australia 2016/17
INCLUDING DIVING, SAILING & FESTIVAL OPTIONS
Make new friends from new places. Create the stories now that you’ll recount for decades to come. Celebrate individuality, diversity, connections and a little bit of craziness. Find comfort outside your comfort zone. See the world through youthful eyes, with a little bit of naivety and a truckload of optimism. You have one life. One shot. Make it count.
THIS IS YOUR life. YOU ONLY GET TO LIVE IT ONCE. BUT IF YOU DO IT RIGHT, ONCE IS ENOUGH.
Whitsundays
Cattle Station Special Stay
INSPIRATION The Contiki difference Where we go What you get 5 ways to travel Ways to stay Why Contiki? The Contiki facts Savings & deals Compare Contiki Into the rainforest Uni holiday departures Contiki Cares Social & online tools Where the wild things are
5 6 8 10 12 14 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24
AUSTRALIA TRIPS IN-DEPTH EXPLORER
25-31
HIGH ENERGY
32-35
DISCOVERY PLUS
36-41
FESTIVALS & SHORT STAYS
42-45
SAILING & DIVE
46-49
The details Q & A Booking conditions How to book
Book with confidence, Contiki’s FlexDeposit means when you book with us, you’re guaranteed to be protected if you need to cancel or delay your trip. See p.17
50 51 52
THE CONTIKI DIFFERENCE
If you’re reading this page, you’re already feeling the gravitational pull of AN ADVENTURE to the world’s southern lands. Chances are you’ve already looked at a map. You’ve researched the best spots to go. And you’ve wound up feeling a little dazed and confused about how you can possibly make it work. Choosing to travel through Australia with Contiki means sidestepping a logistical nightmare, by mapping out and coordinating a truly flawless trip. Let Contiki show you how… Trips for 18-35 year olds who share your ravenous curiosity of exploring Oz.
More choice. With 5 carefully curated travel styles there’s a perfect style for you.
Truly local experiences that give insight into Aboriginal culture.
If you’ve travelled with us before, we’ll welcome you back to the family with a 5% discount.
Our team are unashamedly infatuated with their home soil, and can’t wait to show off the places they call home. It’s an immaculate concoction of knowledge, passion and worldly awareness of our travellers’ needs.
More included experiences – from champagne sunsets over Uluru to private surf lessons and cuddling koalas.
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 05
More trips. More landmarks. More choice. More departures. More iconic spots. And more opportunities for adventure. As the original adventure travel company for the young, wide-eyed and curious, we know where travellers want to go. From Sydney to Surfers Paradise and Kings Canyon to Kakadu National Park, we cover more destinations than anyone else across Australia and beyond. All of your outback, inner city and beach break boxes are sure to be ticked. Here are 4 of the spots we’re currently lusting over – just a taste of the magnificence in store.
The original hippIE town
Representing everything that’s laidback and lovable about Australia – the original hippie town of Byron Bay. Pristine coastlines, lazy pub afternoons and enough quirk and charm to leave you always wanting more.
THE WORLD’S MOST LIVABLE CITY
Take to the streets of Melbourne, the cultural capital of Australia, and discover why it’s truly a traveller fave. Whether it’s watching some of the area’s cutest residents at the famous Penguin Parade, shopping, getting an architectural fix or just chilling at St Kilda beach, you’ll fall in love with the city that has it all.
Whitsundays
Is there anything more dreamy sounding than a collective of islands peppered over the world’s largest coral reef system? This is the Whitsundays, Australia’s paradise found. Sleep at sea, wake up with the dolphins and spend entire days basking in the sun.
Central Australia’s big sandstone rock
How could we not give a nod to this oversized Australian icon? Sip champagne while the sun sets, take a scenic flight to see it from above, and get to know the spiritual significance of incredible Uluru.
Has the thought of visiting Australia set your appetite for adventure into overdrive? Well we’ve got a few other tricks up our sleeve around the world. Vietnam, Vegas or Venice, anyone? Visit contiki.com for more info on where else we travel.
DARWIN
Litchfield N.P.
KAKADU N.P. KATHERINE CAPE TRIBULATION
Mataranka Daly Waters
Mossman Gorge
Port Douglas CAIRNS Tully
TENNANT CREEK
Townsville
Devils Marbles Wycliffe Well
Airlie Beach
WHITSUNDAYS
Mackay
KINGS CANYON
Capricorn Coast
Simpsons Gap The Olgas ULURU
CATTLE STATION
ALICE SPRINGS
Fraser Island NOOSA
Brisbane SURFERS PARADISE Currumbin
BYRON BAY COFFS HARBOUR
Port Macquarie
SYDNEY
MELBOURNE Twelve Apostles Phillip Island
Special STAYS Nightstops Places visited
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 05 07
Bondi Beach
WHAT YOU GET
practical bits
INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES
To us, hassle-free travel is spending zero time on worry and stress. Say farewell to endless wasted hours scouring the internet to find the best price and decent locations. With us, every detail is taken care of, guaranteed.
Oh yes, now this is where the fun starts. We pack more of the things you’ve been dreaming about into our trips than anyone else. FACT.
INCLUDED TRANSPORT INCLUDED central ACCOMMODATION BREAKFAST DAILY & MORE INCLUDED MEALS THE MOST EXPERIENCED TEAM
INCLUDED BLOCKBUSTER SIGHTS & CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS MORE ME TIME OPTIONALS & FREE TIME TO EXPLORE LOCAL GUIDES FOR INSIDER ACCESS UNIQUE LOCAL TASTES ENDLESS must-DO experiences
The result? It’s hard to describe, but it’s the best feeling in the world. New places, new experiences, all with a bunch of fun loving peeps.
HUNDREDS OF FIRSTS WIDENED EYES A FULLY ticked BUCKET LIST EUPhORIC MOMENTS FOMO-INDUCING INSTAGRAMS NEW mates FROM AROUND THE WORLD
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 09 05
Our trips are as unique as you are. That’s why we’ve curated 5 different travel styles in Australia, guaranteeing your adventure meets your mindset.
Florence Falls
P.25
P.32
P.36
4 trips from 5 to 11 days
2 trips from 7 to 10 days
4 trips from 12 to 25 days
For the culturally curious
Explore by day, live it up by night
See it all, do it all
• Go in-depth in your favourite regions
• Tick off the must-sees by day
• Get the most out of your time
• Party by night
• More choice
• Less travel time
• Stretch your budget even further
• More destinations
• More time in a single region
• More icons
& DIVE P.42
P.46
3 trips from 3 to 4 days
2 trips from 3 to 5 days
For jam-packed jaw-drops
Sun, sea, sand and adventure
• Bucket list events & special dates
• Feel the wind in your hair
• Unmissable short stays
• Explore the Whitsundays by private boat • Learn to dive in the Great Barrier Reef
find out more at contiki.com/AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 11
WAYS
HARD PILLOWS and HORRID FIT OUTS? HELL NO. LUSH DIGS, LONG SLEEPS and LAUGHABLY GOOD LOCATIONS? THAT’S MORE LIKE IT.
ST
WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT
Centrally located
Our trips through Australia are premium. We stay in a suite of centrally located fancy hotels, hostels and unique Special Stay experiences. No out of town locations and no average night’s sleep, EVER.
If it’s a beach town, you’ll smell the salt air. When it’s city time, you’ll be on the doorstep of the bright lights. When we’re not out to sea or getting back to nature, we stay right where the action is. Same-sex multi-share is standard or you can upgrade to a single or twin room for a bit extra if you wish.
TAY
A TASTE OF OUR SWEET ACCOMMODATION: • Private sailing boat, Whitsundays • Contiki Special Stay, Kings Creek Station
• Australis Noosa Lakes, Noosa • Contiki Special Stay, Cattle Station • Nomads Hostel, Byron Bay
Whitsundays private sailboat
Special Stays
Comfort
Stay longer
There’s the well-trodden path, then there’s the Contiki venture – rammed with unique experiences and special touches. And that even applies to our accommodation. An outback cattle station, a beachside surf camp, and a swag under the stars are just some of the stays you’ll remember forever.
Nothing says homesickness like cold showers, crowded bathrooms and no creature comforts. So we ensure you have everything you want to recoup properly between days of exploring. Pools, WiFi, air-con, hot showers, pillow like beds, ensuites, breakfast each day; what more could one vagabond ask for?
It’s not uncommon for one special destination to pull at the heartstrings of a traveller and leave them needing a little more at the start or end of a trip. So we’ve negotiated special rates with our accommodation partners to make it completely doable. You’re welcome.
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 13
ME TIME
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES Let’s not beat around the bush: no one gives you more ME Time (free time) than us.
By choosing Contiki you’re choosing to travel with the company who include more experiences, sights and sounds in Australia as part of every single trip.
You’ve come to Australia to explore, and frankly there’s exploring a-plenty in this giant of a country, so we give you the free time you need to do just that. Dive into the deep end in the Great Barrier Reef, jump out of the sky on a tandem skydive in Surfers Paradise or take a heli ride over the stunning Uluru. We’ve got a host of options on offer and get you the best deal out there through our well connected network of local friends. Relaxing with a cocktail at sunset more your thing? We get it, and with us you get the time to do just that.
Surf lesson sound like you? Or is a visit to the famous Blue Mountains more your jam? Seeing Uluru at sunset on your hit-list? Whatever Aussie moment you’re hunting for, we’re bound to include it as part of your trip price.
Look for the symbol on the trip pages for some inspiration on how to spend your ME Time. Important: ME Time optional activities are not included in the price of your trip. They are run by 3rd party operators and on occasion, for some of the activities, travellers may be required to sign a waiver to participate. Before you leave, it’s important that you check your insurance includes your participation in adventure activities and be aware that some of our optionals can be physically demanding and may involve some risk.
Quad Biking in Kings Canyon
Included city tour of Sydney
FOODIE FAVES
YOUR TEAM For those of you who think Australia IS A new countrY on the block with very little in the way of local food flair, think again.
It’s not hard to see why the words legend, knowledgeable, and even guru get thrown around about our team in Australia.
Our included daily breakfasts will fuel you up for the day’s adventures, and our perfect mix of incredible included meals and free time to explore will leave you perfectly satisfied. But it’s the money can’t buy food experiences that will really see you falling for the tastes of Australia, where culture, flavour and tradition all blur into a frenzy of sense ticklers. From a Surf Club dinner in Noosa, to a traditional Aussie roast at our cattle station Special Stay, prepare to feel like a true local. And a true foodie.
Bondi
Ever wished you’d had someone right there to ask where the ATM or the bathroom is, or how to get from A to B when you travel? Painful right? You won’t get that with Contiki. With us, our 24/7 team of Trip Manager and Trip Driver are with you every day of your journey and are ready with all the info you need as you explore. And, there’s no need to stress about where to go, or hotel and transport bookings. They work hard, and know the sights and sounds of Oz like no other, it’s their backyard after all. They live to travel and can deal with anything you throw their way.
Mark, Trip Manager
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 15
THE CONTIKI FACTS TRANSPORT INCLUDED From comfy coaches to internal flights and boat rides, it’s all about experiencing a range of ways to explore your chosen destination.
SIGHTSEEING INCLUDED
From the big sights to the hidden gems, we know what you came to see in each destination, so we bring each spot to life through walking tours and orientations to guarantee you check all your travel boxes.
FOOD EXPERIENCES:
We make sure you get a taste of each destination. All of our trips include breakfast daily, plus delicious meal experiences.
ALL ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED, Every night
ME TIME = FREE TIME
The only thing fixed is your destination – the rest is up to you.
INCLUDED TEAM
Our trips have a Trip Manager and Driver, plus Local Guides in some destinations, all included and with you 24/7. It’s priceless knowledge and insight into the destinations you can’t get if you travel alone.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is compulsory on our trips, and we have some of the best deals on rates. Visit contiki.com/insurance
YOU CAN DO IT!
50% of our travellers go solo. It’s all about a great blend of groups, couples and friends – all like-minded explorers.
Time Savers
Say NO to wasting precious travel time. Take to our destinations like a pro and let us take care of the hassle. No waiting for transportation, no lining up for tickets, no looking for tourist info centres, ATMs or bathrooms.
TRIPS FOR 18-35 YEAR OLDS ONLY
SAVE BIG
VISIT Contiki.com /deals
BOOK EARLY and SAVE
Book and pay early for the best deal on your trip. Don’t miss out on these great savings. Check contiki.com/deals for the latest. #1 save up to A$385* #2 save up to A$259* Pay in full on or before Pay in full on or before 2nd June 2016 & 14th July 2016 & save up to 7.5% save up to 5%
GOLD SEAL PROTECTION
Our Gold Seal means that if you cancel your trip 24 hours before the day of your trip departure, we won’t charge you a cent. And if you’re ill or have to leave the trip early for personal reasons, Gold Seal will refund you A$40 for each day that you miss on your Contiki trip. See more on p.50.
BOOK WITH FRIENDS
We believe in the principle of the more the merrier! Start early and get your friends on board for an amazing adventure. • 4 or more everyone saves 5%
BOOK 2 OR MORE TRIPS
• 7 or more everyone saves 7.5%
Can’t get enough of Contiki? We know the feeling. Book 2 trips of 7+ days and get A$50 off your second trip.
PART PAY
Once you’ve booked, register online, share it with your family and friends and pay off your trip over time.
• 10 or more everyone saves 10% (or invite an 11th and bring them, or yourself, for free!)
CHANGE DIRECTION
You could save up to A$150 when you take a Contiki Australia trip with a different departure city (travel on one of the itineraries in reverse order). Look out for the ‘Your choice’ box on trip pages.
TRAVELLING AGAIN?
Travelled with us or one of our sister companies before? Welcome back to the family with 5% additional discount.
FLEXDEPOSIT MIX & MATCH
Combine Australia & New Zealand trips of 7+ days with Contiki & save A$50
We know travel plans can change, and with FlexDeposit, you can rest assured you’re protected if you need to cancel or delay your adventure. See p.50
The facts: all these discounts apply to the land portion of your trip price only (this excludes taxes, included flight costs, extra accommodation & optional activities. Your trip price does not include the costs of international flights that start or end your trip. You can combine loyalty discounts (‘Travelling Again’) , group discounts (‘Book with Friends’) multi trip discounts (‘2 or more’) & early payment (‘Pay Early’) discounts on trips of 7 days or longer. Pay Early savings do not apply to bookings made within 45 days of trip departure and are not combinable with Last Minute Deals. Group discounts (‘Book with friends’) is available on all trips. Book early savings of A$385 and A$259 based on The Big Walkabout with Sailing (start Sydney) p.37. Discounts are subject to availability & may be withdrawn at any point without notice.
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 17
COMPARE CONTIKI See the best sights and make epic memories all with no hassle when you travel with Contiki. Say no to hours searching for the perfect holiday and stressful unexpected hurdles. We’ve compared a typical day travelling alone in Sydney with a day Travelling with Contiki. You choose.
SYDNEY Accommodation
GOING CONTIKI
Team
Transport
Loving my super comfy, central hotel in Sydney. (Included)
FOOD
My local Aussie Trip Manager and Driver team are complete legends. (Included)
VS
GOING IT ALONE GOING CONTIKI Coach right outside – yes please! And our Driver loads the suitcases on for us... easy. (Included)
Who am I meant to ask for directions, local info or the best places to eat?
VS
TOTAL
Delicious ‘cook your own steak’ at a cool Darling Harbour restaurant, yes please! (Included)
GOING IT ALONE
Train, bus, walk? How long will it take to get to the Opera House? And what’s an Opal card? (A$20)
VS
GOING CONTIKI
VS
GOING IT ALONE
GOING CONTIKI So much I want to do in this city. All the bucket-list sights were ticked off on our city tour and we are headed to the Blue Mountains tomorrow (Included), now I’m ready for the Sydney BridgeClimb. (from A$228)
VS
GOING IT ALONE Wow Sydney is more expensive than I thought; guess I’ll have to pay-up to stay close to the action. (A$160)
GOING CONTIKI
Included
Where to go for dinner? Some places are pretty pricey in this city but I really want to try an Aussie steak. (A$70)
GOING IT ALONE Ok, so my bucket-list is pretty big for Sydney – Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, (A$20) Blue Mountains (A$89)… and my number one aim is to climb that bridge! (A$268) TOTAL (A$377)
GOING CONTIKI
GOING IT ALONE
+ Sydney BridgeClimb
+ Sydney BridgeClimb
TRIPS FROM A$205 PER DAY
A$359 PER DAY
Prices validated at 6th January, 2016 at the locations stated. Actual costs may change without notice. Inclusions cost comparison is based on activities similar to those included in a Contiki trip. Contiki Australia pricing is based on the Reefs & Rainforests trip (p.40) visiting Sydney.
Better to SOMETHING HEAR ABOUT IT
– ASIAN PROVERB
Kakadu National Park AUSTRALIA 2016/17 19
Some call it lush, some call it paradise… we call it unmissable. Discover this UNESCO World Heritage site, packed with flora and wildlife, with mountain ranges to one side, and the Great Barrier Reef bordering the other, this place is unique to say the least. Get cosy with nature, as you explore the area that’s
packed with plants, animals and is the home of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people. While you’re here why not try an ocean kayaking adventure, rainforest ziplining or a nature park walk for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground.
And with a bunch of other young explorers at the ready, why would you choose to explore it any other way? Experience it on: • Island & Rainforest (p.28) • Reefs & Rainforests (p.40)
S
S
OOL’ H C
OUT
“I had a great holiday at home…” said no-one ever. Say no to FOMO, plot your Uni holiday escape AND do something awesome. With so much to see in this great land, why take it international? Make tracks to Cairns, the Whitsundays and the Rainforest, take a beach break on the East Coast, or head to the heart of the Red Centre and see what all the fuss is about. All while travelling with a bunch of travellers your age and mindset, that are bound to become some of your new BFFs. We’ve kept it easy, look out for the ▲ symbol on our trip itineraries for Uni holiday departures, and get planning. Oh, and travelled with us before? We’ll welcome you back to the family with a 5% discount.
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 21
The 2015 Storytellers Australia team
CONTIKI CARES
Armed with the education of experience and open eyes, travellers understand that exploring the world consciously is of paramount importance. Supporting local communities and the environment is not optional – it’s essential. The good news is: small steps make big waves.
CONTIKI CARES PROJECTS Since 2008, Contiki has been partnered with some incredible organisations and people that we continue to support.
TreadRight
2008 launches Sustainable Coastlines
2011
2012 Sharks Count
2013
2014 Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco
MAR Leadership Oceana
Sea Turtle Conservancy & SurfriderS Australia
2015
2016
GIVING BACK Giving back to the destinations we visit is at the heart of our business. Here are just a few examples. AUSTRALIA THE CREED FAMILY One of the highlights of our East Coast trips is our unique Special Stay at the Creed Family farm, The Old Station. We’ve worked together for years in a mutually beneficial partnership, with Contiki providing an alternative source of income for the farm, whilst visiting the Cattle Station Special Stay is a favourite experience for our travellers. CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL TOURS All of our trips visiting the outback have an Aboriginal tour included. We work with the local indigenous people of the area, which allows travellers to learn about native bush foods, the cultural heritage of the area and how over time local indigenous culture is changing. Travellers also get the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal art, and can support local artists by purchasing art directly from them. SURFRIDER FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA The Surfrider Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation we have supported for two years, whose aim is to help protect and preserve Australia’s beaches. We’ve joined forces on a number of beach cleans, most recently in late 2015 as part of the Storytellers Australia project, cleaning up a beach in Yeppoon as well as Bondi beach to raise awareness about the danger of plastics within the ocean.
Check out
Coach Transport: A greener way to travel Think travelling by car, train or plane is more eco than a coach trip in most countries? Think again. We use the most efficient and environmentally friendly coaches on the road. Surprised?
COACHes: a cheaper WAY TO TRAVEL Cars: 3x more expensive than a coach
SURFRIDERS AUSTRALIA
contiki.com/storytellers, contiki.com/contikicares and treadright.org for more.
CONTIKI LOVES THE PLANET Contiki, as part of The Travel Corporation, is proud to be using 100% recycled LEIPA paper for the body of our brochures. It is just part of The Travel Corporation way, and another sign we really dig this planet of ours.
Contiki, in partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, encourages the sustainable development of tourism by projects that benefit the environment, heritage and community. Visit treadright.org to check out our exciting new partnerships with WildAid and Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.
Rail: 3x more expensive than a coach COACH: Save your $ and the environment
GET INSPIRED!
VISIT
CONTIKI.COM
(contiki.com)
Check out contiki.com to get inspired no matter what your travel destination may be, whether it’s Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Latin America, the USA, Canada or Asia. Read our country pages devoted to highlighting our fave spots around the world, discover our awesome videos or just learn a little more about us.
Reviews
(contiki.com/reviews)
Don’t just take our word for it, check out trip reviews and see what our past travellers have to say. And once you’ve finished your trip, leave a review yourself.
Check out the range of trips on offer, our amazing inclusions and top deals available
MEETUPS
MANAGE YOUR BOOKING GET THE LOOK
(contiki.com/meetups)
Meet the rest of your travel group before you go and start chatting. Or download our App and access MeetUps on your iPhone or Android.
(contiki.com/managebooking)
(contiki.com/contikistore)
With our Manage my booking tool, add your contact details for pre-trip updates, keep your details up to date and add extras to your booking.
Experience the trips, wear the threads. From comfy hoodies to everyday tees, we’ve got your travel look sorted. Check out the Contiki Store to see what you can deck yourself out in. Buy now at contiki.com/contikistore
Looking for inspiration to feed your wanderlust? Six-two by Contiki is a travel and lifestyle site bringing you the best of the best from the travel world. Packed with legendary stories, essential travel hacks and insider guides from those in the know, plus a whole heap more, don’t you think it’s time to go explore?
Join the conversation on one of our social channels TWITTER (twitter.com/contikiaus)
INSTAGRAM (instagram.com/contiki)
FACEBOOK (facebook.com/contiki)
YOUTUBE (youtube.com/contiki)
GOOGLE PLUS (plus.google.com/+contki)
CONTKI APP (contiki.com/app)
VINE (vine.co/contiki)
SNAPCHAT (contiki.com)
PINTEREST (pinterest.com/contiki)
TUMBLR (contiki.tumblr.com)
VISIT contiki.com/six-two
Your bookings & trip itinerary
Meet & Mix before you travel Meetups!
OUR NEW CONTIKI APP!
YOUR DAILY ESSENTIALS - 5 day weather forecast
With you before, during & after your trip
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 23
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast
where the wild things are
As famous as the beaches AND babe’n locals, are Australia’s other residents, many you might just see or hold when you’re travelling Contiki. To get you in the mood, we’re giving you the fast-Track WTF facts on some furry (or not so furry) friends.
Wombat
Dingo
An animal with a beak like a duck, a tail like a beaver, and feet like an otter sounds like something a mad scientist would create. Add to the list the ability to lay lizard-like eggs and shoot poison out of its foot, and you have a unique creature indeed.
Protected by Australian law, this endangered species is at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to dingoes and Tasmanian Devils, but they are so cute and love to be tickled (check YouTube).
The wild dog of Australia is able to use its paws like hands and turn door knobs. Their ability to go where other dogs can’t means dingoes get into way more mischief.
kangaroo
Tasmanian Devil
Koala
Not just a cartoon my friend, these are very real and live in Tasmania, carrying their young round in little pouches just like a kangaroo. Be careful – they bite!
Not actually a bear after all (who knew?), these little guys date back as far as 20 million years ago.
Platypus
Not only are there more kangaroos than humans in Australia, the female kangaroo can determine the sex of their offspring... wow!
Whitsundays
Uluru
Alice Springs
Alice Springs
FOR THOSE WHO LIKE THEIR SEA-DIVING DEEP AND THEIR CULTURAL EXPERIENCES SWEET. THE IN-DEPTH EXPLORER WILL UNCOVER THE RICH CULTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. our trips Outback Adventure ��������������������������� p.26 Island & Rainforest ��������������������������� p.28
Tropical Wonder �������������������������������� p.30 Rock & Red ������������������������������������������� p.31
INCLUDED • 2 night stays in most destinations • M ulti-share rooms with twin and single options available for a little extra Great Barrier Reef
• B reakfast every day, plus included dinners at hotels and local restaurants • M ore included activities such as an Aboriginal experience at Mossman Gorge, a visit to the Uluru Cultural Centre and a hike through Kings Canyon
Contiki.com/in-depth-explorer-australia
• A Trip Manager and Driver team who will be your experts on all things Australia • G et around on our modern, air-conditioned coaches with powerpoints, WiFi (on some coaches), in-seat USB charging points, movies and a killer sound system!
Kakadu National Park
• M E Time – your chance to explore on your own or take advantage of our awesome optional activities
We love WiFi – stay connected with WiFi at most overnight stops
AUSTRALIA & NEWAUSTRALIA ZEALAND 2016/17 25 05
OUTBACK ADVENTURE
Litchfield N.P.
1 DARWIN 2 KAKADU N.P. 1 KATHERINE Mataranka
Daly Waters NORTHERN TERRITORY
Devils Marbles Wycliffe Well
11 DAYS
TENNANT 1 CREEK
FROM
A$1929 A$176 PP*
P/DAY*
PAY EARLY & SAVE UP TO A$155. SEE P.17 FOR DETAILS #OUTBACKADVENTURE
Kakadu
IN-DEPTH EXPLORER
KINGS CANYON 1 The Olgas
Simpsons Gap
2 ULURU
2 ALICE SPRINGS
2 World Heritage sites visited 1 1
Places visited Nightstops 1 or more nights at Special Stays
SNAPSHOT
AUSTRALIA
10
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING
HOW MUCH & WHEN
Day 1: Alice Springs. Meet your Contiki Team this afternoon & check out ‘The Alice’, famous for its remoteness, classic Aussie locals & Aboriginal art. Maybe hold a snake or lizard at our reptile park experience (if you’re game). Hotel (D) Catch a look at the MacDonnell Ranges from Anzac Hill See the stunning Aboriginal site at Simpsons Gap See the dry Todd River which hosts the annual Henley on Todd Regatta Hands-on reptile park experience
CODE: TEADD 2016/17 CODE: TEDAD 2016/17
• • • •
Day 2: Alice Springs to Kings Creek Station. Gear up to try some ‘bush tucker’, meet members of the Walpiri Aboriginal community & learn to throw a boomerang! Later, it’s on to Kings Creek Station for our cool overnight – go local like Aussie ‘bushies’ & sleep under the stars in a comfy swag. (B,D)
Outback Special Stay
• •
Hike through Kings Canyon to the ‘Lost City’ & desert oasis ‘the Garden of Eden’ Sleep under the stars in a traditional Aussie ‘swag’
Day 3: Kings Creek Station to Uluru. Australia’s pin-up icon is next as we make tracks to Uluru. Take a walk through its neighbour Kata Tjuta before cooking up an optional BBQ dinner. Lodge (B) Wake up to the smell of fresh cooked bacon & eggs, just how you like it See the 700 million year old Mt Conner & Lake Amadeus
• •
Day 4: Uluru. Don’t miss the changing colours of an Uluru sunrise, then if you’re up for it, take a walk around ‘The Rock’ for some close up angles & hear stories of this amazing area & its Aboriginal rock art. Tonight, toast the trip & catch a legendary Uluru sunset while sipping a glass of bubbly. Lodge (B) See Uluru at sunrise Drink a toast to Uluru at sunset
• •
Day 5: Uluru to Alice Springs. Say goodbye to Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park as we head back to Alice Springs. Hotel (B) Indulge in a yummy BBQ ‘Big Brekkie’
•
M Overlander Steakhouse Dinner – try kangaroo, emu, crocodile & camel!
Day 6: Alice Springs to Tennant Creek. Our ‘Top End’ adventure begins today – we’ll cross the Tropic of Capricorn to Aussie’s old mining town, Tennant Creek. Hotel (B,D) Keep your eyes peeled for UFOs at Wycliffe Well Visit the ‘Devils Marbles’
• •
Day 7: Tennant Creek to Katherine. Stop & ‘knock one back’ at the Territory’s oldest pub before making a splash in Mataranka thermal pools. Later, it’s on to the lush river town of Katherine & its famous gorge. Hotel (B) Chill out & swim at the Mataranka thermal pools Hear stories from ‘We of the Never Never’ Homestead, made famous by the book of the same name
• •
Start
A.Springs
Finish
Darwin
Total Cost
A$ pp*
A.Springs
Total Cost
28 ▲ Oct 8 26 Nov 5 23 Dec 3 21 ●▲ Dec 31
1979 1979 1929 1929
Darwin
Oct 19 Nov 16 Dec 14
1979 1929 1929
Sep Oct Nov Dec
1 ▲ Jan 11 29 Feb 8 26 Mar 8 26 Apr 5 23 May 3 21 May 31 18 Jun 28 16 Jul 26 13 Aug 23 10 Sep 20
1929 1929 1929 1929 2069 2069 2069 2039 2039 2039
2017
Oct 9 Nov 6 Dec 4
Finish
A$ pp*
2016
2016
2017 Jan Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
Start
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Aug
18 15 15 12 10 7 5 2 30
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
28 25 25 22 20 17 15 12 9
1929 1929 1929 2069 2069 2069 2039 2039 2039
Day 8: Katherine to Kakadu National Park. Hike, walk, or take an optional boat trip to see the massive Katherine Gorge up close. This afternoon we’ll hit the road to Kakadu National Park via Edith Falls for a swim. Hotel (B,D) Visit Katherine Gorge Cool off in Edith Falls before heading into World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park (seasonal)
* Prices above are based on maximum quad-share. Single room supplement add A$975/add A$319 for second person twin-share. TEADD: Start A.Springs 11:30am & end Darwin 5:00pm.
Day 9: Kakadu National Park. Explore Kakadu today – its variety of gorgeous landscapes, wildlife & arguably Australia’s best Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock will seriously impress. Hotel (B) Keep your eyes peeled for crocs on a wildlife cruise See the Aboriginal rock art Visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre M Scenic flight over this World Heritage Listed area
▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger. For travel insurance see p.50. Note: This trip is part of a bigger picture – our 25-day Big Walkabout trip. When you jump aboard this trip, you’ll be joining a horde of other travellers who are already geared up in Contiki’s world-famous exploration mode. Wait until you see the warm welcome you’ll receive as a new addition to the wolf pack.
• •
• • •
Day 10: Kakadu to Darwin. Wave Kakadu farewell as we head to Darwin. Don’t forget to pick up a didgeridoo & meet some local Aboriginal artists before you leave. Stop off en route for a swim in the famous (& gorgeous) Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park. Hotel (B) Enjoy a swim in Florence Falls
TEDAD: Start Darwin 7:30am & end A.Springs 9:00am. ● This trip ends in Alice Springs on New Year’s Eve.
Nourlangie Rock
Unique Special Stay: 1 night Kings Creek Station Outback Bush Camp, & 7 nights in hotels, 2 nights in a lodge
14
INCLUDED MEALS 10 breakfasts (B), 4 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS • An experienced & professional Trip Manager & Driver team • Modern, air-conditioned coach with power & USB points for charging • Sightseeing tours of all major cities plus orientation tours of all other destinations • National park fees, local taxes & service charges
EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS • Alice Springs Aboriginal Dreamtime ‘Bush tucker’ tour • Alice Springs Reptile Centre experience • Uluru sunset drinks & nibbles • Hike through ‘Kata Tjuta’ (The Olgas) • Visit the Uluru Cultural Centre • Guided city tour of Darwin Plus all of the inclusions in the itinerary marked with
•
•
ME TIME OPTIONS
Day 11: Darwin. Get your bearings on a city tour of Darwin & visit East Point Military Reserve & the local museum to learn about its historical past. Then it’s time to say farewell to your travel buddies & swap email addresses. (B) Visit the Darwin Museum
M Dawn hot air balloon flight over the desert & MacDonnell Ranges in Alice Springs M Guided helicopter flight over Uluru & Kata Tjuta M Quad bike excursion M Katherine Gorge Cruise M Harley Davidson motorcycle ride around Uluru See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
•
LOCAL CULTURE Get your camera at the ready & head to Nourlangie Rock at Kakadu National Park for spectacular views of this stunning natural site.
YOUR CHOICE It’s your choice – travel from Alice Springs to Darwin, or from Darwin to Alice Springs.
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ OUTBACK
100% recommend everyone does this trip, especially if you are interested in seeing some huge crocs (eating some too) in the wild as well as some massive rocks in the desert! Kakadu
Tash (contiki.com/reviews)
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 27
ISLAND & RAINFOREST
IN-DEPTH EXPLORER
7 DAYS
1 CAPE TRIBULATION Mossman Gorge
FROM
A$1485 A$213 PP*
Tully
P/DAY*
Townsville Airlie Beach
PAY EARLY & SAVE UP TO A$139. SEE P.17 FOR DETAILS
QUEENSLAND
#ISLANDANDRAINFOREST 2 World Heritage sites visited 1
Whitehaven Beach
Port Douglas
3 CAIRNS
Places visited Nightstops
GREAT BARRIER REEF
2 WHITSUNDAYS
SNAPSHOT
AUSTRALIA
6
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING
HOW MUCH & WHEN
Days 1 - 2: The Whitsundays. Meet up with your Contiki Team & new travel buddies before heading into true paradise for the beaches, water sports & good times. Resort (D)(B) M Sailing to Whitehaven Beach
CODE: FNSCD 2016/17 CODE: FNCSD 2016/17
Days 4 - 5: Cairns. With 2 free days, you can experience Cairns’ best! From shopping, cool bars & amazing nightlife, to the endless adrenaline activities like rafting, skydiving & exploring the reef, you’re spoiled with choices. If you’re up for a night out, then your Trip Manager can tell you the best spots to head to. Hotel (B)(B)
Day 1 - 2: Sailing Whitsundays option Want to get on the water in true Whitsundays style? You can. Choose to hit the blue waters & try your hand at sailing on our private sailing adventure, cruising some of the Whitsundays’ 74 islands including Whitehaven Beach. See p.48 for more info & the price panel for costs. Multi-share accommodation. Yacht (D)(B,L,D)(B) Codes: ex W’suns: FNSWD ex Cairns: FNCWD
Day 6: Cairns to Cape Tribulation. Get an insider’s look at ancient Aboriginal culture & maybe try the unusual flavours offered at the local ice creamery, before heading north to Cape Tribulation. Lodge (B) Aboriginal experience at Mossman Gorge.
Day 3: The Whitsundays to Cairns. Today, we’ll head to Tropical North Queensland known for its rainforests & as the gateway to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Tonight, there’s a chance to try some kangaroo if you’re up for it. Hotel (B,D) Check out Townsville on a city tour Pass Hinchinbrook Island & Tully
Day 7: Cape Tribulation to Cairns. We visit Cape Tribulation beach & then check out the mangroves on a walk with our Local Expert. This afternoon it’s back to Cairns where your trip ends at 5:00pm. (B) Visit Port Douglas Mangrove boardwalk with our Local Expert
• •
M Snorkel or dive on a Great Barrier Reef cruise
•
• •
RAINFOREST EXPERIENCE ON DAYS 6 & 7 Get geared up for 2 days in paradise! With huge mountain ranges & rainforest stretching right to the ocean, the lush Daintree area is where the tropics meets the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. This World Heritage Site is packed with ancient plants & animals & is the home of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people – it’s ready to be explored & a must-do in this part of the world. Come see it with us.
Whitsundays sailing
Start
W’suns
Finish Trip only Cairns
A$ pp*
Trip & Start sailing Cairns A$ pp*
2016 Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec
13 4 11 1 8 29 6 27 ▲
2017 Jan 3 ▲ Jan 10 Jan 17 Jan 24 Jan 31 Feb 14 Feb 21 Feb 28 Mar 21 Apr 18 ▲ May 16 Jun 13 Jul 11 Jul 18 Aug 8 Aug 15 Sep 5 Sep 12
Finish Trip W’suns only
A$ pp*
Trip & sailing A$ pp*
2016 Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
19 10 17 7 14 5 12 2 9 16 23 30 6 20 27 6 27 24 22 19 17 24 14 21 11 18
1485 1485 1485 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1549 1549 1549 1525 1525 1525 1525 1525 1525
1785 1785 1785 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855
Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec
15 6 13 3 10 1 8 29 ▲
Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Jan
21 12 19 9 16 7 14 4
1485 1485 1485 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555
1785 1785 1785 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855
1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1849 1849 1849 1825 1825 1825 1825 1825 1825
2017 Jan 5 Jan 12 Jan 19 Jan 26 Feb 2 Feb 16 Feb 23 Mar 2 Mar 23 Apr 20 ▲ May 18 Jun 15 Jul 13 Jul 20 Aug 10 Aug 17 Sep 7 Sep 14
Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
11 18 25 1 8 22 1 8 29 26 24 21 19 26 16 23 13 20
1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1549 1549 1549 1525 1525 1525 1525 1525 1525
1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1855 1849 1849 1849 1825 1825 1825 1825 1825 1825
* Prices above are based on multi-share. Single room supplement (trip only) add A$719/add A$249 for second person twin-share. Single room supplement (trip + sailing) add A$459/add A$159 for second person twin-share. (Boat cabins multishare only). FNSCD: Start W’suns 5:00pm & end Cairns 5:00pm. FNCSD: Start Cairns 7:00am & end W’suns 8:00am. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. Note: This trip is part of a bigger picture – our 16-day Reefs & Rainforests trip. When you jump aboard this trip, you’ll be joining a horde of other travellers who are already geared up in Contiki’s world-famous exploration mode. Wait until you see the warm welcome you’ll receive as a new addition to the wolf pack.
5 nights in hotels & resorts 1 night in a lodge Sailing option: substitute 2 nights in resort with 2 nights on a yacht
8
INCLUDED MEALS 6 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D)
10
INCLUDED MEALS (SAILING OPTION) 6 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 3 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS • An experienced & professional Trip Manager & Driver team • Modern, air-conditioned coach with power & USB points for charging • Rainforest adventure on days 6 & 7 • National park fees, local taxes & service charges
EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS • Aboriginal guided experience at Mossman Gorge Plus all of the inclusions in the itinerary marked with
•
ME TIME OPTIONS M Sailing trip to Whitehaven Beach & lunch M Cairns tandem skydive See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
LOCAL CULTURE Did you know? The Whitsundays were named by Captain James Cook in 1770 during his voyage of discovery of Australia. He sailed through the area on what he thought was the Christian festival day of Whit Sunday, also known as Pentecost.
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ ISLAND
YOUR CHOICE It’s your choice – travel from The Whitsundays to Cairns, or from Cairns to The Whitsundays.
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 29
TROPICAL WONDER
IN-DEPTH EXPLORER
CAIRNS 2 GREAT BARRIER REEF
Tully Townsville Airlie Beach
Whitsundays
2 WHITSUNDAYS
QUEENSLAND
SNAPSHOT
4 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
5 DAYS 1 COUNTRY
4 nights hotel & resort accommodation Sailing option: substitute 2 nights in resort with 2 nights on a yacht
A$945 A$189
6
INCLUDED MEALS 4 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D)
8
INCLUDED MEALS (SAILING OPTION) 4 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 3 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS Please see p.50 for more information on our standard inclusions.
ME TIME OPTIONS M Whitewater rafting in Cairns M Bungy jump in Cairns See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ WONDER
#TROPICALWONDER
2 World Heritage sites visited 1
FROM
PP*
Places visited Nightstops
P/DAY*
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/DEALS
HOW MUCH & WHEN CODE: NWCSD 2016/17
ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING Day 1: Cairns. Meet up with your Contiki Team & travel buddies, then head out & experience Cairns’ best! From shopping, great nightlife & endless adrenaline activities like rafting, skydiving & exploring the reef, you’re spoiled with choices. Tonight, there’s your chance to try some kangaroo if you’re up for it. Hotel (D) M Great Barrier Reef cruise & lunch Day 2: Cairns. Feed your inner adrenaline junkie or relax? It’s your choice with another free day to do what you’re into. Hotel (B) M Bungy jumping M Whitewater rafting
Day 3: Cairns to The Whitsundays. See Airlie Beach and the paradise of The Whitsundays. Resort (B,D) Pass through Tully, home to Australia’s best whitewater rafting Pass Hinchinbrook Island – Australia’s largest island national park Check out Townsville on a city tour Stop at Airlie Beach
• • • •
Day 3 - 4: Sailing Whitsundays option Want to get on the water in true Whitsundays style? You can. Choose to hit the blue waters & try your hand at sailing on our private sailing adventure, cruising some of the Whitsundays’ 74 islands including Whitehaven Beach. See p.48 for more info & the price panel for costs. Multi-share accommodation Yacht (D)(B,L,D)(B) Code: NWCWD Day 4: The Whitsundays. This place is the ultimate way to relax. So take time to chill or get into some water sports & good times on a sailing trip to Whitehaven Beach. Resort (B) M Sailing trip to Whitehaven Beach & lunch (weather dependent) Day 5: The Whitsundays. The trip ends after breakfast & it’s time to say farewell to your new friends. (B)
Start
Cairns
Finish Trip W’suns only
A$ pp*
Trip & Start sailing Cairns A$ pp*
2016 Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec
17 8 15 5 12 3 10 31 ▲ 7 14 21 28
A$ pp*
Trip & sailing A$ pp*
2017 Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Jan
21 12 19 9 16 7 14 4
945 945 945 995 995 995 995 995
1245 1245 1245 1295 1295 1295 1295 1295
Jan Jan Jan Feb
11 18 25 1
995 995 995 995
1295 1295 1295 1295
2017 Jan Jan Jan Jan
Finish Trip W’suns only
Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
4 18 25 4 25 22 ▲ 20 17 15 22 12 19 9 16
Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
8 22 1 8 29 26 24 21 19 26 16 23 13 20
995 995 995 995 995 989 989 989 975 975 975 975 975 975
1295 1295 1295 1295 1295 1289 1289 1289 1275 1275 1275 1275 1275 1275
* Prices above are based on multi-share.
Single room supplement (trip only) add A$515/add A$185 for second person twin-share. Single room supplement (trip + sailing) add A$255/add A$95 for second person twin-share. (Boat cabins multishare only). Start Cairns 7:00am & end Whitsundays 8:00am. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger. For travel insurance see p.50. Note: This trip is part of a bigger picture – our 16-day Reefs & Rainforests trip. When you jump aboard this trip, you’ll be joining a horde of other travellers who are already geared up in Contiki’s world-famous exploration mode. Wait until you see the warm welcome you’ll receive as a new addition to the wolf pack.
IN-DEPTH EXPLORER NORTHERN TERRITORY
KINGS CANYON 1 The Olgas
2
Simpsons Gap
1 ALICE SPRINGS
ULURU
1 World Heritage site visited 1 1
Places visited Nightstops 1 or more nights at Special Stays
ROCK & RED
Uluru
SNAPSHOT
4
5 DAYS 1 COUNTRY
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
FROM
A$975 A$195 PP*
Unique Special Stay: 1 night Kings Creek Station Outback Bush Camp, 1 night in a hotel, 2 nights in a lodge
P/DAY*
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/DEALS
6
INCLUDED MEALS
ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING
HOW MUCH & WHEN
Day 1: Alice Springs. Meet up with your Contiki Team & explore the Outback’s unofficial capital, ‘The Alice’, famous for its remoteness, classic Aussie locals & Aboriginal art. Maybe hold a snake or lizard at our reptile park experience (if you’re game). Hotel (D) Catch a look at the MacDonnell Ranges from Anzac Hill See the stunning Aboriginal site of Simpsons Gap See the dry Todd River which hosts the annual Henley on Todd Regatta Hands-on reptile park experience
CODE: AEDAD 2016/17 CODE: AEADD 2016/17
• • • •
Day 2: Alice Springs to Kings Creek Station. Gear up to try some ‘bush tucker’, meet members of the Walpiri Aboriginal community & learn to throw a boomerang! Later, it’s on to Kings Creek Station for our cool overnight – go local like Aussie ‘bushies’ & sleep under the stars in a comfy swag. (B,D) Outback Special Stay Sleep under the stars in a traditional Aussie ‘swag’ M Quad-bike adventure
•
Day 3: Kings Creek Station to Uluru. Australia’s pin-up icon is next as we make tracks to Uluru. Take a walk through its neighbour – Kata Tjuta. Lodge (B) Wake up to the smell of fresh cooked bacon & eggs, just how you like it Hike through Kings Canyon to the ‘Lost City’ & desert oasis ‘the Garden of Eden’ See the 700 million year old Mt Conner & Lake Amadeus Hike through ‘Kata Tjuta’ (The Olgas)
• • • •
#ROCKANDRED
Day 4: Uluru. Don’t miss the changing colours of an Uluru sunrise, then if you’re up for it, take a walk around ‘The Rock’ for some close up angles & hear stories of this amazing area & its Aboriginal rock art. Tonight, toast the trip & catch a legendary Uluru sunset while sipping a glass of bubbly. Lodge (B) Visit the Uluru Cultural Centre See Uluru at sunrise Drink a toast to Uluru at sunset M Scenic helicopter flight
• • •
Day 5: Uluru to Alice Springs. Say farewell to Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park & take the option of leaving from Uluru this morning or continue to Alice Springs where your trip ends this afternoon. (B) Indulge in a yummy BBQ ‘Big Brekkie’
•
Start
A.Springs
Finish
A.Springs
Total Cost
A$ pp*
3 31 28 26 ▲
A.Springs
Finish
A.Springs
Total Cost
A$ pp*
2016
2016 Oct Oct Nov Dec
Start
4 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D)
Oct Nov Dec Dec
7 4 2 30
2017 Jan 23 Jan 27 Feb 20 Feb 24 Mar 20 Mar 24 Apr 17 ▲ Apr 21 May 15 May 19 Jun 12 Jun 16 Jul 10 Jul 14 Aug 7 Aug 11 Sep 4 Sep 8
999 999 975 975 975 975 975 1045 1045 1045 1025 1025 1025
Oct 9 Nov 6 Dec 4
Oct 13 Nov 10 Dec 8
2017 Jan 1 ▲ Jan 5 Jan 29 Feb 2 Feb 26 Mar 2 Mar 26 Mar 30 Apr 23 Apr 27 May 21 May 25 Jun 18 Jun 22 Jul 16 Jul 20 Aug 13 Aug 17 Sep 10 Sep 14
INCLUSIONS
999 975 975
Please see p.50 for more information on our standard inclusions.
975 975 975 975 1045 1045 1045 1025 1025 1025
EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS
* Prices above are based on maximum quad-share.
Single room supplement add A$375/add A$125 twin-share. AEDAD: Start A.Springs 1:30pm & end A.Springs 5:00pm. AEADD: Start A.Springs 11:30am & end A.Springs 5:00pm. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. Note: This trip is part of a bigger picture – our 11-day Outback Adventure & our 25-day Big Walkabout trips. When you jump aboard this trip, you’ll be joining a horde of other travellers who are already geared up in Contiki’s world-famous exploration mode. Wait until you see the warm welcome you’ll receive as a new addition to the wolf pack.
• Alice Springs Aboriginal Dreamtime ‘Bushtucker’ tour • Alice Springs Reptile Centre experience Plus all of the inclusions in the itinerary marked with
•
ME TIME OPTIONS M Helicopter flight over Uluru & Kata Tjuta See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ ROCK
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 31
Gold Coast
Sydney
Food in Bondi
Byron Bay
NOT EVEN AUSTRALIA’S EAST COAST SEES YOU COASTING. EXPLORE ALL DAY AND DANCE ALL NIGHT, THAT’S THE MOTTO OF A HIGH ENERGY TRIP. NIGHTCLUB ENTRY IN SURFERS PARADISE, ANYONE? our trips City to Surf ���������������������������������������������������p.33
The Sun Seeker ������������������������������������������p.34
INCLUDED
Cattle Station Special Stay
• S ightseeing of all major cities plus orientations in all other destinations
• B reakfast every day, plus included dinners at hotels and local restaurants
• M E Time – your chance to explore on your own or take advantage of our awesome optional activities
• M ore included activities such as a ‘learn to surf’ lesson, a day trip to the Blue Mountains and nightclub entry
• A Trip Manager and Driver team who will be your experts on all things Australia • M ulti-share rooms with twin and single options available
Contiki.com/high-energy-australia
• G et around on our modern, air-conditioned coaches with powerpoints, WiFi (on some coaches), in-seat USB charging points, movies and a killer sound system!
We love WiFi – stay connected with WiFi at most overnight stops
Bondi Beach
HIGH ENERGY QUEENSLAND
1 World Heritage site visited 1 1
Places visited Nightstops 1 or more nights at Special Stays
SURFERS PARADISE 2
Currumbin
BYRON BAY 1 COFFS HARBOUR 1 Port Macquarie NEW SOUTH WALES
2 SYDNEY
CITY TO SURF TASMAN SEA
7 DAYS 1 COUNTRY FROM
A$1509 A$216 PP*
P/DAY*
PAY EARLY & SAVE UP TO A$115. SEE P.17 FOR DETAILS ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING Day 1: Sydney. Meet up with your Contiki Team & travel buddies this morning. We’ll head to the Blue Mountains & learn about this amazing landscape including the Three Sisters. Frame up some shots as you hike Wentworth Falls, before heading back to Sydney for dinner overlooking Darling Harbour. Hotel (D) Day trip to the Blue Mountains See the Three Sisters Hike at Wentworth Falls Cook your own BBQ steak
Day 4: Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay. Get yourself onto the waves on our surf lesson! With their tricks of the trade, our pro surfer guides will have you up on a board in no time. So grab your towel, sunnies & iPod & hit the beach for the ultimate chill. This afternoon, we head to legendary Byron Bay. Hostel (B) ‘Learn to surf’ lesson Visit Australia’s most easterly point & Cape Byron lighthouse M Kayak tour of the Marine Park to spot dolphins, turtles & whales (seasonal)
Day 2: Sydney. Today we hit the streets & icons of Sydney, including the spot to see the city’s best views of the Harbour Bridge & Opera House. If you’re up for it, get a different view & head to the top of the Harbour Bridge! We’ll drive to Manly Beach for lunch & a swim. Hotel (B) Take a tour of Kings Cross, Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Macquarie Street & The Rocks Visit The Rocks Markets (weekends) or Paddington’s chic shopping area Ferry from Manly with time for lunch & a swim M Climb the Harbour Bridge
Day 5: Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise. There’s time to work on your tan this morning before heading north into Queensland to Surfers Paradise. We’ll stop in at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you can see wombats, feed a kangaroo & cuddle up to a koala. Resort (B) Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary & see iconic Aussie animals Stay at a resort located right by the beach
• • • •
• • •
Day 3: Sydney to Coffs Harbour. It’s out of the city & into the cool surfer vibes that Oz is famous for at our Surf Village. (B,D) Surf Village Special Stay Stop in the seaside resort town of Port Macquarie Pass the famous ‘Big Banana’
• •
#CITYTOSURF
• •
• •
Day 6: Surfers Paradise. A free day to explore the way you want. With great shopping it’s the perfect place for retail therapy, hit the skies on a skydive, or head to the beach & chill. Tonight, get into the party capital of Oz. Resort (B) Nightclub entry Locally guided 4WD national park rainforest tour
• •
Day 7: Surfers Paradise. The trip ends after breakfast & it’s time to swap email addresses & say farewell to your new friends. (B)
Sydney
SNAPSHOT
6
HOW MUCH & WHEN
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
CODE: BSSBD 2016/17
Unique Special Stay: 1 night Coffs Harbour Surf Village & 4 nights in hotels & resorts, 1 night in a hostel
Start
Sydney
Finish
Surfers P.
Total Cost
A$ pp*
2016 1509 1509 1509 1509 1509 1585 1585 1585 1585
Jan 1 ▲ Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 21
1585 1585 1585
4 25 2 23 30 20 27 18 25 ▲
Finish
Surfers P.
Total Cost
A$ pp*
2017 10 1 8 29 5 26 3 24 31
Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec
Start
Sydney
Sep Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec
2017
Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep
22 5 12 19 12 9 7 4 2 9 30 6 27 3
Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
28 11 18 25 18 15 13 10 8 15 5 12 2 9
1585 1585 1585 1585 1585 1575 1575 1575 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555 1555
* Prices above are based on multi-share.
Single room supplement add A$715/add A$179 for second person twin-share. Start Sydney 7:00am & end Surfers Paradise 8:00am. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger. For travel insurance see p.50. Note: This trip is part of a bigger picture – our 16-day Reefs & Rainforests trip. When you jump aboard this trip, you’ll be joining a horde of other travellers who are already geared up in Contiki’s world-famous exploration mode. Wait until you see the warm welcome you’ll receive as a new addition to the wolf pack.
8
INCLUDED MEALS 6 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS Please see p.50 for more information on our standard inclusions.
EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS • Visit the famous Blue Mountains • Surf lesson or kayak in Coffs Harbour • Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Plus all of the inclusions in the itinerary marked with
•
ME TIME OPTIONS M Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ SURF
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 33
THE SUN SEEKER
HIGH ENERGY
CAIRNS 2
10 DAYS
Tully GREAT BARRIER REEF
Townsville Airlie Beach
FROM
A$2089 A$209 PP*
P/DAY*
PAY EARLY & SAVE UP TO A$250. SEE P.17 FOR DETAILS #SUNSEEKER
QUEENSLAND
3 World Heritage sites visited 1 1
Places visited Nightstops 1 or more nights at Special Stays
2 WHITSUNDAYS
Mackay
CATTLE STATION 1
Capricorn Coast
Fraser Island
2 NOOSA Brisbane
SURFERS PARADISE 2
Whitsundays
SNAPSHOT
AUSTRALIA
9
ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING Day 1: Surfers Paradise. Head into the bright lights of Surfers Paradise for a great night out! Resort Day 2: Surfers Paradise. With a free day, explore the great shopping, choose to skydive or head to the beach. Tonight, get into the party capital of Oz. Resort (B) Nightclub entry M Tandem skydive
the Tropic of Capricorn • Cross at Airlie Beach •M Stop Day sailing trip to famous Whitehaven Beach & lunch (weather dependent)
Day 6 - 7: Sailing Whitsundays option. Want to get on the water in true Whitsundays style? You can. Choose to hit the blue waters & try your hand at sailing on our private sailing adventure, cruising some of the Whitsundays’ 74 islands including Whitehaven Beach. See p.48 for more info & the price panel for costs. Multi-share accommodation. Yacht (D)(B,L,D)(B) Codes: ex Surfers: BTSWD ex Cairns: BTCWD
Day 3: Surfers Paradise to Noosa. Take a peek at Brisbane before we make our way to Noosa. (B) See the stunning Glasshouse Mountains
•
Day 4: Noosa. Today we head to Fraser Island for an incredible day trip by 4WD. Stroll along Rainbow Beach, drive through the rainforests & sand dunes & dip in the freshwater Lake McKenzie. Bliss! Resort (B,L,D) Gourmet lunch Dine beachside at Noosa Surf Club
• •
Day 5: Noosa to Farmstay. Head over the Great Dividing Range & into cattle country for a truly unique local overnight at our outback station, where you can even flex your skills at whip cracking! (B,D) Cattle Station Special Stay Check out the farm & animals on a hay wagon ride M Ohana Winery Experience
•
Days 6 - 7: Farmstay to The Whitsundays. Today we’ll jet into true paradise for the beaches, watersports & good times in the Whitsundays. Resort (B,D)(B)
HOW MUCH & WHEN CODE: BTSCD 2016/17 Start
Surfers P.
Finish Trip Cairns only
A$ pp*
CODE: BTCSD 2016/17
Trip & Start sailing Cairns A$ pp*
2016
•
Day 8: The Whitsundays to Cairns. Today, we’ll head to tropical North Queensland, known for its rainforests & Great Barrier Reef. Hotel (B) Townsville city tour See Magnetic Island Pass Hinchinbrook Island
• • •
Days 9 - 10: Cairns. With 2 free days, experience Cairns’ best! From shopping & great nightlife to endless adrenaline activities, it’s also your chance to try some kangaroo if you’re up for it. Then it’s time to say farewell as your trip ends at 5.00pm on Day 10. Hotel (B,D)(B) M Snorkel or dive on an outer Great Barrier Reef cruise & lunch…or stay dry with coral viewing by semi-submersible
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec
8 29 ▲ 6 27 3 24 1 22 ▲ 29 ▲ 5 12 19 26 9 16 23 16 13 11 8 6 ▲ 13 3 10 31 7
A$ pp*
Trip & sailing A$ pp*
2016 Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec Jan
17 8 15 5 12 3 10 31 7
2129 2129 2129 2129 2239 2239 2239 2239 2239
2429 2429 2429 2429 2539 2539 2539 2539 2539
Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
14 21 28 4 18 25 4 25 22 20 17 15 22 12 19 9 16
2239 2239 2239 2239 2239 2239 2239 2239 2225 2225 2225 2195 2195 2195 2195 2195 2195
2539 2539 2539 2539 2539 2539 2539 2539 2525 2525 2525 2495 2495 2495 2495 2495 2495
Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec
17 8 15 5 12 3 10 31 ▲
Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Jan
26 17 24 14 21 12 19 9
2089 2089 2089 2199 2199 2199 2199 2199
2389 2389 2389 2499 2499 2499 2499 2499
Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr May May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
16 23 30 6 13 27 6 13 3 1 29 26 24 31 21 28 18 25
2199 2199 2199 2199 2199 2199 2199 2199 2199 2185 2185 2185 2155 2155 2155 2155 2155 2155
2499 2499 2499 2499 2499 2499 2499 2499 2499 2485 2485 2485 2455 2455 2455 2455 2455 2455
2017
2017 Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Sep
Finish Trip Surfers P. only
Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
7 14 21 28 4 18 25 4 25 22 ▲ 20 17 15 22 12 19 9 16
* Prices above are based on multi-share.
Single room supplement (trip only) add A$1035/add A$315 for second person twin-share. Single room supplement (trip + sailing) add A$775/add A$225 for second person twin-share. (Boat cabins multishare only). BTSCD: Start Surfers P. 4:30pm & end Cairns 5:00pm. BTCSD: Start Cairns 7:00am & end Surfers P. 8:00am. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger. For travel insurance see p.50. Note: This trip is part of a bigger picture – our 16-day Reefs & Rainforests trip. When you jump aboard this trip, you’ll be joining a horde of other travellers who are already geared up in Contiki’s world-famous exploration mode. Wait until you see the warm welcome you’ll receive as a new addition to the wolf pack.
Unique Special Stay: 1 night Langmorn Outback Cattle Station & 8 nights in hotels & resorts Sailing option: substitute 2 nights in resort with 2 nights on a yacht
14
INCLUDED MEALS 9 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 4 dinners (D)
16
INCLUDED MEALS (SAILING OPTION) 9 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS • An experienced & professional Trip Manager & Driver team • Modern, air-conditioned coach with powerpoints for charging • Sightseeing tours of all major cities plus orientation tours of all other destinations • National park fees, local taxes & service charges
EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS • Noosa Surf Club dinner • Locally guided 4WD trip across Fraser Island with lunch Plus all of the inclusions in the itinerary marked with
•
ME TIME OPTIONS M Tandem skydive M Whitewater rafting near Cairns See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
LOCAL CULTURE Head to Foreshore Promenade in Cairns, this 4800m2 saltwater swimming lagoon in the heart of the city is not to be missed.
YOUR CHOICE
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ SEEKER
It’s your choice - travel from Surfers Paradise to Cairns. Or save up to A$40 if you travel from Cairns to Surfers Paradise.
This trip was amazing, I met so many incredible people and saw parts of Australia that I have never seen before. I give this trip 10/10 & highly recommend it. Cattle Station Special Stay
Tahylor (contiki.com/reviews)
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 35
Florence Falls
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Uluru
Whitsundays
CHOOSING BETWEEN SURFERS PARADISE and SYDNEY? OR ALICE SPRINGS and AIRLIE BEACH? NEVER. YOU’LL TAKE THEM ALL THANKS VERY MUCH. THAT BUCKET LIST ISN’T GOING TO SMASH ITSELF. our trips The Big Walkabout ��������������������������� p.37 Beaches & Reefs �������������������������������� p.38
Reefs & Rainforests �������������������������� p.40 Sunsets & Surf ������������������������������������� p.41
INCLUDED • S ightseeing tours of all major cities plus orientations in all other destinations
Cattle Station Special Stay
• G et around on our modern, air-conditioned coaches with powerpoints, WiFi (on some coaches), in-seat USB charging points, movies and a killer sound system! • M ore included activities, such as a surf lesson at Coff’s Harbour and sunset drinks at Uluru
• A mix of hotel and Special Stay accommodation, including an outback cattle station and a surf village • B reakfast every day, plus included dinners at hotels and local restaurants • M E Time – choose to discover this great country in your own time or get involved in our ME Time optionals
• A Trip Manager and Driver team who will be your experts on all things Australia
Contiki.com/discovery-plus-australia
We love WiFi – stay connected with WiFi at most overnight stops
Darling Harbour, Sydney
DARWIN 1 2 KAKADU N.P. 1 KATHERINE
Litchfield N.P.
DISCOVERY PLUS
Mataranka
Daly Waters NORTHERN TERRITORY
3 CAIRNS
1 TENNANT CREEK
Tully
Devils Marbles Wycliffe Well
KINGS CANYON 1 The Olgas
2
GREAT BARRIER REEF
Townsville Airlie Beach
2 WHITSUNDAYS Mackay
Simpsons Gap
QUEENSLAND
2 ALICE SPRINGS
CATTLE 1 STATION
ULURU
Capricorn Coast
Fraser Island
NOOSA 2 Brisbane
SURFERS PARADISE 2
6 World Heritage sites visited 1 1
Currumbin
1 BYRON BAY
Places visited Nightstops 1 or more nights at Special Stays
1 COFFS HARBOUR
NEW SOUTH WALES Port Macquarie
2 SYDNEY
THE BIG WALKABOUT
SNAPSHOT
25 DAYS 1 COUNTRY
24 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
FROM
A$5245 A$210 PP*
P/DAY*
PAY EARLY & SAVE UP TO A$385. SEE P.17 FOR DETAILS ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING Day 1: Sydney. Meet up with your Contiki Team & head to the Blue Mountains. Hotel (D) Day 2: Sydney. Get the best views of Sydney. Hotel (B) M Climb the Harbour Bridge Day 3: Sydney to Coffs Harbour. It’s out of the city & into the surf vibes. (B,D) Surf Village Special Stay Day 4: Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay. Get into the waves on a surf lesson! Hostel (B) Day 5: Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise. Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Resort (B) Day 6: Surfers Paradise. With a free day, hit the shops or do a skydive! Resort (B) Day 7: Surfers Paradise to Noosa. Take a peek at Brisbane before Noosa. Resort (B) Day 8: Noosa. Get ready for an incredible day trip by 4WD. Resort (B,L,D) Day 9: Noosa to Farmstay. Head through the Great Dividing Range & into cattle country. (B,D) Cattle Station Special Stay Days 10 - 11: Farmstay to The Whitsundays. Welcome to paradise! Resort (B,D)(B) Day 10 - 11: Sailing Whitsundays option. Hit the water on our private sailing adventure. See p.48 for more info & costs. Multi-share accommodation. Yacht (D)(B,L,D)(B) Codes: ex Sydney: EXSXD ex Darwin: EXDXD Day 12: The Whitsundays to Cairns. Today, we head to North Queensland. Hotel (B)
#BIGWALKABOUT
Days 13 - 14: Cairns. Two free days to experience nightlife & adrenaline activities. Hotel (B,D)(B) Day 15: Cairns to Alice Springs. Today we head to the Outback! Hotel (B,D) Reptile park experience Day 16: Alice Springs to Kings Creek Station. Meet the Walpiri Aboriginal community. (B,D) Outback Special Stay Day 17: Kings Creek Station to Uluru. Next we make tracks to Uluru. Lodge (B) Day 18: Uluru. Catch the Uluru sunrise & see Aboriginal rock art. Lodge (B) Toast Uluru at sunset Day 19: Uluru to Alice Springs. Head to Alice Springs. Hotel (B) Indulge in a BBQ ‘Big Brekkie’ Day 20: Alice Springs to Tennant Creek. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn to Tennant Creek. Hotel (B,D) M Dawn hot air balloon flight Day 21: Tennant Creek to Katherine. Swim at the Mataranka thermal pools. Hotel (B) Day 22: Katherine to Kakadu National Park. Hike, walk, or take a boat trip to see Katherine Gorge. Hotel (B,D) Day 23: Kakadu National Park. Visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Hotel (B) M Scenic flight Day 24: Kakadu to Darwin. Enjoy a swim in Florence Falls. Hotel (B) Day 25: Darwin. It’s time to say farewell to your travel buddies. (B)
•
• •
Cattle Station Special Stay
HOW MUCH & WHEN CODE: EXSDD 2016/17 Start
Sydney
Finish Trip Darwin only
CODE: EXDSD 2016/17
Trip & Start sailing Darwin
A$ pp* A$ pp*
2016
A$ pp* A$ pp*
2016
25 23 20 18
Oct Nov Dec Jan
19 16 14 11
5245 5245 5509 5509
5545 5545 5809 5809
Sep Oct Nov Dec
2017 Jan 15 Feb 12 Mar 12 Apr 9 May 7 Jun 4 Jul 2 Jul 30 Aug 27
Feb Mar Apr May May Jun Jul Aug Sep
8 8 5 3 31 28 26 23 20
5509 5509 5509 5485 5485 5485 5395 5395 5395
5809 5809 5809 5785 5785 5785 5695 5695 5695
2017 Jan 18 ● Feb 15 Mar 15 Apr 12 May 10 Jun 7 Jul 5 Aug 2 Aug 30
Sep Oct Nov Dec
Finish Trip Trip & Sydney only sailing
28 Oct 26 Nov 23 Dec 21 ●■▲ Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jun Jul Aug Sep
21 18 16 13
5095 5095 5359 5359
5395 5395 5659 5659
10 10 7 5 2 30 28 25 22
5359 5359 5359 5335 5335 5335 5245 5245 5245
5659 5659 5659 5635 5635 5635 5545 5545 5545
* Prices above are based on multi-share. Included flights: This trip includes flights as specified on the map opposite as part of the trip price. Please see ‘Included flights’ on p.50 for important info. Single room supplement (trip only) add A$2585/add A$775 for second person twin-share. Single room supplement (trip + sailing) add A$2325/ add A$685 for second person twin-share. (Boat cabins multi-share only). EXSDD: Start Sydney 7:00am & end Darwin 5:00pm. EXDSD: Start Darwin 7:30am & end Sydney 5:00pm. ● These departures will not stay in Contiki’s Surf Village Special Stay. ■ Spend New Year’s Eve in Cairns. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays.
YOUR CHOICE It’s your choice - travel from Sydney to Darwin. Or save up to A$150 if you travel from Darwin to Sydney (this trip will be 24 days long).
(23 nights for reverse itinerary), Unique Special Stays: 1 night Coffs Harbour Surf Village, 1 night Langmorn Outback Cattle Station, 1 night Kings Creek Station Outback Bush Camp, 18 nights in hotels & resorts, 1 night in a hostel, 2 nights in a lodge Sailing option: substitute 2 nights in resort with 2 nights on a yacht
35
INCLUDED MEALS 24 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 10 dinners (D)
37
INCLUDED MEALS (SAILING OPTION) 24 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 11 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS • Flight from Cairns to Alice Springs (Uluru to Cairns for EXDSD) Please see p.50 for more information on our standard inclusions.
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ WALKABOUT
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 37
BEACHES & REEFS 14 DAYS
A$2965 A$212
CAIRNS 2 Tully
GREAT BARRIER REEF
Townsville Airlie Beach
2 WHITSUNDAYS
Mackay
FROM
PP*
DISCOVERY PLUS
P/DAY*
PAY EARLY & SAVE UP TO A$260. SEE P.17 FOR DETAILS
4 World Heritage sites visited 1 1
QUEENSLAND
Places visited Nightstops 1 or more nights at Special Stays
CATTLE STATION 1
Capricorn Coast
Fraser Island
2 NOOSA Brisbane
SURFERS PARADISE 2
#BEACHESANDREEFS
Currumbin
1 BYRON BAY 1 COFFS HARBOUR
NEW SOUTH WALES Port Macquarie
2 SYDNEY
TASMAN SEA
GULF OF CARPENTARIA
CORAL SEA
The Whitsundays
SNAPSHOT
AUSTRALIA
13
ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING Day 1: Sydney. Meet up with your Contiki Team & travel buddies this morning. We’ll head out of the city & into the Blue Mountains to learn about this amazing landscape including the Three Sisters. Frame up some shots as you hike Wentworth Falls, before heading back to Sydney for dinner overlooking Darling Harbour. Hotel (D) Day trip to the Blue Mountains See the Three Sisters Hike at Wentworth Falls Cook your own BBQ steak
• • • •
Day 2: Sydney. Today we hit the streets & icons of Sydney, including the spot to see the city’s best views of the Harbour Bridge & Opera House. If you’re up for it, get a different view & head to the top of the Harbour Bridge! We’ll drive to Manly Beach for lunch & a swim. Hotel (B) Take a tour of Kings Cross, Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Macquarie Street & The Rocks Ferry from Manly with time for lunch & a swim M Climb the Harbour Bridge
• •
Day 9: Noosa to Farmstay. Head over the Great Dividing Range & into cattle country for a truly unique local overnight at our Outback Station, where you can even flex your skills at whip cracking! (B,D) Cattle Station Special Stay Stop at Childers, known for its heritage & farming history Check out the farm & animals on a hay wagon ride & meet the station owners M Ohana Winery Experience
• •
Days 10 - 11: Farmstay to The Whitsundays. Enjoy the beaches & water sports in the paradise of The Whitsundays. Resort (B,D)(B) Cross the Tropic of Capricorn See Rockhampton – the beef capital of Australia Stop at Airlie Beach M Day sailing trip to famous Whitehaven Beach & lunch (weather dependent)
• • •
• •
Day 10 - 11: Sailing Whitsundays option Want to get on the water in true Whitsundays style? You can. Choose to hit the blue waters & try your hand at sailing on our private sailing adventure, cruising some of the Whitsundays’ 74 islands including Whitehaven Beach. See p.48 for more info & the price panel for costs. Multi-share accommodation. Yacht (D)(B,L,D)(B) Codes: ex Sydney: BRSWD ex Cairns: BRCWD
• • •
Day 12: The Whitsundays to Cairns. Today, we’ll head to Tropical North Queensland known for its rainforests & as the gateway to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Hotel (B) Check out Townsville on a city tour See Magnetic Island Pass Hinchinbrook Island – Australia’s largest island national park Pass through Tully, home to Australia’s best whitewater rafting
Day 3: Sydney to Coffs Harbour. It’s out of the city & into the cool surfer vibes that Oz is famous for at our Surf Village. (B,D) Surf Village Special Stay Stop in the seaside resort town of Port Macquarie Pass the famous ‘Big Banana’ Day 4: Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay. Get yourself onto the waves on our surf lesson! With their tricks of the trade, our pro surfer guides will have you up on a board in no time. So grab your towel, sunnies & iPod & hit the beach for the ultimate chill. This afternoon, we head to legendary Byron Bay. Hostel (B) ‘Learn to surf’ lesson Visit Australia’s most easterly point & Cape Byron lighthouse Get into Byron’s organic lifestyle, galleries, amazing food & cool night life M Kayak tour of Byron Bay’s Marine Park Day 5: Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise. There’s time to work on your tan this morning before heading north into Queensland to Surfers Paradise. We’ll stop in at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you can see wombats, feed a kangaroo & cuddle up to a koala. Resort (B) Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary & see iconic Aussie animals Stay at a resort located right by the beach M 4WD National Park rainforest tour
• •
Day 6: Surfers Paradise. With a free day, explore the way you want. With great shopping, it’s the perfect place for some retail therapy, hit the skies on a skydive, or head to the beach with a book & some beats, & chill. Tonight, get into the party capital of Oz. Resort (B) Nightclub entry Relax on some of Australia’s famous beaches
• • • •
Day 13: Cairns. With a free day, experience Cairns’ best! From shopping, great nightlife & endless adrenaline activities like rafting, skydiving & exploring the reef, you’re spoiled with choices. Tonight, there’s your chance to try some kangaroo if you’re up for it. Hotel (B,D) M Great Barrier Reef scuba diving for beginners & certified divers Day 14: Cairns. Feed your inner adrenaline junkie or relax? It’s your choice with another free day to do what you’re into. Later, it’s time to swap emails & numbers as your trip ends at 5.00pm. (B)
Manly Beach
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
HOW MUCH & WHEN CODE: BRSCD 2016/17 Start Sydney
Finish Trip Cairns only
CODE: BRCSD 2016/17
Trip & Start sailing Cairns
A$ pp* A$ pp*
2016 Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec
4 Sep 25 Oct 2 Oct 23 Nov 30 Nov 20 Dec 27 Dec 18 Dec 25 ■▲ Jan 1 ▲ 8 15 22 5 12 19 12 9 7 4 2 9 30 6 27 3
A$ pp*
Trip & sailing A$ pp*
2016 17 8 15 5 12 3 10 31 7
3045 3045 3045 3045 3045 3199 3199 3199 3199
3345 3345 3345 3345 3345 3499 3499 3499 3499
14 21 28 4 18 25 4 25 22 20 17 15 22 12 19 9 16
3199 3199 3199 3199 3199 3199 3199 3199 3185 3185 3185 3135 3135 3135 3135 3135 3135
3499 3499 3499 3499 3499 3499 3499 3499 3485 3485 3485 3435 3435 3435 3435 3435 3435
Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec
Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
17 Sep 8 Oct 15 Oct 5 Nov 12 Nov 3 Dec 10 ● Dec 31 ●▲ Jan
30 21 28 18 25 16 23 13
2965 2965 2965 3119 3119 3119 3119 3119
3265 3265 3265 3419 3419 3419 3419 3419
20 27 3 10 17 3 10 17 7 5 2 30 28 4 25 1 22 29
3119 3119 3119 3119 3119 3119 3119 3119 3119 3105 3105 3105 3055 3055 3055 3055 3055 3055
3419 3419 3419 3419 3419 3419 3419 3419 3419 3405 3405 3405 3355 3355 3355 3355 3355 3355
2017
2017 Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep
Finish Trip Sydney only
Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
7 ● 14 ● 21 28 ● 4 ● 18 25 4 ● 25 22 ▲ 20 17 15 22 ● 12 19 ● 9 16 ●
Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Apr May Jun Jun Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep Sep
* Prices above are based on multi-share.
Single room supplement (trip only) add A$1485/add A$449 for second person twin-share. Single room supplement (trip + sailing) add A$1225/ add A$359 for second person twin-share. (Boat cabins multi-share only). BRSCD: Start Sydney 7:00am & end Cairns 5:00pm. BRCSD: Start Cairns 7:00am & end Sydney 5:00pm. ● These departures will not stay in Contiki’s Surf Village Special Stay. ■ Spend New Year’s Eve in Noosa. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger. For travel insurance see p.50. Note: This trip is part of a bigger picture – our 16-day Reefs & Rainforests or 25-day Big Walkabout trips. When you jump aboard this trip, you’ll be joining a horde of other travellers who are already geared up in Contiki’s worldfamous exploration mode. Wait until you see the warm welcome you’ll receive as a new addition to the wolf pack.
INCLUDED MEALS 13 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 6 dinners (D)
22
INCLUDED MEALS (SAILING OPTION) 13 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS • An experienced & professional Trip Manager & Driver team • Modern, air-conditioned coach with power & USB points for charging • Sightseeing tours of all major cities plus orientation tours of all other destinations • National park fees, local taxes & service charges
EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS • Visit the famous Blue Mountains • Sydney Harbour ferry cruise from Manly • Surf lesson or kayak in Coffs Harbour • Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary • Noosa Surf Club dinner Plus all of the inclusions in the itinerary marked with
ME TIME OPTIONS M Tandem skydive in Surfers Paradise See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
Day 7: Surfers Paradise to Noosa. Take a peek at Brisbane’s sights before we make our way to the chic beach town, Noosa. Resort (B) See the Brisbane River, Royal Botanical Gardens & visit Queen Street Mall See the stunning Glasshouse Mountains
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ BEACHES
• •
• • • • •
20
•
Cattle Station Special Stay
• •
Day 8: Noosa. Today we head to Fraser Island for an incredible day trip by 4WD. Stroll along Rainbow Beach, drive through the rainforests, sand dunes & dip in the freshwater Lake McKenzie. Bliss! Resort (B,L,D) Dine beachside in Noosa Visit the largest sand island in the world Drive along Australia’s only sand highway Indulge in a gourmet lunch Watch the sunset over mainland Australia
Unique Special Stays: 1 night Coffs Harbour Surf Village, 1 night Langmorn Outback Cattle Station, & 10 nights in hotels & resorts, 1 night in a hostel Sailing option: substitute 2 nights in resort with 2 nights on a yacht
I had hands down the greatest time in Australia. From the gorgeous views to the tasty food! I’ll never forget laying out under the stars on the farm stay. It was breath-taking! Colleen (contiki.com/reviews)
YOUR CHOICE It’s your choice - travel from Sydney to Cairns. Or save up to A$80 if you travel from Cairns to Sydney.
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 39
REEFS & RAINFORESTS
DISCOVERY PLUS
CAPE 1 TRIBULATION Mossman Gorge
Port Douglas
3 CAIRNS Tully
GREAT BARRIER REEF
Townsville Airlie Beach
2 WHITSUNDAYS
Mackay QUEENSLAND
CATTLE STATION 1
Capricorn Coast
Fraser Island
NOOSA 2 Brisbane
SURFERS PARADISE 2
Currumbin
1 BYRON BAY NEW SOUTH WALES
4 World Heritage sites visited
Port Macquarie
Great Barrier Reef
1 1
SNAPSHOT
15
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION Unique Special Stays: 1 night Langmorn Outback Cattle Station, 1 night Coffs Harbour Surf Village, & 11 nights in hotels & resorts, 1 night in a lodge, 1 night in a hostel, Sailing option: substitute 2 nights in resort with 2 nights on a yacht
16 DAYS 1 COUNTRY FROM
A$3275 A$205 PP*
P/DAY*
PAY EARLY & SAVE UP TO A$285. SEE P.17 FOR DETAILS
22
ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING
15 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 6 dinners (D)
Day 1: Cairns to Cape Tribulation. Meet up with your Contiki Team & hit the road! Lodge Aboriginal experience
GULF OF to Day 8: Farmstay to Noosa. Head back out CARPENTARIA the coast before we reach chic Noosa. Resort (B) Stop at Childers
24
Day 2: Cape Tribulation to Cairns. Visit Cape Tribulation Beach & then check out the mangroves on a walk with our Local Guide. Hotel (B) Visit Port Douglas
Day 9: Noosa. Head to Fraser Island for an incredible day trip by 4WD. Resort (B,L,D) Gourmet BBQ lunch Dine beachside at Noosa Surf Club
15 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
Days 3 - 4: Cairns. With 2 free days, experience the shopping, great nightlife & adrenaline activities. Hotel (B,D)(B) M Great Barrier Reef cruise
INCLUDED MEALS
INCLUDED MEALS SAILING OPTION
• •
Day 5: Cairns to The Whitsundays. See Airlie Beach & the paradise of The Whisundays. Resort (B,D) Pass Tully & Hinchinbrook Island
•
INCLUSIONS Please see p.50 for more information on our standard inclusions.
ME TIME OPTIONS M 4WD national park rainforest tour in Surfers Paradise See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ REEFS
1 COFFS HARBOUR
Day 6: The Whitsundays. Take time to chill or get into some water sports. Resort (B) M Day trip to Whitehaven Beach (weather dependent) Day 5 - 6: Sailing Whitsundays option. Choose to hit the waters on our private sailing adventure. See p.48 for more info & the price panel for costs. Multi-share accommodation. Yacht (D)(B,L,D)(B) Codes: ex Cairns: BWCWD ex Sydney: BWSWD Day 7: The Whitsundays to Farmstay. Jet through sugar cane country to our true Aussie farmstay. (B,D) Cattle Station Special Stay
#REEFSANDRAINFORESTS
• • •
Day 10: Noosa to Surfers Paradise. Get into the chic vibes of Noosa, then check out Brisbane before reaching Surfers Paradise! Resort (B) Stay at a resort located right by the beach
•
Day 11: Surfers Paradise. With a free day, explore the way you want. Resort (B) Nightclub entry
•
Day 12: Surfers Paradise to Byron Bay. See wombats, feed a kangaroo & cuddle up to a koala at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary! Hostel (B) M Kayak tour of Byron Bay’s Marine Park Day 13: Byron Bay to Coffs Harbour. Get yourself onto the waves on our surf lesson. (B,D) Surf Village Special Stay Day 14: Coffs Harbour to Sydney. Say farewell to Coffs as we head to Sydney. Hotel (B) M Climb the Harbour Bridge Day 15: Sydney. Take a tour of Sydney’s hot spots before driving to Manly Beach. Hotel (B,D) Cook your own BBQ steak
•
Day 16: Sydney. See the Blue Mountains & hike Wentworth Falls, before heading back to Sydney. It’s then time to say farewell as your trip ends at 5:00pm. (B)
Places visited Nightstops 1 or more nights at Special Stays
2 SYDNEY
CODE: BWCSD 2016/17 CODE: BWSCD 2016/17 Start Cairns
Finish Trip only
Sydney
A$ pp*
2016 Sep 15 Sep Oct 6 Oct Oct 13 Oct Nov 3 Nov Nov 10 Nov Dec 1 Dec Dec 8 ● Dec Dec 29 ●▲ Jan 2017 Jan 5 ● Jan Jan 12 ● Jan Jan 19 Feb Jan 26 ● Feb Feb 2 ● Feb Feb 16 Mar Feb 23 Mar Mar 2 ● Mar Mar 23 Apr Apr 20 ▲ May May 18 Jun Jun 15 Jun Jul 13 Jul Jul 20 ● Aug Aug 10 Aug Aug 17 ● Sep Sep 7 Sep Sep 14 ● 29
30 21 28 18 25 16 23 13
3275 3275 3275 3445 3445 3445 3445 3445
20 27 3 10 17 3 10 17 7 5 2 30 28 4 25 1 22 Sep
3445 3445 3445 3445 3445 3445 3445 3445 3445 3425 3425 3425 3375 3375 3375 3375 3375 3375
Trip & Start sailing Sydney A$ pp*
Finish Trip only
Cairns
2016 3575 Sep 4 Sep 3575 Sep 25 Oct 3575 Oct 2 Oct 3745 Oct 23 Nov 3745 Oct 30 Nov 3745 Nov 20 Dec 3745 Nov 27 Dec 3745 Dec 18 Jan Dec 25 ■▲Jan 2017 3745 3745 Jan 1 ▲ Jan 3745 Jan 8 Jan 3745 Jan 15 Jan 3745 Jan 22 Feb 3745 Feb 5 Feb 3745 Feb 12 Feb 3745 Feb 19 Mar 3745 Mar 12 Mar CORAL 3725 SEAApr 9 Apr 3725 May 7 May 3725 Jun 4 Jun 3675 Jul 2 Jul 3675 Jul 9 Jul 3675 Jul 30 Aug 3675 Aug 6 Aug 3675 Aug 27 Sep 3675 Sep 3 Sep
Trip & sailing
A$ pp* A$ pp*
19 10 17 7 14 5 12 2 9
3375 3375 3375 3375 3375 3545 3545 3545 3545
3675 3675 3675 3675 3675 3845 3845 3845 3845
16 23 30 6 20 27 6 27 24 22 19 17 24 14 21 11 18
3545 3545 3545 3545 3545 3545 3545 3545 3525 3525 3525 3475 3475 3475 3475 3475 3475
3845 3845 3845 3845 3845 3845 3845 3845 3825 3825 3825 3775 3775 3775 3775 3775 3775
*
Prices above are based on multi-share. Single room supplement (trip only) add A$1825/add A$525 for second person twin-share. Single room supplement (trip + sailing) add A$1565/add A$435 for second person twin-share. (Boat cabins multi-share only). BWCSD: Start Cairns 7:00am & end Sydney 5:00pm. BWSCD: Start Sydney 7:00am & end Cairns 5:00pm. ● These departures will not stay in Contiki’s Surf Village Special Stay. ■ Spend New Year’s Eve in Noosa. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays.
TRY OUR RAINFOREST EXPERIENCE ON DAYS 1 & 2 Gear up for 2 days in paradise! With huge mountain ranges and rainforest stretching right to the ocean, TASMAN SEA the home of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people is where the tropics meet the Great Barrier Reef.
DISCOVERY PLUS
GREAT BARRIER REEF
Airlie Beach
2 WHITSUNDAYS Mackay
QUEENSLAND
CATTLE 1 STATION
Capricorn Coast
Fraser Island
2 NOOSA SURFERS PARADISE 2
3 World Heritage sites visited 1 1
Brisbane Currumbin
1 BYRON BAY 1 COFFS HARBOUR
NEW SOUTH WALES
Places visited Port Macquarie Nightstops 1 or more nights at Special Stays
2 SYDNEY
SUNSETS & SURF
Byron Bay
SNAPSHOT
GULF OF CARPENTARIA
12 DAYS 1 COUNTRY FROM
A$2595 A$217 PP*
P/DAY*
PAY EARLY & SAVE UP TO A$229. SEE P.17 FOR DETAILS ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING Day 1: Sydney. Meet up with your Contiki Team. Head to the Blue Mountains & hike Wentworth Falls, before heading back to Sydney for dinner overlooking Darling Harbour. Hotel (D) Day trip to the Blue Mountains Cook your own BBQ steak Day 2: Sydney. See the city’s best views of the Harbour Bridge & Opera House. We’ll drive to Manly Beach for lunch & a swim. Hotel (B) M Climb the Harbour Bridge Day 3: Sydney to Coffs Harbour. It’s out of the city & into the cool surfer vibes. (B,D) Surf Village Special Stay Day 4: Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay. Get yourself onto the waves with our surf lesson! This afternoon, we head to legendary Byron Bay. Hostel (B) Visit Australia’s most easterly point & Cape Byron lighthouse Day 5: Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise. Head north into Queensland to Surfers Paradise. We’ll stop in at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you can see wombats, feed a kangaroo & cuddle up to a koala. Resort (B) Stay at a resort located right by the beach Day 6: Surfers Paradise. With a free day, explore the way you want. It’s the perfect place for some retail therapy, hit the skies on a skydive, or head to the beach & chill. Resort (B) Nightclub entry Day 7: Surfers Paradise to Noosa. Check out Brisbane’s sights before we make our way to the chic beach town, Noosa. Resort (B) See the stunning Glasshouse Mountains
• •
•
• • •
#SUNSETSANDSURF
Day 8: Noosa. Today we head to Fraser Island for an incredible day trip by 4WD. Resort (B,L,D) Visit the largest sand island in the world Indulge in a gourmet lunch Dine beachside at Noosa Surf Club Day 9: Noosa to Farmstay. Head into cattle country, where you can even flex your skills at whip cracking! (B,D) Cattle Station Special Stay Check out the farm & animals on a hay wagon ride TASMAN SEA Days 10 - 11: Farmstay to The Whitsundays. Enjoy the beaches & watersports in The Whitsundays. Resort (B,D)(B) M Day sailing trip to famous Whitehaven Beach & lunch
• • • •
Day 10 - 11: Sailing Whitsundays option Hit the waters on our private sailing adventure, cruising some of the Whitsundays’ 74 islands including Whitehaven Beach. See p.48 for more info & the price panel for costs. Multi-share accommodation. Yacht (D)(B,L,D)(B) Codes: ex Sydney: SQSWD ex W’suns: SQCWD Day 12: The Whitsundays. The trip ends after breakfast. (B)
YOUR CHOICE It’s your choice – travel from Sydney to The Whitsundays. Or save up to A$40 if you travel from The Whitsundays to Sydney.
11
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
HOW MUCH & WHEN CODE: SQSCD 2016/17 Start
Sydney
Finish Trip only
W’suns
A$ pp*
2016 Sep 4 Sep Sep 25 Oct Oct 2 Oct Oct 23 Nov Oct 30 Nov Nov 20 Dec Nov 27 Dec Dec 18 Dec Dec 25 ■▲ Jan 2017 Jan 1 ▲ Jan Jan 8 Jan Jan 15 Jan Jan 22 Feb Feb 5 Feb Feb 12 Feb Feb 19 Mar Mar 12 Mar Apr 9 Apr May 7 May Jun 4 Jun Jul 2 Jul Jul 9 Jul Jul 30 Aug Aug 6 Aug Aug 27 Sep Sep 3 Sep
Trip & sailing A$ pp*
15 6 13 3 10 1 8 29 5
2635 2635 2635 2635 2635 2765 2765 2765 2765
2935 2935 2935 2935 2935 3065 3065 3065 3065
12 19 26 2 16 23 2 23 20 18 15 13 20 10 17 7 14
2765 2765 2765 2765 2765 2765 2765 2765 2755 2755 2755 2709 2709 2709 2709 2709 2709
3065 3065 3065 3065 3065 3065 3065 3065 3055 3055 3055 3009 3009 3009 3009 3009 3009
CODE: SQCSD 2016/17 Start
W’suns
Finish Trip only
Sydney
A$ pp*
2016 Sep 19 Sep Oct 10 Oct Oct 17 Oct Nov 7 Nov Nov 14 Nov Dec 5 Dec Dec 12 ● Dec 2017 Jan 2 ●▲ Jan Jan 9 ● Jan Jan 16 ● Jan Jan 23 Feb Jan 30 ● Feb Feb 6 ● Feb Feb 20 Mar Feb 27 Mar Mar 6 ● Mar Mar 27 Apr Apr 24 May May 22 Jun Jun 19 Jun Jul 17 Jul Jul 24 ● Aug Aug 14 Aug Aug 21 ● Sep Sep 11 Sep Sep 18 ● Sep
Trip & sailing A$ pp*
30 21 28 18 25 16 23
2595 2595 2595 2725 2725 2725 2725
2895 2895 2895 3025 3025 3025 3025
13 20 27 3 10 17 3 10 17 7 5 2 30 28 4 25 1 22 29
2725 2725 2725 2725 2725 2725 2725 2725 2725 2725 2715 2715 2715 2669 2669 2669 2669 2669 2669
3025 3025 3025 3025 3025 3025 3025 3025 3025 3025 3015 3015 3015 2969 2969 2969 2969 2969 2969
* Prices above are based on multi-share. Single room supplement (trip only) add A$1265/add A$365 for second person twin-share. Single room supplement (trip + sailing) add A$1005/ add A$275 for second person twin-share. (Boat cabins multi-share only). SQSCD: Start Sydney 7:00am & end W’suns 8:00am. SQCSD: Start W’suns 5:00pm & end Sydney 5:00pm. ● These departures will not stay in Contiki’s Surf Village Special Stay. ■ Spend New Year’s Eve in Noosa. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. Note: This trip is part of a bigger picture – our 16-day Reefs & Rainforests trip. When you jump aboard this trip, you’ll be joining a horde of other travellers who are already geared up in Contiki’s world-famous exploration mode. Wait until you see the warm welcome you’ll receive as a new addition to the wolf pack.
Unique Special Stays: 1 night Coffs Harbour Surf Village, 1 night Langmorn Outback Cattle Station, & 8 nights in hotels & resorts, 1 night in a hostel Sailing option: substitute 2 nights in resort with 2 nights on a yacht
17
INCLUDED MEALS 11 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 5 dinners (D)
19
INCLUDED MEALS (SAILING OPTION) 11 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 6 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS Please see p.50 for more information on our standard inclusions.
ME TIME OPTIONS M Tandem skydive See itinerary & visit contiki.com for even more
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ SUNSETS
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 41
Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay
The Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road
Luna Park, St. Kilda
Degraves Street, Melbourne
FANCY SOME FESTIVITIES WHILE YOU’RE CRUISING AROUND OZ? ALLOW US TO ESCORT YOU. A FOREST DWELLING MUSIC FESTIVAL NEAR BYRON BAY and NEW YEAR’S EVE IN SYDNEY, PLUS A JAUNT TO MELBOURNE SHOULD DO THE TRICK. our trips Melbourne Discovery ����������������������� p.43
Splendour in the Grass �������������������� p.45
Sydney NYE ������������������������������������������� p44
INCLUDED • Breakfast every day (check out itineraries for dinner inclusions) Sydney
• A range of accommodation types to suit your budget • A Trip Manager and Driver on short stays • A festival crew on festival trips
• G et around on our modern, air-conditioned coaches with powerpoints, WiFi (on some coaches), movies and a killer sound system! • A wesome inclusions – think orientation tours in all cities and little-known hot spots
Contiki.com/festivals-short-stays-australia
Phillip Island, Victoria
SHORT STAY
MELBOURNE DISCOVERY
SNAPSHOT
4 DAYS 1 COUNTRY
3 NIGHTS
FROM
A$739 A$184 PP*
P/DAY*
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/DEALS ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING Day 1: Melbourne. We’ll kick the morning off with a city tour, discover the colourful street art in the hidden laneways & then chill out at a local sidewalk café. This afternoon take an iconic tram ride to Fitzroy & St. Kilda, otherwise known as the ‘Hipster Headquarters’. Wander down Brunswick Street for vintage finds or if sand & sea are more your thing hit the beach at St. Kilda. Melbourne is at the heart of the food & drink revolution. So tonight, why not opt in for a night out to experience a Craft Beer & Cider tour plus delicious local dinner. Hotel Locally guided street art tour of Melbourne including time with the artists Orientation of St. Kilda including the famous Acland St M Craft Beer & Cider tour plus dinner
• •
Day 2: Melbourne. This morning is all yours to explore Melbourne on your terms, & there’s endless opportunities at your fingertips. Take a stroll along the river, visit Federation Square or hit the shops. Later, prepare to be amazed by some of the world’s cutest creatures as we head to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade. On arrival, we’ll do our bit to help out the Phillip Island Nature Parks conservancy on one of their special projects. There’s time to wander the beach or check out the local Chocolate Factory before the stars of the show make their way home for the evening. Hotel (B) Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour Conservancy Project
• •
#MELBOURNEDISCOVERY
Day 3: Melbourne. Today choose a day trip to the 12 Apostles to experience the amazing & iconic Great Ocean Road. This famous stretch of Australia is a photographer’s dream with awesome surf, white sandy beaches, rocky outcrops & towering cliffs. Or for you city lovers, there’s plenty of shopping, laneways & arcades with stunning architecture that await your discovery, or head back to St. Kilda for some action (or photos) at Luna Park. Hotel (B) M Great Ocean Road full-day trip with lunch stop Day 4: Melbourne. After a busy few days in Melbourne, today is time for a sleep in. If you’re joining your Contiki East Coast trip, make your way to the airport with the Skybus. Otherwise, your trip officially ends after breakfast so make sure you say goodbye to your new friends & Trip Manager before checking out mid-morning. (B)
Phillip Island
HOW MUCH & WHEN
ACCOMMODATION
3 nights twin-share hotel accommodation
CODE: MEDI 2016/17 Start
Melbourne
Finish
Total
Melbourne Cost A$ pp*
2016 Sep Sep Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec
Finish
Total
Jan Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr Apr May May Jun Jun Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Sep Sep
739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739
Melbourne Cost A$ pp*
2017
21 Sep 24 24 Sep 27 19 Oct 22 22 Oct 25 16 Nov 19 19 Nov 22 23 Nov 26 26 Nov 29 14 Dec 17 17 Dec 20 21 ▲ Dec 24 24 ▲ Dec 27 28 ▲ Dec 31
2017 Jan 4 Jan 11 Jan 14 Jan 18 Jan 21
Start
Melbourne
Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan
7 14 17 21 24
739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739 739
Jan Feb Feb Mar Mar Apr Apr May May May Jun Jun Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep
28 4 8 8 11 5 8 3 6 31 3 28 1 26 29 23 26 20 23
31 7 11 11 14 8 11 6 9 3 6 1 4 29 1 26 29 23 26
* Prices above are based on twin-share. Single room supplement add A$255. Start Melbourne 9:00am & end Melbourne 9:00am. ▲ These departures are during Australian University holidays. For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger.
3
INCLUDED MEALS 3 breakfasts (B)
INCLUSIONS • Orientation tour of Central Melbourne & St. Kilda • Hotel tips, local taxes & service charges
EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS • Locally guided street art tour of central Melbourne including time with the artists • Orientation of St. Kilda including the famous Acland St • Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour • Conservancy project Plus all of the inclusions in the itinerary marked with
•
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ MELBOURNEDISCOVERY
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 43
SYDNEY NEW YEAR
SHORT STAY
Sydney Harbour
SNAPSHOT
3
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION 3 nights triple-share centrally located hotel accommodation
4
4 DAYS FROM
1 COUNTRY
A$1295 A$324 PP*
HOW MUCH & WHEN P/DAY*
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/DEALS
INCLUDED MEALS 3 breakfasts (B), 1 dinner (D)
INCLUSIONS • An experienced & professional Trip Manager • Harbour cruise to watch the New Year fireworks, with included canapés, dinner, alcoholic drinks & a DJ • Half-day guided sightseeing tour of Sydney including Bondi Beach • Local taxes & service charges
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/ SYDNEY-NEW-YEAR
#SYDNEYNYE
ITINERARY, SIGHTSEEING & PRICING Day 1: Sydney. This afternoon check in to the hotel. Later, meet up with your Trip Manager & group & get to know your new travel buddies over a drink & dinner. Hotel (D) Day 2: Sydney. With sightseeing this morning you’ll get to see all that Sydney has to offer, including some of its eastern beaches, like Bondi. Tonight, get ready to ring in the New Year from a different angle, as you board a Sydney Harbour cruise. See a light show & the city’s famous fireworks explode across the sky, complete with
canapés, dinner, alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks & there’s even an on-board DJ so you can dance the night away! Hotel (B) Day 3: Happy New Year! Today is yours to chill out. Have a late ‘recovery’ lunch then later in the afternoon you could venture to Bondi Beach to soak up some sun & get into the buzzing vibe of this sunny city. Hotel (B) Day 4: Sydney. Your New Year’s adventure ends after breakfast & it’s time to say farewell to your new friends. (B)
CODE: SNYED 2016/17 Start
Sydney
Finish
Sydney
Total Cost
A$ pp*
2016 Dec 30
Jan 2
1295
* Price above is triple-share.
Twin & single supplements available. If you are travelling solo, we can set you up with a same sex room-mate at no extra charge. Trip starts at 5:00pm, check in from 3:00pm. Climb Sydney’s most famous icon, the Sydney Harbour Bridge (essential to pre-book at bridgeclimb.com)
Keep your eyes peeled on Contiki.com/ splendour for details on tickets, trip info and watch our video
with contiki FRIDAY 22, SATURDAY 23 & SUNDAY JULY 24, 2016
Don’t miss Australia’s hottest annual music and arts festival, Splendour in the Grass! With its unique atmosphere and unparalleled line-up of international and local artists, it’s an experience second to none on the Australian festival circuit.
Music lovers! Join us in beautiful Byron Bay for the 16th annual Splendour In The Grass festival – always a hot ticket and the easiest way to warm up your winter!
Contiki will have you sorted with accommodation and Splendour in the Grass event tickets. All you need is a festive attitude and be ready for some good times with an amazing crew. CONTIKI.COM/SPLENDOUR
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 45
Snorkelling
Sailing
Sailing, The Whitsundays
Diving
HELLO YOU SALTY SEA BISCUIT, YOU. SALT WATER IS CURRENTLY LAPPING OVER THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, AND THE HOT AUSSIE SUN IS POURING OVER THE 74 ISLANDS OF THE WHITSUNDAYS. CARE TO JOIN? our trips Diving �������������������������������������������������������������p.47
Whitsundays Sailing �����������������������p.48-49
INCLUDED - WHITSUNDAYS SAILING • B reakfast and dinner both days plus one lunch
Included breakfast
• A dedicated skipper and crew ready to teach you all the sailing tricks of the trade
• A stop-off at Whitehaven Beach, one of the top 10 beaches in the world • C omfortable multi-share accommodation
Contiki.com/sailing-cruise-australia
Whitsundays private sailboat
DIVE
SNAPSHOT
2
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION 2 nights twin-share accommodation on boat
7
INCLUDED MEALS 2 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 2 dinners (D)
DIVE TO ADVENTURE
INCLUSIONS
3 DAYS FROM A$825 PP* A$275 P/DAY*
• Transfers from Cairns accommodation to boat • 11 dives incl. 2 night dives (weather permitting) • Dive & snorkelling equipment • Dive insurance • Environmental Management charge included
Xxxxx
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/DEALS
ITINERARY This 3-day live aboard dive & snorkelling adventure will show you the very best of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. It’s also unmatched for value – you’ll participate in up to 11 dives over 16 exclusive dive sites. Day 1: Cairns to the dive boat. It’s off to the boat & out to the Great Barrier Reef to start your adventure. The sites you’ll visit have been selected for their quality of coral, marine life & great visibility. Boat (L,D) Day 2: Dive boat. Today you explore this World Heritage listed underwater playground, and relax & enjoy yourself diving & snorkelling. Boat (B,L,D)
Day 3: Dive boat. There’s more diving or snorkelling in different areas of the reef today & later, return to Cairns in the late afternoon & transfer to your hotel. (B,L)
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/DIVE
Important Info: You must hold a minimum of an ‘open water dive’ certificate to take this trip. Call Pro Dive in order to arrange your transfer on Day 1 (prodivecairns. com or 07 40315255). Safety dictates that you can’t fly or go to an altitude of 300m+ within 24 hrs of your last dive (approx. 12:00noon). A 3-day snorkelling package is also available at a cost of A$745 – see contiki.com/ snorkel. Package is open age & operated by a third-party.
#DIVETOADVENTURE
DIVE
SNAPSHOT
4
NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION 2 nights in a hostel (multi-share) 2 nights on a dive boat (twin-share)
7
INCLUDED MEALS 2 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 2 dinners (D)
LEARN TO DIVE 5 DAYS FROM A$1119 PP* A$224P/DAY* VISIT CONTIKI.COM/DEALS
ITINERARY This 5-day course takes you to 9 of the Great Barrier Reef’s best dive sites & features 2 days of classroom & in-pool training, then it’s on to the live aboard boat for some actual reef diving. There’s also plenty of time to snorkel, relax & just enjoy the reef experience too. Days 1 - 2: Cairns. The first 2 days of the course are spent at Pro Dive Cairns training centre learning the theory & practical skills of scuba diving. Each day finishes around 5:30pm. Hostel Days 3 - 4: Cairns to the dive boat. The next 3 days & 2 nights are spent living on board a premium dive vessel. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in 9 dives at a variety of our 16 exclusive dive sites on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Your first 4 dives will complete your open
water certification & then as a certified diver you are able to take up to 5 more recreational dives. One of these dives is a guided night dive! These extra dives will be a highlight of your course & a truly memorable experience. Boat (L,D)(B,L,D) Day 5: Dive boat to Cairns. Return to Cairns in the late afternoon where there’s the option to join your new mates & crew for a farewell dinner. (B,L) Important Info: You will need to contact Pro Dive in order to arrange your transfer on Day 1 (prodivecairns. com or 07 4031 5255). Safety dictates that you can’t fly or go to an altitude of 300m or over within 24 hours of your last dive (approx. 12:00noon). An Australian diving medical certificate may be needed. Prior to commencing your Learn to Dive Course you are required to complete the self-assessment Entry Level Student Dive Medical Declaration and bring with you on day 1. Package is open age, unescorted & operated by a third-party.
INCLUSIONS • Transfers from Cairns accommodation to training centre & boat • PADI ‘Open Water’ certificate & manual • Log book & scuba equipment • Environmental Management charge included
VISIT CONTIKI.COM/DIVE
#LEARNTODIVE
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 47
Whitsundays Sailing adventure See The Whitsundays on our own private yacht! This sailing option is a great alternative to spending 2 nights at A Resort, with the chance to spend 2 days and nights oUT ON THE WATER. The Whitsundays is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, with over 90 mostly uninhabited National Park islands, heavenly white beaches and crystal clear waters. And sailing on converted racing yachts is a great way to see it all. If you want to learn about sailing, the crew will teach you how to hoist the sails and grind the winches, but if you’d prefer to relax, sunbake and soak up the atmosphere – you can leave the hard work to them. Swim, snorkel, or laze your way around this tropical paradise. The highlight will definitely be a visit to Whitehaven Beach (weather dependent). The trip returns to Airlie Beach on the final morning.
2 NIGHTS
• Multi-share accommodation (no single or twin-share)
5 INCLUDED MEALS • 2 breakfasts (B) • 1 lunch (L) • 2 dinners (D)
INCLUSIONS
AVAILABLE ON THESE TRIPS • Island & Rainforest (p.28) • Tropical Wonder (p.30) • The Sun Seeker (p.34) • The Big Walkabout (p.37) • Beaches & Reefs (p.38) • Reefs & Rainforests (p.40) • Sunsets & Surf (p.41)
• Dedicated and professional on-board crew • Snorkelling equipment
Visit contiki.com/SAILINGWHITSUNDAYS
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 49
got a question? Answers to frequently asked questions & things you need to know: WHAT’S INCLUDED? • Coach, train, ferry transport, internal flights as listed in the Exclusive Inclusions section. • Accommodation & meals as listed in the Snapshot section on trip pages. • Sightseeing listed in the Exclusive Inclusions section in each trip itinerary. Unless specified, entrance fees to these locations are included. • Experienced Contiki Trip Manager & Driver & local guides on some Northern Territory trips.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED? • Air & ferry transfers to trip departure point. • Personal expense money. • Visas, personal insurance, medical fees. • Sightseeing, visits & entrance fees other than those specified on trip pages. • Optional excursions & activities such as whitewater rafting, helicopter flights, bungy jumping, hot air ballooning, etc. • Lunches (unless specified under Snapshot section) & some dinners.
INCLUDED FLIGHTS Flights as specified on individual trip itineraries are included as part of the price. As detailed within our Booking Conditions (p.51) under ‘General’, we rely on international conventions regarding air travel and other transportation as specified. Through enrolment and payment for your trip you acknowledge and accept such. Individual electronic tickets may not be issued to you prior to travel due to the group nature of the air/flight booking. In such circumstances you acknowledge that by receipt of any applicable boarding pass and/or by boarding the aircraft you have accepted the airline’s terms & conditions of travel, and the application of all relevant international conventions and applicable national and international law governing air transportation.
INCLUSIONS These are the practical bits that are included on every trip: • An experienced and professional Trip Manager and Driver team • Modern, air-conditioned coach with powerpoints & USB points on coaches for charging • Sightseeing tours of all major cities plus orientations in all other destinations • Hotel tips, local taxes and service charges • Ferry crossings on the trip pages. Where you Look out for see these icons, all of the above are included on your trip.
WILL I GET MORE INFORMATION? Upon receipt of final payment, your trip documentation will be released 21 days prior to your departure. Make sure you visit contiki.com for our travellers guide. It’s packed full of essential info for your holiday. You’ll also receive a comprehensive day-by-day itinerary including full details & costs of all optional activities available on your trip.
TRIPS WITHIN TRIPS On some of our larger itineraries, you may notice we give the option to do a smaller segment rather than the complete trip. This allows travellers to sign up for just part of the journey, meaning greater choice, freedom & flexibility. If you’re doing the full journey, you get the added bonus of surprise new guests along the way, or you’ll get the teary goodbyes over a little earlier than expected. It’s all part of the adventure.
HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING? Luggage is restricted to a maximum suitcase size of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”) & maximum weight of 20 kg (44lbs) plus one small hand/day bag that can go on the coach with you. On trips which include Whitsundays Sailing, a small bag suitable for the extremely limited luggage space is required. Your regular luggage will be stored during this time. Contiki reserves the right to refuse to accept larger suitcases on a trip. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk & baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Remember, if your trip includes a flight you are also subject to airline baggage restrictions. Note: Contiki is not responsible for any fees incurred as a result of overweight luggage.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED? You should be able to use debit & credit cards for most items. You’ll need to allow enough money to cover lunches, some dinners, souvenirs, shopping, drinks, optional activities, entrance fees to attractions & evening entertainment. It is advisable to start your trip with some cash in your destination’s local currencies such as A$.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK? Comfortable, casual clothing for day wear & ‘smart casual’ for dining & those nights out. Remember that in Autumn/Winter you will need warmer clothing as well as a raincoat/jacket. A pair of comfortable walking shoes is essential. Some activities in Australia require swimwear & a towel. For further details, please go to contiki.com/travel-resources.
ME TIME OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES WHEN DO I CHOOSE?
Optionals are arranged & paid for on trip. By leaving the final decisions until then you can choose at the same time as your new friends. You’ll get great value as we get you great rates & your Trip Manager can offer personal advice. Some activities are seasonal & weather dependent as well as being subject to demand.
HOW DO I PAY?
Payment for your ME Time optionals is made direct to your Trip Manager on your trip. You can choose to pay in cash (A$ in Australia) or by credit or debit card as long as they have a PIN attached. Using a credit or debit card is convenient, and can save you money on withdrawal fees & poor exchange rates! You can pay using most credit & debit cards like Visa, Mastercard & AMEX. Note: It’s a good idea to let your bank know you’re travelling & check if there is a daily transaction limit, so you always have access to money when you need it.
PAST TRAVELLER 5% DISCOUNT We’re head over heels for our Contiki travellers, particularly those that love us so much they come back for more. That’s why when you travel with us; we’ll offer you a 5% discount on the land portion of your trips from then on. And we’ve even wrestled our TTC sister brands (found here TTC.com #travelttc) into offering the same. Here’s what you need to know: • You must have returned and finished your first Contiki trip before you can cash in on your 5% discount on your next adventure • Past traveller discounts can be applied to trips of 7 days or longer only
• If you’re buying more than one trip back to back, the 5% discount will apply to the most expensive trip • We’re going to need a deposit before the discount can be applied to the booking • You can’t use it on pre & post-trip accommodation rates & other selected products (because we offer great prices for our travellers on these already) • Once you’re a past passenger, you’re eligible for a 5% discount every 6 months so you can keep going with Contiki • The discount applies to brochured prices only & cannot be combined with any non-brochured special market promotions Sound good to you crazy Contiki lovers?
BROCHURE AUTHENTICITY We have put a great deal of effort into producing this brochure. The information given & literature produced by Contiki has been compiled with care & is published in good faith. Sometimes, because of circumstances outside our control, we have to alter some activities due to seasonal closing or repairs to buildings, etc., especially early or late in the season. If this happens, alternatives will be arranged where possible.
DO I NEED VACCINATIONS? At the time this brochure went to press (March, 2016), no vaccinations were necessary. However, it is wise to check up-to-date information with your travel agent or Contiki prior to departure. Don’t forget to bring with you any medication that you may require en route, such as antihistamines or antibiotics.
SEASONALITY & CLIMATE Being such a large land mass, Australia is prone to seasonal climate changes. This will mean that at certain times of the year some of our brochured itineraries may need to be slightly changed. For example: northern Australia itineraries during the wet season (December to April).
NO COMPULSORY TIPPING REWARD ONLY EXCELLENCE! Every country in the world has different tipping customs & in Australia within service industries, tipping is common practice. Tipping is totally optional & only given if you feel the service has exceeded your expectations. If you think your Contiki Team have done an exceptional job then you may wish to tip them. This is entirely discretionary – it’s completely up to you. No compulsory tipping – reward only excellence!
BOOKING SECURITY Contiki has been running trips for young people since 1962 & is a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA). The members include all the major tour operators who are financially bonded for your security & who maintain the highest standards. With the guarantees of these organisations, you know your holiday & money are secure with Contiki.
MANAGE YOUR BOOKING Ready, set, go! You’re booked & it’s nearly go time, however just like when you’re taking a flight, it’s important you provide us with all your details before you can travel. Check out www.contiki. com/managebooking to log into your booking.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Security is a major concern to all of us and the situation globally is constantly changing. Events around the world, coupled with the ‘Travel Advisories’ put out by various governments, may at times necessitate changes to the accommodations and itinerary or even trip cancellation. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for further information in this regard. You must accept these risks involved in travel to any country that may experience security difficulties and accept responsibility for your own travel decisions.
GOLD SEAL PROTECTION
Coverage for Cancellation & Return Flight Security: Most trip operators are interested in their travellers only after they reach their destination. With Contiki, however, you get a great deal even before you leave home. Pre-paid Cancellation Option A$99 per person: By paying A$99 per person Cancellation Option fee with your deposit, the full amount of your deposit &/or payment to Contiki Holidays will be refunded should you cancel your trip for any reason prior to departure from Australia. This cancellation option covers the land arrangements made by Contiki Holidays only. On Your Trip: Should you, or your travel companion, leave at any time during the trip for personal sickness reasons or be required to return to Australia due to injury, sickness or death, you & your companion will be refunded A$40 per person per day for the unused portion of the trip. (Please note that in some cases hotels require a one night cancellation fee). A Doctor’s certificate is required. The Cancellation Option Fee is not refundable for any reason. Return Flight Security: If you or a member of your direct family in Australia should fall sick* while you are on your Contiki trip, we will take care of the additional cost of tickets for your earlier or later return home in the same class of air travel on the first available flight, provided you hold round-trip airline tickets on Contiki’s recommended airline(s) booked through Contiki Holidays (Australia) Pty Ltd from Australia. Exclusions: Gold Seal Protection is not applicable on Splendour in the Grass. * Medical certificates as proof of all illness claims must be supplied.
COMPULSORY TRAVEL INSURANCE Cancellation, unexpected medical expenses, injuries, theft, lost luggage or money can significantly disrupt your holiday. It is compulsory that you take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel. Contiki has the right to refuse travellers without the required insurance cover to join our trips. Your insurance must cover personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and evacuation expenses. We strongly recommend your insurance also covers cancellation, personal liability and loss of personal property. If you intend to participate in adventure sports and activities when travelling then please ensure your policy covers such. Some policies exclude certain adventure activities.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS Photos courtesy of © Outback Balloning p.25 Hot air balloon ride. Photos courtesy of © Splendour in the grass p.42 & p.45 Festival.
booking conditions Once Contiki accepts your booking by confirmation thereof a contract is made between Contiki & you upon the terms & conditions set out below.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES 1. YOUR HOLIDAY RESERVATION On receipt of your deposit, subject to availability & at our discretion, Contiki will reserve your place on your selected holiday. A contract is only made between you & us upon your booking being confirmed & accepted by us & our confirmation thereof to either you or your travel agent. 2. PRICE GUARANTEE Prices in this brochure are based on costs & exchange rates as at 6th January, 2016. Should these costs change, it may be necessary to make a surcharge on the price of your holiday. Should the total trip price increase by more than 10% you will have the right to cancel within 7 days of notification without penalty. No surcharge in respect of cost or currency fluctuations will be made once payment of the deposit for your land trip has been received. This guarantee excludes fuel surcharges & does not apply to any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or their agencies. In exchange for these guarantees, no refund will be made if costs are reduced. 3. IF WE CANCEL OR CHANGE YOUR HOLIDAY 3.1 Contiki reserves the right to change or cancel your booking in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. 3.2 Should change or cancellation prove necessary we will give you reasonable notice thereof, in the circumstances, & where available, offer you a comparable alternative. 3.3 If an alternative is not available or acceptable you will be entitled to either a full refund of monies paid by you to us or transfer to another Contiki holiday without payment of any transfer fee. 3.4 If the change or cancellation is due to force majeure (i.e. circumstances like political unrest, war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, closure of airports or ports, industrial disputes, terrorist activity, natural & nuclear disasters, fire, epidemic or health risk, Acts of God, adverse weather conditions or other similar events beyond Contiki’s control) we will give a full refund of any monies paid to us less reasonable expenses incurred by us in respect of your booking. 3.5 Contiki is not responsible for the costs of any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations or rescheduling of any trip departure. 4. HOLIDAY DETAILS & CONDITIONS 4.1 The information in our brochure is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to print (March, 2016) but we cannot guarantee that any item or amenity mentioned will be available especially where we have no direct control over it. 4.2 Contiki will do their best, at their discretion, to select accommodation, sightseeing trips & transportation to give you good value for money. 4.3 Contiki will guarantee to match you up with someone of the same sex when booked in a share room configuration. 4.4 Contiki constantly strives to improve trip itineraries & features. If such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary, we reserve the right to vary itineraries & to substitute hotels. Contiki is not responsible for any other travel arrangements affected due to our changes or cancellations. 4.5 We reserve the right to alter or substitute the type, the size of vehicle and/or the style of transport mentioned in the brochure, resulting in occasionally having to utilise transport without some of the features promoted. 5. LIABILITY 5.1 Your travel agent or Contiki Specialist shall, on the receipt of any monies, hold such monies for you until the booking is confirmed at which time those monies shall be remitted promptly by your travel agent or Contiki Specialist to us. All such monies received by us will be deposited as required by law. 5.2 We will be entitled to keep for our account any interest earned on such monies. 5.3 All monies paid by you to us through your travel agent or otherwise, whether in respect of the deposit or full payment, may be disbursed by us as & when we see fit, in respect of the services to be provided &/or fees payable under the trip programme. The payment of a deposit or any other monies in respect of your trip shall be deemed to be an authorisation for disbursement thereof as aforesaid.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 1. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY 1.1 In order to reserve your holiday, a deposit of A$200, per person per trip, or the full amount payable if the booking is made within 45 days of your departure from Australia, must be submitted to Contiki by you in respect of that holiday. This payment is in addition to any deposit required by your travel agent. The deposit is accepted as a first instalment of the holiday price by Contiki only once the booking has been confirmed in writing by Contiki or your travel agent. 1.2 Your land reservation will be confirmed on receipt of a nonrefundable deposit of A$200 per person per trip which must be within 7 days of booking or the reservation will automatically be cancelled. 1.3 Any special meal requirements will be made on a request basis only. Contiki cannot guarantee special meal requests nor will it assume any responsibility or liability if travellers’ special meal requirements are not fulfilled. 2. PAYING THE BALANCE 2.1 Credit Card Bookings: Contiki should be advised of your credit card number when making your reservation directly with us. For security purposes, we are required to collect the card expiration date and the customer verification code. A surcharge of 1% will be applied at the time of payment. 2.2 The balance of the holiday must be paid no later than 45 days prior to your departure date from Australia which shall be by the due date stated on the confirmation issued to you by Contiki. When making multi-trip bookings, full payment is due no later than 45 days prior to your departure date from Australia. 2.3 If payment isn’t made by the due date, Contiki may assume that you have cancelled & cancellation charges in accordance with clause 3 below will be levied by Contiki.
