Day 01, Wednesday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for New Zealand. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey
DAY 2, Thursday - En Route
En route to New Zealand. Cross over the international dateline and lose one day
DAY 3, Friday - Arrive in Auckland
On arrival you will be welcomed by a representative and transferred by private coach to your hotel. En route, enjoy a four hour Auckland city tour including a visit to the Auckland Museum and the Auckland Skytower. Upon arrival to the hotel there will be a welcome drink and orientation with the tour manager. Overnight: Auckland at the Heritage Auckland Tower.
Optional: Pride of Auckland Dinner Cruise
DAY 4, Saturday - Flight to Queenstown
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Queenstown, New Zealand's alpine adventure capital. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. B. Overnight: Queenstown at the Millennium Queenstown Hotel
DAY 5, Sunday - Milford Sound Cruise
Depart Te Anau via Homer Tunnel, and pass through the glacier-hewn Eglinton Valley, arriving at Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on the fjord, with scenic views of the temperate rainforest, the renowned Mitre Peak, and Bowen Falls. A picnic lunch is included on board. Later this afternoon, continue back to Queenstown. B, L
DAY 6, Monday - Full Day in Queenstown
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Queenstown. A mountain resort city, Queenstown is set along placid Lake Wakatipu, with the mountain range known as The Remarkables creating a stunning backdrop, B.
Optional: Half Day Queenstown Garden Tour
Optional: Walter Peak Evening Dinner Excursion
DAY 7, Tuesday - Full Day in Queenstown
Full day at leisure to explore Queenstown independently. B.
Optional: Half Day Wine Tour
DAY 8, Wednesday - Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt. Cook
Depart Queenstown and travel through the Kawarau Gorge wine region and through the panoramic Lindas Pass to reach New Zealand’s highest mountain - Mt Cook. Continue over the fertile Canterbury Plains to arrive in Christchurch. B. Overnight in Christchurch at the Heritage Hotel.
DAY 9, Thursday - Christchurch City Tour
Enjoy a morning three hour sightseeing tour of the ‘garden city’ famous for its many parks and gardens, Anglican Cathedral and gothic architecture and English atmosphere. The remainder of the day is at leisure. B.
Optional: Half Day Christchurch City Tour
Optional: Willowbank & Christchurch by Night Tour
DAY 10, Friday - Flight to Melbourne
This morning at leisure to further explore Christchurch independently. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival, met your tour manager at the airport and transfer to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure. Melbourne is the heart of Australia’s classic south. The city has compelling appeal in its gardens, its history, its character and its charm. Trams criss-crossing the city offer a leisurely way to appreciate the splendid streetscape. B. Overnight: Melbourne at the Citigate Melbourne Hotel.
DAY 11, Saturday - Melbourne City Tour
This morning meet your Tour Manager in the hotel lobby to commence a half day sightseeing tour of Melbourne. An insight into Australia's second largest city with a mix of cultures and history from the magnificent gardens, riverside Southbank and Docklands complexes, bayside suburbs with elegant nineteenth-century streetscapes to the designer fashion stores and cafes. Return to your hotel to enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. B .
Optional: Afternoon/Evening Penguin Parade
DAY 12, Sunday - Full Day in Melbourne
Full day at leisure to explore Melbourne independently. B
Optional: Full Day Savannah Walkabout
DAY 13, Monday - Flight to Cairns
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns. The tourist capital of Tropical North Queensland. Set on Trinity Inlet, which was named by Captain James Cook on Trinity Sunday, 1770, the city is a must-see for all visitors. The reason is simple. Cairns has so much at its doorstep: the blue waters of the Coral Sea; the riches of the Great Barrier Reef; the flora of the tropical rainforests; the cool inland tablelands and a wealth of offshore islands. Later this afternoon put on your walking shoes and join your Tour Manager for an orientation walk along the waterfront boardwalk towards the city. One of the focal points is the vast saltwater swimming lagoon shaped to the State of Queensland with its dramatic steel fish sculptures and sandy beach. Dotted along the Esplanade and across the street from the boardwalk and park areas is an exciting array of restaurants offering a wide variety of differing cuisines. B. Overnight: Cairns at the Mercure Harbourside Hotel.
DAY 14, Tuesday - Green Island Tour
Green Island is a beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay located in the inner Great Barrier Reef Marine Park just 27km from Cairns and a 45 minute journey across the Coral Sea in a high speed catamaran. With its unique reef and rainforest environment, this beautiful island provides the one-stop tropical experience. Green Island is the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest growing on it! It is home to 126 native plant species, colourful birdlife, surrounded by magnificent coral gardens and is some 15 hectares (approx 37 acres) in size. Revel in an array of activities or relax and let your day unfold in this tropical paradise. Stroll through magical rainforest, or laze on the white coral sands, or you may take the opportunity to enjoy the well appointed day visitor facilities .
