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Australia and the Outback

Tour #280917 September 11-30 20 Days
Double: $6079 Triple: $5979 Single: $7519 Deposit: $900

Get ready for the vacation of a lifetime! This Australia and New Zealand tour is an exploration of the beauty and cultures found Down Under and is perfect for those of you who have wanted to visit this continent. From cruising Sydney Harbor to feeding kangaroos, from sheep shearing to petting a wombat or koala, you will be delighted with Australia and New Zealand. Includes 26 Meals (15B, 2L, 9D)

Days 1 & 2 - OVERNIGHT FLIGHT - Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day.

Day 3 - MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - Your tour begins in the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne, set around the shores of Port Philip Bay and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse. We spend the next two nights in Melbourne, Australia.

Day 4 - MELBOURNE - Today’s tour of Melbourne features Fitzroy Gardens, valued for their historic, architectural and horticultural significance. Overnight same hotel.

Day 5 - ALICE SPRINGS - OUTBACK - You fly to Alice Springs, located in the heart of Central Australia and the Outback. A sightseeing tour includes the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill, with its excellent view of Alice Springs and the surrounding area. Gain insight into the educational system in the Outback with a visit to the School of the Air. Tonight, enjoy a memorable dinner in the bush complete with entertainment under the stars. We spend the next two nights in Alice Springs, Australia.

Day 6 - ALICE SPRINGS - Discover the culture of the Aboriginal people this morning, during the “Dreamtime Tour.” Your specialist guide, along with members of the Walpiri Tribe, will tell you stories of creation and show you the every day activities of the Aboriginals. You will meet these people at their camp and watch as various dreamtime stories are depicted in paintings. Overnight same hotel.

Day 7 - AYERS ROCK - Today, you drive to Ayers Rock, in the heart of the Australian Outback. This huge monolith and the sandstone domes of the Olgas were created through the process of upheaval and erosion. You will tour the Olgas and the base of “The Rock,” learning about their significance to the Aboriginal culture. As the sun sets, enjoy a champagne toast and watch as Ayers Rock magically changes color. We overnight in Ayers Rock, Australia.

Day 8 - CAIRNS - Leaving behind Australia’s Outback, today you are off to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.We spend the next two nights in Cairns, Australia.

Day 9 - GREAT BARRIER REEF - Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion on the Great Barrier Reef. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a trip on a glass boat, where beautifully colored fish swim beneath in their natural habitat. Overnight same hotel.

Day 10 - SYDNEY - This afternoon, we depart for the exciting city of Sydney. The evening is yours to independently explore one of the world’s friendliest cities. Our hotel accommodations for the next three nights will be in Sydney, Australia.

Day 11 - SYDNEY - Today we spend a full day exploring the fun-loving city of Sydney. Begin with a tour that includes sites such as Kings Cross, the Harbor Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one of the world’s most fascinating architectural sites as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Overnight same hotel.

Day 12 - LEISURE DAY IN SYDNEY - Your discovery of Sydney continues today with time to pursue your own interests. This evening, dine while cruising the harbor, enjoying views of the city’s great icons - the Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Following dinner, return to the Opera House to enjoy a spectacular performance. Overnight same hotel.

Day 13 - CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - Today, board your flight to begin your exploration of New Zealand. You arrive in Christchurch, a beautiful English city located on the Avon River. A sightseeing tour highlights the city’s magnificent gardens, elegant park district and the historic Neo-Gothic Cathedral. A special treat is in store for you tonight, as you dine with a New Zealand family in their home. We overnight in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Day 14 - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER REGION - Traveling across New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps, you will marvel at the snowcapped peaks and beautiful river gorges as you wind your way past waterfalls and rugged mountain scenery. You end your day in the Franz Josef Glacier Region which offers travelers a rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacial landscape in a temperate environment. We overnight in the Franz Josef Glacier Region, New Zealand.

Day 15 - QUEENSTOWN - Board your coach and journey to Queenstown. An amazing landscape unfolds before your eyes as you pass through the rainforest and twisting coastline, revealing New Zealand’s most stunning scenery. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the Skyline Restaurant, where you will enjoy spectacular views overlooking Queenstown. We spend the next three nights in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Day 16 - QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound, where you will enjoy a fascinating cruise. Overnight same hotel.

Day 17 - LEISURE DAY IN QUEENSTOWN - Overnight same hotel.

Day 18 - MT. COOK - Crossing the Kawarau River, you see Lindis Pass before arriving in Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s most famous national park. There will be time to enjoy the Alpine paradise of Mt. Cook - a larger than life experience. We overnight in Mt. Cook, New Zealand.

Day 19 - MT. COOK - CHRISTCHURCH - This morning, drive through magnificent landscapes as you return to Christchurch. Visit a working farm, where you will view a demonstration by a skilled New Zealand sheep herding dog, followed by a sheep shearing demonstration. Tonight, step back in time and experience the true elegance of Canterbury as you dine at a restored mansion and learn about the history of the first settlers of Christchurch. We overnight in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Day 20 - RETURN FLIGHT HOME

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