Discover the Highlights of NZ and Australia
15 Days/14 Nights accommodated
Commences Auckland DAILY YEAR ROUND - minimum 2 passengers:
AUCKLAND - WAITOMO CAVES - ROTORUA - QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - MOUNT COOK - LAKE TEKAPO - CHRISTCHURCH - SYDNEY - BLUE MOUNTAINS - ULURU (AYERS ROCK) - CAIRNS - GREAT BARRIER REEF - KURANDA SKYRAIL.
This tour is adapatable. You may extend your stay at any point. All tours operate daily.
Day 1. ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Arrive Auckland. After completing customs and immigration formalities you will find our driver waiting in the arrivals area with your names on a signboard. They will transfer you to your accommodation at Hyatt Regency Hotel or similar. Arrivals before 4pm receive a complimentary 1 hour tour of introduction to Auckland city en route to your hotel including the summit of Mt Eden for a panoramic view over the city, domain and Rose gardens, Tamaki Waterfront Drive, Mission Bay, city and university areas, and Albert Park.(Why not arrive Auckland earlier and enjoy an extra day or two in New Zealand's largest city with time for an optional (extra expense) harbour cruise, visit to the West Coast beaches and rainforest, tour to the Bay of Islands, or whatever you wish- extra cost per person per night $NZ130 2 per room, $240 single.)
Day 2. AUCKLAND - WAITOMO CAVES - ROTORUA (BD)
Drive south over the Bombay hills to Rangiriri - a historic Maori wars battle site. Continue through Ngaruawahia, home of the Maori Queen, and over fertile Waikato dairy farmland to the Waitomo Caves. Enjoy a tour through the main limestone cave and cruise through the glowworm grotto before continuing to Rotorua.
Day 3. ROTORUA (BD)
Our morning tour includes the Whakarewarewa thermal reserve to see boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and an exciting farm show. The afternoon is free for optional activities to make as active or relaxing as you wish. Try white water rafting,luge riding, tandem parachuting, golf ona thermal course, or just relax in the soothing thermalwaters of the Polynesian Spa. This evening enjoy a Maori concert and hangi steam cooked dinner.
Day 4. ROTORUA - QUEENSTOWN (B)
You will be transferred to the airport and fly south to Queenstown where you will be met and transferred to your accommmodation.
Day 5. QUEENSTOWN (B)
Our morning tour includes the historic gold mining area of Arrowtown, Coronet Peak lookout for a panoramic view over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Mountains and Queenstown area.The afternoon is free with a huge number of optional (extra expense) activities available. Maybe lunch at the Skyline restaurant high above Queenstown, take an exciting jet boat ride, a sedate cruise on the historic steamer "Earnslaw", bungy jump,etc
Optional evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak sheep station for dinner - extra cost $99. This should be prebooked if required to avoid disappointment.
Day 6. MILFORD SOUND EXCURSION (B)
A day of magnificent scenery as we drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau then on through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys to Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise to the head of the Sound under majestic Mitre Peak before returning to Queenstown.
Day 7. QUEENSTOWN - MOUNT COOK - CHRISTCHURCH (B)
Drive north through the Kawarau Gorge and over the Lindis Pass to the dry McKenzie Country then on along the shores of Lake Pukaki to the Hermitage Hotel in the heart of the Mount Cook National Park.You have time to visit the National park headquarters or maybe take a ski plane or helicopter flight over the magnificent mountains of the Mount Cook national park (extra expense and weather permitting) before continuing to Lake Tekapo. See the Church of the Good Shepherd and sheep dog monument and continue Burkes Pass and the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Day 8. CHRISTCHURCH - SYDNEY
Enjoy a short tour of the 'garden city' en route to the airport including Cathedral Square, Botanical gardens, museum, Sumner beach, and port Hills. This afternoon fly to Sydney. Transfer by shuttle on arrival to your hotel.
Christchurch - Sydney air fares are NOT included.
Day 9. SYDNEY (BL)
Enjoy a full day sightseeing in Sydney including the historical Rocks area, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Manly Beach, Cadmans Cottage, Opera House, Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Bondi Beach, Double Bay, Vaucluse, and Paddington. Take a break from the coach as you enjoy lunch and fabulous views of Sydney from the harbour during your included lunch time cruise. Your driver will take you back to your hotel.
