Itinerary for: Highlights of Australia & New Zealand 2009 (QHANN)

Australia	New Zealand
Melbourne	Alice Springs
Ayers Rock	The Olgas
Cairns	Great Barrier Reef
Sydney	Auckland
Rotorua	Christchurch
Franz Josef	Queenstown
Milford Sound

• Day 1 - Arrive Melbourne (3 nights) On arrival at Melbourne Airport you are transferred to your hotel. After check-in the rest of the day is free to relax or explore before a welcome drink with our Tour Director. 
  
  Hotel: Mantra on Russell



• Day 2 - Melbourne Sightseeing & at Leisure Morning sightseeing shows us the Royal Botanic Gardens, Parliament House, the Shrine of Remembrance and more. Later enjoy time at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 3 - Melbourne at leisure A full day at leisure to perhaps see the magnificent rock formations of the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road or ride the Puffing Billy steam train. Or travel back in time to the gold rush days to pan for gold at Sovereign Hill. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 4 - Melbourne – Alice Springs We board our morning flight to Alice Springs. On arrival a guided tour shows us the original waterhole, 'The Alice Springs', at the historic Telegraph Station. We also visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air. Later, on to Anzac Hill Lookout. Tonight, why not sample crocodile or emu in one of The Alice's fine restaurants? (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Alice Springs Resort
  



• Day 5 - Alice Springs – Ayers Rock (2 nights) We depart early for Ayers Rock, stopping at a camel farm where you can try your hand riding 'a ship of the desert'. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening savor a complimentary glass of wine while watching the sunset at Uluru (Ayers Rock) from the viewing area known as the 'sunset strip'. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel



• Day 6 - Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) We rise early to view sunrise at Uluru (Ayers Rock). Tour the caves at the base of Uluru and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Later, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. In the afternoon we travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Take a walk through Walpa Gorge and gaze down the central valley of Kata Tjuta. Finally after a spectacular sunset with complimentary sparkling wine at Kata Tjuta, we will enjoy a barbecue dinner. Time for stargazing too! (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner) 



• Day 7 - Ayers Rock – Cairns (3 nights) This morning is at leisure before our flight to Queensland and the holiday resort of Cairns. This afternoon spend time at the Cairns Wildlife Dome where you’ll encounter unique Australian animals. 
  (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Cairns International



• Day 8 - Great Barrier Reef Today we join the high speed catamaran for the most unforgettable day on the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an informative reef education presentation. See the fascinating coral formations and other exotic marine life from the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible craft. After an included buffet lunch, there's time to relax, snorkel some more or scuba dive (own expense). (Buffet breakfast / Buffet Lunch)



• Day 9 - Cairns at leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps take an excursion to the pretty village of Kuranda or visit Cape Tribulation and the Daintree National Park. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 10 - Cairns - Sydney (3 nights) Mid-morning, we transfer to the airport where we board our flight to Sydney. We arrive in the afternoon and transfer to our hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Old Sydney Holiday Inn



• Day 11 - Sydney sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast, our sightseeing tour will feature stunning views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Next we join a guided tour of the Opera House, see Darling Harbour and stroll along Bondi Beach. Later, we will enjoy a luxury cruise on Sydney Harbour which includes a delicious lunch on board. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight lunch)



• Day 12 - Sydney at leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure. Maybe take a trip to Canberra, Australia's capital or an excursion to the Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wildlife Park. (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 13 - Sydney – Auckland (2 nights) Early morning flight to Auckland, New Zealand. On arrival we transfer to our hotel. (Breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Stamford Plaza



• Day 14 - Auckland sightseeing & at leisure Our sightseeing tour includes views from the top of Mt. Eden and the War Memorial. We stop at Viaduct Harbour, home to the 2000 America’s Cup followed by a cruise on Waitemata Harbour, the best way to see the city! (Buffet breakfast)



• Day 15 - Auckland – Rotorua We join a guided boat tour of the incredible Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto. From here it's on to Rotorua for a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve, followed by a Maori Hangi dinner. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Millennium Hotel



• Day 16 - Rotorua – Christchurch Our sightseeing tour includes a visit to Paradise Valley Springs and the Agrodome Sheep Show. Then we take an afternoon flight to Christchurch. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Millennium Hotel



• Day 17 - TranzAlpine – Franz Josef Journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train. Continue to Franz Josef Glacier where you'll have an opportunity to enjoy an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). (Buffet breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel



• Day 18 - Franz Josef – Queenstown (2 nights) Today we enjoy a coastal drive as our journey takes us south passing Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and through Kawarau Gorge. Then we visit Arrowtown, before we arrive in Queenstown. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Millennium Hotel



• Day 19 - Milford Sound An early start to Fiordland. We drive through the Homer Tunnel stopping at the Chasm, before arriving at Milford Sound. We enjoy a spectacular cruise including lunch. Later, we return to Queenstown for the night. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)



• Day 20 - Mount Cook – Christchurch Today we travel past Mount Cook National Park. Next we visit Lake Tekapo, stopping at the Church of Good Shepherd. We drive over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch and enjoy a tour of the city. (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Millennium Hotel



• Day 21 - Depart Christchurch This morning time to bid farewell as we transfer you to the airport, to connect with your return flight home.
  (Buffet Breakfast)

Departs	Returns	Price	Guarantee	Available
Sun 29 Aug 2010	Sat 18 Sep 2010	£3574		Full
Sun 10 Oct 2010	Sat 30 Oct 2010	£3698		Full
Sun 24 Oct 2010	Sat 13 Nov 2010	£3698		Full
Sun 21 Nov 2010	Sat 11 Dec 2010	£3698		Full
Sun 06 Feb 2011	Sat 26 Feb 2011	£3624		Full
Sun 13 Feb 2011	Sat 05 Mar 2011	£3624		Full
Sun 20 Feb 2011	Sat 12 Mar 2011	£3624		Full
Sun 06 Mar 2011	Sat 26 Mar 2011	£3624		Full
Sun 13 Mar 2011	Sat 02 Apr 2011	£3624		Full