Two-night stay at the Sebel Pier One in a Waterside Room inclusive of breakfast
Remainder of the day at leisure
Adjacent to the harbour bridge, Sebel Pier Oneextends over the water of Sydney Harbour and is a four-star hotel in a terrific location. It is within walking distance of The Rocks, Circular Quay, and many of Sydney’s finest restaurants and boutique shops. A blend of restored-heritage architecture and contemporary design, the hotel is built on an old shipping pier that juts into Walsh Bay. A unique feature is the glass floor in the lobby which gives a view directly to the water beneath.
Guest rooms all have views of Walsh Bay or the Harbour Bridge as well as bathrobes, hairdryers, writing tables, fluffy doonas, and feather pillows. Facilities include 24-hour reception, concierge and room service, a well equipped gym and a bar and restaurant offering modern Australian cuisine to be enjoyed inside or al fresco.
Sydney, the oldest, largest and (some say) most beautiful city in Australia is memorable for far more than its famous landmarks – the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Created around a dazzling harbour, the city has a relaxed style but manages to be vibrant and alive with world-class restaurants, sparkling beaches, great shopping, clubs and pubs, art galleries, and theatre.
We will be happy to arrange as much or as little touring as you like. Here are just a few ideas:
Take a walk around Circular Quay, via the Opera House to the beautiful botanical gardens.
Attend a performance or a behind-the-scenes tour at the Sydney Opera House.
Get out on the harbor. Use a day ticket on the Sydney Ferry network; take a private charter; join a small group on a luxury cruiser; or head out sailing with a skipper.
Take a ferry to Taronga Zoo or enjoy a pleasant lunch at Manly Beach.
Enjoy a private viewing at a leading contemporary Australian art gallery.
Explore the Rocks with a guide or at your own pace.
Take a seaplane flight over Sydney Harbour to lunch on the Hawkesbury River.
Browse one of the weekend markets offering wares from farm-fresh produce to arts & crafts.
Join the locals for a coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte Beach.
Visit The Australian Museum or the NSW Art Gallery -- both within walking distance of the city.
Discover great restaurants at Darling Harbour, which is also home to the excellent Maritime Museum, Sydney Wildlife World, and the Sydney Aquarium.
Day 2: Saturday November 10, 2012
Half-day tour, departing mid-morning, which includes the highlights of the city, hosted by a local expert-guide. Lunch is included, and you will be returned to the hotel in the middle of the afternoon.
The day begins with a visit to the historic Rocks precinct. Witness the birth place of Sydney, and explore the convict-built cottages, pubs, and the first church in Australia. From here, travel across the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge through the leafy northern suburbs to Manly – a beautiful seaside town – and then up to North Head for unrivalled views of the Harbour and CBD. A walk along the rugged sandstone cliffs will take your breath away.
Return to the city passing through Macquarie Street where you will see Australia’s first Parliament House, Mint, Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary’s Cathedral. Enjoy lunch at the pavilion in the heart of the magnificent botanical gardens.
After lunch, visit Mrs Macquarie’s chair, situated on the water’s edge, which is a great place for photographs. Continue through the Eastern suburbs and on to Bondi – Sydney’s most famous beach. Stroll down the esplanade with the locals and enjoy an ice cream before returning to your hotel via the vibrant Oxford Street and the suburb of Paddington. Admire this boutique shopping precinct and the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture of the homes.
November 9-15, 2012
Cost: $5500 per person (in shared accommodation) Beneficiary: Green Corridor Project
There are few opportunities in life that match the wonder, mystery, and beauty of experiencing a total eclipse of the sun. For thousands of years people have been awestruck by the feeling of standing in the moon’s shadow, even if for a few brief minutes. For many, it is truly a magical experience, and one many remember vividly for the rest of their lives.
Join us for the trip of a lifetime as we view the longest total solar eclipse until 2016 from one of the most remarkable bioregions of the world – the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia. Bringing together nature, culture, and the cosmic, this unique travel adventure offers a culturally- and ecologically-sensitive experience of this ancient land and its people, while providing opportunities to give back to both in a sustainable way.
