A vast and ancient land, Australia offers an extraordinary sense of space and freedom. It’s a continent of extremes — rainforests and reefs in the north, snowfields in the south, immense plains and deserts in its center, and a coastline of magnificent beaches.
Australia is renowned for its unique flora and fauna, a relaxed easy-going culture, and a love of the good things in life — a combination that creates an unforgettable travel experience.
TravelQuest is making its first visit back to ...Show more
Australia since the November 2002 sunset totality in the famous Outback. For Eclipse 2012, we invite you to join us as we stand in the Moon’s shadow near another Australian icon — the Great Barrier Reef.
Our journey begins with two nights in Sydney, known worldwide for the stunning beauty of its harbor, which provides a magnificent backdrop to the famous Sydney Opera House. Often dotted with sailboats and cruise ships, Sydney Harbor is one of the most beautiful deepwater ports in the world.
The next five days will see us travel north along Australia’s scenic eastern coast to Port Douglas where we will spend time exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, as well as witnessing the total solar eclipse. The Great Barrier Reef is undisputed as one of the world’s most important natural assets. It is the largest living biological feature on Earth, stretching more than 900 miles along the northeast coast of Australia. This amazing region is known for some of the finest snorkeling and diving in the world. The Daintree Rainforest encompasses an area of approximately 950 square miles and represents the single largest block of tropical rainforest in Australia.
Our excellent accommodations in Port Douglas are very near the eclipse centerline, and those wishing to view the eclipse from this amazing beachfront site are welcome to do so. Additionally, TravelQuest has secured, as its prime viewing location for Eclipse 2012, exclusive use of the Wetherby Station — a large Australian cattle ranch located 45-minutes inland from Port Douglas.
From Wetherby we will experience totality lasting slightly more than two minutes with the eclipsed Sun at an altitude of 13.5°. At this site we will experience some of the best and most comfortable viewing prospects along the entire 2012 eclipse path.
With its sun-kissed coastal beauty, incredible reef, and dramatic red center, Australia is one of the world’s most amazing destinations and certainly worth an extended visit! In 2012 TravelQuest will offer a stargazing add-on program to famous Ayers Rock and pristine Kangaroo Island.
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