Day 1& 2: Depart Los Angeles or San Francisco for Australia
Day 3: Arrive Melbourne
On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and traveling companions.
FT. Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Melbourne, 3 nights.
Day 4: Melbourne City Sight Tour
Enjoy a morning tour of Melbourne including the Botanic Gardens, St. Paul's Cathedral and Parliament House. B
Day 5: Melbourne 'Free Time'
Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. You may like to join an optional tour to the Yarra Valley or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road. B
Day 6: Melbourne - Alice Springs
You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your early morning flight to Alice Springs. Enjoy a tour of this unique outback town. Visit the historic Telegraph Station, the Royal Flying Doctor Service to see how medical aid reaches those who live in the remote 'outback' and the School of the Air. Tonight we travel to a genuine Aussie outback homestead, Ooraminna, to enjoy a You are Invited barbecue dinner with the Hayes family. We'll hear about their family story of five generations living on the land.
Hotel: Chifley Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs. B D
Day 7: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Depart early for Ayers Rock Resort. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine this evening while watching a spectacular sunset at mighty Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. B
Day 8: Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
Rise early to view Uluru at sunrise. There is the opportunity to climb to the summit. Tour the caves at the base and hear stories of the Dreamtime. This afternoon travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Enjoy sunset here with a glass of complimentary sparkling wine. B
Day 9: Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Cairns
You will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this tropical city. Take a stroll along the Esplanade or visit the Pier Marketplace.
Hotel: Hilton Hotel, Cairns, 3 nights. B
Day 10: Great Barrier Reef
Cruise on a high-speed catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. View the coral and fish from a semi-submersible craft and snorkel along the reef. Enjoy a reef education presentation on this living wonder and a delicious buffet lunch. B L
Day 11: Cairns 'Free Time'
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cairns. You may like to join an optional tour to Kuranda. Board the train for an historic journey through the scenic countryside behind Cairns. Return by the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the tropical rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. B
Day 12: Cairns - Sydney
Spend time at the Cairns Wildlife Dome where you'll encounter unique Australian animals. You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival in Sydney you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Take a stroll to the Opera House and watch the world go by as you relax in a cafe along the concourse.
Hotel: Old Sydney Holiday Inn, Sydney, 3 nights. B
Day 13: City Sights - Cruise
This morning tour Sydney and see the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs. Macquarie's Chair and Kings Cross. Visit famous Bondi Beach, with time to stroll along the beach, then return to the city for a Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. B L
Day 14: Sydney 'Free Time'
Explore the harbour city of Sydney further today. Perhaps take an optional tour to Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley. B
Day 15: Sydney - Auckland
You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your flight to Auckland. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland, 2 nights. B D
Day 16: Auckland
This morning cruise on Waitemata Harbour and later visit the America's Cup Village. Time at leisure this afternoon to explore Auckland further. B
Day 17: Waitomo Caves - Rotorua
Travel into the Waikato District today and visit the Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto for a guided boat tour. Visit Te Puia and enjoy a guided tour of the geothermal reserve, followed by a delicious Hangi dinner and concert.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. B HD
Day 18: Rotorua - Christchurch
This morning visit Rainbow Springs, followed by an entertaining look at life on the farm at the Agrodome Sheep Show. This afternoon fly to Christchurch.
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. B
Day 19: TranzAlpine - Franz Josef
Board the famous TranzAlpine train and travel over the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. Continue to Greymouth, then follow the coastal road to Franz Josef Glacier, where you will have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier. B D
Day 20: Queenstown
See the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, Lake Wanaka, Cromwell and Kawarau Gorge. Visit historic Arrowtown then continue to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights. B
Day 21: Milford Sound
Super highlight day! Discover the stunning scenery of Fiordland. We drive through the Homer Tunnel and stop briefly at the Chasm en route to Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on the waters of this natural wonder, with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls high above you. B L
Day 22: Queenstown 'Free Time'
Explore adventure-capital Queenstown your way. Go wild with a jet boat ride or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. B
Day 23: Christchurch
Travel past Mount Cook National Park. Stop at Lake Tekapo and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, before continuing this afternoon to Christchurch. Enjoy local hospitality with a delicious You are Invited dinner and wine in a kiwi home. Your hosts are descendents of some of the first settlers in Christchurch.
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. B D
Day 24: Depart Christchurch
You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. B |
