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Western Australia Outback Total Solar Eclipse

April 14 - 21, 2023

Western Australia Eclipse Path 2023As we seek out the best places on Earth for eclipse viewing and stargazing, we also explore some of our planet’s most fascinating and less-travelled regions – because that’s all part of the TravelQuest experience. On our astronomy-themed journeys, we don’t just look upward; we immerse ourselves in the natural and cultural wonders all around us.

That spirit defines our new adventure in Western Australia. For the total solar eclipse on April 20, 2023, we knew that an ideal vantage point wo ...Show more

Highlights

  • Explore less-traveled Western Australia, from its pristine beaches to the easily accessible wilderness of the Outback.
  • Discover Perth, a dynamic seaside city offering one-of-a-kind adventures on its doorstep – like snorkeling with dolphins in the nearby bay.
  • Fly by private jet to Exmouth and witness the Moon’s shadow sweeping across the North West Cape during the 52-second total solar eclipse on April 20, 2023.
  • Unpack just once as we base our explorations from our comfortable Perth hotel that’s your home base for seven nights.
  • Enhance your Western Australia eclipse experience with pre- and post-trip add-on excursions to Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock.

On arrival at Perth Airport (code: PER), you’re met by our TravelQuest representative, who arranges the quick transfer to our hotel that will be your home for the next seven nights. Join us for our welcome dinner at one of Perth’s best restaurants, enjoying sophisticated Australian cuisine inspired by local produce and freshly caught seafood – and getting to know your fellow travelers as you take in stunning views of the beach and the ocean beyond.

DATE(S): Friday, April 14, 2023

MEALS: Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: InterContinental Perth City Centre Hotel (or similar)

After breakfast, we head out to explore the city of Perth with our local guide. Set on a scenic shoreline where the Outback reaches the ocean, this vibrant yet laidback city offers great beaches, lots of sunshine and a culture devoted to exploring the extraordinary natural beauty of the surrounding region.

Our tour takes in the best of Western Australia’s capital, from the historic city centre, which blends old and new architecture along the scenic Swan River, to the suburbs bordered by the Darling Range escarpment to the east. Highlights include Kings Park, one of the world’s largest urban green spaces; the Tree Top Walkway, which offers excellent city views en route to a majestic 750-year-old Baobab tree; and Cottesloe Beach, the most popular in a region renowned for its sweeping white-sand beaches. We end the tour by visiting the exclusive suburbs of Mosman Park, Peppermint Grove and Dalkeith, where you pass homes built by some of Australia’s wealthiest citizens.

After lunch on your own, we rendezvous in mid-afternoon and head north along the coast to Nambung National Park and the Pinnacle Desert, named for the weathered limestone pillars that protrude from its yellow sands, reaching heights of 3 m (10 ft) or more. It’s the perfect time of day to wander among these unconventional rock formations: most visitors will have left, and the temperature becomes pleasantly cool as the Sun sinks below the ocean’s far horizon.

As darkness falls, we head to the fishing town of Cervantes for dinner in a traditional Australian tavern. Then, we head back into the Pinnacles Desert, where our observation deck above the silent lunar landscape offers extraordinary views of a night sky virtually untouched by light pollution. The night’s crowning event is our visit to the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory in Gingin, where staff astronomers conduct a guided tour of the southern sky and invite you to see for yourself through any of the observatory’s five telescopes. We’ve arranged for extended viewing until midnight, so you’ll have plenty of stargazing highlights to share on the hour-long trip back along the coast to Perth.

