Best of Australia & New Zealand
March 11th-27th, 2024
$9495 (Based Upon Double Occupancy) +$1749(Single Supplement)
Includes Roundtrip Airfare Phoenix
DAY 1: DEPART UNITED STATES
Depart from home to begin an adventure of a lifetime.
DAY 2 & 3: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
On arrival in Sydney, meet your Tour Director and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers. Sydney is Australia’s most well-known city and also its most populated.
Meals: (D) Overnight: Sydney
DAY 4: SYDNEY
Enjoy a Sydney City Tour including the Botanical Gardens, the Music Conservatory, Kings Cross, Chinatown, Paddington, the Rocks and a stop for spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbor. Then visit and tour the Sydney Opera House, Australia’s most iconic structure. Later explore Sydney Wildlife World featuring a koala sanctuary and an interactive walk-through of wallabies & bird life along with other fascinating exhibits. Tonight enjoy a Sydney Harbor Dinner Cruise for spectacular views of this beautiful city.
Meals: (B,D) Overnight: Sydney
DAY 5: SYDNEY AT LEISURE
The day is at leisure to relax or explore this exciting city on your own. An optional tour will be offered.
Meals: (B) Overnight: Sydney
DAY 6: SYDNEY – CAIRNS
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and check-in for a three-night stay in this gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy dinner tonight with your fellow travelers.
Meals: (B,D) Overnight: Cairns
DAY 7: GREAT BARRIER REEF
Today experience a Catamaran Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. On this tropical island paradise enjoy an included lunch and a choice of a glass bottom boat cruise, an eco island walk or snorkeling.
Meals: (B,L) Overnight: Cairns
DAY 8: CAIRNS AT LEISURE
Today is at leisure to enjoy Cairns at your own pace. Maybe take an optional excursion featuring the Kuranda Scenic Rail & Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. On the optional transfer to Freshwater Station to board the Kuranda Scenic Rail. Next visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to experience and interact with Australia’s 40,000 year old aboriginal culture.
Meals: (B) Overnight: Cairns
DAY 9: CAIRNS – MELBOURNE
Today transfer to the Cairns airport and fly to Melbourne, a Victorian city, which is often rated as the world’s most livable city. Arrive in Melbourne and transfer to your hotel for a 2-night stay.
Meals: (B,D) Overnight: Melbourne
DAY 10: MELBOURNE
Today enjoy a Melbourne City Tour featuring Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and the Parliament House. This afternoon, enjoy Australia’s cultural capital Melbourne at leisure or enjoy an optional experience to Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home to the world-famous Little Penguin Parade. At sunset, the world’s smallest penguins emerge from the sea and waddle ashore to their sand dune burrows then enjoy dinner on Phillip Island before returning to Melbourne.
Meals: (B) Overnight: Melbourne
DAY 11: MELBOURNE – QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND
Transfer to the airport for your flight to adventurous and scenic Queenstown, New Zealand. Queenstown is situated on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a 3-night stay. Enjoy dinner tonight with your fellow travelers.
Meals: (B,D) Overnight: Queenstown
DAY 12: QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND – QUEENSTOWN
Today travel to Milford Sound. Remote, mysterious, and uniquely New Zealand, Milford Sound is a spectacular reminder of the forces of nature. Enjoy a Milford Sound Luncheon Cruise for breathtaking scenery and commentary on the natural history of the Sound. Later, return to Queenstown for the evening.
Meals: (B,L) Overnight: Queenstown
DAY 13: QUEENSTOWN AT LEISURE
Today is spent at leisure to enjoy Queenstown and its beautiful alpine scenery.
Meals: (B) Overnight: Queenstown
DAY 14: QUEENSTOWN – ROTORUA
Transfer to the airport today for your flight to Rotorua, situated on New Zealand’s North Island. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for a 2-night stay. This evening enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers. Rotorua is an area made famous by geothermal activity and Maori history.
Meals: (B,D) Overnight: Rotorua
DAY 15: ROTORUA
The Kiwi is New Zealand’s national icon and is an endangered species. Today visit the National Kiwi Hatchery to gain an understanding of what the country is doing to bring the bird back from the brink of extinction and discover how 2,100 chicks have been born at the hatchery. Later enjoy a once in a lifetime New Zealand experience as you visit one of the country’s most magnificent natural wonderlands, a Thermal Reserve featuring a landscape of erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools and native bush. Later discover more about New Zealand during your Maori Cultural Performance and Hangi Feast featuring a traditional meal and Haka entertainment.
Meals: (B,D) Overnight: Rotorua
DAY 16: ROTORUA – HOBBITON – AUCKLAND
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the North Island as you travel to Auckland. En route, experience the real Middle-Earth with a visit to the Hobbiton movie set in the heart of the Waikato region. You can step into the lush pastures of the Shire in the Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Arrive in Auckland, the “City of Sails”, for a brief panoramic city tour to see the scenic waterfront area and the Auckland Tower. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner and overnight in the Auckland Airport area.
Meals: (B,D) Overnight: Auckland
DAY 17: AUCKLAND – FLIGHT HOME
Today transfer to the Auckland Airport for your flight home.
Meals:(B)