Day 3  Arrival in Cairns, Australia. (Sun.) G’day and welcome to Australia. Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special WELCOME DINNER at your hotel. CG. (B,D)

Day 4  Cairns. Great Barrier Reef Excursion. (Mon.) Board a fast catamaran for a CRUISE to Green Island, one of the many tropical islands on Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef. Here you can choose to snorkel, take a GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR, or join a naturalist for a guided walk through the island’s cool rain forest. This afternoon, your Tour Director can assist you with a variety of optional activities, including crocodile spotting. Tonight, dinner will be held at TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK—an interactive and entertaining portrayal of the culture, dance, and folklore of this indigenous tribe. (B,D)

Day 5  Cairns–Melbourne. (Tue.) Morning at leisure in this tropical paradise. For a truly amazing rainforest experience, consider our optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery, lush rainforests, and twisting waterfalls from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey, you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Later today, fly to Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city. (B)

Day 6  Melbourne. (Wed.) Today’s tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful FITZROY GARDENS and then drive past the lush Royal Botanical Gardens. You’ll soon discover the differing architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Also, stop at one of the country’s leading OPAL COMPANIES to discover how the beautiful gems are mined. For a unique dining experience, join an optional outing on board a historic tramcar restaurant as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. Later this afternoon, you will drive to Phillip Island to see a PENGUIN PARADE. (B,D)

Day 7  Melbourne–Sydney. (Thu.) Fly to Sydney, one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Your sightseeing this afternoon includes a visit to the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE and its amazing interior and theaters, as well as a visit to TARONGA ZOO. Here, a Local Guide will introduce you to Australia’s unique fauna, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, dingoes, and the famous Tasmanian Devil. You can even have your photo taken with a koala. A great photo stop is made at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, located in the city’s BOTANICAL GARDENS and offering sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Feel like a Bondi local while touring inside Bondi’s world famous surf LIFESAVING CLUB and enjoy a lifesaving demonstration! Today’s highlight is a sumptuous sunset DINNER CRUISE on one of Sydney’s most prestigious cruise ships. (B,D)

Day 8  Sydney. (Fri.) A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps join one of our optional excursions, including an adventure to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience or an excursion to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! (B)

Day 9  Sydney. (Sat.) Another day at leisure for your own discoveries. The choice is yours and your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at a waterfront restaurant with fantastic views of Sydney. (B,D)

Day 10  Sydney–Christchurch, New Zealand. (Sun.) Haere Mai—welcome to New Zealand. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this internationally famed “Garden City.” (B)

Day 11  Christchurch. (Mon.) Enjoy sightseeing with a drive up the winding Summit Road for views of Lyttleton Harbour, then past Christchurch’s old stone buildings, the charming Avon River, and acres of green parks. (B)

Day 12  Christchurch–Queenstown. (Tue.) Today, enjoy fantastic views as you journey through the snowcapped peaks, waterfalls, and rugged mountain scenery of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Later, arrive in Queenstown, nicknamed the “Adventure Capital of the World.” (B)

Day 13  Queenstown. Cruise on Milford Sound. (Wed.) More beautiful scenery today as you travel into FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has the elite status of belonging to UNESCO’s World Heritage Parks. CRUISE on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. (B,L)

Day 14  Queenstown. (Thu.) A full day at leisure for your own discovery. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages or maybe a thrilling jetboat ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a FAREWELL DINNER, the perfect finale to a great touring adventure. (B,D)

Day 15  (Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)