Rich in traditional culture and natural beauty, our rural eclipse-viewing site in the highlands above Cairns adjoins World Heritage Rainforest and maintains close relationships with local aboriginal culture. Far from crowds and close to the natural world, our location offers an unobstructed sightline for the eclipse, as well as stunning views of the brilliant southern hemisphere night sky.
As with all Elevate Destinations travel experiences, our journey combines the highest standard in sustainable travel with opportunities for authentic contact and interaction with local environments and cultures. For us, travel is more than responsible tourism; it is a transformative journey that benefits both travelers and the destinations that host them.
Australian Outback Solar Eclipse
Ayers Rock Extension (2 nights) Cost: $2500 per person in shared accommodation
Day 1: Ayers Rock
Arrive Ayers Rock
Arrival transfer to Longitude 131˚
Your two-night stay in a Luxury King Tent includes all meals, selected alcoholic, and all non-alcoholic beverages, and two scheduled tours each day
Longitude 131˚ is surely the ultimate tented camp in Australia and is located in the central desert country near Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Each of the 15 individual tents is elevated and lavishly decorated. Stone floors are covered in woven rugs; beds are made up with fine linens and feather duvets. Each tent has a view of Uluru as does the large open area in the central part of the camp where guests can relax and watch the changing colors of the rock.
Your guides at Longitude 131˚ will plan your days to include desert activities such as guided walks at Kata Tjuta; an early morning Uluru experience; or an ecological walk to learn about the native habitat, flora and fauna, and bush food and medicine. A highlight of the stay is an evening sundowner atop a secluded sand dune and an exclusive desert dinner served under a canopy of stars that stretches from one horizon to the other.
During the siesta hour you might like to relax by the pool or in the Dune House, where a guest library provides an interesting array of books on local topics. All meals are included during your stay, and the specialty of the house is contemporary Australian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, high-quality produce. Communal dining in the Dune allows guests the chance to meet their fellow 'campers' and exchange stories of their desert encounters.
Day 2: Ayers Rock
Guests of Longitude 131° take part in a touring program that rotates over two days; your hosts will plan your stay which usually consists of the following actitivities:
Cultural Centre, Uluru, and Kantju Gorge Sunset
Transfer to the Cultural Centre to learn the cultural and spiritual meanings of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Along the way there will be photo stops and your guide will explain the World Heritage values, as well as the geology and tourism history of the region.
Journey along the Mala Walk and as day transforms into night, walk into Kantju Gorge to witness the walls ablaze with the light of the setting sun. For thousands of years Kantju Gorge has been a place where respect is paid to local customs. Peace and quiet is paramount throughout this tour. You might hear birds in their last flurries before the sounds of frogs and other insects erupt, and you will see the vivid colors reflected on the vast gorge walls as the sun slowly disappears for the day.
Kata Tjuta and Walpa Gorge
Depart at 6am on the drive to Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas. Stop for early morning photos while your guide explains the ecology, fire management, flora and fauna of the area. At Walpa Gorge the natural history will be explained in great detail and you will learn how eons of weathering and continental upheaval have created this natural work of art. Stop for morning tea before returning to Longitude 131° for lunch and perhaps a rest or a dip in the pool. In the afternoon, there will be time for optional touring such as a camel ride, Harley Davidson tour, or a scenic helicopter flight.
Uluru Sunrise Base Tour
Experience the remarkable changing colors of the entire desert landscape and the spectacular sight of dawn in the Red Centre. Depart before sunrise to the base of Uluru. As day breaks over Australia's heartland, discuss the history of this unique area, including the plights of early explorers and their interactions with Anangu – the original inhabitants of this spectacular wilderness.
With a greater understanding of one of the world's truly ancient cultures, walk around the base of Uluru and view sacred sites. A walk into the Mutitjulu waterhole offers a unique insight into the sheer physical and spiritual enormity of Uluru. During the walk, your guide will point out cave paintings and other relevant sites important to Anangu and the early explorers. Breakfast awaits your return to Longitude 131°, approximately three hours after departure.
To climb the world's largest monolith is against the wishes of Traditional Owners because the path you would follow is the traditional route taken by their ancestral Mala on their arrival at this scared place. A base walk will, however, offer you a deeply personal, moving, and lasting experience.
