Day 1: Depart From Home
Today you board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime.
Days 2 & 3: Arrive Melbourne,
Australia
Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day. After arriving in
the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne, the remainder of the day is yours
to relax.
Day 4: Melbourne
Enjoy a detailed look at fascinating Melbourne with a city tour
featuring Parliament House, Fitzroy Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance.
This afternoon you travel to Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and
home of the world's largest colony of Little Penguins. The Little Penguin is
protected on Phillip Island and a staff of rangers works diligently to study
and protect these lovable birds. View the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds
of these birds waddle out from the sea and cross the beach to their burrows
in the dunes. You will also visit the interpretation center where you will
learn about the life of the Little Penguins and their significance to the
area. Dinner is included at a favorite Phillip Island restaurant.
Day
5: Melbourne -
Cairns
A short flight brings you to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Upon arrival, visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. See an
Aboriginal dance show, learn about the Aboriginal lifestyle, learn to throw
a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the
renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center which boasts a
collection of interesting artifacts. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a typical
Australian restaurant.
Day 6:
Great Barrier Reef
Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier
Reef. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef.
Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, a stroll on the walking trail to take in the
rain forest, relax on the beaches, or just watch the fish and sea turtles
swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef,
optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available.
Day 7: Cairns -
Sydney
After arriving in the beautiful city of Sydney, you will enjoy a tour
highlighting Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular
Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Later,
enjoy a fascinating opal presentation at Gemtec. Learn how raw opals are
processed from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry store. This
evening, view the city from above as you dine at a revolving restaurant
overlooking Sydney.
Day 8: Sydney
Enjoy
a delightful cruise of Sydney Harbour and pass by two of Australia's most
famous landmarks: the renowned Sydney Opera House and the world's largest
steel arch bridge, the Harbour Bridge. Afterwards, travel to Koala Park
where you will see koalas in their natural habitat. You will even have the
chance to feed the kangaroos and pet a wombat. Tonight, not only will you
tour and dine inside the Sydney Opera House, but you will be treated to a
performance as well.
Day 9:
Sydney - Christchurch, NZ
You leave Australia behind and fly to New Zealand where you will arrive in
Christchurch, on the South Island. A short sightseeing tour of "the
most English city outside of England" highlights magnificent gardens,
the Neo-Gothic Cathedral and the downtown park district. Tonight's dinner
will be at a local restaurant.
Day 10: Christchurch
- Queenstown
Travel
south to Queenstown, one of New Zealand's most charming towns. Enjoy a
dinner with magnificent views at the Skyline Restaurant, overlooking
Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the mountains.
Day 11: Queenstown
- Milford Sound -
Queenstown
Enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley as you travel through
beech forest via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a fascinating
luncheon cruise on Milford Sound with breathtaking vistas at every turn.
Following your cruise, you return to Queenstown. You may choose to return
via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of
New Zealand's Southern Alps.
Day 12: Queenstown
Shop in the village of Queenstown or enjoy an optional jet boat ride on the
Shotover River during your leisure time. Tonight, a special treat is in
store for you as you dine with a New Zealand family in their home. This is a
great chance to learn about the Kiwis and possibly make a lifelong friend.
Day 13: Queenstown
- Mt. Cook National Park
Enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, an old gold boomtown. Traveling along the
Kawarau River, you cross the Lindis Pass before arriving in New Zealand's
most famous national park, Mt. Cook. This afternoon you will have time to
enjoy the park, take a nature walk, or enjoy an optional glacier
flightseeing tour (weather permitting).
Day 14: Mt. Cook National Park -
Christchurch
You
return to the picturesque city of Christchurch. En route, enjoy a visit to a
farmyard where you will enjoy an interesting sheep shearing demonstration
and view various farming activities.
Day 15: Christchurch
- Los Angeles, CA - Depart for Home
If time permits, enjoy an optional excursion to the Antarctica Center, the
gateway for American and New Zealand Antarctic expeditions. Later, board
your flight home. Re-crossing the International Dateline, you regain the day
you lost at the beginning of your tour.
Other
Australia Tour Packages...
