Tour Highlights

• Spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef
• Visit an ancient rain forest
• Three nights in exciting Sydney
• Christchurch, New Zealand the most English City outside of England
• Have breakfast with the Penguins
• Whale watching off the New Zealand Coast
• Visit the New Zealand wine region of Marlborough
• Explore Fox Glacier and the Southern Alps
• Spend a night on a masted ship exploring New Zealand's fiords
• Plus Much More....

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – UNITED STATES/LOS ANGELES/EN ROUTE
Depart today aboard the scheduled flight to Los Angeles. Here we begin our trip “down under” as we leave Los Angeles aboard the transpacific flight to Cairns, Australia. Appropriate meals are served in flight along with a movie for our enjoyment. (I)

Day 2 – EN ROUTE
We lose a day as we cross the International Dateline en route to the South Pacific (remember that we will gain a day on the return trip). (I)

Day 3 – CAIRNS
Today we arrive in Cairns and met our waiting motor coach and driver/guide. We continue by motor coach to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after our day of travel. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner of modern Australian cuisine at a local restaurant. (I, D)

Day 4 – CAIRNS
Our first day in the South Pacific begins at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for lunch and an Aboriginal experience with activities and performances. After lunch we travel by Skyrail over the rain forest to Kuranda known as the “Village of the Rain Forest”. There is free time to visit the markets in Kuranda village – noted for their local crafts and gems straight from the mines. We return to Cairns on board the Kuranda Rail, and learn about the amazing history of the Rail Line. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – CAIRNS
An incredible day awaits us as we join the high speed catamaran Quicksilver that will whisk us to the outer Great Barrier Reef in about ninety minutes. Here we will tie up to a permanent pontoon and indulge in all kinds of maritime play. Decide how wet you want to be by choosing snorkeling, full diving, or viewing the reef from the dry safety of the semi submersible submarine or underwater observatory. Qualified snorkel safety officers are there to assist and supervise in water activities. The reef’s ecosystem is fully explained by a marine biologist. This is the reef at its finest with a massive variety of colorful coral and neon-bright fish. Morning and afternoon tea as well as a buffet lunch are included. (B, L)

Day 6 – CAIRNS/SYDNEY
This morning is free until we transfer to the Cairns Airport for our flight to Sydney, Australia’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. On arrival in Sydney we transfer to our downtown hotel. This evening we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant overlooking Sydney’s Darling Harbor. (B, D)

Day 7 – SYDNEY
Our day begins with a private visit to the famous Taronga Zoo for a “Zoorise Breakfast” and a guided tour of the Australian animal section including, of course, koalas and kangaroos! Then we travel by ferry to the historic “Rocks” area for a walking tour and hear the details of the country’s fascinating history and colorful characters. We enjoy lunch at a local Sydney restaurant. The afternoon begins with a tour the famous Opera House followed by a coffee cruise of spectacular Sydney harbor enjoying offshore views of the Sydney Opera House, the Harbor Bridge and the city skyline – ideal for photography! (B, L)

Day 8 – SYDNEY
Today is free in Sydney to explore this cosmopolitan city on our own. Perhaps to explore Darlington Harbor, take a ferry to Manly one of Sydney’s most popular suburbs with interesting shops, restaurants and its own Carnival, or visit the famous Bondi Beach with its oceanfront cafes. (B)

Day 9 – SYDNEY/CHRISTCHURCH
This afternoon we say farewell to Australia and board our flight taking us across the Tasmanian Sea to New Zealand’s spectacular South Island and the city of Christchurch. Christchurch is often described as “the most English city outside England”. Inviting squares, pedestrian malls, tree-lined avenues and lovely parks make Christchurch perfect for walking. This evening we will experience “Ko Tane”. See traditional sound and dance from the local Maori performers, and even try our hand at the “Haka”. We will take a guided tour of the Maori Village and enjoy a “Taste of New Zealand” dinner. (I, D)

Day 10 – CHRISTCHURCH/BLENHEIM
We begin today the penguin way at the International Antarctic Center. We enjoy breakfast in the state of the art New Zealand Penguin Encounter. We’ll be captivated by the big personalities of New Zealand’s Little Blue Penguins. After breakfast we travel north along the Pacific coast to arrive in the in Kaikoura. Framed by a spectacular mountain range and the expansive Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura is a thriving seaside town with a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet. The sights are truly unique – hundreds of fur seals sunbathing on the rocky shore, spectacular leaping dolphins and the most awesome of mammals, the sperm whale. We’ll take to the waters off Kaikoura on one of the most breathtaking adventures of a lifetime as we take you right into the world of the whales to meet them face to face on a Whale Watch excursion. In the afternoon we continue into the sunny Marlborough region New Zealand’s largest wine producing area, to the town of Blenheim for an evening of wine tasting and dinner. (B, D)

Day 11 – BLENHEIM/PUNAKAIKI
Today our journey takes us across New Zealand’s South Island to the dramatic and rugged west coast. Our drive takes us through valleys and lush forested mountain ranges or the Nelson region via the city of Westport to the Tasman Sea. This afternoon we arrive in the town of Punakaiki, where we see the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes, formed over thousands of years by erosion from the wind, rain and sea. As the waves come crushing in creating enormous pressure the blowholes explode in a plume of spray. (B, D)

