Australia

Tour Code : ITTA-16, Duration : 22 Days

Highlights		Itinerary at a Glance
- Great Barrier Reef, the city of Cairns - Underwater observatory - Aborigine people - Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center - Tropical forest of Queensland - A traditional Aussie dinner - Beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne - Fitzroy Gardens - Shrine of Remembrance - Parliament House - Phillip Island - Penguin Parade - Australia's capital, Canberra - Sydney, Australia's fun-loving city - Koala Park - Harbour Bridge - Sydney Opera House - Garden city of Christchurch - Elegant park district and the historic - Neo-Gothic Cathedral - Franz Josef Glacier region - Franz Josef Glacier region - Haast Pass - Milford Sound - New Zealand's native Maori civilization, the city of Rotorua - Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve - Rainbow Springs where you will view trout pools and native wildlife		Day 1 : Depart from Home Day 2 & 3 : Cairns, Australia Day 4 : Great Barrier Reef Day 5 : Cairns Day 6 : Cairns - Melbourne Day 7 : Melbourne Day 8 : Melbourne - Canberra - Sydney Day 9, 10 : Sydney Day 11 : Sydney - Christchurch, New Zealand Day 12 : Christchurch - Franz Josef Glacier Region Day 13 : Franz Josef - Queenstown Day 14 : Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown Day 15 : Queenstown Day 16 : Queenstown - Mt. Cook National Park Day 17 : Mt. Cook - Rotorua Day 18 : Rotorua Day 19 : Rotorua - Auckland Day 20 : Auckland - Nadi, Fiji Day 21 : Fiji Day 22 : Depart Fiji - Arrive Los Angeles, CA

Day 1: Depart from Home
Welcome to Collette's Journey to the South Pacific. Today you board your Qantas flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Days 2 & 3: Arrive Cairns, Australia
Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day. You arrive at the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the city of Cairns, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a special welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. (D)
Day 4: 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 trip on a glass bottom boat where beautifully colored fish swim by in their natural habitat. Choose a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches or watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. You may also choose to visit the underwater observatory. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available. (B, L)
Day 5: Cairns
Experience the unique lifestyle of the Aborigine people with a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. See an Aboriginal dance show, learn about the Aboriginal life style, 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. Later, you may take an optional skyrail ride over the tropical forest of Queensland, viewing waterfalls and fabulous scenery and stopping en route at a rain forest station for a ranger-guided hike. Tonight, enjoy a ride through the rain forest on Army Ducks, followed by a traditional Aussie dinner. (B, D)

Day 6: Cairns - Melbourne
A flight brings you to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour featuring Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and Parliament House.

Day 7: Melbourne
After a morning of leisure, 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 them. Behold the incredible Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of these lovable 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 on Phillip Island. (B, D)
Day 8: Melbourne - Canberra - Sydney
Today you fly to Australia's capital, Canberra, where you enjoy a sightseeing tour of this beautiful city, architecturally modeled after Washington, DC. Then it's on to Sydney, Australia's fun-loving city.

Day 9: Sydney
Today you visit Koala Park. Not only will you see koalas in their natural habitat, but you might also have the unique opportunity to pose with one of these cuddly creatures. You will also have the chance to feed the kangaroos and pet a wombat. Next is a tour of the amazing city of Sydney. You will see Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Tonight's dinner at one of Sydney's revolving restaurants offers a spectacular view of the city below. (B, D)
Day 10: Sydney
Take a wonderful cruise of Sydney Harbour and see fantastic views of two of Australia's most famous landmarks: the massive Harbour Bridge and the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. Later, visit one of Australia's top jewelry companies, Gemtec, and enjoy a fascinating opal presentation. Learn how raw opals are processed from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry store. Tonight is sure to be memorable as you take a tour, have dinner and see a performance at the Sydney Opera House. (B, D)

