NEW ZEALAND

Price Includes

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

Day 1: Los Angeles

This evening board your flight bound for Australia. (D)

Day 2: In Flight

Cross the International Dateline and "lose" a day.

Day 3: Arrive Sydney, Australia
Your Tour Director will meet you on arrival off one of our selected flights in Sydney. After an early check-in at your hotel, relax or step out to explore. Tonight meet fellow travelers at your welcome dinner. Overnight: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel for 3 nights (B,D)

Day 4: Sydney City Sightseeing

Enjoy a full day of Sydney sightseeing. See many of Sydney's famous landmarks including Hyde Park, Kings Cross, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the historic Rocks area and Bondi Beach. On your luncheon cruise of Sydney Harbor, you will have magnificent views of the Harbor Bridge, Opera House and Fort Denison. An afternoon guided tour of Sydney's icon, the Sydney Opera House, completes a wonderful day experiencing Sydney. (B,L)

Day 5: Sydney at Leisure

Today is free for you to explore Sydney. From your hotel, it's a short walk to the historic Rocks area and Circular Quay. Perhaps take a sightseeing excursion to the wine growing region of the Hunter Valley, or the stunning Blue Mountains (own expense). Tonight is yours to explore Sydney and its worldclass restaurants. Your Tour Director can help with arrangements. (B)

Day 6: Sydney-Cairns

Today fly to Cairns, the gateway to Far North Queensland. Enjoy a tour of the city before you have the unique opportunity to experience the Tjapukai Cultural Dinner and Show. Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La, The Marina for 3 nights (B,D)

Day 7: Great Barrier Reef Cruise

This morning, board a luxury catamaran for a full day guided cruise to the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. At Moore Reef, a magnificent ribbon reef, glide through the coral gardens aboard the semi-sub, or swim and snorkel over an enchanting seascape. You can also view the marine life from the underwater observatory. A delicious lunch is served on board. (B,L)

Day 8: Skyrail & Kuranda Railway

Today ride the Skyrail Cableway over World Heritagelisted rainforest to Kuranda. Visit a wildlife park and perhaps have your photo taken with a koala (own expense). Later, travel aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway back down the mountain range to Cairns. (B)

Day 9: Cairns - Uluru (Ayers Rock)

This morning you'll join a flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia's Red Center. Visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and walk to Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Tonight, dine under the stars at the Sounds of Silence Dinner then hear an astronomer talk about the Outback night sky. Overnight: Ayers Rock, Sails in the Desert (B,D)

Day 10: Uluru (Ayers Rock) Tour - Alice Springs

Tour Uluru's base, viewing ancient caves and Aboriginal art. Walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear of ancient Aboriginal legends. At Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery, see Aboriginal artists at work and perhaps purchase artworks. Pass vast cattle ranches en route to Alice Springs. Overnight: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza (B)

Day 11: Alice Springs Touring-Adelaide

Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Anzac Hill this morning. Then board your flight to Adelaide and visit the National Wine Center for cheese and wine tasting. Learn about the Barossa wine region and Australian wine industry. Overnight: Adelaide, The Sebel Playford Hotel for 2 nights (B,D)

Overnight on the famous Ghan train (optional) Journey from Alice Springs to Adelaide aboard The Ghan, a luxury rail journey through the Red Center. Includes dinner on Day 11 and breakfast and lunch on Day 12. Must be booked at time of booking tour. Ask for prices.

Day 12: Adelaide

Enjoy a day at leisure to discover Adelaide. You may wish to join an optional tour to either Kangaroo Island or the Barossa Valley (both additional expense). (B)

Kangaroo Island Experience (optional)
Spend a full day on this amazing island and see natural beauty and Australia's wildlife-kangaroos, koalas and much more. Fly from Adelaide and travel in 4WD vehicles. Must be booked at time of booking. Includes return flights from Adelaide. Ask for prices.

Day 13: Adelaide-Melbourne & City Sights

Fly to Melbourne. Tour the city, visiting Queen Victoria Market and the Fitzroy Gardens. Enjoy dinner aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant tonight, winding through the streets of Melbourne. Overnight: Melbourne, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 14: Melbourne at Leisure
Today is free to enjoy the delights of Melbourne. Perhaps stroll down to Southbank on the Yarra River; journey to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade; or join a tour along the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles (all activities own expense). (B)

Day 15: Melbourne-Christchurch, New Zealand

Departing Australia today, you'll fly to Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island. On arrival enjoy free time to relax or explore as you wish. Overnight: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 16: Christchurch City Sights

Take a tour of the charming Garden City of Christchurch before a free afternoon to explore more of Christchurch as you please. (B)

Day 17: Christchurch-Franz Josef, TranzAlpine Train

Board the TranzAlpine Train for a spectacular alpine rail journey through the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Enter the World Heritage-listed area of South West New Zealand, home to a number of glacial formations, including the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (B,D)

Day 18: Franz Josef-Queenstown

Today travel to Queenstown and enjoy the uniquely New Zealand landscape as you travel over Haast Pass and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Overnight: Queenstown, Crowne Plaza for 3 nights (B)

Day 19: Milford Sound Cruise

Travel to Fiordland National Park for an unforgettable cruise over spectacular Milford Sound, passing towering Mitre Peak and cascading waterfalls. (B,L)

Day 20: Queenstown at Leisure

Enjoy today free to explore Queenstown at your leisure. Perhaps shop the wide selection of souvenir shops and boutiques, enjoy a spa treatment, taste local wines or take a jet boat ride. The options are endless in this resort town, be as active or relaxed as you like (activities, own expense). (B)

Day 21: Queenstown-Rotorua
Fly to Rotorua, in the North Island of New Zealand. Tour Te Puia Thermal Reserve and see boiling mud pools and explosive geysers. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance. Overnight: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua (B,D)

Day 22: Rotorua-Waitomo Caves-Auckland

This morning, visit Rotorua's Agrodome for a look at rural New Zealand life and interactive sheep show. Then, travel to Waitomo Caves, where you will glide by boat underneath the lights of glow worms through a set of limestone caverns. Continue to Auckland, where you will enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight: Auckland, Crowne Plaza (B,D)

Day 23: Auckland-Los Angeles
Board your flight to Los Angeles. (B) (B,D)

Departure Dates

2009: Sep 21; Oct 5, 19; Nov 9, 16; Dec 7
2010: Jan 11; Feb 8, 22; Mar 1, 15