South Pacific Wonders
| Resort: | South Pacific Wonders |
| Operator: | |
| Destination: | Australia, Australia & The Pacific, New Zealand |
| Price From: | £3119.00 |
OverviewExplore two great countries of the Southern Hemisphere Australia and New Zealand. From the tropical splendor of the Great Barrier Reef on Australias northeast coast, to the ethereal beauty of glacial fjords on New Zealands South Island, this 15-day journey to the lands “Down Under” brings you the best of both countries at an enjoyable pace. Cruise Sydney Harbour and Milford Sound. Meet Australias wildlife up close. Discover the wonders of Aboriginal culture. Indulge in regional flavors at a wine tasting and experience Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. ItineraryDay 1: Depart From HomeToday you board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime. Crossing the International Dateline, you skip a day ahead. Day 2: Depart From HomeToday you board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime. Crossing the International Dateline, you skip a day ahead. Day 3: Cairns, Australia – Tour BeginsYour tour opens in Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the worlds 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. Day 4: Great Barrier ReefBoard 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, optional scuba diving and an outer reef tour are also available. Whichever way you choose, youll see some of the worlds most fascinating marine and plant life. Day 5: CairnsCome to know the history of Australias original inhabitants at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. Here youll see traditional dances, learn how to play a didgeridoo or even throw a boomerang. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center which houses a collection of interesting artifacts. At Hartleys Croc Farm, get up close and personal with crocodiles in their natural habitat! Boardwalks take you on a path of adventure through rainforests and woodlands, home to 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. Take an exciting cruise on the lagoon and watch for crocodiles before enjoying a delicious Aussie barbecue. Day 6: Cairns – SydneyYour morning is at leisure. Make your own adventure or simply relax and take in the tropical atmosphere. Later today, fly to the bustling city of Sydney. Day 7: SydneyThis morning, 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 Paddington. Discover one of the worlds most fascinating architectural sights as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour. Next, learn how raw opals mined from the depths of the Earth are transformed into beautiful works of art at the National Opal Centre. The evening is free to explore Sydney at your leisurethe opportunities are endless! Day 8: SydneyTake hold of the exciting city of Sydney during a day of independent exploration. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer suggestions. Tonight, experience the best of Sydney. As you say your farewell to Australia, chat with new friends and take in the sights during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Marvel at the scenic vistas the harbour has to offer including Sydneys magnificent skyline and iconic attractions: the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Day 9: Sydney – Christchurch, New ZealandToday you leave Australia behind and 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 during which you will make new friends, learn about the customs of the Kiwis, and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Day 10: ChristchurchEnjoy some leisure time to explore Christchurch on your own. You may wish to visit the International Antarctic Centre to learn about the 7th continent, or simply relax and enjoy what the city has to offer. Day 11: Christchurch – Mt. Cook Region – QueenstownThis morning, traverse the spectacular countryside and visit a Canterbury farmyard for a fantastic opportunity to learn how a New Zealand family farm operates; you may even catch a sheep shearing demonstration. Continuing to Queenstown, dont miss the chance to spot the highest peak in the Southern Alps, Mt. Cook, before a stop at a local fruit stand to gain an inside look at the produce of New Zealand. 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 Remarkable Mountains. Day 12: Queenstown – Arrowtown – QueenstownEnjoy a leisurely touring day as you set off for the beautiful turn-of-the-century Gold Rush settlement of Arrowtown. Take time to explore independently and stroll its quaint, historic streets. Next, explore the Central Otago region where many of New Zealands best wines are grown and produced. During a stop at a local winery, visit their storage cave for a tasting of some of their famous wines. Day 13: Queenstown – Milford Sound – QueenstownEn route to Milford Sound, enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. Youll 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 Zealands Southern Alps. Day 14: QueenstownToday Queenstown offers up several options to enhance your tour. Shop or people-watch in the village; enjoy an optional and exhilarating jet boat ride on the Shotover River; or join the optional “Journey through Middle Earth” 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. Day 15: Queenstown – Tour EndsYour tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful adventure. |
