Starting at $6699
25 days • 37 mealsExplorations rewards travelers with new perspectives. These are the personal adventures that today's cultural explorers dream of. (12-28 passengers)
Itinerary
The Aussie & Kiwi Experience
Viewing itinerary for:
December 29, 2013, $6699
featuring Fraser Island and the Sunlander Train
25 days • 37 meals
Price This Tour or call 800.340.5158
| Before your Tour Options: | Add an additional night to your stay |
- Hotel: Hilton Los Angeles Airport
- Hotel: Rendezvous Grand Hotel Auckland
On Tour Options
to see a complete list of options that will be available on your tour.
Day 1 - Day 2: Overnight Flight
Board your Qantas flight • Cross the International Dateline en route and skip a day ahead.
Day 3: Auckland, New Zealand - Tour Begins
Arrive in one of the world’s best-kept secrets, New Zealand • Begin in Auckland, the “City of Sails,” consistently rated one of the best places in the world to live • Experience the vibrant cultures from many Pacific islands that come together here • This evening, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.
View Accommodation Today dinner will be included.Day 4: Auckland - Rotorua
Get to know the best of Auckland • Set out on a panoramic city tour featuring America’s Cup Village, the War Memorial, vibrant Queen Street, the Auckland Harbour Bridge and spectacular views from the top of Mt. Eden • Head to the dramatic geothermal landscape of Rotorua • One-third of Rotorua’s population has Maori roots, making the city the de-facto Maori capital of New Zealand • Get to know some Kiwis tonight as you dine with a local family in their home.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 5: Rotorua
This morning, meet skilled carvers who work with New Zealand jade at a local jade factory • Explore the Agrodome • See an interactive sheep-shearing demonstration and learn about the different sheep and wool that come from New Zealand • Visit a recreated traditional Maori village to learn about Maori life before Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand) was colonized • Immerse yourself in the village during a walkthrough • Follow this with a Hangi meal and authentic Maori entertainment such as the famous Haka dance • The New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks, celebrates with this dance before each contest.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 6: Rotorua - Wellington
Travel through the majestic countryside of the North Island • Arrive in Wellington, nestled between the sparkling harbour and rolling hills • Savor Wellington’s unique blend of English charm and modern cosmopolitan feel.
View Accommodation Today breakfast will be included.Day 7: Wellington
Join a sightseeing tour of Wellington that includes the Beehive, New Zealand’s Parliament, historic St. Paul’s Church and the Government Building • Visit Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the national museum of New Zealand • While at the museum, learn firsthand about the early interactions between Maoris and colonial settlers • Take the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the city.
View Accommodation Today breakfast will be included.Day 8: Wellington - Picton - Hanmer Springs
Depart Wellington and relax on a picturesque 3-hour ferry ride across the Marlborough Sound, one of the most beautiful sounds in the world • Arrive in Picton, a waterfront town on New Zealand’s South Island • Stop to tour one of Marlborough’s vineyards • Discover why New Zealand now has internationally recognized wines - particularly the region’s Sauvignon Blanc.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 9: Hanmer Springs
Enjoy a day expertly designed for relaxation • Hanmer Springs is a beautiful spa town, the perfect place to recharge for the remainder of your journey • Use today to go to the spa for a massage or simply find a quiet area to curl up and read your favorite book • Whatever you decide, today is a great day to rejuvenate.
View Accommodation Today breakfast will be included.Day 10: Hanmer Springs - Mt. Cook
Travel over the rugged countryside to New Zealand’s most famous national park, Mt. Cook • Gaze up at formidable Mt. Cook, pinnacle of the Southern Alps • Your hotel exudes the Alpine feeling of the region • Enjoy free time to take a nature walk or choose an optional glacier flightseeing* tour.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 11: Mt. Cook - Queenstown
Traverse more of the stunning Southern Alps • Watch as incredible vistas and lookouts unfold at just about every turn en route to Queenstown • Stop at a local fruit stand for a colorful look at the varied produce of New Zealand • Arrive in Queenstown • Dine at the Skyline Restaurant for spectacular views of Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains and Lake Wakatipu.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 12: Milford Sound
Travel through the Hollyford Valley to world-famous Milford Sound • Cruise this dramatic fjord • Choose to return to Queenstown via a short optional flight* for spectacular views or return by coach.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and lunch will be included.Day 13: Queenstown
Spend a day at leisure • Explore Queenstown independently • Opt to take “A Journey Through Middle Earth,” a tour of the South Island’s Tolkienesque landscape, and see the cinematic backdrop that brought The Lord of the Rings to life on the big screen.
