Duration : 21 Days / 20 Nights
Priced From : $6050 pp dbl. occ.
Dates : Apr - Mar /09 

Day 2 Sat - You cross the International Date Line
The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that approximately coincides with the 180th meridian (LONGITUDE), and separates the calendar date. Traveling east across the line takes the traveler back one day; traveling west, takes the traveler forward one day.  

Day 3 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 traveling companions.

Accommodation: Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, 3 nights.

Day 4 Mon - Melbourne
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. Perhaps take an optional tour to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade.

Day 5 Tue - Melbourne
Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. You may like to join an optional tour and ride on Puffing Billy followed by wine tastings in the Yarra Valley or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road.

Day 6 Wed - Alice Springs
You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your early morning flight to Alice Springs. Enjoy a tour of this unique outback town. Visit the Telegraph Station, Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air and enjoy panoramic views of Alice Springs from the top of Anzac Hill.

Accommodation: Alice Springs Resort.

Day 7 Thu - Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Depart early for Ayers Rock Resort, stopping at a camel farm where you can try your hand riding 'a ship of the desert' (own expense). This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at Ayers Rock Resort. Enjoy a glass of wine this evening while watching sunset over Uluru (Ayers Rock) from the special viewing area known as the 'sunset strip'. The subtle color changes are truly amazing.

Accommodation: Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights.

Day 8 Fri - Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Rise early to view Uluru at sunrise. There is the opportunity to climb to the summit (optional). Tour the caves at the base of Uluru and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Later, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. This afternoon travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (Olgas). The size and grandeur of these 36 massive domes of conglomerate red rock will amaze you. Take a walk to through Walpa Gorge following the natural creek bed between two of the domes. After sunset with sparkling wine, enjoy a delicious Australian barbecue dinner and stargazing.

Day 9 Sat - Cairns
This morning enjoy free time at Ayers Rock Resort. You will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Cairns (flights anytime, airfare not included). On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is at leisure.

Accommodation: Hilton Hotel, Cairns, 3 nights.

Day 10 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 vessel. Snorkeling gear is included (extra charge for scuba). Enjoy a reef education presentation on this living wonder and a tropical buffet lunch on-board the pontoon. Return to Cairns.

Day 11 Mon - Cairns
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 including a scenic rail journey on the Kuranda Train, Skyrail Cableway ride above the canopy of the rainforest and visit to the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.

Day 12 Tue - Sydney
You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival at Sydney Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation: Swissotel, Sydney, 3 nights.

Day 13 Wed - Sydney
This morning, tour Sydney and see the Sydney Opera House, Botanical 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. Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge and stop at Milson's Point to photograph fabulous views of the city skyline. Later, visit the Manly surf beach, before returning to the city.

Day 14 Thu - Sydney
Explore the beautiful harbor city of Sydney further today. Perhaps take an optional tour to the Blue Mountains to see the spectacular Three Sisters or enjoy some wine tasting in the Hunter Valley.

Day 15 Fri - Fly Sydney to 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. This afternoon enjoy views from Mount Eden and the War Memorial. Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland, 2 nights.

Day 16 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.

Day 17 Sun - 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.

Day 18 Mon - Fly Rotorua to 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.

Day 19 Tue - 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.

Day 20 Wed - Queenstown
Continue through Mount Aspiring National Park. Visit Arrowtown, before traveling to Queenstown.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure St Moritz, Queenstown, 2 nights.

Day 21 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.

Day 22 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.

Day 23 Sat - Fly Christchurch to USA (Via Auckland)
You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport to connect with your onward flight. 

3/09