AUSTRALIA

Price Includes

Country Homestay Option on Day 5 (must be pre-booked)

Note: Itinerary effective 1 May 2009.
For tours departing before this date, refer to our 2008 brochure.

Day 1: Los Angeles

This evening board your flight bound for Auckland, New Zealand. (D)

Day 2: In Flight

Cross the International Dateline and "lose" a day.

Day 3: Auckland

Arrive in Auckland and meet your Tour Director. Make an early-morning check-in at your hotel before an afternoon of sightseeing. Gather this evening for a special welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. Overnight: Auckland, Crowne Plaza (B,D)

Day 4: Auckland-Rotorua

Travel south to the Waitomo Caves for a guided tour and ride through the fascinating Glow Worm grotto. Continue to the Rotorua thermal region, where you are invited to a special Hangi (feast) and Maori concert. Overnight: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 5: Rotorua Sightseeing

Tour Te Puia Thermal Reserve to discover boiling mud pools and steaming geysers. See an agricultural show and sheep-shearing display, then travel to Rainbow Springs to view the flightless Kiwi bird.

Later, choose to experience rural living with a country family: Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and stay the night-or dine and stay at the hotel (B,D)

Day 6: Rotorua-Christchurch

There is time to relax before flying to the charming city of Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island. Overnight: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B,D)

Day 7: Christchurch-Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine Train for your journey through spectacular alpine scenery in the Southern Alps. Continue down the rugged West Coast to the remarkable Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (B,D)

Day 8: Franz Josef-Queenstown

Magical scenery presents itself today as you travel over Haast Pass, then along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Check in to your accommodation, located right on Queenstown's waterfront. This evening cruise aboard the vintage steamer TSS Earnslaw to historic Walter Peak Station for dinner. Overnight: Queenstown, Crowne Plaza Hotel for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 9: Milford Sound Cruise

Enjoy the beauty of Fiordland National Park as you cruise Milford Sound beneath tumbling waterfalls and famous Mitre Peak. The optional return flight to Queenstown provides a memorable aerial perspective of this untamed region (flight, own expense). (B,L)

Day 10: Queenstown-Mt Cook

The morning is free before traveling to New Zealand's highest peak, Mt Cook, where the Tasman Glacier flows down its eastern slopes. If the weather permits, take a ski-plane flight over this spectacular region, including landing on the glacier (optional, own expense). Overnight: Mt Cook National Park, The Hermitage (B,D)

Day 11: Mt Cook-Christchurch-Sydney

Travel via Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Burkes Pass, through the plains of Canterbury to Christchurch, where you board your flight to Sydney, Australia. Check in to your hotel and relax for the remainder of the day. Overnight: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel for 3 nights (B)

Day 12: Breakfast with the Koalas, Sydney City Sights, Harbor Cruise

Enjoy a unique breakfast with the koalas at a wildlife park before seeing Sydney's iconic sights on a tour of the city and its surrounding beaches. Later take a luncheon cruise on Sydney's harbor for great views of the famous Harbor Bridge and Opera House before enjoying a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. (B,L)

Day 13: Sydney at Leisure

Relax and enjoy cosmopolitan Sydney today. Perhaps take an optional sightseeing tour to the Hunter Valley or the Blue Mountains (own expense), stroll the famous Rocks area or visit the exclusive Queen Victoria Shopping Complex. (B)

Day 14: Sydney-Melbourne

After a short flight to Melbourne, the "Garden City," take an in-depth tour including Victoria Market, Parliament House and beautiful Fitzroy Gardens. Check in to your elegant accommodation. This evening, step aboard the Colonial Tramcar for dinner while traveling the streets of Melbourne and the exclusive suburbs of Toorak and South Yarra. Overnight: Melbourne, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 15: Melbourne at Leisure

Today enjoy the many delights of Melbourne. Stroll through Southgate on the Yarra River, visit the city's shopping arcades, catch a tram to St. Kilda, or take an optional tour to see the world famous "Penguin Parade" on Phillip Island (own expense). (B)

Day 16: Melbourne-Alice Springs

Morning flight to Alice Springs. On arrival, takea tour of this famous "Outback" town located close to the very center of the vast Australian continent.Visit the base of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, see the Old Telegraph Station and enjoy views of the town from Anzac Hill. Tonight enjoy a special Outback dinner and Aboriginal performance.Overnight: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza (B,D)

Day 17: Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

Try riding a camel this morning when you makea stop at a Camel Farm (own expense). Continue to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home of Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Visit the Olgas, a cluster of 36rocky domes dominating the western skyline.Enjoy sunset at the Rock and be amazed by thechanging colors. Tonight, you may wish to dine at the Sounds of Silence dinner (optional, ownexpense, pre-booking recommended). Overnight:Ayers Rock Resort, Sails in the Desert (B)

Day 18: Uluru (Ayers Rock)-Cairns

Tour the base of Ayers Rock this morning viewingrock art, caves and sacred sites, and hearing of the region'sancient Aboriginal legends. Visit Maruku Arts & Crafts Gallery where there is the opportunityto purchase original artifacts from local Aborigines.Later, board a flight bound for the tropical city of Cairns, taking in the local sights on arrival.Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La, The Marina (B)

Day 19: Cairns-Dunk Island

Travel to tropical Dunk Island, your home for the nexttwo nights. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the palm-fringed beaches and lush rainforests, filledwith exotic flowers and bird life. Overnight: DunkIsland, Beachfront Room for 2nights (B,D)

Day 20: Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Witness the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef as you spend the day at lovely Beaver Cay. Swim, snorkel andjoin the glass-bottom boat to view brilliantly colored coral, giant clams and tropical fish. (B,L)

Day 21: Kuranda, Scenic Railway - Cairns

Depart Dunk Island and follow the coastline north toCairns. Journey to Kuranda, a picturesque mountainrainforest retreat. Enjoy some time to explore the lushsurroundings and the local markets. Then ride theKuranda Scenic Railway through the rainforest backto Cairns. Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner.Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La, The Marina (B,D)

Day 22: Depart Cairns-Los Angeles

Board your flight to Los Angeles. (B) (B,L)

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Experience the tropical paradise of Fiji absolutely FREE when you book this tour before March 15, 2009. Ask for details. Conditions apply, and seats are limited..

Departure Dates

2009: Apr 6; May 4; Jun 13; Sep 14; Oct 12, 19, 26; Nov 2, 16, 23; Dec 14
2010: Jan 4, 18, 25; Feb 1, 8, 15, 22; Mar 1, 8, 15, 22; Apr 12