Rascals East Coast Australian Adventure
Trip length: 12 days

Day 1
Fly Los Angeles to Sydney

Day 2
Evening arrival into SYDNEY. Upon arrival, please take a taxi or airport shuttle bus to THE SOUTHERN CROSS HOTEL for your 4 night stay.

Day 3
This morning you will be picked up from your accommodation for a SCENIC SEAPLANE FLIGHT OVER SYDNEY HARBOUR. You will be transferred to ROSE BAY for a twenty minute scenic flight over Sydney's spectacular harbour. Your flight will take you out through Sydney Heads, past Bondi, up to the beaches to Dee Why, thence over Manly back into the harbour before circling near the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and then descending to set down again upon Rose Bay. At 12 noon, you will be transferred back to your accommodation.

Afternoon at leisure to explore SYDNEY. One of the most beautiful views in the world is Sydney Harbour. The contrasting colors of Sydney's red tile roofs, the blue water, and the billowing white sails of thousands of sailboats and the Opera House are a constant inspiration to Sydney's 3.5 million. For your enjoyment of the city, walk in the historic Rocks area, take Captain Cook's Coffee Cruise on beautiful Sydney Harbour, ride the Sydney Explorer Bus and stop at any of the top tourist stops along its route. You can ride the Sydney Harbour Explorer to visit the Darling Harbour Complex, full of shops and restaurants and attractions such as the Sydney Aquarium and the excellent Powerhouse Museum; also stops at Watson's Bay, Taronga Park Zoo, The Rocks, and Sydney's famous Opera House. Visit the colourful neighborhoods such as Kings Cross, Chinatown, Double Bay, Paddington, and Bondi Beach. Ride the Ferry or Jetcat to Manly, walk down the Corso to Sydney's most popular surfing beach. Visit the beautifully restored Queen Victoria Building and be on the top floor by the clock when it strikes the hour. Walk through Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. There are certainly endless activities available in and around Sydney.

Day 4
This morning you will be picked up from your accommodation to begin your FULL DAY PORT STEPHENS DOLPHIN MAGIC TOUR. Today enjoy Sydney's only tour featuring a magical Dolphin Watch cruise plus the not to be missed Desert by the Sea and Shipwreck Coast. After being picked up from your accommodation, travel north from SYDNEY, across the SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE (the OLD COATHANGER) and onto the Pacific Coast freeway.

En-route to PORT STEPHENS see the towering sandstone cliffs of the HAWKESBURY RIVER FJORD country. Here is also the traditional home of the Sydney rock oyster delicacy. A morning tea stop (own arrangements) is taken mid way to Port Stephens. Travel via the HUNTER VALLEY REGION then on to the amazing "DESERT BY THE SEA". Switching into 4WD, begin your fascinating and fun tour of the rolling sand dunes leading to "SHIPWRECK COAST". See the wrecked coastal steamer, plus learn how Aboriginal people dug for tasty seafood and freshwater in this harsh environment. Leave the beach and travel onto Port Stephens.

Waiting for you is the 50 foot big catamaran, "Imagine". Firstly sail the calm waters of the bay to enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch. Dolphin watching is possible all year (98% success rate) and our expert crew of dolphin researchers will soon bring the dolphin pods into view. This moment is a highlight of any visit to Australia. "Boom net" swimming with the dolphins is also popular whilst great care is taken with the animals. This tour is the only one to directly benefit from the research and preservation of dolphins.

After a wonderful afternoon, disembark at the Anchorage Hotel, then tour back to Sydney. En-route is a refreshment stop before arriving back at your Sydney hotel. Today is a truly memorable encounter with Australian nature at its best.

Day 5
Mid morning you will be picked up from your accommodation for a BLUE MOUNTAINS TWILIGHT TOUR. Departing SYDNEY, you will head for the world renowned BLUE MOUNTAINS. You will follow the Explorers' Way through the historic townships of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth Falls before arriving at Echo Point, Katoomba. You will view the "THREE SISTERS" and marvel at the spectacular views across the Jamieson Valley before enjoying a traditional Australian afternoon tea. You will then enter the Blue Mountains National Park by exclusive key access and stop to view Aboriginal Rock Carvings and flora beside the trail. You will descend further to some magnificent lookouts with views across the Cumberland Plain and enjoy a glass of champagne and selected Australian cheeses before descending into a beautiful valley to observe our native kangaroos grazing. You will then enjoy a gourmet dinner, before walking around with powerful spotlights observing the native wildlife. You will leave the Mountains and return to your overnight accommodation.

Day 6
This morning you will be picked up from your accommodation for a MORNING OF REPELLING. Departing Sydney in the morning, you will head north to the CENTRAL COAST for the thrill and excitements of repelling. Enjoy repelling for beginners to advanced with highly qualified professional instructors from Central Coast Bushworks. No experience is necessary. You will enjoy the exhilarating sporting pleasure of repelling. Equipment and morning tea supplied. You will be returned to your accommodation by approximately 2:30pm. This afternoon please make your own way back to the airport for your flight to CAIRNS. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the CAIRNS COLONIAL CLUB for your 2 night stay.

