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The Great Barrier Reef, Sydney & New Zealand

15 Days / 13 Nights from $5184
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Duration: 15 days, 13 nights

Tour Code: EV15

Highlights: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Sydney Opera House, Dinner at Sydney’s Sky Tower Restaurant, Queenstown, Cruise the Milford Sound, Auckland, Maori Hangi Feast, Mt. Cook National Park

 

Description

Explore the best highlights of Australia and New Zealand on this 15 day fully inclusive escorted tour, from the incredible beauty of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef to New Zealand’s incredible Milford Sound!  This tour offers a bit of everything including leisure time. The perfect two week vacation with no hassels! Call now to book your next vacation escorted tour!

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1: Depart Los Angeles

This evening board your flight to New Zealand.

 

Day 2: In flight

Today you will cross the International Date Line.

Day 3: Arrive Auckland

Arrive in Auckland today and be met on arrival at the airport. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax and settle in. Tonight enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers and Tour Director at The Observatory Restaurant atop Sky Tower, offering incredible views of Auckland.
Two Night Stay: Skycity Hotel, Auckland

 

Day 4: Auckland at Leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure to discover the City of Sails for yourself. Perhaps wander down to the harbor, or explore the shops and restaurants of the city. Alternatively, you could join an extended day trip to Rotorua, the centre of Maori culture and renowned for its geothermal activity (own expense).
 

Day 5: Auckland Sightseeing, Fly to Queenstown
This morning after breakfast, enjoy some time at leisure to relax or further explore Auckland. Then join your flight to Queenstown. Tonight, cruise aboard the vintage steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a delicious carvery dinner.
Three Night Stay: Copthorne Lakefront Resort, Queenstown

Day 6: Milford Sound Cruise

Today travel one of the most scenic alpine drives into World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park. Here, take a cruise along the full length of Milford Sound. Relax and enjoy the view as your boat glides past towering Mitre Peak, cascading waterfalls, dense rain forest and rugged mountains. 

Day 7: Queenstown at Leisure

Today is free for you to explore Queenstown for yourself. Perhaps go shopping in one of the local boutiques, take a jetboat ride on the Shotover River or board a thrilling helicopter ride. Or perhaps you may like to play a round of golf or enjoy a winery tour to sample the local vintages (all at own expense).
 

Day 8: Mount Cook and Christchurch
View spectacular alpine scenery today as you journey into the national park to New Zealand’s highest peak, Mt Cook. Here, the huge Tasman Glacier, 17 miles long and two miles wide, flows down Mt Cook’s eastern slopes towards the Mackenzie Basin. Perhaps take a ski plane flight over the region, including a landing on the glacier (weather permitting, own expense). Continue on to the lovely city of Christchurch. Check in to your hotel and relax with the evening at leisure.

Stay: Copthorne Central, Christchurch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's Included

 

Guaranteed Inclusions

  • International Roundtrip Airfare from/to Los Angeles
  • All Domestic Flights in Australia & New Zealand
  • All Transfers

Sightseeing Highlights

  • Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
  • Take a Cruise on Sydney Harbour and tour the iconic Sydney Opera House
  • See Native Animals at Sydney Wildlife World
  • Presentation on Australian Opals, Sydney
  • Enjoy 360° panoramic city views over dinner at Sydney’s Sky Tower Restaurant
  • Cruise the full length of Milford Sound
  • In Queenstown, Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner
  • Visit Majestic Mt Cook National Park
  • Take a city sights tour of Christchurch
  • Enjoy a Maori Hangi feast in Rotorua
  • Explore Te Puia Thermal Reserve
  • Farewell Dinner with panoramic views at The Observatory
  • Restaurant in Auckland

Quality Accommodations

  • 3 Nights at The Hotel Cairns
  • 3 Nights at Travelodge Wynyard, Sydney
  • 3 Nights at Copthorne Lake Front Resort, Queenstown
  • 1 Night at Copthorne Central Hotel, Christchurch
  • 1 Night at Heritage Hotel, Rotorua
  • 1 Night at Skycity Hotel, Auckland 

Fine Dining

  • 14 Hot Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 7 Dinners

Day 9: Christchurch, Sydney

This morning take a tour of Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City. Later, board a flight to Sydney, Australia and on arrival enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax or start exploring the harbour city.
Three Night Stay: Old Sydney Holiday Inn

 

Day 10: Sydney Sights and Opera House Tour

Today see Sydney’s famous sights on a tour of the city. Cruise on Sydney Harbour, see the Harbour Bridge and enjoy a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Later, learn about opals and other gemstones before visiting Sydney Wildlife World. Here you’ll see koalas, kangaroos and other native animals. This evening, enjoy 360° views of the city as you enjoy a gourmet dinner at the renowned Sydney Tower Restaurant.


Day 11: Sydney at Leisure
Today is yours at leisure in Sydney, allowing yo to discover the sights for yourself. Perhaps join an optional trip to the wine region of the Hunter Valley or visit the Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters rock formation (both at own expense). 
 

Day 12: Cairns, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
This morning after breakfast, join a flight to Cairns - the stunning gateway to Far North Queensland. Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or begin exploring this tropical paradise for yourself. Later this afternoon, visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and enjoy the opportunity to learn about the unique culture and traditions of Australia’s Aboriginal people.

Three Night Stay: The Hotel Cairns

Day 13: Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Enjoy a full day to discover the beauty of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, composed of more than 2,800 individual reefs. Board a catamaran cruise out to the Moore Reef and take advantage of the opportunity to swim or snorkel among the brilliantly colored coral, giant clams, tropical fish and other marine life. You’ll also enjoy a tropical buffet lunch as you relax on board.
 

Day 14: Cairns at Leisure

Today is free for you to explore the delights of Queensland’s tropical north at your own pace. You can simply relax on the pristine white sandy beaches, unwind by the hotel pool or go shopping. There are also some optional day tours available such as a trip to Kuranda, a village deep in the heart of the rainforest. Here, perhaps ride the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over the rain forest, visit the local markets or embark on a unique journey aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway - passing over 40 bridges and through 15 tunnels, travelling in tropical rain forest and past rushing waterfalls (all at own expense). This evening gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner.

 

Day 15: CairnsLos Angeles

Your tour concludes after breakfast this morning with an included transfer to the airport. It's time to fly back to Los Angeles. 

 

Pricing:
Starting at $5184.00 per person, based on double occupancy.

 

Departures:
2010: Nov. 6, Dec. 18

 

2011: Jan. 8, Feb. 5

We also can reserve this same itinerary for you on an independent basis.  Departures are daily.  Call one of our destination specialists at 1-800-788-0829 for more information.

Click Here for a Custom Quote
or call 1.800.788.0829 to speak with
one of our travel experts.

Notes:

  • Prices in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
  • We have limited space on this package and it is subject to availability and prior sale.
  • All package prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted
  • Prices reflect cash discount.
  • Due to constantly changing policies to baggage restrictions, please check with your airline directly for latest updates and restrictions.
  • Information, including prices are subject to change without notice
  • Restrictions and change and/or cancel penalties apply.
  • Taxes and airport fees not included.
  • UBI-600-307-872-WA