Kiwis & Koalas

Days 1 & 2 – Air

Fly to Australia, crossing the International Date Line.

Day 3 – Sydney

G’ud day! Welcome to the Olympic city of Sydney. Upon arrival you will be met and assisted with your hotel transfer. This afternoon is free until your Welcome Dinner.

Day 4 – Sydney

Enjoy a City Highlights Tour. Visit the historic Rocks area. Next comes a guided tour of the famous Sydney Opera House. Continue to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for splendid views of this magnificent harbour. Then travel past Kings Cross, Double Bay to Watson’s Bay and Bondi Beach. This afternoon enjoy a luncheon cruise on magnificent Sydney Harbour, with views of the Opera House, and Harbour Bridge.

Day 5 – Sydney

Travel by coach and follow the trail of Australia’s early explorers as you climb the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains National Park is abundant in rare wildlife, flora and fauna. Discover the giant rock formations, geological history, and cascading waterfalls. Then visit Sydney’s leading Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Day 6 – Cairns

Fly to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. A local representative will transfer you to your hotel.

Day 7 – Cairns

Board the Quicksilver, a high-speed catamaran. Your destination is the Outer Great Barrier Reef, where a marine biologist will conduct informative lectures on marine life. View the exotic reef, colorful tropical fish, and magnificent coral formations.

Day 8 – Cairns

Transfer to Freshwater Station to board the scenic Kuranda Rail and journey through breathtaking scenery before arriving at Kuranda Station. This afternoon board Skyrail, an enclosed cable car which takes you across the rain forest canopy. Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, dedicated to preserving and presenting authentic Aboriginal culture. Enjoy three theatres, a museum, an art gallery and a traditional Aboriginal camp.

Day 9 – Christchurch

This morning transfer to Cairns airport to board your flight to Christchurch, New Zealand. On arrival you will be met by a private bus with a driver who will assist you with your transfer to your hotel and provide a brief orientation tour of the “Garden City.”

Day 10 – Queenstown

Full day tour by coach of the Canterbury Plains, Fairlie, Burkes Pass, and the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo. Cross the MacKenzie Basin for views including Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Descend through Lindis Pass and continue through the central Otago countryside and through the Kawarau Gorge.

Day 11 – Queenstown

Full day tour around Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. The scenery is stunning! This afternoon cruise down Milford Sound to the open sea.

Day 12 – Rotorua

After arriving in Rotorua you will take a guided tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Also see the trout and rare kiwis in Rainbow Springs and the popular Agrodome sheep show. In the evening enjoy a hangi dinner and concert of Maori song and dance.

Day 13 – Auckland

Full day tour traveling over the bush clad Mamaku Ranges and through the picturesque Waikato Valley for a Guided Tour of the famous Limestone caves including the Glowworm Grotto. In the afternoon drive on via Hamilton and Ngaruawahia to Auckland.

Day 14 – Depart

An afternoon sightseeing Tour of Auckland. Evening transfer to the airport for your flight home, carrying with you memories from your “days down under.”