A Family Adventure in Australia
Destination: Australia
Activity: Nature Observation, Cultural Tours, Snorkeling
Duration: 12 days
How Tough? Moderate
When? June-August, December
For Kids? Children Are Welcome
Australia is a great place for a family to visit and this 12-day adventure shows you the real Australia.
On this newly redesigned adventure, you dig deep into Australia. Your travels take you from glorious Sydney, the site of the Olympics, to the incredible underwater ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef.
You go whitewater rafting down the exciting rapids of the Tully River, learn about life on an authentic sheep station and ride four-wheel-drive vehicles into the oldest rain forest on earth. Accommodations are in terrific family-friendly places, including a rain forest lodge and a resort with individual villas.
Children and adults alike are amazed at the wildlife, from the cuddly koala to the teeming creatures of the reef. Take this opportunity for your family to hike, drive, fly, snorkel and paddle their way through Australia’s most sensational places.
The minimum age for children on this trip is 6.
So your family can get the most from a trip to the other side of the world, there are also four optional trip extensions. That way, you can round out your trip with adventures that will suit your family best. You can camp in a spectacular national park and explore Aboriginal archeological sites, eexplore the heart of the Australian Outback, including Ayers Rock or discover Lamington National Park and Australias mid-Pacific coast.
Jessica Garner, a systems analyst at Away’s AdventurousTraveler.com division, recalled her year-long residence in Australia. “Thinking back on the year I spent in Australia, I get an incredibly warm feeling.
“Maybe I’m remembering the intense sunshine coming down from the most gigantic sky you can imagine or maybe it’s the deep blue sea crashing against miles and miles of sculpted coastline,” she recalled. “Or perhaps I’m remembering living among people who so enjoy life. The beautiful imagery you saw in the Sydney Olympics is all true, but it really only scratches thesurface of what this country has to offer.”
Tour Plan
Family Adventure in Australia Itinerary.
Days 1-3: Depart U.S. Arrive Brisbane, Australia. Cross a day off the calendar as you fly over the International Dateline. A representative meets you at the airport for transfer to your hotel in Sydney’s historic Rocks District. Overnight at the Harbour Rocks Hotel.
Day 4: Sydney Harbor cruise, city touring. If you saw the 2000 Olympics on television, you probably saw shots of Sydney’s beautiful harbor. Today you enjoy a scenic luncheon cruise on this magnificent body of water. This afternoon, we have several options: a breathtaking climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge (for those 12 years and up); a tour of the spectacular Olympic site; a visit to the Sydney Museum; or a ride up one of the tallest towers in the Southern Hemisphere. Overnight at Harbour Rocks Hotel.
Day 5: Sydney/Tobruk Merino Sheep Station. Experience a traditional sheep station, wildlife park. Learn about Australias important sheep ranching heritage at the Tobruk Australian Merino Sheep Station. A tasty barbecue lunch will put the perfect touch on the morning. Later, you visit a wildlife park to see cuddly koalas and other native creatures. Overnight at Harbour Rocks Hotel
Day 6: Cairns/Port Douglas. Rain forest night tour. You head to Australias subtropical northeastern coast today, a land of ancient rain forests and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This evening, a guide leads us into the rain forest to spot nocturnal creatures. Overnight at Silky Oaks Lodge.
Day 7: Port Douglas/Daintree Rain Forest. Four-wheel drive rain forest tour, jungle riverboat cruise, swimming. Driving into the Daintree Rain Forest today, possibly the oldest rain forest on earth, your four-wheel drive vehicles take us to Cape Tribulation. Along a jungle creek, you see how the upland forest changes to mangrove forest where fresh water meets salt near the coast. For lunch you enjoy a delicious barbecue and a refreshing swim at your private safari lunch site. Later this afternoon, you walk along the beach at Cape Tribulation. Upon arriving back at our lodge, you feed fish, turtles, and wallabies—a popular family activity. Overnight at Silky Oaks Lodge
Day 8: Port Douglas. Rain Forest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary. This morning you are in for a most unusual experience—the famous “Breakfast with the Birds” in the Rain Forest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary. We also explore the three habitat areas: the Rain Forest Aviary, the Koala and Wetlands Walk, and the Wallaby and Crocodile Area. This afternoon we transfer to a resort hotel with two-bedroom villas, a perfect choice for families. Overnight at Radisson Reef Resort.
