17-night Ultimate Australia Cruisetour #4B

Arrive in spectacular Sydney, Australia, and enjoy a seamless transfer to your comfortable hotel accommodations where you'll spend the night gearing up for an exciting tour ahead. Meet your traveling companions this evening at a welcome reception hosted by your tour director. Overnight at a Sydney hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, board a plane to iconic Ayers Rock in the heart of the Outback. This afternoon you’ll be introduced to the culture and 40,000-year history of Australia’s Aboriginal people on an enlightening cultural tour. Walk along the base of Ayers Rock and watch the colors on the rock shift at sunset. Overnight Sails in the Desert Hotel. (B)

Rise early and travel to the Uluru sunrise viewing area to watch the first rays of the sun rise over the desert landscape. Be mesmerized by the changing colors of Uluru at first light and experience the wonder of the Australian Outback as the dawn emerges. Then travel to the airport for a flight to Darwin. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight Hilton Darwin. (B)

After breakfast, start the day with an exciting journey down the Adelaide River witnessing the river’s famous “jumping” crocodiles as they shoot out of the water in pursuit of prey. Follow this with a trip to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum. Overnight Hilton Darwin. (B, L)

Fly to Cairns and enjoy a guided tour of the aquarium. Overnight Riley Hotel Cairns. (B, D)

Today’s activities are among the most exciting – unwind aboard a reef cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most phenomenal UNESCO World Heritage Sites! Dive or snorkel among the colorful corals and unusual fish beneath the water’s surface, and don’t worry about breakfast or lunch – we’ll make sure you get fed! Overnight Riley Hotel Cairns. (B, L)

Enjoy a delicious breakfast before your flight back to Sydney for another night in this wonderful city. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore the city. Overnight at a Sydney hotel. (B)

Wake up and satisfy your appetite with breakfast on us, then embark on a guided morning tour of Sydney. You’ll take in the renowned architecture of the iconic Sydney Opera House and have a chance to photograph the impressive Sydney Harbour Bridge, known locally as “The Coat Hanger” for its arched hanger-like shape. Dig your toes into the soft sands at the most popular beach in New South Wales, Bondi Beach, and even tour The Rocks, a historic district with well-preserved colonial architecture, trendy restaurants, museums, shops and an abundance of Old-World charm. Embark your ship in the afternoon. (B)

Being the focal point of activity on the mainland and the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a holiday in paradise. Popular activities in the Airlie Beach area include: Sailing the islands, day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, skydiving, snorkeling, and even crocodile safaris. Moreover, Airlie Beach is not only perfect due to it's vast array of activities, but also its many dining options, shops, and pubs.

From the stunning sweep of its 4 Mile Beach to the wilderness of Dicksons Inlet, the world famous seaside village of Port Douglas has become an international holiday mecca. Port Douglas has a distinctive "laid back" low rise tropical old world charm, with an extensive range of accommodations and international shops and restaurants. It also offers extensive touring and cruise options with its magnificent marina and close proximity to world heritage rainforests. In Port Douglas you can also chose from activities and attractions such as bicycle riding, swimming, relaxing on magnificent 4 mile beach, shopping the exotic and colorful Sunday markets, the Shipwreck museum, the award winning Rainforest Habitat with its unique native flora and fauna, and a ride on the old sugar cane train. The Port Douglas hinterland extends to the sugar cane town of Mossman with picturesque golf course, rainforest walking tracks and swimming in the cool mountain streams of Mossman Gorge.

Willis Island has several birding opportunities, as well as a weather station with some amenities.