Southern Cross Travel is THE longhaul specialist

Why not follow our very own 'Aussie Specialist of the Year' 2008/2009's recommendations on how to enjoy Australia to the full without spending the life savings...?!

DESTINATION: East Coast, Australia
DURATION: Two weeks
 

We've chosen the cheapest season and flights, flying economy to Sydney via Hong Kong with Virgin Atlantic on May 1st, and basing your stay for 12 nights at the Pensione, a historic hotel in central Sydney.

Penny suggests you buy a seven-day Sydney Pass at the airport, which covers all Explorer buses, ferries and suburban trains and will pay for your train journey from the airport. A harbour cruise is also included.

Over the course of the next seven days, we recommend exploring the city on the Red Explorer bus, taking a ferry to Manly for fish and chips on the beach, and using the Blue Explorer bus to travel to Bondi, the south side's famous surfing beach...
 

We've chosen the cheapest season and flights, flying economy to Sydney via Hong Kong with Virgin Atlantic on May 1st, and basing your stay for 12 nights at the Pensione, a historic hotel in central Sydney.

Penny suggests you buy a seven-day Sydney Pass at the airport, which covers all Explorer buses, ferries and suburban trains and will pay for your train journey from the airport. A harbour cruise is also included.

Over the course of the next seven days, we recommend exploring the city on the Red Explorer bus, taking a ferry to Manly for fish and chips on the beach, and using the Blue Explorer bus to travel to Bondi, the south side's famous surfing beach.

Penny also suggests taking the ferry to Taronga Zoo, where you can check out some of Australia's unique wildlife and get some wonderful views back to the city.

Before the seven-day pass expires, clients should take a harbour cruise and have a walk in the Botanical Gardens, then jump on the ferry to Watson's Bay for a meal at Doyle's.

Once you have had the time to see the best of Sydney, you could now begin to use your Australian Pacific Touring day pass, which can be pre-purchased for about £75.00. The pass gives Sightsee 'n' Save coupons which can be used to pay for APT day trips.

Two must-do trips are a four-wheel drive small group adventure to the Blue Mountains, and a visit to the Hunter Valley for wine tasting.

Why not use your final days to see the last of Sydney, relaxing at Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, or maybe even take in an experience such as the Harbour Bridge climb, before returning to the UK on May 15th?

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Have you been saving your cash and feel now is the opportune moment for a holiday you will never forget? Why not follow Penny's recommendations for once in a lifetime trip...

DESTINATION: East Coast, Australia
DURATION: 12 days
 

We suggest travelling over Christmas and New Year, including limousine transfers and business-class flights with Emirates, stopping over for three nights in a Gold Club room at The Palace at the One & Only Mirage in Dubai en route. The stopover breaks up the journey and is a great way to start your trip.

On arrival in Sydney on December 22nd, Penny recommends picking up a Holden Commodore hire car and driving to Port Stephens for two nights at Peppers Anchorage and a bit of sunbathing and sailing.

Then it's off to the Hunter Valley for Christmas, spending four nights at Peppers Guesthouse and indulging in great food, wine tasting, golf and tennis...
 

We suggest travelling over Christmas and New Year, including limousine transfers and business-class flights with Emirates, stopping over for three nights in a Gold Club room at The Palace at the One & Only Mirage in Dubai en route. The stopover breaks up the journey and is a great way to start your trip.

On arrival in Sydney on December 22nd, Penny recommends picking up a Holden Commodore hire car and driving to Port Stephens for two nights at Peppers Anchorage and a bit of sunbathing and sailing.

Then it's off to the Hunter Valley for Christmas, spending four nights at Peppers Guesthouse and indulging in great food, wine tasting, golf and tennis.

On December 28th, clients can head back to Sydney via the Blue Mountains, and get settled in the Shangri-La hotel, in a room with a view of the Opera House, for five nights.

To make the trip even more special, Penny suggests a sea-plane trip over the harbour with lunch at Doyle's in Watson's Bay. Once you’re settled in the city, she then suggests an Opera House tour with category A seats for a performance, dinner and wine.

For a more al fresco New Year's Eve, she recommends asking the hotel to make up a gourmet picnic, then staking your spot in the Botanical Gardens ready for the spectacular fireworks.

With just one day of your trip left, why not finish your holiday with a bang and take an air safari to an outback cattle ranch, before spending a final night in Sydney?

Put your glad rags on, stroll through the city, watch the harbour lights sparkle across the water, and eat until your heart's content at the glamorous and renowned Waterfront restaurant. Then it's back to the UK, flying Emirates business class again, on January 2nd and straight to the nearest shop to get the photos developed!
 

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