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Australia & New Zealand with Optional Extension to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef |
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Day 1: Depart LAX Fly to LAX airport to join our evening overnight Air New Zealand flights to New Zealand. (IFM) Day 2: Cross International Dateline Cross the Equator & the International Date Line (lose a day) on your overnight flight. (IFM) Day 3: Arrive Auckland Arrive in Auckland, on New Zealand’s lush North Island. A land of amazing contrasts and scenic beauty awaits you. Enjoy a morning city tour of New Zealand’s largest city including Harbor Drive, downtown, residential areas, and views from Mt. Eden. Arrive at your hotel for an early check in. Relax prior to your Get Acquainted Dinner at the Auckland Tower. Crown Paza, Auckland (D) Day 4: Auckland to Rotorua Board your coach for the scenic drive through the gorgeous green countryside of the Waikato Valley, world’s richest sheep farming area. Stop to tour the Waitomo Caves where you will take a boat ride along an underground river to the world famous Glowworm Grotto. Then arrive in Rotorua, home of the native “Maori,” Polynesians who invaded these islands 700 years ago. Tonight, a Maori Concert & Hangi Feast. Distinction Hotel, Rotoura (B, D) Day 5: Rotorua Sights Rotorua is known as the “Yellowstone of New Zealand.” Tour the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute before viewing the Whaka thermal area with its boiling pools & geysers. Next visit Rainbow Springs to see huge trout, Kiwi birds, and a sheepshearing & dog show. Free afternoon to relax or shop in town. Distinction Hotel, Rotoura (B) Day 6: Fly Rotorua / Queenstown Enjoy a morning scenic flight over the Southern Alps as we fly to the South Island. Arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s premier resort town. Check into your downtown hotel for 3 nights. Free afternoon to explore on your own and shop for sheepskins, paua shells, greenstone, and woodcarvings. Ascend Bob’s Peak in a gondola for a panoramic view of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Range before dinner at our hotel. Rydges Hotel, Queenstown (B,D) Day 7: Milford Sound Day Trip The highlight of your tour to New Zealand will undoubtedly be this full day trip to Milford Sound. A breathtaking day of magnificent scenery awaits you as we drive through Fjordland National Park. Motor past lakes, beech forests, rugged mountain passes, and through the famed Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Board our cruise of this incredible deepwater inlet reminiscent of Norway’s scenic fjords. Enjoy an up close view of towering cliffs & waterfalls plus see seals and Kea parrots. Return to Queenstown. Rydges Hotel, Queenstown (B,L) Day 8: Free Day in Queenstown Relax & sleep in. Shop in the village, take a lake cruise, visit a high country sheep station, walk the public gardens, visit the Gold Rush history of quaint Arrowtown, or take a thrilling Shotover River “jet boat” ride. Rydges Hotel, Queenstown (B) Day 9: Mt. Cook / Christchurch Scenic drive along the Kawarau River Gorge, over Lindis Pass to Lake Pukaki and a view of Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak at 12,249 feet. Leave the Alps and cross the Canterbury Plains farming region to Christchurch, the “most English city outside of England.” Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at your hotel. Holiday Inn, Christchurch (B, D) Day 10: Christchurch City Tour / Fly to Melbourne Your morning city tour of Christchurch, New Zealand’s most English City, will include picturesque Cathedral Square, Avon River scenic drive, Hagley Park, and the view from Cashmere Hills Lookout. Then transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne, Australia for a 3-night stay. Citigate Hotel, Melbourne (B) Day 11: Melbourne / Phillip Island Tour Melbourne, city of parks and home to Australia’s traditional wealth. See Fitzroy Gardens, Victoria Market, the Cricket Grounds, National Opal Museum & the Shrine of Remembrance. Free afternoon, or take our optional coach trip to nearby Phillip Island to watch the evening fairy penguin parade on the beach (estimated cost is $130 USD p.p. including dinner). This tour is always a sell out! Citigate Hotel, Melbourne (B) Day 12: Melbourne Free Day A full free day to explore this great city. You may wish to shop for opals, ride a streetcar to the Captain Cook House, visit the Queen Victoria Market, walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens, or