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 Grand Australia & New Zealand
Explore the lands down under from the desert Outback, colorful coral reefs, tropical rainforests and cosmopolitan cities of Australia to the stunning islands, dramatic fiords, and indigenous Maori culture of New Zealand on this comprehensive 20-day journey. Explore desert Outback, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, glacier-capped mountains, dramatic fjords, and some of the worlds most popular cosmopolitan cities on our in-depth exploration of Australia and New Zealand... Keep your camera at the ready to capture the amazing sights of the Great Barrier Reef, the dramatic waters of Milford Sound, and the setting sun on Uluru (Ayers Rock). From a Foodie Tour of Sydney to a green-lipped mussel cruise, jet boat, sky tram and helicopter rides, a day in the Outback and a special Maori cultural experience, this comprehensive trip down under - enhanced by exclusive charter flights in Australia and New Zealand - creates memories of a lifetime. Explore desert Outback, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, glacier-capped mountains, dramatic fjords, and some of the worlds most popular cosmopolitan cities on our in-depth exploration of Australia and New Zealand... Keep your camera at the ready to capture the amazing sights of the Great Barrier Reef, the dramatic waters of Milford Sound, and the setting sun on Uluru (Ayers Rock). From a Foodie Tour of Sydney to a green-lipped mussel cruise, jet boat, sky tram and helicopter rides, a day in the Outback and a special Maori cultural experience, this comprehensive trip down under - enhanced by exclusive charter flights in Australia and New Zealand - creates memories of a lifetime. Traveling Well Includes: TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - Tour and 3-course Dinner with the Warbirds at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre featuring World War I and II aircraft, owned by Sir Peter Jackson Private charter flights make the most of your travel time in the lands down under, speeding you from city to city in Australia and from one natural wonder to the next in New Zealand (6 flights in total) - Note: The total price does not include the Sydney - Wellington trans-Tasman flight on Day 10, which must be purchased with your international air ticket). In Queenstown, take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River rapids at Skippers Canyon followed by helicopter sightseeing Farewell cocktail reception and dinner at The Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Full-day eco-cruise to the Agincourt Reef - swim and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef Visit World Heritage Rainforest with Skyrail |
| Call (530) 896-1668 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18851971 | | Tauck Tours | | Offer valid through 12/31/2024 | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Melbourne | Arrive Melbourne
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, The Langham Melbourne or Park Hyatt Melbourne. A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to The Langham Melbourne or Park Hyatt Melbourne. Your journey begins with a welcome cocktail reception followed by dinner at the hotel.
Lodging:
Meals: D | | Day 2 | Melbourne | Discover Melbourne's Charm
You'll see a lot of Melbourne on a sightseeing tour of the city, including a guided walking tour to discover the real city (and its amazing coffee) along its distinctive laneways. The rest of the day and evening are yours to spend as you please in Melbourne; enjoy lunch and dinner as you please.
Lodging:
Meals: B | | Day 3 | Uluru | Fly to Uluru & the Outback
Take a morning private charter flight to the heart of Australia's desert Outback, arriving at Ayers Rock (Uluru) for lunch and an overnight stay at Sails in the Desert in the country's Red Centre. In the evening, the light of the setting sun bathes the mystical rock with a palette of ever-changing color... and you'll enjoy the natural show with canapes and champagne overlooking the monolith.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L | | Day 4 | Queensland | Uluru to a Skyrail & More in Queensland
Aboriginal traditions define life in the Outback, especially at Uluru (Ayers Rock); learn about the dreamtime legends associated with this massive monolith on a guided tour this morning. Fly via private charter to Cairns in Queensland, gateway to the amazing Great Barrier Reef. Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, taking you over and through the rainforest canopy; disembark in the mountain village of Kuranda. Continue on to Silky Oaks Lodge, your luxury eco lodge on the Mossman River adjacent to Daintree National Park, to begin a three-night rainforest resort stay.