Day 9: Port Douglas/Tully River. Whitewater rafting, calm water rafting. Get ready for an exciting day of river rafting. You drive south to the Tully River for an action-packed float trip through a remote World Heritage rain forest. Note: the minimum age for whitewater rafting is 13. Scenic calm water rafting is available for kids 6 and up. Overnight at Radisson Reef Resort
Day 10: Port Douglas/Great Barrier Reef. Reef tour, swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Today we explore the Great Barrier Reef, a 1,250-mile-long (2,000 km) wonder of the world. Boarding a high-speed catamaran, we zoom to the Outer Reef where a marine biologist explains the natural history of this rich underwater ecosystem. After lunch, we can swim, snorkel or ride in a submersible coral viewer. This evening well say our goodbyes at a farewell dinner. Overnight at Radisson Reef Resort
Day 11: Sydney/Depart. Spend a relaxing morning at the resort, then fly to Sydney for your last night. If youre taking one of the optional extensions, you stay in Cairns and leave from there. Overnight at Stamford Sydney Airport.
Day 12: Fly from Sydney to the U.S.
Optional Extensions
Kakadu Adventure Camping Safari:This is an exciting camping expedition in spectacular Kakadu National Park. You and your children will explore ancient Aborigine history and a landscape of cliff, waterfall and rain forest on a camping trip. Your camping experience is first class all the way. You sleep on comfortable Australian swags in spacious tents. Tasty meals are prepared by the camp chef. And in the evening you enjoy Aussie stories around the campfire.
Day 11: Cairns/Darwin. Fly to Darwin, then the rest of the day is free. Overnight at Saville Park Suites.
Day 12: Kakadu National Park. In air-conditioned four-wheel drive vehicles, we travel down The Track through Humpty Doo to Kakadu National Park. At Obiri Rock, see Aboriginal rock art spanning 23,000 years of seasonal occupation. The view from the top of the rock is magnificent. Tonight we camp at Mardugal Billabong and take a boat trip to look for birds and saltwater crocodiles. Overnight camping.
Day 13: Kakadu National Park. Breaking camp, we travel to Barramundie Gorge, a lovely waterfall on the Arnhem Escarpment. We explore the stream through the monsoon rain forest. At Gunlom Falls we camp at the foot of the escarpment. Overnight camping.
Day 14: Kakadu National Park/Darwin. We hike to the top of the escarpment for the view then travel back to Darwin through the old gold miners town of Pine Creek. Overnight at Saville Park Suites.
Day 15: Sydney. Fly back to Sydney for our final night. Overnight at Stamford Sydney Airport.
Day 16: Sydney/Fly to U.S.
Outback Australia: The Outback, the vast heart of the continent, is as essential to the Australian character as the Wild West is to our own. On this exciting adventure, you explore the Outbacks remote settlements, vast landscapes and Aboriginal presence. Highlights include a visit to Ayers Rock, the huge red monolith rising from the Australian desert, a stay at a bush homestead and an Aboriginal culture tour.
Day 11: Cairns/Alice Springs. Fly to Alice Springs, then explore the legendary town at the middle of the Outback, including a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the School of the Air which broadcasts lessons to children in isolated communities. We stay in air-conditioned cabins at Ross River Homestead, an old-fashioned ranch. Overnight at Ross River Homestead.
Day 12: Ross River Homestead. Enjoy the outback as you learn how to throw boomerangs, crack whips and even ride camels! Overnight at Ross River Homestead.
