Australia and New Zealand—two countries with breathtaking and unique scenery, as well as stimulating and vibrant cities. On this tour, you’ll have an opportunity to see Australia’s and New Zealand’s scenic highlights and most popular cities, including Auckland, Queenstown, Melbourne, Cairns, and Sydney.Words simply cannot describe the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, with its clear, tropical water and explosion of colors. You’ll get to see it in person and even snorkel in it or take a glass-bottom boat tour! Similarly, photos do not adequately depict the magnificence and amazing size of Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia’s Outback. You must stand before it to get a true perspective of its size and to see the changing colors of the rock at sunset. On this tour, you’ll have the opportunity and you’ll learn about Uluru’s spiritual importance to the Aboriginal people. In New Zealand, more breathtaking scenery awaits you at Fiordland National Park, where you’ll cruise on the fjord and witness the extraordinary scenic beauty and sheer cliffs.On this vacation, you’ll also experience the sophisticated, yet laid-back, cities. In Melbourne, soak up the city’s atmosphere and discover its boutiques, cafés, and world-class dining. Or perhaps take a trip to sample some of the award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley. In Cairns, participate in an optional excursion, or explore on your own and maybe taste locally grown bananas, paw-paws, mangos, and pineapples. Sydney offers a spectacular harbor, the world-famous Opera House, fabulous shopping, cosmopolitan cuisine, and lively nightlife. For a unique thrill, perhaps you can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Known for adventure, Queenstown is a marvelous city set in the magnificent landscapes of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Here, enjoy a cruise on Lake Wakatipu. From the sun-scorched desert of the Outback to the tropical Great Barrier Reef and from the smaller destinations in New Zealand to the cosmopolitan cities in Australia, this vacation is sure to leave you with lots of stories and memories to share.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand. Haere Mai—welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. This afternoon, enjoy sightseeing that includes a visit to the SKY TOWER, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand. Here you will ascend to the observation deck for sweeping views of the “City of Sails,” situated on an isthmus between two magnificent harbors. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a special welcome dinner. (D)
Day #2 Auckland-Waitomo-Rotorua. Leave Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. In the afternoon, continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Enjoy a traditional [LF] HANGI DINNER this evening followed by an authentic MAORI CONCERT. (B,D)
Day #3 Rotorua. This morning, start with a visit to the AGRODOME to learn more about one of the country’s major industries—sheep! Continue on to RAINBOW SPRINGS to view native bush and wildlife, including a walk through the kiwi bird enclosure. Last stop is TE PUIA, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. You may wish to board a floatplane for flightseeing of this beautiful area, join a New Zealand family for dinner in their home, or indulge yourself in the relaxing hot springs, sumptuous spa treatments, and massage therapies at the Polynesian Spa. (B)
Day #4 Rotorua-Christchurch-Mount Cook. Fly to Christchurch this morning. Upon arrival, motor south to magnificent MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK, named after New Zealand’s highest peak. Stop at the SIR EDMUND HILLARY ALPINE CENTER for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. Weather permitting, you may choose an optional ski-plane flight that lands on the 18-mile-long Tasman Glacier—or a thrilling helicopter ride. (B,D)
Day #5 Mount Cook-Queenstown. Drive south to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World” and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This evening, CRUISE across Lake Wakatipu on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and take in the views of the rugged Southern Alps. Stop at Walter Peak High Country Farm for DINNER and a FARM DEMONSTRATION that provides a glimpse of life on the farm. (B,D)
Day #6 Queenstown. Cruise on Milford Sound. Today, 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 been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. CRUISE on the fjord, with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. (B,L)
Day #7 Queenstown. A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages, or maybe a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities. (B)
Day #8 Queenstown-Melbourne, Australia. This morning, board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne. (B)
Day #9 Melbourne. Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful FITZROY GARDENS, then drive past the lush Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. We also stop at one of the country’s leading OPAL COMPANIES to discover how the beautiful gems are mined. Then, enjoy a [LF] unique lunch experience on board the historic COLONIAL TRAMCAR RESTAURANT as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. Tonight’s optional excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is highly recommended. (B,L)
Day #10 Melbourne. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take a trip outside of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.” (B)
Day #11 Melbourne-Alice Springs. Today we fly to the Outback. Here, visit the ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE and the SCHOOL OF THE AIR to appreciate how medical and education services are provided to those living in remote regions. Then, on to Anzac Hill, a tribute to the war heroes of Australia and New Zealand. You will also visit the historic OLD TELEGRAPH STATION to discover the history of how early settlers developed communications. This evening, enjoy a truly unique Aussie experience—an [LF] OUTBACK BARBECUE that features a meal of typical campfire fare, fascinating tales of the Outback, and Aboriginal folklore. (B,D)
Day #12 Alice Springs-Ayers Rock. Today, fly to the “Center of Australia.” Upon arrival, travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant monoliths. There is time to take photos before returning to “Sunset Strip” for a DRINK and the changing colors of the rock. (B)
Day #13 Ayers Rock-Cairns. Your Outback adventure continues this morning. For an unforgettable experience, you may choose to rise early for an optional camel ride to watch the sunrise at Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then, enjoy a TOUR around the base of Uluru, learning of its significance to the Anangu Aboriginal people. For an even more amazing view of Uluru, perhaps take an optional aircraft ride. Later, fly to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. (B)
Day #14 Cairns. Great Barrier Reef Excursion. 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 walk through the island’s cool rainforest. This afternoon, your Tour Director can assist you with a variety of optional activities, including crocodile spotting. Tonight, join a unique dinner event at TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK for an interactive, entertaining portrayal of the culture, dance, and folklore of this indigenous tribe. (B,D)
Day #15 Cairns. A full day at leisure in this tropical paradise. For a truly amazing experience, consider our optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway—or maybe spend the day in the magical Daintree Rainforest, thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest. (B)
Day #16 Cairns-Sydney. This morning, enjoy a special visit to CAIRNS TROPICAL ZOO for your chance to meet Australia’s native animals. You’ll also enjoy breakfast in the park, a talk by a wildlife keeper, and will have the opportunity to have your picture taken with a koala! Later, fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. (B)
Day #17 Sydney. Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interior and theaters. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s BOTANIC GARDENS for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Visit world-famous Bondi Beach for an insider’s tour of [LF] BONDI SURF BATHERS’ LIFE SAVING CLUB with one of the lifesavers. Along the way, learn about the history of the club and enjoy a lifesaving demonstration! See some of the city’s suburbs and the historic Rocks area, home to Sydney’s original convicts. For a truly memorable experience, enjoy lunch as you CRUISE on Sydney Harbour. (B,L)
Day #18 Sydney. Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps join our optional excursion to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience or to Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at THE WATERFRONT RESTAURANT overlooking Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. (B,D)
Day #19 Sydney. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