Southern Milky Way Treasures
By TQ Astronomer, Jay Anderson

One of the greatest treats in visiting Western Australia is the splendidly dark nighttime sky that displays the treasures of our Milky Way galaxy. Those visiting from northern latitudes should prepare yourselves for an incredible array of celestial wonders. In April, the setting Sun brings the Southern Cross into view, 40 degrees above the southeast horizon. Nearby, and just as prominent, the Milky Way’s galactic companions, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, really do look like clouds as they circle the pole through the night, never setting. Above the Cross, the incomparable nebula around Eta Carinae will delight both telescopes and cameras. Sagittarius lies on the horizon and rises higher as the night advances, bringing the core of the Milky Way into view with its web of dark lanes that form patterns important in Aboriginal lore. Orion, upside down for Northern Hemisphere visitors, sinks to the horizon in the north while Omega Centauri, the largest of the globular clusters, is overhead and easily visible to the eye.

The dark Outback of Australia, with its sparse population and spread-out communities, is the perfect location to explore the delights of the southern sky. No Moon will interfere; we are going to an eclipse, after all, and the Moon will be new. This trip will expose you to a night sky like no other, so bring cameras, star trackers and telescopes – and be prepared to immerse yourself in the universe.

(TravelQuest tip: To get the most from your stargazing experience, pack a pair of binoculars and update your favorite stargazing app on your phone.)

DATE(S): Saturday, April 15, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: InterContinental Perth City Centre Hotel (or similar)

We take our time this morning, having been up late stargazing. After a relaxed breakfast, we head out to the port town of Fremantle, whose historic buildings have been restored with hip charm to create an inviting array of shops, cafés and open-air markets. After lunching on grilled seafood in a restaurant overlooking the harbor, our local experts bring the rich heritage of “Freo” to life as you wander narrow streets lined with artists’ stalls, stopping to enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of craft beer or local wine.

Other landmarks on our walk include the Round House, Western Australia’s oldest building, constructed in 1831 as a jail; and Fremantle Prison, built by inmates and the first home for many of the 10,000 people who were forcibly transported here from Great Britain and Ireland. Their legacy, and that of the whalers and other adventurers who settled this remote shore, live on in tales of prison breaks, shipwrecks and colonial-era hardships that forged the tenacious spirit that still prevails in Western Australia. We end our day arriving at our hotel with time to relax before enjoying dinner on your own.

DATE(S): Sunday, April 16, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch

ACCOMMODATION: InterContinental Perth City Centre Hotel (or similar)

After breakfast we head to Barrack Street Jetty, the starting point for our cruise up the Swan River. Relax on deck, camera at the ready, as Perth’s outskirts blend into the rolling farmland and vineyards of the Swan Valley. Our first stop is Sandalford Estate winery, where your behind-the-scenes tour is capped by a tasting and lunch in the dining room. Next we visit Olive Farm Wines, family-operated since 1933 and known today for its award-winning white, red, sparkling and fortified wines. With over 40 varieties on offer, you’re sure to find a few favorites during our exclusive tasting. Our journey back to Perth includes live entertainment and a delicious selection of desserts and all-inclusive wines aboard our vessel as we cruise the beautiful upper reaches of the Swan River back to Perth, where you will have dinner on your own.

DATE(S): Monday, April 17, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch

ACCOMMODATION: InterContinental Perth City Centre Hotel (or similar)

This morning we head south to the coastal town of Rockingham, where we board a small expedition boat to cruise sheltered bays and islands that are home to more than 200 bottlenose dolphins. The friendly crew outfits you with a wetsuit, mask and snorkel, along with a few tips to ensure you get the most out of the adventure ahead. Then, as the skipper spots our first group of dolphins, we take to the water in small groups to enjoy a truly incredible wildlife encounter.

This is the easiest snorkeling you’ll ever do: floating face-down on the surface as dolphins dive, loop and spin right beneath you, interacting with our naturalist guide. Seeing these intelligent, social creatures in their natural environment, not performing tricks but simply living their lives – playing, hunting for food, mating, even sleeping – is an exhilarating experience you’ll never forget.