tour the Victorian Arts Centre (Melbourne’s answer to the Sydney Opera House). Your tour manager will assist you in planning your day. Citigate Hotel, Melbourne (B) Day 13: Fly to Canberra / Sydney Depart Melbourne on your short included flight to the capital city of Canberra. Designed by an American, Walter Burley Griffin, Canberra is a beautiful, completely planned city built around an artificial lake. See Parliament House, Embassy Row, and the fascinating Australian War Memorial Museum. Next you’ll visit a working sheep station for an Aussie BBQ and sheep show. Then relax on your coach as we travel through the “Australian Bush” countryside to Sydney for a 3-night stay in the “City of Sails,” home to Australia’s brash new wealth. Holiday Inn, Sydney (B, L) Day 14: Sydney City Tour Our morning tour of this world class city will include all the must see sights such as the famous Opera House, Darling Harbor, naughty Kings Cross, the historic “Rocks” area, and Bondi Beach. This afternoon is free to enjoy on your own for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxing at your hotel. Tonight, choose from many restaurants near your hotel. Holiday Inn, Sydney (B) Day 15: Sydney Free Day / Farewell Dinner Harbor Cruise Enjoy a free day exploring or shopping. You may wish to visit the 2000 Olympic Park or Featherdale Wildlife Park, where 2200 native Australian animals live in natural bush surroundings. Tonight, enjoy a narrated dinner cruise of Sydney harbor as you sail the sparkling waters past the Opera House, Harbor Bridge, upscale homes, and million dollar coastline. Holiday Inn, Sydney (B, D) Day 16: Fly Home to U.S.A Arrive U.S.A. same day after crossing the Dateline once again. Transfer to the Raddison Hotel at LAX for overnight stay. (B, IFM) Day 17: LAX to Indianapolis Transfer to the airport for your return flight. CAIRNS / GREAT BARRIER REEF 2-NIGHT EXTENSION: Day 16: Fly From Sydney to Cairns / Aboriginal Park Transfer to the Sydney airport for your mid morning flight to Cairns, Queensland – gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Arrive mid afternoon in this tropical paradise. Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Park, a stunning theatrical interpretation of this ancient rainforest people & their culture. On 25 acres and in 7 areas, meet tribal members, enjoy two live music & dance shows, plus learn didgeridoo playing and boomerang throwing. Transfer to your 3-diamond resort hotel for 2 nights. Tradewinds Esplanade Resort (B) Day 17: Day Trip to the Barrier Reef / Aboriginal Park / Farewell Dinner Visitors from around the world flock here for the inspiring beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Extending for 1200 miles along Australia’s northeastern coast, this coral reef is considered the largest living thing on earth. Board your high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion onto the reef. From your base on Green Island, enjoy a choice of snorkeling in the crystal clear waters or a glass bottom boat ride over the reef. Relax at the island’s resort pool and take an included guided walk through the rainforest. Return by fast-cat boat to Cairns. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore and shop in town, stroll along Esplanade Boardwalk, relax around the hotel pool, or watch the Marlin fishing boats come in. Tonight, meet for your Farewell Dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Tradewinds Esplanade Resort (B, D) Day 18: Fly Home From Cairns Enjoy breakfast at the hotel prior to your transfer to the Cairns International Airport for your return flights home. Fly Air New Zealand directly to Auckland and then on to LAX. Arrive U.S.A. the same day you left due to crossing the International Dateline once again. Transfer to the Raddison Hotel at LAX for overnight stay. (B, IFM) Day 19: LAX to Indianapolis Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B) Commercial Air: Book Now to ensure your place on this trip because this trip operates on commercial air. Space is limited and may not be available less than 90 days before departure. |
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Cancellation policy: if
insurance is not purchased, cancellation charges are: 91
days and earlier:
full refund; 90-75 days before departure: $650; 74-35 days
before departure 50%; 34
and less days prior to departure: no refund. In addition, airline penalties and
charges may apply. A
valid passport is required. |
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16 nights
