ROYAL AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND TOUR. 21-DAY Optional Fiji Extension

This Australia New Zealand escorted tour visits Franz Josef, Mt. Cook, Queenstown, Christchurch,  Dunk Island, Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, and Ayers Rock. An extension to Fiji can be arranged for an additional cost.

Premier escorted tour with no more than 30 people.

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

INCLUDED FEATURES:

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1: Los Angeles  Board your evening flight to Auckland, New Zealand (D)

Day 2: In Flight  Cross the international dateline.

Day 3:  Arrive Auckland  You will be met on arrival in Auckland and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour and visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. Join your fellow travelers at our Welcome Dinner.  Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel (D) 

Day 4: Rotorua, Maori Hangi Feast This morning you will journey to the Waitomo Caves for a tour of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Then continue to Rotorua, a region rich in Maori heritage. Here tonight you will enjoy a traditional Hangi feast and Maori cultural performance of song and dance.  Two Night Stay: Millennium Rotorua (B,D)

Day 5: Rotorua, Te Puia Thermal Reserve Today visit the Agrodome to learn about the sheep farming industry. Then head to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see the power of geothermal energy first-hand. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore or relax as you choose. (B,D)

A Country Homestay option is also available tonight.

Day 6: Rotorua, Fly to Christchurch Enjoy free time in Rotorua after breakfast before flying to Christchurch. On arrival, you can relax or explore.  Stay: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B,D)

Day 7: Southern Alps, Franz Josef Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the top rail journeys in the world. Disembark and continue down the rugged West Coast to Franz Josef.  Stay: Franz Josef, Te Waonui Forest Retreat (B,D)

Day 8: Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner Journey over Haast Pass and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown. Tonight, you may choose to cruise on the vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner. Or select from a range of other fantastic restaurants on our Dine Around Dinner.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B,D)

Day 9: Milford Sound Cruise  Considered one of the most scenic alpine drives, absorb the majesty of Fiordland National Park on the journey to Milford Sound. On arrival, enjoy a cruise along the full length of the sound, passing beneath cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and towering mountains. Return to Queenstown by coach, or perhaps take an optional scenic flight back (own expense). (B,L)

Day 10: Queenstown, Mt Cook Enjoy free time this morning before travelling to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest mountain. On arrival, settle in to your room and take some time to admire the view before dinner in the hotel tonight. Stay: Mt Cook National Park, The Hermitage, with guaranteed Mt Cook views (B,D)

Day 11: Fly to Sydney, Australia Travel via Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, Burkes Pass and the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch in the afternoon. Head to the airport and board your flight to Sydney. On arrival, check in to your luxurious hotel, then tonight enjoy an evening at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace. Three Night Stay: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel (B)
 

Day 12: Sydney Sights, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Opera House Guided Tour Today, step inside the Sydney Opera House during a guided tour. Then board a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour, viewing the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House from a different perspective. Later, discover Hyde Park and the famous Bondi Beach on a guided city tour. (B,L)

Day 13: Sydney at Leisure Enjoy this vibrant city at your own pace today. Perhaps take an optional sightseeing tour to the Hunter Valley, or visit the Blue Mountains (both at own expense). (B)

Day 14: Sydney, Fly to Cairns This morning after breakfast, fly to Cairns. On arrival, check in to your hotel before the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this tropical city. Perhaps go shopping, or spend a relaxing afternoon by the pool or at the beach.  Three Night Stay: Cairns, Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina (B,D)

Day 15: Great Barrier Reef Cruise After breakfast, take a guided cruise out to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Aboard your catamaran cruise out to Moore Reef and view the colorful coral and diverse range of marine life through the glass bottom of your boat. While out on the reef you have the option to go for a snorkel or a swim, an experience you’ll never forget. Afterwards visit your boat’s underwater observatory before enjoying a tropical lunch of local specialties. (B,L)

Day 16: Skyrail, Kuranda, Wildlife, Cairns This morning take a guided tour of Cairns before a ride on the scenic Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over lush rain forest to Kuranda. On arrival in Kuranda, visit a wildlife park and learn about native Australian animals. Perhaps even have your photograph taken with a koala (own expense). After seeing a performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, take in the stunning landscapes as you travel aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway back through the rain forest to Cairns. (B)

Day 17: Cairns, Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Uluru Base Tour, Sounds of Silence Dinner This morning, board a flight to Uluru from Cairns. Join your coach and head into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a tour of Uluru’s base. Your guide will show you ancient caves and traditional Aboriginal rock art. Walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear Aboriginal stories and legends. See Aboriginal artists at work at the Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery. Tonight you will be treated to the unforgettable Sounds of Silence dinner, where you’ll dine under the stars with vistas of Uluru. Later, go star gazing with an expert guide.  Stay: Ayers Rock Resort, Sails in the Desert (B,D) 

Day 18: Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Alice Springs  Today, after breakfast head out to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park again. Here, visit the stunning Kata Tjuta (Olgas), a cluster of 36 unique domes, and learn about this sacred place from a local guide. You’ll walk through the domes to the majestic Walpa (Olga) Gorge, a tranquil place of much significance to local Aboriginal people. Later, re-board your coach and travel to Alice Springs.  Stay: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B) 

Day 19: Alice Springs Tour, Fly to Melbourne, City Tour, Tramcar Dinner On a tour of Alice Springs, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Anzac Hill. Following this board a flight for Melbourne, where on arrival you’ll take a brief sightseeing tour. Tonight, indulge in a unique meal aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.  Two Night Stay: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins (B,D)

Day 20. Melbourne at Leisure Today spend the day at leisure in Melbourne. There are many optional activities available, such as a journey along the Great Ocean Road or a tour to Philip Island to see the famous penguin parade. Or perhaps explore Melbourne at your own pace. You could visit the Queen Victoria Market, go shopping in the city or perhaps stroll through one of the many gardens. (B)

Day 21. Depart Melbourne After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Los Angeles. (B)

PRICE: From USD$8750 per person, based on double occupancy.

DEPARTURES 2010: Jan 04: Feb 08, 15: Mar 08, 15, July 11; Sep 12, 26; Oct 3, 20; Nov 7, 14; Dec 8, 15.

HOTELS: Noted within the itinerary above