Brisbane 2003
Rotary International Convention

Australia Panorama

Melbourne * Great Barrier Reef * Hayman Island * Sydney

May 22 - Jun 2, 2003

Highlights:

Melbourne and its beautiful gardens, charming Victorian district and excellent museums and galleries The Great Barrier Reef, with its rainbow displays of coral life The charming "penguin parade" on Phillip Island Cosmopolitan Sydney with its dazzling harbor A performance at the legendary Opera House in Sydney

May 22 & 23
Depart for Melbourne, Australia
Depart from your home city to Los Angeles, where you are met by a Travcoa representative who helps you board your flight to Australia. Arrive in Melbourne on Saturday, as Friday is lost crossing the International Date Line.

May 24, 25 & 26
Melbourne
Upon arrival in Melbourne you are met by your Travcoa Travel Director and transferred to your luxury hotel. The remainder of the afternoon on Saturday is yours to spend as you wish, exploring or resting after your overseas flight. This evening enjoy a festive dinner party, where you will meet your fellow travelers and learn about the wonderful events ahead.

During your stay in Melbourne, Australia's second largest city, visit Captain Cook's Cottage, which was transplanted from Yorkshire, England; the formal gardens of Fitzroy Gardens; the Shrine of Remembrance, a World War I memorial; the stylish and vibrant St Kilda Road; Victoria Arts Center with theaters, the National Gallery and museums; and the shopping district. There is plenty of time to stroll the boulevards or shop.

Drive to Phillip Island, a delightful seaside resort, to see the famous "march of the penguins" - hundreds of fairy penguins (the smallest type) parade daily from the water to their nests on the beach.
Park Hyatt Melbourne

May 27, 28 & 29
Hayman Island, Great Barrier Reef
One of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef stretches from the Papua New Guinea region all the way south to the Tropic of Capricorn - a lenght of more than 1,200 miles. The Great Barrier Reef is a series of reefs, coral cays, islands and tiny islets in the wonderfully clear blue-green sea, rarely more than 100 feet deep. This strip of shallow ocean harbors the most varied and colorful marine life found anywhere in the world.

Fly Tuesday afternoon to Hamilton Island, where you emark on the graceful Sun Goddess yacht to Hayman Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Cruise through the idyllic Whitsunday Islands while enjoying champagne and canapes. After a relaxing cruise, arrive in Hayman Island, a small and secluded, mountainous and verdant island in the most beautiful part of Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Unwind at the luxurious Hayman Resort, your home for the next three nights, with broad, white beaches, tropical landscaping, beach-front rooms and excellent leisure facilities. During your stay, enjoy superb cuisine and a spectacular trip by seaplane to the Barrier Reef for some incredible coral viewing.
Hayman Island Resort

May 30, 31 & Jun 1
Sydney
Friday fly to Sydney and transfer to your luxury hotel, where you enjoy a beautiful and relaxing harbor-view room.

Saturday visit Darling Harbor with its monorail; historical Mrs. Macquarie's Chair; Kings Cross; the Rocks area, site of the first colonial settlement; Bondi Beach and the charming, Victorian residence area of Paddington. A delightful luncheon cruise takes you through Sydney Harbor, sailing under the Harbor Bridge with panoramic views of Elizabeth Bay and the Opera House. In the late afternoon, a chauffeured limousine takes you to the Opera House to view the lavish interior and attend a performance.

Sunday, visit the wildlife sanctuary to see Australia's prized animals - koalas, kangaroos and wombats - in their natural setting. This evening enjoy a festive farewell dinner party.
Park Hyatt Hotel

Jun 2
Sydney to Brisbane
Leave this morning on your flight to Los Angeles. Gain a day crossing the International Date Line, and arrive Monday morning to connect with your flight to your home city.
Commence Rotary International Convention Arrangements

For more information on any of the fabulous Travcoa Pre Convention Tours drop us a note or call Rex Travel at 800-777-7739