The Australia and New Zealand Grand Tour
- Auckland City - Christchurch - Queenstown - Sydney
- Melbourne - Ayers Rock - Cairns - Great Barrier Reef
About the Program:
Length: 20 days
Tour type: scenic, discovery
Weaving through New Zealand you'll discover thermal geysers, gigantic Kauri Trees and unique experiences such as visiting a sacred marae and being greeted with a Maori Powhiri and Haka. Journey to Australia and spend your days exploring the Harbour City of Sydney and cosmopolitan Melbourne. Arrive in the Red Centre to view spectacular Ayers Rock and the Olgas before dining under the stars at the Sounds of Silence Dinner. Discover tropical Cairns and enjoy a cruise to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef and magnificent views from your Skyrail Gondola as it travels over the rainforest canopy.
DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1, Auckland City
'Haere Mai' - Welcome to New Zealand! Arrive in Auckland and be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon meet your Tour Director and group for a city sightseeing tour. Visit Skytower before a welcome dinner at the Skytower complex.
Overnight Stay: Auckland (D)
Day 2, Waitomo Caves - Rotorua - Hangi Dinner
Enjoy a relaxing cruise through limestone caves to see glow worms in Waitomo Caves. Continue to Rotorua, heartland of geysers and hot thermal pools. See the towering Redwood Forest. Tonight we have an exclusive treat in store at our 'Realm of Tane' cultural performance and Hangi Dinner.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua (BD)
Day 3, Te Puia Thermal Reserve & Maori Arts & Crafts
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where Maori craftspeople hone their skills. Enjoy a guided walk to see boiling mud pools and steaming geysers. Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions - All inclusive: choose from relaxing at the Polynesian Day Spa; or a visit to Agrodome; Rotorua Museum; an exhilarating 4WD Safari adventure; visit a buried village Te Wairoa; or enjoy a guided trout fishing expedition. (B)
Day 4, Christchurch - Tram Tour - Casino Evening
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your morning flight (approximately 09.30-hr flight. Own expense - pre-book with your Travel Agent) to Christchurch. Take a ride on a historic tramcar. This hop-on hop-off tram lets you explore at your own pace. Tonight dine at the Christchurch Casino.
Overnight Stay: Christchurch (BD)
Day 5, Christchurch - TranzAlpine - Jade Factory - Franz Josef Glacier
Board the 'TranzAlpine' for an unforgettable train journey across the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. Travel to the Greenstone (Jade) Factory. Continue to Westland National Park and Franz Josef Glacier.
Overnight Stay: Franz Josef Glacier (BD)
Day 6, Haast River - Queenstown
A highlight today is jet boating on the mighty Haast river in Mt Aspiring National Park. See remote areas of untouched beauty and serenity, with beautiful cascading waterfalls and magnificent mountain scenery. Continue on to Queenstown. Scenic FreeChoice Dining: All inclusive: choose from cruise on TSS Earnslaw and dine at Walter Peak Station; or dine at Lombardis Restaurant; or choose the Skyline Restaurant with views over Queenstown and Lake Wakitipu.
Three Night Stay: Queenstown (BD)
Day 7, Queenstown
Enjoy a full day at your leisure. Your Tour Director will be pleased to arrange any optional tours for you (at own expense). Perhaps take a sightseeing flight over the Remarkable Mountain range, a thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover Jet or a tour into historic Skippers Canyon. (B)
Day 8, Milford Sound Cruise
Travel via Te Anau to Milford Sound. Enjoy spectacular views from the VIP area of your cruise ship, and see Fiordland's magnificent glacier carved fjords. Return to Queenstown early evening. (BD)
Day 9, Mount Cook - Twizel
Travel to impressive Mount Cook National Park with its remarkable turquoise blue lakes and snow capped mountains.
Overnight Stay: Mount Cook (BD)
Day 10, Lake Tekapo - Flight to Sydney, Australia
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and Lake Tekapo before crossing the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Board your flight (approx. 15.30-hr flight. Own expense - pre-book with your Travel Agent) and say ‘Haere ra’ (Farewell New Zealand) and ‘G'Day Mate’ (Welcome to Australia).
