Escorted Tours

Itineraries

About Australia Royal Tour [ET01]

22 Days / 19 Nights Fully Escorted and Fully Inclusive
New Zealand: Auckland, Rotorura, Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Uluru/Ayers Rock, Cairns, Dunk Island

This is the real New Zealand and Australia, so whether you have been before or it's your first time, you will see and encounter something new.

You will be amazed at the stunning contrasts of New Zealand. Geothermal Mud Pools and Lush Beaches on the North Island give way to the Majestic Mountain Ranges, Glaciers, Fjord, Dense Rainforests, and Fertile Plains of the South Island.

Australia gives you a whole new experience - wide open spaces, ancient landscapes and the diversity of life on this continent has to be seen to be believed. Australia doesn't do things on a small scale. Just think of the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and the Sydney Opera house and Harbour Bridge.

Now is the best time to enjoy something different - ancient and proud indigenous cultures, awe inspiring and untouched landscapes that stretch to the horizon and unique cuisine, not to mention the wonderful "Aussie Hospitality". This will be a trip of a lifetime, an adventure you will never forget and one that you will want to experience again and again.

Features

• Tour prices include all touring as listed plus all air from North America and within Australia, New Zealand
• Free travel kit including stylish travel bag
• Day Tours and Activities Included in Australia - Sydney: Sydney Harbour Luncheon Cruise, Sydney Sights and Southern Surf Beaches, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne: City Highlights Tour, Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, Alice Springs: Alice Springs Highlights Tour, Outback Camp Oven Dinner, Ayers Rock/Uluru: Base Tour and Walk, Camel Farm, The Olgas, Cairns: Kuranda Scenice Railway and Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, Great Barrier Reef Cruise
• Day Tours and Activities Included in New Zealand - Auckland: Auckland City Highlights Tour, Welcome Dinner, Rotorua: Rotorua Geothermal Region, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Traditional Maori Hangi and Cultural Performance, Franz Josef: Trans Alpine Train, Queenstown: Skyline Restaurant, Mt. Cook Tour, Milford Sound Cruise
• Finest Dining including 21 hot breakfasts , 5 lunches, 13 dinners utilizing Freedom of Choice Dining™ - multi-choice menus or buffets. Restaurant tipping included
• Finest Accommodation - All hotel porterage and tipping included
• Accommodation - Auckland, New Zealand (1 Night), Rotorua, New Zealand (2 Nights), Christchurch, New Zealand (1 Night), Franz Josef, New Zealand (1 Night), Queenstown, New Zealand (2 Nights), Mount Cook, New Zealand (1 Night), Sydney, Australia (3 Nights), Melbourne, Australia (2 Nights), Alice Springs, Australia (1 Night), Ayers Rock / Uluru, Australia (1 Night), Cairns, Australia (1 Night Pre and 1 Night Post Island Stay), Dunk Island, Australia (2 Nights)
• Tour Director -Friendly and professional Tour Director and Driver/Guide at your service in Australia and New Zealand.
• Luxury motor coaches feature large windows, reclining seats and restroom

Detailed Itinerary

(Days 1-2) - International Flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand

Board your evening flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand

Day 2 will be spent in flight. Since you cross the international date line you will lose a day, but don't worry you will make it up on the return flight.

(Days 3-5) - Experience Auckland and Rotorua

Auckland and Rotorua New Zealand

Day 3 Auckland
Meet your Tour Director on arrival in the North Island city of Auckland. Make an early morning check-in at your hotel before an afternoon sightseeing tour. Gather with fellow travelers this evening for a special Welcome Dinner hosted by your Tour Director.
Accommodation One Night Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza
Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 Rotorua, Traditional Feast
This morning we travel south to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour of the fascinating glow-worm grotto. Glide silently by boat through these world renowned limestone caves which were carved by an underground river over thousands of years and are lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms. Then continue to the Rotorua thermal region, an area rich in Maori culture. Tonight immerse yourself in culture when we are special guests at a traditional Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance.
Accommodation Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 Country Homestay
Today we tour Te Puia Thermal Reserve, viewing its boiling mudpools, hot springs and steaming geysers. See an agricultural show and sheep shearing display before viewing the flightless Kiwi bird. Later, you can choose to experience the charms of rural living with a friendly New Zealand country family. After sharing stories over a hearty home-cooked dinner, you can enjoy their hospitality for the night. Alternatively you may choose to dine and stay at the hotel.
Breakfast & Dinner

