South Pacific Wonders
This vacation offers the essential sights and unique culture of the land "Down Under," Australia, and the spectacular natural beauty of New Zealand's South Island all at an enjoyable pace. Your trip includes the lovely Victorian city of Melbourne with its trend-setting shops; and a side trip to Phillip Island for the legendary Little Penguin Parade, where these lovable flightless birds make their daily walk from the sea to their burrows in the dunes. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef provide fascinating introductions to the Aboriginal lifestyle and a world of colorful sea life unique to the area. Learn to throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. From your base on Green Island, there are many ways to enjoy the reef - you can scuba, snorkel or enjoy a glass bottom boat ride. Sydney will delight you with its friendly manner and sites like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge for which Australia is famous. New Zealand…land of breathtaking terrain and stunning natural beauty offers much to see and do. Check out the strong historical and architectural reminders of a colonial past in the cities of Queenstown and Christchurch. Visit Mt. Cook, New Zealand's most famous national park. Highlights are many, including a tour of the countryside from the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley, a cruise on picture-perfect Milford Sound, and a gondola ride to dinner overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. Dine with a "Kiwi" family and take with you a wonderful memory of New Zealand…a place like no other.
Details
- Tour Operator
- Collette Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 5/31/2008
- Duration
- 15 Days
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 and 2 | Los Angeles | Depart From Los Angeles : Today you board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day. |
| Day 3 | Melbourne | Arrive Melbourne, Australia : Your tour begins in the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Join up with your mates for a welcome dinner this evening. Today dinner is included. |
| Day 4 | Melbourne | Melbourne : Enjoy a tour of the fascinating city of Melbourne this morning viewing Parliament House, Fitzroy Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. This afternoon travel to Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home of the world's largest colony of Little Penguins. The Little Penguin is protected on Phillip Island and a staff of rangers works diligently to study and protect these lovable birds. View the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of these birds waddle out from the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. You will also visit the interpretation center where you will learn about the life of the Little Penguins and their significance to the area. Dinner is included at a favorite Phillip Island restaurant. Today breakfast and dinner are included. |
| Day 5 | Cairns | Melbourne - Cairns : This morning you fly to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Upon arrival, visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. See the aboriginal dance show, learn about the Aboriginal lifestyle, learn to throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center which boasts a collection of interesting artifacts. Today dinner is included. |
| Day 6 | Great Barrier Reef | Great Barrier Reef : Today breakfast and lunch are included. |
| Day 7 | Sydney | Cairns - Sydney : This morning you may opt for an unfortgettable ride through the rainforest aboard the award-winning Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Your Skyrail experience will give you a birds eye view of your surroundings as well as the spectacular rain forest below. Depart for the exciting city of Sydney this afternoon. The evening is yours to independently explore one of the world's great cities. Today breakfast is included. |
| Day 8 | Sydney | Sydney : Enjoy a city tour of Sydney, highlighting Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one of the world's most fascinating architectural works as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. |
| Day 9 | Sydney | Sydney : Travel to Koala Park where you will see koalas in their natural habitat. You will even have the chance to feed the kangaroos and pet a wombat! Tonight, experience the best of Sydney. Today breakfast and dinner are included. |
| Day 10 | Queenstown | Sydney - Christchurch - Queenstown, NZ : You leave Australia behind and fly to New Zealand where you will arrive in beautiful Queenstown. |
| Day 11 | Queenstown | Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown : Enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley as you travel through beech forest via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a fascinating cruise on Milford Sound with breathtaking vistas at every turn. Following your cruise, you return to Queenstown. You may choose to return via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Today breakfast and lunch are included. |
| Day 12 | Queenstown | Queenstown : Enjoy Queenstown during a day of leisure. Shop in the village or perhaps take the optional "Safari of the Rings" which takes you through the majestic Remarkable Mountains and the breathtaking Queenstown countryside. Enjoy a gondola ride to dinner at the Skyline Restaurant which overlooks Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. Today breakfast and dinner are included. |
| Day 13 | Christchurch | Queenstown - Mt. Cook - Christchurch : Traverse the spectacular countryside to New Zealand's most famous national park, Mt. Cook. Mt. Cook is one of the most impressive mountains in the world. You may choose to view the massive glaciers and extensive snow-covered mountain top terrain on an optional glacier flightseeing tour, or perhaps enjoy the park during a nature walk. This evening arrive in the historic city of Christchurch. Today breakfast is included. |
| Day 14 | Christchurch | Christchurch : This morning enjoy a short sightseeing tour of "the most English city outside of England" highlighting magnificent gardens, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral and the downtown park district. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. This evening you will be invited to dine with a New Zealand family. Enjoy this unforgettable experience as you learn about the customs of the "Kiwi's" and enjoy a home cooked meal. Today breakfast and dinner are included. |
| Day 15 | Christchurch | Christchurch : This morning visit a Canterbury farmyard to take part in a sheep shearing demonstration, and see how this New Zealand family farm works. You may choose to participate in an optional tour of the International Antarctic Center, the gateway for both American and New Zealand expeditions this afternoon. This evening dine inside the restored Riccarton House mansion as you learn the history of the first family of Christchurch. Today breakfast and dinner are included. |
| Day 16 | Christchurch | Christchurch - Tour Ends : Explore the city of Christchurch this morning. Your tour ends today. Today breakfast is included. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Dining
- Total meals - 19
- Breakfasts - 11
- Lunches - 2
- Dinners - 6
- Disclaimer
- Base Rates Per Person
Air rates are based from the following airport: Los Angeles Intl Airport*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on twin occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not include inter-air flights. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For tours that feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above.
Tours
South Pacific Wonders
From $2,299.00 (USD)
This vacation offers the essential sights and unique culture of the land "Down Under," Australia, and the spectacular natural beauty of New Zealand's South Island all at an enjoyable pace.
