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Best of Australia
21 DAYS FROM £2925

This holiday has departures available between: 5th Sep 2010 to 20th Nov 2011
Book to depart on 5th or 26th September by 24th March and SAVE £500 per couple. Offer subject to availability.
592Andy SmithUK We have just returned from our holiday, The Best of Australia + Singapore and Bangkok.

We all had a fantastic time. Our Tour Director Jeannie was superb. She went that extra mile to make it so good. The whole holiday went with out a hitch.

We would recommend this holiday to anyone thinking of going to Australia. The stopovers made the travelling much more bearable. We hope you can pass on our thanks to Jeannie for such a great time had by all. yes1592Keith & Lynda DeardenUK My wife and I booked the Best of Australia with Archers as a 'once in a lifetime' holiday to celebrate our 60th birthdays this year. It was simply sensational! Everything was well organised and planned to perfection.

Karen, our Tour Director was very efficient and well organised. Nothing was too much trouble for her. Highlights? Everything! But especially Ayers Rock, Alice Springs and the Outback BBQ! It was the most succulent steak we have ever tasted and you have to be there to see the stars in the night sky - simply stunning!

Everyone must get to Australia at least once in their lifetime, and if you do - go with Archers! no1Dearden - best of australia1.JPGDearden - best of australia1_TN.JPGMy holiday photos: Best of Australia292178592Susan SmithUKWe have just returned from our first Archers tour the Best of Australia, and it won't be the last. We had a stopover in Singapore on the way out and a stopover in Bangkok on the way back which broke the journey both ways, which we would recommend doing. We were met at Perth airport by our rep Susi Stark who was wonderful - the whole way round she could not do enough for us all .The things she taught us, all done with professionalism and humour will stay with us forever. Perth was a lovely city, Ayers Rock was amazing, especially viewed with champagne and canapes! Cairns was great - we had two lovely days out, one to Green Island and another to Kuranda, then it was on to Sydney. We wish we had had longer there; we climbed the bridge, which had to be done! We even managed to catch up with family there. Canberra was next which was really interesting, then on to Melbourne. The rain followed us around but did not dampen our spirits! In fact next time they have a drought we are more than willing to go back. The others in the group were all good fun and really nice people; in fact we all left each other as friends. We would certainly recommend Archers to all our friends and can't wait for the new brochure to decide what is next!no1592Iris SaxonUK Singapore, Australia, Thailand - the holiday of a lifetime. Singapore is the cleanest country we have ever visited. Flowers everywhere and the most charming people and what excitement to visit the famous Raffles Hotel bar and drop peanut shells all over the floor.

Australia is a country of great variation from temperate beautiful Perth in the west to the hot and arid fascinating Ayers Rock and Alice springs. Then north to gorgeous tropical Cairns and amazing Great Barrier Reef. Sydney is a great bustling city full of life and spectacular scenery. Melbourne is stunning and more sedate and Bangkok is an amazing vibrant city of wonderful golden temples and incredible food.

During this wonderful holiday we watched little penguins emerging from the sea and waddling up the beach to their nests in the dunes as darkness fell. We watched an Aboriginal display of spear and boomerang throwing. We saw the biggest crocodiles imaginable in Cairns Zoo then cuddled the adorable Koala Bears and stroked and fed kangaroos and wallabies.

We rode over the rain forest in an amazing cable car surrounded by flocks of parrots. We stroked the incredibly cute wombats and watched shoals of beautiful rainbow coloured fish from a glass bottom boat. We had lunch on the famous Bondi Beach, sailed past the Sydney Opera House and under the bridge then in Ballarat we rode up the dusty high street of a mining town as it was in 1852 in an authentic stage coach.

Afterwards we watched tourists panning for gol at the old mine. We had a wonderful day at sea watching dolphins during which we had a superb lunch. We had a superb BBQ in the desert outback under the brilliant starlit sky and an interesting time in Canberra at the seat of government.

