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South Pacific Adventure   -  New Zealand and Australia

18 days • Air & Land

16 days • Auckland/Sydney

Fully Escorted

Includes:

• All flights when Air and Land Package is purchased.
• All transfers throughout the tour
• Services of a professional tour director
• Accommodation in superior first class and first class hotels with private facilities
• Pre-registered room in Auckland to accommodate your early arrival
• 15 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), and 6 dinners (D) as indicated in the itinerary including: welcome dinner; Maori Hangi feast and concert; home hosted dinner, Christchurch; Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, Melbourne; farewell dinner, Sydney
• Complete sightseeing program as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary including admission charges where applicable:
  • NEW ZEALAND: Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter; Waitomo Glow Worm Caves; Rotorua’s thermal reserve; Queenstown orientation
  • AUSTRALIA: Fitzroy Gardens; Yarra Valley; Great Barrier Reef; Wildlife Park; cruise on Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House
• All local taxes
• Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Itinerary:

Day 1, Thu. DEPART LOS ANGELES.

Board your overnight flight for Auckland, New Zealand.

Day 2, Fri. EN ROUTE.

During your flight, cross the International Dateline.

Day 3, Sat. ARRIVE AUCKLAND. New Zealand

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Meet your tour director this afternoon for a brief orientation with the rest of the day at leisure. (D)

Day 4, Sun. AUCKLAND.

Enjoy a morning city tour of Auckland, known as the "City of Sails." Cross Auckland’s busy Harbour Bridge and view the beautiful Waitemata harbor and yacht marina. Explore the War Memorial Museum, enjoy the lovely gardens of Domain Park and visit charming Parnell Village. Continue to famous Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter. Your afternoon is free and your director will have ideas on things to see and do. (B)

Day 5, Mon. AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA.

Travel south through the Waikato Valley to the Waitomo Glow worm Caves. Take a short boat ride through the fascinating caverns of the grotto to view the millions of tiny blue glow worms reflected in the stillness of the underground river. Continue to Rotorua, visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, viewing its boiling mudpools and steaming geysers. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi feast and concert. (B,D)

Day 6, Tue. ROTORUA / QUEENSTOWN.

This morning fly to Queenstown, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. This picturesque town is the premier resort for both summer and winter activities. Enjoy an orientation tour before arriving at your hotel. (B)

Day 7, Wed. QUEENSTOWN.

Magnificent scenery and natural attractions are intensified by action for adventure seekers, and relaxation for pleasure seekers. There are a host of attractions available from jet boat rides to a vintage steamer excursion. A favorite activity is the excursion to Milford Sound including a lunch cruise to view the waterfalls and hidden valleys of one of the world’s natural wonders. (B)

Day 8, Thu. QUEENSTOWN / CHRISTCHURCH.

Day 9, Fri. CHRISTCHURCH / MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.

Enjoy a free morning for independent activities. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Melbourne, cultural capital of Australia. (B)

Day 10, Sat. EXPLORE MELBOURNE.

See the Victorian architecture and on your morning sightseeing that includes Melbourne University, Parliament House, Queen Victoria Market and Captain Cook’s Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. Dinner tonight aboard a converted 1927 tram that has become the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, traveling along the scenic streets of Melbourne. (B,D)

Day 11, Sun. YARRA VALLEY EXCURSION.

Head out to the picturesque Yarra Valley whose rolling vineyards produce some of Australia’s, as well the world’s finest wines. Some of the better-known winery stops include Eyton on Yarra, Moet and Chandon, and De Bortoli. Lunch will be served along the way at one of the vineyards. An afternoon arrival back in Melbourne allows for exploring and shopping. Perhaps join the optional tour to see the Fairy Penguin Parade. (B,L)

Day 12, Mon. MELBOURNE / CAIRNS.

Morning flight to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. On arrival, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore this tropical wonderland. Dinner tonight is at a favorite "locals" restaurant. (B,D)

Day 13, Tue. CAIRNS / BARRIER REEF EXCURSION.

Today board the "Big Cat" for your leisurely journey to the edge of Barrier Reef. You can unwind and experience your day with supervised snorkeling trips, glass bottom boat rides, semi-submarine coral viewing tours, underwater observatory, or scuba diving. Your outing includes an Aussie BBQ lunch. Late this afternoon, return to Cairns for a relaxing evening on your own. (B,L)

Day 14, Wed. CAIRNS.

A full day at leisure. Your tour director will be happy to arrange an optional excursion to the Kuranda rainforest and Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, river rafting, kayaking, a rain forest walk, or perhaps an outing to spot crocodiles. (B)

Day 15, Thu. CAIRNS / SYDNEY.

Late this morning, board your flight for Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Evening at leisure. (B)

Day 16, Fri. SYDNEY.

This morning, visit a wildlife park to see some of Australia’s unusual fauna – kangaroos, koalas, wombat and emus. Next, board a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. See offshore views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Fort Denison and beautiful waterfront homes. Afterwards, take a guided tour of the world famous Sydney Opera House. (B,L)

Day 17, Sat. SYDNEY.

Free day to relax, shop or sightsee. Perhaps join an optional tour to the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, or one of the many other choices available. Tonight, reminisce with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner at one of Sydney’s favorite restaurants. (B,D)

Day 18, Sun. SYDNEY / LOS ANGELES.

Later this morning, transfer to the airport for the early afternoon flight home. Cross the International Dateline and arrive in Los Angeles the same afternoon. (B)

Hotels:

AUCKLAND - Crowne Plaza Hotel (SF)
ROTORUA - Novotel Lakeside (SF)
QUEENSTOWN - Gardens Park Royal (F)
CHRISTCHURCH - Heritage Hotel (SF)
MELBOURNE - Novotel on Collins (F)
CAIRNS - Pacific International Hotel (F)
SYDNEY - Sebel Pier One (SF)

Tour BQQA – Departures & Prices Per Person

Single room supplement: $1100 Triple room reduction per person: $150.

No guaranteed share.

The “land only” price does not include any air sectors.

The above “air & land” inclusive price includes all international flights from/to Los Angeles and domestic air within New Zealand and Australia. To cover various departure and arrival taxes, $145 per person (subject to change) will be added to your air inclusive invoice.

* These departures are subject to itinerary and price modifications. Details will be available Sep 2003.

Please do not hesitate to call us to inquire about your Australia travel needs