-Day 1 Start tour
Day 2 International Date Line
Lose a day as you cross the International Date Line
Day 3 Kia ora Queenstown
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Details: Wakatipu lakeside trail
Take a leisurely stroll along the serene shores of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. Beginning at the Kelvin Heights Peninsula, this picturesque trail meanders through historic farmlands and charming residential areas. Along the way, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Remarkables mountain range and the shimmering lake. Suitable for walkers of all skill levels.
Day 4 Queenstown
Queenstown Skyline Restaurant dinner
Details: Wakatipu Basin safari
Experience true four-wheel-driving in the most dramatic landscapes. This true adventure safari packed with goldmining history, thrilling 4WD river crossings and a great overview of the diverse scenery of the Queenstown / Arrowtown area. Visit the Lord of the Rings filming locations of Minas Tirith, Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath), the site of Isildur’s Fall, the Ford of Bruinen and more!
Details: Aerial gondola to Bob’s Peak
Enjoy the perfect bird’s-eye view of Queenstown’s dramatic mountains and valleys as you ride high inside the cabin of your gondola.
Details: Skyline Queenstown luge ride
Experience the thrill of a luge ride at Skyline Queenstown, where adventure meets breathtaking views. After a scenic gondola ride to the top, hop into a gravity-powered luge cart and navigate through twists, turns, and tunnels on a specially designed track.
Day 5 Milford Sound
Details: Milford Sound excursion
Travel around the eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu and across the picturesque Southland countryside to Te Anau and into the dramatic landscape of the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Stop at the Mirror Lakes to see the near perfect reflections of the mountains in the calm waters, then take a short walk to the Chasm and see where the waters disappear into the rocks before arriving in Milford Sound. Cruise the fiord past Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea enjoying the stunning scenery of cascading waterfalls, dense rainforest, steep cliff faces and marine life that inhabits these waters.
Day 7 Sydney
Sydney tour director-led sightseeing
Details: Sydney Harbour Bridge walk
Walk across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and take in the spectacular views of the stunning Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House and the city.
Details: The Rocks
As you stroll along the narrow, cobblestone streets of The Rocks, you can’t help but get caught up in the area’s intriguing past, present and future. Here you’ll find chic restaurants, stylish bars and hearty pubs, all amidst some of the oldest surviving buildings in Sydney. One moment you’ll be touring historic Cadman’s Cottage, and the next you’ll find yourself amongst the eclectic shopping, artisan markets and glitzy galleries that make The Rocks the engaging destination that is it today.
Details: Sydney Opera House guided visit
Discover every aspect of the building’s 14-year creation and 58-year history. Delve into the stories behind Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece, run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs and visit some of the many theatres inside this iconic landmark.
Day 8 Sydney
Fish and Chips lunch
Details: Mrs Macquarie's Point
You bring the camera and “Mrs. Macquarie” will provide the perfect backdrop. Featuring a breathtaking view of both the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Mrs. Macquarie’s Point has been attracting visitors since its origin in 1810, when an exposed sandstone rock was cut into the shape of a bench. Known today as Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, legend has it that if you make a wish while sitting on the bench, there’s a very good chance that your wish will come true.
Details: Ferry ride across the Sydney Harbour
Hop aboard the Manly Ferry, one of Sydney’s most iconic experiences. Departing regularly to and from Manly to Circular Quay, the ferry cruises past the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House before passing Kirribilli House the official residence of the Prime Minister.
Details: Explore Manly
Get to know the vibrant Manly, known for its stunning beaches, outdoor cafés, and cool restaurants. The streets are lined with surf and beach-ware shops and little boutique stores. Get active with a scenic coastal walk or go for a swim, hire a bike or walk to Fairy Bower Beach, where the little penguins reside.
Day 10 Start extension to Cairns
Flight to Cairns
Details: Cairns tour director-led sightseeing
AAfter bustling Sydney, the city of Cairns may feel like a sleepy little tropical village. Everything in town seems built for relaxation. The homes are built on stilts to catch the cool ocean breezes and overhead fans whirl in every room. Walk down the lively, slightly bohemian Esplanade, the focal point of the city. This is where the city began in 1876 as a gold- and tin-mining port. Wharf Street was once the main drag, at a time when the entire area was known as the Barbary Coast because of its rough, criminal element. Now, it is a thriving port, where big-game fishing is a major industry. Minutes away, see the hustle and bustle at the Cairns Night Market filled with with knick-knacks and tropical food delights. This city is the gateway into Australia's Tropical North and two significant natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Details: Esplanade
Take a stroll on the Cairns esplanade buzzing with innovative eateries, on-trend bars, stylish boutiques and galleries. At the end of the day get a glimpse of the idyllic sun setting over the water.
Details: Cairns night market
Each night when the sun sets, Cairns Night Market comes alive. Featuring over 70 retail outlets and home to a myriad of food options, settle in for the evening, hunt for a bargain and grab a yummy bite to eat! Perhaps try some local Tropical North Queensland delights like a sugar cane juice and a tropical dessert from the Mango Bar.
Details: Palm Cove excursion
Relax on Palm Cove’s gorgeous beaches, where Cairns’ residents and visitors come for fun in the sun.
Details: Explore Palm Cove
Make a stop at Palm Cove, a charming beachside village where the reef meets the rainforest. Take a stroll up the esplanade, lined with 500-year-old melaleuca trees and dip your feet in the tropical waters.
Day 11 Cairns
Lunch on board the Great Barrier Reef cruise
Details: Great Barrier Reef full-day excursion
No trip to Cairns is complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily one of the world's top natural wonders. Transfer from Cairns towards Moore Reef where the underwater universe awaits. Upon arrival at the reef, take part in a guided snorkel safari and participate in the Eye on the Reef program with a marine biologist to monitor the health of the reef. See firsthand the incredible array of life and colors that exist just below the surface with a semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour.
Day 12 Cairns
Details: Cairns free day
After bustling Sydney, the city of Cairns may feel like a sleepy little tropical village. Everything in town seems built for relaxation. The homes are built on stilts to catch the cool ocean breezes. Overhead fans whirl in every room. People stroll along the lively, slightly bohemian Esplanade, the focal point of the city. This is where the city began in 1876, but the actual center of Cairns is the City Place, the town square and a quaint pedestrian mall. Spend some time relaxing in and exploring this laidback city.
Day 13 End tour
Tour Includes:
- Round-trip airfare
- 7 overnight stays (10 with extension) in hotels with private bathrooms
- Breakfast daily
- Dinner daily (except where lunch is noted on itinerary)
- Full-time services of a professional tour director
- Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
- Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
- Tour Diary™
- Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
- Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.
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