DAY 1: Depart for Australia
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DAY 2: En Route
- Cross the International Date Line en route to Australia and skip a day ahead
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DAY 3: Arrive in Sydney
- Arrive in Sydney, Australias cosmopolitan premier city. Youll be welcomed by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Tonight you will have a light dinner served
- Overnight: Sydney
- Meal: Dinner
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DAY 4: Explore Sydney
- This mornings panoramic tour of Sydney starts at world famous Bondi Beach and historic and fashionable Paddington with its unique terrace houses. Continuing to Mrs. Macquaries Chair and the Royal Botanic Gardens which offer extraordinary views of celebrated Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge and the striking Sydney Opera House poised majestically on the waters edge, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass historic buildings including the Parliament House, St. Marys Cathedral and the Queen Victoria Building. Then, head to The Rocks, a historic area where the city was founded by Captain Arthur Phillip and his working party of convicts. Shop for Opals at a local shop, the best in the world - Australia provides approximately 97 of the worlds supply. Countinued with Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise, Set out on the waters of Sydney Harbour in a luxury air-conditioned catamaran. Sail by the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and other landmarks. Start with a glass of sparkling wine and enjoy your three course dinner with an array of international dishes including fresh seafood, meat, and vegetable dishes - an unforgettable dining experience
- Overnight: Sydney
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 5: Full Day in Sydney
- A last day in Sydney to pursue your personal pleasures. Countinued with Blue Mountains with Featherdale Wildlife Park, For wilderness and wildlife, the magnificent Blue Mountains is a must see for any visitor to Sydney. Todays full day tour to the region will give you a chance to see it for yourself. Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park, home of the world&rsquos largest collection of over 1700 Australian native birds and mammals. Walk through the Koala sanctuary where you may have the opportunity to take a photo. Later enter the enclosure of kangaroos to hand feed them. Keep your eyes open for wombats, Tasmanian devils, emus, penguins, and dingoes as you explore the rest of the park Later, travel through the quaint villages of the Megalong Valley before you take in the views of the famous Three Sisters rock formation from Echo Point. You will also visit spectacular Govetts Leap where you can stand atop sheer cliff walls and look out over the Grose Valley below. Then to the village of Leura, where you will have time to stroll the scenic streets before descending from the mountains. Return to Sydney in the late afternoon.
- Overnight: Sydney
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 6: Flight to Melbourne
- Board your flight this morning for the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. Todays tour of Melbourne this morning highlights the mingling of the citys cultures, monuments and scenic delights, from the magnificent gardens to the riverside complexes and bayside suburbs, with elegant 19th century architecture. This evening, get together for dinner at the hotel
- Overnight: Melbourne
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 7: Full Day in Melbourne
- Today is free to explore Melbourne on your own, countinued with Phillip Island Little Penguin Parade, This afternoon travel to Phillip Island and visit Australias most popular wildlife attraction and home to the one of the largest Little Penguin colonies in the world. The Little Penguin is the worlds smallest penguin and the Penguin Parade is the best place to experience this natural phenomenon. Every sunset, wild Little Penguins emerge from the sea and waddle across the beach to their sand dune burrows. Experience the parade from the viewing area at the beach and then wander the boardwalks and watch the penguins return to their burrows. Your visit supports the conservation work carried out by the Phillip Island Nature Parks in protecting this important Penguin colony.
- Note: Penguins have sensitive eyes and a bright, sudden flash or unusual light can frighten or disorientate a penguin. To ensure penguins keep coming back to this special area we ask you to not use your cameras, camcorders or camera phones at the Penguin Parade.
