South Pacific Wonders - Itinerary
Begin in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and witness the traditional dance of the Tjapukai dancers when you visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. Take a high-speed catamaran to the Outer Barrier Reef and swim, snorkel, or drift through the coral in the Subsea Explorer. Sydney, Australia’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, boasts one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Tour the famous Opera House or enjoy a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbor.
In New Zealand, learn about the history of Christchurch, founded as a model English settlement in the 1840s. Cross the fertile Canterbury Plains to the country’s highest mountain, Mt. Cook. Travel along Te Anau/Milford Road where frequent heavy rainfall transforms the scenery and causes the mountainsides to come alive with hundreds of waterfalls that flow torrentially and then die as soon as the rain passes. Take in the serene paradise of Fiji as you relax on expansive sandy beaches alongside clear ocean waters.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
DAY 1 - DEPART USA
Today board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime. (meals aloft)
DAY 2 - INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE
Today we cross the International Date Line. (meals aloft)
DAY 3 - ARRIVE CAIRNS
Arrive today in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Don't forget to look up at the Southern Hemisphere's stars this evening after you join your mates for a welcome dinner. (meals aloft,D)
DAY 4 - CAIRNS
Today visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. You’ll see traditional Aboriginal dances, learn about the Aboriginal lifestyle, and even throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center, which houses a collection of interesting artifacts. This afternoon a great experience awaits as you search for crocodiles in their natural habitat during a visit to Hartley's Croc Farm! Boardwalks take you on a path of adventure through rainforests and woodlands to see animals such as wild birds, reptiles and wallabies. While visiting you also have the chance to meet some of the local koalas and have a private talk with a wildlife naturalist to learn more about these cuddly creatures. Then, enjoy an exciting cruise in the lagoon looking for crocodiles before enjoying a delicious Aussie barbecue.
(B,D)
DAY 5 - GREAT BARRIER REEF
Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. This is an immense series of 2,800 coral reefs which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches, snorkel or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving and an outer reef tour are also available. Whichever way you choose, you’ll see some of the world’s most fascinating marine and plant life.
(B,L)
DAY 6 - CAIRNS/SYDNEY
Your morning is at leisure for independent exploration. Later today, fly to the bustling city of Sydney. (B)
DAY 7 - SYDNEY
This morning enjoy a city tour of Sydney where the English explorer James Cook first weighed anchor in 1770. Highlights of your tour include Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable Paddington suburb. Then, discover one of the world’s most fascinating architectural wonders during a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Next, enjoy a unique opportunity to learn first-hand how raw opals are transformed from the dark mine shafts to beautiful works of art. This evening is free to explore Sydney’s many famous restaurants!
(B)
DAY 8 - SYDNEY
Enjoy a leisurely day to explore Sydney your way. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer suggestions. Tonight, experience the best of Sydney. Chat with new friends and take in the sights during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour during which you’ll pass by two of Australia’s most famous icons: the renowned Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. (B,D)
DAY 9 - SYDNEY/CHRISTCHURCH
You leave Australia behind and fly to New Zealand and the historic city of Christchurch. Upon arrival enjoy a short sightseeing tour of "the most English city outside of England." Highlights include magnificent gardens, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral and the downtown park district.
(B)
DAY 10 - CHRISTCHURCH
This morning visit a Canterbury farmyard where you’ll enjoy a sheep shearing demonstration and see the herding of the farm’s animals! It’s a great opportunity to learn how a New Zealand family farm operates. This afternoon you are free to explore Christchurch independently. Tonight join your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.
(B,D)
DAY 11 - CHRISTCHURCH
Today, enjoy a day of exploration on your own in beautiful Christchurch. This English city – the charming international gateway to New Zealand’s South Island – boasts countless cafes and boutiques. Stroll its cobblestone streets and enjoy the many sights that “the Garden City” has to offer. Make yourself right at home this evening when a New Zealand family welcomes you into their home for dinner! This is sure to be an unforgettable evening during which you will make new friends, learn about the customs of the “Kiwi’s” and enjoy a home-cooked meal. (B,D)
DAY 12 - CHRISTCHURCH/MT. COOK REGION/QUEENSTOWN
Traverse the spectacular countryside to New Zealand’s most famous national park, Mt. Cook. Mt. Cook is one of the most impressive mountains in the world. You may choose to view the massive glaciers and extensive snow-covered mountain top terrain on an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting), or perhaps enjoy the park during a nature walk. Continue to Queenstown and enjoy a stop at a local fruit stand to gain an inside look at the produce of New Zealand.
(B)
DAY 13 - QUEENSTOWN/MILFORD SOUND/QUEENSTOWN
En route to Milford Sound, enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. You’ll travel through beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. During a cruise of the breathtakingly beautiful Milford Sound you’ll see why this fjord is one of the most visited sites on the South Island. With rock faces that rise nearly 4,000 feet on either side, the scenery will take your breath away. Following your cruise, you return to Queenstown. You may choose to return via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
(B,L)
DAY 14 - QUEENSTOWN
A leisurely day in Queenstown offers several options to enhance your vacation. Shop or people watch in the village or perhaps take the optional "Safari of the Rings" which takes you through the majestic Remarkable Mountains and the breathtaking Queenstown countryside where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. This evening, take in the city of Queenstown from above and soak in the breathtaking views during a gondola ride to dinner at the Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. (B,D)
DAY 15 - QUEENSTOWN/AUCKLAND/NADI, FIJI
Today you will arrive in the beautiful paradise island of Fiji. Fiji retains all the primitive and cultural fascination of the South Pacific and boasts expansive sandy beaches and clear ocean waters. (B)
DAY 16 - FIJI
Your day is free to explore what the resort has to offer on this tropical paradise. There are a number of relaxing and fun, adventurous activities you can engage in! (B)
DAY 17 - FIJI
Spend another free day enjoying the resort and its amenities - perhaps indulge in a spa treatment, read beside the lagoon-style pool, go snorkeling, or venture into Nadi Town for last-minute souvenir shopping. (B)
DAY 18 - RETURN USA
Today we board our flight back to the USA, crossing the international date line and returning home the same day. (B,meals aloft)
