This
vacation offers the essential sights and unique culture of the land "Down
Under," Australia, and the spectacular natural beauty of New Zealand's
South Island all at an enjoyable pace.
Your trip
includes the lovely Victorian city of Melbourne with its trend-setting
shops; and a side trip to Phillip Island for the legendary Little Penguin
Parade, where these lovable flightless birds make their daily walk from
the sea to their burrows in the dunes. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
provide fascinating introductions to the Aboriginal lifestyle and a world
of colorful sea life unique to the area. Learn to throw a boomerang or
play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. From your base on Green
Island, there are many ways to enjoy the reef – you can scuba, snorkel or
enjoy a glass bottom boat ride. Sydney will delight you with its friendly
manner and sites like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge for which
Australia is famous. New Zealand…land of breathtaking terrain and stunning
natural beauty offers much to see and do. Check out the strong historical
and architectural reminders of a colonial past in the cities of Queenstown
and Christchurch. Visit Mt. Cook, New Zealand's most famous national park.
Highlights are many, including a tour of the countryside from the rugged
grandeur of the Hollyford Valley, a cruise on picture-perfect Milford
Sound, and a gondola ride to dinner overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the
mountains. Dine with a "Kiwi" family and take with you a wonderful memory
of New Zealand…a place like no other.
Day 1
and 2: Depart From Los Angeles Today you board your flight and begin the
adventure of a lifetime. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a
full day.
Day 3:
Arrive Melbourne, Australia Your tour begins in the beautiful Victorian
city of Melbourne. Join up with your mates for a welcome dinner this
evening. Today dinner is included.
Day 4:
Melbourne Enjoy a tour of the fascinating city of Melbourne this morning
viewing Parliament House, Fitzroy Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance.
This afternoon travel 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 and protect these lovable birds. View the Little
Penguin Parade as hundreds of these birds waddle out from the sea and
cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. You will also visit the
interpretation center where you will learn about the life of the Little
Penguins and their significance to the area. Dinner is included at a
favorite Phillip Island restaurant. Today breakfast and dinner are
included.
Day 5:
Melbourne - Cairns This morning you fly to Cairns, the
gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Upon arrival, visit the Tjapukai
Aboriginal Cultural Center. See the aboriginal dance show, learn about
the Aboriginal lifestyle, learn to throw a boomerang or play a
didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery
and visit the interpretation center which boasts a collection of
interesting artifacts.
Tonight, enjoy dinner at a typical Australian restaurant. Today
dinner is included.
Day 6:
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 glass bottom boat ride*, a stroll on the
walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches, or just
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. Today breakfast and
lunch are included.
Day 7:
Cairns - Sydney This morning you may opt for an
unforgettable ride through the rainforest aboard the award-winning
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Your Skyrail experience will give you a
birds eye view of your surroundings as well as the spectacular rain
forest below. Depart for the exciting city of Sydney this afternoon. The
evening is yours to independently explore one of the world’s great
cities. Today breakfast is included.
Day 8:
Sydney Enjoy a city tour of Sydney, highlighting Kings
Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the
Botanic Gardens and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one
of the world's most fascinating architectural works as you take a guided
tour of the Sydney Opera House. Later, enjoy a fascinating opal
presentation and learn how raw opals are processed from the dark mine
shafts to your favorite jewelry store. This evening, you may enjoy
Sydney at leisure or join an optional excursion.
Day 9:
Sydney Travel to Koala Park where you will see koalas in
their natural habitat. You will even have the chance to feed the
kangaroos and pet a wombat! Tonight, experience the best of Sydney.
Enjoy a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour and pass by two of
Australia’s most famous icons: the renowned Sydney Opera House and the
world’s largest steel arch bridge, the Harbour Bridge.
Following dinner, return to the Opera House for a spectacular
performance! Today breakfast and dinner are included.
Day
10: Sydney - Christchurch - Queenstown, NZ You leave
Australia behind and fly to New Zealand where you will arrive in
beautiful Queenstown.
Day
11: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown Enjoy the rugged
grandeur of the Hollyford Valley as you travel through beech forest via
the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a fascinating cruise on Milford
Sound with 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. Today breakfast and lunch are included.
Day
12: Queenstown Enjoy Queenstown during a day of leisure.
Shop in the village or perhaps take the optional "Safari of the Rings"
which takes you through the majestic Remarkable Mountains and the
breathtaking Queenstown countryside. Enjoy a gondola ride to dinner at
the Skyline Restaurant which overlooks Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the
mountains. Today breakfast and dinner are included.
Day
13: Queenstown - Mt. Cook - Christchurch Traverse the
spectacular countryside to New Zealand's most famous national park, Mt.
Cook. Mt. Cook is one of the most impressive mountains in the world. You
may choose to view the massive glaciers and extensive snow-covered
mountain top terrain on an optional glacier flightseeing tour, or
perhaps enjoy the park during a nature walk. This evening arrive in the
historic city of Christchurch. Today breakfast is included.
Day
14: Christchurch This morning enjoy a short sightseeing tour
of "the most English city outside of England" highlighting magnificent
gardens, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral and the downtown park district. The
remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. This evening you will be
invited to dine with a New Zealand family. Enjoy this unforgettable
experience as you learn about the customs of the "Kiwi's" and enjoy a
home cooked meal. Today breakfast and dinner are included.
Day
15: Christchurch This morning visit a Canterbury farmyard to
take part in a sheep shearing demonstration, and see how this New
Zealand family farm works. You may choose to participate in an optional
tour of the International Antarctic Center, the gateway for both
American and New Zealand expeditions this afternoon. This evening dine
inside the restored Riccarton House mansion as you learn the history of
the first family of Christchurch. Today breakfast and dinner are
included.
Day
16: Christchurch - Tour Ends Explore the city of
Christchurch this morning. Your tour ends today. Today breakfast is
included.
Since 1957 We're with you
All the way!
