JEWELS OF AUSTRALIAWITH MIAMI UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONNovember 2 – 11, 2018

• Sail along Sydney Harbor and see firsthand one of the most famous skylines in the world.

• Get a behind-the-scenes look at Sydney’s famed Opera House and learn about the history of this fascinating landmark.

• Watch for colorful bird life like Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, and Rainbow Lorikeets while exploring in the Blue Mountains.

• Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system at 1,400 miles long and the only living thing visible from space.

• Take a guided hike at Mossman Gorge, part of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, Australia’s largest tropical rainforest.

• Learn about Aboriginal traditions, dreamtime legends, cave paintings, and the indigenous people’s relationship with nature.

• Board the Kuranda Scenic Rail and journey from Kuranda to Freshwater Station through lush rainforest characterized by trees, flowering plants, orchids, strangler figs, and exotic palms.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111

AUSTRALIA

Experience the land Down Under with Miami University Alumni Association on a 10-day adventure that includes snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, visiting Sydney’s iconic landmarks, and exploring the Aboriginal way of life.

Compared to other continents, Australia has remained geographically isolated for a much longer period of time, and as a result, most of the plants and animals are found nowhere else on Earth. Come see these unique wonders and experience the cultures that settled in this most distant land.

Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

photographs from rare vantage points inside. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, dinner is on own to explore the abundant options in Sydney. Overnight at The Grace Hotel. (BL)

NOVEMBER 6 - SYDNEY After breakfast this morning board a private coach for a tour of the Blue Mountains, part of Australia’s Great Dividing Range and a World Heritage-listed national park. The first stop is at Featherdale Wildlife Park, where it is possible to hand-feed a kangaroo, wallaby or emu, or enjoy a face-to-face encounter with one of the friendly koalas. Featherdale holds one of Australia’s largest private collections of Australian native animals and birds. From Featherdale, commence the short ascent to the plateaus of the Blue Mountains, named for the blue haze often seen here. Travel through picturesque villages and see some spectacular views of valleys and waterfalls, including the famous Three Sisters. Be watchful for the colorful bird life of the Blue Mountains; you are likely to see Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Rainbow Lorikeets, and Pied Currawongs, to name just a few. Enjoy lunch at the historic Carrington Hotel in Katoomba, with an alternative serve main course. This afternoon continue viewing more magnificent scenery, and then return to Sydney. This evening you will have the opportunity to experience any of the great variety of restaurants in Sydney at your own expense. Overnight at The Grace Hotel. (BL)

NOVEMBER 7 - CAIRNS After an early breakfast and check-out, transfer to Sydney domestic airport for the flight to Cairns in tropical north Queensland, approximately a two-hour journey. On arrival at Cairns Airport, transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. Take a brief walk in the city and then check in at the hotel. Later this afternoon, walk to the Reef Teach office for a unique experience to help you prepare for the visit to the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow. Learn what to look for, where to find it, and how to discover as much as possible. Reef Teach is staffed by qualified marine biologists (all have PhD’s or MSc degrees) who aim to educate, inspire, and enthuse visitors to the Great Barrier Reef about this unique and incredible place. Return to the hotel, and then this evening experience a churrasco dinner experience, a fusion of Brazilian-inspired, Australian-style barbecue. Overnight at Pacific Hotel Cairns. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 8 - GREAT BARRIER REEF This morning, have breakfast and then stop by the reception desk to get a towel if you did not bring one. Don’t forget your swimwear, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and cash or credit card for onboard purchases. Depart early on the Great Adventures/Ocean Spirit Coach, which will collect the group and other passengers along the way and then continue to the marina for a full day cruise on Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Michaelmas Cay is a small, sandy island that has formed on top of the reef. Low scrub has grown from the seabird guano on the island and this area now holds large numbers

NOVEMBER 2 - DEPART Depart on your overnight flight to Sydney, Australia.

NOVEMBER 3 - EN ROUTE Cross the international dateline today.

NOVEMBER 4 - SYDNEY Upon arrival at Sydney International Airport, and after completing Immigration and Customs formalities, please exit into the Arrivals Hall to meet our representative and transfer to your hotel in Sydney’s central business district. Along the way, enjoy a brief sightseeing tour that includes Bondi Beach, Watson’s Gap, Eastern Suburbs, Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, the Opera House, and Harbour Bridge with views overlooking the harbour before arriving at the hotel. Rooms have been pre-registered for immediate occupancy. Relax for the remainder of the day, or explore Sydney independently. Late this afternoon, walk from your hotel to Circular Quay and board your Captain Cook vessel for a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise. The evening includes quality a la carte dining, a comprehensive wine list, live music, and dancing, all while taking in the million-dollar views of Sydney Harbour. Walk back to your hotel following the cruise. Overnight at The Grace Hotel. (D)

