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Days 1 & 2 Board your
transpacific flight and skip a day as you cross the International Date line. |
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Day 3 Arrive In
Nadi, Fiji. Bula and welcome to Fiji. Take a scenic drive down Fiji’s
famous Coral Coast to your hotel where a full breakfast awaits you.
Following a briefing by your Tour Director with an opportunity to meet your
traveling companions, there is time to freshen up before this afternoon’s
sightseeing tour. From the hotel take a leisurely drive to Sigatoka Valley,
"Fiji’s Salad Bowl." Our first stop is at historic TAVUNI HILLFORT, which
was established by a local chief. Then to LAWAI VILLAGE for a traditional
welcome by the villagers, before stopping at SIGATOKA to witness the local
markets. Tonight enjoy a special welcome dinner with your traveling
companions. (B,D) |
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Day 4 Fiji.
Enjoy a cruise to Fiji’s famous Castaway Island for a full-day South Pacific
adventure. Drop anchor for a chance to walk the island trail, don a snorkel
and mask to explore the colorful coral reefs, or just take a leisurely
stroll along the white-sand beaches. Lunch is included. (B,L)
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Day 5 Fiji. A
day at leisure. Perhaps join an optional Namuamua Adventure Tour and travel
to the Namosi rain forest by open boat. You will witness and participate in
the performance of a kava ceremony and see a traditional Fijian dance (meke)
and tuiboto (snake dance). Your Tour Director can help arrange it. (B) |
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Day 6 Fiji-Sydney,
Australia. An early morning departure for your flight to Sydney. G’day
and welcome to Australia. Your hotel is located in the heart of Australia’s
largest city. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special dinner at a
waterfront restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbor and the magnificent Opera
House and Harbour Bridge. What a great way to start your adventure Down
Under! (B,D) |
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Day 7 Sydney.
Join your fellow tour members this morning as you explore one of the world’s
most beautiful cities. Your tour includes exploring Sydney Harbour on a
cruise highlighting the natural wonder of this magnificent bustling
waterway, the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE for a guided tour of its amazing interior
and theaters, and an expert guide to escort you through the renowned
SYDNEYAQUARIUM DARLING HARBOUR where you will learn of the South Pacific’s
unique marine life. Board your coach and travel to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair,
located in the city’s botanical gardens, for a great photo opportunity
offering sweeping views of the harbor, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour
Bridge. A chance here to learn of some native flora including the unique
Morton Bay Fig Tree. Continue on to Kings Cross, the city’s nightlife area,
and through exclusive suburbs to famous Bondi Beach. Stop at Bondi Beach for
a chance to put your toes in the sand while enjoying an ice cream, or watch
the world go by over a coffee on the beach’s promenade. See trendy
Paddington, one of the city’s original suburbs with lovely terrace houses,
followed by the historic Rocks area, home to Sydney’s original convicts. We
also visit one of the country’s leading opal companies to discover how these
beautiful gems are mined. The balance of the day is free. (B) |
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Day 8 Sydney.
Full day at leisure for your own discovery. Perhaps join our optional
excursion with a drive through Sydney’s suburbs to the Hawkesbury River for
a relaxing cruise to a historic homestead, one of the earliest trading posts
dating back to 1867. Enjoy lunch on the broad veranda while learning of the
experiences of Australia’s early settlers. You may prefer an adventure to
the Blue Mountains for a widerness experience, or an excursion to the Hunter
Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb
to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! The choice is yours and your Tour
Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting
city. (B) |
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Day 9
Sydney-Cairns. Fly north to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,
one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Tonight enjoy dinner at your
hotel. (B,D) |
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Day 10 Cairns.
