|
Days 1 and 2:
Depart from Home - Today you will board your overnight flight for your trip
to Australia and New Zealand. Crossing the International Dateline, you skip a
day ahead.
Day 3: Arrive Melbourne, Australia - Tour Begins - Your tour
begins in the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne, set around the shores of
Port Phillip Bay and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse.
Day 4: Melbourne - Today’s tour of Melbourne features Fitzroy
Gardens, valued for their historic, architectural, and horticultural
significance. Later, you may like to participate in an optional tour that
travels to Phillip Island, arriving at the fascinating home of the world’s
largest colony of Little Penguins. See hundreds of these lovable birds waddling
out from the sea as they cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes during
the Little Penguin Parade. On this option you will also visit the interpretation
center where you will learn about the life of the Little Penguins and their
significance to the area. Dinner is included on Phillip Island when you purchase
this option.
Day 5: Melbourne - Alice Springs - You fly to Alice Springs, located in the
heart of Central Australia and the Outback. A sightseeing tour includes the Old
Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill, with its excellent view of Alice Springs and
the surrounding area. Gain insight into the educational system in the Outback
with a visit to the School of the Air - you may even see a class in session! A
special experience is in store for you this afternoon as you will have the
opportunity to meet the young Aboriginal group, Drum Atweme. Supported by the
Collette Foundation, Drum Atweme is a musical group comprised of at-risk youth
from the local community. Tonight, enjoy a memorable dinner in the bush complete
with entertainment under the stars.
Day 6: Alice Springs - Discover the culture of the Aboriginal
people this morning during the ‘Dreamtime Tour’. Your specialist guide, along
with members of the Walpiri tribe, will tell you their stories of creation and
show you the every day activities of the Aboriginals. You will meet these people
at their camp and watch as various dreamtime stories are depicted in paintings.
Day 7: Alice Springs - Ayers Rock - Today you drive to Ayers Rock
in the heart of the Australian Outback. This huge monolith and the sandstone
domes of the Olgas were created through the process of upheaval and erosion. As
the sun sets, enjoy a champagne toast and watch as Ayers Rock magically changes
color.
Day 8: Ayers Rock - Cairns - This morning, you may take advantage of the
option to experience the majesty of sunrise on Ayers Rock as you make your way
there via the back of a camel! This afternoon, tour the Olgas and the base of
“the Rock,” learning about their significance to the Aboriginal culture before
leaving behind Australia’s Outback. This afternoon you are off to Cairns, the
gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. One of the world's most spectacular natural
attractions, the reef was established as a marine park in 1975 and is a
collective haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and
birds. In 1981 the United Nations designated the Great Barrier Reef a World
Heritage site.
Day 9: Great Barrier Reef - Board a high-speed catamaran for an
exciting excursion on the Great Barrier Reef. From your base on Green Island,
you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a trip on a glass bottom
boat* where beautifully colored fish swim beneath in their natural habitat.
Choose a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest and the beaches,
snorkel or watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. You may also
visit the underwater observatory. For a more adventurous encounter with the
reef, optional scuba diving and an outer reef tour are also available.
Day 10: Cairns - Sydney - Explore the rain forest canopy this
morning on an optional skyrail tour; make a few stops on the ascent to
experience the beauty of this World Heritage Site. Depart for the exciting city
of Sydney this afternoon. The evening is yours to independently explore one of
the world’s friendliest cities.
Day 11: Sydney - Today is a full day exploring the fun-loving city
of Sydney. Begin with a tour that includes sights such as Kings Cross, the
Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the
fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one of the world’s most fascinating
architectural sites as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised
majestically on Sydney Harbour. This evening’s experience is unforgettable as
you dine while cruising the harbour, enjoying views of the city’s great icons -
the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Day 12: Sydney - This morning visit Sydney Wildlife World, located
on the shores of Darling Harbour, which showcases Australia's fascinating flora
and fauna with three floors of exhibits. Within its walls, over 6,000 native
animals are protected. Walk amongst the wallabies and birds when you experience
the new interactive walk-through. Visit the koala sanctuary and see Australia's
most famous animal species in its natural habitat…you even have the opportunity
to pet one! Next, enjoy a fascinating opal presentation and learn how raw opals
are transformed from the dark mine shafts to beautiful artistic creations. Your
discovery of Sydney continues today with time to pursue your own interests.