DATE(S): Tuesday, April 18, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch

ACCOMMODATION: InterContinental Perth City Centre Hotel (or similar)

Today’s adventure begins with a ferry crossing to Rottnest Island, a nature reserve that’s home to a diverse array of flora and fauna – notably the quokka, a small marsupial cousin of the wallaby. Our guided tour visits the island’s most scenic spots, including Wadjemup Lighthouse and the rugged West End, as local experts illuminate the island’s unique natural attributes, as well as its human history – including mainland settlers’ regrettable banishment of indigenous people to the island in the early 1800s.

After a casual lunch among the Moreton Bay fig trees (another Australian icon), enjoy an afternoon of biking on the island’s many paths and quiet roads, discovering secluded bays and strolling untouched beaches. It’s a great way to explore this beautiful place, maybe spotting a few quokkas as you go – and of course you’re free to cycle as much or as little as you wish (or just find a nice spot to contemplate the ocean views). At day’s end, we catch the ferry back to Fremantle, returning to the hotel for dinner together and a briefing from our TravelQuest astronomer on tomorrow’s eclipse.

Early this morning we board our private jet at Perth Airport for the two-hour flight north to the remote resort town of Exmouth. On arrival, we shuttle directly to our chosen viewing site – and just before 11:30 a.m. the Moon’s shadow passes over us in a magnificent total solar eclipse. There’s plenty of time to savor the experience and take in the beauty of the Coral Coast landscapes. Then in the afternoon we fly back to Perth, landing in time for an evening of farewell toasts over dinner at the hotel at a local restaurant.

Eclipse viewing prospects in Exmouth, West Australia
By TQ Astronomer, Jay Anderson

In April, the northwest coast of Australia lies in one of the sunniest areas in the Southern Hemisphere. Statistics acquired from satellite show an average cloud cover of only 28 percent in April at Exmouth. Weather station observations from the local airport confirm the high frequency of sunny days, with nearly 80 percent of the days of the month reporting clear skies or scattered cloud at eclipse time. Closer examination of daily satellite images confirms the generous sunshine of all of Australia’s North West Cape, as all but one of the April 20s stretching back to the year 2000 would have provided an easy view of the eclipse. Exmouth and the surrounding area enjoy the very best of Australian sunshine, and for those interested in the stars as well, the very best of nights.

DATE(S): Thursday, April 20, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ACCOMMODATION: InterContinental Perth City Centre Hotel (or similar)

After breakfast at your leisure in the hotel, we arrange your quick transfer to Perth Airport for your flight homeward or on to other adventures. Or take advantage of our Ayers Rock post-tour add-on (see below).

DATE(S): Friday, April 21, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATION: n/a

Optional Add-ons

5 days / 4 nights
April 10-14, 2023


Day 1 - Arrive Sydney, Australia

On arriving at Sydney Airport (code: SYD), you’re met by our local TravelQuest guide, who arranges the quick transfer to our centrally located hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the shopping district and nearby Sydney Opera House. Then in the evening, join us for a sunset dinner cruise around Sydney Harbor – scenic at any time of day, but especially striking as the sun sets over “Emerald City.” The ship’s chefs create a menu showcasing Sydney’s multicultural cuisine, while the sommelier offers selections from the acclaimed wine regions of New South Wales.

DATE(S): Monday, 10 April, 2023

MEALS: Dinner

ACCOMMODATIONS: Radisson Blu Hotel Sydney


Day 2 - Exploring Sydney

After breakfast at the hotel, our local guides immerse you in Sydney’s past, sharing tales of convicts, seafarers and other colorful rogues as you explore cobbled lanes and narrow alleyways, stopping to admire colonial-era churches, along with historic pubs and inns that have welcomed sailors and other adventurers from every corner of the globe. Our walk around Circular Quay leads to the renowned Opera House, where you can explore the beautiful theatres and other spaces that are usually off limits to visitors, then enjoy lunch at the restaurant.