Great Barrier Reef Excursion. After a spectacular drive along the
coastline, reach the resort town of Port Douglas. Board a fast catamaran for
a cruise to the outer edge of Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef where
you will disembark onto a luxurious three-level pontoon. Enjoy coral viewing
from the UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY or cruise among the coral gardens in a
modern SUB-SEA VIEWER. Snorkeling gear is available and an informative talk
by a marine biologist enhances your reef experience. A smorgasbord lunch is
also included. For a fun way to spend the evening, join the optional outing
to the home of a local Aussie family for a delicious meal, accompanied by
Australian beer and wine. (B,L) |
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Day 11
Cairns-Alice Springs. Today we fly to the Outback. Here visit the
historic OLD TELEGRAPH STATION to discover how the locals live in this
remote area, and the history of how the early settlers explored the region
and developed communication. It’s onto Anzac Hill, a tribute to Australia’s
and New Zealand’s war heroes. Then visit the ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE to
appreciate how an aerial medical service is provided to those living in
extremely remote cattle stations. A highlight of your day is the opportunity
to ride a camel, the transport of the desert, at the CAMEL FARM. For a truly
unique Aussie experience this evening, consider an optional bush night out
that features a meal of typical campfire fare, fascinating tales of the
Outback, and Aboriginal folklore. (B) |
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Day 12 Alice
Springs. Today there is free time for exploring and shopping for
Aboriginal artifacts and souvenirs, or you may wish to take an optional tour
to Western MacDonnell and Standley Chasm. Or even venture out to the Desert
Park. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. (B,D) |
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Day 13 Alice
Springs-Ayers Rock. Today experience an Aboriginal "Dreamtime" tour and
learn about this important native culture from your local guide. Later fly
further into the Outback to "The Centre of Australia." In the afternoon
travel out past Uluru (Ayers Rock) to the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas),
a geological splendor of some 30 brilliant monoliths. There is time for a
walk to the Olga Gorge before returning to "Sunset Strip" for a drink as you
witness the changing colors of the Rock. Tonight dinner is at the hotel. (B,D) |
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Day 14 Ayers
Rock-Hobart. An early morning opportunity to join our optional
helicopter flightseeing for splendid views of the Rock and the surrounding
areas, a must for photographers. Or perhaps you might enjoy an optional
camel ride among the red sand dunes in the cool morning air and watch the
sunrise on Uluru. A base tour around Ayers Rock is included later this
morning. Afterwards fly to Hobart, Tasmania. (B) |
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Day 15 Hobart.
Today’s tour of the scenic Tasman Peninsula features the blowhole, the
Devil’s Kitchen, and the Tasman Arch coastal formations. Visit Port Arthur,
where the first convicts arrived in the 1830s. A guided tour of the PENAL
SETTLEMENT shows you the ruins of the four-story penitentiary and the model
prison…grim reminders of Australia’s days as a penal colony. Then stop at
BUSH MILL PIONEER SETTLEMENT. Also included is a short stop at a nearby
SANCTUARY to see the famous Tasmanian devil, a rare marsupial wolf. Tonight
dinner is at your hotel. (B,L,D) |
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Day 16
Hobart-Melbourne. Today fly to Melbourne, Australia’s second largest
city. Today’s tour of Victoria’s capital includes landmarks such as
Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance. Visit FITZROY GARDENS, and
then drive past the lush Royal Botanical Gardens. You’ll discover the
different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian
Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Dinner tonight is a real
treat as we dine among the locals on trendy Lygon Street. (B,D)
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Day 17 Melbourne.
