Australia and New Zealand Panorama 2009/2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 16
• Tour Style: Discovery
• Destinations: Christchurch, TranzAlpine, Punakaiki, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Rotorua, Waitomo Caves, Auckland, Cairns, Kuranda, Sydney, Great Barrier Reef

Itinerary

• Days 1 & 2 - Depart USA We fly over the international date line on our way to Christchurch, New Zealand.



• Day 3 - Arrive Christchurch Transfer from airport to hotel, check in, then see Christchurch your way. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director. (Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Novotel



• Day 4 - TranzAlpine – Punakaiki We catch the TranzAlpine for a world class journey from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass. Experience the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes on arrival in Punakaiki, where we'll spend the night at our resort right on the waterfront. (Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Punakaiki Resort



• Day 5 - Punakaiki – Franz Josef Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, to Hokitika to visit a New Zealand native jade factory for a jewellery demonstration. Continue to Franz Josef Glacier. You can see it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike! (Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel



• Day 6 - Franz Josef – Queenstown Our experience list is spectacular today. Get your camera ready as we take in Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, a small rainforest bush walk, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan. We'll enjoy the tastes of sumptuous stone fruit at Cromwell - the stone fruit capital. Next up, we visit historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world's richest rivers. A Queenstown orientation tour finishes our day. Tonight you have the option to dine at Skyline Restaurant at Bob's Peak via the Southern Hemisphere's steepest Gondola! And the Kiwi Haka Maori Show will top off a great night out. (Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Millennium Hotel



• Day 7 - Queenstown – Rotorua (2 nights) Fly to Rotorua (airfare not included). Meet your new Tour Director and fellow travellers this afternoon. The Realm of Tãne, Hangi and concert is our evening cultural highlight. Take an extraordinary journey through Maori culture, mythology and the story of our creation. (Breakfast / Highlight dinner)
  
  Hotel: Millennium Hotel



• Day 8 - Rotorua Sparkling wine and a breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua starts our day, followed by the Agrodome Sheep Show for a sample of farm life. Te Puia gives us an insight into Maori culture. We take a guided tour of the Geothermal Reserve then the afternoon is yours. (Breakfast)



• Day 9 - Rotorua – Auckland We tour the Glow Worm Grotto and limestone caves at Waitomo Caves. Then trace the gorgeous Waikato River into Auckland for a tour of Mt. Eden, Bastian Point, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Harbour Bridge and more. (Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Stamford Plaza



• Day 10 - Auckland – Cairns (3 nights) We board our flight to Australia and the beautiful city of Cairns. On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Cairns International



• Day 11 - Kuranda Today board the famous Kuranda Railway at Freshwater Station. Enjoy a breathtaking trip on one of the world’s most scenic operational rail journeys. On arrival in Kuranda, there is free time to take a stroll through the famous Kuranda Markets. Return to the lowlands by the Skyrail Cableway which takes you above the canopy of the tropical rainforest of Barron Gorge National Park. Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and learn about this ancient culture through theatre, stage shows and demonstrations, before we transfer you back to your hotel where you will meet your Tour Director. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 12 - Great Barrier Reef Mid-morning we join the high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an informative reef education presentation. See a myriad of coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible craft. There is the opportunity to go snorkeling and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided). Enjoy an included buffet lunch before we return to Cairns. (Buffet breakfast / Buffet lunch)



• Day 13 - Cairns – Sydney (3 nights) It's a late morning flight to Sydney arriving in the afternoon. On our arrival we transfer to the hotel, where the remainder of your day is at leisure, maybe go out and explore this exciting city. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Sofitel Wentworth



• Day 14 - Sydney sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour includes views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. We then join a guided tour of the Opera House, a famous Australian icon. Later, we'll enjoy a luxury cruise on Sydney Harbour which includes a delicious lunch on board. Enjoy interesting commentary plus spectacular sights as we cruise by Sydney's prestigious suburbs. This afternoon you have the chance to learn about Australia's national gemstone – the opal. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight lunch)



• Day 15 - Sydney at leisure A full day at leisure in this exciting city. Why not take an excursion to the famous Blue Mountains and see some of Australia's native wildlife at Featherdale Wildlife Park? Or perhaps take an interesting trip to Canberra, Australia's capital. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 16 - Sydney – USA Time to bid farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. (Buffet breakfast)


Depart USAArrive ChristchurchTranzAlpine – PunakaikiPunakaiki – Franz JosefFranz Josef – QueenstownQueenstown – Rotorua RotoruaRotorua – AucklandAuckland – Cairns KurandaGreat Barrier ReefCairns – Sydney Sydney sightseeing & at leisureSydney at leisureSydney – USA

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• TranzAlpine: Journey through the spectacular Southern Alps.
• Punakaiki: Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
• Franz Josef: See the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier.
• Rotorua: The Realm of Ta-ne, Breakfast on Lake Rotorua, Te Puia Thermal Reserve and the Agrodome Sheep Show. Plus a traditional Maori Hangi and concert.
• Auckland: Sightseeing including Mount Eden.
• Waitomo: Guided boat tour of the Glow Worm Grotto.
• Cairns Kuranda and Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
• Great Barrier Reef: Full day Great Barrier Reef cruise including lunch.
• Sydney: Sightseeing including the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Darling Harbour. Plus a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour.

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Dining Highlights

• 1 Welcome dinner with your Tour Director in Christchurch
• 13 Breakfasts
• 1 Buffet lunch on the Great Barrier Reef
• 1 Highlight lunch while cruising Sydney Harbour
• 1 Highlight dinner
17 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)

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First Class Travel Highlights

• The services of three of Trafalgar's professional Tour Directors on tour, in Christchurch, Rotorua and Australia.
• Chauffeur driven on Trafalgar's luxury air-conditioned motorcoaches with reclining seats in New Zealand.
• A qualified local driver in Cairns and Sydney.
• Christchurch to Arthur's Pass on board the TranzAlpine Train.
• High speed Catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef.
• Airport transfers will be provided on Day 3 in Christchurch and Day 15 in Sydney, only for passengers who have booked their flights on a Trafalgar recommended airline and advised Trafalgar of their flight details.
• You'll stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges, tips and local taxes are included.
• Travel wallet containing tour documents and helpful information.

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