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Grand Tour of Australia & New Zealand
Tour Description:
EXPERIENCE AUSTRALIA'S HIGHLIGHTS AND TRAVEL ABOARD THE CONTINENT'S FAMOUS TRAINS, INCLUDING THE GHAN, BEFORE HEADING TO NEW ZEALAND TO DISCOVER THE BEST OF THE COUNTRY’S NORTH & SOUTH ISLANDS ON THIS COMPREHENSIVE TOUR
This fantastic rail adventure takes in many of Australia's natural wonders, including the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Blue Mountains. A wonderful train journey on the legendary Ghan from Alice Springs to Adelaide is a real highlight, and time in Melbourne and Sydney to explore is included in this tour of a lifetime. Then, journey to New Zealand and experience enthralling scenery and breathtaking views at every turn in the 'Youngest Country on Earth'. Discover steaming geysers, picturesque mountains, bottomless fjords and lush forests on this tour showcasing the beauty of Australia and New Zealand.
Highlights:
* Rail travel onboard The Ghan in two-berth sleeper cabins (1 night on train)
* 6 scenic rail journeys: Kuranda Scenic Railroad, Katoomba Scenic Railroad, Glenbrook Vintage Railroad, Northern Explorer, the Coastal Pacific and the TranzAlpine
* Hotel accommodations for 37 nights
* 28 meals, including 15 breakfasts, 6 lunch and 7 dinners
* All drinks including beers, wines and spirits during your time on The Ghan
* Excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
* The Great Ocean Road and the Blue Mountains
* Excursion to Uluru, including dinner under the stars
* 'Sunrise and Olga' tour
* Visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air
* Explore the vineyards of the Barossa Valley
* Guided tours of Adelaide, Melbourne and Puffing Billy
* Visit Philip Island
* Cruises on Sydney Harbour & Milford Sound
* Visit the Waitangi Treaty House and Bay of Islands cruise
* Guided tour of Auckland
* Visits to Rotorua, Lady Knox Geyser and the Antarctic Center
* Visits to the Moeraki Boulders, a lake cruise and glow worm cave experience
* Guided tours of Queenstown and Wellington
* Intra-tour flight between Sydney and Auckland, and corresponding transfers
* Ferry transportation on Interislander
* Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
* Services of a professional tour escort and knowledgeable local guides for touring
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Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDays 1 & 2 - Cairns
Meet your group and Tour Manager at the Pullman International Cairns Hotel. Day 2 is spent at leisure.
Day 3 - Kuranda Scenic Railway
Today we travel on the wonderful 125-year old Kuranda Scenic Railway. Our journey takes us into the rainforest and above the Barron River Gorge to Kuranda. On arrival, we take a trip on a World War II amphibious military transport unit, or 'Army Duck', through World Heritage Rainforest, with the Duck Captain pointing out the different flora, fauna, birds, and reptiles which we pass on our journey.
After enjoying lunch, we experience Aboriginal 'corroboree' with songs and dance, following the path of the Dreamtime Walk through traditional legend.
Days 4 & 5 - Great Barrier Reef
A real highlight of our tour is today's Quicksilver Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system which is home to thousands of species and stretches over 1,800 miles. A large covered pontoon is our base for the day, where we enjoy lunch and explore the reef. Snorkeling is the best way to view the exquisite coral and vibrant fish close up, but our base also has a semi-submersible vessel to take non-swimmers for a cruise along the reef wall. The underwater observatory is a superb window into this extraordinary world! On Day 5 you are at leisure.
Day 6 - To Uluru
We leave Cairns today and fly to the desert to Uluru. Uluru, the world's largest monolith, rises majestically more than 1,142 feet out of the flat desert floor. We begin at the Aboriginal Cultural Center with a guided tour around this sacred site, which holds great spiritual significance to local Anangu people.
Later, as the sun sets, we watch this giant rock change color and enjoy a magical dinner under the stars. The incredible 'Sounds of Silence' experience includes canapés and sparkling wine as the sun sets over Uluru, followed by a three-course dinner with a bush-inspired menu including kangaroo, crocodile, barramundi, and quandong.
