SOUTH PACIFIC SAMPLER 13 DAYS FROM $3,149 US Details below or
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G’day mate! Welcome to Australia and New Zealand, where you’ll delight in the amazing scenery, enjoy the cosmopolitan flair of the cities, and smile as you meet the native animals, including koala and Kiwi. A tour highlight is the Great Barrier Reef. Seen from space, it’s actually 2,900 self-contained reefs that lie off Australia’s northeast coast. The clarity of the water, the intensity of color, and the variety of fish are like nowhere else on earth! Clouds of tropical fish explode off the sandy ocean floor, and green sea turtles glide purposefully by.
But that’s not all…even more spectacular scenery awaits you in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park. Cruise on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depth. Grab your camera, because this area boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world!
In addition to breathtaking scenery, you’ll also enjoy sightseeing and leisure time in Melbourne, Sydney, and Queenstown. In Melbourne, shop til you drop at its many boutiques and visit one of Australia’s leading opal companies. Did you know Australia produces 95 percent of the world’s precious opals? On this tour, you’ll learn how they are mined. In Sydney, visit the Sydney Opera House and explore the cobblestone streets of the Rocks, the harborside area where the first convicts settled. These are just a few of the highlights from this marvelous trip Down Under—a vacation sure to delight!
Day 1 Arrive in Cairns, Australia G’day and welcome to Australia! Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
Day 2 Cairns. Great Barrier Reef excursion
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, dinner will be held at TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK—an interactive and entertaining portrayal of the culture, dance, and folklore of this indigenous tribe. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3 Cairns–Melbourne
This morning offers a special treat as you 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 the opportunity to have your picture taken with a koala! Later, fly to Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city. Cosmopolitan yet relaxed, Melbourne is renowned for its shopping and streetside cafés. (Breakfast)
Day 4 Melbourne
Today’s tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful FITZROY GARDENS and then drive past the lush Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the differing architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Also stop at one of the country’s leading OPAL COMPANIES to discover how the beautiful gems are mined. The afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight, consider an optional excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade, or for a unique dining experience, join an outing on a historic tramcar restaurant as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. (Breakfast)
Day 5 Melbourne–Sydney
Fly to Sydney, one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Upon arrival, tour the world-famous BONDI SURF BATHERS’ LIFE SAVING CLUB and enjoy a lifesaving demonstration! Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous sunset DINNER CRUISE on one of Sydney’s most prestigious cruise ships. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 Sydney
Explore Australia’s largest city. Visit the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see its amazing interior and theaters. Then, a great photo stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s BOTANICAL GARDENS, offering sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. The balance of the day is free to enjoy all Sydney has to offer. This evening, enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant with fantastic views of Sydney. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7 Sydney
Today, enjoy a day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps join one of our optional excursions 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! (Breakfast)
Day 8 Sydney–Christchurch, New Zealand–Mount Cook
Today, fly across the Tasman Sea to Christchurch, New Zealand. Upon arrival, continue on to MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK, named after the highest peak in New Zealand. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9 Mount Cook–Omarama–Dunedin
This morning, visit the SIR EDMUND HILLARY ALPINE CENTER for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. Weather permitting, don’t miss the chance to take an optional ski-plane flight that actually lands on the 18-mile-long Tasman Glacier. It’s an unforgettable experience! Later, stop at a SHEEP FARM in Omarama to learn more about one of the country’s major industries—sheep! Continue on to Dunedin, one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. (Breakfast)
Day 10 Dunedin–Queenstown
This morning, sightseeing starts with a quick orientation to see the historic sights of the city, including St. Paul’s Cathedral and a photo stop at the Dunedin Railway Station with its old Flemish Renaissance-style structure. Next, visit the OTAGO MUSEUM, established in 1868 and housing the best Pacific and southern Maori collections in New Zealand. Head past the steepest street in the city, Baldwin Street, where you may see locals making the walk up the 270 steps to the BOTANIC GARDENS. Here, visit the Rhododendron Dell, featuring over 3,000 Rhododendron plants. Later, enjoy fantastic views as you journey through rugged Otago region of New Zealand en route to Queenstown, nicknamed the “Adventure Capital of the World.” (Breakfast)
Day 11 Queenstown. Cruise on Milford Sound
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 been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. CRUISE on the fjord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 12 Queenstown
A full day at leisure for your own discovery. 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, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner at Walter Peak, including a CRUISE aboard a vintage steamship on stunning Lake Wakatipu. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 13 Queenstown
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Cairns
Great Barrier Reef cruise with choice of activities; Aboriginal dinner and show; visit Cairns Tropical Zoo; welcome dinner
Melbourne
Sightseeing tour; visit Fitzroy Gardens and an opal company
Sydney
Sightseeing tour; visit the Opera House, botanical gardens, and Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club; dinner cruise
Mount Cook
Sightseeing in Mount Cook National Park, visit Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center
Omarama
Visit a sheep farm
Dunedin
Sightseeing including a visit to the Otago Museum and the Botanic Gardens
Queenstown
Visit Fiordland National Park and cruise on Milford Sound; cruise on Lake Wakatipu; farewell dinner
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
American breakfast daily, 1 lunch, and 6 dinners including a welcome dinner in Cairns, a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour, and a special farewell dinner in Queenstown
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
CAIRNS Rydes Esplanade Resort (F), MELBOURNE The Swanston Hotel, Grand Mercure (MF), SYDNEY The Menzies Sydney (SF), MOUNT COOK The Hermitage (MF), DUNEDIN Scenic Hotel Dunedin City (F), QUEENSTOWN Rydges Lakeland Resort (F)
Optional Excursions
Important Note:
the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.
