24 Day Southern Explorer Tour
On this Premier Plus Escorted Group Vacation, your expert guide will show you the best of Australia and New Zealand. You'll also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your transfers, exclusive tour inclusions and superior accommodation are all included in your tour. A fully escorted group tour is your ultimate worry-free way to discover downunder.
Highlights New Zealand Maori Hangi Feast and Cultural Performance Geothermal Te Puia Thermal Reserve TranzAlpine Train Franz Josef Glacier Milford Sound
Highlights Australia The Ghan Rail Journey Alice Springs to Adelaide Cruise Sydney Harbor Great Barrier Reef cruise Tour the Base of Uluru (Ayers Rock) Tour the Giant domes of Kata Tjuta (Olgas)
Price Includes Fully escorted in Australia and New Zealand with Tour Director and Driver/Guides Luxury motorcoaches and superior accommodations Sightseeing (as specified) Centrally-located hotels in key locations 26 meals: 21 breakfasts (B) & 5 dinners (D) 8 feature meals (FL, FD)
Departure Dates
2012: Jan 15, 22; Feb 5, 12; Mar 4, 11, 18; May 20; Jun 24; Sep 5, 30; Oct 7, 21; Nov 4, 18; Dec 16
2013: Jan 13, 27; Feb 3, 10, 24; Mar 3, 17, 24
PRICING - TOUR CODE: E24
Itinerary effective 20 May 2012. Tours prior follow a different itinerary. Please inquire for details.
Day 1.
Los Angeles. Board your evening flight to Auckland, New Zealand.
Day 2.
In Flight. Cross the international dateline.
Day 3.
Arrive Auckland. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for an early check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour and visit Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World. Join your fellow travelers at our Welcome Dinner.
Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel. FD
Day 4.
Rotorua, Maori Hangi Feast. Journey to the Waitomo Caves for a tour of the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. Then continue to Rotorua, a region rich in Maori heritage. Enjoy a hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at your hotel.
Two Night Stay: Millennium Rotorua. B, FD
Day 5.
Rotorua, Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Today visit the Agrodome and see the entertaining Sheep Show. Then head to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see the power of geothermal energy first-hand. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, and a Country Homestay option is available tonight. BD
Day 6.
Rotorua, Fly to Christchurch, Methven. Enjoy free time in Rotorua today before flying to Christchurch. Then, travel across stunning countryside to Methven.
Stay: Methven, Brinkley Resort. BD
Day 7.
Southern Alps, Franz Josef. Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the top rail journeys in the world. Disembark and continue down the West Coast to Franz Josef.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier. BD
Day 8.
Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner. Journey over Haast Pass and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown. Tonight, perhaps choose to cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner, or select from many other restaurants.
Three Night Stay: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront, in lakeview rooms. B, FD
Day 9.
Milford Sound Cruise. Absorb the majesty of Fiordland National Park on the journey to Milford Sound. On arrival, enjoy a cruise along the sound. Return to Queenstown by coach, or perhaps take a scenic flight back (own expense). B
Day 10.
Queenstown at Leisure. Spend the day at your leisure enjoying some of the sights or activities that this lakeside city has to offer. B
Day 11.
Fly to Sydney, Australia. You have the morning free in Queenstown, then board your trans-Tasman flight to Sydney. Tonight, enjoy dinner and a glass of wine in Sydney.
Three Night Stay: Sydney, Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney. B, FD
Day 12.
Sydney Sights, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Opera House Guided Tour. This morning, step inside the Sydney Opera House during a guided tour, before boarding a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. Later, enjoy a guided city tour, including Bondi Beach. B, FL
Day 13.
Sydney at Leisure. Spend the day exploring more of this city at your own pace. B
Day 14.
Sydney, Fly to Cairns. This morning, fly to Cairns. Settle in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Three Night Stay: The Sebel Cairns Hotel, in deluxe waterview rooms. B, FD
Day 15.
Great Barrier Reef Cruise. Cruise out to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef in a glass-bottom boat before enjoying a delicious tropical lunch. B, FL
Day 16.
Skyrail, Kuranda, Cairns. Today, tour Cairns before riding on the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda. Visit a wildlife park and enjoy a performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, before you travel back to Cairns. B
Day 17.