In the afternoon, we pass historic Parliament House, The Mint and Hyde Park Barracks en route to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, a sandstone bench carved by convicts in 1810, which offers breathtaking views of Sydney and its impressive natural harbor. Carrying on through cosmopolitan Kings Cross, you take in more ocean views from the headland at Watsons Bay, then return via Bondi Beach and Paddington, whose Victorian terraced houses are richly decorated with cast-iron lace. In the evening, you’re free to explore further on your own and dine at one of the many restaurants near our hotel.

DATE(S): Tuesday, 11 April, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch

ACCOMMODATIONS: Radisson Blu Hotel Sydney


Day 3 - Cairns

After breakfast, we transfer to Sydney airport for our flight to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. After checking into our hotel for the next two nights, you can spend the afternoon exploring this interesting city on you own, noting the shift from Sydney’s cosmopolitan style to a more laidback tropical vibe. Then in the evening, join us for a traditional barbecue fest at Rainforestation Nature Park, in the heart of a World Heritage rainforest, where our indigenous Pamagirri Aboriginal hosts teach us about their culture through dance performances, spear and boomerang throwing, and haunting traditional music played on the didgeridoo.

DATE(S): Wednesday, 12 April, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Dinner

ACCOMMODATIONS: Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel


Day 4 - The Great Barrier Reef

Pack a bag with your swimsuit, hat, sunscreen and camera (including an underwater model if you have one) as we drive to Port Douglas and board QuickSilver for a day of snorkeling or diving along the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. The experienced crew takes us to the very edge of Australia's continental shelf at Agincourt Reef, then down into a world of sunlit corals teeming with brilliantly colored fish and exotic sea creatures.

Whether you snorkel (with all gear provided, along with tips on technique), or scuba dive (at extra cost) or view the reef from one of Quicksilver’s semi-submersibles, count on an extraordinary experience as all the undersea documentaries you’ve ever seen come to life around you in the shimmering turquoise waters.

DATE(S): Thursday, 13 April, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch

ACCOMMODATIONS: Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel


Day 5 - Flight onward to Perth

After breakfast at the hotel, we arrange the quick transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to Perth and the beginning of your Western Australia Total Solar Eclipse tour.

DATE(S): Friday, 14 April, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATIONS: n/a


Pricing

Price: $2,380 USD per person, double occupancy and $2,925 for single occupancy.

  • Add-on package includes: four nights’ accommodation at hotels in Sydney and Cairns, plus all meals, activities and transportation (including transfers) as noted in the itinerary.
  • Not included: inbound airfare to Sydney, as well as from Sydney to Cairns and from Cairns to Perth – plus any services or items of a personal nature.

Payment is due with your final payment for the Western Australia Total Solar Eclipse tour. All payments become non-refundable 120 days prior to departure.

An important note about air travel within Australia: Internal Australia flights for travelers joining our pre-trip and/or post-trip tours are not included in these add-on costs. TravelQuest will provide pricing information and other details pertaining to these group flights in Fall 2022.

4 days / 3 nights
April 21-24, 2023


Day 1 - Perth to Alice Springs, Northern Territory

After breakfast and a round of goodbyes with your fellow travelers on the Western Australia Total Solar Eclipse tour, we arrange the quick transfer to Perth Airport for your flight to Alice Springs.

Your Outback experience begins with sunset drinks overlooking the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges (“the East Macs” to locals), whose craggy peaks and steep gorges loom large in Aboriginal culture and beliefs. Over a gourmet barbecue dinner at award-winning Earth Sanctuary, our hosts share stories weaving together local history and ecology with a preview of the astronomical wonders ahead. Then it’s time for the real show, as you stroll out into surrounding wilderness to survey the millions of brilliant stars strewn across one of the darkest night skies on the planet.