Optional: Upgrade included sightseeing and add a Outer Great Barrier Reef extension. B
DAY 15, Wednesday - Full Day in Cairns
Full day at leisure to explore Cairns independently B.
Optional: Full Day Kuranda Train Tour with lunch
DAY 16, Thursday - Flight to Sydney
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Sydney is a thriving harbourside metropolis populated by almost four million people and is Australia's best known city. It was the first site of European settlement on the Australian continent – one vastly different from today's cosmopolitan showcase. The city's most famous landmarks include The Harbour Bridge, The Opera House and the Centrepoint Tower. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure. B. Stay at the Menzies Hotel Sydney.
DAY 17, Friday - Full Day in Sydney
This morning, board your private coach and commence a panoramic sightseeing tour. Travel east to world famous Bondi Beach and then through historic Paddington with its unique terrace houses to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair and the Royal Botanic Gardens for spectacular views of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House and Harbour bridge. See the historic buildings of Governor Macquarie's time in Macquarie St, Parliament House, St. Mary's Cathedral and the Queen Victoria Building. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. B .
Optional: Full Day Blue Mountains with Featherdale Wildlife Park
DAY 18, Saturday - Full Day in Sydney
Full day at leisure to explore Sydney independently. B .
Optional: Lunch Cruise on Sydney Harbor . Optional: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
DAY 19, Sunday - Full Day in Sydney
Full day at leisure to explore Sydney independently. B. Optional Blue Mountains Wildlife Tour.
DAY 20, Monday - Depart for the USA
This morning, transfer to airport by private vehicle for your flight to the US
Optional Sightseeing Excursions
Pride of Auckland Dinner Cruise: The Pride of Auckland operates its fleet of purpose-built sailboats on the sheltered inner waters of the sparkling Waitemata Harbour. Tie up at a sheltered anchorage within the largest yacht marina in the southern hemisphere where you will be invited to your table below decks and served your Seafood Dinner (alternative menus confirmed upon booking) along with an offering from the ships bar. After Dinner the sails are set and we pass under the Harbour Bridge to Chelsea sugar works, Devonport Naval Base and the City’s waterfront. Guests are welcome to participate in sailing the yacht or just sit back, relax and enjoy the sail. Tour Duration is approximately 2.5 hours. $89
Half Day Queenstown Garden Tour: A relaxed tour which visits 3 local private Queenstown gardens with lovely locations. Your hosts are local gardening enthusiasts and will be happy to share their knowledge and gardening tips. Nestled in the heart of the rural Wakatipu, each gardener draws their inspiration from the spectacular alpine landscape. A Devonshire morning tea is also included at the delightful Millbrook Golf and Country resort at Lake Hayes. $79
Walter Peak Evening Dinner Excursion: Begin your evening excursion with a scenic cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the vintage steamship TSS Easnslaw. Disembark at Walter Peak and make your way through the gardens to the Colonel's Homestead. Dine at a carvery style buffet that features many New Zealand specialties. Following dinner, enjoy a brief farm show before returning to the ship for your return cruise to Queenstown, during which you will have the opportunity to participate in a sing-along around the piano, an old tradition on the Earnslaw. Tour duration is 4 hours. $89
Queenstown Half Day Wine Tour: Enjoy a fun, informative, friendly wine tour with tasting at four local wineries including a platter style lunch. The Queenstown region has become one of New Zealand's most exciting wine regions winning regular awards throughout the world. The regions Pinot Noir in particular is regarded as world class. Discover the Kawarau Gorge and visit old Cromwell Town and AK Hackett bungy bridge.Tour duration is 5 hours. $115
Half Day Christchurch City Tour: Depart your hotel this afternoon and travel to the award winning International Antarctic Centre. Tour through the Centre which showcases New Zealand's close relationship with the great White Continent, view the resident penguins and enjoy a Hagglund (snow mobile) ride. On completion travel back into the city for a 1 hour tour by motorized Catipillar through the citites stunning botanic gardens. Discover why Christchurch is known as the "garden city." Return to your hotel on completion. A perfect extension tour to the included morning city sightseeing tour of Christchurch. Tour duration is 3.5 hours. $115
Willowbank & Christchurch by Night Tour: Travel to Willowbank Wildlife reserve for a Maori Cultural performance consisting of a traditional Maori greeting, action songs, poi dances and hakas. On completion enjoy a buffet carvery dinner. After dinner join a guided tour of the Reserve where you will see Kiwi in their natural habitat, eels, keas, deer, possums and other birds and animals both native and introduced to New Zealand. On returning to the central city you will be given a guided tour of the central city at night prior to being returned to your accommodation. Tour duration is 4 hours. $119
Melbourne Penguin Parade 3:00 PM: This afternoon, witness the natural phenomenon of the Penguins Parade on Phillip Island. Every evening at dusk, the little Fairy Penguins come from the sea to burrow in the sands of Summerland Beach, an event which draws millions of visitors each year. $110
Full Day Savannah Walkabout with Lunch: Depart Melbourne this morning for a brief journey west to the Serendip Open Range Sanctuary, a protected habitat for wild kangaroos and native birds, including cockatoos and honeyeaters. After a short walk to meet the kangaroos, begin a special safari drive around the sanctuary to see the animals. Then, disembark and walk to the billabong, home to a large population of waterbirds. Before lunch, visit a protected population of wallabies and have the opportunity to get close to some unusual endemic Australian birds. The open-air picnic includes gourmet sandwiches, fruit, cakes, and delicious Australian "Billy tea." Afterward, the tour continues a few miles north in the bushland of You Yangs Park, home to a large number of adorable wild koalas. Take a leisurely stroll amidst the gum trees, keeping an eye out for koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, and birds in their natural setting. Continue to walk through the granite formations of the You Yangs, which once hosted huge meetings of Aboriginal People from all over southeastern Australia, before finally returning to Melbourne in the early evening. $159
Half Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Extension: Your main Itinerary includes a day on Green island. If you wish you can upgrade to also include the Outer Great Barrier Reef.
