Australia may be a bit further away than some destinations – but it is so worth it. Once you get there you will discover spectacular beaches and extraordinary scenery – and everything is stress free! You will enjoy first class infrastructure and an easy going, laid back culture that makes everything very simple. Yet Australia is also on the bucket list of many Canadians because there is so much that is unique – even the plants and animals are unlike anywhere else on the planet.
|
|
The scale of Australia is immense – this is the world’s sixth largest country, and the sheer size of its natural attractions and landmarks is truly impressive. The scenery can be other worldly and the aboriginal understanding of it is known as “Dreamtime”. Australia’s remarkable landscapes have earned it no less than 16 natural - or mixed cultural and natural sites - with UNESCO World Heritage status. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Gondwana Rainforest to the Great Blue Mountains and beyond there are many wonders to behold in this sunny paradise.
Australia also has delightful and sophisticated cities. English is spoken and everything is easy – usually helped along with some “amber nectar” in hand. And now it is even easier to visit Australia with Air Canada’s new daily non stop service from Vancouver to Brisbane.
Brisbane, the stylish capital city of Queensland, is a modern, vibrant city with a sunny, sub-tropical climate and great natural beauty. You can combine art and outdoor adventure in Brisbane – for instance at South Bank, where cultural institutions meet riverside gardens and a lagoon. South Bank includes 17 hectares of parklands, restaurants, cafes, bars, boutiques, museums and galleries. For a fun perspective of the city, take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane.
Experience the Aussie beach vibe in the heart of the Brisbane! This fully patrolled, man-made beach is free to use and boasts a sparkling lagoon surrounded by white sand and sub-tropical plants. Relax with an ice cream, have a swim and soak up the famous Queensland sunshine. Nearby Aquativity is a fun, interactive water-play park, ideal for young families.
Be sure to take a paddle steamer or ferry down the Brisbane River - or visit North Stradbroke Island (known affectionately as “Straddie”) just short ferry ride across Moreton Bay from Brisbane. Activities include eco-touring, 4WD tours, kayaking, fishing and sandboarding. Watch the dolphins surf, photograph the birdlife and wildflowers or just wander miles of untouched beach.
From Brisbane you can venture further to the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast. Go north to Cairns in Queensland’s tropical north. Cairns is a stylish city, which is also renowned for its relaxed, tropical climate and laid back ambience. From here you can visit the Great Barrier Reef. Go south to the beaches of the Gold Coast. High-rises are built around superb surf beaches like Surfers Paradise. Dive into lively nightlife, international theme parks and designer boutiques…..
It seems that cities set by an ocean harbour are often spectacularly beautiful and Brisbane and Sydney are no exception. In fact Sydney Harbour is regarded as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world and the jewel in the crown is Sydney’s iconic Opera House, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Thanks to Air Canada’s daily non stop service from Vancouver, Sydney is also very accessible. Sydney's surf beaches, more than 240 kilometres of shoreline and meandering waterways around the harbor, and the Sydney Opera House combine to create a wonderful city to visit. In addition to its man-made wonders, Sydney is blessed with many natural assets, such as beautiful public gardens, harbour islands and unspoilt foreshores. An excellent transport system and tailor-made tours also make Sydney a joy to explore.
The Bondi to Coogee Walk showcases Sydney’s finest ocean views as well as linking its beaches. As well as famous Bondi beach there are several others that are just as beautiful, including Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee.
Sydney of course has a colonial - and even a convict – past. The Rocks is an historic reminder of the colonial era. Wander the cobbled laneways, or join a Rocks Walking Tour for an entertaining portrait of Australia’s first European settlement. Complete your history lesson by visiting Fort Denison, an island with its own mini fort and canons.
The animals of Australia are so unique that a visit to Taronga Zoo at their incredible waterside address is a great introduction. The zoo houses 2,900 exotic and native species including kangaroos and koalas. For the ultimate sleepover, you can even camp overnight at the zoo.
Sydney Harbour Bridge – an engineering feat originally opened in 1932 – is nicknamed “the coathanger”. Visitors are free to walk or cycle across this vast structure that spans Sydney Harbour. Of course you must also take in the stunning architecture of the Sydney Opera House. With a varied and full program, the Opera House is one of the city’s busiest music, arts and performance venues. To learn about the inner workings of this icon, take a Backstage Tour.
To feel like an insider downunder – Air Canada Vacations have a full range of Air Canada flights plus hotels, tours and excursions that will allow you to make the very best of your time in Australia.
