Australia & New Zealand Extravagance

Day 1 : ARRIVE BRISBANE (BY AIR) – TANGALOOMA ISLAND

On arrival at Brisbane Airport you are met and transferred to Brisbane Wharf take a ferry to Moreton Island (Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort). Evening – Hand feed the Wild Dolphin. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 : Tangalooma Island / Gold Coast

Breakfast at hotel. Launch transfer to Brisbane Wharf & transferred to Goldcoast hotel. Rest of the Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 : GOLD COAST – MOVIE WORLD & AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK SPECTACULAR SHOW

Breakfast at the hotel. Experience the exhilaration of world class adventure rides, movie attractions and the action packed “Hollywood Stunt Drivers” Show. Experience the new Superman Escape rollercoaster, Batwing Spaceshot ride and Lethal Weapon; rush down Wild West Falls Adventure Ride and the spine-tingling Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster. Don’t miss the Main Street Star Parade and meet your favourite Looney Tunes characters and DC Comics Super Heroes – it’s a perfect day for the whole family! Australian Outback Spectacular Show: One of Australia’s most stirring and remarkable true stories is reborn as Australian Outback Spectacular celebrates the heroes of the legendary Australian Light Horse. With an amazing cast of larger than life characters, magnificent animals, stunning special effects and a delicious three course dinner, it’s the Gold Coast and Australia’s newest must see live show, proudly presented by R.M.Williams. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 : BRISBANE / CHRISTCHURCH

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Christchurch where you will be met & transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 : CHRISTCHURCH – HALF DAY CITY TOUR WITH ANTARTIC CENTRE

Breakfast at the hotel. Although Christchurch was damaged in February, Christchurch is still a beautiful city with many of the highlights unaffected. At this time we wish to stress that our tour is a tour of the highlights of the city and not a tour of the damaged city. Following the pick up from guests accommodation, this tour is three hours in duration and will commence in the Western side of the city before travelling through the central city, the port and seaside suburbs of the city and the Sign of the Takahe, the key highlights are as follows; Canterbury University, Riccarton House and Riccarton Bush, Mona Vale, Hagley Park, Antigua Boat Sheds, Botanical Gardens, Upper Worcester Boulevard (around the Museum and Art Centres), Victoria Clock Tower, Lyttleton, Evans Pass, Sumner, Mount Pleasant and the Sign of the Takahe. Also included is admission to the International Antarctic Centre, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions. The tour concludes returning to the original pickup points.

Day 6 : CHRISTCHURCH – KAIKOURA WHALE WATCH TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day getting close to nature. This morning, travel to Kaikoura through the rural pastoral scenes of North Canterbury where the mountains meet the sea. Kaikoura is one of New Zealand’s leading eco-tourism destinations and world-renowned for its variety of marine mammals. Sperm and humpback whales, dolphins and seals are all attracted here by the rich feeding grounds of the coast. On arrival, you will join a whale watch tour by boat or light aircraft – the choice is yours. Following a delicious lunch (included) there will be time to explore a fur seal colony located on the rocky shores, which surround Kaikoura, seals may be viewed at close quarters, a superb spot for photographs. On your return journey to Christchurch there will be an opportunity to do some wine tasting, at one of North Canterbury’s fine vineyards. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 : CHRISTCHURCH – GREYMOUTH- WEST COAST GLACIERS (450 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. One of the world’s best scenic train journeys – The Tranz Alpine winds across spectacular gorges and river valleys, over the massive Southern Alps in Arthur’s Pass National Park and through lush beech forest to Greymouth on the West Coast. Continue southwards by coach along the coast to reach Westland National Park and the glacier region. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 : WEST COAST GLACIERS – QUEENSTOWN (420 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. We depart this morning through the South Westland Heritage Park and across the rugged Haast Pass and Lake Wanaka. This afternoon’s travel is through the Kawarau Gorge to reach Queenstown. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 : MILFORD SOUND EXCURSION (600 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. An early starts as you follow Lake Wakatipu via Kingston arriving at Te Anau. From there you enter Fiordland National Park. Travel through beech forest, passing majestic mountains. On through the Homer Tunnel in time to board your catamaran for the Milford Sound cruise. You will pass Mitre Peak, the highest mountain in the world to rise vertically from the sea. View the Stirring and Bowen Falls as you cruise out to the Tasman Sea. Return to the pier where you re-board your coach for your return journey to Queenstown. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 : QUEENSTOWN – ROTORUA (BY AIR)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Rotorua (Airfare from Queenstown to Rotorua excluded). Upon arrival at Rotorua you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day is free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 : ROTORUA

Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s tour includes Te Puia – Thermal Reserve to see roaring geysers and mud pools. Following this, you will travel to Agrodome for famous Sheep Show then to Rainbow Springs to view trout and other wildlife. The afternoon is free for optional tours. This evening enjoy a night of truly authentic, traditional culture and entertainment. Join in a time of sharing and feasting to a selection of foods cooked the traditional Maori way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 : ROTORUA – WAITOMO CAVES – AUCKLAND (370 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Enroute to Auckland the highlight is a visit to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. This experience is climaxed by drifting silently in a boat on the cavern roof above you. Arrive in Auckland late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 : AUCKLAND – HALF DAY CITY TOUR WITH KELLY TARLTON