DATE(S): Friday, 21 April, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATIONS: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters


Day 2 - Australian Outback – Ayers Rock Sunset

We depart right after breakfast to begin a spectacular drive southward through the MacDonnell and James ranges, taking in the Outback’s haunting expanses and stopping for a chance to purchase mid-morning tea at a traditional travelers’ roadhouse.  Next stop is Curtin Springs, where the Severin Family have made their home for more than 66 years on their million-acre cattle station. You will enjoy a traditional Outback lunch served with the warm hospitality that has made this remote station a legend in the Northern Territory.

From there, it is on to the entrance of Ayers Rock/Olgas National Park and your first glimpse of the legendary sandstone monolith — one of the most stunning natural landmarks in a country that boasts many. Our explorations begin with a visit to the Olgas (known in the Anangu language as Kata Tjuta or “many heads) a collection of rounded rock formations about 32 km (20 mi) to the west of Ayers Rock. Each of the 36 domes has inspired a story in Anangu mythology, and all figure in the Dreamtime legends that are central to Aboriginal religion and culture. You can see their unusual shapes and geological features up close on a walk into Olga Gorge with our expert guides.

We return to Ayers Rock in time to see the massive outcrop at its most dramatic: as the setting Sun creates a striking array of color changes – including, under ideal conditions, a deep crimson glow as the last rays of sunset flare over the horizon. You’ll carry those moments (and a camera full images) with you as you reflect on the day’s adventures over dinner on your own at the hotel.

DATE(S): Saturday, 22 April, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Lunch

ACCOMMODATIONS: Ayers Rock Desert Garden Hotel


Day 3 - Ayers Rock

Your day starts early as we gather to watch the sunrise over Ayers Rock. After breakfast back at the hotel, we drive around the base with our expert guide, learning more about the Rock’s natural history and deep cultural significance. Next, we walk to nearby Mutitjulu Waterhole, where you can view superb examples of Anangu rock art. Then, after lunch on your own, join us for a traditional dot-painting workshop led by Anangu artists, who love sharing the nuances of Western Desert Art and showing how these seemingly simple images express an entire belief system.

The finale of your full day at Ayers Rock is another remarkable sunset followed by a dining experience you’ll never forget: As darkness descends on the desert, listen to the sound of the didgeridoo while you and your fellow guests enjoy a chef-prepared “bush tucker” fare, followed by an astronomer’s guided tour of the Southern Milky Way.

DATE(S): Sunday, 23 April, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast / Dinner

ACCOMMODATIONS: Ayers Rock Desert Garden Hotel


Day 4 - Travels onward

After breakfast, we arrange your quick transfer to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight homeward or on to further adventures.

DATE(S): Monday, 24 April, 2023

MEALS: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATIONS: n/a


Pricing

Price: $2,030 USD per person, double occupancy and $2,625 for single occupancy.

  • Add-on package includes: Three nights’ accommodation, meals as noted in the itinerary, plus all activities and transportation as noted in the itinerary.
  • Not included: Airfare to Alice Springs (ASP) and from Ayers Rock (AYQ) – plus any services or items of a personal nature.

Payment is due with your final payment for the Western Australia Total Solar Eclipse tour. All payments become non-refundable 120 days prior to departure.

An important note about air travel within Australia

Internal Air: April 21 - We will transfer to Perth Airport (PER) for our group flight to Alice Springs (ASP), via Adelaide. Important: TravelQuest has already secured group space for each of you on these flights. Do not buy these flights on your own. 

Cost: $498 per person

If you’d like to arrive in Perth early, TravelQuest has reserved a limited number of rooms at InterContinental Perth City Centre Hotel (or similar).


Pricing

The cost per night, including room with breakfast, airport arrival transfer and tax: $130 USD per person based on two people sharing one room; $260 USD for single occupancy.

TRIP LEVEL

Level 2: Easy/moderate: short to medium walks over uneven terrain, on sloping paths and over sand dunes. To participate in snorkeling activities, guests should be confident swimmers.

At TravelQuest, we want to be sure you find the trip that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Please email or call if you have any questions regarding the itinerary.

