Day 1: Los Angeles:
This evening board your flight bound for New Zealand (D)
Day 2: In Flight:
Cross the international dateline and ‘lose’ a day.
Day 3: Arrive Auckland:
Arrive in Auckland today and be met on arrival at the airport. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax and settle in. Tonight enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers and Tour Director at The Observatory Restaurant atop Sky Tower, offering incredible views of Auckland. QF. Two Night Stay: Auckland, Skycity Hotel (B,D)
Day 4: Auckland at Leisure:
Enjoy a day at leisure to discover the City of Sails for yourself. Perhaps wander down to the harbor, or explore the shops and restaurants of the city. Alternatively, you could join an extended day trip to Rotorua, the centre of Maori culture and renowned for its geothermal activity (own expense). (B)
Day 5: Auckland Sightseeing,
Fly to Queenstown, Walter Peak Dinner: This morning after breakfast, enjoy some time at leisure to relax or further explore Auckland. Then join your flight to Queenstown. Tonight, cruise aboard the vintage steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a delicious carvery dinner. Three Night Stay: Queenstown, Copthorne Lakefront Resort (B,D)
Day 6: Milford Sound Cruise:
Today travel one of the most scenic alpine drives into World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park. Here, take a cruise along the full length of Milford Sound. Relax and enjoy the view as your boat glides past towering Mitre Peak, cascading waterfalls, dense rain forest and rugged mountains. (B,L)
Day 7: Queenstown at Leisure:
Today is free for you to explore Queenstown for yourself. Perhaps go shopping in one of the local boutiques, take a jetboat ride on the Shotover River or board a thrilling helicopter ride. Or perhaps you may like to play a round of golf or enjoy a winery tour to sample the local vintages (all at own expense). (B)
Day 8: Mt Cook, Christchurch
View spectacular alpine scenery today as you journey into the national park to New Zealand’s highest peak, Mt Cook. Here, the huge Tasman Glacier, 17 miles long and two miles wide, flows down Mt Cook’s eastern slopes towards the Mackenzie Basin. Perhaps take a ski plane flight over the region, including a landing on the glacier (weather permitting, own expense). Continue on to the lovely city of Christchurch. Check in to your hotel and relax with the evening at leisure. Stay: Christchurch, Copthorne Central (B)
Day 9: Christchurch, Sydney:
This morning take a tour of Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City. Later, board a flight to Sydney, Australia and on arrival enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax or start exploring the harbour city. Three Night Stay: Old Sydney Holiday Inn (B)
Day 10: Sydney Sights and Opera House Tour:
Today see Sydney’s famous sights on a tour of the city. Cruise on Sydney Harbour, see the Harbour Bridge and enjoy a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Later, learn about opals and other gemstones before visiting Sydney Wildlife World. Here you’ll see koalas, kangaroos and other native animals. This evening, enjoy 360° views of the city as you enjoy a gourmet dinner at the renowned Sydney Tower Restaurant) (B,D)
Day 11: Sydney at Leisure
Today is yours at leisure in Sydney, allowing yo to discover the sights for yourself. Perhaps join an optional trip to the wine region of the Hunter Valley or visit the Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters rock formation (both at own expense). (B)
Day 12: Cairns, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park:
This morning after breakfast, join a flight to Cairns - the stunning gateway to Far North Queensland. Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or begin exploring this tropical paradise for yourself. Later this afternoon, visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and enjoy the opportunity to learn about the unique culture and traditions of Australia’s Aboriginal people. Three Night Stay: The Hotel Cairns (B)
Day 13: Great Barrier Reef Cruise:
Enjoy a full day to discover the beauty of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, composed of more than 2,800 individual reefs. Board a catamaran cruise out to the Moore Reef and take advantage of the opportunity to swim or snorkel among the brilliantly colored coral, giant clams, tropical fish and other marine life. You’ll also enjoy a tropical buffet lunch as you relax on board. (B,L)
Day 14: Cairns at Leisure:
Today is free for you to explore the delights of Queensland’s tropical north at your own pace. You can simply relax on the pristine white sandy beaches, unwind by the hotel pool or go shopping. There are also some optional day tours available such as a trip to Kuranda, a village deep in the heart of the rainforest. Here, perhaps ride the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over the rain forest, visit the local markets or embark on a unique journey aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway - passing over 40 bridges and through 15 tunnels, travelling in tropical rain forest and past rushing waterfalls (all at own expense). This evening gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner. (B,D)
Day 15: Depart Cairns:
Your tour concludes after breakfast this morning with an included transfer to the airport.
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