Each of the ten hotels that we stayed in were of extremely good quality and most had a swimming pool. All the food was excellent. We flew on 8 flights and each went smoothly and efficiently.

Altogether worth every penny! no1592Hazel & Geoff TravisUK We have done quite a few tours with a number of different companies but can honestly say this was the best.

Not only was the tour well organised by your staff but they were most helpful in organising our extension to Adelaide & Bangkok. Everything worked like clockwork. Our tour guide was first class - told us what we needed to know and extra tours which were available but also offered to make enquiries of any others which we might be interested in. There was no pressure from her to take any tours but she was there if we needed her for any reason - a good professional job done.

Although the weather in Cairns was not of the best we enjoyed our visit to the Green Island, in a full gale. Fortunately we are both good sailors although there was much "feeding of the fish" by others! We particularly enjoyed our time in Alice Springs and the optional meal out in the country when we not only had good fun but a wonderful, wonderful moment when we had the talk on the stars.

Again our thanks to all your team. We have already told many friends about Archers and we hope to be travelling with you again soon. no1592Mr & Mrs StewardSheffield We have recently returned from The Best of Australia tour, I don't quite know how to express just how much we enjoyed the whole trip to say it was fantastic seems such an understatement.

Our tour director, Bo was a joy to be with so caring and friendly, always there to advise Hat- Sunscreen- Water, but not at all intrusive.

Our first stop Perth was great and much enjoyed, then on to Ayers Rock watching the sun go down over the rock whilst sipping champagne, then on to Alice Springs a once in a lifetime experience.

Cairns very nice, Melbourne was busy and with a cosmopolitan air to it. The capital of Australia Canberra quite small but very interesting, but the jewel in the crown is Sydney it has such a friendly and welcoming city. Imagine having dinner in a restaurant in the harbour with a view of the bridge to your left and in front the moonlight over the opera house, what more could you ask.

We had some great optional tours in the three weeks, the Melbourne Colonial Tram Dinner is a must too, trundling through the streets eating a wonderful meal and drinking wine in a tram car decorated not unlike the orient express, what a night.

The people on the tour were a great crowd, we started off strangers and became friends over our journey.

The Australian people, the weather and the fantastic food made this the most unforgettable holiday of a lifetime, I had a tear in my eye when it became time to leave this wonderful country, we would make a return trip in a heart beat. We would recommend this tour having been on several with your company this is the best and will take some beating.

We added on the Singapore and Bangkok and found it very beneficial to break the long journey, while both Asian countries they are so very different and interesting.

We had some very nice hotels along the way and now look forward to our next adventure with Archers on the Spanish Panorama. no1592Damien & Elaine MurrayLuton On November 5th we travelled to Australia, it was the first time we have taken a touring holiday, but I have to say what an experience. It was fantastic and we packed so much into three weeks.

I would like to say a very big thank you to Alison Diddams who was our tour director, she was fantastic and we her sense of humour and her professional manner she made sure our holiday run smoothly. She made sure we did not miss an opportunity to see as much as possible. With her background knowlegde she made sure we made the best of our time. She must be a real assest to the company.

It was one holiday I will never forget. A big thank you to Archers and Alison. no1592Mr R RuffellLondon On 14th May I left Heathrow Airport for the start of the longest journey I had ever made. My destination was Western Australia for the start of my first ever visit to the continent of Australia. We flew via Singapore and the journey took about 19 hours.

There were 21 people on the tour, everyone from Britain. The tour started in Perth where we spent 3 nights and while there we had a city tour on the first day and then the choice of an optional tour. The optional tour I chose was the wine-tasting cruise up the Black Swan River on which we visited 2 vineyards for some wine-tasting and had a very scenic cruise on the river.

From Perth we flew to Ayers Rock for some fantastic sightseeing before flying to Alice Springs and visiting the old telegraph station and a visit to Alice Springs Desert Park. After Alice Springs our next stop was Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef where we had a trip in a glass bottomed boat to see the wonders of the reef and a visit to Green Island.