Cairns, Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Uluru Base Tour, Sounds of Silence Dinner. This morning, fly to Uluru. Take a tour of Uluru's base, viewing ancient caves and traditional Aboriginal rock art. Walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear Aboriginal stories and legends, and see Aboriginal artists at work at the Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery. Tonight, enjoy the Sounds of Silence dinner, a magical dining experience under the stars, which is followed by a talk about the Outback night sky.
Stay: Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel. B, FD
Day 18.
Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Alice Springs. Today, visit Kata Tjuta (Olgas), and walk through the domes to the Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Later, travel to Alice Springs.
Stay: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Hotel. B
Day 19.
Alice Springs Tour, The Ghan. Enjoy a tour of Alice Springs, visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Anzac Hill. Then transfer to the railway station and travel from Alice Springs to Adelaide aboard The Ghan on a luxury rail journey through the Red Centre.
Stay: The Ghan, in Gold Kangaroo class. BD
Air Alternative - Alice Springs to Adelaide You may prefer to fly to Adelaide and enjoy three nights in this picturesque city. Deduct from $710 per person.
Day 20.
The Ghan, Adelaide. Enjoy breakfast aboard The Ghan as you travel south. On arrival into Adelaide early this afternoon you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner in the hotel tonight.
Two Night Stay: Adelaide, Sebel Playford. BD
Day 21.
Adelaide at Leisure. With today free, perhaps take an excursion to the Barossa Valley or Kangaroo Island (both at own expense). B
Day 22.
Adelaide, Fly to Melbourne, City Tour. Transfer to the airport and fly to Melbourne. On arrival, join a tour taking in some of the key sights of this cosmopolitan city.
Two Night Stay: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. B
Day 23.
Melbourne at Leisure. Today, perhaps see the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island or drive the Great Ocean Road (both at own expense). B
Day 24.
Depart Melbourne. Your tour ends today with a transfer to the airport. B
Days 19-24 are Independent Touring. Join local guides on day tours as per itinerary.
Highlights New Zealand
Highlights Australia
Price Includes
Departure Dates
2012: Jan 15, 22; Feb 5, 12; Mar 4, 11, 18; May 20; Jun 24; Sep 5, 30; Oct 7, 21; Nov 4, 18; Dec 16
2013: Jan 13, 27; Feb 3, 10, 24; Mar 3, 17, 24
PRICING - TOUR CODE: E24
Itinerary effective 20 May 2012. Tours prior follow a different itinerary. Please inquire for details.
Day 1.
Los Angeles. Board your evening flight to Auckland, New Zealand.
Day 2.
In Flight. Cross the international dateline.
Day 3.
Arrive Auckland. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for an early check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour and visit Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World. Join your fellow travelers at our Welcome Dinner.
Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel. FD
Day 4.
Rotorua, Maori Hangi Feast. Journey to the Waitomo Caves for a tour of the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. Then continue to Rotorua, a region rich in Maori heritage. Enjoy a hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at your hotel.
Two Night Stay: Millennium Rotorua. B, FD
Day 5.
Rotorua, Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Today visit the Agrodome and see the entertaining Sheep Show. Then head to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see the power of geothermal energy first-hand. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, and a Country Homestay option is available tonight. BD
Day 6.
Rotorua, Fly to Christchurch, Methven. Enjoy free time in Rotorua today before flying to Christchurch. Then, travel across stunning countryside to Methven.
Stay: Methven, Brinkley Resort. BD
Day 7.
Southern Alps, Franz Josef. Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the top rail journeys in the world. Disembark and continue down the West Coast to Franz Josef.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier. BD
Day 8.
Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner. Journey over Haast Pass and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown. Tonight, perhaps choose to cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner, or select from many other restaurants.
Three Night Stay: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront, in lakeview rooms. B, FD
Day 9.
Milford Sound Cruise. Absorb the majesty of Fiordland National Park on the journey to Milford Sound. On arrival, enjoy a cruise along the sound. Return to Queenstown by coach, or perhaps take a scenic flight back (own expense). B
Day 10.
Queenstown at Leisure. Spend the day at your leisure enjoying some of the sights or activities that this lakeside city has to offer. B
Day 11.
