| Day 1.
Depart your hometown. Today you depart for the
West Coast. After introductions and meeting your guide (who will be travelling with you all the way) we fly overnight across the Pacific with
the award winning Qantas Airways, the Spirit of Australia.
F
Day 2.
Cross International Dateline. We lose a day
which will be regained on our return trip.
Day 3.
Arrive Auckland. Haere mai - welcome to New
Zealand. We arrive this morning in Auckland, the City of Sails. We will be
met by Goway's local representative and transferred to our hotel. An
afternoon tour of Auckland includes the bustling downtown and waterfront
areas, a 360� panorama of the city from the summit of Mt Eden, quaint
Parnell village and the pretty North Shore via the Harbour Bridge. Tonight a "Welcome to New Zealand" dinner cruise on Auckland's spectacular
harbour. Heritage Hotel. D
Day 4.
Auckland to Rotorua. Today we travel south to
Waitomo and enjoy a guided underground excursion to the world famous Glow
Worm Grotto. Afterwards we continue through rich farming country across the
Waikato River to Rotorua. Tonight a local Maori will transfer us to a Marae
where we will enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi feast and concert. Royal
Lakeside Novotel (2 nights). BD
Day 5.
Rotorua sightseeing. This morning we visit the
Thermal Reserve and see the renowned geothermal activity including boiling
mud pools, gentle hot springs and violent geysers. See a sheep demonstration
followed by a visit to Rainbow Springs to experience the new Kiwi Encounter.
This afternoon is at your leisure. BD
FREE OPTION
(must be pre-booked): You can choose to be guests of a "Kiwi" family
tonight. Your hosts will meet you and take you to their home for a
traditional home-cooked meal. After a hearty breakfast the next morning, you
will rejoin our group.
Day 6.
Rotorua to Queenstown. We leave the thermal
wonderland and fly south to the exciting alpine resort town of Queenstown.
Tonight we'll ride the gondola to Bob's Peak for a breathtaking view of the
snow-capped mountains and Lake Wakatipu including a delicious dinner at the
Skyline Restaurant. Heritage Hotel (3 nights).
BFD
Day 7.
Milford Sound. We begin our trip to Te Anau
and Milford Sound by travelling along the shores of New Zealand's prettiest
lake, Lake Wakatipu. We arrive into Fiordland National Park, one of the
world's largest national parks with spectacular hanging valleys, towering
precipices and raging torrents. The road continues through the Homer Tunnel
to Milford Sound which was once described as the "eighth wonder of the
world". Our cruise takes us past mile-high Mitre Peak, majestic mountains,
ancient rainforests and thundering waterfalls before returning to
Queenstown. BL
Day 8.
Queenstown at leisure. A full day to relax or
take part in the incredible variety of activities Queenstown has to offer.
B
Day 9.
Queenstown to Christchurch. Travelling past
Lake Wanaka and over historic Lindis Pass, we stop to view majestic Mount
Cook, known by the Maori people as "Cloud Piercer". We then cross the
Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, renowned as the "most English city
outside of England". Millennium. B
Day 10.
Christchurch to Cairns. This morning enjoy an
orientation tour of Christchurch before transferring to the airport for our
flight to Cairns. Welcome to Australia. Cairns Hilton (3 nights).
BF
Day 11.
Rainforest & Aboriginal Experience. A very
special breakfast this morning at the "Freshwater Connection" theme
restaurant. You then board the Kuranda scenic train "Royal Champagne
Service" for a spectacular narrow gauge ride to charming Kuranda. Travel
into the towering rainforest on an amphibious army duck. We enjoy an Aussie
barbeque lunch and an authentic Aboriginal cultural performance under the
canopy of the rainforest. Experience a "Dreamtime" walk with an Aboriginal
guide. Throw a boomerang and see if it will come back! You will also see
Australian native animals including koalas, wombats and kangaroos. You'll
even get the chance to meet Matilda or Walter, Goway's adopted Koalas.
Tonight enjoy an Australian seafood buffet.
BLD
Day 12.
Great Barrier Reef. Today we depart Cairns and
journey to Green Island for some free time before exploring the Great
Barrier Reef for approximately 3 hours. Non-snorkellers may remain at Green
Island and either snorkel from the shoreline or enjoy an excursion in a
glass bottom boat. BL
Day 13.
Cairns to Ayers Rock. This morning we fly into
the "Outback" to Ayers Rock. The afternoon is spent visiting the Olgas and
later we view the spectacular setting sun light up the Rock, the world's
largest monolith. This evening absorb the sounds of the didgeridoo and dine
on true Outback cuisine as we enjoy our Sounds of Silence Dinner under the
stars. Desert Gardens Hotel. BFD
Day 14.
Ayers Rock to Alice Springs. All morning is
spent exploring the fascinating Rock. We'll hear some of the Aboriginal
legends about the sacred land. In the afternoon we coach through the
semiarid desert that is known as the "Red Centre" to Alice Springs. Alice
Springs Resort. B
Day 15.
Alice Springs to Adelaide. Start the morning
with a unique experience as we take a camel to breakfast. Feel like one of
the original explorers riding these "Ships of the Desert" through the
Outback. A tour of Alice Springs follows including Anzac Hill, and Royal
Flying Doctor Service, where a light lunch is served before continuing to
the Old Telegraph Station. We then transfer to the airport for the flight to
Adelaide and enjoy dinner at the hotel. Hilton Hotel Adelaide (2 nights).
BLD
OPTIONAL: Ghan Train (must be pre-booked): You may opt to travel aboard the legendary Ghan train
overnight from Alice Springs to Adelaide. Additional charge of $877.00Day 16.
Adelaide at Leisure. A full day to relax,
visit the wineries or perhaps fly to Kangaroo Island for a guide tour of the
wildlife. B
Day 17.
Adelaide to Melbourne. Today we travel to the
Mount Lofty Ranges and at Hahndorf we have time to explore the quaint
village before transferring to the airport for our flight to Melbourne.
Crown Promenade (2 nights).
BLDay 18.
Melbourne sightseeing. Melbourne is the
cultural capital of Australia with a rich multicultural identity, classic
buildings, beautiful parks and gardens, sophisticated dining and enviable
shopping. This morning's tour includes the Royal Botanic Garden, St. Paul's
Cathedral and Parliament House. Morning tea is traditional Aussie style in a
private home or in the Botanical Gardens. The balance of the day is free.
B
Day 19.
Melbourne to Sydney. This morning we transfer
to the airport for our flight to Australia's most cosmopolitan city. On
arrival we transfer to our hotel. Sydney Radisson Hotel (3 nights).
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Day 20.
In Sydney. This morning enjoy an orientation
tour of the city and out to the beautiful southern beaches including the
famous Bondi. You also have the chance to try a traditional Aussie "Meat
Pie". We then take a guided tour of the world-famous Sydney Opera House,
home to Australia's renowned opera, ballet and theatre companies. This
afternoon we transfer to Darling Harbour where we board our cruise vessel to
explore Sydney's splendid harbour. B
Day 21.
In Sydney. A full day at leisure to further
explore Australia's most cosmopolitan city or perhaps to do some shopping.
Tonight we enjoy dinner at the famous Sydney Tower with spectacular views of
the city and harbour. BD
Day 22.
Sydney to home. At leisure with some time for
last minute shopping. We transfer to the airport for our flight to Los
Angeles where you connect to your flight home.
BF |
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