Tour Overview
Australians and New Zealanders are friendly, the lifestyle is relaxed and informal, the sun shines and the beaches are golden: "Down Under" is a vacation paradise, especially for family travellers. The seasons here are exactly opposite those of the U.S. or Canada, making Australia the perfect place to spend the "winter" holidays in summertime splendor. Our summer - Australia's winter - months of June, July and August are great times to explore the rainforests of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef or the central continent's Outback. Neighboring New Zealand offers the same seasonal patterns, with slightly lower temperatures overall.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Auckland, New ZealandOn arrival in Auckland you are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Your room will be available for immediate occupancy and the remainder of your morning is at leisure to relax after your flight. Poised above the Viaduct Basin, The Heritage was once Auckland's grandest department store. Restoration of the original timbers, native matai floorings and beams compliment the art deco design. The 'suite style' accommodation offers luxuriously appointed rooms many of which are fully self-contained. There is a tennis court, Health Club and an indoor pool while restaurants, cafes and shops are within walking distance.
Auckland is a colorful, vibrant metropolis and the city's spectacular setting on the sparkling Waitemata Harbor gives rise to its title ‘City of Sails’. Its most obvious landmarks are the Harbor Bridge, the Sky Tower and Rangitoto Island, the region’s youngest volcano. Here the visitors can enjoy the magnificent harbor, walk and hike in the hills of bush where native flora and fauna abound or partake in the activities of the city. In the afternoon, depart on a scheduled coach tour of Auckland. Your afternoon tour commences with a visit to the Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, where you can see real snow and ice and the cute King and Gentoo penguins on your snow cat ride through the Antarctic Encounter. In the Underwater World come face-to-face with giant stingrays, moray eels, schools of fish and ferocious sharks! Continue with an exclusive Native New Zealand Encounter Show at the Auckland Zoo, where you will have the opportunity to view the native birds and reptiles that are so special to New Zealand. Enjoy a coffee cruise sailing on the spectacular waters of the Waitemata Harbor before concluding with a visit to the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 metres (1000 ft), that was built to take you to an all time high.
Heritage Auckland Hotel Day 02: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
Depart Auckland this morning on a scheduled coach tour heading south through the rich farmland of the Waikato and onto Waitomo. You will have a lunch stop at the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. After lunch begin your guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers of the caves. Your tour concludes with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, illuminated by thousands of tiny lights from the glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Re-board your coach and continue onto Rotorua. Rotorua is New Zealand’s cultural heartland. The earth’s crust is so thin that its molten heart bubbles and steams at the surface. The Millennium Rotorua, your accommodation for this evening, is situated just a brief stroll from the edge of beautiful, mystical Lake Rotorua and only minutes from key tourist attractions. The public areas have a distinct Polynesian feel, and guest rooms feature stunning marble bathrooms and a charming residential-style décor. This evening enjoy a Maori Cultural Experience and feast at Mitai beginning with an entertaining performance with haunting melodies of Maori songs and the twirling poi (pompoms) while the men will perform a traditional Haka (war dance). Following the spine tingling melodies enjoy the Hangi meal, an authentic Maori feast, introducing you to a variety of their traditional food - such as kumara (sweet potato), mussels and pork. At the conclusion of the performance you will be returned to your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Millennium Hotel Day 03: Rotorua - Queenstown
After breakfast depart on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua and visit the Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori Arts & Crafts. After the tour concludes this afternoon you are transferred to the Rotorua airport for your scheduled flight to Queenstown. On arrival in Queenstown you are met and transferred to the Heritage Queenstown your home for the next two nights. The balance of the day is at leisure. Queenstown is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by rolling farmlands and mountains. As well as being a base for countless outdoor activities, Queenstown is oriented towards visitors in its shopping and recreational facilities. Standing above the shores of Lake Wakatipu with magnificent view of the majestic Remarkables Mountain Range, The Heritage is just a short distance from the town center and is crafted from centuries-old schist stone and cedar, with the ambience of a European style alpine lodge. All the rooms reflect the hotel’s high country heritage.
Breakfast
Heritage Resort Day 04: Queenstown- Milford Sound- Queenstown
Enjoy a full day scheduled Milford Sound Day Tour. Travel by luxury coach for your tour to the World Heritage listed Milford Sound. Your 290km drive is reputed to be one of the finest drives in the world. After morning tea at Te Anau the road passes stunning scenery - clear icy alpine lakes, a variety of outstanding forests, river flats and lupin-fringed meadows, pristine waterfalls, hulking granite peaks and permanent snowfields. Travel through the Homer Tunnel, then burst out into a breathtaking amphitheater of snow-covered peaks and precipices at the head of Cleddau Canyon before zigzagging steeply down through the rain forest to board your scenic cruise for lunch on spectacular Milford Sound. Return to Queenstown by road, or if you have elected to take the optional scenic flight (extra cost) back to Queenstown, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight. (Should weather be inclement and not permit flying you will return by road).
