Spectacular scenery awaits all around you in New Zealand

Highlights included in your tour

Day 1-2
Leave the US this evening from Los Angeles, flying across the Pacific Ocean; cross the International Date Line on the way.

Day 3
Arrive in Auckland early in the morning and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to see the sights of Auckland – New Zealand's largest city. Overnight in Auckland

Day 4
From the Sky City Coach Terminal board your Intercity Coach (morning departure) bound for Rotorua. Leaving Auckland behind, travel through the lush Waikato pastures to the famous Waitomo Caves, illuminated by millions of glowworms. Later, travel across the Mamaku Hills and arrive in Rotorua – center of New Zealand's indigenous Maori culture and a fascinating geothermal area. Overnight in Rotorua.

Day 5
During a half day sightseeing tour you will see roaring geysers, boiling mud pools, tame trout at the springs along with performing sheep and sheep dogs at the Agrodome. This evening you can join a Maori hangi (a feast with food cooked the traditional way – in the ground!) and a Maori concert (optional). Overnight in Rotorua.

Day 6
Leave Rotorua by bus this morning and travel south through dense forests to Wairakei and the beautiful Lake Taupo; continue across the Manawatu Plains to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Overnight in Wellington.

Day 7
Leaving the coach behind, take the ferry across the Cook Strait (approx. 3 hours) to the South Island; on the way pass through breathtaking fjords and exquisite landscapes. After arrival in Picton on the New Zealand's South Island, board the waiting Coastal Pacific Train, which travels through lovely countryside along the South Island’s East Coast to Christchurch, where you arrive around 7pm. Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 8
Today, take to the road again and travel by bus across the manicured Canterbury Plains towards the mountains and into the Mount Cook National Park. Pass the central lakes, climb over Lindis Pass to Cromwell; the rocky and formidable Kawarau Gorge finally leads to Queenstown. Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 9
A beautiful drive through very pretty countryside awaits us today. Travel alongside the grand Lake Wakatipu to Kingston and then to Fjordland and the beautiful Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys. The Homer Tunnel and the awesome Cleddau Canyon are a prelude to a cruise on the magnificent Milford Sound. After a day full of awesome sights we return to Queenstown for the night.

Day 10
A full day to enjoy this fabulous area:  There are dozens of optional activities as well – thrilling jetboat runs on the narrow rivers, white water rafting, helicopter rides through the river chasms, bungy jumping, spectacular walking trails or cruises on the lake – the list is almost endless! A great way to end the evening - a ride on the Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak for panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, dinner and the Kiwi Magic Show - all included in your tour price.

Day 11
Leaving the mountains behind, head to Cromwell, South Otago and Dunedin, which is perhaps the most "Scottish" town outside Scotland! After your arrival around noon, take a hour long wildlife cruise around the Otago peninsula. Experience unrivalled viewing of spectacular Taiaroa Head; the only mainland nesting place for Northern Royal Albatross birds in the world, and home to fur seals, and eight other nesting bird species. You may also see, dolphins sea lions and a fascinating array of rarely seen ocean birds including other species of albatross, penguins and marine mammals in their natural environment. Spend the night in Dunedin.

Day 12
Depart Dunedin in the morning and drive north along the East Coast via Timaru to Christchurch. The afternoon is free to enjoy this picturesque city. Overnight in Christchurch

Day 13
Bid farewell to New Zealand today and fly from Christchurch, across the Tasman Sea, to Australia. After arriving in Sydney or Brisbane and a change of aircraft, proceed for your onward flight to Cairns in tropical North Queensland. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where your accommodations have been booked for four nights.

Day 14
No visit to North Queensland is complete without a day exploring the Great Barrier Reef. You will be picked up at your hotel early in the morning and transferred by bus to the jetty, where you board a high-speed catamaran which takes you out to the Reef (about 70 miles away) in approx. 2 hours. Once at the reef, youwill have several hours to enjoy the beauty of the fascinating underwater world of brightly colored corals and tropical fish. Snorkel equipment is provided, and so is a lavish smorgasbord lunch. Certified divers can pay a surcharge for an escorted dive. Others can board a semi-submersible vessel and see the life under water from huge windows without even getting wet! After an exciting day at the Reef you return to Cairns by early evening.

Days 15-16
You have two free days in Cairns to do as you please. A large choice of optional tours are available to explore this magical area where the Great Barrier Reef meets the ancient tropical rainforest.

Day 17
Late this morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight from Cairns to Melbourne; the transfer from the airport to your downtown hotel is included and the remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy the many charms of Australia's second largest city. Melbourne is also famous for its restaurants and you may wish to venture and find out why!

Day 18
Enjoy a free day in Melbourne and the surrounding area – time to discover the diverse neighborhoods, colorful markets, stylish shops and boutiques or perhaps a stroll along the Yarra River sidewalks or enjoy one of the many parks and beautiful gardens. Of course there is also the opportunity to join an optional day tour – for a drive along the beautiful Great Ocean Road or to Phillip Island, famous for its koala sanctuary and a colony of penguins that come in to shore every evening.

Day 19
Around noon you will be transferred to the airport for our flight from Melbourne to Sydney; transfer to your downtown hotel in Sydney. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Sydney, often voted to be the world's best to visit!

We offer two categories of accommodation: Silver hotels are carefully selected for their excellent value - all  rooms have private facilities and a tea/coffee maker. Gold hotels are better located, offer more spacious rooms with better amenities and a higher standard of service.
 The departure date determines the price applicable. All prices are per person and based on twin-share accommodation.