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Day 3: Arrive Melbourne : On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be
transferred to your hotel (flights to arrive prior to 6:00pm, airfare not
included). This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow traveling
companions for a welcome drink. Overnight: Melbourne, Hotel Sofitel for 3
nights.qf
Day
4: Melbourne City Sights: Enjoy a morning tour of Melbourne including
the Royal Botanic Gardens, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Parliament House and the
Shrine of Remembrance. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take an
optional tour to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade. (B)
Day 5: Melbourne at Leisure: Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan
Melbourne. You may like to join an optional tour and ride on Puffing Billy,
followed by wine tastings in the Yarra Valley, or tour along the famous
Great Ocean Road. (B)
Day 6: Melbourne—Alice Springs:You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport
for your early morning flight to Alice Springs (flights to arrive prior to
1:00pm, airfare not included). Enjoy a tour of this unique outback town.
Visit the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, Royal Flying Doctor
Service, School of the Air and enjoy the panoramic views from Anzac Hill,
before returning to your hotel. Overnight: Alice Springs Resort
Day 7: ULURU (Ayers Rock): Depart early for Ayers Rock Resort, stopping
at a camel farm where you can try your hand at riding “a ship of the
desert.” This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at Ayers Rock
Resort. Enjoy a glass of wine this evening while watching sunset over Ayers
Rock (Uluru) from the special viewing area known as the “sunset strip.” The
subtle color changes are truly amazing. Overnight: Ayers Rock Resort, Sails
in the Desert Hotel for 2 nights (B)
Day 8: ULURU (Ayers Rock)—The Olgas: Rise early to view Ayers Rock at sunrise.
There is the opportunity to climb to the summit (optional). Tour the caves
at the base of Ayers Rock and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime.
Later, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Center. This afternoon travel to
the Olgas (Kata Tjuta). The size and grandeur of these 36 massive domes of
conglomerate red rock will amaze you. Take a walk to the Valley of the Winds
Lookout. After sunset with sparkling wine, enjoy a delicious Australian
barbecue dinner and stargazing. (B, D)
Day 9: ULURU (Ayers Rock)—Cairns: You will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport
for your flight to Cairns (airfare not included). On arrival at Cairns
Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at
leisure to explore this tropical city. Overnight: Cairns, Hilton Hotel for 3
nights (B)
Day 10: Great Barrier Reef: Cruise on the Great Adventures high-speed
catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. View the coral and fish from a
semi-submersible vessel. Snorkeling gear is included (extra charge for
diving). A marine biologist will provide an informative presentation on this
living wonder. Enjoy a buffet lunch on-board the pontoon. (B, L)
Day 11: Cairns at Leisure : Today is at leisure to relax by the hotel
pool or go shopping. Perhaps join an optional tour to Kuranda including a
scenic rail journey on the Kuranda train, Skyrail Cableway ride above the
canopy of the rainforest and a visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
(B)
Day 12: Cairns—Sydney : You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for
your flight to Sydney (airfare not included). On arrival at Sydney Airport
you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at
leisure. Overnight: Sydney, Hotel Sofitel for 3 nights (B)
Day 13: City Sights—Harbor Cruise : This morning tour Sydney and see the Sydney
Opera House, Botanical Gardens, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Kings Cross. Visit
famous Bondi Beach, with time to stroll along the beach, then return to the
city for a Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge
and stop at Milson’s Point to photograph fabulous views of the city skyline.
Later visit Manly surf beach before returning to the city. (B, L)
Day
14: Sydney at Leisure : Explore the beautiful harbor city of Sydney
further today. Perhaps take an optional tour to the Blue Mountains to see
the spectacular Three Sisters or enjoy some wine tasting in the Hunter
Valley. (B)
Day 15: Sydney—Auckland : You will be transferred to Sydney Airport to
connect with your flight to Auckland (flights prior to 1:00pm, airfare not
included). On arrival in Auckland you will be transferred to your hotel.
This afternoon travel to the top of Mount Eden for panoramic views of
Auckland and explore the War Memorial. Overnight: Auckland, Stamford Plaza
for 2 nights (B, D)
Day 16: Auckland : This morning visit Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater
World and Antarctic Encounter. Later, visit the America’s Cup Village. Time
at leisure this afternoon to explore Auckland further. You may like to visit
Sky Tower for spectacular views of Auckland. (B)
Day 17: Auckland—Rotorua : Travel into the Waikato District today and
visit the Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto for a guided boat tour. Enjoy a delicious
barbecue lunch, before continuing to Rotorua. Visit the Whakarewarewa
Thermal Reserve and see boiling pools of mud and geysers of all sizes,
followed by a Hangi dinner and concert. Overnight: Rotorua, Millennium Hotel
(B,L,D)
Day 18: ROTORUA—CHRISTCHURCH: This morning visit Paradise Valley Springs to
view the unique New Zealand animals, followed by an entertaining look at
life on the farm at the Agrodome’s Sheep Show. This afternoon fly to
Christchurch on the South Island (flights after 1:00pm, airfare not
included). Overnight: Christchurch, Millennium Hotel (B)
Day 19: Christchurch—Franz Josef: Board the famous TranzAlpine train this
morning and travel over the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. Continue to
Greymouth, then follow the coastal road south to Franz Josef, home of the
Franz Josef Glacier where you will have the opportunity to take an optional
scenic flight (weather permitting, own expense). Overnight: Franz Josef,
Glacier Hotel (B, D)
Day 20: Franz Josef—Queenstown : Continue along the coastal road, climb over
the Haast Pass winding through Mount Aspiring National Park. Visit Arrowtown,
a colorful township steeped in local history, before traveling to
Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown, Mercure Grand St. Moritz for 2 nights (B)
QFV
Day 21: Milford Sound : Journey into Fiordland National Park and
through the Homer Tunnel. Stop briefly at the Chasm, before arriving at
Milford Sound. Cruise on the waters of this natural wonder with Mitre Peak
and Bowen falls high above you. (B, L)
Day 22: Queenstown—Mount Cook— Christchurch : Travel past Mount Cook National Park, home to
New Zealand’s highest mountain. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at
Lake Tekapo and continue over the colorful, patchwork plains of Canterbury
to Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch, Millennium Hotel (B)
Day 23: Depart Christchurch: You’ll be transferred to Christchurch to
connect with your onward flight (flights anytime, airfare not included). (B)
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Travel Packages
GUIDES
