DAY 1  ARRIVE MELBOURNE

                  Welcome to Melbourne Australia. On arrival you will be met and assisted with your transfer by private car to your accommodation.

                  The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

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DAY  2 MELBOURNE CITY HIGHLIGHTS

                     Renowned to be Australia's cultural and fashion capital, Melbourne has an air of graciousness with its wide tree-lined boulevards, old bluestone buildings and its many public parks and gardens. This morning accompanied by your private guide, enjoy a city orientation tour visiting the many parks and gardens of this gracious city. See the tranquil Fitzroy Gardens and the magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens . Make a special visit to the Shrine of Remembrance. See the Arts and Cultural Centre, Albert Park Lake, the gracious tree lined St. Kilda Road and visit the historical Como House. The remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure.

Accomm:

Punt Hill Apartments (Flinders Lane)

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DAY 3  GREAT OCEAN ROAD - TWELVE APOSTLES

                Today accompanied by your private guide, travel west and cross the spectacular Westgate Bridge to Geelong, Victoria's largest provincial city. Join the Great Ocean Road at Torquay and explore this magnificent road carved into he cliffside offering some of the most spectacular coastal views in Australia. Travel through the popular seaside resort of Anglesea where you will break for morning refreshments and view the wild Kangaroos grazing on the golf course. Enjoy the scenery as you pass wide surf beaches, dramatic stretches of precipitous cliffs and idyllic coves where fern-shaded creeks join the sea. Time at the peaceful township of Apollo Bay to take a walk along a beautiful beach. See Koalas in Eucalyptus forests and walk in world heritage temperate rainforest. After crossing the beautiful Otway Ranges arrive at the Port Campbell National Park, and area of immense beauty featuring some of the most rugged and dangerous coastline in Victoria. See the power of the ocean at work at the Twelve Apostles, a row of great stone pillars, and the remains of London Bridge. Behold the marvel of nature which is Loch Ard Gorge, the scene of the dramatic shipwreck of the "Loch Ard" with only two survivors over 100 years ago. This area is truly a photographer's paradise.

                Return to Melbourne mid evening.

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DAY 4 FAIRY PENGUIN PARADE

                This morning is free at leisure for your own activities. This afternoon accompanied by your private guide, travel to Phillip Island to watch the Fairy Penguins come home from sea. Arriving before sunset, visit the Koala Conservation Centre Nobbies and Seal Rocks, home to a colony of Australian fur seals before continuing to Summerland Beach, home to the Fairy penguin Parade. From the waves, across the beach, to the sand dunes - the penguins can almost be touched as the make their way across the sand to their burrows.

               Return to Melbourne mid evening.

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DAY 5 MELBOURNE - CANBERRA (air) - FARMSTAY

(D)           This morning transfer by private vehicle to Melbourne airport to board your flight to Canberra. On arrival at the nations capital you will be collected by your hosts from Brindabella Station Homestead.  En route to your accommodation enjoy a city orientation tour. See the Canberra Planning Exhibition at Regatta Point, new Parliament House on Capital Hill, pass the High Court of Australia, the National Library, the Prime Minister's Lodge and diplomatic high commissions.

View the column bell tower of the Carillon and the Captain Cook Memorial water jet then visit the Australian War Memorial, with the opportunity to inspect this outstanding tribute to Australia at war. Continue to the summit of Mount Ainslie for breathtaking panoramic views of Canberra.  Brindabella Station Homestead has very significant historic, cultural, architectural and geographic interest. The Station was first settled in the early 1860’s and has been home to one of Australia’s most famous writers - Miles Franklin. Three national parks surround the homestead making it abundant with wildlife and farming operations continue throughout the year. This evening dinner accompanied by local wines will be served in the homestead.

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DAY 6 AT LEISURE - BRINDABELLA

(B/L/D)           Breakfast will be served in the homestead.  Today is free at leisure. There are a host of activities you can participate in including trout fishing, canoeing, bushwalking, cycling participating in rural activities, reading the works of Miles Franklin, or enjoying one of the many 4WD day trips on offer. Throughout you visit you will be taken on a Koala and Wombat Safari . Dinner will be served in the homestead.

