Tour Overview
Australians and New Zealanders are friendly, the lifestyle is relaxed and informal, the sun shines and the beaches are golden: "Down Under" is a vacation paradise, especially for family travellers. The seasons here are exactly opposite those of the U.S. or Canada, making Australia the perfect place to spend the "winter" holidays in summertime splendor. Our summer - Australia's winter - months of June, July and August are great times to explore the rainforests of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef or the central continent's Outback. Neighboring New Zealand offers the same seasonal patterns, with slightly lower temperatures overall.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Auckland, New ZealandOn arrival in Auckland you are met and transferred to your accommodation. In the afternoon, depart on a scheduled coach tour of Auckland. First visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World and Native New Zealand Encounter Show at the Auckland Zoo. Next enjoy a coffee cruise, sail on the spectacular waters of the Waitemata Harbour before concluding with a visit to the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 metres (1000ft.)
Heritage Hotel
Day 02: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
Depart Auckland on scheduled coach heading south through the rich farmland of the Waikato to Waitomo for lunch and tour of the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue to Rotorua where you will spend the night.
Rotorua is New Zealand’s cultural heartland. The earth’s crust is so thin that its molten heart bubbles and steams at the surface. This evening enjoy a Maori Cultural Experience and feast at Mitai. At the conclusion of the performance you will be returned to your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Millennium Hotel Day 03: Rotorua - Queenstown
After breakfast depart on a tour of Rotorua and visit the Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori Arts & Crafts. This afternoon, transfer to the Rotorua airport for your flight* to Queenstown. Queenstown is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by rolling farmlands and mountains. As well as being a base for countless outdoor activities, Queenstown is oriented towards visitors in its shopping and recreational facilities. Arrival transfer and balance of day at leisure in Queenstown.
Breakfast
Heritage Resort Day 04: Milford Sound
Full day Milford Sound tour. Travel by luxury coach for your tour to the World Heritage listed Milford Sound. Travel through the Homer Tunnel, then burst out into a breathtaking ampitheater of snow-covered peaks and precipices at the head of Cleddau Canyon before zigzagging steeply down through the rain forest to board your scenic cruise for lunch on spectacular Milford Sound. Return to Queenstown by road, or if you have elected to take the optional scenic flight back to Queenstown, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight.
Breakfast, Lunch
Heritage Resort Day 05: Queenstown - Christchurch
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Queenstown. This afternoon, transfer to the Queenstown airport for your flight* to Christchurch. Christchurch is known as New Zealand’s “Garden City” and is the largest of the South Island’s centers. On arrival in Christchurch you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.
Breakfast
The George Hotel Day 06: Christchurch - Sydney, Australia
Enjoy a half-day scheduled city tour of Christchurch. Your morning tour takes you around the City’s highlights and historic sites including the Canterbury Museum, a visit to the fascinating International Antarctic Center, the Christchurch Arts Center and Botanic Gardens, followed by the Port Hills for panoramic views across the Canterbury Plains. Transfer to Christchurch International Airport to board your flight* to Sydney, Australia. On arrival in Sydney, you are met and transferred to your accommodation. Sydney, the capital of the state of New South Wales, is Australia’s most well known city. It’s magnificent natural harbor spanned by the ‘coat hanger,’ the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the man-made sails of the Sydney Opera House are just some of its most widely photographed views.
Breakfast
The Grace Hotel
Day 07: Sydney
Sydney city tour. Begin at Sydney’s historic Rocks area known for its narrow cobbled streets and convict buildings. Continue to the quaint suburb of Paddington to see tiny Victorian houses decorated with cast iron "lacework," much of which came to Australia as ballast in the holds of the wool and grain clippers over 100 years ago. Return to the city after visiting Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach for your luncheon cruise. A commentator will point out the sites of the unsurpassed views of this beautiful harbor and its icons, the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.
Breakfast, Lunch
The Grace Hotel Day 08: Sydney - Ayers Rock
Transfer to the Sydney airport to board your flight* to Ayers Rock. On arrival in Ayers Rock you are met and transferred to your accommodation. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Olgas and Dunes. This tour introduces you to the Central Australian arid desert. Leaving mid-afternoon, the guide explains the nature of the desert and it’s development. A short walk to the dune lookout provides a spectacular panoramic view of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) – a very sacred place to the Aboriginal people. Arriving at Olga Gorge, walk into the mystical place and hear how it has evolved over millions of years. Sit back and absorb the desert solitude or relax and chat to your guide about Australia’s red center. The spectacle fades as you return to Yulara beneath a sky of brilliant stars.
Breakfast
Sails in the Desert Hotel Day 09: Ayers Rock - Cairns - Palm Cove
Beginning prior to sunrise, this 9.4km walk will introduce you to the geology of Uluru and you will hear how plants and wildlife have adapted and survived in such a forbidding environment. Late morning transfer to the Ayers Rock airport to board your scheduled fligh*t to Cairns. On arrival in Cairns you will be met and transferred to Palm Cove. Palm Cove's beach offers warm tropical water year round and a silky sandy beach lined with majestic Palm trees with beautiful views of the Coral Sea – the ingredients for an idyllic tropical holiday; warm seas, watersports and uncrowded sand with a sweeping backdrop of rainforest mountains.
Breakfast
Sebel Reef House Day 10: Great Barrier Reef
Transfer to Marina Mirage for today’s cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. Board ‘Quicksilver’ and cruise to Agincourt Reef lying within the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. During the day enjoy a buffet lunch. Sunbake, snorkel, dive or view the reef up close from the underwater observatory – the choices seem endless.
Breakfast, Lunch
Sebel Reef House Day 11: Palm Cove
Today is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as a round of golf at a nearby course, swimming in the ocean, wander along the foreshore under the waving palm trees or have a massage or spa treatment at the hotel.
Breakfast
Sebel Reef House Day 12: Palm Cove - Cairns - Departure
Transfer to Cairns International airport for your departing flight.
Breakfast Flights are not included in the land price.
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