Air Adventure Australia

Islands in the Sun - 12 days

Day One: Essendon - Bourke

AAA guests depart Southern Australia's winter chill from Melbourne's Essendon Airport soaring north for morning tea at Griffith. Arriving at Bourke guests are welcomed and transported on a private tour of this low rainfall region. After lunch you are invited onboard a delightfully quaint paddle steamer for a very special cruise along the Darling River. Transported to your accommodation you will notice the undisputed green thumb belonging to the hotel's owners evident through their well-maintained rose garden. Time to rest; accommodation is at the Bourke Riverside Motel. All suites at the Riverside have been lovingly and individually restored and decorated. A popular dinner conversation starter: "You should see my room!"

Day Two: Bourke - Longreach - Charters Towers

Back of Bourke for breakfast before it's time for AAA guests to travel further north onto Longreach. Amongst many intriguing sites, Longreach is famous for its foundations associated with Australia's leading airline Qantas. AAA guests enjoy an outback lunch prior to a visit to investigate the permanent Qantas tourist attraction; one decommissioned 747-Jumbo at the informative Qantas Museum.

Departing Longreach, AAA pilots fly on to arrive in the goldfield city of Charters Towers for a tour of the town's grand architecture. Time to rest; accommodation is at the Cattleman's Rest Motel or similar.

Day Three: Charters Towers - Undara Lava Tubes - Dunk Island

After a brief flight over the lava flow country guests touch down and are escorted on a tour of the actual lava tubes with expert commentary and information available to explain this natural phenomenon. After lunch AAA pilots prepare your aircraft for the flight across Queensland's sparkling sea to Dunk Island, home to the majestic Ulysses butterfly. Afternoon activities include a visit to Australia's nationally-acclaimed Artist Colony created by Bruce Arthur. View a wide selection of tapestries, art works and silversmith designs.

Whether it be this afternoon or the following, AAA guests are able to indulge in an exclusive Air Adventure Australia massage package provided by Voyages Dunk Island professional therapists. Spa of Peace and Plenty will ensure all guests an opportunity to further unwind into their holiday, providing time to also enjoy your beachfront suites for an afternoon siesta. Sunset pre-dinner drinks combine with fine dining on this island paradise. Time to rest; accommodation is at Voyages Dunk Island.

Day Four: Dunk Island

Wake to a tropical breakfast satisfying AAA guests' appetites while the songs of Dunk Island's birds fill the air. It is easy to wake up when you stay in paradise. Today, you are invited to explore this rainforest island. Select from an array of water-sports, golf or simply relax re-setting your watch to Dunk Island time. AAA guides arrange a rendezvous for all guests on the beachfront for late afternoon cocktails. Wonderful to watch the changing colours of the ocean as the sun slowly sets prior to dining in the resort's restaurant. Time to rest; accommodation is at Voyages Dunk Island

Day Five: Dunk Island - Family Islands - Hinchinbrook Island

Continuing your island adventure, after breakfast, AAA guests now farewell Dunk Island on an exclusive cruise past the Family Islands group with an opportunity to fish the plentiful waters along the way to Hinchinbrook Island. Guests are welcomed at the jetty by the friendly staff and sometimes a very crafty resident Queensland Grouper. With a welcome cocktail in hand, your hosts will arrange with the chef as to the preparation of AAA guests' fishing catch. Feast upon your day's fishing efforts, proud as you may be providing freshly caught seafood for all. Time to rest; accommodation is at Hinchinbrook Island's Treehouse Suites.

Day Six: Hinchinbrook Island

Experience Hinchinbrook's diverse flora and fauna soon after breakfast; choose from a multiple selection of suggested trails to walk. Hinchinbrook Island offers a half-day trek across the entire island, meeting with a boat on the other side of the island for an easy return to resort. Alternatively, guests can trek with ease to view numerous lazy turtles going about their daily routine at Turtle Bay. Afternoon brings all guests together for an afternoon soiree to watch the sunset from a breathtaking vantage point with 360° panoramic views; pre-dinner drinks are enjoyed here prior to dining. Time to rest; accommodation is at Hinchinbrook Island's Treehouse Suites.