Day 12 – PUNAKAIKI/HAAST
An absolutely amazing day is in store as we travel along the sparsely populated west coast with the Southern Alps to our east and the turquoise Tasman Sea to our west. We pass the mining town of Greymouth to arrive at Fox Glacier. Here we have lunch and travel to the terminal face of Fox Glacier for a guided walk. Fox Glacier is located in Westland National Park, and both drop from 8,000 feet up in the Southern Alps to near 600 feet while terminating amidst the luxuriant growth of the native forest. In the afternoon we continue to the community of Haast and our hotel. (B, L)

Day 13 – HAAST/QUEENSTOWN
Enjoy another day of spectacular scenery as we leave the coast and travel inland through the alpine beauty of the Southern Alps. We’ll follow the banks of the Haast River to the Gates of Haast and then over Haast Pass. We slip between Lakes Wanaka and Hawea and past Wanaka, Cromwell and then rugged Kawarau Gorge leading us into Queenstown located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. (B)

Day 14 – QUEENSTOWN
This morning we’ll take to the sky by gondola as we’ll travel up to Bob’s Peak where we’ll enjoy breakfast at the Skyline Restaurant. From the top, enjoy breathtaking views which extend almost 360 degrees from Coronet Peak around to the Remarkables and on to Cecil and Walter Peaks on the other side of Lake Wakatipu. Rugged mountain ranges towering above a beautiful lake set the stage for a day of leisure in Queenstown. A wonderful resort with magnificent scenery, well-kept recreation grounds and lovely promenades will be more than enough to keep us busy. Recognized as the adventure capital of New Zealand, you may be wildly active and participate in rafting, jet boating and bungy jumping, or simply relax and unwind along the Queenstown waterfront. This evening we will transfer to Steamer Wharf for a cruise to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 vintage steamship. On arrival at Walter Peak we’ll be escorted through the grounds to the homestead where dinner will be served, after which (daylight permitting) we’ll have the opportunity to visit the farm animals before returning to Queenstown. (B, D)

Day 15 – QUEENSTOWN/MILFORD SOUND
One of the many highlights on our “down under” vacation awaits us today. We will depart Queenstown and travel in the shadow of The Remarkables on our way to the shores of Lake Te Anau where we’ll venture underground to explore the various Te Ana-au Caves and the glittering glowworm grottos. Then we’ll continue into the heart of the Fiordland to Milford Sound and join only a handful of discerning visitors who are privileged to experience the awesome beauty of Milford Sound aboard an overnight cruise on The Mariner.

Available to only 60 passengers per evening, we’ll delight in the beauty of the fiord as we sail below famous mile-high Mitre Peak and out to the Tasman Sea. After reaching the open sea, The Mariner will return under sail before anchoring overnight in Harrison Cove. (B, D)

Day 16 – MILFORD SOUND/DUNEDIN
This morning we complete our cruise of Milford Sound after breakfast on board The Mariner. Then we are on our way to the travelling across the wild southern tip of New Zealand passing towns such as Lumsden and through the high country’s tussock-covered hills via the community of Gore, where the hills behind the town were once notorious for their illicit whisky stills. We cross the Clutha River and the town of Milton before we get our first glimpse of the Otago Peninsula and Dunedin. Often called the “Edinburgh of the South”, Dunedin retains a charm of its own with fine public institutions and residential areas spread over the hills which almost surround the city while retaining many of its Scottish traditions. This evening we’ll enjoy a tour of Speights Brewery that offers a fascinating journey through the art of brewing. (B, D)

Day 17 – DUNEDIN
Dunedin is an endearing city of classical architecture and quiet adventure, with sights to see and things to do like nowhere else on earth. We’ll begin our day with a brief tour of the city that will introduce us to its historic streets where we’ll see the Flemish Renaissance-style Rail Station, the Gothic Revival First Church and St. Paul’s Cathedral reminiscent of the old cathedrals of Europe, as well as Baldwin Street, billed as the world’s steepest street. Then we’ll make our way to the Otago Peninsula. We will visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle, taking us through the 19th century historic home surrounded by 1,000 acres of farmland. Nearby we’ll also visit the Penguin Place for a guided tour through a colony of the world’s shyest penguins, the yellow-eyed penguin, the world’s rarest species of penguin, which are found only on the Otago Peninsula. Afterward, we’ll return to Dunedin where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 18 – DUNEDIN/AUCKLAND/HOME TOWN
This morning we begin our journey home. We will change planes in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Here we have time for lunch and a tour of Auckland including the Skytower offering wonderful views of Auckland and its many harbors. In the evening we continue on our transpacific flight returing us to the USA. We will once again across the International Date Line and therefore our arrival will be at noon on the same day! After clearing Customs formalities, our domestic connecting flight will return us to home. (B, I)

* * * Welcome Home * * *
I = In-flight Meal B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner