Escorted Tours

Itineraries

About Australia Southern Explorer [ET04]

23 Days / 20 Nights Fully Escorted and Fully Inclusive
Southern Explorer: Australia: Sydney, Cairns, Uluru/Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne, New Zealand: Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Rotorua, Auckland


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

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.


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.

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 including Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney Opera House, Cairns: Cairns City Tour, Tjapukai Dinner Show, Great Barrier Reef Cruise, Kuranda Scenic Railway and Monorail, Ayers Rock/Uluru: Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, Sounds of Silence Dinner, Uluru Base Tour and Walk, Alice Springs: Alice Springs Highlights Tour,The Ghan RailwayAdelaide: Barossa Valley Tour, Haigh's Chocolates, Melbourne: City Highlights Tour, Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
• Day Tours and Activities Included in New Zealand - Christchurch: Christchurch City Sights Tour, Franz Josef: Trans Alpine Train, Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise Auckland: Rotorua: Rotorua Geothermal Region, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Traditional Maori Hangi and Cultural Performance
• Finest Dining including 22 breakfasts , 4 lunches, 11 dinners utilizing Freedom of Choice Dining™ - multi-choice menus or buffets. Restaurant tipping included.
• Finest Accommodation - All hotel porterage and tipping included
• Accommodation - Sydney, Australia (3 Nights); Cairns, Australia (3 Nights); Ayers Rock / Uluru, Australia (1 Night); Alice Springs, Australia (1 Night); Aboard the Ghan Railway (1 Night); Adelaide, Australia (1 Night); Melbourne, Australia (2 Nights); Christchurch, New Zealand (2 Nights); Franz Josef, New Zealand (1 Night); Queenstown, New Zealand (3 Nights); Rotorua, New Zealand (1 Night); Auckland, New Zealand (1 Night); Mount Cook, New Zealand (1 Night)
• 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 Australia and are based on flights starting and finishing in Los Angeles (US$)
• Special add-on airfares from other US and Canadian cities available upon request
• Air taxes and departure taxes not included

Detailed Itinerary

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

Board your evening flight bound for Sydney, Australia from Los Angeles.

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) - Explore Sydney, Sydney Harbour Cruise and Sydney Opera House,

Sydney, Australia

Day 3 Sydney
After an early check-in, relax or step out to explore. Perhaps stroll down to Circular Quay. Tonight, join fellow travelers for our Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation 3 Nights: Sydney, Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4 Sydney City Sights Tour, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Opera House Tour
Today join a Sydney sightseeing tour including a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park. Join a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour before touring Kings Cross, the historic Rocks area, famous Bondi Beach and the Sydney Opera House.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 At Leisure in Sydney
Enjoy Sydney at your own pace. Perhaps join an excursion to the Hunter Valley wine regions, or the Blue Mountains (own expense).
Includes Breakfast

(Days 6-9) - Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest in Cairns

Cairns

Day 6 Cairns, Tjapukai Dinner and Show
Today fly to tropical Cairns and enjoy a short tour of this relaxed city. Tonight enjoy the cultural Tjapukai Dinner and Show.
Accommodation 3 Nights: Cairns, Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel, Ocean Front Rooms.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 Barrier Reef Cruise.
Enjoy a guided cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. At Agincourt Reef see coral aboard the semi-sub, or swim and snorkel. Visit the underwater observatory. Enjoy a tropical lunch.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 Skyrail Cableway, Kuranda Scenic Railway and Rainforest, Cairns
Today ride the Skyrail Cableway, gliding over the lush World Heritage-listed rain forest canopy to Kuranda. Later, take in the spectacular scenery as you travel aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway back down the mountain range to Cairns.
Includes Breakfast

Day 9 am Cairns
This morning explore Cairns for yourself before joining a flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Includes Breakfast

(Days 9 pm - 11) - Outback Australia: Ayers Rock/Uluru, Alice Springs and the Ghan Train

Outback Australia

Day 9 pm Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park/ Ayers Rock
This afternoon fly from Cairns to Ayers Rock.
Tonight enjoy the unique experience of dining in the desert at the 'Sounds of Silence' dinner. Savor this silver service gourmet dining experience under the Outback stars.
Accommodation 1 Night: Ayers Rock Resort, Sails in the Desert.
Includes Dinner