Day 11: Sydney - Christchurch, New Zealand
You leave Australia behind and travel to New Zealand, arriving in the picturesque garden city of Christchurch, considered "the most English city outside of England." A sightseeing tour highlights the city's magnificent gardens, elegant park district and the historic Neo-Gothic Cathedral. Pass beautiful Victorian-style buildings as you drive along the Avon River, and enjoy an evening dinner on the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant. This beautifully restored tram makes a loop around central Christchurch, taking in some of the most interesting and historic city sights while serving a first-class meal. (D)

Day 12: Christchurch - Franz Josef Glacier Region
Today you travel the scenic road to Arthur's Pass. Marvel at the snow-capped peaks and beautiful river gorges as you wind your way past rugged mountain scenery. You will overnight in the Franz Josef Glacier region. (B, D)
Day 13: Franz Josef - Queenstown
You may choose to take an optional flightseeing tour (weather permitting) over New Zealand's beautiful glacier region. You will be taken for a picture stop before traveling out of the South Island's lush, rugged and magnificent West Coast. Driving through rain forests, marvel at the Southern Alps and view New Zealand's spectacular coastline. After crossing the Haast Pass, you arrive in Queenstown, one of New Zealand's prettiest towns. Tonight you cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on the T.S.S. Earnslaw. You will enjoy a superb high country dinner at the Colonel's Homestead restaurant in one of the elegant dining rooms overlooking Beach Bay. (B, D)
Day 14: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a fascinating luncheon cruise of Milford Sound, cruising this spectacular fjord with its 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. (B, L)

Day 15: Queenstown
Your day is at leisure so you may shop in the charming village of Queenstown or enjoy an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Tonight a special treat is in store for you as you are invited to dine with a New Zealand family in their home. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Kiwis and perhaps make a lifetime friend. (B, D)

Day 16: Queenstown - Mt. Cook National Park
Enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, an old gold boom town. Traveling along the Kawarau River, you will 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 and perhaps take a nature walk or enjoy an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting). (B, D)

Day 17: Mt. Cook - Rotorua
Today you fly to the heart of New Zealand's native Maori civilization, the city of Rotorua. Located on the North Island, Rotorua is in one of New Zealand's most active geothermal regions. You will be spellbound by the Maori culture and the city's hot springs and geysers. (B)
Day 18: Rotorua
A visit to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve takes you to bubbling, steaming silica terraces and a Maori village. Here, the Maori keep their customs alive by teaching the tribal youth the skills of traditional carving, weaving and dancing. Learn more about this unique culture as you explore the visitor's center. Next, a visit to the Agrodome will give you insight into how wool, one of New Zealand's premier products, is processed through the shearing of millions of sheep each year. You will also see a sheep shearing demonstration. Later, visit Rainbow Springs where you will view trout pools and native wildlife. Here, you will have the special opportunity to see a Kiwi bird and learn how the staff at Rainbow Springs is working to rescue the Kiwi from the endangered species list. This evening you will receive a traditional Maori welcome at a Hangi meal followed by a traditional performance of songs, dances and other festivities. (B, D)

Day 19: Rotorua - Auckland
Today you travel to one of the north island's most famous attractions, Waitomo Caves, which are lit by thousands of glow worms clinging to the cave walls. Next you travel north to New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, "The City of Sails". Upon arrival in Auckland, you will enjoy a fabulous view overlooking Auckland Harbour and the surrounding countryside from Mount Eden. This evening, enjoy time on your own to explore the city, perhaps taking time to visit the Viaduct Basin and dining at one of the many fine restaurants located there, or enjoy a stroll through the America's Cup village. (B)

Day 20: Auckland - Nadi, Fiji
Spend the day at leisure. You may choose from a number of optional excursions highlighting Auckland and the surrounding area. This evening, you depart for Fiji. (B)
Day 21: Fiji
Your day is free to relax and enjoy your surroundings. An optional island tour is offered. This evening you will enjoy a lovely dinner and show. (D)

Day 22: Depart Fiji - Arrive Los Angeles, CA - Depart for Home
Today you depart Fiji and recross the International Dateline, regaining the day you lost at the beginning of your trip.
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