Capital city of the state of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia’s oldest and largest.  Founded in 1788, it has a population of four million and boasts one of the largest and most beautiful harbours in the world.  Two easily recognizable landmarks, which often depict Australia, rather than just Sydney, are the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world famous architectural wonder – the Sydney Opera House.  Sydney is a must for the beginning of an exciting Australian holiday! 

Meet your guide at the airport and then proceed for a City Tour of Sydney along with a stop at Bondi Beach on your way to your hotel.   Arrive at your hotel to drop off your luggage and then proceed to Sydney Harbour for a luncheon cruise.  Return later to check into your hotel.  Evening is free. 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour L

Day 3 - 10 November 2012 - Saturday

Full day Blue Mountains Tour with local guide including entry to Featherdale Wildlife Park and ride to Scenic Railway and Flyway

After leaving Sydney, visit Featherdale Wildlife Park and see the kangaroos and other Australian wildlife and have your photo taken with a cuddly koala. Visit the Blue Mountain townships of Leura & Katoomba then through to Echo Point to view the "Three Sisters". There is an opportunity to take a ride on either the Scenic Cableway or Scenic Railway. After lunch, stop at Govetts Leap for views of the Grose Valley, the mountain towns of Medlow Bath, & Mt Victoria and the Bilpin Fruit Bowl. Return to Sydney via the Richmond Air Force base and Homebush Bay - home to the 2000 Olympic games. 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour BL

Day 4 - 11 November 2012 - Sunday


Visit the Sydney Opera House for an hour guided tour. 
The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city of Sydney.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Day 5 - 12 November 2012 - Monday

Transfer to the Sydney airport for your flight to Cairns.

Cairns is one of the main gateways to the Great Barrier Reef and is the centre of world record Black Marlin fishing from September to December.  The City is sheltered by high mountain ranges covered with lush tropical rainforest and is surrounded by sugar cane fields. Most importantly, Cairns has become a tourism center unequaled in tropical Australia.

On arrival we will be transported to our site for the eclipse which is about a 45 minute drive from Cairns.  Tonight and the next night we will experience some Aussie culture in the outdoors by staying in luxury tents right at our eclipse site.  No need to travel the morning of the eclipse!   We will be right where we need to be with a great view of the horizon.  We will dine tonight with some great local entertainment. 

Accommodation:  Eclipse Site - Check out Fred Espenak's Site trip letter BD

Day 6 - 13 November 2012 - Tuesday
Full breakfast, lunch and dinner

Full day Kuranda Tour with local guide 

We will have an early transfer to the Freshwater Station to ride the Kuranda Scenic Train where you will view the picturesque village of Kuranda.  You will have free time to browse or visit the Australian butterfly Sanctuary (optional).  Continue to Rainforestation Nature Park for lunch, performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Troupe with the Dreamtime Walk including boomerang throwing, spear throwing and didgeridoo playing. You will tour through the rainforest in an amphibious Army Duck.  Complete the day with a birdseye view of the rainforest, on the Skyrail Rain Forest Cableway. 

From the Caravonica theme Park, your coach will be waiting to transfer you back to our eclipse site and our luxury tent complex. 

After our dinner, Fred Espenak's keynote presentation will focus on what to expect at tomorrow's total eclipse! This is always a highlight of our tours. You won't want to miss tonight's presentation!

Accommodation: Eclipse Site BLD

Day 7 - 14 November 2012 - Wednesday
Full Breakfast 

Early morning Total Solar Eclipse Viewing    

Total Eclipse starts at 6:38 am with a duration of 2 minutes and 2 seconds.

The eclipse path: Touchdown of the shadow occurs north of the east border of the Kakadu National Park, northwest of the Aboriginal settlement of Oenpilli. The shadow then travels out across Arnhem Land, crosses into the Gulf of Carpentaria coast at the north end of Blue Mud Bay. It strikes land again on Cape York Peninsula near Wallaby Island. The centre line crosses the Eastern coast 30km north of Cairns about halfway between Cairns and Port Douglas.  

Duration of Totality: 2 minutes and 2 seconds

Eclipse Event                  Local Time   Altitude   Azimuth                         

Partial Eclipse Begins (C1):   05:44:42      01.6°     108.7°

Total Eclipse Begins   (C2):   06:38:25      13.6°     105.3°

Maximum Eclipse:               06:39:26      13.9°     105.2°

Total Eclipse Ends     (C3):   06:40:27      14.1°     105.2°

Partial Eclipse Ends   (C4):   07:40:08      27.9°     102.0° 

Breakfast after the viewing 
Transfer from our eclipse site to our hotel in Cairns
Rest of the day at leisure to explore the city of Cairns. 

Accommodation: Rydges Tradewinds Hotel Cairns BL

Day 8 - 15 November 2012 - Thursday


Full day Quicksilver Outer Reef Cruise

A Quicksilver coach will pick you up from your hotel for your transfer to Marina Mirage Port Douglas, the departure point of your cruise. At 9:30am board your vessel to commence a full day cruise to Agincourt Reef. Your cruise includes morning and afternoon tea, snorkeling equipment, semi-sub tours and the underwater observatory. Lunch is included. Cruise concludes at approximately 4:30pm, at which time you will be transferred back to your hotel.   

Accommodation: Rydges Tradewinds Hotel Cairns BL

Day 09 -16 November 2012 - Friday

Full day at leisure to explore the city of Cairns.

Accommodation: Rydges Tradewinds Hotel Cairns B 

Day 10 -17 November 2012 – Saturday

Full breakfast at your hotel

Today we depart from Cairns as we say good-bye to old and

new friends and start thinking about the next total eclipse.   B

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