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Zoom Vacations has cooked up a special trip for those who crave stunning scenery, delicious dining, exciting excursions, and likeable locals. Zoom Australia includes Accommodations at the country's best hotels and special Aussie activities prepared exclusively for Zoom travelers, all culminating at Sydney Mardi Gras.
Australians have a reputation for being fun, friendly, and fabulous. During Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, they take this to another level, and Zoom Vacations is at the forefront of the excitement! You don't want to be left out of this one, mate!
In addition, you will visit what just may be the most beautiful mountain range in the world, and see the largest (and most famous) rock on Earth! And of course, you will sail away to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. You will be surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life and seabirds. Enjoy a day of snorkeling, sunbathing, relaxing, reading, rejuvenating, sailing, and swimming.
By the end of your trip, it will be hard to distinguish Australia's best feature. Its sensational cities, pristine beaches, phenomenal rock formations, lush rainforests, and world-renowned reef are all in the running. However, what you will undoubtedly remember most are the people.
• 4 nights Accommodations in one of Sydney's finest five star hotels - Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney - The Rocks.
• Breakfast daily
• Complimentary Internet access in Sydney and Cairns.
• Services of a professional Zoom Concierge throughout the trip. This trip will be personally escorted by Zoom co-founder, Bryan Herb. Zoom Vacations is a certified Australia specialist!
• Zoom welcome cocktail and dinner event at one of Sydney's best gourmet restaurants, where you will get to know your fellow travelers and your Zoom Concierge.
• A private Taste of Sydney Tour where you will learn the history, gossip, and fun facts behind the famous sites, as well as what makes Sydney, Sydney!
• Tour to the stunning Blue Mountains and the interactive Featherdale Wildlife Park where you will hand-feed a kangaroo, wallaby and emu and enjoy a face-to-face encounter with friendly koalas.
 • Sydney Mardi Gras Parade Glamour Bar. This is the most glamorous way to view the parade, within arms reach of the parade. Your entrance ticket to this VIP stand up bar area includes all of your food and drinks for the evening, a raised viewing platform, a DJ performing exclusively for Glamour Bar Zoom guests, and its own toilet amenities. The Glamour Bar menu includes gourmet snacks and canapés served by a team of wait staff and two food stalls offering hand prepared items by special chefs throughout the night. Beer, wine, sparkling wine and soft drinks are all inclusive and served from a number of bars around the Glamour Bar site.
• 3 nights Accommodations at the Five Star Shangri-La Marina Cairns Hotel in sensational Horizon Club Level Rooms
 • First Class Kuranda Scenic Railway journey comprising unsurpassed views of Barron Gorge National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel through steep ravines, picturesque waterfalls, the oldest rainforest in the world, while sipping sparkling wine or a cold beer and savoring delicious finger foods.
• Skyrail journey through the world's oldest rainforest including a visit to stunning, roaring Barron River Falls.
• Great Barrier Reef five-star catamaran snorkeling and sailing cruise and all meals onboard
• Farewell Dinner, including a sumptuous spread of meats, gourmet salads, gourmet traditional BBQ "fare" and tantalizing desserts.
 • 1 night Accommodations at the Sails in the Desert Hotel in Ayers Rock (Uluru)
• Enjoy a stunning outdoor dinner in the desert, with commanding views of Ayers Rock
• See the majesty of Ayers Rock unfold on our sunrise 4x4 tour of this natural masterpiece
• Includes 10% Government Service Tax
• Admissions where applicable.
• Customize your trip with Zoom a la carte activities such as the Bridge Climb, parties, and High Speed Boat blast of the Harbor.
Day 1 - Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sydney, Australia
3 PM:
Official check in at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
Evening:
Welcome dinner with fellow Zoom guests
We meet at the hotel lobby and depart to one of Sydney's best restaurants for a sensational a la carte dinner with fine Australian Wine.
Accommodations: Shangri-La Sydney, City View Room
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Friday, March 1, 2013
Sydney
6:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
Full Australian Breakfast in the Shangri-La
 Morning:
Zoom Vacations Taste of Sydney Tour.
We'll see traditional sights like the Sydney Opera House ($102 million dollars of magnificent architecture graciously overlooking Sydney Harbor) from the base of Sydney's famous Harbor bridge, the Conservatorium of Music, Parliament House, the old Mint Building, beautiful Hyde Park, St Mary's Cathedral, the Art Gallery and Domain.
1:30 PM
Return to the hotel
Afternoon:
Bondi Beach
This afternoon we head to Bondi Beach to soak ups some sun, make new friends, and watch the famous beach drag races.
Nighttime:
Mardi Gras Festival Bar
We'll head over to Oxford Street to partake in the Mardi Gras Festival Bar and other festivities. Check out a fantastic mix of cabaret, live music, dance parties, exhibitions and more in Darlinghurst.
Accommodations: Shangri-La Sydney, City View Room
Meals Included: Full Australian Breakfast
Day 3 - Saturday, March 2, 2013
Sydney
6:30 AM - 11:00 AM:
Full Australian Breakfast in the Shangri-La.
 Late Morning:
Sydney Opera House Essential Privately Guided Tour.