Day 3: Departure
Transfer to Ayers Rock Airport
Depart Ayers Rock
Inclusions:
Accommodation on a twin- or double-share basis
Touring, transfers, and meals as detailed in itinerary summary
Includes 10% GST
Exclusions
Scheduled international and domestic flights and applicable taxes
Kangaroo Island Extension (3 nights) Cost: $4000 per person in shared accommodation
Day 1: Kangaroo Island
Arrive Adelaide in time to connect with your flight to Kangaroo Island via Adelaide
You will be met on arrival by Kingscote Airport and transferred to Seascape Lodge
Your three-night stay at Seascape Lodge includes daily dinner and breakfast
Seascape Lodge is set on five tranquil acres in a spectacular and secluded coastal location, overlooking the beautiful 5km pristine beach at Emu Bay. Seascape has three spacious guest suites, with a contemporaty design and breathtaking views. All suites feature private bathrooms with rain-water showers, premium linens, reverse cycle air-conditioning and ceiling fans, television and DVD player, and large glass sliding doors that lead on to the veranda.
Hosts Paul and Mandy will have you feeling very much at home, and guests are welcome to enjoy a drink on the deck. As the evening cools you might move indoors to relax by an open fire in the guest lounge. You may help yourself to excellent coffee from the espresso coffee bar or from the extensive range of Twining teas.
Seascape’s dining reputation is renowned; dinner features Kangaroo Island produce and scrumptious deserts. For breakfast, select from delicious homemade bread and jams, island honey, fresh fruits, cereals and muesli, Island sheep milk yogurt, freshly squeezed juices, and free-range organic eggs with a wide choice of accompaniments.
Day 2: Kangaroo Island
Touring from Seascape is conducted in small 4WD vehicles; your guide will be a local Kangaroo Islander who will share his knowledge and insight of the people, history, culture, nature, and industries of the island.
Over the course of your stay at Seascape, your host Paul will coordinate your touring to include highlights of the island. It will be planned to suit the seasons and might include Flinders Chase National Park – home to a wide variety of native animals and birds, including kangaroos and Cape Barren geese. Visits to the ancient limestone formations and Remarkable Rocks where forces of nature have carved modern sculptures out of granite. You might search for the echidna (spiny ant-eater) and observe the Kangaroo Island endemic crimson rosella or a penguin.
Seal Bay Conservation Park is home to 600 Australian sea lions, and you are able to watch these creatures as they rest, play, and nurse their young. Visit Little Sahara to see the vast sand dunes of the island’s inland desert. Award-winning Parndana Wildlife Park is a nature lover’s park which serves as refuge for sick or orphaned animals and offers a unique, hands-on experience. The park is home to a diverse range of Australian wildlife, some of which are endangered and found only on Kangaroo Island.
You will have the rare opportunity to see koalas in their natural environment. Visit the historic Grassdale Farm to see kangaroos roam in their wild and natural habitat. Lunch is a traditional Aussie BBQ, accompanied by South Australian beers and wines, or a delicious picnic of salads and chicken.
Day 3: Barossa Valley
Transfer to Kingscote Airport
Enjoy a tour of Adelaide Hills
Your one-night stay at The Louise will be in a Vineyard Suite. A gourmet breakfast is provided for you to enjoy in your room.
The Adelaide Hills are a short 30-minute drive from Adelaide city and are one of Australia’s premier cool-climate viticulture regions. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are particularly celebrated in the area. Your guide will introduce you to the delightful food and wine culture of the region. Encounter unfolding scenic vistas through misty valleys, and visit alluring purveyors of the finest morsels. Taste wines which are delicate and elegant, with fresh characteristics and refined structure.
The day will include a stop at the summit of Mount Lofty to enjoy panoramic views across Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, and the Fleurieu Peninsula. Pass through many small villages and learn about their history and the stories of the original settlers. A lunch of regional food will be provided at a local restaurant.
The Louiseis on a hilltop in Marananga and is central to the wineries, vineyards, and touring activities of this internationally-renowned wine region. Your suite will include a private terrace, contemporary furnishings, a spacious en-suite bathroom, and superb sunrise or sunset views.
