Southern Explorer

9 nights from $1535

Highlights

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Highlights

Destinations
Sydney, Jervis Bay, Merimbula, Gippsland Lakes, Phillip Island, Melbourne

Your Itinerary Includes

4 nights Sydney
5 day car rental
1 night Jervis Bay
1 night Merimbula
1 night Gippsland Lakes
1 night Phillip Island
4 nights Melbourne
7 breakfasts

>> Back to the Top

Day-By-Day Itinerary

This itinerary can be fully customized; to tailor this package to your specific requirements please call one of our travel specialists at 1-800-22-SWAIN.

Departs daily - except Sundays

Day 1 Fly USA to Port Moresby (Via Brisbane)

Day 2 You cross the International Dateline
The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day; traveling west, takes the traveler forward one day.

Day 3 Arrive Sydney
On arrival in Sydney, make your own way to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to relax after your flight and start to explore Sydney.

Sydney – Australia’s premier city is the oldest settlement in Australia, the economic powerhouse of the nation and the country’s capital in everything but name. Built on the shores of the stunning Port Jackson, you would have to die and go to heaven before you see a more spectacular setting for a city. It's a vital, self-regarding metropolis, exuding both a devil-may-care urbanity and a slavish obsession with global fads. The Sydney area was the ancestral home of the Daruk tribe, whose territory extended from Botany Bay to Pittwater.

There are some 2000 Aboriginal rock engraving sites in the Sydney area, and many of Sydney’s suburbs have Aboriginal names. The city of Sydney began life as a penal colony in 1788 and for the next 60 years received the unwanted, persecuted and criminal elements of British society. Despite its brutal beginnings, the city’s mixture of pragmatic egalitarianism and plain indifference has transformed it into a thriving multicultural society. Sydney now attracts the majority of Australia’s immigrants and the city’s predominantly Anglo-Irish heritage has been revitalized by large influxes of Italian, Lebanese, Turkish, Greek, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Days 4-6 At leisure, Sydney
At your leisure to explore the city of Sydney. It’s been said that Sydney never sleeps. In daylight hours the city buzzes with life and remains active long after workers have left their offices. All-night pubs, cutting-edge dance clubs, and gay reviews could keep you out until dawn. Fancy a late-night meal or a final coffee - that’s not a problem. Be seen on trendy Oxford Street from Darlinghurst to Paddington or try the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, Surry Hills, the quay or the Rocks. It’s too many choices, not too few, that make the decision hard!

During your stay ideally you should take a harbor cruise around one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, maybe take a short trip to one of the wildlife parks to see the unique animals (koalas and kangaroos) Australia has, climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge for some awesome views, and after all that, enjoy the great restaurants that Sydney has to offer. The local chefs take full advantage of the fresh seafood and produce.

Day 7 Drive Sydney to Jervis Bay
Collect your rental vehicle. Jervis Bay beaches are some of the most stunningly white, and uncrowded beaches in New South Wales, and they're just two and a half hours' drive from Sydney.

Day 8 Drive Cape Jervis to Merimbula
About a 4 hour drive. Merimbula basks in sunshine all year round, and offers a magnificent variety of natural attractions.

Day 9 Drive Merimbula to the Gippsland Lakes
The tranquil Gippsland Lakes are a network of inland waterways offering just about every water activity.

Day 10 Drive Gippsland Lakes to Phillip Island
About a 4 hour drive. This nature island is is a place of natural beauty, sandy beaches, tranquil wetlands and unique wildlife experiences.

Day 11 Drive Phillip Island to Melbourne
About a 2 hour drive. Melbourne is a city offering a myriad of attractions, arts and culture, culinary experiences, gardens and parks, shopping and sporting spectaculars. Return your rental vehicle.

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and a cultural hub, is known for the good things in life - fashion, food, entertainment and sport. This is a city of style, architecture, trams, theatres and art. The influence of decades of immigration from all over the world has made Melbourne a paradise for those who love food and wine.

Whole streets are dedicated to food, whether it is Indian, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, or a host of other styles. You can't miss the world-class wines either. You’ll barely meet a visitor who hasn’t fallen in love with Melbourne; rattling trams, parklands singing with blackbirds, stately architecture and palm trees.

Days 12-14 At leisure, Melbourne
Explore the famous laneways and arcades of the city, catch a tram to trendy Southgate, rub shoulders with locals at the Queen Victoria market or take in a show at the ornate Princess Theater.

The many attractions of the city vary from the spectacular parklands and gardens that surround the city, to the museums and festivals that are a continuing part of the city life. Excellent restaurants are on every corner and cater for every taste in the world.

Port Moresby lies on the southeast shore of New Guinea and is built around Fairfax Harbor, the island’s largest harbor. Europeans became aware of this port city when British explorer John Moresby sailed through the Gulf of Papua in 1873. About 15 years later, Great Britain established the colony of British New Guinea here, and named Port Moresby the capital.

Day 15 Fly Melbourne to USA

>> Back to the Top

Hotels

For more information about the hotels visited in this itinerary please click the hotel name below.

City	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury

Sydney	-	Holiday Inn Darling Harbour	-	-

Jervis Bay	-	Paperbark Camp	-	-

Merimbula	-	Robyn’s Nest Guest House	-	-

Gippsland Lakes	-	Moorings at Metung	-	-

Phillip Island	-	Glen Isla House	-	-

Melbourne	-	Rydges	-	-

>> Back to the Top

Pricing

Please note all prices listed below are subject to current rate of exchange adjustments. Please call for exact price quote for your travel dates.

To determine pricing for your tour select the appropriate travel season and desired accommodation level from the table below.

	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury
Reference #	-	SWSP15288	-	-
Departs daily - except Sundays

4/1/10-9/30/10	-	$1535	-	-

10/1/10-3/31/11	-	$1600	-	-

Upgrade to a Harbor View Room at Four Points Darling Harbor in Sydney

4/1/10-9/30/10	-	$35	-	-

10/1/10-3/31/11	-	$200	-	-

Single Supplement
4/1/10-9/30/10	-	$1485	-	-

10/1/10-3/31/11	-	$1555	-	-


International Airfare Pricing
Routing: LAX-SYD//MEL-LAX

4/1/10-4/30/10; 6/9/10-7/23/10; 9/22/10-12/8/10				$1360

5/1/10-6/8/10; 7/24/10-9/21/10				$1185

12/9/10-1/31/11				$1810

>> Back to the Top

Terms & Conditions

*Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. Travel may be restricted to certain days of the week and be available from one or multiple US departure points. Add on fares are available from most US cities and surcharges may be applicable for travel on particular days of the week. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. US and Foreign Govt. taxes and fees vary depending on the itinerary selected and may range from $90 to $395 per person. Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per person, are not included. After ticketing changes may not be permissible in some circumstances, or a change fee may be applied. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note that some air segments may be served by an associated carrier. Full payment for special deals may be required within a number of days of the reservation being made as nominated by your consultant at the time of booking (or 60 days prior to departure). Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Group inquiries are welcome however specials remain subject to hotel and airline capacity control and therefore may not be applicable for group travel. The best deal available for group travel will always be given in lieu of the offer indicated. Unless otherwise indicated all travel must be completed by March 31, 2011 if not before. CST #2012413-20 See our Complete Terms and Conditions.

>> Back to the Top

Find out More

Please read our Privacy Policy

>> Back to the Top