| DAY 1, Wed
Depart the USA for Australia. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and
in-flight entertainment for your journey
DAY 2, Thurs En route to
Australia. Cross over the international dateline and lose one day
DAY 3, Fri
Arrive in Sydney and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at
leisure. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant
overlooking Sydney Harbor (D): SYDNEY
DAY 4, Sat
Today begins with a morning tour of Sydney. View the historic Rocks area
and Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, with its views of the Sydney Opera House, the
Harbor Bridge and the famous Bondi Beach. This afternoon, enjoy a lunch
cruise on Sydney Harbor, followed by a tour of the world-famous Sydney
Opera House (B, L): SYDNEY
DAY 5, Sun
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Sydney or enjoy an optional half day Sydney
Harbor Bridge Climb. Experience the climb of your life! Enjoy an
invigorating climb to the top of the world-famous Sydney Harbor Bridge and
admire panoramic views of the city and harbor below. A professional team
of experienced climbers will escort you to very top ($152) (B): SYDNEY
DAY 6, Mon Full
day at leisure or join an optional full day tour of Australia's Blue
Mountains. Travel over Sydney Harbour Bridge to Featherdale Wildlife Park
where you will have the chance to meet unique Australian animals, feed a
kangaroo, and have your picture taken with a koala. Then continue to the
Blue Mountains. Marvel at the sheer escarpments, rugged bushland, and
awe-inspiring mountain lookouts. Enjoy a two course lunch before having
the opportunity to ride the world's steepest Scenic Railway, Scenic
Cableway, or the Skyway Cable Car (own expense). The tour then continues
past Homebush Bay, the site of the 2000 Olympic Village ($109) (B): SYDNEY
DAY 7, Tues
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon
arrival, transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free at leisure
to swim in the hotel lagoon, walk the Esplanade, or shop in the local
galleries (B): CAIRNS
DAY 8, Wed
Today, enjoy a full day cruise of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the
largest coral reef in the world, stretching some 1,616 miles. The
catamaran takes you to Upon Cay to explore the reef and teeming coral
gardens. A glass bottom boat trip with a marine naturalist will allow you
to marvel at the pristine coral. Also, there will be the opportunity to
join an adventure drift snorkel group, at no additional cost. A delicious
lunch of Queensland prawn, smoked salmon, roast chicken, fresh salads, and
bread will be served as you cruise to the Outer Edge Upolu Reef. Snorkel
and dive, sunbathe, or relax in the ship's saloon in one of the most
gorgeous places on Earth. All guests are assessed for snorkeling and
diving abilities and appropriately assisted (B, L): CAIRNS
DAY 9, Thurs
Full day at leisure or join an optional full day tour of the Kuranda
Rainforest via the Skyrail Kuranda Railway. An amazing journey awaits as
you travel on one of the world's most scenic rail routes, dipping through
hand-hewn tunnels and over bridges spanning spectacular gorges. Upon
arrival, you will have time to explore the village on your own before
boarding the amphibious Army Duck for a unique tour of the rainforest.
Afterwards, continue to the amphitheater to enjoy a special performance by
the Pamagirri Dancers. Next, visit the Koala and Wildlife park. From here,
return to the station where you will board the Skyrail and experience
views of the rainforest canopy unlike any you have seen. Continue to
Caravonica Lakes where a coach awaits to transfer you back to your hotel
($157) (B): CAIRNS
DAY 10, Fri
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Melbourne.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day
exploring the city on your own (B): MELBOURNE
DAY 11, Sat
This morning, enjoy a tour of Melbourne, the second-largest city in
Australia. Melbourne is renowned for its fine restaurants and shops as
well as its gardens and historical charm. Highlights include the Italian
Quarter, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Botanical Gardens, Fitzroy
Gardens, and a spectacular view of the city from Westgate Bridge. Enjoy
the balance of the day at leisure or choose an optional tour to the
Penguin Parade on Phillip Island ($76) (B): MELBOURNE
DAY 12, Sun
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Melbourne (B): MELBOURNE
DAY 13, Mon
Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Christchurch, the
"Garden City." Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Upon arrival, meet with
your New Zealand tour manager for a brief orientation and welcome drink.
The evening is free to shop and dine at leisure (B): CHRISTCHURCH
DAY 14, Tues
Today begins with a tour of the beautiful parks and formal gardens which
give Christchurch its moniker. View the 19th century Anglican Cathedral as
well as many other Gothic-style churches which reflect the influence of
early English settlers along the square. The balance of the day is free to
explore the Avon River, International Antarctic Centrem, and other
significant sites (B): CHRISTCHURCH
DAY 15, Wed
This morning, drive south across the Canterbury Plains to Dunedin, a town
steeped in old Scottish charm. Time is available on arrival to relax or
perhaps visit the nearby Otago Peninsula, home to the historic Larnoch
Castle (B): DUNEDIN
DAY 16, Thurs
The morning is free to relax or explore Dunedin on your own, before
traveling through the fertile Southland region to Lake Te Anau—gateway to
the Fiordland National Park. Enjoy the evening at leisure in Te Anau or
enjoy an optional evening tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Cruise
across Lake Te Anau to the Cavern House, situated on the western shores.
Upon arrival, enjoy a brief lecture on the cave system, followed by a boat
ride through the limestone passages. Drift silently along the river and
admire the luminous shimmer of New Zealand glowworms above ($51) (B): TE
ANAU
DAY 17, Fri
Depart Te Anau via Homer Tunnel, and pass through the glacier-hewn
Eglinton Valley, arriving at Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on the fjord,
with scenic views of the temperate rainforest, the renowned Mitre Peak,
and Bowen Falls. A picnic lunch is included on board. Later this
afternoon, continue to Queenstown, New Zealand's alpine adventure capital
(B, L): QUEENSTOWN
DAY 18, Sat
This morning's tour of Queenstown includes a visit to Arrowtown, the
original Gold Rush city of New Zealand. Interestingly, this picturesque
area of rivers and forests served as settings for the Lord of the Rings
trilogy. View the Shotover River which hosts jetboat rides through the
narrow canyon walls, and even choose an optional ride on a famous Shotover
Jet. This optional adventure includes a thrilling speedboat ride through
the Shotover Canyon as your driver skillfully whips past rocky outcrops,
crags and boulders. The highlight of the experience is the trademark
Shotover Jet 360 degree spin, where the driver spins the boat around from
bow to stern. You'll stop briefly while your driver points out interesting
landmarks and similar points of interest ($94) (B): QUEENSTOWN
DAY 19, Sun
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Queenstown or join an optional Wine Trail
Tour this afternoon. Gain an in-depth understanding of Central Otago's
wine growing conditions and the wines offered from the region. Enjoy a
relaxed pace and beautiful views with tastings at 3 different vineyards
($103) (B): QUEENSTOWN
DAY 20, Mon
This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Auckland, known
as the "City of Sails." Arrive and transfer to your hotel (B): AUCKLAND
DAY 21, Tues
Today, a tour of Auckland features a visit to the Auckland War Memorial
Museum, including an onsite Maori concert at Waitemata Harbor. Enjoy the
afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the city on your own (B):
AUCKLAND
DAY 22, Wed
This afternoon, transfer to airport for your flight to the USA |
Travel Packages
GUIDES