The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is yours to experience when you cruise to our mulit-level reef activity platform. Situated on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, our spacious platform features undercover seating and tables to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, full bar facilities, a swimming enclosure for children, change rooms with freshwater showers, sundeck, and scuba diving facilities with a semi-submerged platform. You will be able to snorkel and dive amongst some of the most spectacular coral gardens and marine life diversity on the Great Barrier Reef.Or if you choose to stay dry, you can still embrace the natural wonderland below in our underwater observatory and spacious, air-conditioned semi-submersible vessel! $129
Cairns - Full Day Kuranda Train Tour with lunch: Today, enjoy a full day tour to the famous Kuranda Rainforest via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. An amazing journey awaits as you travel on one of the world's most scenic rail routes, dipping through hand-hewn tunnels and over bridges spanning spectacular gorges. A stop will be made at Barron Gorge to view the Falls en route to Kuranda Station. Upon arrival, spend time exploring this quaint village before boarding the unusual amphibious Army Duck for a unique view of the Rainforest. Following your ride, join the Dreamtime Walk for an insightful glimpse into the ancient Aboriginal and Islander history of the region. Afterwards, continue to the Rainforest Amphitheater to enjoy a special performance by the Pamagirri Dancers as they perform a range of native dances which reflect the humor and excitement of their culture. Following a delicious BBQ lunch, travel to the Koala & Wildlife Park nearby. During your visit, you'll see crocodiles, koalas, and even have the opportunity to hand-feed the kangaroos and wallabies. From here, the tour returns to the Kuranda Station where, upon arrival, you will board the Skyrail and experience views of the Rainforest canopy unlike any you've seen. Along the way you'll stop briefly to take a stroll or a visit to the CSIRO Interpretive Center. Afterwards, continue to Caravonica Lakes where a coach awaits to transfer you back to your hotel. $199
Sydney - Full Day Blue Mountains with Featherdale Wildlife Park: For wilderness and wildlife, the magnificent Blue Mountains is a must see for any visitor to Sydney. Today’s full day tour to the region will give you a chance to see it for yourself. Passing through quaint mountain villages, we access spectacular lookouts and the rugged Australian Bush. View the unique Three Sisters rock formation, and visit Scenicworld where there is the opportunity to ride the vertical railway (the steepest in the world according to Guinness Book of Records) or cableway into the deep canyon. Drive through picturesque Katoomba and the quaint village of Leura before descending the mountains. We visit Featherdale Wildlife Park where you may Cuddle a Koala (Note: Koalas cling to an object which you hold. At no stage are you permitted to hold Koalas directly), feed the kangaroos, view the Fairy Penguins, see the colourful Parrots, Cockatoos and Lorikeets. Walk through the reptile area, the native bird aviaries and see other unique Australian wildlife. Returning to the City in the late afternoon .$125
Lunch Cruise on Sydney Harbor: Take a two-hour luncheon cruise by catamaran on Sydney Harbour. You'll feast on a seafood buffet while cruising Sydney Harbour in a luxury air-conditioned catamaran - an unforgettable dining experience! You'll see all the sights of Sydney Harbour from the catamaran's extensive decks, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Fort Denison. The buffet lunch, freshly prepared onboard features hot & cold dishes, a selection of salads, fresh fruit and tea or coffee. Tour duration is 2 hours. $85
Exhilarating Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb: Experience the climb of your life! Enjoy an invigorating climb to the top of the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and admire panoramic views of the city and harbour below. A professional team of experienced climbers will escort you to the very top. A complimentary photo of your climb is included. $189 |