Breakfast, Lunch
Heritage Resort Day 05: Queenstown - Christchurch
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Queenstown. Optional activities in the area: golfing at Millbrook Resort, a cable car ride on the Skyline Gondola, Parapenting, a private artists & vineyards tour, a private tour of Skippers Canyon by 4WD, an adrenaline pumping ride on the Shotover Jet or Bungy Jumping. This afternoon, meet your local representative in the hotel lobby and transfer to the Queenstown airport for your scheduled flight to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your accommodation. Christchurch is known as New Zealand’s “Garden City” and is the largest of the South Island’s centers. The tree-lined River Avon meanders through its heart and the neo-gothic Christchurch Cathedral presides over "The Square", retaining something of the essentially English nature of its origins. The public spiritedness bequeathed by Christchurch's founders ensures that a third of the city is preserved in gardens, parks and nature reserves. Located picturesquely in the heart of Christchurch overlooking its very own "Central Park," this very individual boutique hotel is just a step away from all the key attractions including the tram, arts market, restaurants, theatres and gardens.
Breakfast
The George Hotel Day 06: Christchurch - Sydney, Australia
Enjoy a half-day scheduled city tour of Christchurch. Your morning tour takes you around the City’s highlights and historic sites including the Canterbury Museum, a visit to the fascinating International Antarctic Center, the Christchurch Arts Center and Botanic Gardens, followed by the Port Hills for panoramic views across the Canterbury Plains. Transfer to Christchurch International Airport to board your flight* to Sydney, Australia. On arrival in Sydney, you are met and transferred to your accommodation. Sydney, the capital of the state of New South Wales, is Australia’s most well known city. It’s magnificent natural harbor spanned by the ‘coat hanger,’ the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the man-made sails of the Sydney Opera House are just some of its most widely photographed views.
Breakfast
The Grace Hotel
Day 07: Sydney
Sydney city tour. Begin at Sydney’s historic Rocks area known for its narrow cobbled streets and convict buildings. Continue to the quaint suburb of Paddington to see tiny Victorian houses decorated with cast iron "lacework," much of which came to Australia as ballast in the holds of the wool and grain clippers over 100 years ago. Return to the city after visiting Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach for your luncheon cruise. A commentator will point out the sites of the unsurpassed views of this beautiful harbor and its icons, the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.
Breakfast, Lunch
The Grace Hotel Day 08: Sydney - Ayers Rock
Transfer to the Sydney airport to board your flight* to Ayers Rock. On arrival in Ayers Rock you are met and transferred to your accommodation. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Olgas and Dunes. This tour introduces you to the Central Australian arid desert. Leaving mid-afternoon, the guide explains the nature of the desert and it’s development. A short walk to the dune lookout provides a spectacular panoramic view of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) – a very sacred place to the Aboriginal people. Arriving at Olga Gorge, walk into the mystical place and hear how it has evolved over millions of years. Sit back and absorb the desert solitude or relax and chat to your guide about Australia’s red center. The spectacle fades as you return to Yulara beneath a sky of brilliant stars.
Breakfast
Sails in the Desert Hotel Day 09: Ayers Rock - Cairns - Palm Cove
Beginning prior to sunrise, this 9.4km walk will introduce you to the geology of Uluru and you will hear how plants and wildlife have adapted and survived in such a forbidding environment. Late morning transfer to the Ayers Rock airport to board your scheduled fligh*t to Cairns. On arrival in Cairns you will be met and transferred to Palm Cove. Palm Cove's beach offers warm tropical water year round and a silky sandy beach lined with majestic Palm trees with beautiful views of the Coral Sea – the ingredients for an idyllic tropical holiday; warm seas, watersports and uncrowded sand with a sweeping backdrop of rainforest mountains.
Breakfast
Sebel Reef House Day 10: Great Barrier Reef
Transfer to Marina Mirage for today’s cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. Board ‘Quicksilver’ and cruise to Agincourt Reef lying within the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. During the day enjoy a buffet lunch. Sunbake, snorkel, dive or view the reef up close from the underwater observatory – the choices seem endless.
Breakfast, Lunch
Sebel Reef House Day 11: Palm Cove
Today is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as a round of golf at a nearby course, swimming in the ocean, wander along the foreshore under the waving palm trees or have a massage or spa treatment at the hotel.
Breakfast
Sebel Reef House Day 12: Palm Cove - Cairns - Departure
Transfer to Cairns International airport for your departing flight.
Breakfast Flights are not included in the land price.
