GREAT TRAINS, WINERIES & CULTURES OF
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND ITINERARY:
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Take an adventure of a lifetime and spend 28 days traveling
through Australia and New Zealand. Explore the vast and diverse
natural wonders of land and water, from sacred Ayers Rock and
the amazing underwater life of the Great Barrier Reef to the
geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the magical fjords of Milford
Sound. Local specialists enhance your understanding of the
cultural history of the unique Aboriginal and Maori cultures as
well as the unique natural history throughout your journey.
Travel on the historic Ghan train, the Tranz-Alpine Express and
other fascinating rail journeys, and enjoy special wine tastings
at well-known vineyards in both Australia and New Zealand. Lose
a day en route as you cross the International Dateline.
Day 2: Arrive Cairns, Australia
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Tonight,
enjoy a special reception and dinner. Novotel Palm Cove
Day 3: Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to
the outer Great Barrier Reef, where the magic of this natural
wonder will surround you! Snorkel, scuba dive* or stay dry while
checking out the marine life from the semi-submersible! Novotel
Palm Cove
Day 4: 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. Novotel Palm Cove
Day 5: Cairns - 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. Sails in the Desert
Day 6: Ayers Rock - 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 with a visit to the
School of the Air - you may even see a class in session!
Tonight, experience unique dining and entertainment at a
traditional dinner in the bush. Crowne Plaza Alice Springs
Day 7: Alice Springs - 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.
The Ghan Train
Day 8: The Ghan - 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; listen as
voices 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. Novotel
Day 9: 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.
The evening is yours to continue exploring this great region
independently. Novotel
Day 10: Barossa Valley - 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. Chardonnay Lodge
Day 11: Coonawarra - 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.
The Swanston Hotel Melbourne, Grand Mercure
Day 12: 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 Centre.
The Swanston Hotel Melbourne, Grand Mercure
Day 13: Melbourne - Sydney
This morning, it’s off to Sydney, Australia’s cultural capital.
Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city followed by an afternoon at
leisure. The Menzies
Day 14: Sydney
This morning you will 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. Afterward, enjoy a
performance at the Sydney Opera House. The Menzies
Day 15: Sydney
The day is yours for personal exploration of one of the world's
most magnificent cities.
The Menzies
Day 16: Sydney - Queenstown, New Zealand
Today you fly to New Zealand, arriving in 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 a spectacular dinner paired with the local
favorites! Grand Mercure Hotel St. Moritz Queenstown
Day 17: Queenstown - 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. Grand Mercure
Hotel St. Moritz Queenstown
Day 18: 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. Grand Mercure Hotel St. Moritz
Queenstown
Day 19: Queenstown - 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. Hermitage
Lodge
Day 20: Mt Cook - 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, New Zealand's only tramcar restaurant, enjoy some of
New Zealand's best fare while taking in the city sights. Chateau
on the Park
Day 21: Christchurch - 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. Chateau on the Park
Day 22: Christchurch
Today is free to relax and unwind. You may choose an optional
afternoon excursion to the International Antarctica Centre, 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. Chateau on the Park
Day 23: Christchurch - Picton - 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. Arrive in Wellington, the harbour capital of New
Zealand. Duxton Hotel Wellington
Day 24: Wellington
Enjoy sightseeing in Wellington, including the Beehive, New
Zealand’s Parliament, historic St. Paul’s Church, and the
Government Building. Duxton Hotel Wellington
Day 25: Wellington - Rotorua
This morning, tour the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the national
museum of New Zealand. Next, travel through the heart of the
North Island today arriving in Rotorua, the center of Maori
heritage. Tonight, become immersed in the indigenous culture of
New Zealand as you take part in an authentic Hangi and concert.
Rydges Rotorua
Day 26: Rotorua
This morning visit Te Puia, New Zealand's premier Maori cultural
and geothermal experience. You'll be truly amazed by the
landscape of erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools 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 the 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, a visit to the Agrodome will give you insight into
how wool, one of New Zealand’s premier products, is produced.
You will see a sheep shearing demonstration here. 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. Rydges Rotorua
Day 27: Rotorua - Auckland - Tour Concludes
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.
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