Your itinerary
Days 1 - 3: Arrive Australia - Hobart,
Tasmania
Board your flight for your trip to Australia
and New Zealand. Day 2 is spent in
flight. On day 3, arrive in the Tasmanian
capital city of Hobart. (D)
Day 4: Hobart
Take a guided tour of the
Port Arthur Historic Site. This
fascinating site is the best-preserved example of Australia's penal
colonies. Dating back to 1833, the site features a large number
of stabilized ruins and restored buildings.
Visit the interpretive centre for a view into the daily
lives of the convicts. Later, witness the
spectacular coastal rock formations known as Tasman Arch, Devil's
Kitchen and the Blow Hole. Of course, no
visit to Tasmania would be complete without the chance to view a
Tasmanian Devil! (B)
Day 5: Hobart - Melbourne
Fly to the beautiful Victorian city of
Melbourne. Enjoy a city tour viewing
Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and Parliament
House. (B)
Day 6: Melbourne
Your morning is at leisure to explore
Melbourne on your own. You may visit the
elegant parks and gardens in this friendly city; take a ride on one
of the streetcars, or enjoy lunch at an outdoor café in the
quaint Italian neighborhood of Carlton.
This afternoon you will take a trip to Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home of the world's
largest colony of Little Penguins. The
Little Penguin is protected on Phillip Island and a staff of
rangers works diligently to study these lovable birds. View the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of them
waddle out from the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the
dunes. You will also visit the interpretation centre where you will
learn about the life of the Little Penguins and their significance
to the area. Dinner is included at a
favourite Phillip Island restaurant. (B, D)
Day 7: Melbourne - Ayers Rock
Board your flight to Ayers Rock, located
in the heart of the Australian Outback, where you will tour around
the base of "the Rock" and marvel at the beautiful
sunset. (B)
Day 8: Ayers Rock - Alice Springs
Tour the sandstone domes of the Olgas
before departing for Alice Springs, located in the heart of the
Australian Outback. A sightseeing tour of
the area includes the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill.
Tonight, enjoy dining and entertainment with a
traditional dinner in the bush. Dine under the stars, tasting
the local fare of the Outback while enjoying entertainment and
spectacular surroundings.
(D)
Day 9: Alice Springs - Darwin - Kakadu
National Park
Begin your day with a Dreamtime Tour.
Experience the culture of the Australian Aborigines by learning
about their ancient culture, folklore, customs and the belief of
the Dreamtime. You will even have the
opportunity to try some of their traditional food.
Later, board your flight to the northern tip of Australia
and the city of Darwin. You then drive
into the heart of Kakadu National Park. (B, D)
Day 10: Kakadu National Park - Darwin
Today you experience the beauty and
culture found in Kakadu National Park. See
ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock and enjoy an
audio-visual show at the Visitors Center.
This afternoon embark on the Yellow Waters. Traverse the murky
waters sighting crocodiles as they bask in the sun, as well as
thousands of waterfowl such as jabiru, egrets, herons and
eagles. Return to the city of Darwin this
evening. (B)
Day 11: Darwin - Cairns
This morning you fly to Cairns, the
gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
(D)
Day 12: Great Barrier Reef
Board a high speed catamaran
for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier
Reef. From your base on Green Island,
you are able to explore the reef. Enjoy a
trip on a glass bottom boat* where beautifully coloured fish swim
by in their natural habitat, stroll the walking trail to take in
the rain forest, or watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from
the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional
scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available.
(B,
L)
Day 13: Cairns - Sydney
Fly to Sydney, Australia's fun-loving
city. (B)
Day 14: Sydney
Tour the amazing city of Sydney today.
Highlights include Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the
Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable
suburb of Paddington. Discover one the of world's
greatest architectural works as you take a guided tour through the
Sydney Opera House.
Dinner is included at one of Sydney's revolving restaurants,
offering spectacular views of the city.
(B, D)
Day 15: Sydney
The day begins with a visit
to Koala Park where you will see koalas in their natural
habitat. You also have the chance to
feed the kangaroos and pet a wombat. Next, enjoy a fascinating opal
presentation at Gemtec, one of Australia's top jewelry companies.
