Days 1 & 2: Depart U.S. for Cairns, Australia
Day 3: Arrive Cairns
This afternoon we arrive in Cairns, gateway to Australia’s Far North and the Great Barrier Reef. We transfer to our hotel where tonight we enjoy a briefing and dinner. D
Day 4: Cairns/Kuranda
We take an orientation tour of Cairns then board an historic railway to the mountain village of Kuranda. After time to explore we descend to Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park via the gondolas of Skyrail, gliding just feet above the rainforest canopy. Showcasing the culture of the rainforest people, Tjapukai ranks as Australia’s premier Aboriginal cultural attraction. OU. B
Day 5: Great Barrier Reef
This morning we board a boat for a day-long excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, at 1,200 miles long the world’s largest living organism and richest marine resource. We pull up at Michaelmas Cay where we can swim, snorkel, view the reef from a semi-submersible vessel, or take a guided birding tour. B,L
Day 6: Cairns/Alice Springs
We take a morning flight to Alice Springs, where we see the Anzac Hill Monument to Australian and New Zealand soldiers, Royal Flying Doctors Service, and School of the Air, which provides schooling to widely scattered Outback children. Tonight we enjoy a traditional dinner in the “bush.” B,D
Day 7: Alice Springs
This morning we embark on an Aboriginal “dreamtime” tour, to meet Walpiri tribespeople and learn about their ancient culture. Then we visit Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm, where we enjoy a picnic lunch and see the sheer rock walls aglow in reflected sunlight. B,L
Day 8: Alice Springs/Ayers
Rock We reach our Ayers Rock hotel early afternoon. After lunch on our own, we visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the traditional land of the Anangu Aboriginal peoples and home to the Olgas rock formations and Uluru (Ayers Rock). We watch the sun set over this fabled sandstone monolith that rises to a height of 1,114 feet. B
Day 9: Ayers Rock/Sydney
This morning we visit the base of Uluru and the interesting museum here. Mid-day we fly to Sydney, arriving late afternoon at our hotel in the famed Circular Quay area. B
Day 10: Sydney
Today’s tour features the breathtaking Royal Botanic Gardens, Darling Harbor and Mrs. Macquarie’s Point, Rose and Watson’s bays, and popular Bondi Beach. Then we board a catamaran for a lunch cruise around Sydney Harbour. B,L
Day 11: Sydney
This morning we tour Koala Sanctuary Park, where koalas roam free. Next we drive along Sydney’s Northern Beaches, a string of 18 stunning playgrounds, then stop in fashionable Manly for free time and lunch on our own. B
Day 12: Sydney
After we tour the iconic Sydney Opera House this morning, the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant, with excellent seafood and beautiful harbor views. B,D
Day 13: Sydney/Christchurch/Mount Cook Nat’l Park, New Zealand
We fly this morning to Christchurch, New Zealand, where we board a motorcoach for the drive to Mount Cook National Park (Aoraki in the native tongue). En route we visit a local farmstead to watch the well-trained sheep dogs and to see a sheep-shearing demonstration. We reach our hotel located inside the park this evening in time for dinner. B,D
Day 14: Mount Cook
This morning’s tour of alpine Mount Cook Village and environs includes a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center, where we see a 3D planetarium movie about the region. We also visit the Hillary Gallery, commemorating Sir Edmund’s achievements, including the first ascent of Mount Cook’s difficult South face. At 12,316 feet, Mount Cook is New Zealand’s tallest mountain – and just one of 27 Southern Alps peaks that top 10,000 feet. After time in the village for lunch on our own, this afternoon is at leisure to enjoy Aoraki Mount Cook as we wish – optional activities include hiking and scenic flights. B,D
Day 15: Mount Cook/Queenstown
We travel by motorcoach today through New Zealand’s lush fruit-growing region to Queenstown, stopping en route in the former gold mining town of Arrowtown for lunch on our own and a stop at the famed Kawarau Bridge where in 1988 AJ Hackett invented Bungee jumping. Mid-afternoon we reach the “adventure capital” of Queenstown. B,D
Day 16: Milford Sound
Our day-long excursion to Milford Sound includes a nature cruise through the breathtaking fjords. We have lunch on board then later have the opportunity to return to Queenstown on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). B,L
Day 17: Queenstown
A day at leisure. B
Day 18: Queenstown/Rotorua
We depart this morning for Rotorua, with its geysers, bubbling mud pools, hot thermal springs, and a center of Maori culture. This afternoon’s tour includes the new Rotorua Museum, among other highlights. B
Day 19: Rotorua
This morning and early afternoon are at leisure; late afternoon we visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori Cultural Center for a traditional hangi dinner and performance. B,D
Day 20: Rotorua/Auckland
On our way to Auckland we stop at Ruakuri Caves to see the unique glowworms illuminate underground grottoes. Mid-afternoon we arrive in the “City of Sails,” in a beautiful natural setting atop 48 volcanic hills. We take a panoramic city tour featuring the War Memorial Museum, Auckland Harbour, and the America’s Cup Village. Tonight we celebrate our adventure Down Under at a farewell dinner. B,D
Day 21: Depart for U.S.
Late afternoon we transfer to the airport for the flight to Los Angeles, where we connect with our return flights home. B
Optional 2-night Auckland extension can be added here.
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