Air Canada continues to grow its International routes! Air Canada has announced that from June 2016 they will offer daily non-stop flights from Vancouver to Brisbane aboard their state of the art B787 Dreamliner aircraft. The new service will operate daily to Brisbane and will be the only year-round, non-stop flights between Canada and the capital city of Queensland. Brisbane is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s Gold Coast. This new flights to Brisbane will be in addition to the existing daily non-stop service from Vancouver to Sydney Australia.
|
|
Air Canada’s North American network includes 61 Canadian cities and there are convenient connecting flights to get you to Vancouver en route to Australia. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) was recently named Best Airport in North America for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year at the Skytrax World Airport Awards. It is a very civilized airport boasting one of the biggest privately owned, publicly displayed collections of West Coast First Nations art in the world, gourmet dining, superb shopping and even a luxurious spa!
The Dreamliner B787 aircraft represent the latest generation of aircraft and provide an unparalleled onboard experience - everyone on board benefits from a quieter and smoother flight with these ultra-modern planes. Plus technological advances mean less travel fatigue. Ambient mood lighting eases the time zone changes, lower cabin pressure means better oxygen absorption and increased humidity reduces dehydration. The air you breathe is cleaner thanks to continuous circulation through an advanced filtration system and the water is pure thanks to ultra-violet light water treatment. These aircraft offer the largest windows of any aircraft flying today – and forget about blinds as these windows have an electronic dimming system! Click here to find out more.
Air Canada offers you a choice of three cabin classes:
- Business Class with 30 executive pods (1-2-1 configuration) that extend to create a fully lie flat bed. The seats are so comfortable they even have a massage function in the headrests! And the pampering includes everything from an 18” entertainment screen to freshly brewed Lavazza expressos and cappuccinos to aromatherapy!
- Premium Economy Class has 21 seats (2-3-2 configuration) with 38” of legroom and a generous 7” recline, plus an 11” touch screen entertainment system. It’s a great option if you want to arrive refreshed and ready to hit the streets of Delhi.
- Economy Class has 247 comfortable seats (3-3-3 configuration) with the personal space that you would expect from a regular, scheduled Air Canada flight.
And best of all, Air Canada passengers earn Aeroplan miles on every flight - which they can then use towards future travel. Maybe you even have enough Aeroplan miles to fly to Australia.
The easy way to see many of the highlights of Australia is to not only fly there with Air Canada, but to use sister company Air Canada Vacations to make all the arrangements for your trip once you’re there. Air Canada Vacation offers packages to Australia which include flights, accommodations and tours. Naturally you earn Aeroplan miles on the whole booking, as well as being able to tap into Air Canada Vacation’s deep knowledge of the destination.
Your Travel Agent can help make your reservations with Air Canada Vacation or check out the many options available at www.AirCanadaVacations.com.
Air Canada Vacations feature packages to Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney. Here is just one of the many exciting options available.
Long Stay on the Gold Coast 24 days/21 nights
Enjoy Australia's Gold Coast in the comfort of your apartment in the tropics of Queensland.
Day 1-2 Departure from Canada
Board your flight to Brisbane, Australia.
Day 3 Arrival in Brisbane
Upon arrival, meet a local representative and transfer to your hotel.
*** 21 night stay at Surf Regency ***
Day 24 Return home
Transfer form your hotel to Brisbane airport for your return flight to Canada.
For more information visit www.aircanadavacations.com.
Your package includes:
- Transpacific flights aboard Air Canada
- 21 nights of accommodation in a one-bedroom apartment
- Private round trip airport transfers at destination
Accommodation: Surf Regency ***1/2
All the spacious one and two-bedroom apartments in Surf Regency offer magnificent ocean views facing the Pacific Ocean.
Ideally located opposite patrolled beaches, and only two blocks to Cavill Avenue in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the Surf Regency offers guests the perfect spot to sit back, relax and enjoy life while on a Gold Coast holiday. The area is known for its famous surf beaches, theme parks, shopping, night life, golf courses or the tranquility of the hinterland with its subtropical rainforest.
Apartment features:
- Air conditioning
- Wireless internet
- Cable television
- Choice of one- or two-bedroom ocean view accommodation
- Fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and dryer
Resort facilities:
- Barbecue and outdoor entertaining area
- Heated outdoor pool with spa
- Rooftop sun deck
- Rooftop spa & sauna
- Internet lounge
- Children’s wading pool