Australia - Arnhem Land and Uluru
Ship: Silver Muse
Voyage Number: 6004 (Post-cruise)
Sailing departure: 18 February 2020
Program departure: 03 March 2020
Nights: 6 Nights
Disembarkation start: Sydney
Gateway airport end: Sydney
Highlights:
● Enjoy two nights' accommodation at Longitude 131 at Uluru
● Enjoy two nights at Davidson's Arnhemland Safari Lodge
● Private tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House
● Visit rock shelters with stunning rock art that give insights into the Aboriginal way of life
● Take a boat trip through the many water channels and the open floodplain to see bird species
● Try a hand at barramundi fishing in the pristine Cooper Creek
● Enjoy lunch at the Wharf One Restaurant
● Dine outdoors at Longitude 131 and discover the wonders of the southern night sky
● Longitude resident astronomer shares tales of the Southerly constellations
● Take an expedition to Walpa Gorge among the dome formations of Kata Tjuta
● Journey to the base of Uluru to learn about the history of the Mala people
● Marvel at cave paintings, sources of bush tucker and other important sites.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Disembark the cruise ship and transfer to Sydney for a sightseeing tour. Depart on a private tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Uncover the stories, history and magic of the Sydney Opera House with an incredible guided tour, taking you underneath the world-famous sails. Visit the stunning Botanical Gardens situated right in the heart of Sydney. En-route pass through Macquarie Street named after the fifth Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie. Here see Australia's first Parliament House, Mint, Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary's Cathedral. The tour continues onto Mrs Macquarie's Chair situated on the two water's edge, enjoy a walking tour of the harbour's edge with magnificent views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Stop for lunch at Darling Harbour with views over the Darling Harbour. Continue on through Darling Point, one of Sydney's most affluent suburbs and see some of Sydney's most sought-after addresses. Travel back to Sydney via the vibrant Oxford Street and the suburb of Paddington; admire this boutique shopping precinct and the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture of the homes. You will be transferred to Sydney airport for your evening flight to Darwin.
Day 2 - Transfer to the airport for a flight from Darwin to Davidson's Safari Lodge in Arnhem Land. The Lodge is located on an exclusive lease of 700km² of pristine wilderness and is surrounded by a landscape of rugged ranges fringed by idyllic billabongs. A significant section of this property is a registered sacred site and offers abundant wildlife, a multitude of sacred sites and Aboriginal cave art, occupation, and burial sites. An introductory tour involves a short walk to see the famous Rainbow Serpent where guests will learn about the local rock art, the geology of the area and some of the local bush tucker and medicine. Finish up the day with a glass of wine and nibbles as the sun sets over the floodplain.
Day 3 - Enjoy one of the many excursions offered by the Lodge. Join a morning visit to the local rock shelter with stunning rock art that spans thousands of years and that give insights into the regional aboriginal way of life. Or set of on a tour through savannah woodland, the local "natural supermarket" where plenty of local bush tucker can be harvested with the help of a guide. Take an afternoon boat trip through the many water channels and the open floodplain, where visitors can see some of the 275 bird species found in the region and one can try a hand at barramundi fishing in the pristine Cooper Creek. Spend the late afternoon on the billabong observing the wildlife including the many crocodiles that inhabit the watercourses, to then retreat to the Lodge for sunset cocktail and dinner under the stars.
Day 4 - Check out after breakfast to fly from Davidson's lodge to Darwin at 9am. Once in Darwin enjoy a guided city tour with St Mary's Cathedral, Esplanade, USS Perry Memorial, BAT House, old Admiralty House, Cenotaph, Parliament House, Government house, Old court house, old police station, Anglican. Cathedral, Pass bicentennial Park, Browns Mart, old town hall ruins. Then enjoy a lunch at famed restaurant, Wharf One. Depart for a city orientation tour and see St. Mary's Cathedral, the Esplanade, and the Old Town Ruins and have a short stop at the Botanical Gardens.
Day 5 - Board a flight from Darwin to Uluru and check in at Longitude 131 in the afternoon. Longitude 131 at Uluru is a luxury hotel located within the viewshed of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with its iconic and spiritually important sandstone monolith "Uluru." Enjoy an evening of recuperating in a stunning environment that offers one of the world's most unique sunsets and night sky-gazing from comfortable modern patios with full service and optional narration by in-house astronomer.
Day 6 - Wake up and enjoy an early morning expedition to Walpa Gorge among the dome formations of Kata Tjuta, to discover how eons of weathering and continental upheaval have created today's dramatic landscape. After your own first-hand experience of the wonder this formation evokes, visit the Cultural Center to learn what meaning and spiritual significance the Aboriginal groups in the region attribute to the landscape. After lunch take a Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge Journey to the base of Uluru to learn about the history of the Mala people, to marvel at cave paintings, sources of bush tucker and other important sites nearby. Enter Kantju Gorge at dusk to witness the gorge walls illuminated in the vivid evening light, enjoying sunset drinks and canapés in the silence and solitude.
Day 7 - Wake up to the peaceful view of Uluru. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney.
This description is a general overview of the programme only and changes may be made if local conditions require. Space is limited, therefore once reserved, this program is non-refundable. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this excursion.
Please note: This excursion is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. All vehicles utilised are the best available. Pack carefully; luggage weight restriction is limited to 50 lb. (23 kg) plus one carry on limited to 22lbs. (10 kg). Plan on wearing layers of clothing for comfort depending on the weather. Sunblock, wide-brimmed, expedition-style hats and sunglasses are necessary. This Land Adventure involves touring outdoors and guests may be exposed warm and/or inclement weather. Bring rain gear. The tour itinerary and order of sites are subject to change without prior notice.
INCLUDED:
- 2 O/N at Darwin Hilton
- 2 O/N at Longitude 131
- 2 O/N at Davidson Arnhemland Lodge
- Touring in private vehicles with A/C & PA-system with water
- Local English-speaking tour guide on transfers and sightseeing tours
- Entrance fees at all sites as per itinerary
- All meals as per itinerary including drinks
- Silversea escort
- Flights - Sydney > Darwin > Davidson Lodge > Darwin > Ayers Rock > Darwin
Please note:
All Land Programs require a minimum number of participants in order to operate as described. If this minimum number is not obtained, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel a specific departure.
This description is a general overview of the highlights of this program. The local Silversea representative will do everything possible to insure that all of the sites described here are visited, though the tour sequence and specific sites mentioned is subject to change. Closure of some sites due to local or national holiday observances, flight schedules, weather or other factors may affect the program, and the local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if necessary.
Lunches and dinners (except in-flight meals) include two glasses of local beer, soft drinks or mineral water.
Gratuities to guides/drivers, meals and alcoholic drinks other than those noted in itinerary, and other personal expenses are not included in the price of this tour. This program is subject to a 100% penalty for any cancellation notices received 90 days or less prior to sailing.
All Land Adventure fares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable for any reason, within 90 days of sailing and are recommended to guests 18 years or age and older. Our local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if local situations, including holidays and weather, require. Silversea shall have no obligation or liability of any kind to guests for the business practices, acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground-tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Silversea Cruises. Silversea's liability does not extend beyond the vessel.