Gold Coast Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10K / Itinerary

June 30(Mo) - Depart U.S. late at night for overnight flights to Sydney. One day is lost when we cross the international dateline.

July 2(We) - Arrive in Sydney in the morning. Transfer to the Four Points Hotel. Balance of day to recover from the long flight. Afternoon training run to loosen legs and to familiarize yourselves with the beautiful Sydney harborfront which also offers wonderful running routes.

July 3(Th) - Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Join your private coach and driver/guide this morning for your Morning City Sights and Southern Beaches tour. Visit the Rocks - Sydney's birthplace and see fascinating relics and buildings of the city's turbulent past. Pass by the picturesque Botanical Gardens, the Conservatorium of Music, Art Gallery and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, stopping for spectacular views of the Opera House. Then it's back to the city's commercial centre, Darling Harbour and Chinatown before heading for Kings Cross and the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay, Rose Bay and Watson's Bay for a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean from The Gap. Arrive at famous Bondi Beach for a brief stop before returning to the city via Paddington to view its restored 19th Century Colonial Terraces. The tour will conclude at Circular Quay for lunch on your own.
After lunch report to the Sydney Opera House and depart on a private one hour Guided Tour of the Sydney Opera House. Located on Bennelong Point, the Opera House is one of the most recognisable sights of Sydney. Built in 1973 this building was designed by Danish architect Joern Utzon and is considered to be one of the 20th century's architectural triumphs. The foundation stone was laid in 1959 and the Opera House was completed in 1973. An architectural masterpiece and Australia's foremost tourist attraction, the Sydney Opera House is one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. All forms of performing arts are represented.

The balance of the day is free unless.....

It's awesome...it's high...it's breathtaking...it's waiting.... BridgeClimb offers the ultimate experience of Sydney with an exhilarating climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On this optional tour, the professional Climb Leaders will take you all the way to the summit over ladders, catwalks and arches. The exhilaration and personal satisfaction achieved with BridgeClimb provides a unique and unforgettable experience of Sydney. All climbers are issued a BridgeSuit to wear, a safety harness, and are linked to a static line throughout the climb. Climbers are also breath tested, sign an indemnity form and go through a metal detector as nothing may be taken onto the Bridge. All climbers receive a complimentary photograph of their climb group and a commemorative climber certificate. BridgeClimb operates in all weather conditions with the exception of electrical storms. Anyone over the age of twelve, in good health and with a sense of adventure is invited to join. BridgeClimb..."For the Climb of Your Life". ( 12 Climbers per Group departs every 15 minutes ) (duration approx 3 hours.) Afterward transfer back to your hotel

July 4(Fr) - Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Departure from the hotel to the airport for your flights to Brisbane Airport. After arrival you will be driven to Gold Coast to check-in in to the Holiday Inn Surfer's Paradise Hotel, race headquarters. You are only two blocks from the beach and all of the attractions of this holiday paradise.

July 5(Sa) - Buffet breakfast at your hotel. This morning we go to the race checkin. This afternoon rejoin your coach for a tour of Surfers Paradise including a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.Here you can get closer to more than 1,400 native Australian animals in natural bushland and rainforest surroundings. The Sanctuary offers a world of discovery through fascinating wildlife shows and displays. They are also dedicated to wildlife conservation and welfare with ongoing education programs, research projects and their own Community Wildlife Hospital.

July 6(Su) - RACE DAY! Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Gold Coast International Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 10K. Dinner celebration on your own in the evening.

July 7(Mo) -Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Depart hotel for transfer to the airport for flights to Cairns. Transfer by motorcoach for the one hour drive north to Port Douglas for arrival about lunchtime and check into the Mantra Treetops Resort. Enjoy the remainder of the day.
Port Douglas was a sleepy little town until the 1980s when entrepreneurs recognized its natural beauty. It has maintained its natural charm and relaxed feeling.

July 8(Tu) - Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Meet your driver from Down Under Tours for the transfer to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.You will have ample time to explore all the attractions of Tjapukai - movie theatres, stage shows and craft demonstrations. Buffet Lunch. Board the SkyRail to glide silently over the rainforest canopy. Touch-down at Kuranda Village with time to explore on own. Transfer back to your Hotel. Rejoin your coach and transfer to your hotel.

July 9(We) - Buffet Breakfast at your hotel. This morning you will be collected from your hotel by Quicksilver Coaches for your transfer to Marina Mirage at Port Douglas to join your Quicksilver Low Isles Cruise. Quicksilver's 30 metre luxury sailing catamaran, Wavedancer, offers the excitement of big ship sailing combined with the ultimate in comfort. Let the crew pamper you in the luxurious air-conditioned lounge with its fully licensed bar, or soak up the sun and sea air under the sails on our expansive deck. Set like a jewel inside acres of secluded coral gardens, Low Isles offers everything you can dream of in a tropical island paradise. From the moment your luxury catamaran moors in the calm waters of the island's picturesque lagoon, a host of reef activities awaits you. Your day includes morning & afternoon teas, a tropical smorgasbord lunch, snorkel equipment, glass bottom boat coral viewing, marine biologist presentation and guided beach walk. Upon return from Cruise you will be transferred back to your hotel.

July 10(Th)- Early morning transfer to the airport for flights that return to Sydney and then onto the U.S. on the same day as you left Australia.