NOVEMBER 5 - SYDNEY Enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant and then take a stroll to The Rocks historic precinct. Learn about the most ancient human culture on earth on a 90-minute leisurely walkabout with an Aboriginal guide in The Rocks. Uncover the authentic history of the Aboriginal people’s saltwater heritage within Sydney Harbour, their land and water use, and their spiritual connection to the adjoining waterways and foreshores. The Aboriginal guide will demonstrate how Sydney continues to weave the Dreamtime Southern X text into its modern environment. Next, walk around Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House. In the Sydney Opera House’s Opera Kitchen, savor the best views in Sydney and enjoy a three-tier tasting plate including sushi, mini burgers and succulent prawns, designed for two people to share. Following lunch begin a tour of the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site in 2007, and hailed as “one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of humankind.” Step inside this iconic landmark and discover the stories behind Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s remarkable achievement. Explore the hallowed theaters and foyers where more than 1,600 concerts, operas, dramas and ballets take place each year. The experienced guide will be on hand to lead you through every aspect of the building’s 14-year creation and 58-year history. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant, custom-made, white birch timber chairs, and marvel at the vaulted ceilings of one of the biggest pillar-free chambers in the world. Visit areas off limits to the general public and capture

BLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

ITINERARY

of breeding and resting seabirds. Thousands of terns swarm above the island, predominantly ground-nesting Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies, but also Bridled, Black-naped, Crested, and Lesser Crested Terns, plus smaller numbers of visiting Brown Boobies, Great Frigatebirds, and even Least Frigatebirds. Michaelmas Cay offers all the pristine beauty of the outer reef, being surrounded by fabulous coral reefs and clear, warm, turquoise seas full of colorful reef fish, which you may choose to enjoy either by semi-submersible boat or by snorkeling from the boat or the beach. Scuba diving is an available option for certified divers at an additional cost. The cruise includes morning refreshments, hot and cold buffet lunch, afternoon tea, snorkeling demonstrations, snorkeling gear, informative ecological presentations by qualified marine biologists, an air-conditioned semi-submersible tour, guided bird tours, and more. On return to Cairns Wharf, transfer back to the hotel. This evening, walk to Barnacle Bill’s restaurant for dinner. Overnight at Pacific Hotel Cairns. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 9 - CAIRNS This morning after breakfast transfer to Mossman Gorge for a rainforest walk along private, easy graded tracks. The indigenous guides demonstrate traditional plant use, identify “bush tucker” sources, share their dreamtime legends, explain the history of cave paintings, and provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationships within this unique tropical environment. After your walk, enjoy tea, damper (a traditional Australian soda bread), and question time with your guide. Have lunch at the Daintree Tea House, where you can enjoy a special barramundi lunch (alternate options available). Also experience a tropical fruit demonstration and tasting. Enjoy a fascinating hour cruising through this wildlife environment, which is home to birds, tree snakes, unique plants, and the estuarine crocodile—a great photo opportunity. Have an afternoon tea after your cruise, and then take a short tour of the historical town of Port Douglas before continuing back to Cairns. Dinner on own this evening to explore the many restaurants in Cairns. Overnight at Pacific Hotel Cairns. (BL)

NOVEMBER 10 - CAIRNS This morning, transfer to Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Smithfield and board the Skyrail gondolas. The first stop is Red Peak Station to walk on the boardwalk with Skyrail’s rangers for approximately 30 minutes. Reboard Skyrail and travel to Barron Falls Station, where there is another boardwalk and rangers on hand for walkways through the rainforest to views of Barron Falls and the Rainforest Interpretation Center. Reboard Skyrail for Kuranda. Upon arrival in Kuranda, it’s time to explore this fascinating village. The Heritage Markets operate seven days a week and are full of colorful and interesting arts and crafts. You might also like to visit Birdworld, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, or Kuranda Koala Gardens (all at additional expense). Lunch is on own to explore the myriad of cafés and restaurants in Kuranda. Mid-afternoon, board the Kuranda Scenic Rail. Your journey from Kuranda to

Freshwater Station winds through hand-hewn tunnels, across bridges and around curves, all the time appreciating what an amazing engineering feat it is. Upon arrival at Freshwater Station, transfer by coach to your hotel in Cairns. Dinner on own this evening. Overnight at Pacific Hotel Cairns. (B)

NOVEMBER 11 - DEPARTURE Early this morning transfer from your hotel to the airport for your return flights home via Sydney. (B)

LAND PRICING

$5,700 per person (10 participants)

Includes accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in itinerary, private vehicle transportation unless otherwise noted in itinerary, non-alcoholic beverages with meals, internal flight (Sydney-Cairns), and full time guide for duration of program.

Does not include international airfare, gratuities, or items of a personal nature. Round-trip airfare from Cincinnati (via Dallas/Ft. Worth) is estimated at $1,975. Other departure cities available.

For 20 participants, the land cost is $5,200 per person. Cost is based on double occupancy; single rooms may be available at additional cost. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form are required by July 5, 2018 to secure your space on the trip. This deposit is refundable minus a $100 cancellation fee until July 30, 2018, at which time final nonrefundable payment is due. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174. Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849.

THE FINE PRINT

OPTIONAL TRIP EXTENSION

$2,100 per person (minimum 4 participants)

An optional two-night trip extension to see Uluru (Ayers Rock) is available. Price includes flights. Contact Holbrook Travel for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL

Visit holbrook.travel/miamialum-au18 or contact Stephanie Kowacz at 800-451-7111 x309 or stephanie@holbrooktravel.com

Port DouglasPhoto by Tourism Queensland

Sydney HarborPhoto by Hai Linh Truong

Rainbow Bee-eaterPhoto by Graham Winterflood

WallabiesPhoto by Laurie McLaughlin

Snorkeling on the Great Barrier ReefPhoto by Tourism Queensland