CITY: Cairns
Explore the Outer Great Barrier Reef
The complete reef and island experience awaits with this exciting cruise.
Approximate value: AUD $148 per person
Crocodile Explorer
Calm Water Cruise and Crocodile Farm Tour
Approximate value: AUD $62 per person
CITY: Melbourne
Experience Melbourne aboard the Tramcar Restaurant
Dine aboard the converted 1927 tram that has become The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant as it cruises the scenic streets of Melbourne.
Approximate value: AUD $82.5 per person
The Penguin Parade with Viewing Platform
Witness the nightly ritual of the little penguins as they emerge from the waves and run along the beach to their burrows in the sand dunes.
Approximate value: AUD $163 per person
CITY: Queenstown
Queenstown Wine Trail - Summer Sampler
Take time to relax on a fun and friendly tour at two vineyards in the Wakatipu Wine region.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Wilderness Safari
Adventure awaits as you take a thrilling jet boat journey along the Dart River, a walk through an ancient native beech forest, and a 4WD journey viewing scenery made famous in "The Lord of the Rings" movies.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Safari of the Scenes
Visit many of the areas that provided the spectacular backdrops to much of the action in Peter Jackson's "The Fellowship of the Ring".
Approximate value: NZD $165 per person
Panoramic Evening
Following your gondola ride, enjoy a delicious dinner at Skyline Restaurant while absorbing the surrounding mountain scenery and the lights of Queenstown below.
Approximate value: NZD $99 per person
Home hosted dinner
Experience a delicious home cooked three-course dinner with wine in a 'Kiwi' home.
Approximate value: NZD $89 per person
CITY: Sydney
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
The Bridge Climb is the ultimate Sydney experience.
Approximate value: AUD $220 per person
Blue Mountains Explorer
For wilderness and wildlife, the magnificent world heritage listed Blue Mountains is a must see for any visitor to Sydney, and all just 90 minutes from the centre of the city.
Approximate value: AUD $188 per person
See Sydney from above with dinner
Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city, the harbor and the Sydney Opera House over dinner at Sydney's highest revolving restaurant.
Approximate value: AUD $75 per person
The Rocks Pub Tour
Get a taste of Sydney's history, in one of its most interesting and vivacious precinct. Try the local brew and visit some of the city's most atmospheric pubs on this tour through the Rocks' winding lanes and cobblestone alleys.
Approximate value: AUD $44 per person
DEPARTURE DATES January - April
September - December
PRICES From approx $3,149 US
per person double occupancy
More New Zealand and
Australia Tours available on request To book or for more
information please complete the INQUIRY FORM
G’day mate! Welcome to Australia and New Zealand, where you’ll delight in the amazing scenery, enjoy the cosmopolitan flair of the cities, and smile as you meet the native animals, including koala and Kiwi. A tour highlight is the Great Barrier Reef. Seen from space, it’s actually 2,900 self-contained reefs that lie off Australia’s northeast coast. The clarity of the water, the intensity of color, and the variety of fish are like nowhere else on earth! Clouds of tropical fish explode off the sandy ocean floor, and green sea turtles glide purposefully by.
