Australia and New Zealand
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Overview
Highlights
- Visit charming Dunedin to see historic Larnach Castle.
- Opportunity to cruise the Great Barrier Reef in tropical Cairns, enjoy a scenic train
- Explore Auckland
- Visit the magical Ruakuri Cave for a subterranean tour.
- Discover Queenstown
- Tour towards Christchurch
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Destinations
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Trip includes
- Flights with Air Canada and Air New Zealand
- Superior and First Class hotels
- Full breakfast daily, 11 dinners and 4 lunches
- All tour inclusions on the homepage
- Home pick-up and drop-off (from most Canadian cities)
- All airfare and all airport taxes
- Carefully selected accommodation
- All gratuities (for hotels, drivers, guides & cruise staff)
- Most meals
- Insurance for cancellation and health while outside Canada
- Services of one of our cheerful experienced Tour Managers
- All prices guaranteed in Canadian funds!
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Itinerary
We depart for New Zealand, via San Francisco.
We lose a day crossing the International Dateline
We arrive in Auckland. The rest of the day is free until our Welcome Dinner.
Our full-day tour of Auckland includes a visit to the dramatically beautiful Waitakere Ranges. Here, the rugged shoreline is dotted with pristine black sand beaches and protected by soaring cliffs. Later we visit the fascinating Auckland War Memorial Museum - the spiritual touchstone for all New Zealanders.
We first visit the magical Ruakuri Cave for a subterranean tour. Our guide will show us glow worms, elaborate cave formations and underground rivers, and will discuss legends and sacred Maori sites. We will stop at a local farm for a hearty country-style BBQ lunch in a lovely setting, and then proceed to Rotorua.
This morning we visit the Agrodome Farm Show, complete with sheep shearing and sheep dog trials. We then proceed to Te Puia Thermal Reserve, where geysers of all sizes, bubbling mud pools, hot mineral springs, glittering silica terraces in strange, enchanting formatio...
This morning we fly to beautiful Queenstown on the South Island. We will tour the area and visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park to see over 30 species of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered birds and reptiles.
At leisure in Queenstown - the "Adventure Capital of New Zealand". Many optional activities are available. This evening we enjoy a scenic cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to the Walter Peak Sheep Station for an elegant dinner, followed by a sheep shearing and herding demonstration. The gift shop offers fine woollen goods.
We take a spectacular cruise in Milford Sound where we can view Mitre Peak, Sterling Falls and the steep rock walls that rise thousands of feet against a backdrop of towering mountains. A smorgasbord lunch is served onboard. We continue to Te Anau.
We travel to Dunedin, where we visit Larnach Castle and learn of its exciting (and scandalous) history. Later we walk to Speights Brewery and Heritage Centre, home of New Zealand’s famous beer, for a tour and dinner at the Ale House.
We head for Christchurch, stopping en route at Shag Point to see seals and perhaps the yellow-eyed penguins who nest here.
We fly to Australia and the tropical city of Cairns, located in beautiful coastal Trinity Bay surrounded by rainforest topped hills.
This morning we set sail on a catamaran to see one of the most spectacular sections of the Great Barrier Reef. There will be time for swimming, snorkeling and viewing the vibrant sea-life and coral canyons. For those who wish to stay dry, a semi-submersible tour option is available. A delicious BBQ lunch is served onboard.
We board a train for a scenic rail tour through the amazing Atherton Tablelands to Kuranda, known for its lush tropical trees and flowers. We will visit the rainforest and Koala Wildlife Park, enjoy a ride on an “army duck” vehicle and a special “Dreamtime Walk” with ...
We fly to the site of the world's greatest monolith - Ayers Rock - known as the “Red Heart of Australia”. We first venture into the Outback to see The Olgas - a jumble of 30 impressive monoliths across the red desert plain. This evening we will dine in the desert, where the brilliant sunset is enhanced by the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo as we indulge in the finest of Outback cuisine.
An early morning call is available for those who wish to view the sunrise on Ayers Rock. We will then enjoy a walk around the base of the rock, before travelling by coach to Alice Springs.
Founded in 1872, Alice Springs was a telegraph station linking Australia to the rest of the world. Today it is the base for the famous Outback cattle stations. We visit the Royal Flying Doctor centre, enjoy a panoramic view from Anzac Hill, and see the Overland Telegraph Station, before flying to Sydney.
On our city tour we see the Rocks area (Sydney's birthplace), the magnificent Opera House, Chinatown, beautiful South Head where the harbour meets the Pacific, and “Mrs. Macquarie's Chair” for spectacular views of the city and harbour. Later we take a boat cruise of Sydney Harbour - a perfect way to see the city’s highlights, beautiful beaches and lavish waterfront homes.
At leisure to explore this exciting city on your own. Perhaps take the ferry to the Taronga Zoo or enjoy a stroll along the harbourfront. Our Farewell Dinner this evening will be at the popular Waterfront Restaurant.
We fly home via Vancouver.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Senior Discovery Tours.
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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