The Louise’s restaurant offers causal fine dining in elegant surroundings. The menu changes daily and focuses on locally-sourced seasonal produce.
Day 4: Departure
Transfer to Adelaide Airport (approx one hour)
Depart Adelaide
Inclusions:
Accommodation on a twin or double share basis
Touring, transfers, and meals as detailed in above itinerary summary
Includes 10% GST
Exclusions:
Scheduled international flights and applicable taxes
Sydney Beach and Bush Extension (3 nights) Cost: $2500 per person in shared accommodation
Day 1: Jarvis Bay
Arrive Sydney.
Once in Sydney, collect your car at the airport and make your own way to Jarvis Bay.
Your two-night accommodation is in a Deluxe Luxury Tent and includes three-course dinners, breakfasts, swimming and sailing , and complimentary use of bikes and canoes.
Built among the paperbark forest that borders the Currumbene Creek, Paperbark Camp offers accommodation in the wild comfort of African-inspired safari tents. Irena and Jeremy Hutchings designed and built the camp with ecologically-sustainable principles. The original landscape was carefully cleared by hand to ensure that delicate ecosystems, natural flora, and birdlife have been preserved. All waste is pumped off the site to protect the pristine Currumbene Creek, which now forms part of the Jervis Bay Marine Park. Lighting for the tents is provided by individual solar panels on each tent, and hot water is heated on demand only by natural gas.
The twelve guest tents are built off the ground on timber platforms; each has an en suite toilet and unique indoor/outdoor shower. This is most certainly comfortable camping! Dinner is served in the Gunyah or in the privacy of your own tent. In the scenic bush setting, enjoy seafood caught in Jervis bay, Australian game produce, and locally grown fruit and vegetables. While at Paperbark, enjoy the world famous white-sand beaches of Jervis Bay, view marine and bird life, head out canoeing on the creek, go bush walking in one of the surrounding National Parks, explore the Bay by sea kayak, or take a whale watching cruise. An in-room massage can also be arranged.
Day 2: Southern Highlands
Travel to Joadja Vineyard in the Southern Highlands. A map and drive directions will be provided.
Here, meet your wilderness guide and host Mark Tickner. Leave your car behind to explore this World Heritage region with him.
Your night under the southern sky is truly special. Mark will not only ensure you are comfortable but that you also enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch, a great fireside dinner, and breakfast to set you up for another busy day.
For many years after the arrival of the first fleet in 1788, the mountains immediately to the west and southwest of Sydney proved to be an impenetrable barrier. Today much of the land is still a natural wilderness and the ideal place for nature enthusiasts wishing to experience some of the finest bush country in Australia. The valleys here harbor a great variety of wildlife in immense numbers. In the company of Mark, and with a little patience, you may be rewarded with sightings of grey kangaroos, wombats, and the shy platypus.
As this is an exclusive experience, Mark will tailor your time with him to suit your interests – perhaps a visit to Wombeyan Caves, bush walking, wildlife spotting, fly-fishing, or kayaking. Mark is a local guide, whose knowledge of the bush tracks and rivers is second to none and whose relationships with local property owners provides access to properties on the southern boundaries of the Blue Mountains National Park.
Your accommodation is on the banks of the Wollondilly River. Amidst the eucalyptus and casuarinas bush, your bed is a ‘swag’ – the bedding of choice for generations of bushmen. These swags are the deluxe version, mounted on timber platforms and with 100% cotton sheets, soft pillows, and a duvet for the cooler evenings. Above you is a canopy of stars stretching across the night skies. Your en suite camp shower and eco-loo are surrounded by canvas but open to the trees and skies above.
The living area is a simple canvas and timber structure on the sandy floor of the riverbank, which includes a small reference library. After a day of fishing, canoeing, bushwalking, or exploring by 4WD, kick back with a cold beer or a chilled glass of wine and watch the sun set. Mark will be happy to chat about the day’s events as he sets the dining table on the bank of the river. As you nibble canapés and help yourself to another drink, he will prepare a delicious meal – perhaps a traditional camp-oven roast or seafood BBQ followed by a sweet treat. Afterwards, relax around the campfire in your own private wilderness. The sounds of Australia’s mostly nocturnal wildlife will be all around.
