Australia and New Zealand Escorted Tours

24 Days: Immerse yourself in the cultural and scenic attractions of Australia and New Zealand with this stylish 24 day holiday. Begin in New Zealand with its natural beauty and spectacular scenery with highlights including a cruise along Milford Sound. Once in Australia enjoy a wonderful insight into this diverse continent. The highlight of this incredible journey is found on board The Ghan from Alice Springs to Adelaide.

Highlights

• Cultural Touring Experiences
• Dine Around Dinner
• Enjoy the services of the same experienced Tour Director in both countries
• Take a city tour of Auckland
• Enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance in Rotorua
• Tour geothermal Te Puia Thermal Reserve
• Ride the award-winning TranzAlpine train
• See majestic Franz Josef Glacier
• Explore the resort town of Queenstown
• Cruise Sydney Harbour taking in the sights of the iconic Harbour Bridge & Opera House
• Take a cruise over the Great Barrier Reef
• Tour the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock)
• Visit the giant domes of Kata Tjuta (Olgas)
• Stay at Te Waonui Forest Retreat in Franz Josef
• Overnight at The Hermitage, Mt Cook
• Three nights at The Sebel Pier One, Sydney
• Stay at Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort
• Two nights at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
• 21 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 15 Dinners
• Traditional Maori Hangi feast
• Sydney Harbour Luncheon Cruise
• Wine and dine overlooking majestic Sydney Harbour
• Those that would prefer are able to fly to Adelaide and enjoy three nights in this picturesque city
• Contact Us for further details
• Land with air price includes all flights to/from Los Angeles including US/foreign taxes, September 11 Security Fee and Fuel Surcharges totalling US$800/CD$816
• Prices and itineraries are current at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice and will be confirmed at time of final payment.
• Airlines frequently change their prices as a result of fare increases and/or fuel surcharges so prices may differ when you book your travel and are not guaranteed until full payment is received.
• Contact us for prices with domestic air only and further details.
• Days 19-24 are independent and single travellers to pay a surcharge if not pre-booking

Day 1. Los Angeles

Board your evening flight to Auckland, New Zealand.

Day 2. In Flight

Cross the international dateline.

Day 3. Arrive Auckland

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for an early check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour and visit Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World. Join your fellow travelers at our Welcome Dinner.

Day 4. Rotorua, Maori Hangi Feast

Journey to the Waitomo Caves for a tour of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Then continue to Rotorua, a region rich in Maori heritage. Enjoy a traditional Hangi feast and performance.

Day 5. Rotorua, Te Puia Thermal Reserve

Today visit the Agrodome and see the entertaining Sheep Show. Then head to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see the power of geothermal energy first-hand. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, and a Country Homestay option is available tonight.

Day 6. Rotorua, Fly to Christchurch

Enjoy free time in Rotorua today before flying to Christchurch.
On arrival, enjoy free time to explore.

Day 7. Southern Alps, Franz Josef

Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the top rail journeys in the world. Disembark and continue down the rugged West Coast to Franz Josef.

Day 8. Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner

Journey over Haast Pass and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown. Tonight, perhaps choose to cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner, or select from many other restaurants.

Day 9. Milford Sound Cruise

Absorb the majesty of Fiordland National Park on the journey to Milford Sound. On arrival, enjoy a cruise along the sound. Return to Queenstown by coach, or perhaps take a scenic flight back (own expense).

Day 10. Queenstown, Mt Cook

After some free time this morning, travel to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park.

Day 11. Fly to Sydney, Australia

Travel via Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, Burkes Pass and the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch in the afternoon. Later, board a flight to Sydney. Tonight enjoy dinner and a glass of wine overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Day 12. Sydney Sights, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Opera House Guided Tour

This morning, step inside the Sydney Opera House during a guided tour. Learn about this unique Australian landmark, before boarding a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour, viewing the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House from a different perspective. Later, discover Hyde Park and the famous Bondi Beach on a guided city tour.

Day 13. Sydney at Leisure

Enjoy this vibrant city at your own pace today. Perhaps take an optional sightseeing tour to the Hunter Valley, or visit the Blue Mountains (own expense).

Day 14. Sydney, Fly to Cairns

This morning, fly to Cairns. Settle in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore this tropical city.

Day 15. Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Cruise out to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef in a glass-bottom boat. View the colorful coral and diverse range of marine life of Moore Reef, and maybe go for a snorkel or a swim. Afterwards, visit your boat's underwater observatory before enjoying a tropical lunch of local specialties.

Day 16. Skyrail, Kuranda, Cairns

Today, tour Cairns before riding on the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda. Visit a wildlife park and perhaps have your photo taken with a koala (own expense). After seeing a performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway back to Cairns.

Day 17. Cairns, Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Uluru Base Tour, Sounds of Silence Dinner

This morning, fly to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Take a tour of Uluru's base, viewing ancient caves and traditional Aboriginal rock art. Walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear Aboriginal stories and legends, and see Aboriginal artists at work at the Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery. Tonight enjoy the Sounds of Silence dinner, a magical experience during which you'll dine under the stars before hearing a talk about the outback night sky.

Day 18. Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Alice Springs

Today, visit Kata Tjuta (Olgas), and walk through the domes to the majestic Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Later, re-board your coach and travel to Alice Springs.

Day 19. Alice Springs Tour, The Ghan

Enjoy a tour of Alice Springs, visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Anzac Hill. Then transfer to the railway station and travel from Alice Springs to Adelaide aboard The Ghan on
a luxury rail journey through the Red Centre.

Day 20. The Ghan, Adelaide

Enjoy breakfast aboard The Ghan as you travel south. On arrival into Adelaide early this afternoon you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner in the hotel tonight.

Day 21. Adelaide at Leisure

With today free, perhaps take an optional excursion to the Barossa Valley or Kangaroo Island (both at own expense).

Day 22. Adelaide, Fly to Melbourne, City Tour

Transfer to the airport and fly to Melbourne. On arrival, join a city tour.

Day 23. Melbourne at Leisure

Today perhaps see the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island or drive
the Great Ocean Road (both at own expense).

Day 24. Depart Melbourne

Your tour ends today with a transfer to the airport.