Day 1 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 travelling companions.
Hotel: Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, 3 nights.
Day 2 Mon: City Sights
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. B
Day 3 Tue: Melbourne at leisure
Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. You may like to join an optional tour to the Yarra Valley or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road. B
Day 4 Wed: Melbourne - Alice Springs
You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your early morning flight to Alice Springs. On arrival in Alice Springs enjoy a town tour. Stop at the School of the Air where sometimes we are able to listen to children taking lessons on air. Visit the Telegraph Station, Royal Flying Doctor Service. Enjoy panoramic views of Alice Springs from the top of Anzac Hill.
Hotel: Alice Springs Resort.
Day 5 Thu: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Depart early for Ayers Rock Resort. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine this evening while watching a spectacular sunset over mighty Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. B
Day 6 Fri: Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
Rise early to view Uluru at sunrise. There is the opportunity to climb to the summit (optional). Tour the caves at the base and hear stories of the Dreamtime. This afternoon travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). After sunset with sparkling wine, enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and stargazing. B HD
Day 7 Sat: Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Cairns
You will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this tropical city.
Hotel: Hilton Hotel, Cairns, 3 nights. B
Day 8 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 craft and snorkel along the reef. Enjoy a reef education presentation on this natural living wonder and a delicious buffet lunch. BL
Day 9 Mon: Cairns at leisure
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. Board the train for an historic journey through the scenic countryside behind Cairns. Return by the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the tropical rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. B
Day 10 Tue: Cairns - Sydney
You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival in Sydney you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll along the concourse at the Sydney Opera House to the beautiful Botanic Gardens.
Hotel: Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, 3 nights. B
Day 11 Wed: City Sights - Cruise
This morning, tour Sydney and see the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic 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. This afternoon you have the chance to learn about Australia’s national gemstone - the opal. BL
Day 12 Thu: Sydney at leisure
Explore the harbour city of Sydney further today. Perhaps take an optional tour to Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley. B
Day 13 Fri: Sydney - 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.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland, 2 nights. BD
Day 14 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. B
Day 15 Sun: Waitomo Caves - 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.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. BL HD
Day 16 Mon: Rotorua - 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.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Christchurch. B
Day 17 Tue: TranzAlpine - 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).
Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. BD
Day 18 Wed: Queenstown
Experience picturesque scenery today and see the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, Lake Wanaka, Cromwell and Kawarau Gorge. Visit colourful and historic Arrowtown this afternoon before continuing to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B
Day 19 Thu: Milford Sound
Discover the stunning scenery of Fiordland this morning. We drive through the Homer Tunnel and stop briefly at The Chasm before arriving at Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on the waters of this natural wonder, with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls high above you. BL
Day 20 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.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Christchurch. B
Day 21 Sat: Depart Christchurch
You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport to connect with your onward flight. B
