Outback to the Glaciers - Itinerary
Enjoy an extensive South Pacific adventure! In the beautiful paradise of Fiji, relax on expansive sandy beaches along crystal-clear ocean water. Observe the Little Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. In Alice Springs, ride to dinner aboard a camel. Gaze in awe at Ayers Rock in the heart of the Outback. Take an unforgettable trip out to the Great Barrier Reef and view beautifully colored fish beneath you on a glass bottom boat. Sail across Sydney Harbor. See native wildlife such as wombats, wallabies, and Tasmanian devils at Featherdale Wildlife Park.
Traveling on to New Zealand, see why Christchurch is considered “the most English city outside of England.” Take a scenic ride through the snow-capped peaks and stunning river gorges of the Southern Alps aboard the Tranz-Alpine Express. Take an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River, and dine with a local family in their home in Queenstown. Visit the old boomtown from the 1800s gold rush, Arrowtown, and venture into the country’s most famous national park, Mt. Cook. Conclude your adventure with an optional excursion to the International Antarctica Center, from which all U.S. expeditions to the Antarctic depart.
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 & 2: Depart from Home
Board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime on a trip to Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day.
Day 3: Nadi, Fiji
Fiji is a beautiful paradise island like no other, retaining all the primitive cultural fascination of the South Pacific. The expansive sandy beaches and clear ocean waters are world-famous.
Day 4: Fiji
Your day is free to relax and enjoy your surroundings. An optional island tour is offered. Tonight, enjoy a lovely dinner. (D)
Day 5: Fiji - Melbourne, Australia
Today you depart Fiji for the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne, where the remainder of the day is yours to relax. (D)
Day 6: Melbourne
Today you embark on a tour of Melbourne featuring Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and the Parliament House. Later, travel to Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home of the world’s largest colony of Little Penguins. Behold the incredible Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of these lovable birds waddle out from the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes.You will also visit the interpretation center where you will learn about the life of the Little Penguins and their significance to the area. Dinner is included on Phillip Island. (B, D)
Day 7: Melbourne - Alice Springs
You fly to Alice Springs, located in the heart of Central Australia. A sightseeing tour includes the Old Telegraph Station, Anzac Hill, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner in the bush. Experience the real Outback complete with entertainment under the stars. (D)
Day 8: Alice Springs
Discover the beliefs and customs of the Aboriginal people this morning during the ‘Dreamtime Tour. Your specialist guide along with members of the Walpiri tribe will teach you about the stories of creation and every day activities of the Aboriginals. Mingle with these people at their camp and watch as various dreamtime stories are depicted in paintings. Tonight you may “Take a Camel to Dinner” (optional) - enjoy a camel ride through the Outback to your dinner. (B)
Day 9: Alice Springs - Ayers Rock
Today you drive to Ayers Rock in the heart of the Australian Outback. The huge monolith called Ayers Rock and the sandstone domes of the Olgas were created through the process of upheaval and erosion. You will tour the Olgas and around the base of “the Rock,” after which you view a beautiful sunset. Watch as Ayers Rock magically changes color. (B)
Day 10: Ayers Rock - Cairns
You depart for Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. (D)
Day 11: Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef. Enjoy a trip on a glass bottom boat where beautifully colored fish swim by in their natural habitat. Choose a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest and the beaches, or watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. You may also visit the underwater observatory. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available. (B, L)
Day 12: Cairns - Sydney
Explore the rain forest canopy this morning on an optional skyrail ride tour. Make a few stops on the climb to experience the beauty of this World Heritage Site. Depart for the exciting city of Sydney this afternoon. Your introduction to the city will be a birds-eye view as you dine overlooking the city at one of Sydney’s revolving restaurants. (B, D)
Day 13: Sydney
Enjoy a morning cruise on Sydney Harbour with fantastic views of two of Australia’s most famous landmarks: the Harbour Bridge and the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. This afternoon, enjoy a tour of the amazing city of Sydney. You will see Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Later, enjoy a fascinating opal presentation and learn how raw opals are processed - from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry store. Tonight is sure to be memorable as you take a tour, have dinner and see a performance at the Sydney Opera House. (B, D)
Day 14: Sydney
A very special and unique experience is in store as you travel to Euroka Clearing for breakfast with the kangaroos. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy Australian wildlife in its natural habitat as you dine amidst the kangaroos. Next, visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to view a variety of Australian wildlife including wombats, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, dingos and crocodiles…you will even have the opportunity to pose with a koala. This evening, enjoy the city at your leisure or join us for an optional excursion. (B)
Day 15: Sydney - Christchurch, New Zealand
Today you’re off to New Zealand. You arrive in Christchurch, a beautiful English city located on the Avon River. Christchurch is considered “the most English city outside of England.” A sightseeing tour highlights the city’s magnificent gardens, elegant park district and the historic Neo-Gothic Cathedral.
Day 16: Christchurch - Franz Josef Glacier Region
Journeying 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. Perhaps you would prefer an optional train ride aboard the Tranz-Alpine Express for a scenic trip through the Southern Alps. Later, you will arrive in the Franz Josef Glacier Region. (B, D)
Day 17: Franz Josef - Queenstown
This morning you may choose to view the rough snow covered mountaintops by taking an optional flightseeing tour (weather permitting) over New Zealand’s beautiful glacier region. You will be taken for a picture stop before traveling out of the South Island’s lush, rugged and magnificent west coast. Take in New Zealand's most stunning scenery as you pass through rain forest surrounded by the Southern Alps and the twisting coastline. Travel over one lane bridges sighting green glacial lakes, thundering waterfalls and dramatic landscape changes. After crossing the Haast Pass, you arrive in Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s prettiest towns. Dinner is included at the Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains, and Lake Wakatipu.After dinner you will have the option to take in a Maori cultural performance. (B, D)
Day 18: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
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 luncheon cruise. You may choose to return to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. (B, L)
Day 19: Queenstown
Today is a day of leisure. Shop in the charming village of Queenstown or enjoy an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River.A special treat is in store for you tonight as you dine with a New Zealand family in their home. (B, D)
Day 20: Queenstown - Mt. Cook
Enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, an old gold boomtown. Traveling along the Kawarau River, you cross the Lindis Pass before arriving in New Zealand’s most famous national park, Mt. Cook. You will have time to enjoy the park and perhaps take a nature walk or enjoy an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting). (B, D)
Day 21: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
This morning, savor a drive through the magnificent landscape as you return to Christchurch. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to a working farm where you will view a demonstration by a skilled New Zealand “strong eye” sheep herding dog, followed by a sheep shearing demonstration. Learn how this New Zealand farm family has survived the changing times by adapting their land to produce a variety of products. Tonight, step back in time and experience the true elegance of Canterbury as you dine in style at a restored mansion learning about the history of the first settlers of Christchurch. (B, D)
Day 22: Christchurch - Los Angeles, CA - Depart for Home
This morning, time permitting, you may choose an optional excursion to the International Antarctica Center, the gateway for all U.S. expeditions to the Antarctic. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Crossing the International Dateline, you regain the day you lost at the beginning of your trip. (B)
