hawkesbury district, stopping in historic Wollombi for morning tea. Enjoy private wine tastings at Lindeman's Winery. Increase your knowledge of wine with an introductory DVD about the wine making process. Learn about styles, techniques and how to blend your own wine. Visit the home of Bluetongue Beer and enjoy a tasting paddle of available varieties (own expense). A smorgasbord lunch of tasting platters offering you a range of dishes is included, while the cellarmaster shows you how food marries with the wines. Enjoy boutique wine at its best with a tasting at Oakvale, one of Australia's oldest working wineries. Enjoy the quaint village of Hunter Valley Gardens. View lush rolling hills and small wineries dotted across the landscape as you journey back to Sydney.

CAPTIAN COOK CRUISES
CAPTAIN'S DINNER PRICE: ADULT $139.00 / CHILD $89.00 LOW SEASON (APR-OCT) ADULT $149.00 / CHILD $99.00 HIGH SEASON (NOV-MAR)

Cruise, dine and dance aboard Sydney's flagship MV Sydney 2000. This is a most popular Dinner Cruise and a must for special occasions, visitors to Sydney or for those who love a great night out.

SYDNEY TOWER RESTAURANT
PRICE: ADULT $69.50 / CHILD $29.50 (MON-THU) ADULT $85.00 / CHILD $25.00 (FRI-SUN)

Iconic Sydney Tower Restaurant is the highest revolving restaurant in the southern hemisphere. It's the ideal location to enjoy all Sydney has to offer from over three hundred metres above the city centre. Taking a leisurely seventy minutes to complete a full revolution, you are treated to a three-hundred and sixty degree panoramic view of Sydney whilst enjoying quality local and international cuisine from the self select buffet.

NOTE: Prices are subject to change. All details correct at time of printing. Not all optional excursions are available with your tour.