THERE’S NOTHING LIKE AUSTRALIA

You can eat the food, drink the water, speak the language. And the people like you !

Australianism was created by waves of immigrants from the UK, Asia, Europe and the Americas who brought to the continent their dynamic personalities, uncompromising character, diverse customs and, of course, a multitude of fabulous cuisines !

Beyond the vibrant cities is the soul of Australia.

There's always a lot going on in cosmopolitan Sydney, so first of all, take a guided city tour to get your bearings, then set out to explore. Climb the harbour bridge, tour the iconic Opera House, stroll along Circular Quay and take a scenic harbour cruise. Next, plan a day trip to the famous Hunter Valley Wine Country or the scenic Blue Mountains.

Melbourne is the good life ... the center of style, theatre, food , wine, entertainment and sports ! A mere 45 minute drive takes you to Echnida Walkabout, where you meet koalas, kangaroos, and emus, all in their natural habitat. Take time out from your walk to tuck into an authentic "Bush" lunch !

Beautiful Adelaide is the entry to the Barossa Valley whose Lutheran church spires date from the 1840's, when German wine growers arrived to establish their hamlets and plant their vineyards .

Plan a 2-3 day trip to Kangaroo Island, a true wildlife sanctuary. Many animals are nocturnal, so an after dark excursion is essential.

The Australian Outback edges up to Darwin. Once a remote pioneer Northern Territory town, this tropical top end capital is now glittering, multicultural and trendy.

Arrive in Cairns and spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef. The next day plan an excursion to the 350 million year old rainforest, and then another to visit the Atherton Tablelands.

Tasmania is diversity...within a ninety-minute drive, you will see prehistoric rainforests, lakes, white sand beaches, vineyards and rugged cliffs.

You can dine in elegant restaurants or stop at road side stands to choose homegrown fruit and fresh seafood; explore Convict Heritage sites and later meet up with a Tassie Devil !

Forty per cent of this island state is protected as national parks and reserves.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:

• Crossing the Nullabor Plain on The Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth .
• Peering down at the Kimberly Diamond Mine through the window of a small plane.
• Outback dining by the campfire under the Bungle Bungle stars.
• Underwater Photography, The Great Barrier Reef.
• Dinner on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Melbourne.
• Photographing ancient aboriginal rock art in Kakadu, Northern Territory.
• A helicopter flight over The Twelve Apostles, Victoria.
• A cooking lesson at Chapel Hill Retreat Cooking School , Hunter Valley.
• Stopping at Cape Leeuwin, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet .
• A wine tasting at Freycinet Lodge, Tasmania
• The luxury tent accommodation at Wildman Wilderness Lodge, Northern Territory
• Shopping in Hahndorf, Australia's oldest German settlement in the Barossa
• Hand feeding the little wallabies at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

For costing and to fully customize an itinerary to your specific requirements, please contact:

614 717 9566 / 800 606 9963 terrie@columbus.rr.com