Day 1 - Depart for Australia
Cross the international dateline and arrive on Day 3
Day 3 - Melbourne and the start of your Australia tour
Your Australia tour begins at 5:30 PM at The Langham Melbourne. TK. A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to The Langham Melbourne. Welcome to the Grand Australia New Zealand tour, where friendly g'days greet you from arrival to departure! Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight as you meet your traveling mates.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The Langham Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Day 4 - Melbourne's Victorian charms
You'll see a lot of Melbourne on a sightseeing tour of the city, including St. Patrick's Cathedral, the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and the ANZAC War Memorial - the Shrine of Remembrance. The city is also home to the oldest tram network in the world; experience it up-close tonight when you dine aboard the Melbourne Colonial Tramcar Restaurant as it travels around the city.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Langham Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Day 5 - All about Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia tour highlight
Fly to Alice Springs en route to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for an two-night stay. Settle into your Outback resort and join us for a "silver service" champagne party at Uluru; while the celebration by itself is very special, wait until you experience it under the setting sun when the light bathes the mystical rock with a palette of ever-changing color.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia
Day 6 - Aboriginal adventures in the Outback
Aboriginal traditions define life in the Outback, especially at Uluru. Learn about the "dreamtime" legends associated with this massive monolith on a guided tour. Nearby, the many-headed Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) awaits your discovery; hear stories about the 36 gigantic rock domes that are found here and explore mazes and crevasses steeped in local lore.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia
Day 7 - Off to Queensland
Spend a free morning at Uluru where you'll have an opportunity to do some more exploring. Your Australia tour continues with a flight north from the red desert to the tropical rainforests of Queensland. Arrive in Cairns and continue on to your resort in Port Douglas.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Day 8 - Life at the Great Barrier Reef
Spend a full day exploring one of earth's most incredible "living" sites, the Great Barrier Reef, on a catamaran cruise aboard your Quicksilver ship. Marvel at the colors and beauty of the coral and fish while swimming, snorkeling, or engaging in a variety of water activities. Spend the evening at leisure back at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Day 9 - Your Australia tour takes you to the rainforest
Your resort is close to many natural wonders, including a mist-shrouded tropical rainforest. Ride a gondola through the lush jungle landscapes to the mountain village of Kuranda, before returning to the resort for some free time.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Day 10 - Optional balloon ride and on to Sydney
Soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional early morning balloon ride* (additional cost of $197 per person applies) or spend the morning at the resort at your leisure. Everyone takes off for Sydney late this morning for a four-night stay in the heart of the city. Your hotel is within walking distance of the Botanic Gardens, shopping and restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: InterContinental, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Day 11 - Sightseeing in Sydney
One of Australia's most famous iconic sights takes center stage today when you visit the Opera House on a personally guided tour. A private luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour is a fabulous way to unwind and relax, while getting a good look at some of this extraordinary city's landmark sites from the water. City sightseeing continues as you view The Rocks, Kings Cross and surfing heaven at Bondi Beach.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: InterContinental, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Day 12 - A day in Blue Mountains National Park
Eco-touring at its best today! Accompanied by an informative, knowledgeable local guide, you'll head first to Featherdale Wildlife Park for a visit with some of Australia's native animals before the public opening hours. Travel into the northern section of Blue Mountains National Park, stopping at a number of spots for short walks to enjoy the stunning views of these remote regions and to learn about the flora. Pass through the historic town of Hartley Vale, and keep an eye out for kangaroos grazing in the pastoral areas. Following lunch, arrive at Scenic World, home of the world's steepest incline railway. You have uninterrupted views of the famous Three Sisters rock formation and a walk through the rainforest before heading down to the southern section of the park. Enjoy a glass of chilled champagne at Wentworth Falls to finish your day in the Blue Mountains, and return to Sydney.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: InterContinental, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Day 13 - Sydney your way, all day
There is so much to see in Sydney, and so many ways to do it, that the entire day is free to explore and dine as you please - Sydney's got it all. From museums to shopping, from Aboriginal art to an array of Australian and international dining options, you'll find many ways to spend the day and make it memorable!
