What to Expect
SOLAR ECLIPSE HOLIDAYS
A total eclipse occurs when the sun is completely obscured by the moon. The intensely bright disk of the sun is replaced by the dark silhouette of the moon, and the much fainter corona is visible. During any one eclipse, totality is visible only from at most a narrow track on the surface of the earth.
DATE OF THIS ECLIPSE
14 November 2012
Date of this Eclipse The date and time of this eclipse depends on your time zone.
On Greenwich Mean (GMT) or Universal Time (UT), the date is 13 November but in Australia the date will be 14 November. Cairns, Queensland is ten hours ahead of GMY/UT although Sydney, New South Wales is eleven hours ahead in November due to daylight savings time.
The official location of the ‘greatest eclipse’ as specified by NASA and International Astrological Societies is Lat.: 39.9565° S, Long.: 161.3322° W, which falls in the Pacific ocean just before the International Date Line.
So, the "official date" of this eclipse according to both Universal Time and Greenwich Mean Time is 13 November though if you are viewing it in Australia the date will be 14 November 2012.
PATH AND TIMING OF THE ECLIPSE
The antipodean track expected for the Total Solar Eclipse on November 14th 2012. The 2012 solar eclipse will be a total eclipse of the Sun with a magnitude of 1.0500. Totality will be visible from Queensland in northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean, with the maximum of 4 minutes 2 seconds visible from the Pacific Ocean. The Shadow Path of this eclipse is due to start at sun-up East of Darwin with a track approaching 140 Km in width. The path then travels between Bloomfield and Innisfail with the Centre Line close to Port Douglas and slightly to the north of Cairns.
The partial eclipse will start at about 05.45 in Cairns area and finish at about 07.40 starting about a minute earlier near to Port Douglas. The Total Eclipse should be of about two minutes duration starting seconds after 06.38 in Port Douglas and about 30 seconds later in Cairns. The longest duration of this Total Solar Eclipse in Australia, on the East Coast of Queensland, will probably be close to Oak Beach and should be nearly two minutes and five seconds long This will be the last landfall of this fabulous experience as the next closest will be far North of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean.
Itinerary
Day 1 Friday Nov 9
Arrival in Sydney, City Tour & Highlights Cruise, and Sydney Observatory Welcome to Australia! We are greeted by our guide and transferred from the Sydney International Airport to our accommodation. Our tour highlights commence with a Sydney Harbour cruise reaching some of the inner reaches of the harbour with fabulous views of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. We then enjoy a short city tour through some of the more historical parts of the city. This evening we join in an astronomy lesson and star gazing, during which we get an introduction to the myriad stars of southern hemisphere. We’ll also learn more about the universe, experience the 3-D space theatre and view the historic astronomical and meteorological objects on display. With the massive telescopes, we are also able to look closely at star clusters, red giants, nebulae where stars are being born, globular clusters, and distant galaxies. If viewing through the telescopes is not possible due to sky conditions, a beanbag planetarium session is provided instead. Dinner tonight is in Sydney’s historic “Rocks” district. (D) 45° Labels
Day 2 Saturday Nov 10
The Blue Mountains and Aboriginal Culture Today we explore the Blue Mountains that lay only a couple hour’s drive from Sydney. A kaleidoscope of contrasts and colour, rich in native Australian bush and wildlife and always with a distant blue haze on the horizon. We visit ancient rock formations, including the iconic “Three Sisters”, and avoid the tourist spots to enjoy the Blue Mountains as they should be seen - from secluded lookouts, short bushwalks and pristine valleys. We discover an Aborignal culture centre, where we learn about traditional stories, bush food and medicine walk, and boomerang demonstrations. Our day ends at an extinct volcano, where wild kangaroos come out to play. (B, L)
Day 3 Sunday Nov 11
Fly to Cairns and Free Time This morning we’ll transfer to the Sydney Airport for the three-hour flight to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This afternoon is free to enjoy at our own pace as we adjust to the north Queensland tropics. Options include a bus to the lovely Botanic Gardens for a guided tour – see the rare orchid gardens, the fernery or simply stroll among the lush tropical plant life. In adjacent Mt. Whitfield Environmental Park, we can take a walking circuit that climbs up through a shady rainforested gully, to a sheltered lookout with views to the north and of Cairns city below. (B)
Day 4 Monday Nov 12
Skyrail and Historic Train, Kuranda Village This morning we travel to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for a fantastic journey over Australia's World Heritage listed tropical rainforest canopy and deep into the forest. Spanning 7.5 kilometres over Barron Gorge National Park, the Skyrail experience includes a scenic cableway ride and stops at two rainforest mid-stations. We can descend from the cableway onto rainforest boardwalks, where information is provided through guided boardwalk tours, signage and an interpretive centre. At the end of the Skyrail lies the mountain village of Kuranda. Options in Kuranda Village include Rainforestation Nature Park, Koala Gardens, The Butterfly Sanctuary and the Venom Zoo. A visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park is also an option. Our day ends with a historic railway train past spectacular waterfalls into the awesome Barron Gorge and back to Cairns. (B)
