Photo courtesy of Dennis Mammana

Courtesy of Andre Ashley,
Altai China Eclipse August 1, 2008

See the Total Solar Eclipse November 14, 2012!
AUSTRALIA Eclipse 2012
Come Explore With The Planetary Society
November 5-16, 2012 with optional New Guinea Extension November 15-20, 2012

Dear Members & Friends:

We invite you to explore Australia & New Guinea with us in 2012 and to see the Total Solar Eclipse November 14, 2012.

This expedition will be a wonderful introduction to Australia, from its aboriginal heritage to the modern era. We will also discover classic Australian landscapes from the harbors of New South Wales to iconic Ayer’s Rock, Alice Springs, and the tropical northeast in Queensland!

The trip will culminate in the Total Solar Eclipse in Cairns, overlooking the Great Barrier Reef!

More than 40,000 years ago a small population of indigenous people first inhabited the vast island continent of Australia. These people migrated from the islands of Indonesia while New Guinea was still attached to Australia.

Europeans long suspected the existence of “Australia Incognita,” yet, it was not until the 1768-1771 voyage of Lieutenant James Cook that Australia was discovered by Europeans. He claimed this new land for England and called it New South Wales. This led to the beginning of European migration to Australia in 1788.

Today, the land and life in Australia captivates travelers, just as they intrigued the early explorers. Interwoven with the unique natural heritage and indigenous cultures are 200 years of European settlement, culture, and development. A sparkling tradition of hospitality, fine opera, superb gardens, parks, and modern science now characterizes the mysterious “terra incognita” of the Southern Hemisphere!

Our trip will include:

• Sydney, cosmopolitan heart of Australia—discover the historic Rocks area, and Australian wildlife at the Taronga Park Zoo. Learn about Australia’s astronomical heritage, current Mars program, and Australia’s deep space research program.
• Ayer’s Rock, the Olgas, & Alice Springs—explore these iconic images of the Australian Outback, including the Henbury Meteor Craters and go star gazing in the brilliant night skies.
• Tjapukai Aboriginal Park—enjoy this showcase of fascinating culture in tropical Queensland.
• Green Island, a delightful coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by a multicolored world of coral, giant clams, seabirds, tropical fish, crabs, and sponges—an extravaganza to relish while snorkeling or by glass bottom boat.
• Cairns and the Total Solar Eclipse, from a base in
  Australia’s tropical resort city, at the edge of the Atherton Tableland and Great Barrier Reef, see the Total Eclipse from the oceanfront.

The New Guinea Extension will give a delightful introduction to this fascinating country, with Tufi Lodge as our home base. Amazing cultural experiences await you, as well as a look at New Guinea’s superb natural heritage!

Enjoy leadership by Betchart naturalist Bob Nansen,
popular leader of many Planetary Society eclipse trips.

We hope you will join us to explore Australia and New Guinea and see the 2012 Total Solar Eclipse!

Best regards,
Bill Nye, The Science Guy®
Executive Director

From $4,995 plus air.
New Guinea Extension Fee: $1,995 plus air.

Brochure (Requires an Adobe pdf reader to view)