Summary

Trip Length
14 days/13 nights

Price
from USD$ 6,356
Details >

Outline
Arrive Ayers Rock
2 nights Ayers Rock
2 nights Ooraminna Station
1 night Palm Cove
2 nights Cockatoo Hill Retreat
2 nights Tyrconnell Gold Mine
3 nights Thala Beach Lodge
Depart Cairns

Starts
Ayers Rock

2007-2008
Daily, year round

Accommodation
Luxury hotels, guesthouses, and lodges

Options & Upgrades
Add nights in Cairns

Day 1 – Arrive at Ayers Rock
Touch down at the airport in Ayers Rock and transfer to Longitude 131, the ultimate of luxury hotels Australia, a refined bush camp. Each of the 15 individual tents is on an elevated platform and is lavishly decorated; stone floors are covered in woven rugs, and beds are made up with fine linens and feather duvets. All tents have ensuite facilities, air conditioning, and CD players. A view of Uluru is within sight of each tent, as well as from The Dune House – the large communal dining and lounge area.

Day 2 – Explore Ayers Rock
Enjoy a day filled with a variety of activities in Uluru-Kata National Park. Opt for an ecological walk through a variety of desert landscapes where you have the opportunity to experience first hand native habitat, flora and fauna, bush food and bush medicine, a cultural experience of the land’s spirit in the centre of Australia. The rich red colours at sunrise and sunset provide the best times to visit the sacred sites of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. When you’re worn out from touring walking and by 4x4, a relaxing soak in the swimming pool is a refreshing way to end the day.

Day 3 – Ayers Rock to Ooraminna Station
Leave Ayers Rock behind today as you fly to Alice Springs, your gateway to Ooraminna Station. A private transfer drives you right to your destination, where three individual luxury lodge ‘cottages’ are designed with wooden and corrugated iron exteriors in Australian outback style. Each cabin has air conditioning, ceiling fans, private bathroom facilities and stylish furnishings. Cabins are secluded for privacy but are just a short stroll from the main homestead.

Here, you enjoy true outback hospitality. With their station encompassing half a million acres of cattle country in central Australia, your hosts are the 6th generation of the Hayes family to live at Ooraminna. The rugged sandstone outcrops of the desert ranges are a peaceful way of life.

Day 4 – Ooraminna Station
Your time at Ooraminna is as active or lazy as you like – there’s no fixed schedule you have to follow. Your host is happy to arrange for whatever kind of activity you have in mind. Why not start the day with an early morning walk and see the sun rise on the horizon? Learn about life on a remote outback station and even join in the activities on a working ranch for an in-depth experience. Finish off the day with a 4x4 tour of the property - you can do a little of everything at Ooraminna Station!

Day 5 - Ooraminna Station to Palm Cove
Part ways with your friendly hosts today as you fly to Cairns, where a representative from the Reef House in Palm Cove is awaiting your arrival. Your accommodation, the Reef House, has retained its original charm and tropical colonial style. You can sense the House’s history the moment you walk inside. Facilities include a pool-side café and a more formal restaurant overlooking the beach. Palm Cove is a small beachside village where the main street is only steps from a white sand beach and none of the buildings are taller than the surrounding palm trees. It’s a peaceful retreat like you’ve only dreamed of.

Day 6 – Palm Cove to Cockatoo Hill Retreat
Pick up your rental car this morning and drive to the luxurious rainforest resort Cockatoo Hill Retreat. Accommodation at Cockatoo Hill consists of four separate thatched cottages with polished wood floors, a king-size bed and balconies with views across the rainforest towards the ocean. Your hosts Carmen and Gilles bring a touch of French style to the cuisine that you enjoy in the main lodge, which is set amongst gardens of bougainvillea, frangipani and palms.

During the heat of the day, relax at the beautiful swimming pool with its cascading waterfall and views to the horizon.