Breakfast at the hotel. A comprehensive scenic tour which will introduces you to the sights of Auckland. See first hand why Auckland is known as the City of Sails as you enjoy a trip over the Harbour Bridge. Visit the famous Auckland landmark of Mount Eden, a dormant volcano whose summit offers excellent panoramic views of the city and harbours. From this fantastic vantage point you will see evidence of Auckland’s volcanic history, the most significant being the youngest volcano of Rangitoto Island at the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour. The sightseeing tour also takes in the Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park which is situated on a 62,000 year old volcano. This tour also takes in the trendy shopping area of Parnell Village with its historical buildings that have been transformed into boutiques, antique, craft and specialty shops. Tour will then take you along the scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive to Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World where you can see King and Gentoo penguins in their wonderland of snow and ice, view sharks from centimetres away in the Underwater World and get up close and personal with the stingrays in Stingray Bay. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 : AUCKLAND / CAIRNS

Breakfast at the hotel & Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns where you will be met & transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 : CAIRNS – GREEN ISLAND REEF CRUISE WITH LUNCH

Breakfast at the hotel. Coach transfer from Cairns and Northern Beaches accommodation to board your modern air-conditioned catamaran for the cruise to Green Island. Enjoy over 5 hours on Green Island with many activities such as the choice of a glass bottom boat tour or snorkelling equipment for the day, a fish feeding display, self-guided island walks or simply relax on the white sandy beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16 : CAIRNS – KURANDA RAIL, SKYRAIL, RAINFORESTATION & TJAPUKAI

Breakfast at the hotel. Down Under Tours will transfer you from your Hotel to Freshwater Station, where you will board the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail for a breathtaking journey on one of the world’s most scenic operational rail journeys. On arrival in Kuranda there is free time to explore the “Village in the Rainforest” and it’s many attractions, including the Heritage Markets which operate daily. Other attractions you may wish to visit are Bird world, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary or Kuranda Koala Gardens (own expense). Your departure time for Skyrail is 1.30pm. After enjoying the “World’s most beautiful Rainforest Experience”, take a short walk to the fascinating Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your indigenous guide who will escort you through the park as you discover this ancient culture through theatres, stage shows and demonstrations before boarding your coach for the return to your accommodation. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17 : CAIRNS / SYDNEY – SHOW BOAT INDIAN DINNER CRUISE

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney where you will be met & transferred to the hotel. In the evening take the Show Boat Dinner Cruise. (No Transfers). Guest makes their own way to Kings Street Wharf 5 . Overnight at the hotel.

Day 18 : SYDNEY – HALF DAY CITY TOUR & EXPLORE 4 PASS (INCL SYDNEY AQUARIUM, SYDNEY WILDLIFE WORLD, SYDNEY TOWER+OZTREK & OCEANWORLD MANLY) WITH FULL DAY MONORAIL RIDE + COMPLIMENTARY GLASS BOTTOM BOAT RIDE

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the tempo of the city as you explore Sydney, Manly and northern beaches, also see Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay and cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge. See Hyde Park and the Sydney monorail. Stop at Milsons Point for spectacular views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the famous city skyline. Enjoy magnificent views from Seaforth Lookout over Middle Head and Pearl Bay Marinas. Stop at Arabanoo Lookout for a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and rugged headland. Enjoy morning tea (own expense) at the seaside town of Manly and take a walk along The Corso, which separates harbour from ocean. See the beach that has contributed to Manly’s reputation as a popular waterfront suburb and relaxed weekend haunt. Return to Sydney via the exclusive and trendy suburbs of Neutral Bay and Mosman. After City Tour proceed on your own to Sydney Aquarium to exchange your explore 4 Pass. Ensure your time in Sydney is unforgettable with the great value Explore4 Pass which gives you entry to Sydneys must-see attractions – Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, Sydney Tower and Oceanworld Manly. The Explore4 Pass is the only ticket that lets you see koalas and kangaroos, plus one of the world’s largest crocodiles, walk underwater amongst sharks, visit a dugong and experience the best views of Sydney. Sydney Aquarium: See over 11,500 all Australian animals including huge sharks and rays, platypus, dugongs, crocodiles plus much more as you embark on a journey throughout Australia from the Murray Darling River system to the Great Barrier Reef at Sydney Aquarium. Open daily from 9.00am to 10.00pm. The Sydney Tower – This experience takes you a staggering 250 metres above Sydney, commanding breathtaking views of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Sydney Wildlife World – Discover an authentic Australian wildlife experience in the heart of Darling Harbour at Sydney Wildlife World. Get up close to iconic kangaroos, cuddly koalas and colourful butterflies in this walk-through habitat. Open daily from 9.00am to 6.00pm.

Day 19 : SYDNEY – JENOLAN CAVES & BLUE MOUNTAINS

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy discovering the majestic beauty of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, taking in views over stunning eucalyptus forests and age-old rock formations. Take a visit to the western spur, where Australia’s largest underground limestone caves, the unique Jenolan Caves, are situated. Enjoy a guided tour of the Lucas, Imperial or Chifley caves and discover the deep chamber of limestone formations. Learn about the folklore of the settlers and bushrangers of this region and see the unusual Blue Lake. Lunch at own expense. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 20 : DEPART SYDNEY

Breakfast at the hotel & Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.