Australia & New Zealand 
   
Spectacular - 18 Days

Available All Seasons

Day 1-3: Australia Bound 
We leave today and fly to Los Angles and then on to Australia. Because we cross the International Date Line, we will arrive in Melbourne early morning of day 3. Upon arrival we are greeted by a local guide and then transfer to our hotel. The balance of the day is free to relax and catch up with the time change or go exploring.

Day 4: Melbourne
This morning we have a tour of the city and gardens that includes a visit to Captain Cook's Cottage. The afternoon is free for us to explore on our own or relax at the hotel. This evening we have an option available, dinner in an elegantly restored 1927 Colonial Tramcar. This is the world's only traveling tramcar restaurant. We enjoy a private view of Melbourne while sampling the very best Australian cuisine.

Day 4: Penguin Parade 
This afternoon we travel to Phillip Island, south of Melbourne. The area is home base of some remarkable wildlife of which the fairy penguins are first and foremost. These unique creatures are one of Australia's most popular tourist attractions. We will be spectators for the penguin parade as they waddle up Summerland Beach to their dune nests, their bellies distended from a day's fishing at sea. Remember the camera!

Day 5: Cairns  
This morning we leave Melbourne and fly to Cairns. We transfer to our hotel for the next 3 nights.

Day 6: Great Barrier Reef 
Sunscreen and sun hat on for a day on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. We will be met outside our hotel by OCEAN SPIRIT CRUISES and transferred to the Cairns Marina where we will board our sailing catamaran. Cruise out to the Barrier Reef - time to snorkel, dive, take a snorkeling safari with a marine biologist or a glass-bottomed boat coral viewing excursion. Lunch served on board. Cruise back to Cairns in the late afternoon with live music en route.

Day 7: Free Day-Kuranda  
Option A full day of leisure awaits us. We have the option to travel to the picture postcard village of Kuranda. Here we have an historic scenic rail ride, a skyrail trip offering an overlook of superb coastal and tableland panoramas and we can gaze deep into the forest floor as we glide just above tree level. We stop at the interpretive center to see the culture of the aboriginal islanders through dance and displays.

Day 8: Sydney 
Today we leave Cairns and fly to Sydney . We will have lodging in this city for 3 nights.

Day 9: Sightseeing, Opera House 
Begin your visit to Australia’s most picturesque and vibrant city with a tour of the city and southern beaches. Sprawled around a large, sparkling harbor, with a unique blend of the old and the new, the variety that is Sydney can keep you busy for weeks. We end our tour at Sydney’s spectacular harbor for a cruise with lunch on board. This afternoon we have free time to explore the harbor area: stroll the cobblestone walkways where many a nobleman and lowly convict trod. Admire the white sparkling set of sails on the waters’ edge that is known as the Sydney Opera House. Choose a delightful harbor restaurant for dinner - you may enjoy the ambiance and fine cuisine in a restaurant that once was a colonial cottage. We are free to return to the hotel at our leisure.

Day 10: Free Day-Koala Park Option 
Today is a free day or we can choose the option of touring to Blue Mountains and entry to Koala Park. The Blue Mountains provide sweeping views of the bushland and valleys, eucalyptus forest, waterfalls, sheer cliffs and dramatic scenery. The Koala Park was the first private Koala Sanctuary where Koalas roam free through rainforest and eucalyptus groves. Guides will assist you for photo opportunities.

Day 11: New Zealand 
We leave Australia and fly to Christchurch, New Zealand. Upon arrival we join our motorcoach for a drive to the hotel with sightseeing enroute. We have a stop at the Antarctic Center which was designed to give firsthand experience of the Great White Continent. The center features experimental exhibits, live displays and a real snow and ice experience. A dinner meal will be provided in private homes, for you to have an up close and personal encounter with the kind people of this land.

Day 12: Christchurch  
We have a morning sightseeing tour of Christchurch “The Garden City of New Zealand.” Christchurch is often called the “most English town outside of England” complete with the Avon River and Cathedral Square.

Day 13: Mount Cook 
We leave today for a full day journey to Mount Cook. We enjoy a buffet lunch at the remote Hermitage Hotel. Mount Cook National Park has some of the finest alpine scenery of New Zealand. We overnight in nearby Twizel.

Day 14: Queenstown 
Travel today will take us to Queenstown taking us through some of the most spectacular scenery that New Zealand has to offer. Upon arrival in Queenstown we are free to enjoy all the city has to offer. We overnight in Queenstown 2 nights.

Day 15: Milford Sound 
Today we travel by motorcoach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park. We can view Mirror Lakes as we continue through the Eglinton Valley. A magnificent Fiord cruise is part of this unforgettable experience as we journey to the mouth of the Sound and see seals and dolphins at play. We return to Queenstown for the night.

Day 16: Rotorua 
This morning we fly to Rotorua where we meet our motorcoach for a sightseeing tour of this area. We will visit Waiotapu, Whakarewarewa Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Rainbow or Fairy Springs. See the bubbling mud pools and soaring geysers. We overnight in Rotorua.

Day 17: Waitomo Caves 
Today we have a scenic journey to Waitomo Caves and see the glow-worm grotto. Lunch today at Crosshills Farm. We continue on to Auckland this afternoon for our overnight lodging.

Day 18: Auckland  
This morning we board our motorcoach for a sightseeing tour of Auckland including Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter, enjoy the Sky Tower for a panoramic view of Auckland, and a cruise on the Pride of Auckland. This last city on our "Down Under" tour is known as the City of Sails, and is home of the America's Cup and has one of the world's most beautiful harbors. We complete our sightseeing and transfer to the airport for our return flight to the US.

Price Per Person: Call for pricing.
Final payment due 45 days prior to departure.

Price Includes: first class hotels, 4 lunches, 1 dinner, sightseeing as listed with driver/guide, ground transportation and flights.