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DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Australia
Depart for Australia
DAY 2, Tuesday - En Route
Cross the International Date Line en route to Australia and skip a day ahead
DAY 3, Wednesday - Arrive in Sydney
Arrive in Sydney, Australia's cosmopolitan premier city. You'll be welcomed by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 5:30 PM, followed by a light dinner
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Dinner
DAY 4, Thursday - Explore Sydney
This morning's panoramic tour of Sydney starts at world famous Bondi Beach and historic and fashionable Paddington with its unique terrace houses. Continuing to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair and the Royal Botanic Gardens which offer extraordinary views of celebrated Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge and the striking Sydney Opera House poised majestically on the water's edge, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass historic buildings including the Parliament House, St. Mary's Cathedral and the Queen Victoria Building. Then, head to The Rocks, a historic area where the city was founded by Captain Arthur Phillip and his working party of convicts. Shop for Opals at a local shop, the best in the world - Australia provides approximately 97% of the world's supply. Spend the balance of the day at leisure. Tonight, join the optional Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise. Sail by iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, while watching the vivid colors of sunset wash over the skyline. Then, sit down for a delectable dinner of international dishes
Optional: Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Friday - Full Day in Sydney
A last day in Sydney to pursue your personal pleasures. Perhaps, participate in the optional full day excursion to Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Blue Mountains. Featherdale is home to over 300 species of Australia's diverse wildlife. Admire the koalas, feed the kangaroos, view the Fairy Penguins, and see the colorful parrots, cockatoos and lorikeets. For wilderness and wildlife, the magnificent Blue Mountains region is a must see for any visitor to Sydney. Travel through quaint mountain villages, past spectacular lookouts, and through the rugged Australian Bush. Return to Sydney in the late afternoon
Optional: Blue Mountains with Featherdale Wildlife Park
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Saturday - Flight to Melbourne
Board your flight this morning for the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. Today's tour of Melbourne this morning highlights the mingling of the city's cultures, monuments and scenic delights, from the magnificent gardens to the riverside complexes and bayside suburbs, with elegant 19th century architecture. This evening, get together for dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Sunday - Full Day in Melbourne
Today is free to explore Melbourne on your own, or participate in the afternoon optional tour to Phillip Island Little Penguin Parade. Depart the busy city and suburbs, and travel out into the rural countryside to visit Australia's most popular wildlife attraction and home to the one of the largest Little Penguin colonies in the world
Optional: Phillip Island Little Penguin Parade
Overnight: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Monday - Flight to Dunedin
Fly via Christchurch to Dunedin, New Zealand's oldest city, well known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and its close proximity to amazing wildlife. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the balance of the evening at leisure
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Tuesday - Tour of Dunedin
A day to explore Dunedin, arguably New Zealand's most spectacular city in terms of contrasting landscapes, nestled in tree-clad hills at the head of a beautiful harbor. The city flourished during the 19th-century gold rush and is now the major gateway to the Otago region. Discover the city with a morning tour highlighted by a visit to the Dunedin Railway Station, a jewel in the country's architectural crown; Baldwin Street, the steepest residential street in the world; and the prestigious Otago University. Visit Olveston historic homestead, built in the early 1900s, a superb turn of the century house with stylish furnishings and a stunning art collection. The afternoon is at leisure or, join the optional Otago Peninsula Tour with Wellers Rock Cruise. Enjoy a tour to the Otago Peninsula home to sea lions, fur seals and penguins. Travel to New Zealand's only castle, Larnach Castle, which was built in 1871 by William Larnach, a merchant baron and politician, featuring magnificent architecture and superb craftsmanship. Lastly, embark on a one-hour wildlife cruise with an opportunity to view the exciting diversity of wildlife which abounds on spectacular Taiaroa Head, the only mainland nesting place for Northern royal albatross in the world
Optional: Otago Peninsula Tour with Wellers Rock Cruise
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10, Wednesday - Dunedin to Queenstown
Depart Dunedin, traveling north to the Central Otago area. After lunch, visit a local vineyard for wine tasting. Continue to the charming gold rush village of Arrowtown, nestled among the peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River. Time to walk along the tree-lined avenues of this colorful town filled with 19th century miner's cottages, or enjoy the delightful shops filled with New Zealand crafts, art galleries and lovely cafes before continuing to Queenstown
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11, Thursday - Discover Milford Sound
Today, take a full day tour to Milford Sound! Travel to World Heritage Fiordland National Park, rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. En route to Milford Sound, stop at Te Anau and the glacier hewn Eglinton Valley before embarking on the cruise out into the fjord with scenic views of temperate rainforest, stunning Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Possible wildlife viewings include seals, birds and occasionally even dolphins or penguins. Late afternoon, return to Queenstown
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 12, Friday - Full Day in Queenstown
Spend time on your own discovering always picturesque Queenstown. Walk along the streets of the sophisticated downtown area, with its trendy shops and restaurants or, be adventurous and ascend on the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak, high above the city for magnificent views of Queenstown, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Lake Wakatipu. Alternatively, participate in the optional Skippers Canyon adventure that follows this rugged road into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley. During the tour, visit many historic sites and stop at Deep Creek to try your hand at gold panning at one of the richest gold bearing rivers in the world. Return to Queenstown along Skippers Road. Later, join the optional Walter Peak Farm Tour. Embark on a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Take a walking tour of the farm and lean about New Zealand's farming lifestyle. Afterward, return back to Queenstown
Optional: Skippers Canyon 4WD Adventure
Optional: Walter Peak Farm Tour
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Saturday - Flight to Auckland
Board your flight this morning for Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, known as the "City of Sails." Take a short walking tour of Auckland before checking in to the hotel. This evening, get together for dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Auckland
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Sunday - Depart New Zealand
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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