Australia | Solo Escapes

AUSTRALIA: AN EPIC TRIP TO THE LAND DOWN UNDER

Saturday, July 4-Wednesday, July 15, 2020

12 Days from $8,100 (Solo Occupancy) or $6,600 (Double Occupancy)*

*Receive $200 off if you pay by check or Venmo

From its vibrant cities to its awe-inspiring coastline and enchanting rain forests, Australia is one-of-a-kind. Come experience the incredible diversity this country has to offer through an epic journey that will take you from Melbourne to the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney.

What's Included:

Accommodations
All internal flights within Australia
All listed excursions and activities
Most meals including breakfast daily
All gratuities

What's not Included:

Airfare to and from Australia**
Airport Transfers on arrival to Melbourne (July 4) and departure from Sydney (July 15)**
Trip Insurance
Any additional meals not specified in the itinerary
Any additional activities or incidentals not included in the itinerary

**Airfare and airport transfers can be booked through Solo Escapes for an additional fee

Itinerary:

Saturday, July 4: Arrive Melbourne

On arrival to Melbourne's Tullamarine International Airport , transfer to the Grand Hyatt, your luxury accommodations in the heart of Melbourne's Central Business District.

After your morning arrival, enjoy the day at your leisure and get yourself acclimated to the Land Down Under.

6:00 PM: Welcome Dinner at a local Restaurant

Meals Included: Dinner

Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Sunday, July 5: Melbourne, a Full Day Urban Experience

10:00 AM: After breakfast, go behind the scenes and beyond the tourist trail to experience local culture and life in Melbourne’s most charming and diverse neighborhoods. Meet Melburnians from both sides of the river, Melbourne's cultural divide, and sample the fruits of their passion and ingenuity. From urban dairies to playful local designers, chocolatiers to fashion icons, let the characters at the center of Melbourne’s culture and industry inspire and amaze you on this full-day city experience. You'll visit the suburbs of Fitzroy, St. Kilda and Collingwood, wander through Melbourne's laneways and arcades showcasing some of Melbourne's most iconic street art, and along the way you'll stop and taste some of the incredible food and coffee that has made Melbourne so famous.

5:00 PM: Return to the Grand Hyatt Melbourne where the evening is at your leisure.

7:00 PM: If you'd like, please join us for a casual dinner at a local restaurant in Melbourne (Dinner is at your own expense).

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Monday, July 6: Mornington Peninsula

9:30 AM: We'll depart our hotel for the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne's best-kept secret. We'll make the short trip South East from Melbourne along the beautiful Port Phillip coastline. We'll visit breathtaking ocean beaches, visit a wildlife sanctuary where you'll get up close to Kangaroos and Koala's. We'll have a gourmet lunch at a vineyard and finish the afternoon with a short walk along Australia's stunning coast.

5:30 PM: Return to the Grand Hyatt Melbourne where the evening is at your leisure.

7:00 PM: If you'd like, join us for a casual dinner at a local restaurant in Melbourne (Dinner is at your own expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Luxury Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Melbourne

Tuesday, July 7: Depart for the Great Barrier Reef

Today, we'll leave Melbourne behind and take a morning flight to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Early Afternoon: Arrive in to Cairns and take a 1 hour scenic ride to our home for the next 4 days, the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, the only resort located on Port Douglas's stunning Four Mile beach

4:30 PM: Sunset Sail: We'll transfer to the docks and then board a catamaran for a relaxing sail off the coast of Port Douglas. You'll enjoy beautiful scenery, a welcome drink and delicious canapés during this 1.5 hr experience.

7:00 PM: Dinner will be at a local restaurant in Port Douglas

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Luxury Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Wednesday, July 8: Great Barrier Reef

8:00 AM: Today, we set sail for an exhilarating day of discovery and adventure. After breakfast, we will transfer to the Port Douglas wharf and board an ultra modern catamaran that will transport us to Great Barrier Reef. You'll visit 3 Agincourt ribbon reef sites where you'll be able to snorkel and see first hand some of the world's most beautiful sealife.
- Additional Highlights:
  - Includes water, morning and afternoon tea (snack) and lunch
  - Reef Presentation by a marine biologist
  - Guided snorkeling tour at one site
  - All snorkeling equipment, stinger/lycra suits & bouyance aids provided
  - Lifeguard supervision

4:00 PM: Return back to wharf in Port Douglas and be transferred back your hotel. The remainder of the evening and dinner is at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Luxury Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Thursday, July 9: Day at Leisure

Today is your day to enjoy Port Douglas as you wish. Please inquire about additional activities available (Activities available for an additional fee)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Luxury Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Friday, July 10: The Daintree Forest