An evening dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour will give you a
different perspective of this beautiful city.
Enjoy spectacular views of Sydney's greatest icons - the
Harbour Bridge and world-famous Opera House. Following the cruise,
return to the Opera House to enjoy a captivating
performance!
(B, D)
Day 16: Sydney - Queenstown, New
Zealand
You travel to New Zealand, arriving in the
gorgeous town of Queenstown.
Day 17: Queenstown - Milford Sound -
Queenstown
Travel through beech forest into the
rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to
Milford Sound. Enjoy a fascinating cruise
of Milford Sound, cruising this spectacular fjord with its
breathtaking vistas at every turn.
Following your cruise, you return to Queenstown.
You may choose to return via a short optional flight
(weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand's
Southern Alps. (B, L)
Day 18: Queenstown
Your day is at leisure in this charming
village. You may take an optional jet boat
ride on the Shotover River, or take an optional 'Safari of the
Rings' adventure into the spectacular landscape.
Dinner is included at the Skyline Restaurant
overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains, and Lake
Wakatipu. (B, D)
Day 19: Queenstown - Mt. Cook National
Park
Travelling through the picturesque
countryside, a stop is made in the old boomtown of Arrowtown, which
is thriving with the history of the 1800's gold rush. Later, you arrive at Mt. Cook National Park where you
may take nature walks or enjoy an optional flightseeing tour to the
top of the rugged mountain range (weather permitting). (B, D)
Day 20: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
A drive through the rugged Southern Alps
brings you to the beautiful English city of Christchurch, located
on the Avon River, and considered to be "the most English city
outside of England." Upon arrival, enjoy a
sightseeing tour of Christchurch viewing magnificent gardens, the
Neo-Gothic Cathedral, and the downtown park district. Driving along the Avon River, you will pass
Victorian-style buildings.
(B)
Day 21: Christchurch
Today is yours to explore the historic
city of Christchurch. This afternoon you may choose to take an
optional tour to the International Antarctic Center, the gateway
for expeditions to Antarctica. Tonight, experience
the elegance of Canterbury as you dine in a restored mansion and
learn the history of the first family to settle in
Christchurch. (B, D)
Day 22: Christchurch - Wellington
Travelling north along river valleys,
scenic coast and vineyards, you see spectacular views. Arriving in Picton, you will ferry across the Cook
Strait to the North Island and Wellington, the harbour capital of
New Zealand. (B)
Day 23: Wellington
Enjoy sightseeing in Wellington, viewing
the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic old St. Paul's
Church, and views from atop Mt. Victoria.
Later, experience Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the national museum of
New Zealand. (B)
Day 24: Wellington - Rotorua
Depart for the centre of the Maori
civilization and home to numerous geothermal springs, the city of
Rotorua. Tonight you will enjoy a home
stay** and dinner with one of New Zealand's families. This is a great way to meet the Kiwis and perhaps
make a lifelong friend. (B, D)
Day 25: Rotorua
A visit to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
takes you to bubbling, steaming silica terraces and a Maori
Village. Here, the Maori keep their
customs alive by teaching the tribal youth the skills of
traditional carving, weaving and dancing.
Learn more about this unique culture as you partake in a
demonstration about the importance of the Maori dress and the
weaving process. Before leaving you will get to view the iconic
Kiwi bird. A visit to the Agrodome will give you insight into how
wool, one of New Zealand's premier products, is processed through
the shearing of millions of sheep each year.
You will view a special sheep shearing
demonstration. Later
this afternoon, meet jade carvers and discover how jade is
transformed from the mine to the shelf. This evening
you receive a traditional Maori welcome at a Hangi meal followed by
a traditional performance of songs, dances and other
festivities.
(B, D)
Day 26: Rotorua - Auckland - Depart for
Home
Travel through the majestic countryside of
the North Island arriving in New Zealand's largest city, Auckland,
"The City of Sails." Tonight you depart
for your journey home with pleasant memories of your South Pacific
holiday. (B)
Day 27: Arrive Home
get more info »
