This itinerary is for a past tour program.
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During your Australia tours, you'll visit sunny, sophisticated Sydney, elegant Melbourne, and the jewel of Australia travel destinations—the World Heritage-registered Great Barrier Reef. Following your Australia tour, your Down Under experience continues with visits to the most scenic of New Zealand travel stops—lovely Christchurch, Queenstown and the awe-inspiring New Zealand Alps, an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound, and the "City of Sails"—Auckland. Spend a few days before returning to the USA , on the island paradise of Fiji, where you'll relax in tropical splendor.
Day 1: Depart Los Angeles. A fascinating "Down Under" discovery begins this evening as you board your flight bound for Australia.
Day 2: En Route. Cross the International Date Line and lose one day.
Day 3: Arrive Sydney, Australia. Morning arrival in spectacular Sydney, Australia's oldest and most vibrant city. After customs formalities, transfer to your centrally located hotel to check in and relax. This afternoon, enjoy a tour of Sydney including the picturesque Botanical Gardens, the Conservatorium of Music, Art Gallery and Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Stop for spectacular views of the Opera House, Sydney's most famous landmark, then it's back to the city's commercial center, Darling Harbour and Chinatown, before heading for Kings Cross and the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay, Rose Bay and Watson's Bay for a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean from The Gap. This evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at your hotel. The Grace Hotel Dinner provided.
Day 4 & 5: Sydney. Enjoy two days at leisure to explore on your own, or join an optional tour to the scenic Blue Mountains. You may also join an optional Coffee cruise or a splendid Sunset Cruise on spectacular Sydney Harbor. Breakfast provided.
Day 6: Sydney/Cairns. Today fly northward to tropical Cairns. Residents of the area are proud to be custodians of two of the world's greatest natural treasures - the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforests. Your hotel is on the Esplanade, overlooking the ocean and only a five minute w alk from shopping and entertainment. Enjoy your hotel's swimming pool! Holiday Inn Cairnes Breakfast provided.
Day 7: Great Barrier Reef Excursion. After breakfast, a high speed catamaran takes you for an unforgettable Great Barrier Reef cruise. Arrive at the coral cay of Green Island where you'll visit the underwater observatory and board a glass bottom boat to see some of the world's most colorful coral and fish. There is plenty of time to swim and take a walk through the lush rainforest on the island. A hot and cold buffet lunch is included in this tour. Late afternoon return to Cairns. Breakfast & lunch provided.

Day 9: Cairns/Melbourne. Today, fly to Melbourne, the stately capital of Victoria noted for its vibrant culture, its spacious parks and beautiful gardens. Melbourne prides itself on being Australia's sporting capital and one of the world's leading locations for sporting events. The city plays host to a range of top events each year. Your hotel is ideally located for independent exploration. Radisson Flagstaff Hotel Breakfast provided.

Day 11: Melbourne & Christchurch, New Zealand. Morning at leisure. Later, fly across the Tasman Sea to Christchurch, a charming garden city on New Zealand's South Island. After arrival formalities, transfer to you centrally located hotel. Rydges Christchurch Hotel Breakfast provided.
Day 12: Christchurch. Explore lovely Christchurch, "the most English of cities outside of England", independently today. Stroll through Cathedral Square and nearby Avon River lined with gracious stone gothic buildings and relax in one of the many cafes. You may also opt for the unique experience of dining with a local family at their home! Breakfast provided.
Day 13: Christchurch, Queenstown. Stunning countryside vistas unfold as you drive along the rugged coastline before heading west to the New Zealand's Alps. Traverse Lindis Pass and journey via the impressive Kawarau Gorge en route to Queenstown, a splendid lakeside resort town. Your centrally located hotel is ideally situated on the shore of picturesque Lake Wakatipu. Copthorne Lakefront Hotel Breakfast provided.
Day 14: Milford Sound Excursion. Today's included excursion is reputed to be one of the most scenic in the world. Drive along Lake Wakatipu through dense forests and shimmering Lake Teanau to Fiordland National Park and the Homer Tunnel en route to Milford Sound. Here, board an unforgettable cruise through towering fjords and majestic waterfalls. Evening return to Queenstown. Breakfast provided.
Day 15: Queenstown. At your own pace, enjoy the many exciting activities charming Queenstown offers. You may also visit famous Walter Peak Sheep Station across Lake Wakatipu. Breakfast provided.
Day 16: Queenstown/Mt. Cook/Fairlie. This morning, journey to the spectacular Mt. Cook region, gateway to the Southern Alps. There will be a short stop at Mt. Cook Village before proceeding to Fairlie, a thriving farming region in the heart of the sheep grazing pastures of the Canterbury Plains. You will spend the evening on a working farm where your hosts invite you to a delicious home cooked dinner and conversation. This is certain to be one of the highlights of your trip! Farm stay Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 18: Auckland. This morning's tour of the "City of Sails" will include a visit to the Memorial Museum which contains one of the best Maori artifacts collections in the world. You will also enjoy a special Maori performance at the museum before returning to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. We suggest a visit to the intriguing Antarctic Center. Breakfast provided.
Day 19: Depart Auckland After breakfast, enjoy your morning at leisure to do last minute shopping, strolll or simply relax. Transfer to the airport to board your flight for the beautiful island of Fiji. After clearing customs and immigration, you'll be escorted to your resort style hotel. Tanoa International Hotel Breakfast provided..
Day 20 & 21: Nadi, Fiji. Enjoy two wonderful days at leisure to rest and unwind from your busy vacation. Your resort hotel is set amidst 15 acres of tropical gardens, beautiful pool or ocean swimming, tennis and other facilities. Visit the Tour Desk where a myriad of optional activities are available for purchase Breakfast provided.
Day 22: Nadi, Fiji/USA. There will be free time before you are transferred to the airport to board your return flight back to the USA. Breakfast provided.
For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Australia, click here.
For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to New Zealand, click here.
For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Fiji, click here.
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— Angela Whitehill, Island Heights, NJ