Day 10. SYDNEY (B)
Your full day tour includes the site of the 2000 Olympics, and visit a wildlife park to cuddle a koala, feed kangaroos, and see wombats, dingoes, crocodiles, penguins, and other Australian wildlife. Continue to the Blue Mountains with many scenic views along the way including Govetts leap, Echo Point, The Three Sisters, and view Australia's 'Grand Canyon'. Optional (own expense) rides are available on the Sceniscender and/or the world's steepest incline railway. Your day concludes with a cruise along the Parramatta River to circular Quay where your tour ends.
Day 11. SYDNEY - ULURU (Ayers Rock) (B)
Transfer to the airport and fly to Uluru. Transfer to your accommodation and this afternoon tour Kata Tjuta (Olga) mountains and watch the sun go down over Uluru
Day 12. ULURU - CAIRNS (B)
This morning tour the base of Uluru including a visit to the Aboriginal cultural centre, water hole, etc. This afternoon fly to Cairns and transfer to your accommodation.
Day 13. GREAT BARRIER REEF (BL)
Set sail this morning aboard an Ocean Spirit Catamaran for the two hours (approx) cruise to Michaelmas Cay for a day of sun, sand, and sea. You are welcome to go ashore on the sand cay and a naturalist will introduce you to the bird life in this sanctuary with often up to 20,000 migratory birds in residence. Enjoy the magical coral gardens and teeming marine life while swimming, snorkelling, or on the air conditioned semi submersible. Morning and afternoon tea and a buffet lunch are included.
Day 14. KURANDA AND CULTURE INCLUDING THE SKYRAIL (BL)
Visit the award winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for a special cultural experience including an introduction to Aboriginal myths and dances. Lunch is included before boarding the Skyrail to glide above the forest canopy with the opportunity to stop off for forest hikes on the way to Kuranda village. You have time to explore this quaint village and maybe visit the Butterfly Sanctuary, Koala Gardens, or Bird World (admissions extra cost) before taking the scenic Kuranda rail ride down the mountain range with a stopover to view the Barron Falls before arriving back at Cairns.
Day 15. CAIRNS DEPART (B)
You will be transferred to the airport by shuttle for departure.
| Tour cost per person |
|---|
| 2 per room Standard hotels $NZ4,900 First class hotels $5,900 |
| Single room Standard Hotels $NZ6,500 First class hotels $7,900 |
Tour cost includes: Arrival and departure transfers at each point, 14 nights accommodation and breakfast at grade chosen, 4 lunches during day tours, All sightseeing listed including admission fees on a 'seat in coach' basis unless stated as optional. (Optional tours not included), Economy class air fares Rotorua/Queenstown and Sydney/Uluru/Cairns.
Air Fares between Christchurch and Sydney are not included.
EX LOS ANGELES OR SAN FRANCISCO - 18 nights accommodated including 4 nights in beautiful RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS.
Why not start your south Pacific experience departing Los Angeles or San Francisco any friday night with Air New Zealand.
Crossing the dateline means arriving sunday morning to start your tour.Enjoy our tour on through New Zealand and Australia and depart Cairns with Air New Zealand late sunday night arriving Auckland monday morning connecting immediately to Rarotonga, Cook islands. Recrossing the dateline means arriving Rarotonga early Sunday afternoon. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the Pacific Resort Hotel situated on the beach at beautiful Muri lagoon. Four nights accommodation and tropical breakfast included with a circle island tour of monday. The resort has free snorkelling equipment, kayaks, row boats, and canoes. Depart Rarotonga late thursday night with Air New Zealand (rooms kept until 6pm) arriving Los Angeles early friday afternoon.
Total cost including all air fares and taxes ex Los Angeles or San Francisco and first class hotels in New Zeaand and Australia, $NZ6,900 2 per room $8,800 single room.
Cost includes all services of highlights tours, plus all air fares and taxes (economy class) ex Los Angels or San Francisco (domestic air fares in USA not included) plus transfers,4 nights accommodation and breakfats, and half day circle island tour in Rarotonga.
(You are welcome to extend your stay in Rarotonga if you wish - extra cost $NZ150 per night share room. Day tour to Aitutaki by air extra $NZ420 including air fares, lagoon cruise, island tour, and lunch.