Fly to Sydney, Australia. You have the morning free in Queenstown, then board your trans-Tasman flight to Sydney. Tonight, enjoy dinner and a glass of wine in Sydney.
Three Night Stay: Sydney, Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney. B, FD
Day 12.
Sydney Sights, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Opera House Guided Tour. This morning, step inside the Sydney Opera House during a guided tour, before boarding a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. Later, enjoy a guided city tour, including Bondi Beach. B, FL
Day 13.
Sydney at Leisure. Spend the day exploring more of this city at your own pace. B
Day 14.
Sydney, Fly to Cairns. This morning, fly to Cairns. Settle in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Three Night Stay: The Sebel Cairns Hotel, in deluxe waterview rooms. B, FD
Day 15.
Great Barrier Reef Cruise. Cruise out to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef in a glass-bottom boat before enjoying a delicious tropical lunch. B, FL
Day 16.
Skyrail, Kuranda, Cairns. Today, tour Cairns before riding on the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda. Visit a wildlife park and enjoy a performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, before you travel back to Cairns. B
Day 17.
Cairns, Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Uluru Base Tour, Sounds of Silence Dinner. This morning, fly to Uluru. Take a tour of Uluru's base, viewing ancient caves and traditional Aboriginal rock art. Walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear Aboriginal stories and legends, and see Aboriginal artists at work at the Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery. Tonight, enjoy the Sounds of Silence dinner, a magical dining experience under the stars, which is followed by a talk about the Outback night sky.
Stay: Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel. B, FD
Day 18.
Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Alice Springs. Today, visit Kata Tjuta (Olgas), and walk through the domes to the Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Later, travel to Alice Springs.
Stay: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Hotel. B
Day 19.
Alice Springs Tour, The Ghan. Enjoy a tour of Alice Springs, visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Anzac Hill. Then transfer to the railway station and travel from Alice Springs to Adelaide aboard The Ghan on a luxury rail journey through the Red Centre.
Stay: The Ghan, in Gold Kangaroo class. BD
Air Alternative - Alice Springs to Adelaide You may prefer to fly to Adelaide and enjoy three nights in this picturesque city. Deduct from $710 per person.
Day 20.
The Ghan, Adelaide. Enjoy breakfast aboard The Ghan as you travel south. On arrival into Adelaide early this afternoon you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner in the hotel tonight.
Two Night Stay: Adelaide, Sebel Playford. BD
Day 21.
Adelaide at Leisure. With today free, perhaps take an excursion to the Barossa Valley or Kangaroo Island (both at own expense). B
Day 22.
Adelaide, Fly to Melbourne, City Tour. Transfer to the airport and fly to Melbourne. On arrival, join a tour taking in some of the key sights of this cosmopolitan city.
Two Night Stay: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. B
Day 23.
Melbourne at Leisure. Today, perhaps see the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island or drive the Great Ocean Road (both at own expense). B
Day 24.
Depart Melbourne. Your tour ends today with a transfer to the airport. B
Days 19-24 are Independent Touring. Join local guides on day tours as per itinerary.
Call (916) 642-9613 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10255279
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- Additional cost for Single supplement from between $2745-$3295*
*Terms and Conditions: Prices are 'from' per person, based on double occupancy. *Land Only Tour price includes New Zealand and Australian domestic flights and is based on Qantas as the international carrier. Fare will differ for other airlines. Trans-Tasman flight is not included. All prices, itineraries and routing are subject to change without notice. Domestic taxes of approximately USD $130 including September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 are included. Prices were effective on 10/20/11 and availability is limited. Prices may differ when you book your travel and are not guaranteed until full payment is received.
++Air Inclusive Tour price includes land, all Australian and New Zealand domestic flights, Trans-Tasman and flights to/from Los Angeles based on Qantas as the international carrier. Fare will differ for other airlines. All prices, itineraries and routing are subject to change without notice. Fuel surcharge and US/Foreign taxes of approximately USD $800 including September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 are included. Prices were effective on 10/20/11 and availability is limited. Prices may differ when you book your travel and are not guaranteed until full payment is received. CST#2001136-50