Lodging:
Meals: B, D | | Day 5 | Great Barrier Reef | Choices at the Great Barrier Reef
Spend a full day exploring one of Earth's most incredible living sites, the Great Barrier Reef - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only living structure on Earth visible from the moon. Activity choices include a catamaran cruise to the Agincourt Reef; an adventure boat trip for scuba divers and snorkelers; a helicopter ride over the reefs; or, if you prefer, a relaxing spa day at the lodge. Enjoy a leisurely dinner and evening at your resort.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L, D | | Day 6 | Mossman | Optional Balloon Ride / Day at Leisure
Early risers may choose to soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional hot air balloon ride* at dawn (an additional charge per person; see pricing details). The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish at your rainforest resort and spa, or explore the area as you please. Enjoy dinner tonight at the lodge.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L, D | | Day 7 | Sydney | Crocodiles & On to Sydney
It's all about crocodiles at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures; have a meet and greet with a crocodile and blue tongue lizard and snake... plus visit a private enclosure where you might come across Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Agile Wallabies, Pademelons, Koalas, Wombats and more. You'll also have an opportunity to attend a tour and feeding presentation as well as take an exclusive boat cruise on the lagoon. After lunch, fly to Sydney via private charter for a three-night stay in the city's heart at InterContinental Sydney, in guest rooms overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L, D | | Day 8 | Sydney | Sydney Opera House, a Sydney Harbour cruise, and sightseeing
Begin the day with a visit to one of Australia's most famous iconic sights, the amazing Sydney Opera House, and a private tour. Next, a private cruise on Sydney Harbour - complete with morning tea - is a fabulous way to introduce yourself to this extraordinary city, taking a good look at some of its landmark sites from the water. Sydney sightseeing continues as you view highlights on a city tour, then spend the rest of the day exploring as you please. Dinner this evening will be a dine-around from your choice of several select local restaurants.
Lodging:
Meals: B, D | | Day 9 | Sydney | Walking tour of The Rocks & the time spent as you please
Historic and legendary, discover Sydney's popular neighborhood of The Rocks this morning - a story beginning with the arrival of the Britain's First Fleet in 1788 and continuing to the present day. Afterwards, return to your hotel; the remainder of the day and evening are yours to spend as you wish in remarkable Sydney.
Lodging:
Meals: B | | Day 10 | Wellington | Fly to Wellington
Bid Australia a fond farewell this morning and board a flight across the Tasman Sea, bound for New Zealand (Note: The total price does not include the Sydney - Wellington trans-Tasman flight on Day 10, which must be purchased with your international air ticket). First stop is Wellington, New Zealand's intimate waterfront capital with an impressive artistic and cultural edge. Accommodations for the next two nights are Club Rooms at InterContinental Wellington; enjoy a 3-course dinner at the hotel this evening.
Lodging:
Meals: B, D | | Day 11 | Wellington | Wellington Wonders
Discover Wellington on a tour that begins city center with a cable car ride up to the city's Botanic Garden to see the award-winning rose garden and great views of the city, harbour, and Parliament Buildings. Next up is Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand's national museum, where you'll have a guided orientation to its five floors focusing on the country's exceptional nature, art, history, the Pacific and Maori culture. Touring its exhibits is like actually experiencing thousands of years of New Zealand's history in person, as motion simulators and interactive exhibits include you in the journey. The remainder of the day is free to explore Wellington as you please.
