AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND PANORAMA 15-DAY ESCORTED TOUR
This 15-day Australia New Zealand tour, complete with airfare from the USA, visits Cairns, Sydney, Christchurch, Dunedin, Te Anau, and Queenstown staying in first class hotels. Sightseeing excursions in each destinations, 17 meals and transfers are included.

  For a New Zealand Australia vacation quote, send a request to: Info@YtravelC.com

INCLUDED FEATURES:

• TranzAlpine: Journey through the spectacular Southern Alps.

• Punakaiki: Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.

• Franz Josef: See the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier.

• Rotorua: The Realm of Ta-ne, Breakfast on Lake Rotorua, Te Puia Thermal Reserve and the Agrodome Sheep Show. Plus a traditional Maori Hangi and concert.

• Auckland: Sightseeing including Mount Eden.

• Waitomo: Guided boat tour of the Glow Worm Grotto.

• Cairns Kuranda and Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

• Great Barrier Reef: Full day Great Barrier Reef cruise including lunch.

• Sydney: Sightseeing including the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Darling Harbour. Plus a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour.

• A welcome drink with your Tour Director in Christchurch

• 12 Buffet breakfasts

• 1 tropical buffet lunch on the Great Barrier Reef

• 1 lunch while cruising Sydney Harbour

• 3 three-course dinners in hotels

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Days 1 & 2 Depart USA
We fly over the international date line on our way to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Day 3 - Arrive Christchurch
On arrival in Christchurch you will be transferred to your hotel. After check-in, there’s time at leisure to explore the city, famous for its gardens and for being the most English city outside of England. Perhaps visit Hagley Park, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Cathedral or the Botanic Gardens. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and traveling companions. (Dinner) Hotel: The Heritage Hotel

Day 4 - TranzAlpine – Franz Josef
We start our day with the spectacular train journey on the TranzAlpine from Christchurch over the Alps to Arthur’s Pass. We’ll see the west coast rainforest, experience the Punakaiki Rocks & Blowholes and visit a New Zealand native greenstone (jade) factory for a jewelry demonstration at Hokitika. Later we arrive at Franz Josef Glacier, the world’s most accessible glacier. See it from the air on an optional scenic flight! (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel

Day 5 - Franz Josef – Queenstown
Get your camera ready as we take in the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, a small rainforest bush walk and a trio of lakes - Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. We’ll enjoy the tastes of sumptuous stone fruit at Cromwell - the stone fruit capital. Next we visit historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world’s richest rivers. We finish our day with an orientation tour of Queenstown and group photograph. Tonight you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant at Bob’s Peak via the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest gondola! The Kiwi Haka Maori Show will top off a great night out – if you so choose. (Buffet breakfast) Hotel: Millennium Hotel

Day 6 - Queenstown – Rotorua (2 nights)
Depart Queenstown this morning and fly to Rotorua. Meet your new Tour Director and fellow travelers this afternoon. The Realm of Ta-ne, followed by a Hangi and concert is our evening cultural highlight. Take an extraordinary journey through Maori culture, mythology and the story of our creation. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)  Hotel: Millennium Hotel

Day 7 - Rotorua
Sparkling wine and a breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua starts our day, followed by the Agrodome Sheep Show for a sample of farm life. We visit Te Puia for an insight into Maori Culture and take a guided tour of its geothermal reserve. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 8 - Rotorua – Auckland
We tour the Glow Worm Grotto and limestone caves at Waitomo Caves. Then we’ll trace the Waikato River into Auckland for a city tour including Mt. Eden, Bastian Point, Viaduct Harbour and Auckland Harbour Bridge. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)  Hotel: Stamford Plaza

Day 9 - Auckland – Cairns (3 nights)
We board our flight to Australia and the beautiful city of Cairns. On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. (Buffet breakfast)  Hotel: Cairns International tt

Day 10 - Kuranda
Today board the famous Kuranda Railway at Freshwater Station. Enjoy a breathtaking trip on one of the world’s most scenic operational rail journeys. On arrival in Kuranda, there is free time to take a stroll through the famous Kuranda Markets. Return to the lowlands by the Skyrail Cableway which takes you above the canopy of the tropical rainforest of Barron Gorge National Park. Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and learn about this ancient culture through theatre, stage shows and demonstrations, before we transfer you back to your hotel where you will meet your Tour Director. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 11 - Great Barrier Reef
Mid-morning we join the high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an informative reef education presentation. See a myriad of coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible craft. There is the opportunity to go snorkeling and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided). Enjoy an included buffet lunch before we return to Cairns. (Buffet breakfast / Buffet lunch)

Day 12 - Cairns – Sydney (3 nights)
It's a late morning flight to Sydney arriving in the afternoon. On our arrival we transfer to the hotel, where the remainder of your day is at leisure, maybe go out and explore this exciting city. (Buffet breakfast) Hotel: Sofitel Wentworth

Day 13 - Sydney Sightseeing & at Leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour includes views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. We then join a guided tour of the Opera House, a famous Australian icon. Later, we'll enjoy a luxury cruise on Sydney Harbour which includes a delicious lunch on board. Enjoy interesting commentary plus spectacular sights as we cruise by Sydney's prestigious suburbs. This afternoon you have the chance to learn about Australia's national gemstone – the opal. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight lunch)

Day 14 - Sydney at Leisure
A full day at leisure in this exciting city. Why not take an excursion to the famous Blue Mountains and see some of Australia's native wildlife at Featherdale Wildlife Park? Or perhaps take an interesting trip to Canberra, Australia's capital. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 15 - Sydney – USA
Time to bid farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. (Buffet breakfast)

PRICES: From USD $6250 per person. Based on double occupancy.

DEPARTURES 2009: Jan 10: Feb 07, 28: Mar 07, 14, 28: Sept 12, 26: Oct 10, 24: Nov 07: Dec 12
Book 12 months prior to your departure and save 10%
Book 7 months prior to departure and save 5%

LAND ONLY: From USD$4099 per person, based on double occupancy. International and internal air is extra.

HOTELS: Listed in itinerary