After Cairns our next city to visit was Sydney where we had 2 days of sightseeing before leaving to drive to the capital, Canberra. In Canberra after our city tour we had a visit to the Parliament building for a tour and a visit to the War museum.

Next we had another full day's drive to Melbourne for the last stop on our tour where we had two days to see the city before our final flight home to Britain. In Melbourne I did the optional Sports Lovers tour on which we visited Melbourne Racecourse, Melbourne Cricket Ground and finally had a visit to a brewery. Then next day it was goodbye to Australia as we left for the long flight home to Britain.

It was a 3 week tour which I really enjoyed and as with all the other Archers tours I have been on, it was really well organised and easy to book. no1592Mr & Mrs CooperHull Just sending you this e-mail to thank you for your help setting up our holiday in Australia.

We returned home last Saturday and had fantastic time in Oz. Everything was first class, transfers and accommodation were excellent. Our reps were 1st class (Steve & Susie) and very helpful. Sightseeing and trips were fantastic.

The full holiday was absolutely brilliant and I would recommend this holiday and Archers Direct to anyone. no1592Mr & Mrs WilsonFlintshire Having just completed the Best of Australia tour, I felt that I had to write to say what a brilliant tour this was, brilliantly organised and well thought out.

The Australian courier, Judy Thompson, was one hundred per cent plus. To the rest of your staff please say a huge thank you. no1592Ms C BulleyLeeds I have recently returned from your tour which departed on 23rd January which was the best of Australia.

I would like to commend the tour leader Alison Diddams who is a true professional and one of the best tour leaders I have ever experienced. no1592Mr & Mrs TomsCornwall Thank you for a wonderful well organized holiday thoroughly enjoyed. This was our second holiday with Archers and unlikely to be the last!

We met people who had used your company up to 10 times so that has to be a recommendation to anyone considering your holidays for the first time. no1
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From laid-back Perth and the massive rock monolith of Ayers Rock, to the stunning Great Barrier Reef and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Sydney - experience the Best of Australia.

Included highlights worth £355

Perth City sightseeing
Ayers Rock The Olgas and rock base tour including champagne sunset
Alice Springs Old Telegraph Station, School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctor Service
Cairns Great Barrier Reef cruise
Sydney City sightseeing and harbour cruise
Canberra City sightseeing, visit the Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial Museum; BBQ lunch at a sheep station
Albury
Melbourne City sightseeing

Your Price Includes

Flights: UK - Perth - Ayers Rock; Alice Springs - Cairns - Sydney; Melbourne - UK
Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
Meals on tour 2 lunches (L)
Local Guides (driver/guide in Alice Springs and Ayers Rock) will accompany the tour at each centre
Porterage at hotels during tour
Transfers between overseas airports and hotels
All local and airport taxes/service charges

Holiday Itinerary

DAY 1: Depart UK.
Overnight flight to Perth, via Singapore.

DAY 2: Arrive Perth.
On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for three nights. The rest of the day is yours to relax.

DAY 3: Perth.
Beautifully located on the Swan River, Perth is a laid-back, sunny city with a glittering, high-rise centre. This morning you'll experience the unique atmosphere and impressive landmarks of this vibrant, modern city on your sightseeing tour. Soak up views of Perth's soaring skyline and Swan River from Kings Park, see the city's exclusive suburbs and discover the stunning and historic Fremantle.

DAY 4: Perth.
See more of this beautiful city at your own pace.

DAY 5: Perth - Ayers Rock.
A midday flight will take you to Ayers Rock, Australia's legend-swathed monolith. Travel to the Sunset Strip vantage point, where you will enjoy champagne and canapés while experiencing, and of course photographing, one of the world's great spectacles - Ayers Rock at sunset.

