Escorted Tours

Itineraries

Australia and New Zealand Classic [ET03]

25 Days / 22 Nights Fully Escorted and Fully Inclusive
Classic South Pacific: New Zealand: Auckland, Rotorura, Queenstown, Christchurch Australia: Sydney, Cairns, Darwin, Kakadu, Alice Springs, Uluru/Ayers Rock, Melbourne, Hobart, Tasmania

This package contains all you would want to see in Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand includes The 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. In Australia, you will visit the iconic city of Sydney, The Great barrier Reef, Rainforests, The Australian Outback, the shopping and fashion mecca of Melbourne and unique Hobart, Tasmania.

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. 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 New Zealand - Auckland: Auckland City Highlights Tour, Welcome Dinner, Rotorua: Rotorua Geothermal Region, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Traditional Maori Hangi and Cultural Performance,Tour Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Country Homestay, Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise, Coach tour to Christchurch, Day Tours and Activities Included in Australia - Sydney: Sydney Harbour Luncheon Cruise, Sydney Sights and Southern Surf Beaches, Sydney Opera House, Cairns: Kuranda Scenic Railway and Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, Great Barrier Reef Cruise, Darwin: Darwin tour, Jumping Crocodile Cruise, Kakadu National Park,Alice Springs: Alice Springs Highlights Tour, Outback Camp Oven Dinner, Ayers Rock/Uluru: Base Tour and Walk, Melbourne: City Highlights Tour, Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, Hobart, Tasmania: Port Arthur Historic Site Tour, Salamanca Place, Botanical Gardens, and Mt. Nelson
• Finest Dining including 21 hot breakfasts , 5 lunches, 10 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), Queenstown, New Zealand (3 Nights), Christchurch, New Zealand (1 Night), Sydney, Australia (3 Nights), Cairns, Australia (3 Nights) , Darwin, Australia (1 Night), Kakadu National Park, Australia (1 Night), Alice Springs, Australia (2 Nights), Ayers Rock / Uluru, Australia (1 Night), Melbourne, Australia (2 Nights), Hobart,Tasmania (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
• Fully inclusive air/land tour prices include all international and domestic airfares in New Zealand and Australia and are based on flights starting and finishing in Los Angeles
• Special add-on airfares from other US and Canadian cities available upon request
• Air taxes and departure taxes not included
• *Special events in Melbourne, surcharge may apply

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) - Discover North New Zealand, Auckland and Rotorua

Auckland, Rotorua, Country Homestay

Day 3 Auckland, New Zealand - North Island
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 1 Night: Auckland, Crowne Plaza.
Includes Breakfast and 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 2 Nights: Rotorua, Millennium Hotel Rotorua.
Includes Breakfast and 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.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

(Days 6-9) - Discover South New Zealand, Queenstown and Christchurch

Queenstown, Milford Sound and Christchurch - South Island

Day 6 Queenstown
Fly to Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island.
Accommodation 3 Nights: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel Queenstown.
Includes Breakfast

Day 7 Milford Sound Cruise
Today travel to Fiordland National Park. Cruise the length of Milford Sound, sailing below Mitre Peak and spectacular waterfalls.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 Queenstown at Leisure
Today is free for you to enjoy Queenstown at your leisure. Explore this popular resort town for yourself.
Includes Breakfast

Day 9 Queenstown to Christchurch
Today journey from Queenstown over the braided Rakaia River and through the Canterbury Plains to the pretty 'Garden City' of Christchurch.
Accommodation 1 Night: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

(Days 10-12) - Experience Sydney, Australia

Sydney, Australia

Day 10 Fly to Sydney, Australia
Fly across the Tasman Sea to Sydney
Accommodation 3 Nights: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 Sydney Harbour Cruise, Sydney Sightseeing
Take a sightseeing tour, visiting Featherdale Wildlife Park, Bondi Beach, Hyde Park and Kings Cross. Then join a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. Take a guided Sydney Opera House tour.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 At Leisure in Sydney
Explore Sydney. Stroll to the historic Rocks area. Perhaps take a Hunter Valley or Blue Mountains tour (own expense).
Includes Breakfast