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: InterContinental Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Day 14 - Farewell to the Australia tour, hello to New Zealand
Your grand Australia tour comes to an end as you bid a final farewell and board a flight across the Tasman Sea for your grand New Zealand tour! First stop is Auckland, the City of Sails, where your hotel is located in the heart of the city. Dine a la carte at the hotel's award-winning Barolo restaurant, voted the best in the city.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Langham Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Day 15 - Wonders of Waiheke
Board a ferry for a ride to Waiheke Island for a day of natural delights. An island tour includes a close-up look at sugar-sand beaches, fertile farmland and some of the region's top wineries. A special lunch at Mudbrick Vineyard entices with a taste of regional delights. The remainder of the day is spent on your own back in Auckland.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Langham Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Day 16 - A day of Maori traditions
Travel to Rotorua today, rich in geologic history and Maori traditions. Have lunch at a working farm and country garden to experience an authentic glimpse of daily life and spend the afternoon at the Te Puia Maori Cultural Center. A private welcome presentation includes poi dancing and a moving rendition of the haka. Stroll through an array of cultural arts exhibits amidst bubbling mud pots and thermal geysers.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay, Rotorua, New Zealand
Day 17 - Mussels on Marlborough Sounds
Feel like a privileged member of the jet set today a we have a charter plane at your service. This exclusive charter flight takes you first to Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds on New Zealand's South Island. Besides producing great wine, this island boasts delectable freshly caught seafood, including green-lipped mussels. Sample them on a luncheon cruise that celebrates the bounty of land and sea before flying off to Wellington on an exclusive charter flight. Stay two nights at an ideally located waterfront hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Copthorne Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Day 18 - Historic Wellington
Your New Zealand / Australia tour continues in a city known for its scenic beauty and its amazing five-story national museum. Touring the Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum is like actually experiencing thousands of years of New Zealand's history in person as motion simulators and interactive exhibits include you in the journey. The remainder of the day is free to make your own history.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Copthorne Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Day 19 - Cruise on Milford Sound and fly to Queenstown
Weather permitting, glimpse Mt. Cook from aboard Tauck's exclusive charter as you fly to Te Anau for a scenic drive and luncheon cruise on beautiful Milford Sound. One of the benefits of flying on our charter plane is the ability to circle sights you want to see; if feasible, our pilot will soar close to the mountain for you to get a better look. Fly on to Queenstown where your hotel enjoys a premier city-center address overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Crowne Plaza Queenstown, Queenstown, New Zealand
Day 20 - Jet-boat on the Shotover River Canyon
Even if you're not all that adventurous, today's thrilling high-speed jet-boat ride* down a river carved through the narrow, rocky gorges and canyons of Shotover River Canyon will be a highlight of Tauck's New Zealand / Australia tour! The rest of the day is free.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Crowne Plaza Queenstown, Queenstown, New Zealand
Day 21 - Tea at a sheep farm and a flight to Christchurch
A leisurely cruise aboard a vintage steamer takes you to Walter Peak Farm for afternoon tea and a sheep-shearing demonstration for a true taste at life on the farm! This afternoon's flight takes you to the garden city of Christchurch, where gracious willow trees line the banks of the Avon River.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Millennium Hotel Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
Day 22 - Cultural discoveries in Christchurch
Spend the day discovering the quintessential sights of the "most English city outside of England." Manicured gardens and parks share verdant squares with stately Victorian architecture that presides over the city's riverfront setting. Cultural delights are not limited to land. Experience a punting excursion on the Avon River aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat typically found on English waterways in Oxford and Cambridge; your punt is expertly propelled by an Edwardian-garbed punter, pole in hand. Say hooray to your friends from Down Under at our farewell dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Millenniium Hotel Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
Day 23 - So long to the lands Down Under
This New Zealand and Australia tour ends in Christchurch. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Millennium Hotel Christchurch to Christchurch International Airport. Please allow 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
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