Down Under Answers
New Zealand
Escorted Tours
Royal Escorted
22 Days fully escorted touring of New Zealand & Australia. from $8735 per person based on double occupancy
Start in New Zealand with its natural beauty and spectacular scenery with highlights including a cruise along Milford Sound and a trip on board the TranzAlpine Train. Your discovery of Australia starts in Sydney before traveling to the colorful sights of the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru finishing in cosmopolitan Melbourne.
Sightseeing Highlights
- Tour the geothermal sites of Rotorua
- Cross New Zealand’s Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train
- View spectacular Franz Josef Glacier
- Cruise majestic Milford Sound
- Enjoy a cruise on Sydney Harbour, taking in the Opera House and Harbour Bridge
- Take a cruise over the Great Barrier Reef
- From Cairns, ride the Kuranda Skyrail and the Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Tour Uluru (Ayers Rock), viewing sacred sites and ancient rock paintings
- Explore the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne
Day 1. Los Angeles
Board one of our selected evening flights to Auckland, New Zealand.
Day 2. In Flight
Cross the international dateline.
Day 3. Arrive Auckland
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. An early check-in has been arranged before an afternoon tour of Auckland. This beautiful city sprawls over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau harbors. Enjoy a fascinating visit to Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World before joining your fellow travelers at a special Welcome Dinner at your hotel this evening. Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel (D)
Day 4. Rotorua, Maori Hangi Feast
This morning you will journey to the Waitomo Caves for a tour of the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. Then continue to Rotorua, a beautiful region rich in Maori heritage. At your hotel tonight, you will enjoy a hangi feast and Maori cultural performance of song and dance. Stay: Millennium Rotorua, 2 nights (B, D)
Day 5. Rotorua, Te Puia Thermal Reserve
Visit the Agrodome to learn about the sheep farming industry then, head to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see the power of geothermal energy first-hand. Watch as geysers erupt, mud pools bubble and steam hisses. A Country Homestay option is also available tonight. (B,D)
Day 6. Fly to Christchurch, Methven
Today, fly to Christchurch. Pass through this historic city and scenic countryside en route to Methven, where you’ll stay overnight. Stay: Methven, Brinkley Resort (B, D)
Day 7. Southern Alps, Franz Josef
This morning after breakfast, board the TranzAlpine train for one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through the spectacular Southern Alps before disembarking to continue across rugged coastal terrain to Franz Josef, the gem of New Zealand’s West Coast glaciers. Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (B, D)
Day 8. Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
Journey over Haast Pass and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown. Tonight, you may choose to cruise on the vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner. Or select from a range of other fantastic restaurants on our Dine Around Dinner. Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront, in lakeview rooms, 3 nights (B, D)
Day 9. Milford Sound Cruise
Considered one of the most scenic alpine drives, absorb the majesty of Fiordland National Park on the journey to Milford Sound. On arrival, enjoy a cruise along the full length of the sound, passing beneath cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and towering mountains. Return to Queenstown by coach, or perhaps take an optional scenic flight back (own expense). (B)
Day 10. Queenstown at Leisure
Spend the day at your leisure. Relax at your hotel, shop in town or take the time to enjoy some sightseeing or activities on offer (own expense). (B)
Day 11. Fly to Sydney, Australia
Your morning is at leisure, before heading to the airport to board your afternoon trans- Tasman flight to Sydney. On arrival, check in to your hotel in the heart of this entrancing harbor city, before enjoying dinner and a glass of wine. Stay: Sydney, Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney, 3 nights (B, D)
Day 12. Sydney Sights, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Opera House Guided Tour
This morning after breakfast, you’ll visit the magnificent Sydney Opera House for a guided tour. This is one of the world’s architectural masterpieces and put Sydney on the map over 50 years ago. Then board a cruise on Sydney Harbour, viewing the iconic harbor bridge and opera house from a different perspective. Enjoy a delicious lunch during your cruise, surrounded by the many sights of the famous harbor. This afternoon, discover Hyde Park and the famous Bondi Beach on a city tour. (B, L)
Day 13. Sydney at Leisure
