Gay Australia: Dreamtime

Day 1: Welcome to OZ!

We start with an afternoon Melbourne city tour of the quirky lanes and Victorian arcades to get a feel for this dynamic city. We will also hear a few stories and meet some creative locals.  

Our welcome dinner this evening will introduce you to the flavor and taste of Australia. Then take time to rest and recover from the long journey and adjust to the time change. You’ve just jumped ahead an entire day. 

Day 2: Phillip Island and Penguins

After a morning on your own in Melbourne, considered “one of the most liveable cities in the World,” you will be whisked off to Phillip Island to experience one of Australia’s most loved wildlife phenomena, adorable penguins returning to their beachside nests at dusk!. During this excursion, we will visit natural attractions, search for wallabies, and learn about the local Boonwurrng people who are native to the area. A farm-to-table dinner is included before the penguin parade. 

Day 3: Wine and Dingoes

After a delightful breakfast, we will venture out to the world-famous Yarra Valley, a beautiful vineyard region especially renowned for its pinot and chardonnay wines. As we leave the city and enter the bush, our first stop will be at a wildlife sanctuary. Have you always wanted to feed a kangaroo or walk a dingo? We will have our chance! 

Then, the vistas of vineyards blanketing peaceful hills and valleys awaken our thirst and build our hunger to see what’s on offer, We will tour a vineyard, chat with local winemakers, sample some of the region’s best local wines, and feast upon a vineyard lunch before returning to Melbourne later this afternoon. 

Day 4: Outback here we come!

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Melbourne and head to the airport for our included flight to Uluru / Ayers Rock. Here we discover the rugged red desert in the center of Australia, indulge our Crocodile Dundee fantasies, and learn the mysteries of the inhabitants of this unique landscape, one of the oldest civilizations in the world.  

We will visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, including Uluru, the Aboriginal name for what many people know as Ayers Rock. While its presence on the horizon is immense, only a third of it is exposed above ground.  Learn about the local flora and fauna, what “bush tucker” is (it’s not what you think), and the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of creation. 

Surprisingly, Australia may have the world’s largest population of Arabian camels, first imported in the mid-19th century as ideal animals to help explore and build infrastructure in the Outback. Late this afternoon, we mount a few of these sturdy steeds for our own short journey across the rugged, red dunes with Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the distance.  

Day 5: All about Uluru!

We will get up before dawn today for our guided walking tour to a special location from which to observe an amazing sunrise over Uluru. Early light often causes the huge monolith to seemingly begin to glow gold, then orange, and eventually red. After an Outback picnic breakfast, we will learn about the Mala people and hear their stories of world creation with “Liru” and “Kuniya,” two snakes often depicted in their petroglyphs. We will visit the Mutitjulu watering hole, an amazing natural phenomenon, before returning to our resort for relaxation and lunch. 

Later this afternoon, we will be whisked into the air on a short scenic flight to gain a better overview of Uluru and the eroded mounds of nearby Kata Tjuta.  

This evening, sparkling wine and canapes at hand, we relax on top of a remote sand dune with majestic views of Uluru in the setting sun. As darkness comes, above the skies fill with stars from the southern hemisphere. And below, a soft glow sparkles as tens of thousands of colorful lights come into view across the landscape, glowing wildflowers under this huge, starry sky. Feel free to wander around this large light installation before returning to the hotel.  

Day 6: Mardi Gras in Sydney

After breakfast, we fly out to Sydney, a sunny, seductive, and friendly city famous for its large harbor and wide beaches, where we start to get ready for the celebratory weekend! Enjoy our luxurious, 5-star hotel, centrally located between the main gay area of Oxford Street and the harbor area. Later, meet the group for a casual Sydney dinner and to see what is happening around town.  

There is so much to see and do in Sydney that you will have a hard time deciding! We have allowed open afternoons for you to explore on your own, pursue Pride events, or rest up for the big events in the evenings. Here are a few ideas! 

