Click on the tabs for more information
Price Per person double occupancy
| Dates |
|---|
| Saturday & Monday Departures |
| Request a quote or call 800-322-0788 for more information. |
Price Includes: Services of a professional tour director. All hotel with private bath. Hotel tax, service charges and tips for baggage handling. 19 American breakfasts, 3 lunches and 10 dinners. Private and air conditioned motorcoach while touring. Travel bag and documents.
Note: Passport and Visa are required for entry.
Not included: Airfare from departure city. Air taxes and trip cancellation insurance.
Deposit Required: $300 per person will reserve your place. A $100 service fee will be charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our normal payment and cancellation policy.
Day 1-3: Depart
Board your transpacific flight.
Day 2-3: Arrive In Auckland, New Zealand
Cross the International Date Line and arrive in the early morning of Day 3. Welcome to New Zealand. After arrival in Auckland, check into your hotel. Rooms are ready for early check-in so that you can freshen up and rest. Meet your tour director in the afternoon for a brief orientation. The balance of the day is free for exploring the nearby parks and harbor at your own pace. Meet your traveling companions this evening at a special welcome dinner.
Day 4: Auckland
A sightseeing tour takes in the sights of Auckland and the surrounding harbors from the summit of Mount Eden, an extinct volcano. The main highlight is a visit to Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World. Take a unique journey through an underwater complex with an abundance of ocean life. Lunch is served aboard a sailboat as you cruise on Auckland Harbor--an unforgettable experience. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 5: Auckland-Waitomo-Rotorua
Morning drive through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES and their eerie limestone formations. The cavern is studded with thousands of shining glowworms whose lights are reflected in the still surface of the underground river. In the afternoon continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a delightful home-hosted dinner with a local New Zealand family.
Day 6: Rotorua
Experience TE WHAKAREWAREWA, featuring New Zealand's largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and thermal springs that are unique to this part of the country. This afternoon visit the Agrodome and learn more about one of New Zealand's most important industries--sheep! Later stop at Rainbow Springs to view kiwis. This evening enjoy a traditional hangi dinner, followed by a Maori concert.
Day 7: Rotorua-Queenstown
Morning flight to the South Island's popular resort area of Queenstown, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Free time this afternoon, perfect for a jet boat ride on the Shotover River. This evening enjoy a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant for a panoramic dinner at the top of Bob's Peak.
Day 8: Queenstown
A full day at leisure with an opportunity to visit Milford Sound. An optional tour takes you to the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, one of the most spectacular sights in New Zealand. Your tour director has suggestions for other activities.
Day 9: Queenstown-Franz Josef
Magnificent scenery unfolds as you motor across Haast Pass, the main divide of the Southern Alps. Then along the west coast of the South Island to Franz Josef. Before dinner at the hotel, take a stroll around this charming alpine village, nestled at the base of the Franz Josef Glacier.
Day 10: Franz Josef-TranzAlpine Express-Christchurch
For a bird's-eye perspective of the area, take the optional helicopter flight over the slow-moving ice floe and touch down at the head of the Franz Josef Glacier (weather permitting). Later drive to Greymouth Railway Station to board the TranzAlpine Express for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. The route is through the rugged Southern Alps, along deep river gorges, and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Day 11: Christchurch-Sydney, Australia
Sightseeing starts with a drive up the winding Summit Road for views of Lyttelton Harbor, then past Christchurch's old stone buildings, the charming Avon River, and acres of green parklands. On to the airport for your flight across the Tasman Sea to Sydney. This evening enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
Day 12: Sydney
Morning sightseeing in the incomparable capital of New South Wales. Via Sydney's commercial center head for the Domain and Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, from where you enjoy a sweeping view of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. Proceed to Kings Cross, the city's nightlife area, and through exclusive suburbs to famous Bondi Beach. See trendy Paddington, the ultra-modern Darling Harbor and Cockle Bay, and the historic Rocks area on your way to the OPERA HOUSE for a guided tour. End your sightseeing with a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbor. The rest of the day is at leisure and your tour director has plenty of suggestions for exploring, shopping, and dining.
Day 13 & 14: Sydney
Two full days at leisure for independent activities. Perhaps join our optional excursion with a relaxing cruise to a historic homestead (one of the earliest trading posts dating back to 1867) on the Hawkesbury River, with a delicious lunch served on the broad verandah. Also available is an optional full-day trip to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience, or an excursion to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia's leading wine-growing regions. Your tour director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city.
Day 15: Sydney-Cairns
Fly north to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This evening your tour director hosts cocktails by the pool prior to dinner.
Day 16: Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Excursion
Today behold one of the world's natural wonders. After a scenic drive along spectacular coastline, reach the resort town of Port Douglas. Board a fast catamaran, and head to the outer edge of Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy coral viewing from the Underwater Observatory or cruise among the coral gardens in a modern Sub-Sea Viewer. Snorkeling gear is available, and an informative talk by a marine biologist enhances your reef experience.
Day 17: Cairns-Ayers Rock
Early risers may wish to start the day with an optional hot-air-balloon ride over the lush tablelands. This morning fly to "The Center" and Yulara (Ayers Rock region). In the afternoon travel out past Uluru (Ayers Rock) to the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 30 brilliant monoliths. There is time for a walk to Mount Olga Gorge before returning to "Sunset Strip" to witness the changing colors of the Rock while enjoying a drink. For a unique experience of the Rock at sunset, consider the optional Sounds of Silence: a gourmet barbeque in the desert, accompanied by the mystical sounds of the didjeridu, followed by an astronomer's tour of the Southern Hemisphere's night sky.
Day 18: Ayers Rock-Alice Springs
This morning is your opportunity for an optional helicopter flight over the Rock. An included tour around its base before your flight to Alice Springs. Your sightseeing tour takes you to the historic Old Telegraph Station, then onto Anzac Hill, the Royal Flying Doctor Base, and a Camel Farm for an included ride. This evening is free or you might enjoy an optional Outback bush dinner.
Day 19: Alice Springs-Melbourne
En route to the airport this morning, join an Aboriginal "Dreamtime" tour to experience their culture. Arrive in Melbourne in the late afternoon. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Day 20: Melbourne
Sightseeing focuses on the city's landmarks such as the Shrine of Remembrance and Parliament House. Visit Cook's Historic Cottage in the Fitzroy Gardens and then drive past the Royal Botanical Gardens. Other sights include the Victorian Arts Center and the Queen Victoria Markets. The afternoon and evening are at leisure, and optional excursions to the penguin parade or a unique dining experience aboard the Vintage Colonial Tramcar are recommended.
Day 21: Melbourne
A full day at leisure. Optional excursions today include tours to the Shipwreck Coast where you will view the Twelve Apostles, or perhaps visit the historic Ballarat and Sovereign Hill. Tonight, your tour director hosts a farewell dinner.
Day 22: Home
Your Homebound flight arrives the same day.
