American breakfast (B) daily; Local Host service in Melbourne and Auckland; driving directions; map; sightseeing as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary (inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE).
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Melbourne, Australia. Welcome to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Day #2 Melbourne. Your morning guided sightseeing tour includes Queen Victoria Market (when open), the Italian Quarter, the Shrine of Remembrance, the BOTANIC GARDENS, Fitzroy Gardens, and spectacular city views from Bolte Bridge. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day #3 Melbourne. Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent activities. (B)
Day #4 Melbourne–Cairns. Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The balance of the day is at your leisure.
Day #5 Cairns. Today, board a fast catamaran for a CRUISE to Green Island, one of the many tropical islands on Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef. Here you can choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT TOUR, or walk through the island’s cool rainforest. Return to Cairns and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. (B)
Day #6 Cairns. A full day at leisure to explore tropical Cairns. (B)
Day #7 Cairns–Sydney. Today, fly to beautiful Sydney. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day #8 Sydney. Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes a Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop, the historic “Rocks” area, and a visit to world-famous BONDI BEACH. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)
Day #9 Sydney. Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city. (B)
Day #10 Sydney–Auckland, New Zealand.Today, fly to Auckland. Meet your Local Host this afternoon and pick up your rental car. (B)
Day #11 Auckland–Waitomo–Rotorua. Travel south through the rich pastoral province of Waikato to Waitomo. Here, enjoy a guided tour of the famous GLOWWORM GROTTO, featuring a fascinating underground boat ride. Continue on to Rotorua via Lake Karapiro. (B)
Day #12 Rotorua. Today, visit the AGRODOME for a hands-on experience focusing on New Zealand’s farming history. Next, visit RAINBOW SPRINGS, a unique showcase of New Zealand’s flora and fauna. Finally, on to TE PUIA to view Maori carvings and weaving demonstrations, and to walk through the thermal reserve to see boiling mud pools and shooting geysers. The afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day #13 Rotorua–Dunedin. Return your rental car and fly to Dunedin, one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. (B)
Day #14 Dunedin. A free day at your leisure to explore the city and the surrounding area. (B)
Day #15 Dunedin–Mount Cook Region. Today, head north to stunning Mount Cook. (B)
Day #16 Mount Cook Region–Queenstown. Head south and travel through the wine-making region of Central Otago to Queenstown. (B)
Day #17 Queenstown. Milford Sound Excursion. Travel by motorcoach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK. View the Mirror Lakes as you pass through Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel, emerge into Cleddau Valley. Join your Milford Sound CRUISE for an unforgettable experience. (B)
Day #18 Queenstown. Enjoy a full day at leisure in the “Adventure Capital of the World.” (B)
Day #19 Queenstown. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Return your rental car at the airport prior to departure. (B)
