Australia and New Zealand Travel Agency Vacations at Destinations Downunder Australian Travel Agent

A perfectly paced journey through the beauty of New Zealand and excitement of

Australia

.
Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Queenstown, Milford or Doubtful Sounds, Mt. Cook, Queenstown
Melbourne, Cairns' Great Barrier Reef and Rainforests, Sydney

This trip can be further customized to reduce or add days/nights in either country to suit particular interests and travel time. Ask us how.

Highlights include:
Personal guided tour of Auckland
Black sand beaches excursion
Coach sighting day trip to Rotorua
Waitomo Caves
Thermal regions
Lake Rotoiti cruise
Maori cultural tour and hangi
Wellington sights
Te Papa Museum
Queenstown
Lake Wakitipu cruise
New Zealand high country farm visit
Doubtful or Milford Sound cruise
Wilderness jetboating
Mt.Cook glacier cruise

DEPARTS DAILY.
This independent tour includes transfers, accommodations, touring and sightseeing.

Breakfast inflight before you touch down at sunrise at Auckland.You are met on arrival outside of Customs and transferred to your hotel.

10am: you have a private 2-hour tour of Aucklandsights with an excellent local guide.

Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, is known as the City of Sails. Sprawling between two harbours (the Waitemata and the Manukau) and nestling around the beautiful island-dotted Hauraki Golf, Aucklandprovides residents and visitors with one of the most beautiful aquatic playgrounds in the world. Aucklandcontains nearly a quarter of the country’s population and is the largest Polynesian city in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the country’s business and industrial centre.

A quick bite of lunch before you set off to the magnificent Black Sand beaches of Waitakere with a guide. Forest and beach walks, a study of some of the flora and fauna, afternoon tea...and back to your hotel well deserving of a light supper and early to bed, pleasantly tired yet rejuvenated.

This morning, you are collected from the front of your hotel by your coach driver and set off on a scenic drive south out of the city, into rich farmlands and through cottage vineyards, arriving into Waitomo mid morning. Join a ranger-guided tour into the famous caves to see the glowworm grotto, millions of tiny glowworms lighting up a deep cavern. Return “topside” and continue on to Rotorua, enjoying a box lunch on the way with your fellow travelers. Rotorua - heart of Maori culture and a magnificent thermal region.

The evening is free - you might relax in the warm thermal waters at the nearby Polynesian Pools. A spa treatment is a wonderful way to appreciate the healing waters and geothermal muds of this famous region (we can make arrangements) particularly after a full day of travel.

Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning you cruise aboard a luxury yacht On the beautiful fresh waters of Lake Rotoiti, exploring the secluded coves and native shoreline.
You can take the helm, hoist the sails and grind the winches, try your hand at trout fishing, have a swim in the fresh water or soak in the Manupirua natural mineral hot pools that are only accessible by boat. Or, sit back and let the crew set the sails while you relax and enjoy some refreshments. Your skipper will point out the many historic and culturally significant sites of Lake Rotoiti.
Transfer provided to the Maori cultural thermal area for a guided tour with a local Maori guide. There is also an outdoor cafe here for a leisurely lunch.

Taxi (own expense) back to the hotel at your leisure.

5.45pm You are collected from your accommodation for an interactive evening at a Maori hangi and concert.

Breakfast at the hotel before an early transfer to the airport for your flight to Wellington.

Today, tour the sights of Wellington, capital city of New Zealand, set on a beautiful harbour.
This afternoon, you have a guided tour of Te Papa, the country's famous museum of history, nature and culture.

Breakfast at the hotel before being transferred to the airport for a morning flight to Queenstown, the“Aspen of New Zealand”. Transfer to your accommodation.

Enjoy lunch and a cold drink in one of the pubs or cafes, stroll through the shops and people watch along the waterfront.

4pm: Gain an insight into Queenstown’s unique heritage on this afternoon excursion. Cruise across Lake Wakatipuon the TSS Earnslaw accompanied by an onboard historian. As you cruise you’ll learn about the steamship’s early cargo-carrying days serving the remote farms on the shores of the lake. Disembark at Walter Peak High Country Station for a guided tour of the Colonel’s Homesteadand its beautifully presented gardens. Your guide will show you around the homestead and collection of photographs and memorabilia of the pioneering farming families.

Then relax in the idyllic rural surroundings and enjoy a central Otago wine and cheese tasting, accompanied by an antipasto platter. Afterwards, stroll around the farmyard or simply relax in the gorgeous surrounds over a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or rich Pinot Noir before cruising back to Queenstown arriving at 7pm.

Today you visit either Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound(your choice) for a cruise on these magnificent fiords. Enjoy lunch on board, with a return to Queenstown at 7pm.
Note: you may extend your trip by one day and take an overnight cruise on the sounds…amazing and beautiful!

