This itinerary combines the best of Australia’s Rock and Rainforest while combining premium hotels (4*). Starting in Sydney you will discover many of Sydney's unique suburbs and historical centers and also enjoy some of the best views Sydney has to offer! Australia’s biggest rock, Uluru, or Ayers Rock as it is commonly know, makes the Red Centre of Australia its home. You will fly out to the middle of Australia where you spend two nights discovering Australia’s desert. To fully appreciate the vastness of this area you will take part in two tours; one sunset tour where you venture out to the Olgas, an area some individuals find even more fascinating than Uluru, and a sunrise tour the following morning. After two days in the desert you may very well be ready to turn your attention to Cairns and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, one of the most magnificent reefs in the world. From your Cairns accommodation, enjoy a full day excursion into Daintree National Park with a stop at the gorgeous Cape Tribulation beach. You will also enjoy a tropical feast in the middle of the enchanting rainforest. Explore the mysteries of time, rare indigenous Aboriginal culture, local history and customs To experience this magical evening is to step outside the world for a moment. Set Sail aboard a five star catamaran and enjoy a reef experience - a day to remember . Cay is a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. Ask us about the optional overnight onboard the Reef Encounter - if you have the time for it, it is the best way to experience this natural wonder of the world. As your time in Cairns comes to an end you have the option of continuing to travel through the South Pacific, or returning home. NOTE: Tour does not include domestic airfare, which can be worked into your international ticket. You may also wish to speak to your travel agent about the Australian Air Pass with Qantus.

Day 1
Sydney
Includes airport transfer to city/hotel with private vehicle, professional driver and local representative. Upon check in at your hotel you will be provided with your welcome package. In the package you will receive a welcome letter, detailed itinerary, vouchers for each service, supplier contact list as well as various brochures of the destinations you will be visiting. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). A unique Sydney hotel offering chic accommodation in the heart of Sydney, Vibe Hotel Sydney (4*) exudes the style of this fantastic city. You will love the convenience of staying in this vibrant location and in the heart of all the action. The hotel is perfectly positioned for you to easily discover Sydney’s vibrant CBD fringe villages of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Chinatown and the Sydney entertainment precinct offering live theatre and music year round. Sydney’s premier tourist destinations like Sydney Centrepoint Tower, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, The Rocks and Circular Quay are only minutes away so you may want to stay just a little bit longer…and enjoy the vibe! Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.28 million. It is the state capital of New South Wales, and the site of the first British colony in Australia, established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, leader of the First Fleet from Britain. Located on Australia's south-east coast, the city is built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour, leading to the city's nickname, "the Harbour City". It is noted for the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and its beaches. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and contains many bays, rivers and inlets.

Day 2
Sydney
Depart this morning you are collected from your hotel for an unforgettable Panoramic Sydney City sights tour. On the tour you visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House & Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, QVB, Centrepoint. Visit Sydney's trendy new district Oxford Street. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the superb coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach and visit the beachfront promenade, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at own cost). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers & Sydney's best panoramic view. Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross & city centre (small group tour) Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). There are so many things to do in Sydney it may be hard deciding what to choose. We would recommend some of the following attractions: Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower + Oz Trek, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales which also houses an Aboriginal Art exhibition. You can also choose to take a half day city sights tour, a one hour Magestic Harbour Cruise (which operates daily at 10:30 or 15:00) or the Sydney Opera House Essential Tour (1 hr, operates daily between 09:00 and 17:00). All are included in the SmartVisit free pass card. Ask your Kensington Tours Travel Consultant if you would like to purchase this card. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Vibe (4*).

Day 3
Sydney - Ayers Rock
Includes airport transfer to city/hotel with private vehicle, professional driver and local representative. You will be transfered from Ayers Rock airport to your hotel with private car and driver. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). You will be picked up from your hotel by coach along with fellow travellers. We will visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and Maruku Arts and Craft Cooperative, dedicated to interpreting Anangu culture and law. Travel to the waterhole of Mutitjulu for a guided walk, viewing ancient cave paintings and learning about the Aboriginal legends of Kuniya Tjukurpa (Python Dreaming). Join the guided Mala Walk to learn the story of the Mala (Hare Wallaby) people who once lived at Uluru. See painted caves and learn of the region’s geology and flora. As you tour the base of Uluru, visit Kantju Gorge, a waterhole and old hunting ground. Late in the day, watch the sunset over Uluru, admire the ever-changing colours of the monolith while the sun sinks below the horizon. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and canapés as the dusk deepens into night. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Voyages Lost Camel Hotel (3*)offers contemporary 3 ½ star accommodation. The lobby features contemporary furnishings, bright open spaces, and an intimate café and bar. At the heart of the hotel is an inviting pool and deck, where guests soak up the sun and relax in between tours. At the end of the day, relax in the lobby's bar and lounge, where a plasma screen plays anything from CNN to music videos. Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a World Heritage Site.

Day 4
Ayers Rock
Rise early and enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park by shared coach along with fellow travellers. Enjoy a revitalising cup of tea or coffee as you witness Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunrise and see the desert come to life. With the sun climbing in the morning sky, travel to the western section of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the immense 36 rock domes of Kata Tjuta. Enjoy a guided walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Marvel at the sheer walls that flank you as you enter the gorge. Learn of the domes’ formation and of the wildlife of the region. Some of the plants you will see here are so rare that they are only found among these rocky domes. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Lost Camel Hotel (3*).

Day 5
Ayers Rock - Cairns
You will be transfered from Ayers Rock airport to your hotel with private car and driver. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax in your hotel. Transfer between Cairns airport and your city hotel with private vehicle and driver. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Palm Royale (4*) Cairns is designed to suit the Tropical North Queensland lifestyle, the hotel is styled on Mediterranean architecture whilst incorporating classic design influences of the tropics. Combined with contemporary elements of arches, parapets, wrought-iron and terracotta tiles with light, airy colours, good quality fabrics and subtle lighting, offering guests a totally unique atmosphere not featured elsewhere in Tropical North Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef supports a wide diversity of life, and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Day 6
Cairns
Travel north along scenic Captain Cook Highway and visit picturesque Mossman Gorge by coach along with fellow travellers. Cross the Daintree River on a cable-driven ferry to the Daintree Discovery Centre for morning tea. Climb the Canopy Tower or experience the rainforest aerial boardwalks. Enjoy a tropical lunch before exploring Cape Tribulation Beach. Continue to Alexandra Lookout and cruise the Daintree River while enjoying afternoon tea. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Palm Royale (4*).

Day 7
Cairns
Join fellow travellers on a memorable tour of the famous Great Barrier Reef. Michaelmas Cay is a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. The Cay is a protected seabird sanctuary playing host to over 20,000 migratory seabirds ... one of the most important nesting sights in the Southern Hemisphere. Set Sail aboard a five star catamaran and enjoy a reef experience - a day to remember . Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Palm Royale (4*).

Day 8
Cairns
Transfer between Cairns airport and your city hotel with private vehicle and driver. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Depart from Cairns international airport - end of itinerary.