18 Day Discover Australia and New Zealand Nights at Destination: Melbourne (3), Kewarra Beach (3), Sydney (3), Queenstown (3), Christchurch (2), Rotorua (2), Auckland (1) Highlights Tramcar dinner, Melbourne Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Melbourne Great Barrier Reef cruise, Port Douglas Sydney city sights tour Blue Mountains 4WD Eco Tour, Sydney Milford Sound cruise and scenic flight Mt Cook National Park Christchurch city highlights tour Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance Pride of Auckland dinner cruise Price includes Centrally-located first class hotels in key locations Return Private car transfers from airport—hotel in Melbourne, Port Douglas, Sydney, Auckland and Christchurch. Shuttle transfers in Queenstown and Rotorua Sightseeing as per itinerary 8 meals: 4 lunches (L) and 4 dinners (D) Domestic and International airfare not included. Day 1: Arrive Melbourne You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the fabulous alfresco eateries, jump on a tram or enjoy the international shopping. Overnight: Melbourne, Novotel Melbourne on Collins for 3 nights Day 2: Melbourne City Highlights & Tramcar Dinner Depart with your Driver/Guide this morning and view Melbourne's lush parklands, elegant heritage and contemporary architecture. Highlights of this city sights tour include the Yarra River, Captain Cook's Cottage, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens and Albert Park, home to the Formula One Grand Prix. Visit the historic Shrine of Remembrance and stroll along Southbank's waterfront precinct. Return to your hotel mid-afternoon. This evening a treat is in store! Dine aboard a magnificently restored 1927 tramcar as it trundles the streets of Melbourne. (D) Day 3: Phillip Island Penguins Tour This luxury tour begins around 1:00pm and travels through exclusive bayside Melbourne suburbs to the Mornington Peninsula for stunning views over Port Phillip Bay at Arthur's Seat. Wind your way through vineyards, farmland and natural bush to Stoniers Winery. Enjoy cheese and dips with wine tasting at the boutique winery. Head eastward to Phillip Island, the “wildlife island.” Penguins come ashore at dusk from their ocean feeding grounds. The large penguin colony enters the beach in groups and “walk and talk” loudly as they work their way into the dunes where their burrow nests are situated. Boardwalks enable the visitor to gain close contact with the penguins in the dune area. Return to Melbourne, arriving late evening. (D) Day 4: Melbourne-Cairns This morning you will be transferred by private car to the airport for your flight to Cairns (flight not included). You will be met on arrival and transferred to Kewarra Beach Resort. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or take a rainforest walk. Kewarra Beach is a peaceful haven overlooking the beach and the rainforest. Overnight: Kewarra Beach, Kewarra Beach Resort for 3 nights Day 5: Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruise This morning board a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef on a wave-piercing catamaran. Includes delicious lunch, semi-submersible boat ride and snorkeling. Swim, snorkel and relax on the Great Barrier Reef from the floating pontoon moored at Agincourt Reef. (L) Day 6: Kewarra Beach Relaxation Many activities are available today; we highly recommend the Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest Day, including a wildlife cruise along the Daintree River (own expense). Day 7: Cairns-Sydney Today you will be transferred by private car to Cairns Airport where you will connect with your onward flight to cosmopolitan Sydney (flight not included). The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore this remarkable city. Overnight: Sydney, The Grace Hotel for 3 nights Day 8: Sydney City Sights This morning you will be met by your driver/guide at your hotel. You will have a chance to get an overview of the city and surroundings as you view the Opera House, Botanic Gardens and Conservatorium of Music. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for a view of the city and harbor. Continue through exciting Darling Harbour, home to shops and restaurants, before heading for Kings Cross. Travel through the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay and Rose Bay, known for their Rodeo Drive ambience. Then on to The Gap for spectacular ocean views. Arrive at Bondi Beach where you will see the famous Bondi Lifesavers. We have a short stop here, then continue back to Sydney via trendy Paddington. Day 9: Blue Mountains Luxury 4WD Tour Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will pick you up in a luxury touring vehicle. You'll travel through the historical Rocks area. Experience the magnificent World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Lunch at a unique rainforest hut and continue on to the Three Sisters. This afternoon, seek out the kangaroos that roam the area. On your return to Sydney, pass by the Olympics 2000 site en route to your hotel. (L) Day 10: Sydney-Queenstown Today you will be met and transferred by private car to the Sydney Airport for your onward flight to Queenstown, New Zealand (flight not included). On arrival you will be met and transferred by shuttle to your hotel. Queenstown is a beautiful year-round alpine resort, perfect for adventurers or leisure seekers alike. Overnight: Queenstown, Grand Mercure St. Moritz for 3 nights Day 11: Queenstown at Leisure Quality shopping can be found in Queenstown, where you can find the perfect gift for friends/family back home. Why not try an exhilarating jet boat ride? After all, Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. Ask for details. Day 12: Milford Sound Cruise & Scenic Flight Travel along the edge of Lake Wakatipu, beneath the rugged Remarkables, to Te Anau before entering the Fiordland National Park. Stop at the Mirror Lakes before passing through the Hollyford Valley and the Homer Tunnel, then descending down to Milford Sound. Take an unforgettable Red Boat Cruise on the majestic Milford Sound followed by a spectacular flight to Queenstown. (L) Day 13: Queenstown—Mt Cook—Christchurch Depart Queenstown, continue on to Mt Cook National Park, which boasts New Zealand’s highest peak. Time to take an optional scenic flight (own expense). Continue on to Christchurch via beautiful Lake Tekapo and the “Church of the Good Shepherd.” Overnight: Christchurch, Heritage Christchurch for 2 nights Day 14: Christchurch City Highlights This morning meet your guide for an informative tour through the “Garden City.” Boasting modern architecture and historic buildings, Christchurch is set against a backdrop of beautiful parks, gardens and rivers. A highlight of this tour includes Cathedral Square and Canterbury Museum, morning tea at Mona Vale, a visit to the Museum cafe, and a drive up to the Port Hills for scenic views of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure. Day 15: Christchurch—Rotorua— Maori Hangi Concert This morning you will be met and transferred to the Christchurch Airport for your flight to Rotorua (flight not included). You will be met on arrival and transferred by shuttle to your Rotorua hotel. From the moment you enter Rotorua, you know you are somewhere quite different. Minutes from the city center, geysers of steaming water roar from the ground and the occasional scent of sulphur wafts through the air—a remarkable wonder of New Zealand. This evening you are welcomed into the world of the Maori people. Experience the pre- European lifestyle and customs of Maori ancestors as you enter the Maori Village. Tribal songs and dance performances are a highlight. Enjoy a night of traditional culture and entertainment while feasting on foods cooked in an earthen oven. Overnight: Rotorua, Royal Lakeside Novotel for 2 nights (D) Day 16: Rotorua’s Famous Attractions This morning depart early for a superbly-presented authentic farm tour and an exciting sheep auction and shearing demonstration. Don’t miss your opportunity to hand-milk a cow. From here, travel to a landscape of erupting geysers, hot thermal springs and bubbling mud pools at Te Puia Thermal Village. Spectacular views from the gondola will provide the perfect photo opportunity of Rotorua. Return to your hotel around 2:30pm. (L) Day 17: Rotorua to Auckland—Dinner Cruise This morning transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Auckland (flight not included). You will be met on arrival and transferred to the Sky City Hotel by private car. Tonight features a unique combination of sailing and dining aboard the Pride of Auckland. Enjoy fresh seafood produce in a calm and magnificent harbor setting. After dinner, the sails go up for an exhilarating sailing experience while watching the fairytale lights of Auckland pass by. Overnight: Auckland, Sky City Hotel (D) Day 18: Depart Auckland Your tour will conclude with your transfer to the Auckland Airport. Departs: Daily Discover Australia & New Zealand Explorer 1 Apr 07–31 Mar 08 Twin Single Discover Australia & New Zealand Explorer $4409 $6776 Price per person (land only) US$: Note: Prices are “from” and seasonal surcharges apply. |
AUSTRALIA &
NEW ZEALAND
NEW ZEALAND
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