DJOSER Means “FREEDOM & CHOICE”
Our day-to-day program is not strictly regimented but is determined by collaboration between the guide and participants. The guide will organize and accompany many activities but will also make suggestions so that you can explore and dine, safely, on your own.
This program is offered in conjunction with the Djoser, Netherlands office but must be booked through Djoser, in the United States. On this trip you will join Dutch & Belgium participants. So that all travelers in the group have the same point of reference, the days in the day-to-day descriptions below correspond with the program description for the Dutch travelers, taking into account their travel time from Amsterdam.
When you book your flight, please keep in mind to the estimated times of arrival and departure of the Dutch participants. You should plan to arrive prior to the Dutch travelers.
From Sydney to Cairns
Sydney
Day 1 Transit day
Day 2 Sydney Arrival (land program begins)
Day 3 Sydney
You will have enough time to explore this colorful metropolis from our centrally located hotel. Sydney is the largest city on the continent with almost four million inhabitants. The symbol of the city and of Australia, the opera house at the bright blue water of the harbor, is one of the most remarkable structures in the world with its shining sail-like roofs and splendid location. From here you will have a magnificent view of the famous Harbor Bridge. The best and most exciting way by far to become familiar with this bridge is to climb it. Tied to a cable and dressed in a “bridge-outfit” camouflage in order not to distract the drivers below, those who dare may enjoy a breathtaking view of the harbor and the city. In Darling Harbor at the quiet water of the Cockle Bay you will find numerous restaurants, gardens, parks and cafes. Here you may end your day very nicely with a view of the Sydney Skyline in the sunset. From the 1000 Feet high Sydney Tower you will have a fantastic view of the cosmopolitan center of the city and when it is really clear you can even see the Blue Mountains. You may also wish to take a break from city life and visit the Toronga Zoo, the best place to meet the native animals and a large collection of exotic species.
Canberra, Melbourne
Day 4 Sydney - Canberra
Day 5 Canberra - Melbourne
Day 6 Melbourne
Day 7 Melbourne - Grampians National Park
Canberra is a "planned" city, full of wide boulevards, green parks and beautiful monumental buildings including the Parliament House. Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia with more than three million inhabitants, but most Aussies feel as though Melbourne is number one. You won’t be bored for a minute in Melbourne. Within walking distance from the hotel are numerous museums, restaurants and parks. A very unusual sight is the daily penguin parade on Philip Island, when many penguins come ashore and waddle to their nests on the beach.
After Melbourne we will follow the Great Ocean Road along the rugged coast that is battered day after day by the mighty waves of the ocean. Impressive rock formations have originated from the constant violence of the water, the most famous being the Twelve Apostles.
Adelaide
Day 8 Grampians National Park - Adelaide
Day 9 Adelaide
We then drive to Grampians National Park where we will spend the night. This impressive national park is located in the State of Victoria and includes a sandstone mountain is covered mountain forests and gum trees. You can take beautiful walks here, for example to the rock formation the "Pinnacle" or to the MacKenzie Waterfall. Also found here are the rock paintings of the original inhabitants of Australia, the Aborigines. We then drive to Adelaide (about 5 hours). This may be longer if we get delayed in the wine region of Barossa Valley. Usually the tour guide will suggest taking advantage of the opportunity to taste wine in one of many wine houses that are in this region. Adelaide has about one million inhabitants and is the capital of South Australia. Beach enthusiasts may take the historical tram from the center to the popular beach of Glenelg. Especially in the summer months the blue water of the Indian Ocean is very tempting.
Flinders Ranges, Marree
Day 10 Adelaide - Flinders Ranges
Day 11 Flinders Ranges - Marree
We leave Adelaide and drive through vineyards and small villages, in the north
in the raw, dry outback. After several hours drive from the mountains, suddenly Flinders Range looms on the horizon. Just steps away from Wilpena Pound, is a huge natural amphitheater. In the midst of this mountainous area, we pitch our tents. There are some hiking routes of various difficulties so you can determine which such you.
We start the next day with a walk in the 'Pound' and we continue on towards Marree Oodnadatta Track. On the way we stop at the Leigh Creek coalmines. With an annual rainfall of 155 mm, Marree can rightly be called a “desert town”. We pitch our tents close to the local pub where you can include a visit to the old railway station and the Ghan Arabunna Aboriginal Cultural Center.
