The Complete South Pacific Tour – from $6,599

Uncategorized > The Complete South Pacific Tour – from $6,599

Day 1-2: Depart from Home Cross the International Dateline and begin the adventure of a lifetime by skipping a day ahead.
Day 3: Cairns, Tour Begins Your tour opens in Cairns – the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions and a World Heritage site – the Great Barrier Reef. Dinner included. Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Day 4:The Great Barrier Reef Explore the reef from your base on Green Island. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride*, stroll the island walking trails, relax on the beaches, snorkel or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving and an outer reef tour are also available. Breakfast and lunch included. Stay: Pacific International Cairnst

Day 5: Cairns Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for an unforgettable morning ride over the rainforest canopy. Embrace the opportunity to explore the forest floor up close with access to specially designed boardwalks. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy your tropical surroundings. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Day 6: Cairns – Uluru (Ayers Rock) Fly to Uluru (the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock) in the heart of the Australian Outback. Tour the sandstone domes known as Kata Tjuta and the beautiful area surrounding the base of “The Rock.” Later, witness a stunning sunset over a glass of champagne as the Rock’s hues change dramatically with the setting sun. Breakfast included. Stay: Sails In The Desert

Day 7: Uluru – Alice Springs A short flight over the “Red Centre” brings you to Alice Springs. Learn how people once communicated in the remote Outback during a sightseeing tour that includes a stop at the Old Telegraph Station, dating back to the 1800s. Visit School of the Air to find out more about the educational system of the Outback. There’s a chance of witnessing a class in session! Become locally invested this afternoon as you have the opportunity to meet the young Aboriginal group, Drum Atweme. Tonight, continue your cultural immersion with a memorable bush dinner against a backdrop of the Southern Hemisphere’s stars. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Doubletree By Hilton Alice Springs

Day 8: Alice Springs – Darwin – Kakadu National Park Bid farewell to the Coral Sea and the tropics as you take off for Sydney late this morning, arriving in the afternoon. Check into your hotel, which is within walking distance of shopping, parks and museums. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant.Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

Day 9: Kakadu National Park Today, enjoy the natural beauty of the “Top End.” Kakadu National Park is home to wallaroos and wallabies, monitors and lizards, crocodiles and birds of every imaginable variety. Witness artwork dating back thousands of years as you view Nourlangie Rock. During your afternoon cruise, be on the lookout for crocodiles as they bask in the sun, as well as waterfowl such as jabiru, egrets, herons and eagles. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

Day 10: Kakadu National Park – Darwin – Melbourne Transfer to Darwin for your flight to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Breakfast included. Stay: The Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure

Day 11: Melbourne Enjoy a city tour featuring Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and bustling Victoria Markets. Take some time at leisure to explore Melbourne independently. Later, travel to Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home of the world’s largest colony of Little Penguins. Protected and studied by rangers, hundreds of them waddle out of the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. At the interpretation center, you have a chance to learn about the lives of the Little Penguins and their significance to the region before enjoying access to the exclusive Penguins Plus viewing area. Breakfast included Stay: The Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure

Day 12: Melbourne – Hobart A flight to Hobart, Tasmania brings you to Australia’s second-oldest city. The rugged and pristine beauty of the island of Tasmania provides the backdrop to your two-night stay. Breakfast included. Stay: Hadleys Hotel Hobart

Day 13: Hobart This morning brace yourself as you meet the Tasmanian Devil at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Center! Learn about this unique marsupial, its fight for survival, and the efforts in place to save it from extinction. Later, take a guided tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site, the best-preserved example of Australia’s original penal colonies and home to stabilized ruins and restored buildings dating back to 1833. En route, witness the spectacular coastal rock formations known as Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blow Hole. Breakfast included. Stay: Grand Chancellor Hobart

Day 14: Hobart – Sydney Return to mainland Australia today and arrive in the bustling city of Sydney. Begin your Sydney adventure with dinner amid stunning views at the revolving 360 Restaurant, located atop the famous Sydney Tower. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Menzies Hotel

Day 15: Sydney Start your day with a tour of Sydney, birthplace of modern-day Australia. Highlights include Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Marvel at one of the world’s most fascinating architectural wonders during a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Then, discover the wonders of Sydney by using your free time to pursue your own interests. Stroll through the city streets, visit the historic Rocks area or simply relax. Breakfast included. Stay: Menzies Hotel

