~ Our Journey ~
Laura & Erin
Experience the Outback - Round 2!
Saturday June 21
Toronto, Los Angeles, Sydney
We fly out of Toronto at 6:40 p.m., arriving in LA at 8:55 p.m. Our next flight leaves LA at 10:30 p.m. en route to Sydney Australia, where we will be arriving on Monday June 23rd at a glorious 6:05 a.m.
Sunday June 22
We will be spending this day flying over a lot of 'somewheres' en route to Syndey
Sunday June 22nd ceases to exist to us as we will be in the midst of flying between time zones, and somewhat into the future!
Monday June 23
Sydney
We arrive in Sydney almost before dawn does ... at 6:05 a.m. - We will attempt a day of exploration!
Tuesday June 24
Sydney
We will spend the day exploring Sydney and all that it has to offer us!
Wednesday June 25
Sydney
Continuing to explore Sydney. We have a reservation booked to climb the Syndey Harbour Bridge today at 11:15 a.m. It cost a lot so it better be damn good!
Thursday June 26
Sydney to Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
Today we'll be leaving Sydney at 9:55 a.m. and flying to Alice Springs in the outback where we will arrive at 12:50 p.m. Once we've arrived, we'll be renting a car (from AVIS for those interested!) from the Airport and trekking southwest to Kings Canyon where we will enjoy the evening & spend the night.
Friday June 27
Kings Canyon to Uluru (Ayers Rock)
After exploring Kings Canyon this morning, we will be heading even further southwest to Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Yes the BIG rock! We will spend the evening in Uluru/Ayers Rock.
Saturday June 28
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
A full day to explore Uluru in all it's glory. How else are we going to see all the millions of colours of the rock at different points in the day? We will be spending the night once again here.
Sunday June 29
Uluru to Alice Springs
Up bright & early as we have about a 700 km trek back up to Alice Springs where we will return our rental car and spend the rest of the day exploring Alice Springs. We will also be spending the night here before we leave on our flight to Cairns tomorrow.
Monday June 30
Alice Springs to Cairns
Exploring the rest of Alice Springs that we didn't cover yesterday until our flight leaves at 4:40 p.m. from Alice Springs en route to Northeast Cairns, where we'll spend a few days exploring the northern coast there!
Tuesday July 1 (Happy Birthday Canada!)
Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Up and at 'em! We'll be taking a bus north up the coast to Cape Tribulation! We will spend the day exploring this lost area that feels a little like its still in the dinosaur times. We'll also be spending the night here as well!
Wednesday July 2
Cape Tribulation to Cooktown
Nice easy morning! We'll be taking a bus from Cape Tribulation further north to Cooktown. Where Australia was first discovered and where roads become sealed off and untravel-able! We'll spend the night here in Cooktown!
Thursday July 3
Cooktown to Port Douglas
Up early again! Our bus will take us back down south to Port Douglas (in between Cape Tribulation and Cairns). We'll get in around 12:50 p.m. and begin our exploration. We'll also be spending the night here!
Friday July 4
Port Douglas to Cairns
With buses leaving every hour, we will probably make our way back down to Cairns sometime in the afternoon. We don't want too much time to explore Cairns as our Contiki tour begins here tomorrow!
Saturday July 5
Cairns
We begin our 12 day Contiki tour in Cairns today!
We'll meet our Contiki crew & then we're off to visit Tjapukai & Kuranda to watch traditional aboriginal dancers & to learn how to throw a boomerang.
Sunday July 6 & Monday July 7
Cairns
We'll have a chance to do some whitewater rafting on the rapids of the Tully River, or we can also take the opportunity to visit the famous Outer Barrier Reef aboard a high-speed catamarn. We can scuba dive amidst amazingly colourful tropical fish. Or if we prefer, we can spend the day at leisure doing some shopping in town. We'll keep ya posted on what we decide!
Tuesday July 8, Wednesday July 9, & Thursday July 10
Whitsunday Sailing
Today we'll drive to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays, to board our flotilla yacht. We'll enjoy two days and nights sailing the stunning Whitsunday islands. We can swim, snorkel, or laze our way around the tropical paradise. Our third night in the Whitsundays will be spent relaxing and toasting the sunset on Long Island.
Friday July 11
Whitsundays to Country Homestead
From Airlie Beach we'll visit Mackay - Australia's sugar capital. This evening we'll experience a unique stay at a Country Homestead - Enjoying a hearty meal and hospitality the Australian way!
Saturday July 12
Country Homestead to Fraser Island
This morning we continue through the country as we leave our Country Homestead, before hooking up with our ferry to Fraser Island
Sunday July 13
Fraser Island
Now we're on the largest sand island in the world! We can take a 4-wheel drive bus tour through the rainforests, a guided bushwalk or swim in the fresh water lakes.
Monday July 14
Fraser Island to Surfers Paradise
Today we travel South along the coast to Noosa Heads with stunning beaches and great shopping. From there we'll take in the sights and sounds of Brisbane before arriving in Surfers Paradise.
Tuesday July 15
Surfers Paradise
Today we have the terrible option of relaxing on 42km of white sand beaches, or skydiving ... We're going to really hate being us today!
Wednesday July 16
Surfers Paradise
Today we say goodbye to our tour mates as our Contiki tour comes to an end. We'll spend the rest of today finishing off our relaxation at Surfers Paradise.
Thursday July 17
Surfers Paradise
By now we've likely experience a lot that Surfers Paradise has to offer! And given we couldn't get an earlier flight to Melbourne - we may take this opportunity to experience a day trip out to somewhere.
Friday July 18
Surfers Paradise to Melbourne
We'll fly out from Surfers Paradise at 10:45 a.m. to Melbourne, where we will arrive at 12:55 p.m.
Saturday July 19
Melbourne
We'll take the time to enjoy our last day :( exploring Melbourne!
Sunday July 20
Melbourne to Los Angeles to Toronto
Sadly we depart Australia today at 10:25 a.m. and actually travel back in time as we arrive at LA at 7:30 a.m. on the same day. We head out of LA at 9:55 a.m. and into Toronto at 5:35 p.m. - Welcome Home!!
Email: erin_baby00@hotmail.com