DAY 6: Ayers Rock - Alice Springs.
Start your day with a morning tour of the Olgas, 28 spectacular rock domes. Another sacred Aboriginal site, these incredible formations are known as 'Heads of Giants' and are divided by a series of high gorges. Afterwards, enjoy a tour around the base of Uluru, the extraordinary monolith, whose circumference is studded with caves decorated with Aboriginal paintings and carvings. After returning to your hotel, drive to the outback town of Alice Springs.

DAY 7: Alice Springs.
The Red Centre of Australia is a totally unique area. In the geographic centre of the country, Alice Springs is close to some of the most awe-inspiring and colourful natural wonders of the world, including MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm and Simpson's Gap. Enjoy a morning tour with a visit to the Old Telegraph Station, the School of the Air, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (subject to opening times). The afternoon is yours to relax or explore further.

DAY 8: Alice Springs - Cairns.
Fly to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Australia's tropical rainforests.

DAY 9: Cairns - Great Barrier Reef.
The world's largest coral reef, made up of over 3,000 individual reefs and over 1,250 miles long, is one of our planet's most amazing natural wonders. Your catamaran cruise to Green Island, a 6,000 year old coral cay, will offer opportunities for strolling through cool rainforest, lazing on white coral sands, swimming or snorkelling on the surrounding coral reef. You may wish to take a ride on a glass bottom boat to see some of the world's most colourful coral and other marine life. (L)

DAY 10-11: Cairns.
Set amongst lush rainforests, soaring peaks and the ocean, Cairns is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations. It has many attractions, including a scenic railway which runs to the picturesque market town of Kuranda, and a cable car that glides over Australia's World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforest canopy. You have two full days to relax or explore.

DAY 12: Cairns - Sydney.
Fly to Sydney for three nights.

DAY 13: Sydney.
Sydney is Australia's oldest and largest city and boasts one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, home to the instantly recognisable Sydney Harbour Bridge, and world famous architectural wonder - the Sydney Opera House. In the morning your sightseeing tour will take you through the commercial and shopping heart of Sydney. You'll see Chinatown and Darling Harbour before heading to historical Mrs Macquarie's Chair, where you will have a breathtaking view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. You'll also enjoy a cruise around the main harbour, offering magnificent views of the city skyline, harbour side beaches and stunning waterfront homes.

DAY 14: Sydney.
A full day in this wonderful city.

DAY 15: Sydney - Canberra.
Travel through undulating sheep and cattle country to the outskirts of Canberra, and stop for a BBQ lunch at an authentic Australian sheep station. This afternoon tour Australia's gracious capital. Highlights include Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin, National Library, High Court and the Australian War Memorial Museum. (L)

DAY 16: Canberra - Albury.
Drive to Albury, which along with its twin settlement Wodonga, lies on the New South Wales and Victoria border.

DAY 17: Albury - Melbourne.
This morning travel to Melbourne for three nights, stopping at the historic gold mining town of Beechworth on the way.

DAY 18: Melbourne.
The capital of the State of Victoria and the second largest city in Australia, Melbourne's charm lies in the magnificently preserved Victorian architecture of its many public buildings and gracious homes. This morning your city tour will take in the main highlights, starting in the city centre, then on to the exclusive suburbs of South Yarra and Toorak and finally to the Westgate Bridge for panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay. The afternoon is free to explore more of the 'Garden City'.

DAY 19: Melbourne.
A full day to relax and explore.

DAY 20: Melbourne - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, via Singapore.

DAY 21: Home landing in the UK.

Check prices and availability for this holiday

Accommodation on Tour

Perth: Mercure Perth; Ayers Rock: Outback Pioneer; Alice Springs: All Seasons Oasis; Cairns: The Lakes; Sydney: Old Sydney Holiday Inn; Canberra: Novotel Canberra; Albury: Chifley; Melbourne: Mercure Spring Street.
Note: Tour hotels will be as specified or alternatives of a similar standard.