Day 7
This morning you will be picked up from your accommodation for your FULL DAY OF WHITEWATER RAFTING WITH RAGING THUNDER. Travel to the upper gorge of the TULLY RIVER in the luxury, video equipped coaches. Excitement builds as you tackle the world famous rapids such as ALARM CLOCK FALLS and WET N' MOISTY! Enjoy a first class barbecue lunch on the banks of the river and a chance to take in the spectacular scenery. Then back to the action of the foaming white water. The entertainment continues as you go to the RAGING THUNDER CAFE where screams and laughter abound as you watch the day's action on video before you are returned to your accommodation in CAIRNS after a most memorable day.

Day 8
This morning you will be picked up from your accommodation for your 2 DAY/1 NIGHT LIVEABOARD DIVE EXPEDITION. The ATLANTIC CLIPPER, a 140 foot Brigantine, combines the adventure and romance of the 1890s with state-of-the-art equipment and modern amenities of the 1990s. The SV ATLANTIC CLIPPER is oceans away from those rugged days of "iron men and wooden ships" as she is fully air-conditioned and provides a level of comfort sought by today's discerning traveller and adventurer. The "CLIPPER"is based in Cairns' outer northern reefs, cruising daily to a new reef to offer divers and snorkelers a greater variety of dive/snorkel sites. Transfers begin at 6:45am or meet at the Down Under Dive office at 7:00am. We will take you to the transfer vessel which will depart at 7:30 am for the liveaboard dive vessel, the "Atlantic Clipper". Transfers are by way of passenger vessel to the Clipper. After arriving at the reef, there will be briefings, lunch and then Dive Dive Dive!!!!!!! Optional night dive available.

Day 9
Early morning dive. You have the choice of either taking it easy and doing one more long leisurely dive, or go the full swing and do two shorter dives before departing for Cairns. After your wonderful liveaboard experience, you can tell the rest of the world about your unforgettable journey diving the Great Barrier Reef. You will be transferred back to the CAIRNS COLONIAL CLUB for your 3 night stay.

Day 10
Morning at leisure to relax or to explore CAIRNS. Cairns is one of the most attractive cities in Australia and the capital of the tropical far north of Queensland. There is an esplanade that runs around the city and the foreshore and parks and gardens appear to be perpetually ablaze with flowers, tropical trees and plants. Cairns is perfectly situated with the Great Barrier Reef to the east, the Atherton Tableland with its mountain rainforests and plains to the west, palm-fringed beaches to the north and south and, just up the track, the wonders of the Daintree Rainforest. A number of galleries display works of art by local artists, and the Cairns Museum traces the history of the local area. Trinity Wharf and the Pier shopping and entertainment complex are modern and attractive. The Freshwater Connection is a historical complex where the tourist can step back 100 years.

This afternoon you will be picked up from your accommodation at approximately 1:00pm for a HALF DAY OF TANDEM SKYDIVING! Enjoy an adrenalin pumping 8,000ft jump. You will have awesome reef and rainforest views on your plunge. You will receive a Student Australian Parachute Federation license, full instruction and everything supplied. No previous experience is necessary.

Day 11
This morning you will be picked up from your accommodation to enjoy a FULL DAY CAPE TRIBULATION AND BLOOMFIELD FALLS 4WD SAFARI. Take advantage of an early one hour cruise on the DAINTREE RIVER when wildlife is usually abundant. Enjoy magnificent views of the mighty DAINTREE RIVER and the CORAL SEA. Enjoy a lovely homemade morning tea at a rainforest lodge. During the tour, you will also visit MARRDJA BOARDWALK. Your guide will interpret this National Park facility in prehistoric lowland rainforest, rich in rare and old plants and trees. For lunch, enjoy a substantial two course BBQ lunch at Coconut Beach Resort. Stroll beside the Coral Sea and enjoy the surrounds of this superb rainforest resort. After lunch, you will travel along the BLOOMFIELD TRACK. Some of the best rainforest wilderness and coastal scenery will present itself as you negotiate crystal clear creek and river crossings and steep mountain ranges. The BLOOMFIELD FALLS drop 40 meters over a rugged black rock escarpment, contrasting against the roar of white water. Stop for afternoon tea by the banks of a rainforest creek and enjoy a rewarding swim. As the day draws to q close, enjoy a stroll on this magnificent rainforest fringed beach. Cross the DAINTREE RIVER by vehicular cable ferry and return to your accommodation after a most memorable day.

Day 12
This morning you will be transferred back to CAIRNS AIRPORT in time for your flight to SYDNEY and connecting flight back to LOS ANGELES.