Down Under Discovery

ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Auckland, New Zealand

Kia Ora—welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4:30 pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner.

Dinner this evening is at Sky Tower, offering amazing 360-degree views of the city and harbor below.

Dinner

SKYCITY HOTEL

AUCKLAND

Auckland, New Zealand

Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Auckland, the “City of Sails.” See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. The remainder of the day is yours to explore more of this vibrant city. You may want to visit the impressive Auckland Museum or visit the trendy boutiques and cafés on Chancery and High Streets. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.

Breakfast

SKYCITY HOTEL

AUCKLAND–WAITOMO–ROTORUA

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling.

Rotorua, New Zealand

In the afternoon, continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Enjoy a traditional Hangi dinner this evening, followed by an authentic Maori Cultural Performance.

Breakfast, Dinner

MILLENNIUM HOTEL ROTORUA

ROTORUA

Rotorua, New Zealand

This morning, visit Rainbow Springs to view native bush and wildlife, including a visit behind the scenes at the Kiwi Encounter to see each stage a kiwi chick goes through before being released into the national parks: incubation, hatching, and rearing. Kiwi Encounter is New Zealand’s largest and most successful Kiwi conservation center. Your visit here helps support the National Kiwi Trust.

Then, visit the Agrodome to learn more about one of the country’s major industries—sheep!

Te Puia, New Zealand

Continue on to Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces.

Rotorua, New Zealand

The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. You may wish to board a floatplane for flightseeing of this beautiful area, join a New Zealand family for dinner in their home, or indulge yourself in the relaxing hot springs, sumptuous spa treatments, and massage therapies at the Polynesian Spa.

Breakfast

MILLENNIUM HOTEL ROTORUA

ROTORUA–CHRISTCHURCH–MOUNT COOK

Mount Cook, New Zealand

Fly to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, then travel south to magnificent Mount Cook National Park, named after New Zealand’s highest peak. Weather permitting, you may wish to join a stargazing program this evening. The Mount Cook region offers some of the darkest skies in the world—perfect for viewing the southern night sky.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Spend the evening at the historic Hermitage Hotel, located at the base of Mount Cook. Enjoy splendid views, fresh mountain air, and all the modern amenities of this first-class property.

Breakfast, Dinner

THE HERMITAGE HOTEL

MOUNT COOK–QUEENSTOWN

Mount Cook, New Zealand

Start the day with a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. Then, time to explore on your own. You may wish to enjoy a scenic walk or perhaps an optional scenic flight that lands on nearby Tasman Glacier.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Continue to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.”

Breakfast

COPTHORNE HOTEL & RESORT QUEENSTOWN LAKEFRONT

QUEENSTOWN - EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Today, travel into Fjordland National Park through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. cruise on the fiord, with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Overnight in Queenstown.

Breakfast

COPTHORNE HOTEL & RESORT QUEENSTOWN LAKEFRONT

Queenstown, New Zealand

A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages, or maybe take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities.

This evening, take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains. Make sure to have your camera ready for fantastic photo opportunities.

Breakfast, Dinner

COPTHORNE HOTEL & RESORT QUEENSTOWN LAKEFRONT

QUEENSTOWN–MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Melbourne, Australia

This morning, board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne.

Breakfast

NOVOTEL MELBOURNE ON COLLINS

MELBOURNE

Melbourne, Australia

Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, then drive past the Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Next, enjoy a unique lunch experience aboard the historic Colonial Tramcar Restaurant as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. Tonight’s optional excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is highly recommended.

Breakfast, Lunch

NOVOTEL MELBOURNE ON COLLINS

MELBOURNE

Melbourne, Australia

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take a trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley, or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.”

Breakfast

NOVOTEL MELBOURNE ON COLLINS

MELBOURNE–ALICE SPRINGS

Alice Springs, Australia

Today, fly to the Outback where sightseeing includes a visit to the School of the Air to learn how education services are provided in remote regions. Also, visit the Old Telegraph Station to discover how early settlers developed communications. Tonight, a unique Outback Barbecue features typical campfire fare and awe-inspiring Outback ambiance.

Breakfast, Dinner

CROWNE PLAZA ALICE SPRINGS

ALICE SPRINGS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)

Alice Springs, Australia

This morning, visit remarkable Standley Chasm, a spectacular geologial and cultural icon. Learn the history of this land as well have the chance to walk “the Gap of Water,” a striking geological formation.

Ayers Rock, Australia

Later, fly to the “Center of Australia.” Upon arrival, travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant domes. There is time to take photos before returning to “Sunset Strip” for a DRINK and the changing colors of the rock.

Breakfast

DESERT GARDENS HOTEL

ULURU (AYERS ROCK)–CAIRNS

Ayers Rock, Australia

Your Outback adventure continues this morning. For an unforgettable experience, you may choose to rise early for an optional camel ride to watch the sunrise at Uluru. Then, enjoy a TOUR around the base of the rock, learning of its significance to the Anangu Aboriginal people. For an even more amazing view of Uluru, perhaps take an optional aircraft ride.

Cairns, Australia

Later, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Breakfast

PACIFIC HOTEL

CAIRNS - EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Today, prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and CRUISE to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to snorkel, take a glass bottom boat tour, view the reef from an underwater observatory, watch fish feeding, and enjoy a marine touch tank.

Cairns, Australia

Return to Cairns, where your evening is at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch

PACIFIC HOTEL

CAIRNS

Cairns, Australia

A full day at leisure in this tropical paradise. For a truly amazing experience, consider our optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey, you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway—or maybe spend the day in the magical Daintree Rainforest, thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest.

Breakfast

PACIFIC HOTEL

CAIRNS–SYDNEY

Cairns, Australia

This morning, enjoy a special visit to Koala Gardens for your chance to see koalas doing what they do best—eating, sleeping, and looking adorable. There’s also the chance to meet Australia’s other native animals. Before your visit ends, you’ll have your picture taken with a koala—the perfect souvenir!

Sydney/Australia, Australia

Later, fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest city.

Breakfast

SWISSOTEL SYDNEY

SYDNEY

Sydney/Australia, Australia

Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interior and theaters. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s BOTANIC GARDENS for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Visit world-famous Bondi Beach for an insider’s tour of Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club with one of the lifesavers.

Lunch today is at the historic North Bondi Returned Servicemen’s Leagues Club, located on Bondi Beach. Learn about the history of this special place and the courageous “Rats of Tobruk” while enjoying sweeping waterfront views and delicious food. Afterward, a CRUISE on Sydney Harbour highlights some of the city’s best views.

Breakfast, Lunch

SWISSOTEL SYDNEY

Sydney/Australia, Australia

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps join our optional excursion to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience or to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city.

This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant, overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Breakfast, Dinner

SWISSOTEL SYDNEY

SYDNEY

Sydney/Australia, Australia

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast

• 60-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price*
• 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
• 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
• *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
• Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
• In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
• All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
• The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

• Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
• All prices are in US Dollars.
• A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
• Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
• Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
• For complete terms and conditions please visit the Globus Terms & Conditions for more information.