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Australia and New Zealand are two unique and fascinating
destinations – while their landscapes are quite different they do share
a common language (English!) as well as a clean and safe environment
where visitors are always warmly welcomed. This trip covers the
highlights of both the North and South Islands of New Zealand –
travelling by bus you will have plenty of free time to spend as you
please at the main attractions, without having to worry about the
details of finding your own accommodation etc. In Australia, your
itinerary not only includes the main cities of Sydney and Melbourne
(with local tours included) – but also a train trip between the two with
an overnight stop in the nation’s capital, Canberra. Also included is a
flight all the way to Cairns in the far northeastern corner of Australia
where an ancient tropical rainforest meets the famous Great Barrier
Reef. A full day tour to the reef is of course part of the tour and
there is also free time available to take other tours or simply relax
and soak in the magic atmosphere of the place. |
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Spectacular scenery awaits all around you in New Zealand
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Highlights included in your tour
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1 night in Auckland – City of Sails |
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Travel by deluxe bus through the North Island
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Visit the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves |
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2 nights accommodation in Rotorua or Lake Taupo |
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Guided tour of Rotorua & Whakarewarewa Thermal
Reserve |
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Sheep shearing performance at the Agrodome |
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Watch hundreds of rainbow trout at Rainbow
Springs |
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Visit Lake Taupo and the Manawatu Plains |
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1 night in the capital city of Wellington |
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Ferry across Marlborough Sound from the North to
the South Island |
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Coastal Pacific train ride to Christchurch |
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2 nights accommodation in Christchurch |
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Deluxe bus travel into Mount Cook National Park
and Queenstown |
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3 nights in accommodation Queenstown |
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Cruise on the magnificent Milford Sound |
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Fly across the Tasman Sea to Australia |
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3 nights accommodation in Sydney |
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Sydney tour incl. Opera House, Rocks, Harbor
Bridge & Bondi Beach |
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Train Ride from Sydney to Canberra and Melbourne |
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1 night accommodation in Canberra and tour of
Australia’s capital |
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2 nights accommodation in Melbourne |
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Evening Dinner on the Colonial Tramcar as it
goes around Melbourne |
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Flight from Melbourne to Cairns |
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4 nights in a beach resort in Palm Cove |
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Full Day Barrier Reef Excursion incl. lunch and
snorkel equipment |
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Optional Extensions
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Outback Experience: Ayers
Rock & Aboriginal
Culture (3 Days)
Experience the 30,000-year-old culture of the Australian Aboriginals by
visiting the impressive Ayers Rock in the midst of Central Australia.
Visit the fascinating rock formation known as the Olgas (also known by the
aboriginal name, Katatjuta) before heading to the monumental Ayers Rock.
Before you have had a chance to realize how much larger it looks in real
life compared to all the photographs that you have seen, you will be
entertained to the spectacular natural show of the rock changing color
with the varying hues of the setting sun. Local guides will explain the
religious and cultural significance of the Rock to the Aboriginals and you
will also have the opportunity to climb the rock.
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Tahiti & Moorea (5 Days)
How about combining your New Zealand vacation with a break on the romantic
islands of Tahiti? Experience the charm and beauty of the Polynesian
islands of Tahiti and Moorea on this island stopover. Your Tahiti
extension includes 4 nights' accommodations (one on Tahiti and three on
Moorea), inter-island transfers and a sightseeing tour. |
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Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1-2
We leave the US this evening from Los Angeles on our flight across
the Pacific, enjoying the excellent service of Air New Zealand. On
the way, we cross the International Date Line.
Day 3
We arrive in Auckland early in the morning and will be met at the
airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to
see the sights of Auckland – included in our tour package is a
45-minute sailboat cruise on Auckland harbor – which is a great
introduction the "City of Sails". Also included is entrance to Kelly
Tarlton’s Underwater World (a marine park and aquarium) as well as
the exciting Sky City tower, which towers over the skyline and
offers fabulous panoramic views. Overnight in Auckland
Day 4
We will be transferred this morning to the Sky City Coach Terminal
to board our Intercity Coach at 9.00am bound for Rotorua. Leaving
Auckland behind we travel through the lush Waikato pastures to the
famous Waitomo Caves illuminated by millions of glowworms. Later, we
travel across the Mamku Hills and arrive in Rotorua – center of
Maori culture and a fascinating geothermal area. Overnight in
Rotorua.
Day 5
During a half day sightseeing tour we will see roaring geysers,
boiling mud pools, tame trout at the springs and performing sheep
and sheep dogs at the Agrodome. This evening we 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
We leave Rotorua this morning and travel south through dense forests
to Wairakei and the beautiful Lake Taupo. We carry on across the
Manawatu Plains to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand,
famous for its beautiful gardens, picturesque residential areas and
breathtaking views of the waters of Marlboro Sound. Overnight in
Wellington.
