Itinerary-2024

Sisselbergs Go Down Under 2024

Lizard Island - Blue Mountains - Tasmania - Melbourne
January 4 - 29, 2024

Thursday, Jan 4, 2024  Day 1

2:30 pm Boston to Dallas 6:05pm 

9:15 pm Dallas to Sydney 7:30 am + 2 days

Friday, Jan 5  Day 2

Cross International Date Line during flight

Saturday, Jan 6  Day 3

9:30 am Sydney to Cairns 11:35 am 

2 pm Cairns to Lizard Island 3pm

Lizard Island Resort - The only property located on 1013 hectare National Park, northern most resort on Great Barrier Reef. All-inclusive stay.

Sunday, Jan 7  Day 4

Inner Reef Dive for Steven! Informal snorkel for the rest of the group

Overnight: Lizard Island Resort

Monday, Jan 8  Day 5

9 am Hike to Watson's Bay and Snorkel in Clam Garden

Overnight: Lizard Island Resort

Tuesday, Jan 9  Day 6

Leave Lizard Island at 3:25 pm to Cairns 4:25 pm

6:25 pm Cairns to Sydney 10:20 pm

Drive to Bowen Mountain in Blue Mountains.

Spicers Sangoma Resort 4 nights. Cocooned by natural serenity of Blue Mountains, this eco-retreat nestled among giant boulders and stunning eucalyptus offers tranquil escape. Named blue mountains because of blue haze created by light interacting with the vapor emanating from the millions of eucalyptus trees, rugged region features dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and caves. Quaint villages dot landscape but the real fun is hiking in and around waterfalls.

Overnight: Spicers Sangoma Resort

Wednesday, Jan 10  Day 7

Hike to Poet's Rock, Master Bartending Class, Sisselmans' Crazy 8s

Overnight: Spicers Sangoma Resort

Thursday, Jan 11  Day 8

Explore Blue Mountains with Tread Lightly Eco Tours

Depart Sangoma at 9 am together, then split into two tours for the day.

Greenbergs: 4WD tour with hike into canyons and rainforest terrain at Wentworth Falls, visit Three Sisters Formation, search for kangaroos in the Megalong Valley

Sisselmans: Full day bush walk with guide through the Grand Canyon 6k wilderness trails with rock hopping at canyon's base.

Overnight: Spicers Sangoma Resort

Friday, Jan 12  Day 9

Hike to Vale of Avoca Lookout

Overnight: Spicers Sangoma Resort

Saturday, Jan 13  Day 10

Back to Sydney to catch our flight to Tazzy!

1:20 pm leave Sydney to Hobart 3:15 pm

Hobart

Hobart, Tasmania's harbourside capital city, is set on the shores of the River Derwent, with Mt Wellington as a backdrop. Hobart is a city of sails and sandstone, festivals and flavours - colourful spinnakers on the harbour, fine old 19th century warehouses along Salamanca Place, the fun and music of the waterfront Summer Festival and excellent restaurants highlighting Tasmania's fine fresh produce. Easy day tour to wineries of Southern Wine Route, to tall forests and national parks or to Port Arthur.                                                                           

Overnight: MACq 01 at Hobart waterfront 

                                                  

Sunday, Jan 14 Day 11

Explore Hobart

The coastlines, landscapes, and waterways of the Southwest National Park provide some of the most majestic scenery you can see anywhere in the world.

And given its rugged terrain and remote location, very few people have the opportunity to visit and enjoy this largely untouched region.

Overnight: MACq 01 at Hobart waterfront 

Monday, Jan 15 Day 12

Hobart to Freycinet National Park - about 3 hrs

• Drop in at Kate’s Berry Farm before Swansea for a delicious fruit pie with rich vanilla ice cream.
• Stop for lunch and wine tastings at Devil’s Corner cellar door – and don’t forget to take in the view from the award winning lookout.▪
• Drive to Cape Tourville Lighthouse and lookout
• Time permitting, consider drive to Tribunna and catching the passenger ferry to Maria Island. Choose a walk, take in the scenery and spot the wildlife. Return to mainland then stop at Spiky Bridge and continue on to Coles Bay!

Overnight: Saffire Lodge, Freycinet

Saffire Freycinet is Australia’s luxury coastal sanctuary on Tasmania’s East Coast, delivering sophisticated and intimate style and an inspirational experience. Discreetly positioned overlooking the Hazards Mountains, Freycinet Peninsula and the pristine waters of Great Oyster Bay, Saffire blends mankind and nature with breathtaking beauty. Featuring luxurious suites, exclusive day spa, restaurant, guest lounge and bar, this new experience is a celebration of the art of service, internal and external wellbeing, local culinary delights, ancient landscapes and abundant wildlife. In Palate restaurant, the head chef has ensured innovative dining does not compromise the true flavours of the freshest local produce. From breakfast through to a gourmet degustation or a la carte dinner, guests can customise their dining experiences to suit all tastes and schedules.

Tuesday, Jan 16 Day 13

10 am - 12 Oyster Tour

Overnight: Freycinet

Wednesday, Jan 17 Day 14

Overnight: Freycinet

Thursday, Jan 18 Day 15

Drive from Freycinet to Barnbougle

With the route through St Helen, can detour and see Bay of Fire. Bay of Fires is a truly special region north of St. Helens on Tasmania’s north-east coast with clean white beaches, blue water and granite rocks splashed with orange lichen. Beach activities and bird-watching are popular in this beautiful reserve. You may even see a pod of dolphins as they cruise along parallel to the beach. The area is also known for its snorkelling and diving, with scenic reefs, corals, underwater caves and abundant sea life.

Overnight: Barnbougle Dunes

Friday, Jan 19 Day 16

Barnbougle - Golf round 1

Dinner: Dunes Bistro Restaurant

Overnight: Barnbougle Dunes

Saturday, Jan 20 Day 17

Dinner: Lost Farm Sports Bar 

Overnight: Barnbougle Dunes

Sunday, Jan 21 Day 18

Barnbougle - Golf round 2

Dinner: Lost Farm Lodge Restaurant

Overnight: Barnbougle Dunes

Monday, Jan 22 Day 19

Travel to Melbourne

2:00 pm leave Launceston to Melbourne 3:10 pm

Overnight: Melbourne Air B&B

Tuesday, Jan 23 Day 20

Free day to explore Melbourne

Wednesday, Jan 24 Day 21

Australian Open Tennis (6 tickets)

Thursday, Jan 25 Day 22

Australian Open Tennis (6 tickets)

Friday, Jan 26 Day 23

2 pm Sisselmans head home from Melbourne 

Saturday, Jan 27 Day 24

Australian Open Tennis (semifinals for 2)

Sunday, Jan 28 Day 25

Australian Open Tennis (finals for 2)

Monday, Jan 29  Day 26

Greenbergs return home

Dept: Melbourne 12:30 pm to Los Angeles 7:50 am