Day 5 Tuesday Nov 13
Spanish Castles, Mamu Canopy Walk, Waterfalls and Parks Today we drive to the inspiring Paronella Park where we'll enjoy a guided tour of the Spanish Castle ruins, set in a rainforest by Mena Creek Falls. We'll then arrive at the region's newest rainforest experience, the Mamu Canopy Walk. Here our travel will take us on a series of magnificent boardwalks and viewing platforms which traverse the canopy level of the World Heritage Wooroonooran National Park. The experience culminates as we walk out onto the canopy overlooking the Johnston River Gorge providing the most spectacular views of this untouched region. After lunch we visit the iconic Millaa Millaa Falls where we can swim beneath the falls and then continue to Lake Barrine for an informative Wildlife Cruise. This evening we will for be briefed on details of eclipse-day weather prospects and logistics. (B)
Day 6 Wednesday Nov 14
Total Solar Eclipse Day In the early morning, we prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - the chance to see a total solar eclipse as the shadow of the moon passes over us. The Cairns region will be one of the best places in the world to witness this exciting event, and this morning we choose a phenomenal site in the highlands for viewing, a picnic breakfast and champagne toasts. We will choose a spot that will offer us the highest probability of clear skies for the early morning eclipse. Totality will last just over two minutes after which the shadow will move out across unpopulated areas of the South Pacific. Solar Eclipse Timeline for Cairns Eclipse Contact Local Time Sun's Altitude Azimuth Start of partial eclipse C1 05:44:36 0.9o 108.7o Start of total eclipse C2 06:38:12 13.3o 105.4o End of total eclipse C3 06:40:15 13.7o 105.3o End of partial eclipse C4 07:39:47 27.6o 102.3o The rest of the day is free but tonight we enjoy a celebratory dinner in honour of this remarkable event. (B, D)
Day 7 Thursday Nov 15
The Great Barrier Reef No trip to Cairns is complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily one of the world’s top natural wonders. This morning we cruise out to the world renowned Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkelling (included) or diving. Among the 1,800 species of fish and 450 species of coral, we can expect to see a thousand shades of hard and soft corals, angel, parrot and starfish, giant turtles and virtually the whole cast of Finding Nemo. First-time snorkelers will receive instruction on how to get the most out of our reef experience, and guests can also try an Introductory SCUBA dive, which is a one-on-one experience with a dive instructor. (B,L)
Day 8 Friday Nov 16
Fly to Sydney and Free Time Today we bid farewell to north Queensland and return to Sydney by local domestic flight with our afternoon free to explore Sydney at our own pace. (B)
Day 9 Saturday Nov 17
Wine Tasting in the Hunter Valley Australia’s Hunter Valley enjoys the distinction of having been one of the earliest planted vine areas in the country, and is now celebrated for its shiraz, chardonnay, and semillion. With our guide today we take the backroads to this bountiful region, regarded as the Napa Valley of Australia. We will learn about Australian history, wildlife & aboriginal culture along with the wine tastings in a full day of complimenting experiences. We travel through beautiful national parks and colonial townships, meeting some of the winemakers themselves at small boutique wineries and then visiting a larger winery known for its wide varieties. There are over 80 cellar doors in the lower Hunter Valley, and the winery visits are tailored to the desires of the group. Our day includes lunch and there are options for cheese and chocolate tastings. We sample up to 30 premium Hunter wines, some of which are not available anywhere else in the world. Tonight we enjoy our final dinner in Sydney’s Historical Rocks district. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Sunday Nov 18
Depart Eventually all good things must come to an end. After breakfast, we say our goodbyes to the Land Down Under and we are transferred to the Sydney International Airport for our flight home. (B)
Costs
£ 3439.00 per person sharing twin room
Single supplement : £ 899.00
Price includes : • All transportation in non-smoking air conditioned vehicle • Small World Journeys naturalist guide/tour leader • Specialty guides and drivers • 4 nights accommodation in central Sydney 4-star hotel room with ensuite (based on • double occupancy) • 5 nights accommodation in central Cairns 4-star hotel room with ensuite (based on • double occupancy) • All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners • Wine tastings in the Hunter Valley • All airport transfers • 101 Animals of the Wet Tropics field guide for each participant • 101 Plants of the Wet Tropics field guide for each participant • Mask, fins and snorkel on reef trip • Marine park and national park fees • ClimateCareTM carbon offsetting for a carbon-neutral trip
Tour does not include:
• International airfares, travel insurance, 6 lunches and 6 dinners, optional or certified SCUBA dives, entrance fees and personal expenses (phone, fax, laundry, etc.)