8:30 AM: After breakfast we will depart for an all day adventure where you will be able to experience both the world's oldest living culture-the indigenous Kuku Yalanji on a walk through the iconic Mossman Gorge and the untouched World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, the oldest living rainforest in the world at 160 million years.
- Additional Highlights:
  - 90 minute guided indigenous walk at Mossman Gorge-including smoking ceremony, soap and ochre painting, bush tea and damper.
  - Crocodile spotting cruise
  - Rainforest Guided Walk

5:00 PM: Return back to the hotel

7:00 PM: Dinner at a local Port Douglas Restaurant

Meals Included: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch and Dinner

Luxury Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Saturday, July 11: Depart for Sydney

After breakfast, we will transfer to Cairns airport (1 hr drive) and take a late morning/early afternoon flight to Sydney

Upon arrival to Sydney, we will check in to our accommodations for the next four days: The Shangri-La Sydney, a luxury hotel overlooking the stunning Sydney Harbor.

7:00 PM: Dinner will be held at a local Sydney restaurant

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Luxury Accommodations: Shangri-La Sydney

Sunday July 12: Quintessential Sydney

9:00 AM: After breakfast, we will be met by a local photographer who will take us on an exclusive full day tour of Sydney. You'll experience Sydney's big icons and highlights and get a personal introduction to this vibrant city.
- Highlights Include:
  - Tour the Rocks: Discover Sydney's oldest neighborhood and the first streets developed in Sydney's orignal urban plan
  - Explore Bronte Beach, Tamarama and the world famous Bondi Beach
  - Visit the artisan markets of Bondi Beach
  - Stop at Dudley Reserve for some of the best views of Sydney Harbor
  - Board one of Sydney's iconic ferries and ride across the Sydney Harbor to Manly where you can walk around and explore the cute shops, incredible eateries (Lunch is at your leisure) and adorable cafes
  - Take one of Sydney's ferries back to Circular Quay with the group or at your leisure

5:00 PM: Return back to your hotel. Dinner and the remainder of your evening is at your leisure.

7:00 PM: Join your hosts for a casual dinner at a local Sydney restaurant (Dinner is at your own expense).

Meals Included: Breakfast

Luxury Accommodations: Shangri-La Sydney

Monday, July 13: Southern HIghlands

9:00 AM: After breakfast, we will depart for the Southern Highlands where you'll experience the New South Wales farm, wine and food culture.
- Highlights Include:
  - Drive will take use along the beautiful Australian coastline and through the Royal National Park, along the Grand Pacific Drive and the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge
  - Stop at Stanwell Tops for incredible views of the coastline and National Park (A great place to see whales migrating)
  - Pop into the Scarborough Hotel for a warm drink and delicious snack
  - Stop at Fitzroy Falls for a mid morning hike where you'll see firsthand dramatic sanstone cliffs and sweeping waterfalls
  - Lunch will be at a local winery where the wine and produce is from the local area
  - Stop at a local organic farm and winery. Speak to the farmers, taste their wine and connect to the area you are exploring
  - Explore the country town of Berrima, where you'll enjoy some delicious afternoon coffee and baked treats

5:30 PM: Return back to your hotel. Dinner and the remainder of your evening is at your leisure.

7:00 PM: Join your hosts for a casual dinner at a local Sydney restaurant (Dinner is at your own expense).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Mid Morning Snack, Lunch, Afternoon Snack

Luxury Accommodations: Shangri-La Sydney

Tuesday, July 14: Architecture Walking Tour and the Sydney Opera House

9:00 AM: After breakfast, we'll depart the hotel for a walking tour of Sydney's architectual gems
- Highlights Include:
  - Tour led by an Architectural Urbanist
  - Visit the famous Sydney Opera House for a private tour led by an Sydney Opera House staff member
  - Walk the streets of Sydney and listen to how world famous architects have molded and played an important role in the development of the city
  - Visit some of Sydney's iconic buildings, landmarks, streets and squares
  - Explore the Royal Botanical Gardens

1:00 PM: Return back to your hotel. Lunch and the afternoon is at your leisure

7:00 PM: Farewell Dinner at a local Sydney Restaurant

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Luxury Accommodations: Shangri-La Sydney

Wednesday, July 15: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Sydney's airport for your flight back home

Meals Included: Breakfast

Airport Transfer not included in price. Solo Escapes can book airport transfer for an additional fee.

To book your trip to Australia with Solo Escapes, please click here or call Caren at 917.400.2789 Please download the form, fill it out and return to hello@soloescapes.net