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Australia

23 Day Southern Explorer

Day 1 Mon. Los Angeles - This evening board your flight bound for Australia. Dx1

Day 2 Tue. In Flight - Cross the international dateline and lose a day.

Day 3 Wed. Sydney - Your Tour Director will meet you in Sydney on arrival of one of our selected flights. After an early check-in at your hotel, relax or step out to explore. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at our Welcome Dinner.
Three Night Stay: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel Bx1 Dx1

Day 4 Thur. City Sights Tour, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Opera House Tour - Join a comprehensive Sydney sightseeing tour including a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. See Kings Cross, the historic Rocks area and famous Bondi Beach before you have the unique opportunity to take a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Bx1 Lx1

Day 5 Fri. At Leisure in Sydney - Relax and enjoy Sydney at your own pace today. Perhaps join an optional sightseeing tour of the Hunter Valley, internationally known for its wines, or visit the stunning Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters rock formation (own expense). Or head to Oxford Street or Pitt Street Mall to discover the city’s fabulous shopping precincts. Bx1

Day 6 Sat. Sydney, Cairns, Tjapukai Aboriginal Dinner and Show - Today fly to Cairns, the gateway to Tropical North Queensland. Enjoy a tour of the city before you have the unique opportunity to experience the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Dinner and Show.
Three Night Stay: Cairns, Shangri-La The Marina Bx1 Dx1

Day 7 Sun. Great Barrier Reef Cruise - After breakfast, take a guided cruise out to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, specifically Moore Reef. View the colorful coral and diverse range of marine life through the glass bottom of your boat. Perhaps go for a snorkel or a swim, then visit the underwater observatory before enjoying a tropical lunch. Bx1 Lx1

Day 8 Mon. Skyrail, Kuranda, Wildlife, Cairns - Today ride the Skyrail Cableway over lush World Heritage-listed rain forest to Kuranda. Visit a wildlife park and perhaps have your photograph taken with a koala (own expense). Later, take in the spectacular scenery as you travel aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway back down the mountain range to Cairns. Bx1

Day 9 Tue. Cairns, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Sounds of Silence Dinner - This morning you’ll join a flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Visit Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and walk to Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Tonight at the Sounds of Silence Dinner, dine under the stars then hear an astronomer talk about the Outback night sky.
Stay: Ayers Rock Resort, Sails in the Desert Bx1 Dx1

Day 10 Wed. Uluru Base Tour, Alice Springs - Tour Uluru’s base, viewing ancient caves and Aboriginal rock art. Walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear of ancient Aboriginal legends. At Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery, see Aboriginal artists at work and perhaps purchase artworks. Pass vast cattle ranches en route to Alice Springs.
Stay: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Bx1

Day 11 Thur. Royal Flying Doctor Service, Anzac Hill - Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Anzac Hill this morning. Then board your flight to Adelaide and visit the National Wine Centre for cheese and wine tasting. Learn about the Barossa wine region and Australian wine industry.
Two Night Stay: Adelaide, The Sebel Playford Bx1 Dx1

Day 12 Fri. Adelaide - Enjoy a day at leisure to discover Adelaide for yourself. You may wish to join an optional tour to either Kangaroo Island or the Barossa Valley (both own expense). Bx1

Day 13 Sat. Melbourne Tour, Colonial Tramcar Restaurant - Fly to Melbourne. Tour the city, visiting Queen Victoria Market and the Fitzroy Gardens. Enjoy dinner aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant tonight, winding through the streets of Melbourne.
Two Night Stay: Melbourne, Hotel Sofitel Bx1 Dx1

Day 14 Sun. At Leisure in Melbourne - A free day to enjoy the delights of Melbourne. Perhaps stroll down to Southbank on the Yarra River; journey to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade; or join a tour along the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles (all activities own expense). Bx1

Day 15 Mon. New Zealand, Christchurch City Sights Tour - Departing Australia today, you’ll fly to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. On arrival enjoy free time to relax or explore as you wish.
Two Night Stay: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel Bx1 Dx1

Day 16 Tue. Christchurch - Take a tour of the charming Garden City of Christchurch before a free afternoon to explore as you please. Bx1

Day 17 Wed. TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef - Board the award-winning TranzAlpine train for a journey through the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Enter the World Heritage-listed area of South West New Zealand, home to a number of glacial formations, including the mighty Franz Josef Glacier.
Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel Bx1 Dx1

Day 18 Thur. Queenstown - Today enjoy the uniquely New Zealand landscape as you travel over Haast Pass and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea on the way to Queenstown.
Three Night Stay: Queenstown, Crowne Plaza Bx1

Day 19 Fri. Milford Sound Cruise - Travel to Fiordland National Park for an unforgettable cruise over spectacular Milford Sound, passing towering Mitre Peak and cascading waterfalls. Bx1 Lx1

Day 20 Sat. At Leisure in Queenstown - Enjoy today free to explore Queenstown at your own pace, being as active or relaxed as you like. Bx1

Day 21 Sun. Rotorua - Fly to Rotorua. Tour Te Puia Thermal Reserve and see boiling mud pools and exploding geysers. Tonight enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance.
Stay: Millennium Rotorua Bx1 Dx1

Day 22 Mon. Waitomo Caves, Auckland - Visit Rotorua’s Agrodome then glide by boat underneath the lights of glow worms at Waitomo caves. Continue to Auckland for a Farewell Dinner.
Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Bx1 Dx1

Day 23 Tue. Auckland, Los Angeles - Board your flight to Los Angeles. Bx1 Dx1

Dates: 2009 - Sept. 21, Oct. 5,19, Nov. 9,16, Dec. 7
2010 - Jan. 11, Feb. 8,22, March 1,15

Cost, per person double occupancy in US$:

*Land fare includes all Australian domestic flights and is based on Qantas as the international carrier. Fare will differ if other airlines are used.

**Lan with air includes all flightsfrom/to Los Angeles

#International seasonal air supplements: add $100 for Feb.-April, July, Sept.-Dec. 1, 2009, Feb.-April 2010. Add $550 for Dec. 22, 2009-Jan. 2010

Fuel surcharges are included and are subject to change. Departure and air taxes are not included and will be confirmed at time of final payment

Sightseeing Highlights

Tour Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne
Take a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour and tour the iconic Sydney Opera House
Enjoy the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Dinner and Show in Cairns
Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway
Walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge
Tour the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock)
The unique Sounds of Silence Dinner, Uluru
Optional overnight journey on The Ghan train
Tour Australia’s National Wine Centre
Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, Melbourne
Cross New Zealand’s Southern Alps on the award-winning TranzAlpine Train
Take a city sights tour of Christchurch
Discover Rotorua’s geothermal attractions
View the imposing Franz Josef Glacier
Cruise the full length of Milford Sound
Enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance in Rotorua
Take a guided tour of the Waitomo caves

22 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D)