IMPORTANT

  • TravelQuest, working with our partners, makes every effort to follow the published itinerary. However, please keep in mind that it is subject to change depending on weather and other local conditions.
  • Viewing a solar eclipse is particularly weather-dependent; therefore, we can offer no guarantee that local conditions will cooperate.

Prices are per person in US Dollars based on the number of guests in a room.

Double

$6,740

Single

$7,420

Important

TravelQuest, working with our partners, makes every effort to follow the published itinerary. However, please keep in mind that it is subject to change depending on weather and other local conditions.

All tour prices, taxes and airfares quoted in this brochure are based on tariffs, costs and United States dollar exchange rates that were in effect at the time of publication. Consequently, prices herein are subject to change. Due to fluctuations in global oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your tour fee. You will be advised of details and costs prior to departure.

Viewing a solar eclipse is particularly weather-dependent; therefore, we can offer no guarantee that local conditions will cooperate.

Includes

  • Seven nights’ accommodation at InterContinental Perth City Centre Hotel (or similar) Arrival/departure transfers between airports and hotels on the dates of the tour
  • All ground transportation by private chartered motorcoach
  • Services of your TravelQuest astronomer/trip leader
  • Private jet transportation Perth–Exmouth–Perth on eclipse day: April 20, 2023
  • Special eclipse day experience in Exmouth
  • Australian guide throughout your journey
  • All meals as specified in the itinerary, including coffee, tea, soft drinks and water
  • Sightseeing admission fees as noted in the itinerary

Not Included

  • Air transportation to and from Perth, Australia (airport code: PER)
  • Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
  • Beverages at meals (other than coffee, tea, soft drinks and water)
  • Optional pre-trip and post-trip add-on programs to Sydney and Great Barrier Reef, and to Ayers Rock (Uluru)
  • Expenses of a personal nature, including spa services, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
  • Passport and visa fees if applicable, along with any required immunizations
  • Highly recommended travel cancellation insurance
  • Gratuities for local drivers and guides

Payments & Terms

  • An advance payment of $2,000 USD per person, made by credit card, along with the completed reservation form, are required to secure your reservation.
  • A second advance payment of $2,500 USD per person, payable by check or bank wire only, is due August 15, 2022.
  • Final payment – payable by check or bank wire only – is due by December 6, 2022.

Cancellation Terms

Cancellations must be made to TravelQuest in writing via email, fax or mail.

  • All advance payments, less a $800 USD per person cancellation fee, are refundable through August 15, 2022.
  • Cancellations made between August 16 and November 6, 2022, will incur a $2,000 USD per person fee.
  • There are no refunds after November 6, 2022.
  • Air cancellation terms are additional.

TRAVELER HEALTH

At TravelQuest we want to be sure you choose a trip that best suits your interests and level of fitness. Prior to making a booking, it is the responsibility of each traveler to thoroughly read the itinerary, and to acquire and understand all pertinent medical advice to determine whether they are in an appropriate state of physical health to undertake the trip. At a minimum, participants must be able to climb into and out of buses, vans and trains without assistance; to carry their own luggage; and to generally keep up with the pace of the trip. If you have any questions about your trip’s itinerary or its level of difficulty, please contact us prior to booking.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance protects you from unexpected “what ifs”: What if your bags go missing? What if you have to cancel? What if you need medical assistance? TravelQuest highly recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help secure you and your trip investment against the unexpected. You can purchase this insurance on your own or contact our friends at Travelex, who are familiar with our trips and offer a selection of coverage options to suit your needs. To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the plans must be purchased within 15 days from the time you make your initial deposit to TravelQuest. ALL Travelex policies must be purchased at least 14 days prior to your departure date.

For more information on these plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services directly at 1-800-228-9792 and reference location number 03-6043.

TravelEx Insurance

Some of our travelers share their experiences from this tour.

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Alson Wong

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Kathleen Biersdorff

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rstephens

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Cody Carter