Travel Tours: Australia/New Zealand

15 days · 19 meals
Departure Date: November 8 - 22, 2005
Pricing (per person): Twin: $3,999; Single:$4,799; Triple: $3,899
Prices Include: Round trip air from New York, hotel transfers and departure tax
Alternative Departure: Los Angeles Twin: $3,749

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. Watch as these lovable flightless birds make their daily walk from the sea to their burrows in the dunes. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef will provide fascinating introductions to the Aboriginal lifestyle and a world of colorful sea life unique to the area. 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 Christchurch and Queenstown. Visit Mt. Cook, New Zealand's most famous national park. A highlight will be your tour of the countryside from the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley to a cruise on picture-perfect Milford Sound. Dine with a "Kiwi" family and take with you a wonderful memory of New Zealand…a place like no other.

For more information, call Tea Time World Wide (631) 929 4070 or E-mail: tealiving@optonline.net

Your Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1, 2:	Overnight Flight
Day 3, 4:	Grand Mercure Swanston, Melbourne
Day 5, 6:	Pacific International or Oasis, Cairns
Day 9 - 11:	Mercure Resort, Queenstown
Day 12 - 14:	Rydges, Christchurch
On some dates alternate hotels may be used

Day 1 & 2: Depart from Home
Welcome to Collette's South Pacific Wonders tour. Today you board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day.

Day 3: Arrive Melbourne, Australia
Arrive in the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne, where the remainder of the day is yours to relax. Join up with your mates for a welcome dinner this evening. (D)

Day 4: 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. (B, D)

Day 5: 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 digeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center which boasts a collection of interesting artifacts. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a typical Australian restaurant. (D)

Day 6: Great Barrier Reef
Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride*, a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available*. (B, L)

Day 7: Cairns - Sydney
After arriving in the beautiful city of Sydney, you will enjoy a tour highlighting Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Later, enjoy a fascinating opal presentation and learn how raw opals are processed from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry store. This evening, you may enjoy Sydney at leisure or join an optional excursion.

Day 8: Sydney
Enjoy a delightful cruise of Sydney Harbour and pass by two of Australia's most famous landmarks: the renowned Sydney Opera House and the world's largest steel arch bridge, the Harbour Bridge. Afterwards, 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 all that is the Sydney Opera House. Enjoy a tour, dinner inside the Opera House and a performance!(B, D)

Day 9: Sydney - Christchurch - Queenstown, NZ
You leave Australia behind and fly to New Zealand where you will arrive in beautiful Queenstown. 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. (D)

Day 10: 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. (B, L)

Day 11: Queenstown
This morning visit the once booming Arrowtown. Arrowtown boasts living history of the way things were during the height of the gold rush in the 1800's. Return to Queenstown for 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. (B, D)

Day 12: Queenstown - Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Traverse the spectacular countryside to New Zealand's most famous national park, Mt. Cook. Spend the afternoon at Mt. Cook, 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. (B, D)

Day 13: 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 day is at leisure. You may choose to participate in an optional punt on the Avon River or dine on a historic tram car. (B)

Day 14: 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. (B, D)

Day 15: Christchurch - Los Angeles - Depart for Home
Explore the city of Christchurch this morning before boarding your flight home. Re-crossing the International Dateline, you regain the day you lost at the beginning of your tour. (B)

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Tea Time Worldwide Presents South Pacific Wonders - A 15 Day Guided Tour to Australia/New Zealand

Tea Time Worldwide Presents
South Pacific Wonders - A 15 Day Guided Tour to Australia/New Zealand