Enjoy this vibrant city at your own pace today. Perhaps take an optional sightseeing tour to the famous wine region of the Hunter Valley, or visit the Blue Mountains, a region of craggy mountains, deep wooded valleys, rock formations and towering eucalypts (both at own expense). (B)
Day 14. Sydney, Fly to Cairns
Fly to Cairns today. On arrival, check in to your hotel before the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this tropical city. Perhaps go shopping, explore the city’s markets, or spend a relaxing afternoon soaking up the tropical ambience by the pool or at the beach. Stay: The Sebel Cairns Hotel, in deluxe waterview rooms, 3 nights (B,D)
Day 15. Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Cruise out to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef today. Board your catamaran cruise out to Moore Reef and view the colorful coral and diverse range of marine life through the glass bottom of your boat. While out on the reef you have the option to go for a snorkel or a swim. Afterwards, visit your boat’s underwater observatory before enjoying a delicious tropical lunch of local specialties. (B, L)
Day 16. Skyrail, Kuranda, Wildlife, Cairns
This morning take a guided tour of Cairns before a ride on the scenic Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over lush rain forest to Kuranda. On arrival in Kuranda, visit a wildlife park and learn about native Australian animals. Perhaps even have your photograph taken with a koala (own expense). After seeing a performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, take in the stunning scenery as you travel back through the rain forest to Cairns. (B)
Day 17. Cairns, Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Uluru Base Tour, Sounds of Silence Dinner
This morning, board a flight to Uluru from Cairns. Join your coach and head into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a tour of Uluru’s base. Your guide will show you ancient caves and traditional Aboriginal rock art. Walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear Aboriginal stories and legends. See Aboriginal artists at work at the Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery. Tonight, you will be treated to the unforgettable Sounds of Silence dinner, where you’ll dine under the stars with vistas of Uluru. Feast on a barbeque buffet of authentic Australian delicacies, including barramundi, kangaroo and crocodile. Later, go star gazing with an expert guide. Stay: Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel (B, D)
Day 18. Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Alice Springs
Today, after breakfast head out to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park again. Here, visit the stunning Kata Tjuta, a cluster of 36 unique domes, and learn about this sacred place from a local guide. You’ll walk through the domes to the majestic Walpa (Olga) Gorge, a tranquil place of much significance to local Aboriginal people. Later, re-board your coach and travel to Alice Springs. Stay: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B)
Day 19. Alice Springs, Fly to Melbourne, Tramcar Dinner
On a tour of Alice Springs, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Anzac Hill. Following this, board a flight for Melbourne, where on arrival you’ll take a brief sightseeing tour. Tonight, indulge in a unique meal aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Stay: Melbourne, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, 2 nights (B, D)
Day 20. Melbourne at Leisure
Today spend the day at leisure in Melbourne. There are many optional activities available, such as a journey along the Great Ocean Road or a tour to Phillip Island to see the famous penguin parade. Or perhaps you would prefer to explore Melbourne at your own pace. You could visit the Queen Victoria Market, go shopping in the city or maybe stroll through one of the many parks or gardens (all at own expense). (B)
Day 21. Depart Melbourne
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Los Angeles. (B)
Departures Dates:
2012 May 20; Jun 24; Sep 5, 30; Oct 7, 21, 28; Nov 4,18; Dec 16
2013 Jan 13, 27; Feb 3, 10, 24; Mar 3, 17,24
Pricing:
Land*
All dates: $8,890/person twin share
Land with Air**
May 20: $12,250/person twin share
2012 Jun 24, Sep 30; Oct 7, 21, 28; Nov 4, 18. 2013 Feb 3, 10, 24; Mar 3, 17, 24: $10,525/person twin share
2012 Sep 5: $10,300/person twin share
2012 Dec 16. 2013 Jan 13, 27: $10,855/ person twin share
Land* includes land, all Australian and NZ domestic flights and is based on Qantas as the international carrier. Fare will differ for other airlines. Trans-Tasman flight is not included.
Land with Air** includes land, all Australian and NZ domestic flights, trans-Tasman and flights to/from Los Angeles based on Qantas as the international carrier. Fare will differ with other airlines. Price includes all fuel surcharges, departure and air taxes. Prices in this brochure were effective January 23, 2012 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, airfare taxes/fuel surcharges may be higher and may impact your total tour price. For current prices, please call 800-388-1828
Prices are quoted in US$ and are based on per person twin share. Single supplements apply.