Day 16: Sydney This morning you visit Koala Park for an up-close and personal opportunity to learn about the different types of wildlife native to the land down under. You’ll walk amongst wallabies, indigenous birds, kangaroos, dingoes and other creatures. Experience the koala habitat where you can take your picture with a koala! Next, enjoy a unique experience as you learn firsthand about opals during a special presentation at the National Opal Collection. As you say your farewell to Australia, chat with new friends and take in the sights during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Marvel at the scenic vistas the harbour has to offer including Sydney’s magnificent skyline and iconic attractions, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Menzies Hotel

Day 17: Sydney – Queenstown, New Zealand Leave Australia behind and fly to one of the world’s best-kept secrets – New Zealand! Arrive in gorgeous Queenstown. This evening, enjoy dinner at the Skyline Restaurant where you will enjoy spectacular views overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains and mysterious Lake Wakatipu. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Heritage Queenstown Hotel

Day 18: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown En route to Milford Sound, enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. You’ll travel through ancient beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. During a cruise of the breathtakingly beautiful Milford Sound, you’ll see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights on the South Island. With rock faces that rise nearly 4,000 feet on either side, the scenery will take your breath away. 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. Breakfast and lunch included. Stay: Heritage Queenstown Hotel

Day 19: Queenstown Queenstown offers limitless diversions set amidst breathtaking Alpine scenery. Shop in the charming village center or enjoy an optional and exhilarating jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Or, perhaps you will join the optional “Journey through Middle Earth” tour which takes you through the majestic Remarkable Mountains and the breathtaking Queenstown countryside showcasing many of the spots where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. Breakfast included Stay: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside

Day 20: Queenstown – Arrowtown – Mt. Cook National Park Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful turn-of-the-century gold rush settlement of Arrowtown. Next, follow the Kawarau River and cross Lindis Pass before arriving in New Zealand’s most famous national park, Mt. Cook. There will be time to enjoy the Alpine paradise of Mt. Cook – a larger-than-life experience. You may choose to take a nature walk, enjoy an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting) or simply meditate on the beauty of the Southern Alps. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: The Hermitage

Day 21: Mt. Cook – Christchurch This morning, travel to the historic city of Christchurch. Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the city known as “the Garden City” is recreating itself. Enjoy some free time to explore. Stroll the city’s magnificent gardens or learn its more recent history at the Quake City exhibition at the Re:Start Mall. Breakfast included. Stay: Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch

Day 22: Christchurch – Picton – Wellington On your journey to Picton, admire the coastal views, scenic river valleys and vineyards. From there, sail across Cook Strait to experience what has been called “the most beautiful ferry ride in the world.” Your final destination is Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Novotel Wellington

Day 23: Wellington During your panoramic sightseeing tour of Wellington, view the Beehive, New Zealand’s Parliament; historic St. Paul’s Church; and the Old Government Building – the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Following the tour, visit the National Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongawera, a fascinating center dedicated to art, history and the Maori culture. Breakfast included. Stay: Novotel Wellington

Day 24: Wellington – Rotorua Depart for the dramatic geothermal landscape of Rotorua. With over one-third of its population boasting Maori roots, this city is known as the Maori capital of New Zealand. Make yourself right at home this evening when a New Zealand family welcomes you into their home for the night!*** This is sure to be an unforgettable experience as you make new friends, learn about the customs of the “Kiwis,” and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Day 25: Rotorua This morning, visit Te Puia – New Zealand’s premier Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Witness how the Maori keep their culture alive by teaching the tribal youth traditional carving and weaving. Enjoy the chance to view the Kiwi bird and learn what is being done in an effort to remove this marvelous creature from the endangered species list. Next, meet the skilled carvers who work with pounamu, New Zealand greenstone, at a local jade factory. Then, visit the Agrodome where you will see a sheep shearing demonstration and learn about the importance of agriculture to the nation. Breakfast included. Stay: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Day 26: Rotorua – Auckland Depart for the dramatic geothermal landscape of Rotorua. With over one-third of its population boasting Maori roots, this city is known as the Maori capital of New Zealand. Make yourself right at home this evening when a New Zealand family welcomes you into their home for the night!*** This is sure to be an unforgettable experience as you make new friends, learn about the customs of the “Kiwis,” and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Breakfast and dinner included. Stay: Rendezvous Grand Hotel Auckland

Day 27: Auckland Your tour ends in Auckland. Breakfast included.