Today’s wilderness safaricombines a 1 ½ hours jet boating, with forest and nature walks and a glorious back road journey through paradise. Take plenty of film.....

You are picked up this morning and travel up the scenic road to Glenorchy where you board your jetboat. Travel up the magnificent DartRiver on these wonderful and manipulative boats, skimming by the nearby shore, turning on a dime. Stops are made for photos and short walks, and morning tea is enjoyed along the banks of the river. The DartRiver is mainly inaccessible except by jetboat, so the setting is quiet and serene and absent of people but yourselves. A beautiful morning. Return to Queenstown about 1PM.

Your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy shopping, river rafting, horse riding, golf, or people watching. Or, take the ride to Skyline Peak on the Gondola with either an exciting fast or scenic slow return by Luge.

You depart Queenstown early by touring coach, traveling through unsurpassed scenery and up to Mt. Cook, highest mountain point in

New Zealand

. Stunning glaciers surround you.

This afternoon you take a cruise on a glacial lake with some short hikes with a guide.
Time and weather permitting, during your stay, do take advantage of a fixed wing or helicopter flight to the top of the glaciers (optional).

The morning is at leisure at Mt.Cook for that glacier flight, morning walks in the fresh mountain air.
Depart Mt.Cook by your touring coach to Christchurch, arriving at 6pm.

Check out of your hotel very early this morning; transfer to airport and fly to

Australia

Arrive Melbourne this morning. Clear arrival formalities and exit into the Arrivals Hall where you meet a representative who will transfer you to your hotel in central Melbourne.

This afternoon you have a tour of Melbourne sights. Melbourne has compelling appeal in its gardens, history, character and its charm. Inhabited by cultures from across the globe, this city has a fascination in the mix of its cosmopolitan peoples who give generously and share passionately in the richness of this most dynamic and vibrant city. Highlights of your tour include; St Paul’s Cathedral, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens, the Princess Theatre, Melbourne Cricket Ground, National Tennis Centre (where the Australian Open is played), trendy Southbank and St Kilda, Port Melbourne, Crown Casino and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The tour finishes in the centre of Melbourne at approximately 4.30pm.

The morning is at leisure or free for a cruise on the Yarra River, strolling through the Victorian city centre. Perhaps a stroll through Fitzroy Gardens or the fashionable shops of central Melbourne.

You are collected early afternoon from the hotel by your guide. Leaving the city via some of the city's suburbs, we drive past beef and dairy farms, horse breeding studs and swampland. A homemade afternoon tea will be enjoyed on route before we cross over the bridge to Phillip Island. A world leader in conservation, Phillip Island’s sandy and rocky shorelines team with wildlife including over 200 species of birds. We might see local fisherman cleaning their catch of the day while battling the clever gulls and pelicans. On Phillip Island's northern side, look out for masked lapwings, spoonbills, ibis, herons and black swans. We then visit the south-side and check out some local surfers on a pristine beach overlooking the highest point of the island.

We stop at the Koala Conservation Centre, one of the few areas in Victoria where you can see a protected koala colony. Walk among the treetops in nature reserve bushland and see wild koalas within touch. We may spot a wild wallaby or two as well. We pass Swan Lake, the island's largest fresh water lake, and head to the Nobbies. From this magnificent headland, the views stretch over Mornington Peninsula and Bass Strait. One and half kilometres offshore are Seal Rocks, home to

Australia

's largest Australian Fur Seal colony.

We arrive at the Penguin Parade. Each evening at dusk Little Penguins arrive in groups on the beach after a day of fishing. See them waddle their way into the dunes where their burrow nests are situated. We have access to the less populated boardwalks enabling you to gain close contact with the penguins without any hustle and bustle. Seeing, hearing and learning about the penguin behaviour, and their daily routines is an amazing experience.

Your evening finishes with dinner in the township of Cowes before returning to Melbourne late evening.

Please note in summer you will dine before the Penguin Parade. This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and time of the year. The itinerary lists many options and the guide will do the best to see all of this before sunset and the arrival of the penguins.

Koala and Kangaroo: You are collected from your hotel at 10.00AM by your guide and travel 1.5 hours from Melbourne into the Victorian countryside. Today you will see free range Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Emus, and watch Koalas in their natural habitat. You will also be introduced to a program which is breeding for release a variety of bird species which were once common on Victoria’s volcanic plains. Enjoy a day with your naturalist guide and discover the Australian bush and the animals that inhabit it. Cross the Werribee Plains, part of one of the world’s largest volcanic provinces, to visit Serendip Sanctuary. Here drive around the perimeter road offering excellent opportunities to see the mobs of kangaroos, small groups of Emu's and a variety of waterfowl. Stop to walk through the bird hides with opportunities to look out over the Sanctuary’s extensive wetlands and inspect breeding colonies.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Sanctuary before driving further west to the Brisbane Ranges National Park. Here you are guaranteed to see Koalas in their natural habitat; your guide will describe the research in the Park which has provided much of the knowledge of this fascinating creature. After the tour, return to the hotel approximately 5.00pm

Enjoy a personalized Yarra Valley small group coach tour (max. 24) in an air conditioned coach. With a wine expert as your guide, visit four wineries plus a private tour of Domaine Chandon, with an la carte lunch along the way. For more serious wine interests, we have a smaller (max 10) tour as well as private options for the day for additional cost.

A day trip on the Great Ocean Road can be arranged; this is a very long time, however, on a coach.

You are transferred to the airport for a morning flight to Cairns, arriving at noon.

On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel in Port Douglas. Time for a relaxing lunch, swim at the pool, stroll around town.

Late this afternoon you take a 2 hour cruise on the Daintree River with guide followed by night spotlighting in the rainforest.

You are transferred your catamaran out to the Outer Edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

From the moon the Great Barrier Reef is the only living structure visible on earth - a national treasure and one of the true wonders of the world. The friendly crew will take you to a reef at the very edge of

Australia

’s Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and life. The reef lagoon at Agincourt offers excellent swimming and snorkeling areas. Quality snorkeling equipment is provided free of charge and the Marine Biologists on board can introduce you to a whole new world. For the more adventurous, SCUBA diving on Agincourt is amongst the best in the world. Both introductory dives for the beginner and guided dives for the certified diver are available at an additional cost. Or you can choose to stay dry and explore the stunning reef world one metre underwater from the semi-submersible vessel or an underwater observatory. Tropical smorgasbord lunch and morning and afternoon teas on board the Wavepiercer are included. Return to your hotel by approximately 6.15PM. Note: diving is optional and arranged on board with the divemaster. This is a large catamaran cruise; there are smaller boats available to the reef - please ask us.

A day for personal interests…Options might include…ocean fishing, hot air ballooning, river rafting, mountain biking, horse riding, golf, a second look at the reef by boat, a day trip to Kuranda, or an island stay for the day. Or, some 'extreme adventure' such as bungy jumping. And there's always a good book to relax with…

You are transferred to the airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel in central Sydney.

Late afternoon, you have a cruise on Sydney Harbour with the evening at leisure to dine in any of the myriad of restaurants famous in Sydney – some within a short walk of your hotel.

Sydney is a thriving harbourside metropolis populated by four million people and is

Australia

’s best known city. It was the first site of European settlement on the Australian continent – one vastly different from today’s cosmopolitan showcase. The city’s most famous landmarks include Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Centrepoint Tower. With the harbour at Sydney’s centre, the city proper is bounded by water to the north and west and fringed to the east by the extensive green parklands of the Botanical Gardens and the Domain. Sydney is an exciting and interesting city to experience.

This afternoon, you have a 90 minute tour with a guide who will bring alive the story of the early convict settlement with entertaining stories of Rascals, Rats, and Restoration, and relate many tales of Australia’s colorful past. See some of Sydney's earliest buildings, shops old and new, homes of the 'well-to-do' and the quaint cottages of the working class. Also, still to be seen today are the pubs and hotels once frequented by the locals and sailors alike and the haunts of larrikins and rogues. The many historic streets, narrow alleyways, cobble lanes, sandstone steps and beautiful churches combine to weave a rich tapestry of life in the past and present times.

The evening is at leisure to explore the dining and entertainment venues of this world class city. Or, enjoy an optional performance at the Sydney Opera House.

7AM Your guide will collect you from your hotel and commence our small group eco tour into the heart of the unique Blue Mountains World Heritage Region. We head out of the city and reach a wildlife park before any other tourists, meeting all the native Australian animals here – guests can get up close and personal, stroke a koala and hand feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus...a great experience. We continue on up, through the northern section of the Blue Mountains National Park, stopping for morning tea/coffee and apple pie at Bilpin. Then to the top of the mountains for a short walk to enjoy the stunning views of these remote regions, learning about the flora from our guide. Passing through some historic towns, we search for kangaroos grazing in the pastoral areas.

Lunch is in the heart of the Blue Mountains, where we relax over a delicious 2 course meal. Then, off to Scenic World, home of the worlds steepest incline railway (own expense). Enjoy uninterrupted views of the Three Sisters and a walk through the rainforest. Enjoy a glass of chilled Australian sparkling wine or orange juice to finish the day, before we depart the national park and return to the city after a great day, packed with experiences.

You are transferred to the airport for your flight home, recrossing the dateline and arriving back in North America this same morning.

Included in cost are all airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, tours as indicated and meals as indicated (CB/B, L, D…Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Estimated costs (cost will fluctuate based on currencies, availability, dates of travel).

Standard: USD Please inquire

First Class: USD Please inquire

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