Day 3: Sydney
After a good night sleep beneath a canopy of stars, wake to fresh-brewed coffee. Enjoy a swim or a walk before breakfast. Depending on your schedule, Mark will return you to your car so that you may continue on.
Your one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel will be in an opera-view room with breakfast included.
Sydney’s Four Seasons Hotel is located in the historic Rocks district – a short walk from the city's shopping and business centers. Many of the elegant and contemporary rooms offer iconic views over the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour, and beyond.
Day 4: Departure
Make your own way to Sydney International Airport
Drop off your car
Depart Sydney
Inclusions:
Accommodation on a twin or double share basis
Touring, transfers, and meals as detailed in above itinerary summary
Includes 10% GST
Exclusions:
Scheduled international & domestic flights and applicable taxes
Comprehensive travel insurance
Meals and bar unless specified
Laundry, gratuities, and items of a personal nature
Tasmania Extension (3 nights)
Cost: price on request
Day 1: Cairns to Hobart
Transfer to Cairns Airport.
Flight Cairns to Hobart (via Sydney or Melbourne).
You will be met by a local expert guide on arrival in Hobart.
A short afternoon tour will include MONA and highlights of Hobart before hotel check-in.
Freshen up before joining the group for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.
To ensure that no time is wasted, you will be whisked straight to the Moorilla Estate winery and MONA for a welcome drink and a taste of some local Tasmanian produce before some time to look around the galleries.
Moorilla Estate winery is located on a promontory that juts into the Derwent River, just 10 minutes drive north of Hobart. The winery includes a delightful selection of food and drink, from wine to Moo Brew beer, and a delicious restaurant. It is also home to a unique array of cultural artifacts, including Egyptian mummies, South American pottery, brilliant paintings, and sculpture.
MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), a new $150-million museum carved out of a sandstone cliff, offers a unique museum experience. Its owner, the multi-millionaire David Walsh, has shared hundreds of items from his private collection, including neolithic arrowheads, ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, the Sidney Nolan work Snake, and ultra-contemporary shock art.
After a visit to the museum, enjoy a short stroll around Hobart – Tasmania’s capital city and the second oldest city in Australia, then check in to your accommodation at the Henry Jones Art Hotel.
The Henry Jones is Australia’s first and only dedicated art hotel. Standing on Hobart’s waterfront, where Europeans first stepped ashore 200 years ago, a row of historic warehouses dating from the 1820’s and a former jam factory have been transformed into an enthralling first-class hotel that showcases the work of Tasmania’s finest visual and performing artists.
All guest suites feature natural timber furnishings, special lighting, and a lavish king-size bed with exotic silk covers and ottomans. All are equipped with European-style stainless steel and translucent glass bathrooms, complemented by magnificent sandstone walls. Most suites have harbor views, while others overlook the stunning glass atrium and reveal glimpses of the old jam factory interior. The hotel’s suites, foyers, bars, restaurants, and atrium are furnished with over 250 original pieces of artwork.
The Henry Jones is a fascinating mix of antique and ultra-modern combined with the intriguing influences of a rich, colonial trading history with India and China
Freshen up in your hotel on Hobart’s waterfront before joining the group for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2: Hobart Wildlife Centre and Bruny Island
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then visit the Hobart Wildlife Centre for a morning of learning and volunteering
Travel to Bruny Island (about 90 minutes including a ferry crossing)
Spend 2 nights in cottage accommodation on Bruny Island
Spend this morning at the Hobart Wildlife Centre. The centre is actively involved in a breeding program for the Tasmanian Devil, which is particularly important as a result of a deadly disease that has spread through the population in recent years and threatens their extinction in the wild. There will be a presentation on the activities of the centre, the breeding program for the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor (TDFT) disease project, and their rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife.
You’ll get up-close and personal with the animals in the centre and spend the morning helping the centre. Your activities will depend on what the centre needs; they may include tree planting, enclosure maintenance, raking, track work, and any other major projects underway in the park at the time of their visit.
Later in the day travel to Bruny Island to spend two nights in simple cottage accommodation. After dinner, visit a little penguin and short-tailed shearwater rookery to view these species as they return to their burrows. There will also be an opportunity to see a range of Tasmania’s nocturnal marsupials including the Eastern quoll (native cat), Tasmanian pademelon, and both normal- and white-morph Bennett’s wallaby and brush-tailed possum.
Your cottage will be a one-bedroom bush cottage featuring quality furnishings and Tasmanian timbers. Facilities include a fully-equipped kitchen open to a small lounge and dining area, a bathroom with separate spa bath and shower, and a washing machine and clothes dryer. The cottage is set in the forest among the wallabies and birds and has a private balcony overlooking the South Bruny Ranges. The balcony has a gas barbeque and a small table with deck chairs.
Day 3: Eco-projects and cruise
Breakfast followed by coastline clean up and bird watching
An eco-cruise along Tasmania’s unspoiled and spectacular coastline provides some time for relaxation and wilderness
Afternoon helping beach clean up projects and a visit to Adventure Bay
In the evening, return to the cottages with time to freshen up before dinner
Enjoy an early-morning beach walk and clean up, which will incorporate some great bird watching, and then move on to some recreation. On an eco-cruise along Tasmania's unspoiled coastline, you’ll view stunning natural cliff formations that are among the tallest in the world; the awesome 'Breathing Rock;' the towering 'Monument;' and the lush, emerald-green forests of South Bruny. You will fall in love with this island paradise. With luck, you will see Bruny Island seals, dolphins, whales, albatross, eagles, gannet, shearwater, and petrel that live in this delicate ecosystem.
The skipper is a great fellow and will make sure your experience is fun and informative. Expect an unforgettable journey - not just Tasmania's best, but simply one of the world's great environmental travel experiences!
This afternoon, participate in weeding the Bruny shorelines and enjoy a presentation on the efforts of the local community and school children to protect the hooded plover. This shorebird’s numbers are decreasing alarmingly throughout its range, primarily due to human disturbance. There is also a very good chance of observing the plover, which should be nesting on the beach.
The afternoon will also include a visit to beautiful Adventure Bay – one of Australia’s most important historic sites. You’ll learn about the historic significance of the area, both Aboriginal and early European, and enjoy a visit to a cool, temperate rainforest to see a range of Tasmanian endemic flora including Gondwanan relics.
After a day of activity, return to your cottage to freshen up before dinner.
Day 4: Inala
Breakfast and a morning at Inala where the focus is wildlife and the preservation of endangered species.
Spend this morning at Inala – a privately-owned, 500-acre wildlife reserve on South Bruny Island. The reserve is a refuge for a number of threatened birds, including the forty-spotted pardalote, one of Australia’s rarest endemic birds. About half of the total known population of this species occurs on Bruny Island and Inala is home to one of the largest known colonies.
Enjoy breakfast on the property, followed by a nature walk through the reserve and a presentation by Dr. Tonia Cochran, a member of the recovery team and Inala’s owner. In addition to the pardalote, you may also see other threatened species such as the white color morph of the grey goshawk, wedge-tailed eagle, swift parrot, and other endemic bird species.
Participate in a session on seed collection, propagating of native plant species, planting seedlings, and weeding and maintenance of areas of importance to threatened species such as the forty-spotted pardalote before transferring back to Hobart for a late lunch and an afternoon flight to Sydney.
Inclusions:
Three nights accommodation
Specialist guiding and transport including airport transfers
All meals as outlined in the itinerary
Bruny ferry fares, eco-cruise and private tour of MONA and the wildlife center
Our trip leader, Stephan Martin, is an astronomer, educator, and author who has participated in scientific expeditions around the world to observe and study solar eclipses. Currently Assistant Professor of Astronomy at Bristol Community College in southeastern Massachusetts, he frequently lectures and gives presentations on astronomy and the wonders of the night sky at educational centers, planetariums, and other popular venues around the country. He is an avid traveler with an interest in the environment and the rich diversity of nature and culture around the globe. His 2010 book Cosmic Conversations explores interdisciplinary perspectives on the universe through interviews with scientists, spiritual leaders, indigenous elders, and cultural creatives.