(Days 13-16) - Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, and Rainforest

Cairns, Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest

Day 13 Cairns
Fly to Cairns. Tour Cairns and watch sunset over the Coral Sea.
Accommodation 3 Night: Cairns, Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel, Ocean Front Rooms.
Includes Breakfast

Day 14 Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Spend the day on the Great Barrier Reef. At Agincourt Reef, swim or snorkel or ride aboard the glass-bottom boat.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 15 Cairns at Leisure
Perhaps ride the Skyrail Cableway above the rain forest, visit the village in the rain forest of Kuranda or join the Kuranda Railway.
Includes Breakfast

Day 16 am Cairns
Enjoy the morning to explore Cairns. Perhaps visit the Pier Market Place or Marlin Marina.
Includes Breakfast

(Days 16-18) - Darwin and Kakadu National Park

Darwin and Kakadu National Park

Day 16pm Cairns to Darwin
Join your flight to Darwin this afternoon.
Accommodation 1 Night: Darwin, Holiday Inn Esplanade.

Day 17 Darwin, Kakadu National Park.
Today tour Darwin then travel into World Heritage Kakadu National Park. See fearsome saltwater crocodiles leaping from the water on the Jumping Crocodile Cruise. See Aboriginal art at Nourlangie Rock.
Accommodation 1 Night: Kakadu National Park, Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 18am Darwin to Alice Springs.
Wander through Bowali Visitor Centre, Kakadu, for a greater appreciation of this remarkable area.
Includes Breakfast

(Days 18-21) - Outback Australia, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock/Uluru

Alice Springs,and Ayers Rock/Uluru

Day 18 pm Fly to Alice Springs.
Accommodation 2 Nights: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 19 Alice Springs and Outback Dinner
Tour Alice Springs, visiting the School of the Air, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Anzac Hill. Enjoy a Camp Oven Outback Dinner.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 20 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kata Tjuta (Olgas).
Travel to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Explore the domes of Kata Tjuta. Dine at the resort or under the stars at the 'Sounds of Silence' dinner. (Additional US$60)
Accommodation 1 Night: Ayers Rock Resort's premier hotel, Sails in the Desert.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 21am Uluru (Ayers Rock).
This morning, choose to climb Uluru or take a leisurely walk around its base. View ancient rock art, caves, permanent waterholes and learn about Aboriginal culture and traditions.
Includes Breakfast

(Days 21 -22) - Cosmopolitan Melbourne

Melbourne

Day 21pm Ayers Rock to Melbourne
This afternoon, fly to Melbourne.
Accommodation 2 Nights: Melbourne, Langham Hotel, on the vibrant riverfront.

Day 22 Melbourne Sightseeing, Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Melbourne. Join the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant for dinner.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

(Days 23-24) - Unique Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart, Tasmania

Day 23 Tasmania, Port Arthur.
Fly to Hobart. Journey along the rugged Tasman Peninsula. At Port Arthur Historic Site, join a tour of this former convict site.
Accommodation 2 Nights: Hobart, Wrest Point Hotel Casino.
Includes Breakfast

Day 24 Hobart, Richmond.
Tour Hobart including Salamanca Place, the Botanical Gardens and Mt Nelson. Visit Richmond, a quaint Georgian village.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

(Day 25) - 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 October 7th, 2007 Returning October 31st, 2007
$9,129.00 Twin Share, $11,529.00 Single, $8,834.00 Triple Share

Departure January 13th, 2008 Returning February 6th, 2008
$9,379.00 Twin Share, $11,779.00 Single, $9,084.00 Triple Share

Departure February 17th, 2008 Returning March 12th, 2008
$9,129.00 Twin Share, $11,529.00 Single, $8,834.00 Triple Share

Departure February 24th, 2008 Returning March 19th, 2008
$9,129.00 Twin Share, $11,529.00 Single, $8,834.00 Triple Share

Departure March 9th, 2008 Returning April 2nd, 2008
$9,129.00 Twin Share, $11,529.00 Single, $8,834.00 Triple Share