Day 1: (Fri. & Sat.) Board your transpacific flight and skip a day as you cross the International Date Line.
Day 2: (Fri. & Sat.) Board your transpacific flight and skip a day as you cross the International Date Line.
Day 3: Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand.
(Sun.) Haere Mai—welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. This afternoon, enjoy sightseeing that includes a visit to the SKY TOWER, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand. Here you will ascend to the observation deck for sweeping views of the “City of Sails,” situated on an isthmus between two magnificent harbors. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a special welcome dinner. (D)
Day 4: Auckland–Waitomo–Rotorua.
(Mon.) Leave Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Enjoy a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. In the afternoon, continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Enjoy a traditional HANGI DINNER this evening followed by an authentic MAORI CONCERT. (B,D)
Day 5: Rotorua.
(Tue.) This morning, experience TE PUIA, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. Continue on to the AGRODOME to learn more about one of the country’s major industries—sheep! Then, on to RAINBOW SPRINGS to view native bush and wildlife, including a walk through the Kiwi enclosure. The afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to enjoy a wonderful fusion of relaxing hot spring pool bathing, sumptuous spa, and massage therapies at picturesque Polynesian Spa or to be entertained by a New Zealand family at dinner in their home. (B)
Day 6: Rotorua–Queenstown.
(Wed.) A flight takes you to Queenstown on the South Island, home base for discovering every type of adventure sport imaginable. See the sights of this popular resort town, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Southern Alps. (B)
Day 7: Queenstown. Cruise on Milford Sound.
(Thu.) More beautiful scenery today as you travel into FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has the elite status of belonging to UNESCO’s World Heritage Parks. CRUISE on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. (B,L)
Day 8: Queenstown.
(Fri.) A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages, or maybe a thrilling jetboat ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities. This evening, enjoy breathtaking scenery in every direction as you CRUISE Lake Wakatipu on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. On arrival at Walter Peak you will be served dinner at Colonel’s Homestead. (B,D)
Day 9: Queenstown–Mount Cook–Christchurch.
(Sat.) Motor north to magnificent MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK, named after New Zealand’s highest peak. Stop at the SIR EDMUND HILLARY ALPINE CENTER for a unique insight into the history and culture of this region. Weather permitting, you may choose an optional ski-plane flight that actually lands on the 18-mile-long Tasman Glacier—or a thrilling helicopter ride. Later in the day, leave this alpine wonderland and drive to Lake Tekapo to view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Cross the patchwork Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the “Garden City.” (B)
Day 10: Christchurch–Melbourne, Australia.
(Sun.) Sightseeing starts with a drive up the winding Summit Road for views of Lyttelton Harbor, then past Christchurch’s old stone buildings, the charming Avon River, and acres of green parks. On the way to the airport you have the option to visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to give a “firsthand” experience of Antarctica, before your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne, Australia. (B)
Day 11: Melbourne.
(Mon.) G’day and welcome to Australia! Today’s sightseeing includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful FITZROY GARDENS, then drive past the lush Royal Botanical Gardens. You’ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. We also stop at one of the country’s leading OPAL COMPANIES to discover how the beautiful gems are mined. Then, enjoy a unique lunch experience on board a HISTORIC TRAMCAR RESTAURANT as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. Tonight’s optional excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is highly recommended. (B,L)
Day 12: Melbourne.
(Tue.) Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city on your own. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take a trip outside of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.” (B)
Day 13: Melbourne–Alice Springs.
(Wed.) Today we fly to the Outback. Here, visit the ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE and the SCHOOL OF AIR to appreciate how medical and education services are provided to those living in remote regions. Then, on to Anzac Hill, a tribute to Australia and New Zealand’s war heroes. You will also visit the historic OLD TELEGRAPH STATION to discover the history of how early settlers developed communications. This evening, enjoy a truly unique Aussie experience—an OUTBACK BARBEQUE that features a meal of typical campfire fare, fascinating tales of the Outback, and Aboriginal folklore. (B,D)
Day 14: Alice Springs–Ayers Rock.
(Thu.) Today, experience an ABORIGINAL DREAMTIME TOUR and learn more about this important native culture from your Local Guide. Later, fly to “The Center of Australia.” Travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 30 brilliant monoliths. There is time to take photos before returning to “Sunset Strip” for a drink and the changing colors of the Rock. (B)
Day 15: Ayers Rock–Cairns.
(Fri.) Your Outback adventure continues this morning. For an unforgettable experience you may choose to rise early for an optional camel ride to watch the sunrise at Ayers Rock. Then, enjoy a TOUR around the base of Uluru, learning of its significance in Aboriginal “Dreamtime” mythology. For an even more amazing view of Ayers Rock, perhaps take an optional aircraft ride. Later, fly to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. (B)
Day 16: Cairns. Great Barrier Reef Excursion.
(Sat.) Board a fast catamaran for a CRUISE to Green Island, one of the many tropical islands on Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef. Here you can choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT TOUR, or walk through the island’s cool rainforest. This afternoon, your Tour Director can assist you with a variety of optional activities, including crocodile spotting. Tonight, join a unique dinner event at TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK for an interactive, entertaining portrayal of the culture, dance, and folklore of this indigenous tribe. (B,D)
Day 17: Cairns.
(Sun.) A full day at leisure in this tropical paradise. For a truly amazing experience, consider our optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, or you many choose to spend the day in the magical Daintree Rainforest, thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest. (B)
Day 18: Cairns–Sydney.
(Mon.) This morning offers a special treat as we visit CAIRNS TROPICAL ZOO for your chance to meet Australia’s native animals. You’ll also enjoy breakfast in the park, a talk by a wildlife keeper, and have the opportunity to have your picture taken with a koala! Later, fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. (B)
Day 19: Sydney.
(Tue.) Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interior and theaters. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s BOTANICAL GARDENS for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Tour the world-famous BONDI SURF BATHERS’ LIFE SAVING CLUB and enjoy a lifesaving demonstration! See some of the city’s suburbs and the historic Rocks area, home to Sydney’s original convicts. For a truly memorable experience, enjoy lunch as you CRUISE on Sydney Harbour. (B,L)
Day 20: Sydney.
(Wed.) Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps join our optional excursion to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience or to Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city. This evening your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. (B,D)
Day 21: Sydney.
(Thu.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
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