Australia & New Zealand Adventure: From Kata Tjuta To Mount Aspiring

Highlights

• Listening to the Aboriginal creation story and learning ancient bush skills in the shadow of Uluru (Ayers Rock)
• Traversing the bush on a camel for sunset views of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
• Four-wheel driving and sand-boarding (easy and safe) down the immense dunes of pristine Stockton Beach
• Hot air ballooning near Alice Springs
• Gazing in wonder at incredibly skillful and varied paintings of Utopia’s Aboriginal artists
• Taking a dolphin and whale watching cruise through the sparkling blue waters of Nelson Bay
• Wine-tasting in the Hunter Valley; feasting on a gourmet bush barbecue while listening to an award-winning astronomy presentation on the southern night sky
• Taking a Dot Painting workshop from an Aboriginal artist
• Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef
• Horseback riding through natural Australian bushland to a beautiful lagoon
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What's this trip about?

Australia, the world’s largest island and smallest continent, is a land of tremendous natural diversity, encompassing the Outback, rainforests, and the Great Barrier Reef. Separated from other land masses over 50 million years ago, Australia’s wildlife and plants have evolved in many unique ways: the platypus, kangaroo, spiny anteater, koala, dingo, wallabies, wombats, and 530 species of birds are found nowhere else. And isolated from Western explorers until two centuries ago, the Aussies themselves have developed a very distinct (and appealing) set of character traits! New Zealand is a land of startling contrasts and unparalleled natural beauty. Writer James Michener once wrote that "New Zealand is probably the most beautiful country on earth." Majestic fjords, alpine peaks and massive glaciers contrast with lush green farmland and thermal geysers. And, because it was isolated from other land  masses for millions of years, New Zealand is home to many unique  species of plants, birds, and mammals. Amidst all this beauty reside  the enchanting cultures of the Maoris and the Pakeha, whose ways co-mingle while retaining their individual distinctiveness.

What's excluded

• Airfares except helicopter fare to Barrier Reef (quoted separately)
• Meals not included in itinerary
• Excess baggage charges
• Alcoholic beverages
• Laundry, passports or visas
• Personal insurance
• Other personal items
• Airport departure taxes
• Hotel Nights en route or return from Australia. New Zealand.

Accommodation