Coober Pedy
Day 12 Marree, via William Creek - Coober Pedy
After an early start we make a stop in the town of William Creek, the "smallest settlement of Australia “. The only important building in William
Creek is the pub. En route to Coober Pedy we pass the “dingo fence” a fence 9600 km long, which serves as protection against the dingo, the Australian wild dog. North of the fence the dingo a protected animal and south of the fence, the farmers shoot them to protect their sheep. The emptiness and loneliness of this vast area is fascinating. In the Aboriginal language, Coober Pedy, means “white man in a hole” in reference to the many adventurers who went search of the precious opal. The extreme climate plays a large part in the everyday life here. (In summer the temperature here can reach 45 ° C). Houses, shops, hotels, museums and a church are carved into the rocks. Obviously, taking the example from the local population we sleep in a simple rock hotel. There are shared bathrooms and underground rooms are shared with three fellow travelers.
Ayers Rock (Outback)
Day 13 Coober Pedy - Ayers Rock
Day 14 Ayers Rock - Kings Canyon
Day 15 Kings Canyon - Alice Springs
Day 16 Alice Springs to Darwin railway
From Coober Pedy we drive for seven hours through beautiful landscapes to Kings Canyon, where we spend the night. The next morning we start early for a walk through the spectacular cliffs of Kings Canyon. Next we drive to Yulara Village, the campground located about 12 miles from Ayers Rock. This is a modern complex with, among other things, a nice campground with good facilities including a swimming pool, stores and places of entertainment. Uluru, or Ayers Rock, the largest monolith in the world, has become Australia’s symbol. The colossus draws many visitors for a good reason. Sunrise and sunset are favorites: that’s when you will see the rock change into a deep red color. We will have enough time for a walk around Uluru. About a half hour drive away are the Olgas, imposing rocks called Kata Tjuta by the Aborigines. The largest Olga reaches 1,791 Feet and is therefore even higher than Ayers Rock. You will experience the magnitude of the rock formations during a hike through the deep gorges in between the Olgas. With some luck a little rock wallaby may cross your path.
The next day we will drive to Alice Springs in about four hours. From there we will travel by the most famous Australian train, the Ghan, in comfortable seats. We will reach Darwin in about twenty-four hours.
Darwin
Day 17 Darwin
Day 18 Darwin to Cairns flight
The tropical city of Darwin, with about 75,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in the north of Australia. The history of this capital of the Northern Territory has some serious misfortunes. Japanese bombardments in the Second World War and a cyclone on Christmas Day of 1974 destroyed large parts of the city. The city was redesigned after this natural disaster and now looks very modern. From our centrally located hotel you may explore the city by foot. You really should take a walk to the harbor, where mangrove swamps surround the turquoise blue water. The place is swarming with fresh-water crocodiles as well as salt-water crocodiles; so do be aware of that if you decide to go swimming at one of the beaches.
A three-hour flight will take us from Darwin to Cairns.
Cairns
Day 19 Cairns
Day 20 Cairns
Cairns, is a modern city with 80,000 inhabitants. It is the main base for
The northern islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Besides snorkeling and diving, you can plan fun land excursions, such as a ride on the Kurandas Railway or take a "raft' tour. Our land program ends in Cairn.
REVERSE PROGRAM AUSTRALIA – 20 Days
Cairns
Day 1 (Travelers in transit)
Day 2 Cairns (Land begins)
Day 3 Cairns
Day 4 Cairns
Cairns, is a modern city with 80,000 inhabitants. It is the main base for
the northern islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Besides snorkeling and diving, you can plan fun land excursions, such as a Kurandas Railway or take a "raft' tour.
Darwin
Day 5 Cairns - flight to Darwin
Day 6 Darwin
Day 7Darwin to Alice Springs railway
A three-hour flight will take us from Cairn to Darwin. The tropical city of Darwin, with about 75,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in the north of Australia. The history of this capital of the Northern Territory has some serious misfortunes. Japanese bombardments in the Second World War and a cyclone on Christmas Day of 1974 destroyed large parts of the city. The city was redesigned after this natural disaster and now looks very modern. From our centrally located hotel you may explore the city by foot. You really should take a walk to the harbor, where mangrove swamps surround the turquoise blue water. The place is swarming with fresh-water crocodiles as well as salt-water crocodiles; so do be aware of that if you decide to go swimming at one of the beaches.
Ayers Rock, Coober Pedy
Day 8 Alice Springs - Kings Canyon
Day 9 Kings Canyon - Ayers Rock
Day 10 Ayers Rock - Cooper Pedy
From Alice Springs we drive to Kings Canyon in about four hours. The next morning we start early with a walk through the spectacular cliffs of Kings Canyon. Next we drive to Yulara Village, the campground located about 12 miles from Ayers Rock. This is a modern complex with, among other things, a nice campground with good facilities including a swimming pool, stores and places of entertainment.