Day 7 – Cockatoo Hill Retreat
Spend the day with a small group on a guided tour to Cape Tribulation. Enjoy a cruise on the Daintree River, where rainforest extends overhead and the muddy banks are a relaxing spot for crocodiles. Take time to stroll along the rainforest shores of the Coral Sea as you make your way to Cape Tribulation. Experience the serenity of nature with a creek-side picnic lunch – take a swim in the crystal clear water for a real treat! Commit Australia’s beauty to memory with a visit to a specially constructed rainforest and mangrove walk, where your guide immerses you in the secrets of the rainforest.

Day 8 – Cockatoo Hill Retreat to Tyrconnell Gold Mine
Climb into your rental car today and make the drive to Tyrconnell Gold Mine, a unique Australian heritage site.

Your newly constructed accommodation mirrors the style of your hosts’ renovated historic cottage. You’re staying in a modern property without giving up any unique charms of years past. Innovative use of wood and corrugated iron, polished wood floors, and decorative antiques make for a welcoming stay. Step out onto your verandah for views of the surrounding bush country before joining your hosts for a delicious meal.

Day 9 - Tyrconnell Gold Mine
You have a full day to explore the region. Sense the history of the region as you visit two ghost towns – once full of life but now lying abandoned. Tour the mine at Tyrconnell, try your hand at gold panning in the creek and explore the outdoors. You can walk a scenic, overgrown track to Cairns – it’s what remains of the old road from the goldfields to the city – while keeping an eye out for wildlife and bird viewing opportunities. Savor a picnic lunch next to a waterhole in the calm of nature or enjoy an evening drink overlooking the mine and Mt. Mulligan – the day is yours to do as you please.

Day 10 - Tyrconnell Gold Mine to Thala Beach Lodge via Cairns
Leave history behind you today as you return your rental car to Cairns, where you meet with you transfer to Thala Beach Lodge. The Lodge is a natural and secluded environment for relaxation and is a tranquil haven at the end of a hard day’s exploring. Stroll at sunrise on the private tropical beach or relax with cocktails while watching the sunset over the coastal ranges. Why not ask about having a picnic basket prepared for an intimate beachside meal? Pampering comes first at Thala Beach.

Day 11 – Thala Beach Lodge
You have a day at leisure to enjoy Thala Beach Lodge. Relax in one of two swimming pools, or take to the open water in a sea kayak. Guided nature and bird watching walks are available onsite for those wanting to explore the outdoors. If some time in town strikes your fancy, the lodge will transport you to and from Port Douglas – free of charge. Stroll along the 2 km length of private, sandy beach, where calm overcomes you. For a truly relaxing experience, you might like to add some pampering at the Wellness Spa for that extra special touch.

Day 12 – Thala Beach Lodge – Great Barrier Reef Excursion
Enjoy a full day reef tour to the famous Great Barrier Reef! Easily accessible from Australia’s shore, the Reef is arguable the country’s greatest natural wonder. Visit this living attraction under a crew of ten on the Poseidon, a 24 metre (75 foot) modern high-speed catamaran. Explore the world’s largest coral reef system from three separate snorkeling locations. This is one of the most comprehensive areas in terms of sea life and is home to 400 types of coral, 1500 species of fish and 4000 types of mollusk. Snorkeling here is a once in a lifetime experience.

Day 13 – Departure
With fond memories made, you are transferred to the Cairns airport in time for your flight home.

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2007-2008 Package Start Dates
April 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008

Options & Upgrades
Add nights in Cairns

Price Notes
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people sharing

Included
• 13 nights accommodation in stylish and unique luxury accommodation
• Most meals
• Airport transfers in Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Cairns
• Small group touring of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Katu Tjuta (The Olgas)
• Most activities at Ooraminna Homestead
• Full day shared tour of the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
• 5 Days Car hire - Toyota Camry or similar
• Most activities and at Tyrconnel Gold Mine
• 10% GST

Not Included
• Scheduled domestic & international flights
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Additional vehicle rental charges (airport & vehicle registration recovery fees)
• Meals & bar unless specified
• Laundry, gratuities & items of a personal nature

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