Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Sydney Opera House, Christchurch, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Milford Sound, Merino Sheep Farm, Choice on Tour

March 17 — March 31, 2020 • 15 Days • 21 Meals

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – 2 Mar 17, 2020 – Mar 19, 2020: Depart From Home

Cross the International Dateline, skipping a day ahead. Travel on an adventure of a lifetime.

Day 3 Mar 19, 2020: Cairns, Australia - Tour Begins

Your tour opens in Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions and a World Heritage site - the Great Barrier Reef. Established as a marine park in 1975, the reef is a haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and birds.

Included Meals

• Dinner

Day 4 Mar 20, 2020: Cairns

Come to know the history of Australia’s original inhabitants at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. Here you’ll see traditional dances, learn how to play a didgeridoo or even throw a boomerang. Browse the renowned art gallery and interpretation center’s artifact collection. At Hartley’s Croc Farm, get up-close with crocodiles in their natural habitat! Boardwalks take you on a path of adventure through rainforests and woodlands, home to birds, reptiles and wallabies. You may meet some of the local koalas and chat with a wildlife naturalist to learn more about these cuddly creatures. Take an exciting cruise on the lagoon and watch for crocodiles before enjoying a delicious Aussie barbecue.

Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 5 Mar 21, 2020: 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. Explore the reef from your base on Green Island. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, stroll the island walking trails, 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, an outer reef tour is also available. Whichever way you choose, you’ll see some of the world’s most fascinating marine and plant life.

Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 6 Mar 22, 2020: Cairns - Sydney

This morning, create your own adventure or simply relax and take in the tropical atmosphere. Later today, fly to the bustling city of Sydney.

Included Meals

• Breakfast

Day 7 Mar 23, 2020: Sydney

See where the original English colonists first settled in 1788 during a city tour of Sydney. Highlights of your tour include Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable suburb of Darlinghurst. Discover one of the world’s most fascinating architectural sights as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour. Then you’re in for a unique experience as you learn firsthand about opals during a special presentation at the National Opal Collection. Later this evening, you may choose to take in an optional dinner and performance at the Sydney Opera House.

Included Meals

• Breakfast

Day 8 Mar 24, 2020: Sydney

Embrace the exciting city of Sydney during a day of independent exploration. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer suggestions. Tonight, say farewell to Australia by chatting with new friends and taking in the sights during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Marvel at the scenic vistas of the harbour showcasing Sydney’s magnificent skyline, the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 9 Mar 25, 2020: Sydney - Christchurch, New Zealand

Fly to the historic city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the city known as “the Garden City” is recreating itself. 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 experience. Make new friends, learn about the customs of the “Kiwis,” and enjoy a home-cooked meal.

Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 10 Mar 26, 2020: Christchurch - Mt. Cook Region

Journey through New Zealand’s unspoiled wilderness and arrive in the Mt. Cook region, where permanent ice fields and glaciers blanket the ragged peaks. This is where famed New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary honed his skills before conquering Everest. You may choose to take a nature walk or simply meditate on the beauty of the Southern Alps.

Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 11 Mar 27, 2020: Mt. Cook Region - Arrowtown - Queenstown

Traverse the spectacular countryside as you set off for the beautiful turn-of-the-century Gold Rush settlement of Arrowtown. Take time to stroll its quaint, historic streets. Arrive in Queenstown and have time to explore independently.

Included Meals

• Breakfast

Day 12 Mar 28, 2020: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown

En route to Milford Sound, enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. You’ll travel through ancient beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. During a cruise of the breathtakingly beautiful Milford Sound you will see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights 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.

Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 13 Mar 29, 2020: Queenstown

A free day offers a variety of optional activities to enhance your tour. Shop or people-watch in the village; partake in an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River; or join the optional "Gold Seeker – Metal and Movie Discovery" tour which takes you through the majestic Remarkable Mountains and the breathtaking Queenstown countryside showcasing many of the spots where The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed.

Included Meals

• Breakfast

Day 14 Mar 30, 2020: Queenstown

Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Bob’s Cove and Mt. Earnslaw as you cruise across spectacular Lake Wakatipu to Mt. Nicholas High Country Farm. During an exclusive, behind the scenes visit to this authentic family run merino sheep farm, you will follow the journey of merino wool from mustering sheep through the creation of modern wool garments. Enjoy a freshly prepared farmer’s lunch before sailing back to Queenstown. Later this afternoon, it’s your choice! You may go bird watching at the Kiwi Birdlife Park -OR- take a gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for stunning panoramic views of the region. Gather for a farewell dinner overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Mountains.

Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 15 Mar 31, 2020: Queenstown - Tour Ends

Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful adventure.

Included Meals

• Breakfast