Day 7
Leaving the coach behind we take the ferry across the Cook Strait
(approx. 3 hours) to the South Island and arrive in Picton. Here, we
board the Coastal Pacific Train, which takes us through lovely
countryside along the South Island’s East Coast to Christchurch,
where we arrive at approx. 7pm. Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 8
Today, we take to the road again and travel by bus across the
manicured Canterbury Plains towards the mountains and into the Mount
Cook National Park. We 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 picturesque countryside awaits us today.
We travel alongside 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
We have a full day to enjoy this fabulous resort – a ride on the
Skyline Gondola and the Kiwi Magic Show is included in our tour
price. But 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!
Day 11
Leaving the mountains behind, we head to Cromwell, South Otago and
Dunedin, which is perhaps the most "Scottish" town outside Scotland!
In the afternoon we drive north via Oamaru and Timaru to
Christchurch, where we are expected to arrive late in the afternoon.
The evening is free to enjoy Christchurch.
Day 12
Today we bid farewell to New Zealand and fly from Christchurch,
across the Tasman Sea, to Australia. After arriving in Sydney and
clearing customs and immigration we will be transferred by the
airport shuttle to our downtown hotel. The rest of the day is ours
to take a first look at this beautiful city. Overnight in Sydney.
Day 13
We will be picked up at our hotel in the morning for a half day
sightseeing tour which includes the famous Opera House, the mighty
harbor bridge, the historic part of town called "The Rocks" and
popular Bondi Beach. The tour ends around noon at the Rocks and we
have time to ourselves to browse the small shops, enjoy an optional
harbor cruise or take in the view from Sydney’s Centerpoint Tower.
Day 14
The whole day is ours to discover and enjoy Sydney. Or perhaps take
an optional day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains, or the
vineyards of the Hunter Valley or a wildlife park with native
animals.
Day 15
Very early this morning we take a taxi to the railway station and
board the train bound for Canberra. The ride takes us through the
picturesque countryside, rolling hills and farmlands before arriving
in Canberra around noon. We will visit major sights of Australia’s
capital city (Parliament House, Lake Burlin Griffin etc.) during a
short city tour before being taken to our hotel for the night.
Day 16
Leaving Canberra this morning the train takes us past the foothills
of the Snowy Mountains and through dense forests before arriving in
Melbourne early in the evening.
Day 17
We enjoy a free day in Australia’s second largest city – time for us
to discover the diverse neighborhoods, colorful markets, stylish
shops and boutiques or perhaps 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 Ballarat, a
former gold mining town. A major treat awaits us this evening, as we
board a vintage tramcar, which has been restored as an elegant
restaurant, for a tour around Melbourne, while a 3-course dinner is
served.
Day 18
Early this morning we take flight bound for tropical North
Queensland, arriving in Cairns approx. 4 hours later. We will be met
at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is
ours to just enjoy this tropical city or simply to relax by the
hotel pool.
Day 19
No visit to North Queensland is complete without a day exploring the
Great Barrier Reef. We will be picked up at our hotel early in the
morning and transferred by bus to Port Douglas, approx. 1 ˝ hr.
drive north of Cairns. The drive winds along the coastal road with
great views of the ocean. Upon arrival in Port Douglas we board a
high-speed catamaran which takes us out to the Reef (about 70 miles
away) in approx. 2 hours. Once at the reef we 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 we return to Cairns
by early evening.
Days 20-21
We have 2 free days in Cairns to do as we 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 22
Very early in the morning today we will be transferred to the
airport for our flight from Cairns to Sydney, where we change planes
for the flight back to Los Angeles. This time, we ‘cheat’ the
International Date Line and arrive back in the United States on the
same day that we left Australia! |
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2006
Departures |
Silver
Hotels |
Gold
Hotels |
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2/1 - 3/26 |
$4,689 |
$5,499 |
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3/27 - 4/24 |
$4,599 |
$5,489 |
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4/25 - 6/09 |
$4,689 |
$5,579 |
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6/10 - 7/31 |
$4,779 |
$5,649 |
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8/01 - 9/15 |
$4,779 |
$5,689 |
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9/16 - 12/02 |
$4,899 |
$5,779 |
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12/03 - 12/31 |
$4,979 |
$5,879 |
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Outback Extn. |
$1,179 |
$1,279 |
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Tahiti Extnsn. |
$829 |
$1,039 |
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Departs every Wednesday

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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.
A $100 surcharge applies for bookings made within 30 days of the
departure date. The tour price does not include airport taxes, meals
(other than those indicated), personal expenses and travel / rental
car insurance. |
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