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RASC
ECLIPSE TOUR TO AUSTRALIA - NOV 2012
A cultural tour of Australia
This is our third tour for eclipse siting organised for the RASC - Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The first two included in even more challenging countries like the Sahara desert in Libya and along the historical Silk Road in China. The 639AM siting on November 14, 2012 will best been visible at Cairns in Australia and that is where we will be. Led by the international known and authority, Dr Ralph Chou this 16 days Australian tour also covers some of the most well known sites including Sydney, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Darwin, Kakadu and Cairns with an optional 1 week extension to Melbourne and Canberra.

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Dr.
Ralph Chou
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The
tour leader is Dr. B. Ralph Chou, Associate Professor of Optometry at
the University of Waterloo School of Optometry. Dr. Chou is recognized
as a world authority on solar eclipse eye safety, and is a contributor
to the NASA Solar Eclipse Bulletins. He has led 10 solar eclipse tours
since 1983, and the 2009 event will be his 16th total solar eclipse. He
has been a consultant for almost all of the major manufacturers of solar
filters, and serves on the International Astronomical Union's Solar Eclipses
Program Group as an advisor on eclipse eye safety. |
Day
1: Nov 02: Arrive Sydney
Upon arrival in Sydney, Meet and Greet by our representative and transfer by
luxury coach to the Menzies Hotel.
Afternoon at leisure. Evening visit to the Sydney Observatory.
Overnight: The Menzies Hotel, Sydney (3 nights)
http://www.sydneymenzieshotel.com.au/
Day 2:
Nov 03: Sydney
Morning tour of Sydney to include Manly, Darling Harbour, Milsons Point for
a spectacular view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Then join a relaxing
buffet luncheon while cruising the magnificent Sydney Harbour on board Captain
Cook Cruises. Visit behind the scenes at the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera
House, one of the world's "must-see" attractions. Afternoon, go through
the historic Rocks area, the colourful Royal Botanic Gardens visiting The Gap
and enjoy stunning views. Stop at the world-famous Bondi Beach and enjoy the
spectacular scenery. (B, L)
Day 3:
Nov 04: Sydney
Day at leisure to explore Sydney or join an optional tour of either Blue Mountains
or a Bridge climb Tour. (B)
Day 4:
Nov 05: Sydney / Ayers Rock (flight 3.40hrs)
Transfer for your flight to Ayers Rock. Afternoon enjoy and exclusive Olgas
and Sunset Tour where lie the 36 immense and weathered rock domes of Kata Tjuta,
which were thought to have once been a single rock many times the size of Uluru.
We embark on a guided walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Marvel at the sheer walls
that flank you as you enter the magnificent gorge. Some of the plants you will
see here are so rare that they are only found among these rocky domes.
Overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel (2 nights) (B)
http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/desert/
Day 5:
Nov 06: Ayers Rock
Rise early and enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to witness the changing
colours of Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunrise and see the desert come to life. Afterwards,
travel to the waterhole of Mutitjulu at the base of Uluru for a guided walk,
on which you’ll view ancient cave paintings and also learn about the Aboriginal
legends of Kuniya Tjukurpa (Python Dreaming). PM free. Evening we take a ride
on the sand dunes, Sounds Of Silence – a path takes you to an uninterrupted,
three hundred and sixty degree view of this vast landscape. Here you enjoy a
selection of delectable canapés. With a BBQ feast of authentic Australian
delicacies examples include barramundi, kangaroo, emu and crocodile, bush salads
and classic desserts, complemented by Australian wines. (B, D)
Day 6: Nov 07: Ayers Rock / Alice Springs (Drive 441kms / 5.30 hrs)
Drive through desert scenery between Ayers Rock Resort and Alice Springs. Your
Driver/Guide will provide comprehensive commentary of your surrounds as you
pass through the rugged scenery of the outback. View Atila (Mt. Conner) along
the way.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Alice Springs (B)
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/aspbd
Day 7: Nov 08: Alice Springs / Darwin (flight 1.55 hrs)
We tour the sights of 'The Alice' including the School of the Air which provides
an educational service for children living in remote areas. Stop at the historic
Telegraph Station and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.Learn
how this marvelous facility operates to provide a 'mantle of safety' to the
people of the outback. Visit the Alice Springs Reptile Centre where you will
see unique Central Australian reptiles such as the Perentie lizard and Thorny
Devil. Conclude with a panoramic view of Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges
from the top of Anzac Hill before boarding our flight to Darwin.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Darwin (1 night) (B)
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/drwmsDarwin
Day 8:
Nov 09: Darwin / Kakadu (Drive 255kms 3.40hrs)
We depart the tropical city of Darwin and enter the World Heritage Site of Kakadu
National Park. Covering some 20,000 square Kms, Kakadu is Australia’s
largest national park. Kakadu’s vast wetlands and ancient escarpment are
home to one of Australia’s largest and most diverse bird populations,
and carry outstanding natural and cultural significance. Afterwards, join a
wonderful guided cruise on famous Yellow Water billabong. As you cruise, keep
an eye out for wildlife that inhabits the billabong and its surrounds, including
crocodiles. Then travel to Nourlangie Rock to view a variety of ancient Aboriginal
rock art.