Australia Extensions

We have a range of pre and post tour extensions available. For information on the various possibilities please contact our Specialist Sales Team on: 0844 573 4829.

Visa Information

A visa is required for entry into Australia. If you are a British Citizen, we can arrange the visa for you. For details please contact our Specialist Sales Team on 0844 573 4829.

Add New Zealand

Combine your tour with our exciting Naturally New Zealand tour. Fly from Melbourne to Christchurch on day 20 of your Best of Australia tour, joining the Naturally New Zealand tour on day 3.

Things to note...

Local Guide
As a minimum, you will have the services of a local driver/guide in each centre.

Holiday Extensions

  • Some Fiji's beaches
    View Holiday Photos

    Best of Australia + Fiji - 6 Extra nights from £474

    You can extend your holiday with a visit to the South Pacific paradise of Fiji, which lies east of Australia and comprises over 330 islands.

  • Stunning Milford Sound
    View Holiday Photos

    Best of Australia + Naturally New Zealand - 38 DAYS FROM £4369

    Combine the Best of Australia with our new Naturally New Zealand tour. This 38 day holiday will give you a comprehensive look at these two neighbouring, yet contrasting countries.

  • The stunning Gold Coast
    View Holiday Photos

    Best of Australia + The Gold Coast - 3 Extra nights from £330

    You can extend your holiday with a visit to the golden beach paradise of the Gold Coast. With over 40 miles of stunning sands 'surfers paradise' also offers award winning dining, amazing shopping and thrilling attractions.

Accommodation on Extensions

Best of Australia + Fiji - 6 Extra nights from £474

  • The main swimming pool
    View Holiday Photos

    Sheraton Fiji DiamondDiamondDiamondDiamond

    Bright, tropical and airy, the Sheraton Fiji Resort is an excellent choice for a fun-filled or a relaxing holiday. As part of the larger Sheraton complex, you can enjoy a wide range of sports activities, facilities and spa treatments available.

    Location: On Denaru Island, just 20 minutes drive via a causeway from Nadi International Airport. Close to the marina.
    Facilities: 3 restaurants; 2 cafés; swimming pool; 18-hole golf course; tennis courts; watersports available; electronic safe and minibar in rooms.
    Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room with private facilities; air-conditioning; ceiling fan; private balcony; flat screen TV with movie channels; fridge; hairdryer; tea/coffee-making facilities; iron and board.
    (See page 110, 112)

Best of Australia + Naturally New Zealand - 38 DAYS FROM £4369

Accommodation on Tour

Christchurch: Ibis; Queenstown: Heartland Hotel Queenstown; Te Anau: Distinction Luxmore Hotel; Dunedin: Mercure; Hanmer Springs: Heritage Hanmer Springs; Nelson: Trailways Nelson; Wellington: Ibis; Rotorua: Ibis; Bay of Islands: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands; Auckland: Mercure.Note: Tour hotels will be as specified or alternatives of a similar standard.

Best of Australia + The Gold Coast - 3 Extra nights from £330

  • Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise
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    Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise DiamondDiamondDiamondDiamond

    In a superb location by the beach and in the heart of Surfers Paradise, this fresh, modern hotel offers excellent standards as well as a warm welcome, making it the perfect choice for a relaxing stay.

    Location: The hotel is situated in the heart of Surfers Paradise, approximately 100 yards from the beach. A good selection of shops, restaurants as well as other attractions and entertainment surround the hotel.
    Facilities: Sirocco restaurant and bar serving à la carte and buffet meals; swimming pool; whirlpool; gym; sauna; room service; money exchange; laundry service; high speed internet connection available; safe and minibar in bedrooms.
    Price includes: Room with private facilities; air-conditioning; balcony with Pacific Ocean view; flatscreen TV with cable/satellite channels; coffee/tea-maker; hairdryer; iron/ironing board.
    Options: Single room; breakfast.

Holiday Review: ,
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