GREAT TRAINS, WINERIES & CULTURES OF
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND ITINERARY:
Day 1-2 — Depart the U.S.
Lose a day en route as you cross the International Dateline.
Day 3 — Cairns, Australia
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Tonight,
enjoy a special reception and dinner. (D)
Day 4 — Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to
the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel, scuba dive (at an additional
cost), or stay dry while checking out the marine life from the
semi-submersible! (B,L)
Day 5 — Cairns
A ride aboard the historic Kuranda Rail, constructed in
1882, offers a scenic rail journey to view the spectacular
Atherton Tablelands. This afternoon take a crocodile cruise on
Hartley's Lagoon in search of saltwater crocs in their natural
habitat as well as the exotic birdlife of Queensland. After the
cruise, enjoy a delicious Aussie barbecue. (B,D)
Day 6 — Ayers Rock
Fly to the heart of the Outback, arriving at Ayers Rock.
Tour the sandstone domes of the Olgas and the area around the
base of "The Rock." Later, witness a stunning sunset as the
colors of the Rock change dramatically.
Day 7 — Alice Springs
Depart for Alice Springs, the largest community in Central
Australia. Take a sightseeing tour of this frontier town,
including the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Gain insight
into the educational system in the Outback during a visit to the
School of Air—you may even see a class in session. Tonight,
experience unique dining and entertainment at a traditional
dinner in the bush. (D)
Day 8 — Alice Springs and The Ghan
Early this morning gain a different perspective of the
majestic Australian Outback with an optional hot air balloon
ride. Next, explore the Aboriginal culture through site visits
and native cooking. Later, board the legendary Ghan for an
overnight journey through ancient mountain ranges, over
red-baked earth, and across oceans of sand hills. (B,D)
Day 9 — Barossa Valley
Your train journey concludes in the South Australian capital
of Adelaide, where you take a morning sightseeing tour. Travel
to Barossa Valley and experience the Whispering Wall as you
listen to voices that travel along a quarter-mile path powered
by natural amplification. A wine tasting at one of the local
wineries introduces the flavors of this region. Dinner at your
hotel, in the serene Barossa Valley, overlooks the vineyards of
well-known vintners such as Jacobs Creek. (B,D)
Day 10 — Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley is Australia's richest and best known
wine-making region. The area was first settled by German
immigrants more than a century ago and today produces some of
the world's finest wines. Enjoy tours and tastings at two of the
area's wineries. This evening is free for you to explore
independently. (B)
Day 11 — Coonawarra
Travel through the southern Australian countryside, stopping
at Naracoorte Caves National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Learn about the extensive fossil deposits of Southern Australia
as you tour the fossil center and view the "megafauna" that once
thrived in the area. Continue to Coonawarra, another rich
wine-making region. (B,D)
Day 12 — Coonawarra and Melbourne
Journey across the spectacular Great Ocean Road, one of the
world's most scenic drives. Pass through Port Campbell and
discover the "12 Apostles," a dramatic row of stone pillars
rising from the ocean, and the "London Bridge," a magnificent
stone arch formation. Marvel at Loch Ard Gorge before arriving
in Melbourne in the early evening. (B)
Day 13 — Melbourne
A tour of Melbourne features the Shrine of Remembrance,
Parliament House, and a visit to Fitzroy Royal Botanical
Gardens. Later, travel to Phillip Island, home of the world's
largest colony of "Little Penguins." Experience the wonders of
the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of these lovable birds
waddle out from the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in
the dunes. Learn more about the life cycle of the penguin and
their significance to the area at the Interpretation Center. (B,D)
Day 14 — Sydney
This morning, depart for Sydney, Australia's cultural
capital. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city followed by an
afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 15 — Sydney and Hunter Valley
This morning visit one of Australia's best wildlife parks,
where you can feed the kangaroos, pet a wombat, and have a photo
taken with one of the local koalas. Tonight, an evening dinner
cruise of Sydney Harbour gives you the opportunity to see the
city from a different perspective. Afterwards enjoy a
performance at the Sydney Opera House. (B,D)
Day 16 — Sydney
The entire day is at leisure for you to explore one of the
world's most magnificent cities on your own. (B)
Day 17 — Sydney and Queenstown, New Zealand
Today fly to the beautiful resort town of Queenstown.
