Itinerary
Day 1 Sun: Arrive Melbourne
On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. This
evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelling
companions.
Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, 3 nights.
Day 2 Mon: City Sights
Enjoy a morning tour of Melbourne including the Royal Botanic Gardens, St.
Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance. This
afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 3 Tue: Melbourne at leisure
Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. You may like to join an
optional tour to the Yarra Valley or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road.
(B)
Day 4 Wed: Melbourne - Alice Springs
You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your early morning flight
to Alice Springs. On arrival in Alice Springs enjoy a town tour.
Accommodation: Alice Springs Resort.
Day 5 Thu: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Depart early for Ayers Rock Resort.
Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine this evening while watching a
spectacular sunset over mighty Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Accommodation: Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. (B)
Day 6 Fri: Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Kata Tjuta (Olgas)
Rise early to view Uluru at sunrise. There is the opportunity to climb to
the summit (optional). Tour the caves at the base and hear stories of the
Dreamtime. This afternoon travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta
(Olgas). After sunset with sparkling wine, enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner
and stargazing. (B) (HD)
Day 7 Sat: Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Cairns
You will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Cairns. On
arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The
remainder of the day is at leisure in this tropical city.
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, Cairns, 3 nights. (B)
Day 8 Sun: Great Barrier Reef
Cruise on the Great Adventures high- speed catamaran to the Great Barrier
Reef. View the coral and fish from a semi-submersible craft and snorkel
along the reef. Enjoy a reef education presentation on this natural living
wonder and a delicious buffet lunch. (BL)
Day 9 Mon: Cairns at leisure
Today is at leisure in Cairns to relax by the hotel pool or go shopping. You
may like to join an optional tour to Kuranda. (B)
Day 10 Tue: Cairns - Sydney
You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney (flights
anytime, airfare not included). On arrival in Sydney you will be transferred
to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: Swissôtel Sydney, Sydney, 3 nights. (B)
Day 11 Wed: City Sights - Cruise
This morning, tour Sydney and see the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic
Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair and Kings Cross. Visit famous Bondi Beach,
with time to stroll along the beach, then return to the city for a Sydney
Harbour luncheon cruise. The rest of the day is at leisure. Why not visit
the historic Rocks area at Circular Quay, which dates back to the time of
the early settlers. (BL)
Day 12 Thu: Sydney at leisure
Explore the beautiful harbour city of Sydney further today. Perhaps take an
optional tour to Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Blue Mountains or the
Hunter Valley. (B)
Day 13 Fri: Sydney - Auckland
You will be transferred to Sydney Airport to connect with your flight to
Auckland. On arrival in Auckland you will be transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland, 2 nights. (B)
Day 14 Sat: Auckland
This morning visit Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter.
Later, visit the America's Cup Village. Time at leisure this afternoon to
explore Auckland further. (B)
Day 15 Sun: Waitomo Caves - Rotorua
Travel into the Waikato District today and visit the Waitomo Glow-Worm
Grotto for a guided boat tour. Enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch, before
continuing to Rotorua. Visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and see
boiling pools of mud and geysers of all sizes, followed by a delicious Hangi
dinner and concert.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. (BL) (HD)
Day 16 Mon: Rotorua - Christchurch
This morning visit Paradise Valley Springs, followed by an entertaining look
at life on the farm at the Agrodome Sheep Show. This afternoon fly to
Christchurch.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Christchurch. (B)
Day 17 Tue: TranzAlpine - Franz Josef
Board the famous TranzAlpine train this morning and travel over the Southern
Alps to Arthur's Pass. Continue to Greymouth, then follow the coastal road
south to Franz Josef, home of the Franz Josef Glacier where you will have
the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. (B)
Day 18 Wed: Queenstown
Continue through Mount Aspiring National Park. Visit Arrowtown, before
travelling to Queenstown.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. (B)
Day 19 Thu: Milford Sound
Journey through the Homer Tunnel. Stop briefly at the Chasm, before arriving
at Milford Sound. Cruise on Milford Sound with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls
high above you. (BL)
Day 20 Fri: Christchurch
Travel past Mount Cook National Park. Stop at Lake Tekapo and visit the
Church of the Good Shepherd, before continuing this afternoon to
Christchurch.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Christchurch. (B)
Day 21 Sat: Depart Christchurch
You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport to connect with your onward
flight. (B)
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