View Accommodation Today breakfast will be included.Day 14: Queenstown - Sydney, Australia
Continue on your adventure to the land of Oz - the affectionate term Aussies reserve for their native country • Fly** into the cosmopolitan city of Sydney and celebrate your arrival with dinner at the 360 Restaurant, Sydney Tower’s revolving restaurant • Look out over the vibrant cityscape below.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 15: Sydney
Set out on a tour of Sydney which highlights the lively Kings Cross district, Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the historic Rocks neighborhood and Botanic Gardens • Discover the perfectly designed UNESCO World Heritage Sydney Opera House during a guided tour • Take a behind-the-scenes look at the world of opals, Australia’s national gemstone • See how raw opals are transformed into beautiful jewelry • Head to world-famous Bondi Beach for a surfing lesson • Don’t worry…you don’t have to get wet • Learn the history of the beach and explore the rigorous training lifeguards must go through • Hear stories of the famous surfers that hale from Bondi and figure out how to stay up on a board • Afterwards, explore the beach on your own • Later, take a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour and take in unforgettable views of the Harbour Bridge and the famous Opera House.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 16: Sydney
Today is yours to explore Sydney on your own • Choose from various optional tours or simply see what the city has to offer you in the way of shopping, history or culinary adventures • Immerse yourself in this cosmopolitan melting pot • Your tour manager will be on hand to make suggestions.
View Accommodation Today breakfast will be included.Day 17: Sydney - Fraser Island
Depart for the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island, set in spectacular Hervey Bay • This World Heritage island remains the only place on Earth where tall rainforests grow on sand dunes • Enjoy the island's exceptional beaches, sand cliffs and freshwater lakes.
View Accommodation Today breakfast will be included.Day 18: Fraser Island
Embark on a ranger-guided 4WD tour of Fraser Island • Traverse the ever-changing landscapes • Drive along Seventy-Five Mile Beach’s famous highway and see the Maheno shipwreck • Dine tonight at your spectacular resort.
View Accommodation Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.Day 19: Fraser Island - The Sunlander Train
Travel overnight to Cairns aboard the Sunlander, Australia’s longest running rail journey • Experience the ideal way to traverse Queensland's eastern coastline • Sink into the cozy surroundings and sensational scenery.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 20: The Sunlander - Cairns
Discover postcard-perfect vistas in incredible Cairns - gateway to the Great Barrier Reef • Spend the balance of the day getting to know the area.
View Accommodation Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.Day 21: The Great Barrier Reef
Head towards one of the world's natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef • Arrive at Green Island and allow the natural wonders to surround you • Snorkel or stay dry while checking out the marine life from a glass bottom boat • For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, you may choose the Outer Reef optional tour.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and lunch will be included.Day 22: Cairns - Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Fly into the heart of the Outback • Make your way to iconic Uluru, a UNESCO World Heritage site • Explore the sandstone domes of the Olgas • Learn how geologic forces created these masterpieces • Get a sense of their Aboriginal spiritual significance • Experience the magic of Uluru at sunset • Watch the color change before your eyes • Raise your champagne glass and toast an amazing day.
View Accommodation Today breakfast will be included.Day 23: Uluru - Adelaide - Barossa Valley
Fly to Adelaide, capital of South Australia • Head north into the Barossa Valley, Australia’s most famous wine region • Barossa Valley wines are renowned among connoisseurs as some of the world’s finest.
View Accommodation Today breakfast will be included.Day 24: Barossa Valley
Enjoy a full sightseeing tour of the Barossa Valley • Visit a few local wineries to learn about the history and geography of the region and why the wine wins such accolades • Try everything from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir • You don’t have to be a connoisseur to enjoy yourself as wine experts explain the lore and allure of South Australian wine • Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner overlooking the vineyards of the valley • Talk about your trip with your new friends and celebrate your Aussie and Kiwi experience.
View Accommodation Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 25: Barossa Valley - Adelaide - Tour Ends
Your memorable exploration to the South Pacific ends today as you depart for home.
| Available After Tour Extensions: | Extend your vacation |
- Hotel: Hilton Los Angeles Airport
-
Extension: Fiji Extension 3 nights Land Portion
Day 1: Adelaide - Nadi, Fiji
Travel to the tropical paradise of Fiji • Fijians are warm and friendly, with a welcoming, vibrant South Pacific culture • The expansive sandy beaches and clear ocean waters draw visitors from around the world.
Day 2: Fiji
Enjoy a free day to do as you choose • Maybe engage in some water activities or simply sit by the pool with a drink and relax.
Today breakfast will be included.Day 3: Fiji
In this tropical paradise, enjoy another free day to do as you choose • There’s a multitude of options for you to choose from at your resort • Perhaps partake in some water sports or get a spa treatment at the resort’s spa. It’s your choice and your vacation so you can have it your way today • Tonight, enjoy a lovely dinner.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.Day 4: Fiji - Tour Ends
Before you depart the island, you will have the option to do an island tour • Depart for home with wonderful memories of your Aussie, Kiwi and Fijian Experience!
Today breakfast will be included.
- The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights must be arranged and purchased separately, through Explorations, if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through Explorations.
- PLEASE NOTE: Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to zoos or parks specific to wildlife.
- To complete your vacation, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing Explorations airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