Accomm:

Brindabella Station Homestead

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DAY 7 CANBERRA - SYDNEY (air)

(B)                   Breakfast in the homestead. This morning transfer by private vehicle to Canberra airport to board your flight to Sydney. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Accomm:

Stafford Apartments (Harbour View Studio)

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DAY 8 DAY AT LEISURE WITH SYDNEY EXPLORER PASS

              Today is free for you to use your State Transit Sydney Explorer Pass to tour Sydney at your leisure, seeing only the attractions that interest you. The red Sydney Explorer bus operates on a 20 kilometre circuit to 26 different stops around Sydney from 9.30am to 9.00pm. Get on and off as often as you like. The Sydney Explorer stops at such attractions as Darling Harbour, Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens and cosmopolitan Kings Cross.

Accomm:

Stafford Apartments (Harbour View Studio)

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DAY 9 FULL DAY 4WD BLUE MOUNTAINS DISCOVERY TOUR

Departing Sydney, Depart your hotel this morning, travel in luxury 4WDs across the Sydney Harbour Bridge then past the 2000 Olympic Games site and onto the Blue Mountains National Park. Leaving the main roads behind travel deep into the bush. Enjoy morning tea surrounded by kangaroos, parrots & kookaburras. Departing Glenbrook, continue into the high Blue Mountains. See Leura village & the 3 Sisters. These majestic pillars of sandstone tower over the valley and are one of Australia’s spectacular sights. We’ll also drop-off at Lilianfels hotel. Travel on to the highest point of the whole Blue Mountains, then descend in 4WD along a thrilling backcountry track out to the magnificent Kanimbla lookout. If you have the energy take a bushwalk! Nearby, enjoy lunch at the Hotel Imperial. Experience a fabulous meal, chat to the locals and explore Mt Victoria village. This afternoon visit the so-called 'Grand Canyon' of Australia at Govetts Leap with its awesome views. Pick-up passengers returning to Sydney from Katoomba then commence the return to Sydney. Follow the original trail of the first explorers to cross the Blue Mountains in 1813 before arriving at Sydney’s premier wildlife park. See koalas, kangaroos up close plus friendly dingoes. Take a close-up photo as you pat the koalas. Depart the park & return directly to Sydney and hotels.

Accomm:

Stafford Apartments (Harbour View Studio)

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DAY 10 SYDNEY - GLADSTONE (air) - HERON ISLAND (catamaran)

(D)             This morning transfer by private vehicle to Sydney domestic airport to board your flight to Gladstone.  On arrival you will be met and assisted with your transfer to Gladstone marina to board your catamaran transfer to Heron Island. Heron Island is an evergreen coral cay, the only island resort that is actually part of the Great Barrier Reef itself. It is a marine lovers paradise - with over 800 species of fish it is possibly the richest and most diverse collection of marine life to be found anywhere in the world.

Accomm:

Heron Island Resort (Reef Suite)

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DAYS 11-13  AT LEISURE ON HERON ISLAND

(B/L/D)           Days are free at leisure for own activities

Accomm:

Heron Island Resort (Reef Suite)

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DAY 14 HERON ISLAND - GLADSTONE (catamaran) - SYDNEY (air)

(B)                   This morning board your catamaran transfer to Gladstone. On arrival you will be transferred by courtesy coach to the airport to board your flight to Sydney. On arrival you will be transferred by private car to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure for some last minute shopping.

Accomm:

Stafford Apartments (Harbour View Studio)

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DAY 15 DEPART

                                    This morning transfer by private vehicle to the airport to board your departure flight.

END OF SERVICES

Prices Are Valid Till 31 March 2002
2 Passengers Twinshare - AUD4195.00 net per person Note: All prices are net per person on a twin share basis
* Single rates on application.
Cost includes: Accommodation as per the itinerary in 4 star apartments and at Brindabella Homestead with private facilities Transfers by private vehicle Touring on a private basis (except 4WD eco tour in Sydney which is small personalised seat in coach touring) Meals only as indicated by (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner Entrance fees to attractions listed Activities at Brindabella Station Homestead Arrival assistance with documentation / voucher hand-over Porterage Sydney Bed Tax Agents Commission	Cost does not include:   International and Australian Domestic Airfares (MEL - CBR, SYD - GLT - GLT - SYD) Meals not indicated by (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner Items of a personal nature Pre-registration of accommodation if early arrival in Melbourne Use of accommodation before / after normal check in / out times Optional Touring Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary.