South Pacific Getaways

Our Getaways are chauffeured, shorter excursions into the South Pacific’s most exotic destinations. Revel in the sights and sounds of a rainforest full of flowers and wildlife, float on the Great Barrier Reef and snap photos of cuddly Koala families. Chauffeured only.

The Great Barrier Reef

DAY 1 — Cairns – Port Douglas

Arrive in Cairns, Australia. Cairns, an attractive tropical township, 1797 km north of Brisbane, serve as a gateway to a lush, scenic hinterland. It also serves as the northern end of the “Great Barrier Reef.” North and south of the city are extensive sugarcane farms, inland and north on Cape York are vast cattle stations and bauxite mines at Weipa. Nearby to the west is the Atherton Tableland with waterfalls, crater lakes and fern dappled valleys. Lodging: Sheraton Mirage.

DAY 2 — Port Douglas

You’ll have a full-day catamaran tour of the entire Great Barrier Reef on the M.V. Quicksilver. The craft is a 20m high-speed catamaran that cruises at 20 knots through clear, tropical waters past Schnapper Island, Undine Cay, and numerous reefs. It arrives close to Australia’s continental shelf just 90 minutes after leaving Port Douglas. It moors at what experts rate as one of the most spectacular sections of the 2,000 km Great Barrier Reef. Featuring maximum underwater visibility, it is a seascape of breathtaking beauty with deep, sunlit valleys and coral. You can also ride in glass bottom Subsea Explorer and get a closer look at the marine world go by.

DAY 3 — Port Douglas

In the morning, you’ll be driven to the train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in all of Australia. The train slowly winds its way up the epic pioneer track with every turn revealing a new, panoramic view of sugar plantations. You’ll pass Barron Falls, Stoney Creek and then Kuranda Station, a cool, green tropic delight of native shrubs, ferns and flowers. Following lunch, you’ll board the Amphibious Army Duck for a tour of the rainforest, and then plunge into the water for a closer look at animal and bird life. In the late afternoon, you’ll drive back to Port Douglas down the Juranda Range for great views of the Coral Sea.

DAY 4 — Port Douglas

A full day of leisure to enjoy independent activities. We suggest the optional full day “white water rafting tour” on the Upper Gorge of the Tully River, or perhaps an environmental land safari north to the Daintree World Heritage regions.

DAY 5 — Port Douglas

Your private car takes you from Port Douglas to the cairns airport.

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Darwin / Kakadu

DAY 1 — Darwin

Your AutoVenture chauffeur will greet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel. Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, is a modern, tropical city with a colorful history reaching back beyond the gold-rush days to the early European explorers. The palm sand bamboo, the shady banyans and mango trees, and the blazing tropical blooms provide a lush environment for animals and birds of all kinds. An afternoon “City Sights and Sunset” tour will visit the Gallery of Aboriginal Man at the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery. Watch wallabies feed under the blazing tropical sunset. Lodging: Skycity Darwin

DAY 2 — Darwin

Enjoy the full-day “Wildlife and Waterfall” tour. Travel along the Stuart highway to Bachelor where you’ll enter Litchfield National Park. Visit Florence Falls, enjoy a swim, go bushwalking, take a four-wheel drive tour and visit Berry Springs. After lunch, visit the Territory Wildlife Park including the Nocturnal Animal House. The park has a magnificent range of rare and unique animals and birds on display, seldom seen except by professional naturalists. Lodging: Skycity Darwin

DAY 3 — Two-day Kakadu tour

Travel south from Darwin to Kakadu National Park, passing Adelaide, Mary and South Alligator River en route. Proceed to Jabiru airport for an optional half-hour flight over the magnificent Arnhem Land Escarpment and Wetlands. After lunch, take the opportunity to explore the wetlands by foot. Overnight in Cooinda at Gagudju Lodge.

DAY 4 — Return to Darwin

An early morning, two-hour boat cruise will enable you to see many varieties of birds and saltwater crocodiles, which are easily viewed at a safe distance. Return to shore for breakfast, before heading for Nourlangie Rock to view the Aboriginal paintings. Your chauffeur will explain the Aboriginal legend to you. Return to Darwin via the Arnhem Highway. Lodging: Skycity Darwin

DAY 5 — Depart Darwin

After check-out, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport.

We saw a family of koala bears sitting in a tree. I told the driver to stop and we spent an hour watching them and taking pictures. You can’t do that on a tour bus.

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Tasmania

DAY 1 — Launceston

Upon arrival in Launceston, Tasmania’s second largest city, you will be met by your personal chauffeur. The city lies in hilly country where the Tamar, North Esk and South Esk rivers meet. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Catarach Gorge. Located in the center of Launceston, with a number of easy walks to enjoy. Follow the Tamar River to Brady’s Lookout, and enjoy spectacular views of Tasmania’s Eastern Highlands and broad, sweeping river. Lodging: Country Club Casino

DAY 2 — Launceston – Cradle Mountain

Leave Launceston and travel through Georgian villages of Carrick, Hagley and Westbury before driving into the Great Western Tiers and the Tasmanian Kookaburras Wildlife Park. Meet the “natives” — koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, wallabies, wedgetail eagles, falcons and hawks. Travel to King Solomon’s Caves for a guided tour where you can see amazing stalagmites, stalactites, columns and shawls, all naturally colored from rich ochre to pale pink. After a cave inspection, travel to town of Black Stumps for lunch. After dinner, make your way to the veranda to observe the native wildlife enjoying their evening meals. Lodging: Cradle Mountain Lodge

DAY 3 — Cradle Mountain – Strahan

In the morning, you’ll depart to discover Waldheim, located at the edge of the National Park. Gustav Weindorfer built Waldheim at the turn of the century and spent most of his life encouraging the government to protect its magnificent valley. Enjoy the walk he created through the King Billy Pines, Myrtle Forest and Mossy Glens. Visit the enchanted Forest Walk before traveling to Tasmania’s West Coast and the fishing village of Strahan on the shores of Macquarie Harbor. Lodging: Franklin Manor

DAY 4 — Strahan – Hobart

Consider taking the optional wilderness “bird’s eye view” of this magnificent region. In your plane, view mountain ranges and marvel at small lakes that seem suspended on mountainsides. Travel to Gordon River where you will land and walk into the forest. You’ll hike to Sir John Falls to see the Huon Pine Trees, known to be 2,000 years old. Return to Strahan and enjoy a self-guided wander before traveling to Hobart. Stop en route at Lake St. Clair. Lodging: Sheraton Hotel

DAY 5 — Depart Hobart

Travel to the summit of Mt. Wellington to see the unforgettable view. Visit Battery point, Salamanca Place and if time permits, the historic town of Richmond before your departure flight.

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