Experience New Zealand wine with a visit to one of Otago's best
known wineries. Enjoy a tour and tasting, followed by dinner
paired with local favorites. (B,D)
Day 18 — Queenstown and Milford Sound
Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the
Hollyford Valley to world-famous Milford Sound. Enjoy a relaxing
cruise in this dramatic fjord. Choose to return to Queenstown
via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular
views of the Southern Alps or return by coach. (B,L)
Day 19 — Queenstown
Your day is at leisure to explore Queenstown on your own,
take an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River, or choose
from a variety of other activities. (B)
Day 20 — Queenstown and Mt. Cook
Traveling through the picturesque countryside, stop in the
old gold boomtown of Arrowtown. In Mt. Cook National Park, take
a nature walk or enjoy an optional flightseeing tour (weather
permitting). This evening's dinner includes a sampling of local
wines from some of the finest wineries in New Zealand. (B,D)
Day 21 — Christchurch
Travel to the city of Christchurch, where a short
sightseeing tour highlights magnificent gardens, the cathedral,
and the downtown park district. During dinner on the
Christchurch Tramway, enjoy some of New Zealand's best fare
while taking in the city sights. (B,D)
Day 22 — Christchurch and Tranz-Alpine Express
Journey through the Southern Alps aboard the Tranz-Alpine
Express. This evening, enjoy a special dinner at a restored
mansion that was once the homestead of Christchurch's first
settlers. (B,D)
Day 23 — Christchurch
Today is free to relax and unwind. You may choose an
optional afternoon excursion to the International Antarctica
Center, the base for all U.S. expeditions to Antarctica. This
evening you will be invited to dine with a New Zealand family.
Enjoy this unforgettable experience as you learn about the
customs of the "Kiwis" and enjoy a home cooked meal. (B,D)
Day 24 — Picton and Wellington
Board the Tranz Coastal train for a scenic journey up the
eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island. Relax in comfort as
you are surrounded by the Kaikoura Mountain Range to the west
and the rugged Pacific Coast to the east. Arrive in Picton and
ferry through Marlborough Sound and across Cook Strait to the
North Island, arriving in Wellington. (B)
Day 25 — Wellington
Enjoy sightseeing in Wellington, including the Beehive, New
Zealand's Parliament, historic St. Paul's Church, and the
Government Building. (B,D)
Day 26 — Wellington and Rotorua
This morning tour the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the national
museum of New Zealand. Next, travel through the heart of the
North Island, arriving in Rotorua, the center of Maori heritage.
Tonight, immerse yourself in the indigenous culture of New
Zealand as you take part in an authentic Hangi and concert. (B,D)
Day 27 — Rotorua
This morning visit the Te Puia, New Zealand's premier Maori
cultural and geothermal experience. You'll be amazed by the
landscape of erupting geysers, bubbling mud pots, and other
geothermal wonders. Here, the Maori keep their customs alive by
teaching the tribal youth the skills of traditional carving,
weaving, and dancing. Take part in an interactive demonstration
on the art of weaving and the importance of Maori dress. You
will also view the Kiwi bird and learn what New Zealanders are
doing to try to remove the Kiwi from the endangered species
list. Next, visit the Agrodome for an insight into how wool, one
of New Zealand's premier products, is produced and observe a
sheep shearing demonstration. This afternoon, visit a jade
factory to see how the raw product is transformed into a
fabulous gemstone. Gather this evening for a delightful farewell
dinner. (B,D)
Day 28 — Rotorua, Auckland and Depart
Experience the North Island's Waitomo Caves, which are lit
by thousands of glow worms clinging to the cave walls. Drive to
Auckland where your tour ends. (B)
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