A full free day for your own exploration. You may wish to take a full-day
optional excursion along the scenic Great Ocean Road. For a unique dining
experience, join an optional outing on board a historic tramcar restaurant
as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. Later this afternoon,
the optional excursion to see a penguin parade is highly recommended. (B) |
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Day 18
Melbourne-Christchurch. This morning fly across the Tasman Sea to
Christchurch, the "Garden City" of New Zealand. The remainder of the day is
free. Dinner is at your hotel. (B,D) |
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Day 19
Christchurch. Sightseeing this morning starts with a drive up the
winding Summit Road for views of Lyttelton Harbour, the charming Avon River,
and acres of green parks. The remainder of the day is free. (B) |
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Day 20
Christchurch-Mount Cook. Today leave Christchurch for beautiful Mount
Cook. Travel west to magnificent MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK, named after the
highest peak in New Zealand. Weather permitting, why not take an optional
ski-plane flight that actually lands on the 18-mile-long Tasman Glacier, or
perhaps a thrilling helicopter ride? Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B,D) |
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Day 21 Mount
Cook-Queenstown. Leave this alpine wonderland, ringed by 17 permanently
snow-capped peaks, and travel through the delightful village of Cromwell en
route to the resort area of Queenstown. A special treat this evening—a
gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for a panoramic dining experience. (B,D)
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Day 22 Queenstown.
Milford Sound. Journey into FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK through the Homer
Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in
the world, this region of New Zealand has the elite status of belonging to
the World Heritage Parks. CRUISE on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising
thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. (B,L) |
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Day 23 Queenstown.
A full day at leisure for independent sightseeing, shopping and exploration.
Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize
vintages or maybe a thrilling jetboat ride on the Kawarau and Shotover
Rivers. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day.
(B) |
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Day 24 Queenstown-Rotorua.
Today fly to Rotorua, the centre of Maori culture set in the heart of New
Zealand’s geothermal wonderland. On arrival, visit the AGRODOME to learn
more about one of the country’s major industries—sheep! Then onto RAINBOW
SPRINGS home to rainbow trout and the flightless kiwi bird in its nocturnal
"Kiwi House." Enjoy a traditional hangi dinner this evening, followed by an
authentic Maori concert. (B,D) |
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Day 25 Rotorua-Auckland.
A visit this morning to TE WHAKAREWAREWA to see New Zealand’s largest
geyser, boiling mud pools, and silca terraces. Travel north to the famous
WAITOMO CAVES which have attracted visitors for over 100 years. Experience a
guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages to see stunning
features. Enjoy a silent boat trip through the glowworm grotto as you glide
quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave
ceiling. This evening, you might consider a magnificent drive to the
Waitakere Ranges to sample a succulent spit roast lamb dinner accompanied by
some of New Zealand’s finest wines. (B) |
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Day 26 Auckland.
Take a tour of this attractive city known as the "City of Sails" situated on
an isthmus between two magnificent harbors—the Waitemata and the Manukau.
From the top of Mount Eden you have a stunning view of Auckland as well as
Rangitoto Island, the volcano cone which dominates the inner harbor. The
highlight of today is a visit to KELLY TARLTON’S ANTARCTIC ENCOUNTER where
you will see colonies of penguins in real ice and snow. Then travel beneath
the ocean see a giant stingray, Moray eels and come face to face with the
awesome predators of the deep— sharks, only inches away. This evening enjoy
dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) |
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Day 27 Auckland-Papeete,
Tahiti. Today fly to Tahiti. Cross the International Date Line and
arrive in Tahiti in the very early morning of the same day you left New
Zealand! After an overnight stay, your sightseeing includes a stop at Point
Venus, the historic landing place of Captain Cook. Then on through the
districts of Papenoo, Hitiaa, and Faaone to the GAUGUIN MUSEUM. After lunch
at the Botanical Gardens, see the cool FERN GROTTO OF MARAA. This afternoon,
a chance to do your own exploring or simply enjoy quality relaxation in
paradise. (B,B,L) |
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Day 28 Papeete.
Today, perhaps take an optional excursion to the magical island of Moorea.
Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a lavish farewell dinner, including an
exclusive Polynesian show—the perfect way to celebrate the success of your
South Pacific adventure. (B,D) |
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Day 29 Depart
Papeete. A full day at leisure to relax. Your room is available right up
until your departure time. Late this evening your homebound flight departs.
(B) |
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Day 30 Your flight
arrives in the U.S |