Australian Outback Solar Eclipse: Summary
Friday, November 9
Arrive Sydney
Transfer to your hotel
Sebel Pier One
Dates: 09 to 11 November 2012
Duration: 2 nights
Includes: Waterside King or twin room with breakfast
Saturday, November 10
Essential Sydney Introduction Tour
Sydney City Highlights Tour escorted by a local expert guide and including lunch, usually pick-up at 10am / return to the hotel at 3pm, details to be confirmed
Sunday, November 11
Transfer from hotel to Sydney Airport
Flight: Sydney to Cairns (not included in price)
Arrival transfers from Cairns Airport to Amaroo
Amaroo Tented Camp
Dates: 11 to 15 November 2012
Duration: 4 nights
Includes: all meals
Activities
15.15hrs Afternoon transfer to Kuranda
15.30hrs Kuranda Riverboat Tour with drinks and nibblies on board, introduction to the Barron River, the health of the eco-system and local conservation initiatives
17.00hrs Transfer back to Amaroo. Evening presentation by Environmental Specialist, time to be confirmed
19.00hrs Drinks (at own expense)
20.00hrs Dinner
Monday, November 12
07.00hrs Breakfast
Transfer time to be confirmed
8.00hrs Indigenous-led day tour with stop for picnic lunch
14.00hrs Return to the camp
17.00hrs Drinks (at own expense)
19.00hrs Dinner
Tuesday, November 13
08.00hrs Breakfast
09.00hrs Volunteer planting program on the Barron River
Break for lunch and a cooling swim in the river
17.00hrs Drinks (at own expense)
19.00hrs Dinner
20.00hrs Indigenous welcome ceremony
21.00hrs Astronomers talk
Friday, November 14
05.00hrs Wake up and coffee
05.40hrs Eclipse viewing
08.00hrs Celebration breakfast
Transfer to Kuranda, time to be confirmed
Flea market shopping or option touring
Transfer back to Amaroo, time to be confirmed
13.00hrs Lunch
Siesta or optional extra activities
17.00hrs Drinks (at own expense)
19.00hrs Farewell dinner
Saturday, November 15
Transfer from Amaroo to departure flight
Flight: Cairns onwards (not included in price)
Australian Outback Solar Eclipse
Day 6: Friday November 14, 2012
Today you’ll have a very early start, with plenty of tea and coffee to rouse you, as you prepare for the eclipse viewing.
Located at 16 degrees, 48 minutes, 4.2588 seconds, Amaroo is within a few miles of the centre line of the zone of totality, viewing will be between 5.40am and 5.45 am and should last for approximately 2 minutes (weather permitting).
A celebration breakfast will follow the eclipse. The rest of the day is free to relax, travel by car into Kurdanda for shopping and strolling, or enjoy optional tours. Lunch will be served in the camp.
In the evening join fellow eclipse viewers for a farewell dinner.
Kuranda village is a picturesque mountain retreat and a vibrant little town surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. It is popular for street markets, cultural theatres, casual cafes, and nature displays.
Kuranda also provides access to the Barron Gorge where local Aboriginal people share their ancient knowledge of this tropical rainforest region and its cultural heritage. Other local highlights include the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – the world’s longest rainforest cableway, which offers an educational rainforest experience with a spectacular view.
Two nights, Sebel Pier One Waterside Room with breakfast and hotel porterage included
Five-hour Sydney tour with lunch and services of expert local guide
Sydney departure transfer
Arrival transfer Cairns to Amaroo
Four nights tented accommodation at Amaroo with all meals included
Afternoon Kuranda Queen tour including transport
Indigenous Day Tour including picnic lunch and transport
Barron River planting day with lunch
Eclipse celebration
Transfers to / from Kuranda on day of eclipse
Departure transfer from Amaroo to Cairns
Applicable 10% GST
Services of two guides throughout trip
Exclusions:
International and domestic flights
Drinks from the bar in all locations (soft drinks and alcoholic drinks)
Meals other than breakfast in Sydney
Laundry service; internet, phone, souvenirs and other items of a personal nature
Australian Outback Solar Eclipse
Day 3: Sunday November 11, 2012
Transfer from hotel to Sydney Airport.
Flight: Sydney to Cairns.
