20 Day Essential Australia New Zealand Fully Escorted in New Zealand and Australia Highlights NEW ZEALAND Guided boat tour of Waitomo Caves Maori Culture and traditional Hangi (feast) Geothermal Rotorua The stunning alpine resort town of Queenstown Spectacular Franz Josef Glacier Cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train AUSTRALIA Melbourne city sights tour Sydney sights and Harbour cruise Alice Springs tour including the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tour Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), viewing caves, sacred sites and ancient paintings Cruise to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef Price Includes Fully escorted touring in New Zealand and Australia with Tour Director and Driver/Guides Centrally located hotels in key locations Camp Oven Outback dinner, Alice Springs 23 meals included—19 breakfasts (B) (optional), 2 lunches (L), and 2 dinners (D) Hotel porterage and restaurant gratuities Country Homestay Option on Day 3 (must be pre-booked) Note: Itinerary effective 01 Apr 2007. Day 1: Arrive Auckland, New Zealand On arrival in the North Island city of Auckland, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel Day 2: Auckland—Waitomo—Rotorua Depart Auckland and travel south through the farming communities of the Waikato Province to the Waitomo Caves to enjoy an underground tour of the glow worm grotto. Take a silent boat ride beneath millions of tiny glow worms, glistening like a starry night, before continuing to Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Hangi (feast) dinner, including a Maori cultural performance. Overnight: Rotorua, Millennium Hotel for 2 nights (B,D) Day 3: Rotorua Sightseeing Today see the highlights of Rotorua, starting at the Agrodome for an entertaining sheep and farm show. Visit Rainbow Springs and Te Puia Thermal Reserve. This area has more than 500 hot springs and geothermal activities including steam vents, boiling mud pools and geysers. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You can choose to experience rural living with a country family and enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal with overnight stay. (B) Day 4: Rotorua—Christchurch Explore Rotorua on your own before joining a flight to Christchurch, the “Garden City” and the South Island’s largest city (airfare not included). On arrival in Christchurch there is time at leisure to explore. Overnight: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B) Day 5: Southern Alps, Franz Josef. Board the award-winning TranzAlpine Train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world and renowned as New Zealand’s “Great Rail Journey.” View magnificent scenery on board. Disembark and continue down the West Coast to Franz Josef. Overnight: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (B) Day 6: Franz Josef—Queenstown See alpine scenery departing this World Heritage-Listed area. Travel over Haast Pass, along the picturesque shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea, to the stunning lakeside resort town of Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel for 2 nights (B) Day 7: Queenstown at Leisure Wander around the town or choose from one of the many exciting day tours available (own expense). (B) Day 8: Queenstown—Melbourne, Australia Welcome Drinks Transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia (airfare not included). Arrive in Melbourne and transfer to your hotel. The rest of day is at leisure. Enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director tonight. Overnight: Melbourne, Sofitel Melbourne for 3 nights (B) Day 9: Melbourne City Sights This morning discover the delights of cosmopolitan Melbourne, with its wide boulevards and historic buildings. View the Collins Street shopping district and the architectural splendor of St Paul’ s Cathedral and both the Princess and Regent theatres. See the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Buildings, Federation Square and stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Explore Captain Cook’s cottage in stunning Fitzroy Gardens before visiting the bustling Queen Victoria Market. See Melbourne’s world-renowned sporting arenas, including the MCG, before paying tribute to Australian soldiers of war at the historic Shrine of Remembrance. Then cross the Westgate Bridge for amazing city views. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps choose to visit the Penguins on Phillip Island (own expense). (B) Day 10: Melbourne at Leisure Today is yours to do as you wish in beautiful Melbourne. Perhaps take a tour to visit the wineries of the Yarra Valley for some wine tastings or travel on the magnificent Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles and London Bridge (optional, own expense). (B) Day 11: Melbourne—Sydney You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Sydney (flights any time, airfare not included). On arrival in Sydney, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of day is yours at leisure. Overnight: Sydney, Sofitel Wentworth for 3 nights (B) Day 12: Sydney City Sights Begin the day’s discovery with a journey over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Stop at Manly and stroll along The Corso. Then join a magnificent Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. On board, see the homes of Australia’s wealthy as you cruise the foreshore and see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L) Day 13: Sydney at Leisure Today is a great opportunity to explore Sydney and its regions on your own. Discover the Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves or the Hunter Valley and its famous wineries (optional, own expense). (B) Day 14: Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to Sydney Airport for your flight to Ayers Rock, arriving by lunchtime (airfare not included). On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon travel to Kata Tjuta, which consists of 36 dramatic rock domes, and walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Later, enjoy a glass of wine as you admire the spectacular colors of Uluru at sunset. Overnight: Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel (B) Day 15: Uluru Sunrise, Camel Farm, Alice Springs With a cup of tea or coffee in hand, watch the sun’s first rays strike Uluru. Join a guided walk to the waterhole of Mutitjulu and join the Mala Walk, touring the base of Uluru. Alternatively, you can forgo the Mutitjulu and Mala walks to climb Uluru. Later, visit the Cultural Centre and the Maruku Arts & Craft Cooperative. Travel from Uluru to Alice Springs, passing the West MacDonnell Ranges and Outback landscapes. Stop at the Outback Camel Farm where you can ride a camel (own expense). Overnight: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Hotel for 2 nights (B) Day 16: Alice Springs Town Tour, Outback BBQ This morning, enjoy a town tour of Alice Springs, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and the School of the Air. Tonight, enjoy a delicious Outback BBQ dinner. An evening around the campfire is spent tasting fine Central Australian prime beef, being shown damper bread making, boomerang throwing, insights into the Aboriginal way of life, Aussie bush ballads including a sing-a- long and an explanation of some of the stars. This is a wonderful way to experience the Outback. (B, D) Day 17: Alice Springs—Cairns Enjoy a morning at leisure in Alice Springs before you are transferred to Alice Springs Airport for your flight to Cairns (flights any time, airfare not included). On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La, The Marina for 3 nights (B) Day 18: Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Cruise Take a cruise out to the ribbon reefs located at the outer edge of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. The Agincourt Ribbon Reef systems provide unsurpassed coral formations, colorful marine life and spectacular underwater visibility. There are facilities for swimmers and non- swimmers alike. Explore the reef from a semi-submersible, an underwater observatory or snorkel and dive in the tropical waters. (B,L) Day 19: Cairns at Leisure Today is yours to do as you wish in Cairns. Perhaps take a tour to Kuranda, the village deep in the heart of the rainforest, to see the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers and ride the Skyrail over the rainforest. Then take the Kuranda Scenic Railway passing over 40 bridges and through 15 tunnels travelling through tropical rainforest and past rushing waterfalls (optional, own expense). (B) Day 20: Depart Cairns After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight (airfare not included). (B) Departure Dates 2007: Apr 1 ,15; Jun 3, 24; Jul 15; Aug 5, 19; Sep 2, 23, 30; Oct 21, 28; Nov 11; Dec 9, 30 2008: Jan 20; Feb 3, 17; Mar 2, 16 Essential Australia & New Zealand - Price per person (land only) 20-Day Land only Twin Single Room Only $6199 $7633 Including Breakfast $6590 $8025 Note: Airfare not included. This price is valid until 31 Mar 2008. Inquire for details beyond this date. Seatbelts cannot be guaranteed on this tour as a different coach is used in each location. Tour Code: EFNZA (20 Day) |
AUSTRALIA &
NEW ZEALAND
NEW ZEALAND
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