Rock to Reef (Luxury Private Group Aircruise) – 9 Days

The below luxury aircruise was originally arranged for our clients in our Chinese market, which is why you’ll see Chinese meals appearing in the itinerary, and why we also supply a Chinese speaking interpreter/guide to travel with the tour for its full duration.

We thought that this tour was such good value, and provided such an excellent view and experience of Australia, that we could adapt it for clients from virtually any country. So, whether it’s a club or corporate gathering, you’ll not find many private air tours, with your own aircraft, in top class accommodations, with inclusive luxury tours and a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, to match this one.

Remember – we can change the meals, the interpreter/guide, and adjust the itinerary to suit you.

It’s also worth noting that we can also organise private airtours all around Australia and New Zealand for groups of any size – from a single person upwards.

Private Aircraft for Personalised Service

• Private aircraft advantage
• Dash 8 is high winged aircraft with a seating capacity of 34 which is dedicated to the travel experience
• Onboard two experienced pilots and cabin crew remain with you for the duration of the journey
• There is no wasted travel time or long drives over dusty roads, you will land directly into each location

Day 1

Arrive Sydney

This morning you arrive in the spectacular city of Sydney. Upon arrival you will be transferred from the Sydney International Airport to the Shangri La Hotel.

Lunch today is a wonderful cruise on Sydney Harbour, which is commonly referred to as the most beautiful natural harbour in the world. The 240 kilometres of shoreline encompass approximately 54 square kilometres of water, which translates to an enormous area for exploration and discovery. Although there are exclusive homes dotted around the water’s edge, there are large tracts of parklands, reserves and gardens that balance the harbour environmentally.

Dinner tonight will be at an acclaimed local Chinese restaurant.

Overnight: Shangri La Hotel, Sydney

Day 2

Sydney – Broken Hill – Coober Pedy

Transfer from the hotel to a private terminal at Sydney Domestic Airport. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the lounge and meet your Journey Director and Flight Crew.

Departing Sydney we travel across the vast countryside of New South Wales, enjoying morning tea on board, on our way to Broken Hill. On arrival in Broken Hill we embark on a tour of this historic mining town which was established over a century ago. The fine old buildings of the main street are typical examples of colonial architecture, while the mine itself looms in the background. Take this opportunity to wander in town before reboarding the aircraft. Lunch will be served onboard as we make our way to the opal mining town of Coober Pedy.

Coober Pedy is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘white man in a hole’, a fitting description of the mines and unique underground dwellings of the town. In order to escape the soaring temperatures of the day and cold winds at night,
the majority of the residents choose to live underground.

This afternoon we will enjoy a tour of the opal fields, an opal mine and the town. We will also have the opportunity
to visit an underground home and church, mine museum and underground potteries.

Dinner will be at a local Chinese restaurant.

Overnight: Desert Cave Hotel

Day 3

Coober Pedy – Ayers Rock

This morning we rejoin the aircraft for our flight to the “Red Centre”. Watch as Uluru, the world’s largest monolith appears on the horizon then enjoy spectacular aerial sightseeing over the Rock and the equally impressive Kata Tjuta.

The “Red Centre” of Australia is a land of vivid colour and striking contrasts. Temperatures range from extreme heat to freezing cold, and seasons alternate between the wet and the dry, often with long periods of drought.

Dinner tonight is a feast under the stars at the magnificent ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner (Western Cuisine). Wonderfully
placed between Uluru and Kata Tjuta, we experience the subtle colour changes of the Rock at sunset and a delicious
dinner of local tastes – including crocodile.

Overnight: Sails in the Desert

Day 4

Ayers Rock – Alice Springs

An early start today for those who wish to explore the many walks around the base of this great monolith, which allows a closer look at the fragile desert ecology. If you prefer a quiet morning, you may enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.

Our next point of call is Kata Tjuta, an impressive grouping of 36 conglomerate domes where the circumference of the
formations is more than 22 kilometres. Kata Tjuta also has great significance as a sacred area for the local Aboriginal
tribes.