(Days 3-5) - Christchurch and Franz Josef

Rotorua to Christchurch and Franz Josef

Day 6 Rotorua to Christchurch
This morning there’s time to relax and explore Rotorua before flying to the charming city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s scenic South Island. The friendly city of Christchurch is renowned for its elegant gardens, grand architecture and charming English heritage.
Accommodation One Night Stay:Christchurch, Crowne Plaza
Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 Southern Alps, Franz Josef
Step aboard the TranzAlpine Train for a journey renowned as New Zealand’s ‘Great Rail Adventure’ through the spectacular alpine scenery of the mighty Southern Alps. Enjoy stunning scenery as we journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. We continue down the rugged west coast to the remarkable sight of the Franz Josef Glacier. Approximately 7000 years old and measuring over seven miles, Franz Josef Glacier cuts through dramatic glacial valleys to flow into temperate rain forest.
Accommodation One Night Stay: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
Breakfast & Dinner

(Days 8-10) - Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mt. Cook

Queenstown and Mount Cook

Day 8 Queenstown
Enjoy magical scenery as we drive over spectacular Haast Pass which was the traditional pathway for Maori en route to the west coast in search of pounamu (greenstone or jade). We journey along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea. This evening take a gondola ride high above Queenstown for dinner at the Skyline Restaurant.
Accommodation Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel Queenstown
Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9 Milford Sound Cruise
Enjoy the beauty of Fiordland National Park today as we cruise stunning Milford Sound beneath tumbling waterfalls and famous Mitre Peak. The optional return flight to Queenstown provides a memorable aerial perspective of this untamed region (own expense).
Breakfast & Lunch

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. Weather permitting, take a ski-plane flight over this spectacular region, including landing on the glacier (own expense).
Accommodation One Night Stay: Mt Cook National Park, The Hermitage.
Breakfast & Dinner

(Days 11-13) Sydney, Australia

Sydney, Australia

Day 11 Fly to Sydney, Australia
Travel via Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Burkes Pass, through the plains of Canterbury to Christchurch, where we board our flight to the harbor city of Sydney, Australia.
Accommodation Three Night Stay: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel.
Breakfast & Lunch

Day 12 Sydney Sights, Harbor Cruise, Sydney Opera House Tour
Today see Sydney’s famous sights as we tour the city. Discover beautiful Hyde Park, the bohemian suburb of Kings Cross and the famous Bondi Beach as we tour the city and its southern beaches. Experience a luncheon cruise on Sydney’s beautiful harbor, viewing the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House, passing some of Sydney’s wealthy water-side residences. Enjoy a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this vibrant city further or simply relax.
Breakfast & Lunch

Day 13 At Leisure in Sydney
Relax and enjoy cosmopolitan Sydney at your own pace today. Perhaps join an optional sightseeing tour to the Hunter Valley, internationally known for its wines, or visit the stunning Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters rock formation (all optional sightseeing at own expense). Or you might like to stroll the famous Rocks area, or discover this city’s fabulous shopping.
Breakfast

(Days 14 -15) - Melbourne, Australia

Sydney to Melbourne

Day 14 Melbourne and Tramcar Dinner.
A short flight takes us to the 'Garden City' of Melbourne. On arrival, we take an in-depth tour of the city. Explore the many stalls and fresh food outlets of Victoria Market, see Parliament House and stroll through the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens. Early this evening, step aboard the Colonial Tramcar for a three-course gourmet dinner while traveling the stunning streets of Melbourne.
Accommodation 2 Nights: Melbourne, Langham Hotel, luxury on the vibrant riverfront.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 15 At Leisure in Melbourne.
A free day to enjoy the many delights of Melbourne. You may choose to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before stepping out to explore this beautiful capital city. Stroll down to Southbank on the Yarra River to enjoy the many cafes, shops and Crown Casino complex; visit the city's elegant shopping arcades tucked away off the main streets; catch a tram to St Kilda and enjoy a walk along the beach; take an optional tour to see the famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island; or take an optional tour of the famous Great Ocean Road to see the magnificent Twelve Apostles (all optional activities at own expense).
Includes Breakfast

