Day 4: Great Barrier Reef: Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available. (B, L)

Day 5: Cairns: Experience the unique lifestyle of the Aborigine people with a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. See an Aboriginal dance show, learn about the Aboriginal life style, learn to throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center which boasts a collection of interesting artifacts. Later, you may take an optional skyrail ride over the tropical forest of Queensland, viewing waterfalls and fabulous scenery and stopping en route at a rain forest station for a short stroll through the rain forest. Tonight, enjoy a ride through the rain forest on Army Ducks, followed by a traditional Aussie dinner. (B, D)

Day 7: Melbourne: After a morning of leisure, travel to Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home of the world's largest colony of Little Penguins. The Little Penguin is protected on Phillip Island and a staff of rangers works diligently to study and protect them. Behold the incredible Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of these lovable birds waddle out from the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. You will also visit the interpretation center where you will learn about the life of the Little Penguins and their significance to the area. Dinner is included on Phillip Island. (B, D)

Day 8: Melbourne - Canberra - Sydney: Today you fly to Australia's capital, Canberra, where you enjoy a sightseeing tour of this beautiful city, architecturally modeled after Washington, DC. Then it's on to Sydney, Australia's fun-loving city. Tonight's dinner at one of Sydney's revolving restaurants offers a spectacular view of the city below. (B, D)

Day 9: Sydney: Tour the amazing city of Sydney today. You will see Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one of the world's most fascinating architectural works as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. An evening dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour will give you a different perspective of this beautiful city. Enjoy spectacular views of Sydney's greatest icons - the Harbour Bridge and world-famous Opera House. Following the cruise, return to the Opera House to enjoy a captivating performance!

Day 10: Sydney: Today you visit Koala Park. Not only will you see koalas in their natural habitat, but you might also have the unique opportunity to pose with one of these cuddly creatures. You will also have the chance to feed the kangaroos and pet a wombat. Later, enjoy a fascinating opal presentation and learn how raw opals are processed from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry store. This evening, enjoy the city at your leisure or join us for an optional tour.

Day 11: Sydney - Auckland, New Zealand: You leave Australia behind and travel to New Zealand, arriving in the 'City of Sails', Auckland. Spend the evening at leisure in New Zealand's largest city.

Day 12: Auckland - Rotorua, New Zealand:Wind through the rolling hills of New Zealand's North Island en route to its cultural capital, the city of Rotorua. Experience the hospitality of the Kiwi's as you are invited tonight to dine in the home of a New Zealand family.

Day 13: Franz Josef - Queenstown: A visit to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve takes you to bubbling, steaming silica terraces and a Maori village. Here, the Maori keep their customs alive by teaching the tribal youth the skills of traditional carving, weaving and dancing. Learn more about this unique culture as you take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving and the importance of the Maori dress. You will also view the Kiwi and learn what New Zealanders are doing to rescue the Kiwi from the endangered species list. Next, a visit to the Agrodome will give you insight into how wool, one of New Zealand's premier products, is processed through the shearing of millions of sheep each year. You will also see a sheep shearing demonstration. This afternoon, visit a jade factory to see how the raw product is transformed into a fabulous gemstone. This evening you will receive a traditional Maori welcome at a Hangi meal followed by a traditional performance of songs, dances and other festivities.

Day 14: Rotorua to Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand's capital city awaits, nestled between a sparkling harbour and the rolling hills of the North Island.

Day 15: Welling, New Zealand: Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Wellington viewing the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic St. Paul's Church, and the government building, the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Following the tour, you visit the national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongawera Museu

Day 16: Wellington - Picton - Christchurch, New Zealand: Ferry across Cook Strait this morning and continue down the eastern coast of the South Island, arriving in the picturesque city of Christchurch. Located on the Avon River, this charming city is considered "the most English city outside of England." A sightseeing tour features the Neo-Gothic Cathedral, the downtown park district, and stunning Victorian-style buildings. The evening is yours to explore this great city!

Day 17: Christchurch  - Mt. Cook, New Zealand: Traveling along the rolling Canterbury hillside you will arrive in New Zealand's most famous national park, Mt. Cook. This afternoon you will have time to enjoy the park and perhaps take a nature walk or enjoy an optional flightseeing tour (weather permitting) that allows you to view the massive mountains from above.

Day 19: Queenstown - Milford - Queenstown, New Zealand: Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a fascinating cruise on the spectacular fjord of Milford Sound, experiencing breathtaking vistas at every turn. Following your cruise you will return to Queenstown. You may opt to return via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of the Southern Alps.

Day 21: Queenstown, New Zealand to USA