Three Night Stay: Sydney (B)
Day 11, Sydney City Sights - Sydney Opera House - Cruise on Sydney Harbour
Enjoy a city tour including the historic Rocks area, the Opera House, Botanical Gardens, cosmopolitan Kings Cross and famous Bondi Beach. Explore all the sights of Sydney Harbour cruising the exclusive eastern suburb's waterfront homes and under the Harbour Bridge to Darling Harbour. Scenic FreeChoice Dining: Today choose from: (1) Wolfie's Restaurant; or (2) Waterfront Restaurant. Both restaurants are directly opposite the Sydney Opera House, with breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour. It's your choice and included in your tour at no extra cost. (BD)
Day 12, Sydney
Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: Today choose from either a tour of the Blue Mountains and Three Sisters; or climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for spectacular views of the city; or visit the Hunter Valley Wineries; or a guided tour of Canberra. (B)
Day 13, Melbourne - City Tour - Yarra River Cruise
This morning fly to Melbourne (own expense - please book a flight with your travel agent departing approx 0900hr). Today enjoy a Melbourne city sights tour including a cruise on the Yarra River.
Two Night Stay: Melbourne (B)
Day 14 ,Melbourne
Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: Today choose from either a tour to meet native animals and watch the penguins return home to Phillip Island; or tour along the Great Ocean Road; or ride the historic Puffing Billy Steam Train. (B)
Day 15, Melbourne - Ayers Rock
This morning fly to Ayers Rock in central Australia (own expense - please book a flight with your travel agent departing approx 0830). This afternoon visit Ayers Rock (Uluru) to watch the colourful sunset (weather permitting).
Two Night Stay: Ayers Rock (B)
Day 16, Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Sounds of Silence Dinner
Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions All Inclusive: this morning choose from: (1) an Aboriginal tour - watch the spectacular sunrise over Ayers Rock before breakfast at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Visitors’ Centre followed by a walk with an Aboriginal custodian learning bush skills and traditions; or (2) enjoy a Harley Davidson motorcycle tour with spectacular views of Ayers Rock; or (3) tour around Uluru then experience a camel ride through the desert; or (4) a 9km walk around the base of Uluru with a naturalist. (BD)
Please note that Ayers Rock may be closed for climbing due to bad weather or high winds.
Day 17, The Olgas - Cairns
This morning travel to the ancient domes of The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) before flying to Cairns (approximately 13.30hr flight. Own expense - pre-book with your Travel Agent). Transfer to your Cairns hotel, where you will spend 3 nights in idyllic central surroundings. (B)
Day 18, Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Scenic FreeChoice Day: (1) Travel by Quicksilver Catamaran to Agincourt Reef. Snorkel and view magnificent coral and sea life through the windows of a sub-sea vessel. A lavish tropical buffet lunch is included today; or (2) Enjoy luxury sailing by catamaran, mooring in a sheltered lagoon, and explore a tropical island with your own Marine Biologist. Includes magnificent buffet lunch; or(3) Enjoy a full day Food Trail Tour, your tour includes stops at fruit wineries, and local coffee plantations amongst others. Includes lunch; or (4) Indulge in a hot air balloon flight over the Cairns area, including hot breakfast. Choose one - included in your tour at no extra cost. Please note: choice must be requested at time of booking. This evening is free for you to enjoy the sights and sounds of Cairns at your leisure. (BL)
Day 19, Kuranda Rail - Rainforest Tour - Skyrail Gondola
After breakfast, journey by rail to Kuranda, followed by touring the rainforest on an amphibious army duck. See the Pamagirri Aborigines’ boomerang-throwing and didgeridoo-playing followed by skyrail gondola above the rainforest canopy and return to Cairns. Tonight enjoy a farewell poolside barbeque dinner with your touring companions. (BD)
Day 20, Cairns
This morning bid farewell to your new found friends. You will be transferred to Sydney to connect with you onward flight (airfare not included). (B)
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