After dinner, a 'star talker' will decode the southern night sky and point out signs of the zodiac and the planets and galaxies visible due to the clarity of the atmosphere. We spend two nights at the Desert Gardens Hotel in the Ayers Rock Resort.
Day 7 - Sunrise and Olgas
This morning we enjoy a 'Sunrise & Olgas' tour. This circular group of 36 red rocky domes cover a large area and are as mystical as Uluru. Your afternoon is free to spend at leisure at the resort, an ideal opportunity to relax by the pool.
Days 8 & 9 - Alice Springs & The Ghan
Today we enjoy a free morning before traveling by coach to Alice Springs, for a night at either the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel or Crowne Plaza Lasseters Hotel. On Day 9 we visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air. We then join The Ghan for our epic rail journey traveling from Alice Springs to Adelaide.
The Ghan has long been a tradition for train travel between Alice Springs and Adelaide and is often referred to as the ultimate journey through the heart of this mighty continent, taking passengers on what is undoubtedly one of the world's greatest rail journeys. Named after the Afghan drivers of the camel 'trains', The Ghan is a mode of transport, a sightseeing trip, and a hotel all in one.
We travel in Gold Service, with all of our meals included during the journey, which are served in the Restaurant Car. The meals are freshly prepared by the on-board chefs and menus feature a selection of Australian and international cuisine. Gold Service passengers also have access to the onboard Gold Lounge. All drinks for Gold Service passengers, including beers, wines, and spirits, are included during your time on The Ghan.
Days 10-13 - Adelaide, Barossa Valley and The Overland
Once in Adelaide, we enjoy a city tour, seeing the Government House and Parliament Building. On Day 11, we explore the vineyards of the Barossa Valley on a full-day tour, enjoying wine tastings on route. On Day 12 you are free to explore at leisure or take an optional excursion (payable locally) to Kangaroo Island. On Day 13 we leave Adelaide and journey to Melbourne, Australia's 'Garden State', onboard The Overland. We check into Melbourne's Crown Promenade Hotel for a four-night stay.
Days 14-16 - Melbourne & Phillip Island
Our city tour today includes the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Parliament House. In the afternoon we join the Puffing Billy steam train for a journey through the rainforest and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges.
On Day 15 we travel along one of the world's most scenic roads, the Great Ocean Road, to the Twelve Apostles, Bells Beach, and the Otway Rainforest.
On Day 16 you are free until mid-afternoon when we head by coach to Phillip Island, named after Governor Arthur Phillip, which forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port Bay. Here we visit the Koala Conservation Center. At sunset, overlooking the beach from the viewing platforms, you will encounter a wonderful spectacle of the wild fairy penguins emerging from the sea and crossing the sand to their burrows in the dunes (numbers vary depending on the season).
Days 17-20 - To Sydney & The Blue Mountains
We make our way to Sydney today. On Day 18 we enjoy a cruise around Sydney Harbor, seeing some of the most famous sights of Sydney, such as the iconic Opera House and the beautiful Harbor Bridge, from our boat. The rest of the day is at leisure to continue exploring Sydney at your own pace.
On Day 19 we take the train into the Blue Mountains, enjoying a journey on the world's steepest incline railroad, the Katoomba Scenic Railroad. We also visit the iconic Three Sisters Rock Formation in Echo Point. Day 20 is free in Sydney.
Day 21 – To Auckland
A transfer has been arranged from your Sydney hotel to the airport to board your flight to Auckland. Upon arrival in New Zealand, you are transferred to the Grand Millennium Hotel where you meet your group and Tour Manager and enjoy the rest of the day to settle in at leisure. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together.
Day 22 - Waitangi Treaty House
Today we travel northwards through scenic farmland to Paihia, located in the truly magnificent Bay of Islands. Here we visit the Waitangi Treaty House, where in 1840 Maori and British people reached a historic agreement that effectively marked the birth of New Zealand.
Day 23 – Bay of Islands
After a leisurely morning, we enjoy a cruise around the bay, passing golden beaches. Later we continue up to the rugged Cape Brett and make a stop on Russell Island. Known in the 1800s ominously as the 'Hell Hole of the Pacific’, it was a bustling base for whalers and seamen.