Uluru, or Ayers Rock, the largest monolith in the world, has become Australia’s symbol. The colossus draws many visitors for a good reason. Sunrise and sunset are favorites: that’s when you will see the rock change into a deep red color. We will have enough time for a walk around Uluru. About a half hour drive away are the Olgas, imposing rocks called Kata Tjuta by the Aborigines. The largest Olga reaches 1,791 Feet and is therefore even higher than Ayers Rock. You will experience the magnitude of the rock formations during a hike through the deep gorges in between the Olgas. With some luck a little rock wallaby may cross your path.
We drive for seven hours from Kings canyon to Coober Pedy. Coober Pedy, in Aboriginal language means “white man in a hole “ inspired be the adventurers who went in search of the precious opal. The extreme climate plays a role in daily life. Houses, shops, hotels, museums and a church are carved in the rocks. We follow the
example of the local population and sleep in a simple rock hotel. There are shared bath facilities and you will share your underground room with two or three fellow travelers.
Marree and Flinders Range
Day 11 Coober Pedy - Marree
Day 12 Marree - Flinders Range
Day 13 Flinders Range - Adelaide
After an early start we travel from Coober Pedy to Marree through the
“dingo fence” a fence 9600 km long, which serves as protection against the dingo, the Australian wild dog. North of the fence the dingo a protected animal and south of the fence, the farmers shoot them to protect their sheep. The emptiness and loneliness of this vast area is fascinating.
With an annual rainfall of 155mm, Marree is rightly called a “desert town”. We pitch our tents close to the local pub where you include a visit can bring to the old railway station and the Ghan Arabunna Aboriginal Cultural Center. From Marree via the Oodnadatta Track. We drive towards Flinders Range where we set up our tents a stone's throw from Wilpena Pound. This is a huge natural amphitheater in the middle of this mountainous area. There are some hiking routes of various difficulties so you can pick a walk that is suitable to your ability.
Adelaide, Grampians NP
Day 14 Adelaide
Day 15 Adelaide - Grampians NP
DAY 16 Grampians NP - Melbourne
Adelaide has about one million inhabitants and is the capital of South Australia. Beach lovers can use the historic tram from the center to the popular Glenelg Beach. Especially in the summer, the blue waters of the Indian Ocean are very appealing. From Adelaide it is about a five hour drive to Grampians National Park. Obviously this can plan can fall apart if we are distracted in the Barossa Valley wine region.
If the group wants, there is the opportunity for wine tasting in one of the many
wineries for which the area is known. The stunning national park in the state
of Victoria includes a sandstone mountain covered with mountain forests and the gum tree.
You can take beautiful walks here, for example to the rock formation the "Pinnacle" or to the MacKenzie Waterfall. Also found here are the rock paintings of the original inhabitants of Australia, the Aborigines. In Grampians National Park we follow the Great Ocean Road along the rugged coast, which has been beaten down by the mighty ocean waves. This has created the impressive and rock formations known as the "Twelve Apostles".
Melbourne, Canberra
Day 17 Melbourne
Day 18 Melbourne - Canberra
Day 19 Canberra - Sydney
Melbourne with over three million inhabitants , is the second city in Australia, but emotionally, to many Aussies, it is number one. In Melbourne you are never bored. It is a short walk to numerous museums, restaurants and parks. A very special attraction is the daily "penguin parade" at Philip Island, where many penguins come ashore where they waddle to their nests.
Then we drive to Canberra, a "planned" city, rich with broad avenues, green parks and beautiful monumental buildings including the famous Parliament House From Canberra we drive to Sydney where we end our trip.
Sydney
Day 20 Sydney
Day 21 Sydney
We stay two nights in the largest city in the country. So you have enough
have time for this colorful city from the centrally located hotel discover. With nearly four million inhabitants Sydney is the largest city in the continent. The symbol of the city and of Australia, the Opera House to the deep blue waters of the harbor, with its shining sail-like roofs and beautiful location one of the most remarkable buildings in the world.
From here you have a wonderful view of the famous Harbor Bridge. By far
the best and most exciting way to this bridge to get to know a climb. Whoever dares, can wear a "bridgepack" tied to a cable, to enjoy a breathtaking overlook of the harbor and the city.
In "Darling Harbor ', on the calm waters of Cockle Bay contains numerous
restaurants, gardens, parks and cafes. Here you can in a nice way your day
close, while the skyline of Sydney is outlined against the setting sun. From the 305 meter high Sydney Tower you have a fantastic view of the cosmopolitan center of the city. On a clear day you can see the Blue Mountains.
You can break from the bustle of city life with a visit to Toronga Zoo, the best place for an introduction to the native animals with a large collection of exotic species.
