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Day 1 Fly USA to Queenstown (Via
Auckland or Christchurch) |
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Day 2 You cross the International Date
Line |
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The International Date Line is an
imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the
180th meridian line (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling
east across the line takes the traveler back one day, traveling west takes
the traveler forward. |
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Day 3 Arrive Queenstown |
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Upon arrival you will be met and
transferred to your accommodation. |
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Located in Central Otago in a lakeside
bay, Queenstown is New Zealand's premier alpine resort. Rich in history and
abundance of recreations and a breathtaking natural beauty that lends each
season its own distinct complexion, Queenstown has long been the inspiration
for artists and nature-lovers from all over the world eager to capture its
dramatic beauty. |
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Nestled beside the deep blue waters of
Lake Wakatipu, at the foot of the Remarkables Mountain Range, Queenstown is
a year round resort, where you can be as active as you want, or just
leisurely enjoy the magnificent scenery. |
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Day 4 Tour - Milford Sound full day
tour |
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An early start as you leave your hotel and
coach through some of the most beautiful countryside in New Zealand. On
arrival at Milford Sound, board the vessel for a leisurely cruise along the
sound to the Tasman Sea. The vessel stops at various points and plenty of
time is available to view waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and seals. You
may even see dolphins frolic alongside the boat. A buffet lunch is included
during the cruise. |
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Day 5 At leisure, Queenstown |
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At your leisure to explore the adventure
capital of New Zealand. Set between the towering Remarkable Ranges and the
bottomless Lake Wakitipu, Queenstown has it all - bungee jumping, jetboating,
rafting, amazing scenic helicopter flights. You may wish to visit Milford or
Doubtful Sound or the old gold mining town of Arrowtown. |
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Day 6 Tour - Coach from Queenstown to
Christchurch (Via Mount Cook) |
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Experience an exceptional journey from
Queenstown to Mount Cook via the Lindis Pass and then down the Southern Alps
to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch. Lunch is included en route. |
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Christchurch, the city of parks and
gardens, trees and beauty, is also buzzing with street life. Wine bars,
street cafes and exciting entertainments give the central city vitality
unique to New Zealand. Christchurch is said to be the most English city
outside England. The downtown district focuses on Cathedral Square, where
you'll find buskers, speakers and the eccentric Wizard of Christchurch (who
is classified as a living work of art). You can sedately cruise the Avon
River by punt, on its meandering course through town, under many bridges and
past historic landmarks, or do your own thing by canoe. Vintage car, horse
and carriage, hot air ballooning and guided walking tours. These are just a
few ways to explore the Garden City. |
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Day 7 At leisure, Christchurch |
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Christchurch is the largest city on New
Zealand's South Island and is known as New Zealand's "Garden City". Don’t
miss the Botanic Gardens located along the banks of the placid River Avon in
the middle of Hagley Park. This is just a short walk from downtown. While in
that area, you should also visit the McDougal Art Gallery and Museum. For a
romantic interlude, try punting on the Avon. The centerpiece of the city is
Cathedral Square and the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral. Time permitting
you should also visit the Christchurch Antarctic Museum, located near the
airport. This is probably the most comprehensive collection of information &
exhibits in the world on Antarctica. Christchurch could be summed up as a
little piece of England planted between the blue South Pacific and the
snowcapped Southern Alps. |
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Day 8 Fly Christchurch to Cairns (Via
Sydney) |
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On arrival to Cairns, you will be
transferred to your hotel. |
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The major centre in Tropical North
Queensland is Cairns, a popular gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The city
is fringed by lush rainforests and, to the north and south, are miles of
white sandy beaches and turquoise oceans teeming with marine life. |
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Day 9 Tour - Great Barrier Reef day
cruise with Ocean Spirit |
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This morning, transfer to Cairns wharf and
board the 'Ocean Spirit', a luxury 105ft sailing vessel - the largest of her
kind in the world. Sail to Michaelmas Cay, known as the Isle of the Birds,
a year round home to thousands of sea birds of some 14 different species.
Its spectacular coral reef which thrives in the ideal conditions of clear,
shallow, sunlit water is home to a variety of marine life including giant
clams and brilliant fish. Because Michaelmas Cay is a National Park
the fish are so tame you can feed them from the beach and birds know they
are safe to wander among you with their chicks. Lunch is a buffet of seafood, hot and cold
meats, roasted potatoes, salads and tropical fruit, freshly prepared in the
spacious galley. We spend four hours at the reef with time for a variety of
activities. You may wish to do a guided snorkeling tour with a graduate
marine biologist, scuba dive with a qualified instructor (extra cost), or
just laze on the beach. Enjoy a leisurely sail back to Cairns and afternoon
tea, arriving back at the wharf around 4.30pm. |
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Day 10 At leisure, Cairns |
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Cairns is the gateway to Tropical Far
North Queensland, a region of contrasts and surprises. It is home to the
Great Barrier Reef, palm-fringed isolated beaches, Kuranda and the Atherton
Tablelands, World Heritage listed rainforests and the sun burnt outback.
This dynamic area serves as a diverse hub for many attractions and
activities of the Tropical North. Apart from the major tourism attractions
of the Reef & Rainforest, there are many adventure sports such as white
water rafting and bungee jumping, as well as other activities such as golf
and trail riding. |
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Day 11 Fly Cairns to Sydney |
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You will be transferred to the airport for
your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel. |
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Sydney - Australia's premier city is the
oldest settlement in Australia, the economic powerhouse of the nation and
the country's capital in everything but name. Built on the shores of the
stunning Port Jackson, you would have to die and go to heaven before you see
a more spectacular setting for a city. It's a vital, self-regarding
metropolis, exuding both a devil-may-care urbanity and a slavish obsession
with global fads. The Sydney area was the ancestral home of the Daruk
tribe, whose territory extended from Botany Bay to Pittwater. There are some 2000 Aboriginal rock
engraving sites in the Sydney area, and many of Sydney's suburbs have
Aboriginal names. The city of Sydney began life as a penal colony in 1788
and for the next 60 years received the unwanted, persecuted and criminal
elements of British society. Despite its brutal beginnings, the city's
mixture of pragmatic egalitarianism and plain indifference has transformed
it into a thriving multicultural society. Sydney now attracts the majority
of Australia's immigrants and the city's predominantly Anglo-Irish heritage
has been revitalized by large influxes of Italian, Lebanese, Turkish, Greek,
Chinese and Vietnamese. |
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Day 12 Tour - Sydney half day city tour
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Travel over the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
stopping at Milson's Point for a great photo opportunity of the Sydney Opera
House. Visit Middle Harbour before a stop is made at Manly beach with time
for afternoon tea (own expense). Travel Sydney's northern coast line and
see beautiful white sandy beaches. |
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Day 13 At leisure, Sydney |
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At your leisure to explore Sydney. Most of
the major attractions of the city are within easy walking distance of your
accommodation - Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Centrepoint Tower,
Circular Quay, The Rocks etc. |
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Day 14 Fly Sydney to USA (Via Auckland) |
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You will be transferred to the airport for
your departure flight. |
Travel Packages
GUIDES
