The Complete South Pacific
| Resort: | The Complete South Pacific |
| Operator: | |
| Destination: | Australia, Australia & The Pacific, New Zealand |
| Price From: | £5964.00 |
OverviewMeet a koala, enjoy a bush dinner in the Outback, cruise the pristine waters of Milford Sound do it all on The Complete South Pacific, an unforgettable 27-day journey through Australia and New Zealand. Toast Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset with champagne. Spend two nights on the Australian island state of Tasmania and visit the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Center. Visit the Phillip Island nature preserve to learn about the worlds largest colony of Little Penguins. Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for an unforgettable ride over the rainforest canopy. Explore the waters of Kakadu National Park, home of the fearsome saltwater crocodile. Take in the sights during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Discover the colorful world of the Great Barrier Reef. Marvel at New Zealands majestic fjord, Milford Sound. Spend two nights in Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland. Enjoy a home stay and dinner with a New Zealand family. Throughout your adventure explore Aboriginal and Maori traditions. ItineraryDay 1: Depart from HomeCross the International Dateline and begin the adventure of a lifetime by skipping a day ahead. Day 2: Depart from HomeCross the International Dateline and begin the adventure of a lifetime by skipping 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 ReefToday, board a catamaran and sail to the Low Isles to explore the fascinating underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Choose how you want to spend your day in paradise by making your time on the reef as educational or as laid back as you like. Perhaps you will relax and independently explore the pristine shores of this tiny sand island located on the outer reef. Or maybe you are a bit more adventurous and will go snorkeling, revealing a wealth of vibrant sea life. You also have the opportunity to meet with a marine biologist during an informative presentation. Or you may also opt to join an expert for a beach and heritage trail walk along the island. Day 5: CairnsThis morning, board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for an unforgettable ride over the rainforest canopy. Embrace the opportunity to explore the forest floor up close with access to specially designed boardwalks. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy your tropical surroundings. Day 6: Cairns – Uluru (Ayers Rock)Fly to Uluru (the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock) in the heart of the Australian Outback. Tour the sandstone domes known as Kata Tjuta and the beautiful area surrounding the base of The Rock. Later, witness a stunning sunset over a glass of champagne as the Rocks hues change dramatically with the setting sun. Day 7: Uluru – Alice SpringsA short flight over the Red Centre brings you to Alice Springs. Learn how people once communicated in the remote Outback during a sightseeing tour that includes a stop at the Old Telegraph Station, dating back to the 1800s. Visit the School of the Air to find out more about the educational system of the Outback. Theres a chance of witnessing a class in session! Become locally invested as you have the opportunity to meet the young Aboriginal group, Drum Atweme. Supported by the Collette Foundation,* Drum Atweme is a musical group comprised of at-risk youth from the local community. Tonight, continue your cultural immersion with a memorable bush dinner set against the backdrop of this unique desert environment. Day 8: Alice Springs – Darwin – Kakadu National ParkAccess the history and culture of the Aboriginal people during a “Dreamtime Tour where your specialist guide shares stories of creation and everyday Aboriginal life. Youll even taste native cuisine. Later, board your flight to the city of Darwin on the northern edge of Australia and drive into the heart of Kakadu National Park. Day 9: Kakadu National ParkToday, enjoy the natural beauty of the Top End. Kakadu National Park is home to wallaroos and wallabies, monitors and lizards, crocodiles and birds of every imaginable variety. Witness artwork dating back thousands of years as you view Nourlangie Rock. During an afternoon cruise, be on the lookout for crocodiles as they bask in the sun, as well as waterfowl such as jabiru, egrets, herons and eagles. Day 10: Kakadu National Park – Darwin – MelbourneTransfer to Darwin for your flight to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Day 11: MelbourneEnjoy a city tour featuring Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and bustling Victoria Markets. Take some time at leisure to explore Melbourne independently. Later, see koalas in their natural setting during a stop at a koala conservation center before arriving at Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home of the worlds largest colony of Little Penguins. Protected and studied by rangers, hundreds of them waddle out of the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. At the interpretation center, you have a chance to learn about the lives of the Little Penguins and their significance to the region. Day 12: Melbourne – HobartA flight to Hobart, Tasmania brings you to Australia’s second oldest city. The rugged and pristine beauty of Tasmania provides the backdrop to your 2-night stay. Day 13: HobartThis morning brace yourself as you meet the Tasmanian Devil