Day 13: Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Today we fly to Ayers Rock and hike among the eerie rock domes of the Olgas. This evening, experience the quietest restaurant on earth, a serene sunset barbecue on a sand dune overlooking the Olgas. After dinner we can admire the brilliant stars of the southern sky. Overnight at Emu Walk Apartment.
Day 14: Ayers Rock/Sydney. We breakfast with sunrise views of Ayers Rock, then walk to the Rock along an ancestral Aboriginal track. Well hear the story of the Liru and see demonstrations of Aboriginal bush skills. Fly to Sydney for our final night. Overnight at Stamford Sydney Airport.
Day 15: Sydney/Fly to U.S.
Pacific Coast Adventure: Australia’s mid-Pacific coast, just outside the city of Brisbane, is an area of lush subtropical rain forests, spectacular oceanfront and unexpected natural wonders. On this extension, you explore some of the region’s remarkable natural areas, including Lamington National Park and Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. You also enjoy a beachside resort with lots to do for every member of the family.
Day 11: Cairns/Brisbane/Lamington National Park. Fly to Brisbane, then transfer to Lamington National Park, a World Heritage Site with diverse woodlands, waterfalls and wildlife. Stay at a casual family guesthouse. Overnights at O’Reillys Guest House.
Day 12: Lamington National Park. Hike and explore the magnificent park today. The park’s forests range from temperate beach forest in the highlands to warm subtropical rain forest near our guesthouse and dry eucalyptus in the lower valleys. Overnight at O’Reilly’s Guest House.
Days 13-14: Couran Cove. We boat to Couran Cove Resort on beautiful South Stradbroke Island. Enjoy the beach, go kayaking or just relax. Overnights atCouran Cove Resort.
Days 15-16: Noosa/Fraser Island. We travel up the Sunshine Coast to the beach town of Noosa. Next day, explore the rain forests, crystal lakes and beaches of Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. Overnights at Netanya Noosa.
Day 17: Brisbane/Sydney. Fly to Sydney for our last night. Overnight at Stamford Sydney Airport.
Day 18: Sydney/Fly to U.S.
New Zealand: North Island Adventure: What’s a trip Down Under without a visit to the Kiwi Nation? You explore New Zealand’s beautiful North Island, from volcano-bedecked Auckland to Rotorua, a spectacular geothermal area and Maori culture center. Your trip includes a visit to the eerie Glowworm Grotto and an overnight stay on an authentic New Zealand farm.
Day 11: Cairns, Australia/Auckland, New Zealand. Arriving in the late afternoon, we settle into our two-bedroom hotel suites. Overnight at First Imperial Hotel Apartments.
Days 12-13: Auckland. Numerous extinct volcanoes dot Auckland and the harbor. This morning, we’ll take in the grand view from Mt. Eden, tallest of the extinct cones, then view the superb Maori and Pacific Islands collection at the War Memorial Museum. This afternoon, we can use Auckland’s excellent ferry system for further exploring. On Day 13, help sail Pride of Auckland on an exciting morning sailing expedition. Afterwards, we visit the Maritime Museum. The afternoon is free. Overnights at First Imperial Hotel Apartments.
Day 14: Auckland/Waitomo/Rotorua. In Waitomo, we go on a guided tour of the famous limestone caves, including the bioluminescent Glowworm Grotto. In Rotorua, the land of geysers, enjoy a Maori hangi dinner with traditional songs and dance. Overnight: Wylie Court Lodge.
Days 15-16: Rotorua. Tour Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori learn traditional carving and weaving. Day 16 is free. Many activities are available, including fishing, horseback riding, a lake cruise and four-wheel drive volcano safari. Overnights at Wylie Court Lodge. (B,D both days)
Day 17: Rotorua/Hamilton. Today we ride the Geyserland train to Hamilton and stay overnight with a New Zealand farm family, sharing home-cooked meals with our hosts. Overnight farm stay.
Day 18: Hamilton/Auckland/Fly to U.S.
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