An Odyssey Down Under: Australia and New Zealand
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Overview
Highlights
- I like to spend much of the day exploring
- Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
- Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group
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Itinerary
2:00 p.m. hotel check-in. As water is safe to drink throughout New Zealand and Australia, upon your arrival in Auckland you will be given a Road Scholar water bottle to use throughout your program. This is yours to keep.
Kia ora! Welcome to Auckland. Auckland, t...
Walking up to 2 miles, paved surfaces, undulating terrain.
Orientation. The Group Leader and Site Coordinator will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistic...
Walking up to 1.2 miles; flat, paved surfaces.
We begin today with a local educator who will provide an introduction to New Zealand history. We will then walk down to Viaduct Basin for a yacht cruise on Auckland's magnificent Waitemata Harbour giving us stunning...
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, approximately 90 minutes riding time. Walking up to 3 miles; undulating, varied terrain.
A local scientist will join us at the hotel for a lecture giving us an overview of New Zealand's geography, geology, cli...
The drive from Auckland to the Waitomo Caves is about 120 miles (190 kilometres), approximately 2.5 hours. The drive from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua is about 90 miles (140 kilometres), approximately 2 hours. At Waitomo Caves, uneven terrain; getting into/out of boats. O...
In the morning, walking up to 3 miles; gravel pathways, uneven, steep in parts. In the afternoon, walking up to 1.5 miles; paved surfaces, some steep sections.
Today we will learn about Rotorua’s geothermal background and Maori history and culture. We will trave...
The flight from Rotorua to Christchurch is a little less than 2 hours (depending on weather). Typically Air New Zealand uses ATR 72 aircraft on this route. Walking up to 1 mile at Riccarton Bush.
This morning we check out of our hotel and transfer to the Nationa...
Getting on/off a boat. The drive from the centre of Christchurch over Hilltop to Akaroa is about 50 miles (80 kilometres), approximately 1.5 hours each way.
We will head to the delightful Banks Peninsula township of Akaroa, a historic French and British settleme...
The flight from Christchurch to Invercargill is about 1.5 hours. Typically Air New Zealand uses ATR 72 aircraft on this route. The drive from Invercargill to Te Anau is about 125 miles (200 kilometres), approximately 3 hours.
After checking out of the hotel, we ...
The drive from Te Anau to Piopiotahi Milford Sound is about 75 miles (120 kilometres) a little over 2 hours. The drive from Piopiotahi Milford Sound to Queenstown is about 180 miles (290 kilometres), and will take about 4 hours. Stops en route. Getting on/off a cable ...
Getting on/off a boat.
Today we will cruise across Lake Wakatipu to a local high country farm for an expert-led exploration during which we gain insights into the training and usage of farmers' working dogs, the backbone of New Zealand sheep farming. It is hard ...
The drive from Queenstown to Arrowtown takes less than 1/2 hour. The flight from Queenstown to Wellington is a little less than 2 hours. Typically Air New Zealand uses ATR 72 aircraft on this route. Occasionally Airbus A320 aircraft are used. Walking up to 2 miles; pa...
Walking up to 2 miles, on our feet most of the morning.
We walk to New Zealand’s parliament buildings — including the aptly-named Beehive — for an expert-led exploration. We will then walk across Lambton Quay to New Zealand’s Supreme Court where one of their res...
Walking up to 3 miles; paved surfaces, uphill and downhill.
We board our motorcoach to Zealandia, a sanctuary of native forest and lakes 10 minutes from the city centre. Here we will learn about some of New Zealand’s unique and fascinating birdlife. Expert volun...
Field trip combines viewing from motorcoach with short walks. The flight from Wellington to Sydney takes approximately 3 hours 45 minutes. Qantas typically uses Boeing 737-800 aircraft on this route.
After checking out of the hotel, we will load our bags on to o...
Walking approximately 3 miles; predominantly flat surfaces, some stairs and cobbled laneways. Getting on/off a harbour cruise vessel.
This morning we have an overview of our program in Sydney. We will then take a short ride to the harbour. Beginning at the base ...
Walking approximately 1 mile on a series of short walks from our motorcoach.
We will be joined by a local educator who will lecture on the history and settlement of Australia. We then board our coach to visit Sydney's sought-after eastern suburbs and South Head ...
On our feet most of the morning, walking approximately 3 miles at zoo; undulating, paved surfaces. Walking approximately 2 miles afternoon and evening; undulating paved surfaces and stairs. Depending on the theatres available to visit, the Opera House guided visit inv...
Field trip combines viewing from motorcoach with short walks. The flight from Sydney to Melbourne takes about 1 hour 35 minutes. Qantas typically uses a mix of Boeing 737, Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 aircraft on this route.
This morning we check out of our Sydney...
Walking approximately 2 miles; flat, paved surfaces. The drive to Phillip Island is about 90 miles (140 kilometres), approximately 2.5 hours each way. Please note that tonight will be a late night - the penguins do not start to come ashore until dusk.
We will be...
Walking approximately 3 miles on flat surfaces.
At the hotel, a local art historian will give us a lecture on Australian art. We will then walk the short distance to the National Gallery of Victoria. Our art historian will then lead us on an exploration of the A...
The flight from Melbourne to Adelaide is approximately 90 minutes; the flight from Adelaide to Alice Springs is just over 1 hour. Qantas typically uses Boeing 717 or 737 aircraft on these routes. Walking approximately 1.5 miles; paved surfaces.
We will check out...
On our feet most of the morning, walking approximately 2.5 miles; well-cared-for dirt surfaces. In the afternoon, walking approximately 1 mile; fairly even surfaces, some sand.
We will visit Alice Springs Desert Park where our local Site Coordinator will help us...
The drive from Alice Springs to Uluru is about 310 miles (500 kilometres), approximately 6.5 hours. Walking approximately 2 miles in a series of short walks; flat surfaces.
We will check out of the hotel and board our motorcoach for the journey to Uluru with an ...
Walking approximately 2 miles, 1 hour; gently climbing surface. The flight from Uluru to Cairns is approximately 2.5 hours. Qantas typically utilises Boeing 717 aircraft on this route.
We check out of the hotel and travel out to Kata Tjuta, the spectacular forma...
Getting on/off a large catamaran and on/off a small tender shuttling between the boat and the cay. Walking on a sandy cay, snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkels, masks, flippers, flotation jackets provided.
Sure to be one of the highlights of our progra...
Getting on/off gondolas; walking approximately 2 miles; flat surfaces, some stairs at cable car.
We will have a lecture by a local expert introducing the second of Cairns’ World Heritage-listed features, the Wet Tropical Rainforests of North Queensland. We will ...
The flight from Cairns to Sydney is approximately 3 hours. Qantas typically uses Qantas 737 aircraft on this route.
Free Time. Take this opportunity to see and do more of what interests you most, whether exploring Cairns or final packing. We come together at the...
Hotel check out is by 10:00 a.m. Participants can make the two-minute walk to the international terminal independently.
We will check out of our hotel independently and make our own way across to the terminal to check in to our flights. This concludes our progra...
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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