INCLUDED FEATURES:

• International coach class air
• Internal coach class air in Australia
• All round trip airport transfers
• 3 nights Fiji on the Coral Coast
• 4 nights Sydney
• Blue Mountains full day tour
• 3 nights Cairns
• Great Barrier Reef day cruise with Ocean Spirit
• 3 nights Melbourne
•  Phillip Island Little Penguin tour
• 2 lunches

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 Fly USA To Nadi

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 Welcome to Nadi, Fiji: Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The Fiji archipelago is at the cross roads of the South Pacific. In the days of sailing ships it was known as The Cannibal Isles and carefully avoided by mariners because of its fierce warriors and treacherous waters. However, in the age of jumbo jets and global travel Fiji has become the central hub of the exotic South Pacific. More than 85 flights land at Nadi on the main island of Viti levu every week. From there it is only a quick seven minute hop to one of the offshore island resorts, or less than an hour of flying time to Vanua Levu or Taveuni, the second and third largest islands, where then outside world is quickly left behind

Days 4-5 At leisure, Fiji. At your leisure to explore the beautiful natural beauty of Fiji and it's many surrounding islands. The big island of Viti Levu offers a wealth of tropical scenery, from rushing mountain rivers and waterfalls in the depths of the rainforest, to palm-fringed beaches where time seems to stop. This is where you can fish from the reef in the morning, picnic at the edge of a waterfall plunging into a rocky jungle pool at midday and eat native food cooked in an earth oven in the evening, and then dance to the beat in a swinging discotheque until long after midnight. Along with it's pristine tropical beauty, Viti levu offers several large towns and the bustling capital of Suva, a shopper's paradise and you will never have to travel more than a few hours to get anywhere on the island.

Day 6 Fly Nadi to Sydney. You will be transferred to the airport for your international flight to Sydney.  Upon arrival you will clear customs and be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Day 7 Tour - Blue Mountains full day tour. On today’s Blue Mountains tour, the first stop is the Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you have the opportunity to have your photo taken with a koala, and to see Australian animals and reptiles, such as crocodiles, kangaroos, goannas and possums. Continuing into the Blue Mountains National Park, enjoy a stroll through the bush at Govetts Leap, and then visit historic Katoomba.  Lunch at Terrafirma Gourmet has been included today.

During the afternoon, time is allowed for an optional ride on the world's steepest railway, the Skyway Cable Car or the Sceniscender Cable Car (rides at own expense). See scenic echo point, and learn about the 'blue haze' effect, giving the region its name.  There are excellent photo opportunities of the Three Sisters rock formation, and spectacular views of Jamison and Megalong valleys.  Return to the city via Sydney's Olympic Site, and enjoy a cruise along the Parramatta River.

Days 8-9 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 10 Fly Sydney to Cairns. Transfer to the airport for your flight north to Cairns. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Cairns is the gateway to Tropical Far North Queensland, a region of contrasts and surprises.  It is home to the Great Barrier Reef, palm-fringed isolated beaches, Kuranda and the Atherton Tablelands, World Heritage listed rainforests and the sun burnt outback. This dynamic area serves as a diverse hub for many attractions and activities of the Tropical North. Apart from the major tourism attractions of the Reef & Rainforest, there are many adventure sports such as white water rafting and bungee jumping, as well as other activities such as golf and trail riding.

Day 11 Tour - Great Barrier Reef day cruise with Ocean Spirit.This morning, transfer to Cairns wharf and board the 'Ocean Spirit', a luxury 105ft sailing vessel - the largest of her kind in the world.  Sail to Michaelmas Cay, known as the Isle of the Birds, a year round home to thousands of sea birds of some 14 different species.  Its spectacular coral reef which thrives in the ideal conditions of clear, shallow, sunlit water is home to a variety of marine life including giant clams and brilliant fish.

Because Michaelmas Cay is a National Park the fish are so tame you can feed them from the beach and birds know they are safe to wander among you with their chicks.

Lunch is a buffet of seafood, hot and cold meats, roasted potatoes, salads and tropical fruit, freshly prepared in the spacious galley.  We spend four hours at the reef with time for a variety of activities.  You may wish to do a guided snorkeling tour with a graduate marine biologist, scuba dive with a qualified instructor (extra cost), or just laze on the beach.  Enjoy a leisurely sail back to Cairns and afternoon tea, arriving back at the wharf around 4.30pm.

Day 12 At leisure, Cairns. The major centre in Tropical North Queensland is Cairns, a popular gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The city is fringed by lush rainforests and, to the north and south, are miles of white sandy beaches and turquoise oceans teeming with marine life.

Day 13 Fly Cairns to Melbourne. Transfer to the airport for your flight to cosmopolitan Melbourne.  Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Day 14 Tour - Phillip Island Little Penguin tour. See Port Phillip Bay and pass through bayside suburbs of Brighton and Frankston on the way to Phillip Island.  Visit the koala sanctuary.  An evening tour of the island includes coastal views of Seal Rock & the Nobbies.  Then you witness the nightly ritual of the world famous Penguin Parade - see the fairy penguins march up the beach to their nests.  Please note that photography of any kind (including video) is not allowed at the penguin parade. A stop is made in Cowes for dinner (own expense).  Return to Melbourne around 11pm.

Day 15 At leisure, Melbourne. At your leisure to explore the very cosmopolitan city of Melbourne. 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.

Day 16  Fly Melbourne to USA. You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

MODIFY: Itinerary can be modified to suit your preferences.

PRICES 2008: From USD$3650 per person. Based on double occupancy. Taxes extra.

HOTELS:  Choice from Standard, Superior & Deluxe hotels.

- Standard hotels : Sydney Park Regis, Cairns Mercure Harbourside hotel, Melbourne Mercure hotel, Nadi Tambua Sands

- Superior hotels : Sydney Holiday Inn Darling Harbour, Cairns Pacific Int'l, Melbourne Mercure Grand, Fiji Outrigger Lagoon

- Deluxe Hotels: Sydney Mariott, Cairns Sofitel Casino, Melbourne Langham Hotel, Fiji Sheraton Royal Denarau