Arrival transfers from Cairns Airport to Amaroo, near Kuranda (about 50 mins drive).
Your four-night stay at Amaroo Tented Camp is inclusive of all meals.
In the afternoon, join a local guide for a Barron River cruise and begin to learn about the health of the ecosystem and local conservation initiatives.
Return to the camp for drinks, dinner and overnight.
On the outskirts of Kuranda, in the heart of the Tablelands, Amaroo offers one of the best locations for eclipse viewers. The pristine 50-acre property, at the top of a ridge, has unobstructed 360° views and almost no man-made structures nor lights in view. Backing onto World Heritage Rainforest, there is a spectacular sunrise over the Barron River.
The property is located within a few miles of the center line of the zone of totality at Latitude 16 degrees, 48 minutes, 4.2588 seconds. Near to the easternmost point of the eclipse, viewers at this location will see the eclipse for its maximum time period -- in excess of 2 minutes (weather permitting).
The solar eclipse is the reason to be in North Queensland, but Amaroo offers the bonus of a comfortable tented camp in a gorgeous setting, an indigenous atmosphere, great food, activities, entertainment, and cold beer at the bar. Accommodation will be in spacious tents outfitted with comfortable bedding and a light. The tents will be arranged in small groups, and each will have access to hot and cold showers, as well as temporary toilet facilities.
Tropical fruit is bountiful and the chef will prepare delicacies using the freshest ingredients and in-season food. All meals are included and dining will be communal. Beer, wine, and soft drinks can be enjoyed in the bar area. A WiFi access area will be available, and a small convenience shop stocks supplies for last minute emergencies.
The calm waters of the beautiful upland Barron River provide great photographic opportunities while your local guides share their vast knowledge of this unique area. The river is home to a host of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, turtles, snakes, water dragons, fish, and over 100 species of tropical birds.
Our local guides have years of experience in conducting ‘wet tropics’ rainforest tours within the North Queensland region, and they have designed and implemented extended study-abroad touring programs, as well as entertaining and enlightening visitors to Kuranda. The presentation and conversation is aimed at adding detail and understanding to a very complex story that has taken this part of the Earth more than 100 million years to create.
Day 4: Monday November 12, 2012
Breakfast will be followed by a tour hosted by indigenous locals and will include a picnic lunch.
Return to the camp in the mid afternoon for drinks, dinner, and overnight at Amaroo.
Bare Hill is the European name for the granite mountains at this site, within Dinden National Park, and the Djabaguy Aboriginal people call the area “Bunda Bibandji.” It is situated in a rocky landscape of dry open forest, with cycads and grass trees. On your walk, follow a track that leads up a gradual climb to two Aboriginal rock art galleries. Although faded, human and animal figures in red and yellow ochre can be seen.
The Djabugay Aboriginal people traditionally used this area for ceremonies, painting, and tool making. We will visit the galleries with a local Aboriginal guide, who will provide significant insight into the customs and traditions of the Djabaguy people.
Day 5: Tuesday November 13, 2012
Breakfast will be followed by a day spent on freshwater conservation and the restoration of the banks of the Barron River.
In the middle of the day there will be time for a swim, a picnic lunch, and a rest in the shade of a leafy tree.
After dinner, join fellow campers for an indigenous welcome ceremony and a late-evening talk by a local astronomer.
The Green Corridor Project is a 20-year initiative to rehabilitate the length of the Barron River within the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland. The project is the idea of the voluntary-based Barron Catchment Group, and they have managed to attract both corporate and public funds to undertake this endeavor. To date, 120 hectares have been treated with 5000 volunteers participating from all over the world.
Our trip leader, Stephan Martin, is an astronomer, educator, and author who has participated in scientific expeditions around the world to observe and study solar eclipses. Currently Assistant Professor of Astronomy at Bristol Community College in southeastern Massachusetts, he frequently lectures and gives presentations on astronomy and the wonders of the night sky at educational centers, planetariums, and other popular venues around the country. He is an avid traveler with an interest in the environment and the rich diversity of nature and culture around the globe. His 2010 book Cosmic Conversations explores interdisciplinary perspectives on the universe through interviews with scientists, spiritual leaders, indigenous elders, and cultural creatives.