Lodging:InterContinental Wellington
Meals: B | | Day 12 | Blenheim | Blenheim & Marlborough Sounds
Tauck puts a charter plane at your service today for a flight to Blenheim on New Zealand's South Island, and a two-night stay in the heart of the Marlborough wine country. Upon arrival, head off on a visit to the Marlborough Sounds. Besides producing great wine, this region is one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas in the country, and boasts delectable freshly caught seafood, including green-lipped mussels; sample them, along with local wines, on a luncheon cruise that celebrates New Zealand's bounty. Following your cruise, drive to Chateau Marlborough in Blenheim where you'll enjoy dinner at your leisure this evening.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L, D | | Day 13 | Blenheim | Blenheim's Bounty & a Warbird Dinner
A memorable day in the Blenheim area begins with a visit to a working private farm for a sheep shearing demonstration and sheep dog experience; morning tea at the homestead with the farmer and his family; and a walk through their extensive gardens. Continue on to Brancott Winery for a wine tasting and three-course lunch with matching wines at the Brancott Heritage Centre, then return to the hotel for some free time. Join us this evening for a Tauck Exclusive event: a visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - which displays an incredible collection of World War I and II aircraft and memorabilia owned by film director Sir Peter Jackson - for Dinner with the Warbirds, featuring a tour of the museum's Knights of the Sky and Dangerous Skies exhibitions, and a three-course dinner showcasing seasonal Marlborough produce and a selection of quality Marlborough wines.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L, D | | Day 14 | Te Anau | Fly to Te Anau
Today, depart Blenheim and fly off aboard Tauck's charter to Manapouri (Te Anau) in the magnificent Fiordlands region, for two nights at an ideally located hotel. Enjoy lunch at your hotel, then join us at Fiordland Cinema for the Fiordland World Heritage Status wilderness presentation. Mysterious, evocative, exhilarating and utterly spectacular, filmed mostly from a helicopter across extremes of season, climate and terrain, it will take you on an unforgettable journey through one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth. Enjoy some wine and cheese before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L | | Day 15 | Te Anau | Fiordland National Park & Milford Sound
Take a dramatic drive through the unparalleled scenery of New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, then set off aboard a private boat (with a naturalist onboard) for a scenic nature luncheon cruise among the sheer cliffs and glacier-hewn inlets of beautiful Milford Sound. Return to Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas late afternoon; enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L, D | | Day 16 | Queenstown | To Queenstown and lunch at a winery
This morning, travel to the beautiful town of Queenstown, situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with the Southern Alps as a backdrop. Have lunch at the Kinross Winery, located in Gibbston Valley at the old Kinross Stateion. You'll hear the stories of the people behind the wines, learn about terroir and winemaker expression of the different Central Otago subregions, as well as being introduced to some outstanding wine. Your accommodations at the Sofitel Queenstown exude French-inspired sophistication in the heart of the city. Even if you're not all that adventurous, today's thrilling high-speed jet boat ride* through the rapids and narrow gorges of Skippers Canyon on the Shotover River - followed by a helicopter ride* - will be memorable highlights. Head back down the mountain via Skyline gondola to spend the rest of the day and evening as you wish in Queenstown.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L | | Day 17 | Queenstown | Adventures by jet boat & helicopter in Queenstown
Even if you're not all that adventurous, today's thrilling high-speed jet boat ride* through the rapids and narrow gorges of Skippers Canyon on the Shotover River - followed by a helicopter ride* - will be memorable highlights. Head back down the mountain via Skyline gondola to spend the rest of the day and evening as you wish in Queenstown.
Lodging:
Meals: B | | Day 18 | Auckland | Charter flight to Auckland & Maori culture
Travel via Tauck's private charter flight from Queenstown to Auckland today for a three-night stay, arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Auckland Museum featuring a Maori cultural presentation. Following dinner at your hotel, your evening is free.
Lodging:
Meals: L, D | | Day 19 | Auckland | Whisky tasting & lunch on Waiheke Island
Depart from Auckland's Ferry Terminal and head to nearby Waiheke Island, a mecca of farmland, forest and beaches - and vineyards; enjoy some sightseeing and a unique whisky tasting at The Heke. Ferry back to Auckland where you'll spend the afternoon as you please exploring what interests you most in Auckland, then join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at your hotel in the heart of the city.
Lodging:
Meals: B, L, D | | Day 20 | Auckland | Journey Home
Tour ends: Auckland. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Sofitel Auckland at Viaduct Harbour to Auckland Airport. You should allow three hours for check-in at the airport.
Lodging:
Meals: B |
| | * All prices are per person in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy.
Itinerary Changes - Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice. |
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