We depart the hotel for a 20 minute walk to the Sydney Opera House. Only a handful of buildings around the world are as architecturally and culturally significant as the Sydney Opera House. But what sets it apart from, say, the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Egypt is that this is a working building. Our guide will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns. See inside the world's most recognizable sails. Experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. A work of art that came into existence against impossible odds - to become one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world.
Duration: 1 hour.
 Evening:
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
We depart the hotel and Zoom to the parade in our private coach, observing all the festivities along the way. You will be one of a limited number of guests allowed into the Glamour Bar to enjoy all the color and spectacle of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. A star-studded line-up of performers will keep us entertained as we watch the parade, and drinks and food (included) will keep our tummies happy throughout the evening!
Accommodations: Shangri-La Sydney, City View Room
Meals Included: Full Australian Breakfast and Food all night long at the Glamour Bar.
Day 4 - Sunday, March 3, 2013
Sydney
6:30 AM - 11:00 AM:
Full Australian Breakfast in the Shangri-La.
 Late Morning:
Featherdale Wildlife Park and Blue Mountains Excursion
Today we will hand-feed a kangaroo, wallaby and emu and enjoy a face-to-face encounter with friendly koalas. Featherdale is one of Australia's largest private collections of Australian native animals and bird life. After our visit with the animals, we will proceed to the spectacular Blue Mountains. Experience fresh mountain air as you rise above Sydney and enter the spectacular Blue Mountains region.
 The Blue Mountains is perfect for exploring the best that nature has to offer. We visit ancient Aboriginal sites and outstanding lookouts, and examine rock formations and the unusual plants and wildlife that abound in the area. From the quaint little village of Leura we skirt around Cliff Drive to Katoomba where you will find yourself looking out over the magnificent Jamieson Valley and the Three Sisters (time permitting).
Duration: All day.
7 PM:
Return to the hotel.
Accommodations: Shangri-La Sydney, City View Room
Meals Included: Full Australian Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5 - Monday, March 4, 2013
Sydney to Uluru (Ayers Rock)
6:30 AM – 10:30 AM:
Full Australian Breakfast in the Shangri-La.
 Morning:
Depart Sydney for our flight to Ayers Rock
Today we leave the beautiful city of Sydney to visit one of the world's most famous and magnificent natural icons: Ayers Rock.
Afternoon:
Checkin to our hotel
Evening:
Dinner in the desert
Tonight's dinner will be unforgettable, as wine dine under a million stars with the majesty of Ayers Rock as our backdrop.
Accommodations: Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock (Uluru)
Meals Included: Full Australian Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 - Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Ayers Rock to Cairns
6:30 AM – 10:30 AM:
Full Australian Breakfast
 Morning:
Sunrise Tour of Uluru
The best way to experience Ayers Rock (Uluru) is in the early morning, as the various colors of the mammoth rock are ignitedby the rising sun.
Afternoon:
Departure to Cairns
We board our plane to Cairns, our gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Evening:
Arrival into Cairns.
Accommodations: Shangri-La Marina Cairns Hotel in sensational Horizon Club Level Rooms
Meals Included: Full Australian Breakfast
Day 7 - Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Cairns
6:30 AM – 10:30 AM:
Full Australian Breakfast
 Morning:
Great Barrier Reef Award Winning Catamaran Snorkeling and Sailing Day Cruise
Sail away to a reef pontoon at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life and seabirds. Enjoy a day of snorkeling, sunbathing, relaxing, reading, rejuvenating, sailing and swimming.
 Morning refreshments, superb hot & cold buffet (includes seafood), afternoon tea, snorkeling demonstrations, use of flotation vests, use of all snorkeling equipment, informative ecological presentations by a qualified marine biologists, informative tours on air-conditioned semi-submersible vessel.
Evening:
Return to our hotel after a full day
Accommodations: Shangri-La Marina Cairns Hotel in sensational Horizon Club Level Rooms
Meals Included: Full Australian Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8 - Thursday, March 7, 2013
Cairns
6:30 AM – 10:30 AM:
Full Australian Breakfast
 Morning:
Tropical North Queensland Rainforest Rail
We depart by private coach to the Freshwater Station for the 8:45A departure of the Kuranda Rail Gold Class service to Kuranda. The romance of a journey from yesteryear will be further enhanced by your KSR Gold Class Attendant who will look after your every need. Excellent service will be complemented by their knowledge of the wonderful stories and enthralling legends of this magnificent region. A highlight is undoubtedly our stop at spectacular Barron Falls, a UNESCO World Heritae Site.
And while you immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery and the inspiring story of the construction of the railway you will enjoy refreshments served to your individual seat. Local produce tastings of Atherton Tableland produce will tantalize your taste buds. Arrive at Kuranda at 10:30 AM and spend an hour looking around the quaint village of Kuranda.
 Afternoon:
Experience The World's Largest Skyrail
Depart Kuranda on the Skyrail, spanning 7.5 kms over pristine rainforest, allowing you to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest and learn about one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth. Gliding just meters above the rainforest canopy in comfortable six-person gondola cabins, the Skyrail journey immerses you in an intimate rainforest experience where you'll see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical rainforest environment.
