18 Day New Zealand & Australia with Cairns

DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for New Zealand. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Thursday - En Route
En route to New Zealand, lose a day traveling over the international dateline

DAY 3, Friday - Arrive in Auckland
On arrival to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, you will be welcomed by a representative and transferred by private coach to your hotel. En route, enjoy a one hour orientation tour of Auckland city. Upon arrival to the hotel, there will be a welcome drink and briefing with the tour manager. Remainder of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Auckland

DAY 4, Saturday - Auckland City Tour
This morning, enjoy a four hour Auckland city tour including a visit to the Auckland Museum, New Zealand's first museum which tells the story of the country, its people and its place in the Pacific. You will also visit the Auckland Skytower, New Zealand's tallest man-made structure that offers breathtaking views of the city and beyond. Return to your hotel to enjoy the reminder of the day at leisure
Optional: Half Day West Coast Wilderness Experience (PM)
Overnight: Auckland
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Sunday - Flight to Queenstown
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Queenstown, New Zealand's scenic alpine adventure capital. Upon arrival in Queenstown, transfer to your hotel. En route, enjoy a local sightseeing including a visit to Arthurs Point and to historic Arrowtown where you will discover beautiful Arrowtown's golden history and colonial architecture
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Monday - Full Day in Queenstown
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Queenstown. A resort city surrounded by majestic mountains including a range known as The Remarkable, Queenstown is set along placid and crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, both of which create a stunning backdrop. Enjoy a compact and sophisticated downtown area, with cafes and shopping. You may choose to ride the Skyline Gondola high above Queenstown for stunning panoramic views over the lake and mountain ranges
Optional: Safari of the Scenes - Skippers Canyon 4WD Adventure
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Tuesday - Full Day in Queenstown
Full day at leisure to explore Queenstown independently at your own pace. You may choose to explore Lake Wakatipu via the vintage TSS Earnslaw. Known as the “Lady of the Lake”, it is the only remaining passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere. Ride the Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm, founded in 1860, this working sheep station runs approximately 18,000 Merino and Perendale sheep. Watch sheep weaving and shearing demonstrations, or enjoy a barbecue lunch and evening dining at the historic Colonel's Homestead
Optional: Full Day Milford Sound Cruise with Lunch
Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Wednesday - Queenstown to Dunedin
Depart Queenstown and travel through the award winning Gibbston Valley wine region and into the rugged Kawarau Gorge. Continue past the picturesque and historic townships of Cromwell and Clyde and the huge Clyde Dam, to arrive in Alexandra. Continue your journey along the Clutha River and past the multiple orchards that define this area as New Zealand’s fruit bowl, before arriving in the outskirts of Dunedin – located on the east coast and the second largest city in the South island
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Thursday - Dunedin
Enjoy a day in Dunedin, arguably New Zealand's most spectacular city in terms of contrasting landscapes, it is nestled in tree-clad hills at the head of a spectacular harbor. The city flourished during the great 19th century gold rush, and is now the main centre of, and the gateway to, the Otago region. Experience the highlights of Dunedin on a city tour which visits the Dunedin Railway Station, a highly photographed jewel in the country's architectural crown, Baldwin street, the steepest residential street in the world, and Otago University, the country's oldest university. Next, take a tour of Olveston Historic Homestead, built between 1904 and 1906 this fine turn-of-the-century house has lavish furnishings and stunning art collections
Optional: Otago Peninsula Tour with Wellers Rock Cruise
Overnight: Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Friday - Flight to Melbourne
This morning, depart Dunedin and follow the east coast of the South Island north through Oamaru, renowned for its limestone architecture, and the small rural communities of Timaru and Ashburton, before travelling over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch airport for your flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival in Melbourne, meet your tour manager at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure. Melbourne is the heart of Australia's classic south. The city has compelling appeal in its gardens, history, character and charm. Trams criss-crossing the city offer a leisurely way to appreciate the splendid streetscape
Overnight: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Saturday - Melbourne City Tour
This morning meet your Tour Manager in the hotel lobby to commence a half day sightseeing tour of Melbourne. An insight into Australia's second largest city with a mix of cultures and history from the magnificent gardens, riverside Southbank and Docklands complexes, bayside suburbs with elegant nineteenth-century streetscapes to the designer fashion stores and cafes. Return to your hotel to enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure
Optional: Afternoon/Evening Little Penguin Parade
Overnight: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Sunday - Flight to Sydney
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, board your private coach and commence a panoramic sightseeing tour. Travel east to world famous Bondi Beach and then through historic Paddington with its unique terrace houses to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair and the Royal Botanic Gardens for spectacular views of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House and Harbour bridge. See the historic buildings of Governor Macquarie's time in Macquarie St, Parliament House, St. Mary's Cathedral and the Queen Victoria Building. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13, Monday - Full Day in Sydney
Full day at leisure to explore Sydney independently
Optional: Lunch Cruise on Sydney Harbour
Optional: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14, Tuesday - Full Day in Sydney
Full day at leisure to explore Sydney independently
Optional: Full Day Blue Mountains with Featherdale Wildlife Park
Overnight: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 15, Wednesday - Flight to Cairns
This morning, say farewell to your Tour Manager and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns. The tourist capital of Tropical North Queensland. Set on Trinity Inlet, which was named by Captain James Cook on Trinity Sunday 1770, the city is a must-see for all visitors. The reason is simple. Cairns has so much at its doorstep: the blue waters of the Coral Sea; the riches of the Great Barrier Reef; the flora of the tropical rainforests; the cool inland tablelands and a wealth of offshore islands. Later this afternoon put on your walking shoes and join your Tour Manager for an orientation walk along the waterfront boardwalk towards the city. One of the focal points is the vast saltwater swimming lagoon shaped to the State of Queensland with its dramatic steel fish sculptures and sandy beach. Dotted along the Esplanade and across the street from the boardwalk and park areas is an exciting array of restaurants offering a wide variety of differing cuisines
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 16, Thursday - Green Island Tour
Green Island is a beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay located in the inner Great Barrier Reef Marine Park just 27km from Cairns and a 45 minute journey across the Coral Sea in a high speed catamaran. With its unique reef and rainforest environment, this beautiful island provides the one-stop tropical experience. Green Island is the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest growing on it! It is home to 126 native plant species, colorful birdlife, surrounded by magnificent coral gardens and is some 15 hectares (approx 37 acres) in size. Revel in an array of activities or relax and let your day unfold in this tropical paradise. Stroll through magical rainforest, or laze on the white coral sands, or you may take the opportunity to enjoy the well appointed day visitor facilities
Optional: Upgrade included sightseeing and add an Outer Great Barrier Reef extension
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 17, Friday - Full Day in Cairns
Full day at leisure to explore Cairns independently
Optional: Full Day Kuranda Train amp; Rainforest Tour
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 18, Saturday - Depart for the USA
This morning, transfer to airport by private vehicle for your flight to the USA
Meals: Breakfast