After lunch we reboard our private aircraft for a short flight to the most famous of outback towns – Alice Springs.
Situated almost geographically in the centre of Australia, nowhere else in the world is there ‘A Town Like Alice’
(made famous by Neville Shute’s book of that name).

Dinner tonight is at a local Chinese Restaurant.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs

Day 5

Alice Springs – Cairns

Departing Alice Springs this morning our private aircraft heads north east across the desert plains landing to refuel
at the mining township of Mt Isa. After a brief refuelling stop the aircraft continues on to Cairns the gateway to the
tropical north.

On arrival visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. The Park offers a showcase of indigenous culture, allowing guests
to watch theatrical performances and engage in interactive activities and to learn the traditional customs of the Tjapukai people.

Travel by Skyrail to the arts and crafts township of Kuranda and then board the Kuranda train for a scenic ride down the mountainside back to Cairns.

Dinner tonight will be at the Chinese restaurant located in the hotel.

Overnight: The Reef Casino Hotel

Day 6

Great Barrier Reef

Today experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, snorkelling at the pristine Michaelmas Cay. The Cay is a
picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life.
It is also a protected seabird sanctuary playing host to over 20,000 migratory seabirds and is one of the most important nesting sites in the Southern Hemisphere. Today’s tour allows for up to four hours on the reef to explore the
dazzling diversity of the underwater world. Be prepared for an extraordinary array of marine life and coral species!

Morning tea is provided en route before you arrive and begin preparations for your first viewing of the reef. If
you’re snorkelling for the first time, the experienced crew will ensure that your day will be filled with exhilaration and
delight.

There is a chance to learn about this delicate ecosystem as you enjoy an informative ecological presentation by the
qualified marine biologists on hand. On the way back gaze once more at this spectacular coast, with its dense, green
chaos of trees reaching down to the white sandy beaches.

Tonight’s dinner is at the Chinese restaurant in the hotel.

Overnight: The Reef Casino Hotel

Day 7

Cairns – Maroochydore

Morning at leisure in Cairns to do some shopping, enjoy lunch at the hotel before transferring to the airport for our
flight south to the Sunshine Coast. On arrival enjoy a tour of the sunshine coast and Noosa.

Dinner tonight at a local Chinese restaurant.

Overnight: Sheraton Hotel Noosa

Day 8

Maroochydore – Sydney

This morning transfer to one of the world’s most famous zoos – Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo! The Zoo has gained
world wide recognition through the ongoing efforts of the Irwin family. Their passion for wildlife conservation
is evident and the zoo’s interactive approach allows us the opportunity to see personal interaction between the handlers and the reptiles.

This afternoon we return to Sydney by commercial flights and transfer to our hotel to relax before tonight’s farewell dinner at the Imperial Peking Harbourside restaurant.

Overnight: Shangri La Hotel

Day 9

Journey Concludes

Transfer to the airport this morning to connect with your international flights to China.

Package pricing

The final pricing does of course depend on any alterations or additions you require for your tour, and changes in things such as fuel duty and charges. Generally however, the indicative charges are as shown below.

Based on 30 persons and including…

• Exclusive use of 34 seat Dash 8 aircraft
• All accommodation throughout as specified in the itinerary
• All meals, with as many special (national) meals as possible
• All touring as specified in the itinerary
• National speaking guide throughout

Based on the above, the indicative approximate price, based on sharing a twin/double room, would be $US 14,900 per person approx (Dependant on clients final choice of hotel, meal requirements and interpreters etc).

If we use executive seating in the same aircraft, and the seats are substituted with business class seating, we can carry a maximum of 15 persons, which of course makes the price a lot higher.

Based on 15 persons, using executive seating, and including…

• Exclusive use of executive class 15 seat Dash 8 aircraft
• All accommodation throughout as specified in the itinerary
• All meals, with as many special (national) meals as possible
• All touring as specified in the itinerary
• National speaking guide throughout

Based on the above, the indicative approximate price, based on sharing a twin/double room, would be $US 24,550 per person approx (Dependant on clients final choice of hotel, meal requirements, and interpreters etc).