Day 10 Uluru Base Tour, Alice Springs
Tour the base of Uluru, viewing ancient caves and Aboriginal rock art. At the Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery, see Aboriginal artists at work. Pass vast cattle stations en route to Alice Springs.
Accommodation 1 Night: Alice Springs, Alice Springs Resort.
Includes Breakfast

Day 11 Alice Springs Tour and The Legendary Ghan Train
Tour Alice Springs, visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Base and Anzac Hill. Then board The Ghan and begin one of the world's great train journeys through the Outback.
Accommodation 1 Night: On The The Ghan Railway
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

(Days 12-14) - Enjoy Wine in Adelaide and Shopping in Melbourne

Adelaide and Melbourne

Day 12 Adelaide
Arrive in Adelaide. Travel to the Barossa Valley to savor superb Australian wines. Enjoy lunch at a local winery. Visit Haigh's Chocolates.
Accommodation 1 Night: Adelaide, Radisson Playford.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 Melbourne
Fly to Melbourne. Visit Victoria Market and Parliament House. Enjoy dinner aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.
Accommodation 2 Nights: Melbourne, Langham Hotel on the vibrant riverfront.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14 At Leisure in Melbourne.
Explore for yourself today. Perhaps stroll the banks of the Yarra River or tour the Great Ocean Road (own expense).
Includes Breakfast

(Days 15-17) - Travel to New Zealand, South Island, Christchurch and Franz Josef

New Zealand: Christchurch and Franz Josef

Day 15 New Zealand, Christchurch
Fly to Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island. See elegant gardens and grand architecture.
Accommodation 2 Nights: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 16 Christchurch
Morning sightseeing tour of Christchurch. The remainder of your day is after leisure to enjoy this very English city.
Includes Breakfast

Day 17 Southern Alps, Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine Train for a journey through spectacular Southern Alps scenery. Continue to the Franz Josef Glacier.
Accommodation 1 Night: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner

(Days 18-20) - Travel to Queenstown and See Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park

Queenstown and Milford Sound

Day 18 Queenstown
Drive over spectacular Haast Pass and journey along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown.
Accommodation 3 Nights: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel Queenstown.
Includes Breakfast

Day 19 Milford Sound Cruise
Journey to Fiordland National Park and cruise breathtaking Milford Sound seeing spectacular waterfalls and Mitre Peak.
Includes Breakfast and Lunch

Day 20 At Leisure in Queenstown
Go shopping, take a jet boat or helicopter ride, play a round of golf or enjoy a winery tour (own expense). The choice is yours.
Includes Breakfast

(Days 21-22) - North Island of New Zealand, Rotorua and Auckland

Rotorua and Auckland

Day 21 Rotorua
Fly to Rotorua. Tour Te Puia Thermal Reserve. This evening enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance.
Accommodation 1 Night: Rotorua, Millennium Hotel Rotorua.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner





Day 22 Waitomo Caves and Auckland
Enjoy a guided tour of Waitomo Caves, lit by tiny glow-worms. Continue to New Zealand's capital city, Auckland.
Accommodation 1 Night: Auckland, Crowne Plaza.
Includes Breakfast and Dinner

(Day 23) - International Flight, Auckland to Los Angeles

Return flight home to the USA.

Final Day - Board your flight home today.

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 September 24th, 2007 Returning October 16th, 2007
$8,412.00 Twin Share, $10,442.00 Single, $8,123.00 Triple Share

Departure October 15th, 2007 Returning November 6th, 2007
$8,412.00 Twin Share, $10,442.00 Single, $8,123.00 Triple Share

Departure Novemver 12th, 2007 Returning December 4th, 2007
$8,412.00 Twin Share, $10,442.00 Single, $8,123.00 Triple Share

Departure December 24th, 2007 Returning January 15th, 2008
$8,662.00 Twin Share, $10,692.00 Single, $8,373.00 Triple Share

Departure January 14th, 2008 Returning February 5th, 2008
$8,662.00 Twin Share, $10,692.00 Single, $8,373.00 Triple Share

Departure February 11th, 2008 Returning March 4th, 2008
$8,412.00 Twin Share, $10,442.00 Single, $8,123.00 Triple Share

Departure March 17th, 2008 Returning April 8th, 2008
$8,412.00 Twin Share, $10,442.00 Single, $8,123.00 Triple Share