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DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Australia
Depart for Australia
DAY 2, Thursday - En Route
Cross the International date line en route to Australia and skip a day ahead
DAY 3, Friday - 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. Following the meeting there will be a light dinner served
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Dinner
DAY 4, Saturday - Full Day in 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, 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
*For Dec 28 & Apr 5 departures, the Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise optional tour is unavailable departures
Optional: Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Sunday - Flight to Ayers Rock
Depart Sydney by flight to Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia. This iconic monolith and the sandstone domes known as Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) were created over some 600 million years. Uluru is a sacred place and has a great spiritual meaning for the Aborigines of the area, known as the Anangu. Each cave and fissure of the monolith has a meaning in Dreamtime (creation of the world). After checking in to your hotel, partake in a walk near Uluru (or Ayers Rock). Return to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight, attend the optional Sounds of Silence Dinner. As the sun sets over Uluru, enjoy sparkling wine and canapes while listening to the sound of a didgeridoo. Afterward, an unforgettable dining experience awaits you, as you sample local bush foods, accompanied by assorted cultural entertainment. End the evening with stargazing. Listen to the resident star talker decode the constellations of the southern night sky
Optional: Sounds of Silence Dinner
Overnight: Ayers Rock
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Monday - Flight to Sydney
Depart Ayers Rock on a flight back to Sydney. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Tuesday - Flight to Cairns
This morning, board a flight to Cairns, the tourist capital of tropical North Queensland and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Transfer to the hotel. Enjoy all of the delights of this resort city on your own, or join the optional Crocodile Adventure Tour with lunch. Depart Cairns and head north to an eco-park and working crocodile farm. Explore the park's five different ecological zones where you encounter kangaroos, koalas and other unique Australian wildlife, including a thrilling cruise on the crocodile lagoon. After lunch, return to Cairns. In the afternoon, participate in the optional Skyrail Experience with dinner. Ride the Kuranda Skyrail for great views of the rainforest canopy. Along the way, stop for a ranger-guided boardwalk tour and visit the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, lookouts and historical displays. Conclude your tour with an authentic Australian dinner
Optional: Crocodile Adventure Tour with lunch
Optional: Skyrail Experience with dinner
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Wednesday - Low Isles
Today, set sail to the beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay of the Low Isles in a high speed catamaran, a short journey across the Coral Sea, located in the inner Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This beautiful island is a one-stop tropical experience with its unique reef and rainforest, home to 126 native plant species, colorful birds and magnificent coral gardens. Stroll through the magical rainforest, snorkel at the inner reef, or laze on the white coral sands, there are many activities to choose from. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tonight, get together with your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9, Thursday - Flight to Queenstown
Depart Cairns on a flight to Queenstown, named for Queen Victoria. The town, nestled on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, is considered New Zealand's adventure capital. Its fabulous outdoor attractions and resort like atmosphere are enjoyed by international travelers and locals alike. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Friday - 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. 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 as you marvel at the sights around you. Late afternoon, return to Queenstown
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11, Saturday - Full Day in Queenstown
Spend time on your own discovering 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 cliffsides 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
Optional: Skippers Canyon 4WD Adventure (AM)
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Sunday - Flight to Rotorua
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rotorua, famous for its geothermal activity. Tonight, participate in the optional home hosted dinner with a local family and experience a unique opportunity to learn about their values and traditions
Optional: Home Hosted Dinner in Rotorua
Overnight: Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Monday - Te Puia Thermal Reserve
Morning is at leisure for independent explorations of Rotorua, or join the optional Hobbiton tour. Travel through the spectacular North Island scenery to Matamata, home to the Hobbiton movie set, made famous in the "Lord of Rings" movie trilogy. Take a guided tour around the set and view Hobbit holes, the Party Tree, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn before returning to your hotel. In the afternoon, journey to Te Puia in Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, set amidst a landscape of erupting geothermal activity and thermal springs. Discover the unique lifestyle and traditions of the Maori and learn how they live in harmony with this unique environment. Tonight, dinner is followed by the Redwoods Treewalk experience
Optional: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (AM)
Overnight: Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Tuesday - Bay of Islands
Travel to the Bay of Islands, the birthplace of New Zealand, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British and the North Island's Maori chiefs. The Bay of Islands is also known for its stunning beauty, marine life, water activities and beaches
Overnight: Bay of Islands
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15, Wednesday - Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Today, spend the morning at leisure, or participate in the optional Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise. Glide through the Bay of Islands, sailing past the Cape Brett Lighthouse to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales and other marine life. In the afternoon, explore New Zealand's most important historic site, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Take a guided tour of the grounds, which feature iconic buildings and breathtaking examples of Maori architecture. View an authentic ceremonial war canoe and stand in the spot where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Tour the Museum of Waitangi Te Kongahu, a modern and comprehensive showcase of New Zealand's history, and be welcomed in traditional Maori style at a cultural performance. Tonight, share wonderful memories together on your last night in New Zealand. Bid farewell to your Tour Manager at dinner
Optional: Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise (AM)
Overnight: Bay of Islands
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 16, Thursday - Depart New Zealand
Travel to the airport in Auckland for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
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