• Tan, bodysurf, and swim. Head to Tamarama Beach, a particularly gay spot during this pre-Mardi Gras week, then enjoy the seaside walk to its more famous neighbor, Bondi Beach. These are perfect spots for the great Australian sport of lifeguard-watching.
• Ride the “Manly Ferry” or one of several other ferries to points all over Sydney’s extensive harbor, departing from Circular Quay
• Check out Sydney’s many museums
• Shop at the grand Queen Victoria Building, once claimed by Pierre Cardin as “the most beautiful shopping center in the world.”
• Rent a bike and ride along the network of bike paths in the active-lifestyle-oriented city, or even all the way around the bay to the secret Gay beach, ask your tour host for details 

In the evenings, the gay Oxford Street district will be particularly active during Mardi Gras weekend, with lots of fun to be had! 

Day 7: Sydney through Art, Gardens and Beaches

This morning we see the city from several angles, starting at a seaside sandstone ledge with magnificent views of the harbor and city. Into this ledge convicts carved a seating area for Mrs. Macquarie, wife of the then governor, because she so cherished the view, even in 1810 when this was a new penal colony. A wander through the botanic gardens introduces us to the unique flora of this ancient land. Turning to Australian art, a private tour of the Art Gallery of New South Wales explores the works, artists and perspectives that help frame Australian identity, culture and landscape. 

The eastern beaches, with their ocean pools, sandstone cliffs and local surf clubs fill our afternoon. After lunch at Bondi Beach, we wander at an easy pace along the costal path from Bondi, past Tamarama and other beaches, to Coogee beach, with time for photos, ocean views and even a swim along the way.

Day 8: Gay Australia Mardi Gras

Tonight is the big celebration, but the day is yours to enjoy and explore this splendid city. Wander down to the famed Opera House and visit the nearby historical district known as the Rocks. Take a ferry across to Luna Park, the city zoo. Or a ferry out to Manly, another coastal jewel. Or just relax and explore the Gay golden mile on Oxford Street, soaking up the festival atmosphere.  

There’s no way to describe Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras except with superlatives. It’s one of Australia’s biggest attractions for overseas visitors (and for locals, both gay and straight), and one of the world’s grandest gay parties. In fact, Sydney Mardi Gras is a month-long event, with gay and lesbian cultural, social, and sporting events, culminating in the festive parade and countless parties.  

This evening, our group will enjoy access to a premium viewing area of the Mardi Gras parade, an event so extravagant it draws a crowd of some 250,000 people and is televised on Australian TV.  

Usually, the parade is followed by an official all-night Mardi Gras party and dozens of unofficial parties around the city. And yet more parties on Sunday. Party tickets usually sell out quickly and are not included with our package. Let us know if you are interested and we will let you know where to register your interest so that you are notified once tickets are released.  

Day 9: Do what you will……

Until this evening, today is for recovering from the party! Rest, relax, lounge, or hit the beach—it’s up to you. 

Optional excursion: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb: 

For those who have recovered from last night’s party, we offer the amazing Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb as an optional tour this afternoon. It is a 3.5-hour experience, with views down onto the Opera House and across its magnificent harbor. (Be warned, you have to pass a breathalyzer scan to be allowed up!) 

Harnesses, helmets, and gloves are provided. The Climb starts when you attach a strong carabiner (hook) onto a continuous metal rod that goes all the way up to the top of the bridge, and all the way down the opposite side. You walk partway onto the bridge, climb up a ladder, then start the gradual ascent to the top. The footpath is wide enough that most people don’t get too scared – but it’s not recommended to spend much time looking down at the speeding cars and subway trains a few stories below! 

At the top, you walk from one side of this great icon to the other, and Climb Leaders will point out key landmarks. A clear day will afford you views that stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Blue Mountains. You then return to the starting point on the opposite side of the bridge. 

Tonight, we will sail on our private yacht across Sydney Harbour for our Farewell Dinner! We relax and enjoy the views as the city lights begin to glisten. Toasting each other, we celebrate with friends over fresh Australian cuisine and begin to say farewell to this land down under.   

Day 10: Goodbye Mates!

After breakfast, transfers will be provided to the airport, then it’s off to your home. Or for a completely different take on the lands down under, arrive early and join our Vineyards & Vistas Tour of  New Zealand! (see Extension for details!)