Sep 28 2007

My trip to Australia

By Laura Bonchonsky, Senior Travel Consultant for All-Travel.com in Los Angeles, CA.

Bridge to Reef Trip – Contiki Tours - Australia

View trip pictures here.

September 11 - 20, 2007

We Arrived in Sydney via non-stop service on Qantas Tuesday morning. No complaints with service, or the amount of leg room and not bad for economy. Individual televisions were very nice. My strategy to minimize jet-lag was by sleeping as much as possible which was made easier with the Bose Noise Reduction Head Phones I borrowed from my brother, they're great!

Our Contiki Tour Manager Dan (a wealth of information) was awaiting our arrival in the terminal once customs was cleared. Our group consisted of 31 travelers.

Day 1 - All aboard the Contiki Bus for a cursory city tour of Sydney, before checking into our hotel. Our first 3-nights were spent at the Sydney Travelodge Commonwealth. As Travel Lodge's go this was maintained nicely and very clean. Appointments in the rooms included twin beds, a separate vanity area in the room (makes sharing bathroom space with another female easy) and shower only bathroom. Buffet Breakfast was included daily. Location could not be beat, walkable to Darling Harbour, The Rocks shopping area, Hyde Park, the Botanical Gardens and Circular Quay home to the Opera House. Off again for a Jet Boat ride in the Harbor, we all got drenched and had a laugh! Hosted dinner this evening at the Meat & Wine Company.

Day 2 - Free to hop on and off the Harbour Explorer Cruise. My small group of new friends chose to have lunch at Doyle's in Watson Bay, famous for their Fish & Chips then off to The Rocks for some shopping. Tonight sunset cocktails at the Opera Bar and dinner on our own at Argyle Restaurant in the Rocks. (almost everyone joined-in) According to Dan, the "IN" place for dinner and drinks in Sydney at the moment.

Day 3 - Today we head North to the Hunter Valley to Wyndham Estate Winery. After a wonderful barbeque lunch of chicken, steak and of course wine, on a grassy area near the vineyard we retreated indoors for some real tasting. Wyndham makes a Sparkling Shiraz unique to their winery, very nice flavor with bubbles! In addition to the usual offerings of reds & whites. The bus ride back to Sydney was a little loud to say the least.

Day 4 - Up early for our flight from Sydney to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. After 2 ferry transfers we arrive at the Long Island Resort on Long Island. For the next 3-nights this was our home. Our rooms had 2-twin beds and bunk beds, shower only bathroom, a balcony overlooking the lap pool, simple and clean.

The resort offers non-motorized watersports to their guests of either kayaks or paddle-boats, in addition to jet skis, water skiing and parasailing for hire. Breakfast included daily for our group. Low tide for the duration of our stay, beach was average with plenty of chaise lounges. Basic pool area with swim-up bar. Tonight we are hosted to an a' la carte dinner.

Day 5 - All day free to do as we liked, lounging on the beach was the extent of my activity today after 90 minute bushwalk which is offered to all guests of the resort if they choose to participate. Another inclusive meal tonight of the Seafood Buffet.

Day 6 - Catamaran sailing adventure today on the Camira around some of the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays. Lunch and snorkeling were included. Visibility not so great on the fringes of the GBR, water a bit chilly a wetsuit helped. One stop today at Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island for some fun in sun. Clear blue water and sand like corn starch, heaven.

Day 7 - Bags out today at 6:30am. A 7:30am start after breakfast for our trip north to Cairns. 7-hrs on the Contiki Bus with a few rest stops along the way in addition to lunch in Townsville and some quick shopping. Our arrival at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort was met with cheers from all as we checked into our rooms. 2 queen beds in a very spacious room, tub/shower bathroom. Private balconies or courtyard overlooking the pool and gardens in all their Superior rooms. The Colonial is set within 11 acres of tropical gardens, with 3 lagoon swimming pools and 3 restaurants. Tonight a hosted dinner in the Homestead restaurant. Buffet breakfast included for the group.

Day 8 - Off to an early start again as we make our way to Reef Lover Cruises for our day on the GBR. After cruising for 1 hour we arrive at the Reef Lover Pontoon, a very large tarp covered picnic area if you will, with

rows upon rows of metal picnic tables. Masks, snorkels & fins all provided. For those who don't care for the water an underwater submersible and glass bottom boat also included. Snorkeling amongst the colorful fish and coral was most definitely for me the absolute highlight of this trip! Now further North, the water warmed-up considerably, no wetsuit required here. Buffet lunch also included. Tonight dinner on own and plenty of time for shopping the Night Markets. Later in the evening, we meet up at Gilligan's. The young one's in the group continue on to the Woolshed for more drinks and dancing on tables? Glad I missed that one.

Day 9 - Another full day, off this morning to visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where we experienced through film, dance and music the culture of this ancient land. Attempted to throw a Boomerang, I say attempted, didn't work out too well for me. Next we make our way to the village of Kuranda via the Skyrail Cableway taking us up and over the rainforest, stunning. 2 stops as we make our ascent first for a walk of the trails through the rainforest, next at Barron Falls. Arrival in Kuranda for lunch & shopping, very quaint and artsy, lot's of shops and outdoor cafe's. Next up the Cairns Tropical Zoo where we were given the gift of individual picture's taken with a Koala, so soft with a wonderful smell of eucalyptus. Time for roaming amongst the Kangaroo's in an open area for feeding or just picture taking. Such warm eyes and long lashes. On the Contiki Bus again headed to the Colonial for a quick clean-up and yet another hosted dinner at Rattle & Hum. Early evening as we depart Australia tomorrow.

Day 10 - Shuttle pick's us up at 4:30am. Some of the group have an early departure from Cairns to Sydney at 545am then onward to Los Angeles....

I am very grateful I was able to take this trip and experience Contiki Tours first hand. View my pictures from the trip here.

Contiki Tours are the perfect vacation. Check out all the great Contiki trips at or call me at 800-300-4567

About Laura Bonchonsky

Prior to becoming an agent, I was a Legal Secretary. While booking a cruise with a local travel agent, I asked what they thought about attending a travel school. The answer was "save your money," find an agency that will train you. And so I did. I've now been in the industry for 18 years. I've traveled to Australia, French Polynesia, Hawaiian Islands and Alaska. Most of my early travels were with my mother to her birthplace, San Luis Potosi, MX. I have traveled throughout much of the country that she lovingly referred to as "Mexico Lindo". From mainland Mexico to Baja California, including the Colonial Cities, to the beaches on the Pacific, Yucatan and the tip of Baja Peninsula, plus very busy Districto Federal, Mexico City. Cruising has taken me to such ports of call as the Bahamas, Aruba, Barbados, Grand Cayman, through the Panama Canal and Costa Rica. While in the Mediterranean, I visited unforgettable stops at Palermo, Barcelona, Tunisia, Malta, Monaco and several Italian ports to name a few. Land travels have taken me to St. Lucia, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, Ireland, The Eternal City and more.

I've sailed on Crystal, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and most recently the newest Celebrity ship, the Silhouette...modern Luxury at it's best. If you'd like to chat, I specialize in Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Contiki Vacations, SuperClubs, Escorted Vacations and most cruises. I've received award certifications from Sandals, Club Med, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Regent Crystal and Cunard. I enjoy this industry and it's satisfying to know you're the vehicle that helps people realize their dreams…Travel – who doesn't love it?