at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Center! Learn about this unique marsupial, its fight for survival, and the efforts in place to save it from extinction. Later, take a guided tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site, the best-preserved example of Australias original penal colonies and home to stabilized ruins and restored buildings dating back to 1833. En route, witness the spectacular coastal rock formations known as Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen and the Blow Hole. Day 14: Hobart – SydneyReturn to mainland Australia today and arrive in the bustling city of Sydney. Enjoy a tour of Sydney, birthplace of modern-day Australia. Highlights include Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Marvel at one of the worlds most fascinating architectural wonders during a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Later, make a stop at Sydneys world-famous Bondi Beach, where surfers, locals and visitors alike delight in the cool waves and golden sands of this urban oasis. This evenings dinner choice is yours as you choose from a variety of local restaurants along bustling Darling Harbour. Day 15: SydneyEnjoy a day of leisure as you discover the wonders of Sydney by using your free time to pursue your own interests. Stroll through the city streets, visit the historic Rocks area or simply relax. Day 16: SydneyEnjoy your morning at leisure before setting out to learn firsthand about opals during a special presentation at the National Opal Collection. 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 17: Sydney – Queenstown, New ZealandLeave Australia behind and fly to one of the worlds best-kept secrets New Zealand! Arrive in gorgeous Queenstown. Day 18: Queenstown – Milford Sound – QueenstownEn route to Milford Sound, enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. Youll travel through beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. During a cruise of the breathtakingly beautiful Milford Sound, youll 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 19: QueenstownQueenstown offers limitless diversions set amidst breathtaking Alpine scenery. Shop in the charming village center or enjoy an optional and exhilarating jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Or, perhaps you will 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 20: Queenstown – Arrowtown – Mt. Cook National ParkBegin your day with a visit to the beautiful turn-of-the-century gold rush settlement of Arrowtown. Next, follow the Kawarau River and cross Lindis Pass before arriving in New Zealands most famous national park, Mt. Cook. There will be time to enjoy the Alpine paradise of Mt. Cook a larger-than-life experience. You may choose to take a nature walk, enjoy an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting) or simply meditate on the beauty of the Southern Alps. Day 21: Mt. Cook – ChristchurchThis morning, travel to the historic city of Christchurch. Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the city known as the Garden City is recreating itself. Enjoy some free time to explore. Perhaps youll stroll the citys magnificent gardens or learn its more recent history at the Quake City exhibition at the Re:Start Mall. Day 22: Christchurch – Picton – WellingtonOn your journey to Picton, admire the coastal views, scenic river valleys and vineyards. From there, sail across Cook Strait to experience what has been called the most beautiful ferry ride in the world. Your final destination is Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Day 23: WellingtonDuring your panoramic sightseeing tour of Wellington, view the Beehive, New Zealands Parliament; historic St. Pauls Church; and the Old Government Building the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Following the tour, visit the National Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongawera, a fascinating center dedicated to art, history and the Maori culture. Day 24: Wellington – RotoruaDepart for the dramatic geothermal landscape of Rotorua. With over one-third of its population boasting Maori roots, this city is known as the Maori capital of New Zealand. Make yourself right at home this evening when a New Zealand family welcomes you into their home for the night!** This is sure to be an unforgettable experience as you make new friends, learn about the customs of the Kiwis, and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Day 25: RotoruaThis morning, visit Te Puia New Zealand’s premier Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Witness how the Maori keep their culture alive by teaching the tribal youth traditional carving and weaving. Enjoy the chance to view the Kiwi bird and learn what is being done in an effort to remove this marvelous creature from the endangered species list. Next, meet the skilled carvers who work with pounamu, New Zealand greenstone, at a local jade factory. Then, visit the Agrodome where you will see a sheep shearing demonstration and learn about the importance of agriculture to the nation. Day 26: Rotorua – AucklandTravel through the majestic countryside of the North Island, arriving in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, “The City of Sails.” A panoramic city tour features the Americas Cup Village, the War Memorial, vibrant Queen Street, the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and spectacular views from the harbourside. Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner where you will toast the end of a wonderful trip! Day 27: Auckland – Tour EndsYour tour ends in Auckland. |