- Overnight: Melbourne
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 8: Flight to Dunedin
- Fly via Christchurch to Dunedin, New Zealands oldest city, well known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and its close proximity to amazing wildlife. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the balance of the evening at leisure
- Overnight: Dunedin
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 9: Tour of Dunedin, Otago Peninsula with Wellers Rock Cruise
- A day to explore Dunedin, arguably New Zealands most spectacular city in terms of contrasting landscapes, nestled in tree-clad hills at the head of a beautiful harbor. The city flourished during the 19th-century gold rush and is now the major gateway to the Otago region. Discover the city with a morning tour highlighted by a visit to the Dunedin Railway Station, a jewel in the countrys architectural crown Baldwin Street, the steepest residential street in the world and the prestigious Otago University. Visit Olveston historic homestead, built in the early 1900s, a superb turn of the century house with stylish furnishings and a stunning art collection. The afternoon is countinued with Otago Peninsula with Wellers Rock Cruise, This afternoon enjoy a stunning tour to the Otago Peninsula, home to many species of wildlife including seabirds, sea lions, fur seals and penguins. You will travel to New Zealands only castle, Larnach Castle, which was built in 1871 by William Larnach, a merchant baron and politician. Featuring magnificent architecture and superb craftsmanship and still privately owned, the castle is even more famous for its tragic and scandalous history. You will have an opportunity to take photos on the Castle grounds before continuing to the Headland and Wellers Rock. Lastly, enjoy a one hour wildlife cruise with an opportunity to view the exciting diversity of wildlife which abounds on spectacular Taiaroa Head, the only mainland nesting place for Northern Royal Albatross in the world and home to New Zealand fur seals. You may also see dolphins, sea lions and a fascinating array of rarely seen ocean birds including other species of albatross, penguins and marine mammals in their natural environment. Return to Dunedin on completion.
- Overnight: Dunedin
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 10: Dunedin to Queenstown
- Depart Dunedin, traveling north to the Central Otago area. After lunch, visit a local vineyard for wine tasting. Continue to the charming gold rush village of Arrowtown, nestled among the peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River. Time to walk along the tree-lined avenues of this colorful town filled with 19th century miners cottages, or enjoy the delightful shops filled with New Zealand crafts, art galleries and lovely cafes before continuing to Queenstown
- Overnight: Queenstown
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 11: Discover Milford Sound
- Today, take a full day tour to Milford Sound Travel to World Heritage Fiordland National Park, rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. En route to Milford Sound, stop at Te Anau and the glacier hewn Eglinton Valley before embarking on the cruise out into the fjord with scenic views of temperate rainforest, stunning Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Possible wildlife viewings include seals, birds and occasionally even dolphins or penguins. Late afternoon, return to Queenstown
- Overnight: Queenstown
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 12: Full Day in Queenstown
- Spend time on your own discovering always picturesque Queenstown. Walk along the streets of the sophisticated downtown area, with its trendy shops and restaurants or, be adventurous and ascend on the Skyline Gondola to Bobs Peak, high above the city for magnificent views of Queenstown, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Lake Wakatipu. Alternatively, countinued with Skippers Canyon 4WD Adventure, This scenic Skippers Canyon tour is an adventure that follows the rugged and once treacherous Skippers Road. You will travel the road that was hacked by hand into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley making this an exciting opportunity. During the tour, you will visit many historic sites such as the Skippers Suspension Bridge and historical township of Skippers. The tour will also visit the restored school house where you will gain a real insight into the local heritage through photos and the histories of life from the early days of this settlement. On the return journey, you will stop at Deep Creek where you can immerse yourself in the customs of the local area by trying your hand at gold panning at one of the richest gold bearing rivers in the world. Followed with Walter Peak Farm Tour, Embark on a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard a vintage steamship the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Admire the beautiful scenery and views of the Remarkables mountain range. Upon arrival, take a walking tour of the farm and lean about New Zealands farming lifestyle. Watch sheepdogs in action and observe a sheep shearing demonstration. Later, visit the holding pens, where you can feed the sheep and even get up-close to the Scottish Highland Cattle. Afterward, head to the old woolshed for afternoon tea. Stroll through the lakeside gardens before cruising back to Queenstown.
- Overnight: Queenstown
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 13: Flight to Auckland
- Board your flight this morning for Auckland, New Zealands largest city, known as the "City of Sails." Take a short walking tour of Auckland before checking in to the hotel. This evening, get together for dinner at the hotel
- Overnight: Auckland
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 14: Depart New Zealand
- Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
- Meal: Breakfast
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