Day 1 Gday and Welcome to Australia
Arrive in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city (international flight not included). Check into your hotel and relax before meeting your tour manager and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at your hotel this evening. Overnight Melbourne. (D)
Day 2 Melbourne
Today's sightseeing tour 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 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. We also stop at one of the country's leading opal companies to discover how the beautiful gems are mined. Next, enjoy lunch aboard the historic Colonial 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. Overnight Melbourne. (B, L)
Day 3 Hobart
Today fly to Hobart, Tasmania, home of the famed Tasmanian Devil. Overnight Hobart. (B)
Day 4 Excursion to Port Arthur
Today's tour of the scenic Tasman Peninsula features the blowhole, the Devil's Kitchen, and the Tasman Arch coastal formations. Visit Port Arthur, which began housing convicts in the 1830's. A guided tour of the penal settlement shows you the ruins of the four-story penitentiary and the model prison--grim reminders of Australia's days as a penal colony. Later, stop at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park to see the famous Tasmanian Devil, the world's largest carnivorous marsupial. Overnight Hobart. (B, L)
Day 5 Adelaide
Today fly via Melbourne to Adelaide. Upon arrival, embark on a brief orientation tour along the wide tree-lined streets and well-manicured gardens. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight Adelaide. (B)
Day 6 Excursion to Kangaroo Island
Early this morning, travel by coach and ferry to Kangaroo Island, one of the world's last unspoiled habitats. Visit Seal Bay with a national park ranger to see a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Explore Flinders Chase National Park, a sanctuary for native Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. Walk along the rocks and take the boardwalk down a rugged cliff face to Admirals Arch, a unique rock formation and home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals, which can be seen resting on the rocks and playing in the waves. Return to Adelaide late this evening. Overnight Adelaide. (B, L)
Day 7 The Ghan Train
This morning is at your leisure. Later, a highlight of your vacation begins as you board the Great Southern Railway's Ghan Train for an overnight journey that offers a fascinating perspective of the Outback. Overnight train. (B, L, D)
Day 8 The Ghan to Alice Springs
Arrive in Alice Springs midday. Upon arrival, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air to appreciate how medical and education services are provided to those in remote regions. Continue on to Anzac Hill, a tribute to the war heroes of Australia and New Zealand. You'll also visit the historic Old Telegraph Station to learn how early settlers developed communications. This evening, enjoy a truly unique Aussie experience--an Outback barbecue featuring a meal of typical campfire fare, fascinating tales of the Outback, and Aboriginal folklore. Overnight Alice Springs. (B, D)
Day 9 Ayers Rock
Today fly to the the "Center of Australia." Travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the maginificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant monoliths. There is time to take photos before returning to "Sunset Strip" for a drink and the changing colors of the rock. Overnight Ayers Rock. (B)
Day 10 Cairns
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 Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then, enjoy a tour around the base of Uluru, learning of its signficance to the Anangu Aboriginal people. For an even more amazing view of Uluru, you may wish to take an optional aircraft ride. Later, fly to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Overnight Cairns. (B)
Day 11 Excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
Board a fast catamaran for a cruise to Green Island, one of the many tropical islands on Australia's 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 manager 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. Overnight Cairns. (B, D)
Day 12 – Darwin
This morning enjoy a special visit to Cairns Tropical Zoo for a chance to meet Australia's native animals. Enjoy breakfast in the park, a talk by a wildlife keeper, and the opportunity to have your picture taken with a koala! Afterward, you may elect to take an optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery, lush rainforests, and twisting waterfalls from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey, you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Tonight fly to the top end of Australia to Darwin, famous for its strategic importance during WWII. Overnight Darwin. (B)
Day 13 Kakadu National Park