Overnight: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Kakadu (B, L)
Day 9:
Nov 10: Kakadu/Darwin (Drive 255kms 3.40 hrs)
Continue by coach for Ubirr to see superbly preserved Aboriginal rock art. Located
on the Arnhem Land escarpment, Ubirr has been added in its own right to the
World Heritage List because of its anthropological and archaeological value.
After enjoying lunch, stop in at Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre. Here,
you have the opportunity to learn about the wildlife, seasonal changes, various
animal groups and local Aboriginal and European history of the region. Fun interactive
displays help to explain ecological processes that occur in the wetlands.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Darwin (1 Night) (B, L)
Day 10: Nov 11: Darwin / Cairns (Flight 3.45hrs)
Transfer for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival in Cairns, transfer to our
hotel. Balance of the day free.
Overnight: Rydges Tradewinfds Hotel, Cairns (5 nights) (B)
http://www.rydges.com/hotel/RQTRAD/Rydges-Tradewinds-Cairns.htm
Day 11: Nov 12: Cairns
Today you will have the experience of a lifetime; Quicksilver's wave piercing
catamarans and friendly crew will take you to a reef at the very edge of Australia's
Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of
colour and brilliance... Agincourt Reef, a magnificent ribbon reef where you
can experience first hand the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef. Choose to
dive, snorkel, or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of
a Quicksilver semi-sub, just one meter underwater. Watch the fish feeding from
Quicksilver's unique underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory,
or fly in a helicopter over the reef. All activities are optional. (B)
Day 12: Nov 13: Cairns
Day free as we prepare for tomorrow’s early morning departure for viewing
the eclipse. (B)
Day
13: Nov 14: Cairns (Eclipse Day)
An early start this morning as we drive to Oak Beach for the 2012 Solar Eclipse
which is at approx 6.39am. After viewing the eclipse we drive back to Cairns.
Balance of the day is free. (B)
Day 14: Nov 15: Cairns
Make your visit to Kuranda a memorable. We are transferred to the railway station
to board the Kuranda Scenic Rail. This breathtaking journey, on one of the world's
most scenic train routes, will take you through hand-hewn tunnels and across
bridges with amazing views. Stop at Barron Gorge to view the falls before arriving
at beautiful Kuranda station. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore
the "Village in the Rainforest". Optional visits to the Heritage Markets,
the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld or the Kuranda Koala Gardens before
we e board the Skyrail for the world's most beautiful rainforest experience.
Glide over the Rainforest canopy. (B)
Day 15:
Nov 16: Depart Cairns
After an incredible journey getting both the Australian landscape and history
with viewing the eclipse, we are transferred to the airport for our departure
flight home o join in the optional extension to cover another part of this unique
country. (B)
Optional
Extension: Melbourne – Canberra - Sydney
Day 15: 16th November
Cairns / Melbourne (Flight 3.25hrs)
Transfer to the airport for flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival at Melbourne,
transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Melbourne (2 nights) (B)
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/melfs?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/6c/1/en/hotelsearchresults
Day 16: 17th November Melbourne
Morning tour of Melbourne. Experience the beautiful architecture of the most
famous landmarks including the Melbourne Town Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral,
Victorian Parliament, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. Visit the
beach and café cultures of St Kilda and Williamstown and drive past the
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Tennis Centre Melbourne
University and the Fitzroy, Royal Botanical and Flagstaff Gardens
After the tour there may be an opportunity to visit the Astronomical Society
of Victoria. The Society attracts people with astronomical interests, from a
wide range of ages and with a wide range of abilities and interests. The Society
was founded in 1922 and celebrated its 85th birthday in 2007. It has a Membership
of approximately 850 people and is the largest such organisation in Australia
and the southern hemisphere. http://www.asv.org.au/ (B)
Day
17: 18th November Melbourne / Canberra
(Drive 800kms / 8.30hrs 8hrs)
Depart for Bendigo, a city that provides a great snapshot of Australia's rich
gold history. Tour the underground Central Deborah Gold Mine, take a short tour
on the talking tram and learn about the discovery of gold and subsequent boom.
Visit Chinese Museum to learn about migration of Chinese to the goldfields and
Bendigo pottery - Australia's oldest operational pottery works.
Continue for Canberra - the name Canberra comes from a local aboriginal word
meaning "meeting place", a fitting title. Canberra is the home of
a long list of attractions: Parliament House, The War Memorial, The National
Gallery, The High Court of Australia, The Questacon Science Centre, Mount Stromlo
Observatory, The Telstra Tower, Lake Burley Griffin, the list goes on and on.
Overnight: Novotel Hotel, Canberra (2 nights) (B)
http://www.novotelcanberra.com.au
Day 18:
19th November Canberra
Morning tour of Canberra with a visit to Mount Stromlo followed by the National
Gallery which has 70,000 works featuring many contemporary Aboriginal artists,
and is well known for its blockbuster exhibitions and permanent gems such as
Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles. The Sculpture Garden will introduce us to many
exciting works by Australia's foremost sculptors. Later we visit the Parliament,
if in session, the National Portrait Gallery, the Australian War Memorial, National
Botanic Gardens, etc. (B)
Day 19: 20th November Canberra /Parkes
(Drive 295kms 4.20hrs)
Drive to Parkes. Upon arrival we visit the Parkes Observatory - a radio telescope
observatory. It was one of several radio antennas used to receive live, televised
images of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969.
The primary observing instrument is the 64-metre movable dish telescope, second
largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of the first large movable dishes
in the world (DSS-43 'Deep Space Station'-43 at Tidbinbilla was extended from
64 m to 70 m in 1987, surpassing Parkes). After its completion it has operated
almost continuously to the present day. The dish surface was physically upgraded
by adding smooth metal plates to the central part to provide focusing capability
for centimetre and millimetre length microwaves. The 18m dish antenna in the
foreground of the photo was transferred from the Fleurs Observatory (Mills Cross)
in 1963. It was used as a transmit uplink antenna in the Apollo program and
has been abandoned since early 1980s.
The telescope has an altazimuth mount. It is guided by a small mock-telescope
placed within the structure at the same rotational axes as the dish, but with
an equatorial mount. The two are dynamically locked when tracking an astronomical
object by a laser guiding system. The success of the Parkes telescope led NASA
to copy the basic design in their Deep Space Network, with matching 64 m dishes
built at Goldstone, Madrid and Tidbinbilla.
Overnight: Coachmans Hotel, Parkes (1 night) (B)
http://www.coachman.com.au/
Day
20: 21st November Parkes / Dubbo
(Drive120kms 1.30hrs)
Today we drive to Dubbo. Upon arrival we visit the Sliding Spring Observatory.
Some of the world's best-known color images of galaxies and nebulae were created
by astronomer David Malin using the observatory's 3.9-meter Anglo-Australian
Telescope and adjacent 1.2-meter U.K. Schmidt Telescope. We'll tour both instruments
as well as several of the smaller telescopes operated by the Australian National
University, including the 2.2-meter Advanced Technology Telescope. Weather permitting,
we'll spend the evening viewing the magnificent southern skies with members
of the Astronomical Society of Coonabarabran at a dark-sky location within the
shadow of SSO.
Overnight: Comfort Inn Blue Lagoon, Dubbo (1 night) (B)
http://www.comfortinnbluelagoon.com.au/
Day 21:
22nd November Dubbo / Sydney
(Drive 408kms 5.30hrs)
We drive to Sydney today with a visit to the popular Taronga Western Plains
Zoo home to large animals like elephants and antelopes.
Overnight: The Menzies Hotel, Sydney (1 night) (B)
Day 22:
23rd November 2012. Depart Sydney
As our tour culminates we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight.
(B)
Departure
Dates |
| 2012
English Speaking Departures
Nov 02,
2012 |
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
- Accommodation
as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes
- Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch
D=Dinner)
- Services
of local English speaking guide
- Entrance
fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
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- International
airfares
- Within
Australia airfare & taxes
- Insurance
& Visa fees
- Tips
/ Gratuities
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Tour
Price |
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| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars)
or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment
has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
For complete
payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
Main
Tour
Nov 02-16,
2012
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| Departure
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Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| Nov 02, 2012 |
US
$ 4320 |
US
$ 1650 |
Payment Plan
for Main Tour:
1. $ 750 deposit paid now (at the time of booking)
2. $ 750 2nd installment to be paid on or before July 10, 2011
3. $ Balance amount to be paid on or before March 10, 2012
Optional
Extension
Nov 16-23,
2012 |
| Group
Sizes |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
25
– 44 |
US
$ 1800 |
US
$ 1650 |
20
– 24 |
US
$ 2075 |
US
$ 1650 |
15
– 19 |
US
$ 2350 |
US
$ 1650 |
10
– 14 |
US
$ 2860 |
US
$ 1650 |
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Estimated
International Airfare - International
Airfare is NOT Included |
International
airfares based on current fares are:
(Airfares are subject to change) |
Ex
Vancouver $ 1935 per person |
Ex
Toronto $ 2375 per person |
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Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 44 participants.
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Notes
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Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones
or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to
work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German, Italian
and Spanish speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us
toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
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