Day 24 - Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’
This morning we drive south back to Auckland, the country's largest city, known as the 'City of Sails' for the number of yachts that take to the waters around it. The city dates to around 1350, when it was inhabited by the Maori people, but little recorded history survives before January 1832 when Joseph Brooks Weller bought the area that is now Auckland. Auckland is also the largest city in New Zealand, being home to around 30% of the population of the whole country. We explore Auckland on a sightseeing tour, taking in the Hauraki Gulf and the volcanic islands that are characteristic of this beautiful area. We then visit the iconic Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Day 25 – Rotorua
This morning we take a trip on the Glenbrook Vintage Railroad, which opened in 1922 and ran for 45 years before closing in 1967. Today, the line is operated by steam enthusiasts and caters to around 30,000 tourists every season. We then travel across the Bombay Hills, through Waikato Valley to Rotorua, the Maoris spiritual home. We visit the Rotorua Museum, which gives an insight into the region's history and culture. We spend two nights in Rotorua at the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua.
Day 26 - Wai-O-Tapu
We visit Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters) to see the Lady Knox Geyser volcano. Here we marvel at the rainbow-colored pools and former mud volcano, where you can hear the unique sound of erupting, boiling mud.
Day 27-28 - Northern Explorer to Wellington
Transferring to Hamilton, we take the Northern Explorer train for a journey through King Country. We view the spectacular scenery from panoramic windows including the peaks of Tongariro National Park, Mount Ruapehu, and stunning river gorges. On Day 28 we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington. We drive along beautiful Oriental Bay to Mount Victoria for stunning views and see the Parliament Buildings.
Day 29 - To the South Island by ferry
Today we take the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island. On arrival in Picton we board the TranzCoastal train for a scenic journey to Christchurch via Blenheim, the Marlborough wine region and down the Pacific Coast through Kaikoura.
Days 30-31 - Dunedin and the Taieri Gorge
We cross Canterbury Plains through Timaru and Oamaru, stopping at Moeraki to see the mysterious spherical boulders scattered on the beach. We check-in at the Scenic Hotel for two nights. On Day 31 your morning is free to explore Dunedin. In the afternoon we follow the trail of 19th-century gold miners to the gold fields of Central Otago on the Taieri Gorge Railroad in carriages dating back to the 1920s.
Day 32 – Te Anau
Today we travel to Te Anau, nestled by the serene waters of Lake Te Anau, the second longest lake in New Zealand. We cruise across the lake for a guided tour of the Te Anau Caves, with their subterranean limestone caverns and magical glow worm grotto.
Day 33 - Milford Sound
We travel into the Fiordland National Park for a cruise on stunning Milford Sound. Lush rainforests cling precariously to the fiord's cliffs and the cruise takes us past magnificent waterfalls and out to the Tasman Sea. We enjoy a buffet lunch on board the ship.
Day 34 – To Queenstown
This morning we travel to Queenstown, a popular destination loved by outdoor enthusiasts thanks to the magnificent surrounding scenery. Here we enjoy a ride on the Skyline Gondola, which offers a wonderful panorama.
Days 35-36 - Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu
Today we enjoy a sightseeing tour, driving across Shotover River to historic Arrowtown, the site of a major gold rush in the 1860s and a 'Lord of the Rings' film location. We continue to Gibbston Valley Winery for a tour of the cellars and wine tasting. Day 36 is at leisure, relaxing in Queenstown overlooked by Lake Wakatipu.
Day 37 - Franz Josef Glacier
Traveling past Lake Wanaka, we descend to the Haast River. Continuing through the native rainforest by coach, we pass Fox Glacier before reaching the Franz Josef Glacier. An overnight stay and dinner at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier or Quality Hotel Elms allows us to view the glacier or to take an optional helicopter flight to the snowfield (payable locally).
Day 38 - The TranzAlpine
We visit Hokitika, the center for New Zealand jade, before boarding the TranzAlpine train for Christchurch at the township of Arthur's Pass. On our last night we stay at the Sudima Hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Day 39 - The Journey Home
On our final day in New Zealand we visit the International Antarctic Center, before transferring to the airport where you are free to catch your flight home.