Evening:
Farewell Dinner
Reminisce over the week's events at our Farewell Dinner, including a sumptuous spread of meats, gourmet salads, gourmet traditional BBQ "fare", tantalizing desserts, and fine Australian wine.
Accommodations: Shangri-La Marina Cairns Hotel in sensational Horizon Club Level Rooms
Meals Included: Full Australian Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 - Friday, March 8, 2013
Cairns
6:30 AM – 10:30 AM:
Full Australian Breakfast
Morning:
Departure for Flights Back Home
Meals Included: Full Australian Breakfast
 The Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
5 stars
With stunning views of Sydney's spectacular Harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous Opera House, the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney brings welcoming Shangri-La hospitality to the historic Rocks district in the heart of this dynamic city.
The Hotel offers Sydney's most spacious and luxurious guest rooms and suites in the city. All rooms have breathtaking views of the harbour and are the largest in their class. Exquisitely appointed with contemporary furnishings, rooms feature triple-glazed soundproofed windows, plush duvets and signature bed linens.
 Incredible location! The Shangri-La is within walking distance of: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Botanical Gardens, Sydney Harbor Bridge, Darling Harbor, Pitt Street Mall, The Rocks, Queen Victoria Building, Cockle Bay, Circular Quay, Sydney Harbor, Sydney Aquarium, and more.
For health-conscious travellers, the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney offers a Health Club with a fully-equipped gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and sundeck.
Luxurious yet unpretentious, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney is honoured to offer CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La. Inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies, Chi treatments are based upon the principles of restoring balance and harmony to mind and body. CHI, The Spa boasts the most luxurious private spa suites in Sydney, the personal space and carefully considered environment create a sense of timelessness where you can indulge your senses, soothe your body and revitalise your spirit.
Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock
 Ayers Rock, 5 stars
Named after the soaring white sails that crown its roof, this is Voyages Ayers Rock Resort's premium hotel. The interior decor focuses on Aboriginal heritage and culture, with a gallery in the lobby and significant artworks featured throughout the public areas and in the private rooms.
Slip into comfort right in the heart of the central Australian outback at Voyages Sails in the Desert Hotel. Relax in beautifully appointed rooms, enjoy a cocktail in the lovely grounds, or sit back and relax under the magnificent white sails.
The Hotel also features the acclaimed Mulgara Gallery, the lively, buffet-style Winkiku Restaurant, tapas-style cuisine by the pool at Rockpool (seasonal), and the award winning signature restaurant of Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, Kuniya Restaurant.
Shangri-La Marina Cairns Hotel
 Cairns, 5 stars
The best hotel in Cairns! You'll enjoy upgraded Horizon Club rooms!
Ideally located in the heart of Cairns, the Shangri-La Hotel overlooks Marlin Marina, Trinity Bay and the green mountains that frame this jewel of a city, famous as a jumping-off point for the Great Barrier Reef.
The hotel - which recently completed a comprehensive AU$35 million redevelopment - is a 10-minute drive to Cairns International Airport, and a short stroll to the Esplanade Lagoon, Pier Shopping, Pier Dining Promenade and Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal.
The stylish hotel offers airy, modern Accommodations with elegant furniture and spectacular views of the Marina. And with the renowned Horizon Club, Shangri-La is the only hotel in the area to offer a true five-star club floor facility.
 Horizon Club rooms:
With significantly more space than Superior or Deluxe rooms, plus exclusive Horizon Club privileges, these rooms are an excellent choice for the traveler who desires added attention and services.
Located on the hotel's Mezzanine level, the room offers eye-level views of Marlin Marina from both the bedroom, sitting room and oversized balcony.
Rooms feature an executive writing desk and broadband Internet access.
All Horizon Club rooms feature comfortable contemporary sofas and furniture from which to enjoy the flat-panel television and stereo entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions, specific to our trip to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Do I need a visa to travel to Australia?
If you are a United States, United Kingdom or other ETA-eligible passport holder and/or are traveling from the United States, you will need a visa to travel to Australia, and this can be coordinated by your airline or from the following site:http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/.
Into which airport do I need to fly?
You need to fly into the Sydney International Airport (SYD).
What day should I depart my home country?
You must depart your home country for arrival into Sydney on February 28th. Travelers departing the States will usually leave the evening of February 26th, and arrive two days later after crossing the international date line. There are exceptions however.
Can Zoom book extra days for me at the beginning or end of this trip?
Absolutely! Simply let us know the amount of days you need at the beginning and/or end of the trip, and we will book the nights you need (additional room night charges will apply).
If I am traveling as a single, does Zoom offer a roommate pairing program?
Absolutely! Before the trip, we will get to know all of our travelers, and we will use what we know about you to make the best pairing possible.
May I travel as a single without a roommate?
Absolutely, you may travel as a single and pay a single supplement, which varies depending on your time of booking.
What is the fitness level required for this trip?
This trip is easily accessible to a variety of fitness levels. None of our included activities require a high degree of athletic skill. However, your optional activities will give you the opportunity to make your vacation as active and/or adventuresome as you choose.
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