2.4 Tickets & other documents won’t be forwarded until full payment has been received by us. The documentation will be sent approximately 21 days prior to your departure from Australia. 2.5 In the case of Late Bookings made within 45 days of your departure date from Australia, the full cost of the holiday will be payable immediately on booking & we reserve the right to provide all travel documents at the holiday departure point. 2.6 Contiki reserves the right to cancel the booking & apply cancellation charges should payments not be received within the above specified periods. 3. If you cancel 3.1 FlexDeposit : We know that travel plans can change. If you need to cancel for any reason, your deposit will remain secure until you’re ready to use it. Or if you can’t go, your deposit value is also transferable, so you can gift your deposit at no extra cost. The value of the original deposit can be used as credit towards booking a new trip. The original deposit refers to tour deposit only and excludes any additional deposits such as Inca Trail, or flights. Any discounts already refunded are not applicable. The FlexDeposit will be applied as a discount on the final payment of your new trip. The amount allowed to be redeemed is equal to the original deposit amount paid. In the case of multiple deposits due to back to back trips, only one deposit amount can be credited per trip, they cannot be combined. However multiple trips can be booked using multiple FlexDeposits. Valid on all Contiki trips 7 days or longer. Credit is valid until the client turns 36. i.e fitting within Contiki’s age limit as per Contiki’s booking conditions. After turning 36 years of age, the FlexDeposit can be used with one of our sister brands, get inspired here www.ttc.com/brands/. Credit can also be gifted to family or friends. To gift to family or friend the customer must email confirmation to Contiki stating the nominated name. Gifting only valid within 5 calendar years of the original booking. (eg cancelled in 2014, valid on trips up to end of 2019). FlexDeposit is not valid on existing bookings. FlexDeposit has no cash value and is non-refundable. 3.2 If you cancel more than 45 days before departure, your A$200 deposit will not be refunded. 3.3 Upon cancellation you will be liable to pay a fee to cover the estimate of cost & expenses incurred by us in the terms of the schedule set out hereunder. This is expressed as a percentage of the holiday price & is calculated as follows: PERIOD OF NOTICE CANCELLATION FEE Over 45 days notice:.............................................Deposit is forfeited 45-22 days:............................................................... 25% of trip fare 21-8 days:................................................................. 30% of trip fare 7-1 days:................................................................... 50% of trip fare Day of departure:.................................................... 100% of trip fare Where the percentage cancellation fee is less than the trip deposit, the cancellation fee will equal loss of deposit. If the reason for cancellation falls within the terms of any holiday insurance policy which you hold, then any such charges may, subject to the terms of your insurance policy, be refunded to you by the insurance company. All Cancellation policies valid as at 4th March, 2016, and are subject to change. Final policy will be confirmed at time of booking. 3.4 Any cancellation of additional services booked prior to & after your trip booking, such as pre & post accommodation & transfers, that are cancelled within 14 days of the trip departure incur a 100% cancellation fee. 3.5 These cancellation fees are in addition to any cancellation fees that may be levied by your travel agent. 3.6 GOLD SEAL PROTECTION 3.6.1 By paying a non-refundable A$99 per person Cancellation Option fee with your deposit, the full amount of your deposit &/ or payment to Contiki Holidays will be refunded should you cancel your trip for any reason prior to departure from Australia. This cancellation option covers the land arrangements made by Contiki Holidays only. 3.6.2 On Your Trip: Should you, or your travel companion*, booked under the same booking number leave at any time during the trip for personal sickness reasons or be required to return to Australia due to injury, sickness or death, you & your companion will be refunded A$40 per person per day for the unused portion of the trip. (Please note that in some cases hotels require a one night cancellation fee). A Doctor’s certificate is required. * Travel companion must be booked under the same booking number and only one companion can be nominated. 3.6.3 Return Flight Security: If you or a member of your direct family in Australia should fall sick* while you are on your Contiki trip, we will take care of the additional cost of tickets for your earlier or later return home in the same class of air travel on the first available flight, provided you hold round-trip airline tickets on Contiki’s recommended airline(s) booked through Contiki Holidays (Australia) Pty Ltd from Australia. * Medical certificates as proof of all illness claims must be supplied. 4. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BOOKING 4.1 If after your booking has been confirmed, you wish to change to an alternate departure date of any available trip, you may do so subject to availability. 4.2 If the change is requested 45 days before the original trip departure no fee will be charged. 4.3 A change of booking within 45 days of original trip departure will be treated as a cancellation and normal cancellation fees will apply (as detailed in section 3). However trip deposits can be used as credit to a new trip, see FlexDeposit. 4.4 The new departure price would not be eligible for early payment discounts (EPD) if within 45 days before departure 4.5 A name change to a different person will be treated as a cancellation. 4.6 A fee will be charged for any alteration to airline arrangements made by Contiki as per clause 3. 5. HOLIDAY DETAILS & CONDITIONS 5.1 Please read the brochure carefully for those items included in the price. No allowance or refund can be made for meals, accommodation, excursions, etc. that you elect not to take, or when museums, shops, etc. are closed. Hotel facilities may vary from place to place. Meals may vary in style.
5.2 Legislation in various states in Australia has highlighted the issue of Age Discrimination. In terms of style & content, all of Contiki’s worldwide holidays are specifically designed for a particular age group. This fact should be recognised when you book one of our holidays. 5.3 Contiki strives to provide a safe, enjoyable & memorable travel experience for all travellers. Contiki welcomes travellers with special needs or disabilities. However, please note the following: • Travellers are required to advise Contiki, in advance, of any physical, medical or other special needs that require accommodation. • All travellers must ensure they are medically & physically fit for travel. Contiki may impose safety requirements necessary for the safe operation of the trip. Contiki may also exclude an individual from participating in a trip or an activity if that individual’s participation poses a direct threat to health or safety. • Contiki does not provide personal devices (such as wheelchairs, hearing aids or prescription eye glasses) or services of a personal nature (such as pushing a wheelchair or assistance in eating, toileting or dressing). A companion capable of providing such assistance must accompany any traveller who requires services of a personal nature. • Contiki does not employ medical personnel. Any necessary medical attention will be provided by a local facility at the traveller’s expense. Contiki is not responsible or liable for any losses or costs incurred as a result of medical services obtained while on trip, or for the quality of the care or services received. • Travellers should be aware some trips include rough terrain, extensive walking over uneven pavement, steps & locations which may not be easily accessible or accessible by wheelchair. During the trip, Contiki may make arrangements with carriers, hotels & other independent suppliers to provide travel services. These parties are independent entities over which Contiki has no control. Accommodation on international trips may differ from those in Australia. Contiki cannot guarantee disability access or accommodation for travellers travelling on international trips. • Contiki may, at its sole discretion, decline the booking of any traveller or remove any traveller who cannot comply or refuses to comply with Contiki’s terms & conditions. Contiki is not responsible for any costs incurred in the event a traveller is removed from a trip. Travellers agree not to hold Contiki or any of its related entities liable for any actions taken under these booking conditions. 5.4 You are responsible for all travel arrangements & costs to/from the point of commencement/conclusion of the holiday. 5.5 There may be times when the Contiki representative has to make a decision in your best interests or the best interests of their group. You agree to comply with the authority & decisions of the appointed Contiki Representative & the laws of the country in which you are travelling. If you do not so comply or if, in the Contiki Representative’s opinion, you are not compatible with the general enjoyment & well being of other members on the holiday or smooth operation of the holiday itself, we reserve the right to refuse to let you continue with the holiday. We do not tolerate the possession or carriage of illegal or restricted substances (drugs). Furthermore, you agree that your fellow travellers & any Contiki Representative has the right to travel/work in a safe environment. Any threats to their safety, well being or inappropriate behaviour by you, whether verbal or physical, will be taken extremely seriously & may result in the immediate termination of your holiday. In either event, you will be responsible for your own repatriation & related costs & have no claims against us. 5.5.1 You are responsible for any costs incurred as a result of damage or excess cleaning fees related to your accommodation. You are advised to immediately report any pre-existing damage in your room to hotel staff &/or a Contiki Trip Manager as soon as it is discovered. 5.6 Where the traveller occupies a motorcoach seat fitted with a safety belt, neither the operator or service providers, agents or co-operating organisations shall be liable for any illness, injury or death or any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of the accident or incident. 5.7 It is your responsibility to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for your selected holiday before your departure as well as any necessary vaccinations and to comply with all applicable laws. Contiki is not responsible for any costs incurred as a result of failing to obtain necessary visas. Any costs whatsoever regarding obtaining, replacing or changing visas whilst on trip (including accommodation, meals, flights and transfers incurred due to associated delays) are at your own expense. 5.8 You agree that our Contiki Trip Managers or representatives may take photographs & films of you while you are on holiday & that these may be used in our brochures &/or advertising or publicity material without obtaining any further consent or payment in respect of such photographs &/or films. 5.9 Should you have a complaint in respect of the holiday, you should inform the Contiki Trip Manager or Contiki Representative during the course of the holiday & if the matter cannot be resolved after the representative’s best endeavours to do so during the holiday, your complaint should be made in writing to Contiki as soon as is reasonably possible after the holiday but within 42 days thereof so that your complaint can be investigated. Any claims made after the 42 day period will not be considered by Contiki. If you choose to write to Contiki via the Internet, please provide your home address so that we are able to reply to you in writing. 5.10 The contract & all matters arising in respect hereof shall be subject to Australian Law, unless we agree otherwise in writing. 5.10.1 If any provision of this contract is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed to be re-written to give effect to the same purpose within the permitted limits of the law. The validity & enforceability of the other provisions shall not be affected. 5.10.2 If you are unsuccessful in any legal action instituted against us, you agree to pay all our costs, including but not limited to, attorney/traveller costs.
6. compulsory Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory on our trips, and we have some of the best deals on rates. Visit contiki.com/insurance. It is compulsory that you take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and evacuation expenses before you travel on a Contiki holiday. We strongly recommend your insurance also covers cancellation, personal liability and loss of personal property. Please check that the insurance covers all of the activities that you are going to be participating in. Some policies exclude certain adventure activities. This should be arranged at the time of payment of the deposit and will, in certain circumstances, cover you against loss of deposit or cancellation fees from the date of confirmation of your booking, as shown in the insurance policy. Contiki cannot be held responsible for your failure to take out appropriate insurance. You also agree to indemnify us against all third-party claims, actions, damages and remedies which may be brought against us in respect of your participation in the holiday. 7. ILLNESS OR ABSENTEEISM In the event of your withdrawal from a holiday after the commencement as a result of illness, you must obtain a medical certificate in support of any insurance claim. No refunds will be made for any absence from the trip. 8. WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE Airfares to & from your holiday destination, airport taxes, passport & visa fees, insurance, laundry, phone calls, beverages, personal expense money, medical fees, sightseeing, visits & entrance fees, meals not detailed in the itinerary, tips to Trip Managers, Drivers & Local Guides, items of a personal nature, excess baggage, ME Time options & anything else not listed in the ‘snapshot’ section of the itinerary pages within this brochure. 9. WEATHER CONDITIONS Under no circumstances can we be held responsible for snow or weather conditions, nor can any holiday be cancelled or amended by you at any time on the basis of snow or weather conditions.
GENERAL 1. CONTRACTING PARTIES 1.1 The Booking Conditions detailed herein contain the entire contract between you & Contiki. No representation, term, warranty or condition can be expressed or implied by reference to any other writing, advertisement or conversation. This contract may only be varied in writing by a duly authorised officer or director of Contiki. 1.2 Your contract is with us as the trip operating company. At any time & at our complete discretion we may nominate to you in writing any other company or person to have the benefit of some or all of those provisions of this contract, which we may then specify, as if you had agreed the provisions concerned directly with that company or person in the first place as well as agreeing them with us. We may at our complete discretion assign all or any rights & liabilities arising under or by virtue of this or any other contract with you. 1.3 Transportation companies, airlines etc. are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time travellers are not on board planes, transportation or conveyances. We rely on international conventions, national and international law, which may apply to the services provided by us, our suppliers or agents with respect to any claim of any nature brought by you against us as a result of the provision of those services. International conventions which apply may include: Warsaw Convention 1929, (as amended by Hague Protocol & Montreal Protocol) in relation to air travel, or Montreal Convention; the Berne Convention for rail travel; Athens Convention 1974 for carriage by sea; the Geneva Convention for carriage by road & the Paris Convention 1962 for Hotels. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of these conventions on limiting our liability in relation to any claim for death, injury, loss, damage & delay to travellers & luggage. Enrolment in & payment for a trip shall constitute agreement & acceptance by the traveller of the terms & conditions set forth in this brochure which cannot be varied except in writing by an officer of the Company. 1.4 Contiki is not a carrier or hotelier nor does it own aircraft, hotels or coaches. All bookings with carriers, hoteliers & other service providers are subject to the terms & conditions and limitations of liability imposed by those carriers, hoteliers, & other service providers. Please note that some of these limit or exclude liability in respect of death, personal injury, delay & loss or damage to baggage. Whilst we cannot accept any responsibility for any loss as a result of such actions or as a result of any act or omission of any such third-parties, we will give every reasonable assistance in helping to resolve any reasonable dispute. Please also note that Contiki cannot be held responsible for the failure of any of these parties to provide facilities or services for disabled travellers (see also 5.3 under Holiday Details & Conditions). 1.5 Please note that no airline or carrier depicted or recommended in this brochure by virtue of their endorsement of this brochure represent themselves either as contracting with any purchaser of a holiday from Contiki or as having any other legal relationship with any such purchaser. 1.6 Every effort is made to ensure brochure accuracy at the time of going to print, however Contiki cannot be held responsible for printing or typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. 2. VALIDITY The programmes advertised in this brochure are valid from September 2016 to September 2017. 3. OPERATING COMPANIES The programmes advertised in this brochure are operated by Contiki Holidays (Australia) Pty Ltd. 4. CONTIKI IS REPRESENTED IN: Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and USA. Contiki is a registered trademark of Contiki Tours International Ltd, Guernsey. This brochure was published in March 2016 and supersedes any other current brochure in the market. Please see contiki.com for complete & up to date terms & conditions.
AUSTRALIA 2016/17 51
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CONTIKI HOLIDAYS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
TRAVEL AGENT RESERVATIONS
CALL 1300CONTIKI
1300 CONTIKI (1300 266 845) www.contiki.com.au hello@contiki.com.au
Sydney metro - 02 9511 2222 Other areas - 1300 301 835 Fax - 02 9511 2210
35 Grafton Street, Bondi Junction, NSW, 2022
www.contiki.com.au/agents reservations@contiki.com.au
Up late? Us too! Call us when it suits you with our extended customer service hours. Mon to Fri: 9am-Midnight AEST Sat: 9am-9pm AEST
visit contiki.com Or visit your local travel agent
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THE TRAVEL CORPORATION Contiki is backed by The Travel Corporation, one of the world’s most successful family-owned travel companies. Our passion & commitment for giving our travellers life changing experiences is in our blood. It also means you get the peace of mind that comes from a financially strong group with global scale. But don’t take our word for it, check out the awards we’ve won at TTC.com #travelttc
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