Itinerary
Day 1: Melbourne
On arrival in Melbourne, you will be met and
transferred to the Crowne Plaza for 3 nights. In
the evening there will be a welcome dinner on
board the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. (D)
Day 2: Melbourne
Morning walking tour taking in Melbournes
eclectic little alleyways, arcades and cafe
society. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 3: Melbourne
Day at leisure in Melbourne. Optional excursions
to Yarra Valley, Mornington peninsula, Phillip
Island or the Great Ocean Road can be booked
locally. (B)
Day 4: Fly to Alice Springs
Morning flight to the outback town of Alice
Springs. On arrival, visit the School of the Air,
which provides an educational facility for
remote families of the outback. Continue to
the Royal Flying Doctors Service and historic
Telegraph Station. Stay overnight at the Chifley
Alice Springs Resort. Barbecue dinner at the
Earth Sanctuary Nature Centre. (B, D)
Day 5: Uluru
In the morning, travel to Uluru via the
MacDonnell and James ranges. En route, view
the majestic Attila, a distinctive mountain
which, in pioneering times, was often mistaken
for Uluru. On arrival, transfer to the Desert
Gardens Hotel for 2 nights. Late afternoon
excursion to view the striking colour changes of
Uluru as the sun sets. (B)
Day 6: Uluru Kata Tjuta
Early morning sunrise tour of Uluru, where you
will learn about the significance and history of
the site to local Aboriginal tribes. Afternoon visit
to the rock formations known as Kata Tjuta for
a walk along the creek bed between two of the tallest domes, before watching the sun set over
them with a glass of sparkling wine. (B)
Day 7: Fly to Cairns
Join a local artist for an introduction to the
indigenous art of the Western Desert. Afternoon
flight to Cairns, then transfer to the Hilton Cairns
for 3 nights. (B)
Day 8: Great Barrier Reef
Day at leisure in Cairns. Optional excursions
may be booked locally and include a hot air
balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands or a
visit to the mountain retreat of Kuranda. (B)
Day 9: Cairns
Travel out to the world heritage-listed
Great Barrier Reef on board a catamaran
to a pontoon situated on the reef. During
the day, there will be opportunities to go
snorkelling and also view the reef from a semisubmersible.
(B, L, D)
Day 10: Cairns Fly to Sydney
Morning visit to the Cairns Wildlife Dome to
view native wildlife. Afternoon flight to Sydney.
On arrival, transfer to the InterContinental
Sydney for 3 nights. (B)
Day 11: Sydney
Morning tour of Sydney, including visits to the
Sydney Opera House, Sydneys Eastern Suburbs
and Bondi Beach. Return to the city for a cruise
with lunch in Sydney harbour. Remainder of the
afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
Day 12: Sydney
Day at leisure in Sydney. Optional excursions
may be booked locally and include visits to the
Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley. In the evening
there will be a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 13-14: Fly to Auckland
Transfer to Sydney airport and fly to Auckland.
On arrival, you will be met and transferred
to the Cordis Auckland for 2 nights. Dinner
at Eight restaurant, featuring eight different
kitchens. (B, D) Morning cruise the following
day in Waitemata harbour, followed by a city
tour. (B)
Day 15: Rotorua
Continue to Rotorua with a stop for a countrystyle
lunch at a Waikato farm en route. Evening
Maori hangi (food cooked using heated rocks)
and concert. Stay 1 night at the Millennium
Hotel Rotorua. (B, L, D)
Day 16: Fly to Christchurch
Explore the Rainbow Springs Nature Park,
including Te Puia Thermal Reserve for a guided
tour of the bubbling mud pools and thermal
springs. Afternoon flight to Christchurch and
stay overnight at Distinction Christchurch. (B)
Day 17: Franz Josef
Morning rail journey aboard the TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass,
followed by a factory visit at Hokitika, the home
of native greenstone (jade). Continue by coach
to Franz Josef glacier and stay overnight at the
Te Waonui Forest Retreat. (B, D)
Day 18: Arrowtown Queenstown
Travel to Queenstown, visiting Arrowtown en
route, a historic gold-mining settlement. Stay 3
nights at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown.
Dinner at The Boatshed. (B)
Day 19: Milford Sound cruise
Travel to Milford Sound for a nature cruise.
Return to Queenstown. (B, L)
Day 20: Queenstown
Day at leisure to relax and this evening there
will be a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 21:Onward travel
Transfer to Queenstown airport to fly home, or
continue your holiday. (B)