Day Seven: Hinchinbrook Island - Hamilton Island (Whitehaven Beach)

Relax and enjoy the splendid isolation that is Hinchinbrook. Breakfast is at leisure today in readiness for a mid morning crossing of the Hinchinbrook Passage over water to Dallachy Airport. AAA pilots take guests on a short but scenic flight to Hamilton Island. Today you have the option to join a day tour out to one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Whitehaven or perhaps you would like to explore the multitude of activities available on this immensely popular island. Those on the cruise return to Hamilton Island in time for pre dinner drinks and to reflect on the pristine beauty just witnessed on Whitehaven. Time to rest; accommodation is at the Reef Suites or similar.

Day Eight: Hamilton Island - Fraser Island

After a leisurely breakfast and a chance to explore the Hamilton Island village AAA guests are transferred back to their private aircraft awaiting their arrival on the Hamilton Island airfield. Continuing southwards on a picturesque flight over many well known Queensland towns the wheels touch down at Hervey Bay. After a ferry ride guests are welcomed onto Fraser Island - the world's largest sand island. After lunch and time to settle in there are many activities to enjoy - of course your choice may be to relax in the pool and enjoy some sunshine! Accommodation tonight is at Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island.

Day Nine: Fraser Island

After a relaxed start to the day AAA guests are taken on a day's guided tour of the island's many and various beauty spots and significant ecosystems. The day includes the brilliant waters of Lake McKenzie, the endless sands of Eurong Beach, Central Station and the Silent Creek in amongst the enormous tall timbers of the rainforest. Time to rest; accommodation is in the idyllically situated Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Day Ten: Fraser Island

Did you hear the dingoes calling last night? This question is often asked across the breakfast table. AAA guests can enjoy a day to simply relax, equally, guests can take advantage of the countless activities available from within the resort and across the island, from soft adventure to the more extreme such as four-wheel driving, fishing and sailing. Dining tonight is a private feast arranged on the decking at Kingfisher Bay Resort's signature restaurant called Seabelle. Time to rest; accommodation is at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Day Eleven: Fraser Island - Coolangatta

Migrating south after breakfast AAA guests go aboard an over-water adventure to search for a variety of inquisitive whales and playful dolphins as they themselves seek warmer islands in the sun throughout the changing seasons. AAA guests are fully catered-for on this cruise, watching dolphins and whales is a bonus. Finishing the cruise guests arrive at Queensland's Hervey Bay. AAA pilots take guests on a scenic flight to Coolangatta Airport. Private vehicle transfer is arranged to the luxurious spa and golf resort, Raddison Hotel, for dinner. Time to rest; accommodation is at the Raddison Hotel or similar, Gold Coast.

Day Twelve: Coolangatta - Haddon Rig - Essendon, Melbourne

Sunrise at first light and it's time to take flight in a Balloon Down Under experience. Hot air ballooning is truly breathtaking, your slow-moving basket offer views of Queensland's cosmopolitan Gold Coast, to the wilderness of hinterland ranges, arriving back on earth for breakfast at Palm Meadows Golf Club. With time to refresh after breakfast, AAA guests re-join their pilot as they depart for our dear friends at either Haddon Rig or Bungle Gully Station arriving in time for a tour and lunch. A fitting way to celebrate the final stage of AAA guests' Islands in the Sun adventure. Departing homeward bound for Essendon, Melbourne arriving 1700.

AAA Welcome Home Gift

On behalf of all at Rod Dyer's Air Adventure Australia we would like to say welcome home and thank you. Please accept a complimentary collection of images of your adventure. Also, for those guests receiving AAA Club membership an exclusively designed and AAA branded authentic Akubra hat. We look forward to seeing you again on yet another Australian Adventure or Global Expedition itinerary, or start planning the design of your own Tailored Experience.

Wishing all of our AAA guests very happy travels and regards from all at AAA. See you again soon!

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