(Days 16-18) - Outback, Australia and Cairns

Alice Springs, Uluru / Ayers Rock and Cairns

Day 16 Alice Springs, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Telegraph Station.
Join your morning flight to Alice Springs. On arrival, take a tour of this famous Outback town, located close to the very centre of the vast Australian continent. Visit the base of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a unique and vital Australian organization for the Outback. See the old Telegraph Station which marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs and enjoy views of the town from Anzac Hill. Tonight enjoy our special Camp Oven Outback Dinner.
Accommodation 1 Night: Alice Springs, Alice Springs Resort.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 17 Camel Farm, Kata Tjuta (Olgas).
Try riding a camel this morning when we make a stop at a camel farm (own expense). Continue to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Visit ancient Kata Tjuta, a cluster of 36 rocky domes that dominate the western skyline. Learn of the ancient Aboriginal legends surrounding this sacred place. Dinner tonight is not included. You may wish to dine at the resort, or for a truly unforgettable experience dine in the desert under the stars at the 'Sounds of Silence' dinner (additional US$105, Cdn$135).
Accommodation 1 Night:Ayers Rock Resort in the premier hotel, Sails in the Desert, offering absolute luxury in the arid heart of Australia.
Includes Breakfast

Day 18 Uluru (Ayers Rock), Cairns.
Tour the base of Uluru this morning, viewing rock art, caves and sacred sites. Take a guided walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear of the ancient Aboriginal legends of the region. Visit Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery, where there's the opportunity to purchase original artifacts from local Aboriginal artists. Later in the day, we board a flight bound for the tropical city of Cairns in Far North Queensland, taking in the local sights on arrival.
Cairns, Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel, Ocean Front Rooms, situated right on this tropical city's waterfront.
Includes Breakfast

(Days 19-21) - Dunk Island and Cairns, Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda Rainforest

Dunk Island, Cairns and Kuranda

Day 19 Dunk Island.
We take a short drive south passing lush rain forest and pristine sandy beaches to Mission Beach where we join a cruise to stunning Dunk Island. Located in the clear waters of the coral sea and regarded as Australia's most beautiful rain forest island, tropical Dunk Island is our home for the next two nights. The afternoon is free for you to relax. Enjoy the palm-fringed beaches, warm tropical sun and lush rain forests, filled with exotic flowers and birdlife.
Accommodation 2 Nights: Dunk Island, Garden Cabanas, your luxury island home.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 20 Great Barrier Reef Cruise.
Witness the beauty of the world-famous Great Barrier Reef as we spend an unforgettable day at Beaver Cay. Cruise on the turquoise waters before mooring at Beaver Cay. Swim, snorkel and join the glass-bottom boat to view brilliantly colored coral, giant clams and tropical fish. Or just relax on the white sandy beach and soak up the tropical atmosphere.
Includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 21 Kuranda Train, Cairns.
We depart Dunk Island and follow the coastline north to Cairns. At Kuranda see a performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers and cuddle a koala at the wildlife enclosure. Return to Cairns aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, past tumbling waterfalls and through rain forest.
Accommodation 2 Nights:Cairns, Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel, Ocean Front Rooms.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

(Day 22) - International Flight returns to Los Angeles

Return flight home to the USA.

Final Day - Board your flight home today.

Departure Dates and Pricing

Prices include all international and domestic airfares in New Zealand and Australia and are based on flights departing from and returning to Los Angeles or Vancouver. All pricing in USD.


Departure May 7th, 2007 Returning May 28th, 2007
$7,762.00 Twin Share, $10,037.00 Single, $7,497.00 Triple Share

Departure September 10th, 2007 Returning October 1st, 2007
$7,762.00 Twin Share, $10,037.00 Single, $7,497.00 Triple Share

Departure October 8th, 2007 Returning October 29th, 2007
$7,762.00 Twin Share, $10,037.00 Single, $7,497.00 Triple Share

Departure Novemver 5th, 2007 Returning November 26th, 2007
$7,762.00 Twin Share, $10,037.00 Single, $7,497.00 Triple Share

Departure December 17th, 2007 Returning January 7th, 2008
$8,022.00 Twin Share, $10,297.00 Single, $7,757.00 Triple Share

Departure January 14th, 2008 Returning February 4th, 2008
$8,022.00 Twin Share, $10,297.00 Single, $7,757.00 Triple Share

Departure February 4th, 2008 Returning February 25th, 2008
$7,762.00 Twin Share, $10,037.000 Single, $7,497.00 Triple Share

Departure February 18th, 2008 Returning March 10th, 2008
$7,762.00 Twin Share, $10,037.00 Single, $7,497.00 Triple Share