Stroll through the city streets, visit the historic Rocks District, or simply
relax. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer suggestions.
Day 13: Sydney - Christchurch, New Zealand - Today you board your
flight to begin your exploration of New Zealand. You arrive in Christchurch, a
beautiful English city located on the Avon River. Christchurch is considered
“the most English city outside of England.” A sightseeing tour highlights the
city’s magnificent gardens, elegant park district and the historic Neo-Gothic
Cathedral. A special treat is in store for you tonight as you dine with a New
Zealand family in their home. Meet and talk firsthand with a friendly Kiwi
family who are delighted to share their culture, traditions and home with you.
Day 14: Christchurch - Franz Josef Glacier Region - Traveling
across New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps, you will marvel at the
snowcapped peaks and beautiful river gorges as you wind your way past waterfalls
and rugged mountain scenery. You may take a train ride (optional) aboard the
Tranz-Alpine Express for a scenic trip through the Southern Alps. You’ll end
your day in the Franz Josef Glacier Region which offers travellers a rare
opportunity to experience a dynamic glacial landscape, in a temperate
environment.
Day 15: Franz Josef - Queenstown - This morning you may choose to
view the jagged snow-covered mountaintops by taking an optional flightseeing
tour (weather permitting) over New Zealand’s beautiful glacier region. Board
your coach and journey to Queenstown. An amazing landscape unfolds before your
eyes as you pass through the rain forest, surrounded by the Southern Alps and
twisting coastline, revealing New Zealand's most stunning scenery. Cross green
glacial lakes, view thundering waterfalls and enjoy dramatic changes in scenery.
After crossing the Haast Pass you arrive in Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s
prettiest towns, nestled beside the mysterious Lake Wakatipu in the Southern
Lakes district. This evening enjoy dinner at the Skyline Restaurant where you
will enjoy spectacular views overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains,
and Lake Wakatipu.
Day 16: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Travel through
beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer
Tunnel to Milford Sound, where you will enjoy a fascinating cruise. You may
choose to return to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting)
for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
Day 17: Queenstown - Enjoy your day at leisure. Queenstown offers
limitless diversions set amidst breathtaking Alpine scenery. Shop in the
charming village of Queenstown or enjoy an optional and exhilarating jet boat
ride on the Shotover River.
Day 18: Queenstown - Mt. Cook - Enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, a
boomtown during the 1800’s gold rush. Next, enjoy a tasting and tour at one of
New Zealand's famous wineries. Stop at a local fruit stand to experience some of
the delicious produce that grows in the Central Otago region. Crossing the
Kawarau River, you see Lindis Pass before arriving in New Zealand’s most famous
national park, Mt. Cook. There will be time to enjoy the Alpine paradise of Mt.
Cook – a larger than life experience. You may choose to take a nature walk,
enjoy an optional glacier flight seeing tour (weather permitting), or simply
meditate on the beauty of the Southern Alps.
Day 19: Mt. Cook - Christchurch - This morning, drive through
magnificent landscapes as you return to Christchurch. Visit a working farm where
you will view a demonstration by a skilled New Zealand “strong eye” sheep
herding dog, followed by a sheep shearing demonstration. Learn how this New
Zealand farm family has survived the changing times. Tonight, step back in time
and experience the true elegance of Canterbury as you dine at a restored mansion
and learn about the history of the first settlers of Christchurch.
Day 20: Christchurch - Tour Ends - Your tour ends today in
Christchurch. |
Vacation Packages
TRAVEL
GUIDES