Today we see giant termite nests en route to Kakadu National Park. Explore parts of nearly 7,300 square miles of unspoiled waterways with a rich heritage of Aboriginal culture and stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre to leartn about Kakadu's habitats. Cruise the wetlands, where you may see crocodiles and walk ancient trails to see Aboriginal rock petroglyphs. An optional light-aircraft flight over the park shouldn't be missed!. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. Overnight Kakadu National Park. (B, D)
Day 14 Kakadu National Park
Depart your hotel this morning and stop at Windows on the Wetlands Visitor Centre, an interactive display of Kakadu fauna. Return to Darwin for sightseeing. See the elegant colonial architecture of the city's historic buildings that survived Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Visit the splendid botanic gardens and beautiful East Point, an area rich in WWII memorabilia. Also, visit the art gallery to view fine collections of Aboriginal art. Overnight Darwin. (B)
Day 15 – Sydney
Today fly to Sydney, the largest city in Australia. Overnight Sydney. (B)
Day 16 – Sydney
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 botanic gardens for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Visit world-famous Bondi Beach for an insider's tour of Bondi Surf Bathers' Lifesaving Club with one of the lifesavers. Along the way, learn about the history of the 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 Harbor. Overnight Sydney. (B, L)
Day 17 – Sydney at Leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Your may wish to join our optional excursions to the Blue Mountains or to Hunter Valley, one of Australia's leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney's Harbor Bridge! Your tour manager will help you make the most of your day. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at The Waterfront Restaurant with fantastic views of Sydney. Overnight Sydney. (B, D)
Day 18 – Christchurch / Mount Cook National Park
This morning fly across the Tasman Sea to Christchurch. Upon arrival, we'll drive south to magnificent Mount Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Overnight Mount Cook. (B, D)
Day 19 – Queenstown
Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. Weather permitting, you may choose an optional ski-plane flight that lands on the 18-mile-long Tasman Glacier--or a thrilling helicopter ride. Later, drive to Queenstown, the "Adventure Capital of the World." This evening, cruise across Lake Wakatipu on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and take in views of the rugged Southern Alps. Stop at Walter Peak High County Farm for dinner and a farm demonstration that provides a glimpse of life on the farm. Overnight Queenstown. (B, D)
Day 20 – Cruise on Milford Sound
Today 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. Overnight Queenstown. (B, L)
Day 21 – Queenstown at Leisure
The day is free for your own discoveries. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages, or maybe a thrilling jet-boat ride on the Kawarau and Dart Rivers. Your tour manager will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities. Overnight Queenstown. (B)
Day 22 – Rotorua
Fly north to Rotorua. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hangi dinner followed by an authentic Maori concert. Overnight Rotorua. (B, D)
Day 23 – Rotorua
This morning starts with a visit to the Agrodome to learn more about one of the country's major industries--sheep! Continue on to Rainbow Springs to view native bush and wildlife, including a walk through the kiwi bird enclosure. The last stop is Te Puia, Rotorua's most prominent thermal area with New Zealand's largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. You may wish to board a floatplane for flightseeing of this beautiful area, join a New Zealand family for dinner in their home, or indulge yourself in the relaxing hot springs, sumptuous spa treatments, and massage therapies at the Polynesian Spa. Overnight Rotorua. (B)
Day 24 – Waitomo / Auckland
Leave Rotorua and cross the Mamaku Ranges to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Continue to Auckland. This evening, your tour manager hosts a farewell dinner. Overnight Auckland. (B, D)
Day 25 – Auckland
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
Prices are land-only, per person and are subject to change.
Roundtrip airfare from your U.S. gateway and intra-tour air not included in trip cost. Required intra-tour air segments include Melbourne/Hobart, Hobart/Adelaide, Alice Springs/Ayers Rock, Ayers Rock/Cairns, Cairns/Darwin, Darwin/Sydney, Sydney/Christchurch, and Queenstown/Rotorua. Airfare is additional to the base price of this tour.
When planning your trip, allow 2 extra days before tour start date for travel from your gateway to the South Pacific. Optional excursions can be purchased in each destination.
