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AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALANDA Journey of the Lands Down Under27 Days 46 Meals Departures
Join us as we journey to the “Lands Down Under”. Combining visits to two vastly different but enchanting lands, this has been our most popular tour for the past three decades.
Designed with you in mind, our itinerary features a majority of two or three night stays while ensuring that we are providing in-depth experiences of these fabulous lands. The tour moves at a leisurely pace while providing a host of special outings and meals. In fact, we know of no tour that offers a more complete itinerary or better value. From your arrival in Auckland until your return from Sydney, you will find that every detail has been carefully arranged to provide a truly insightful visit of both New Zealand and Australia. Quality hotels, warm friendly people, and a carefully planned itinerary, combine to make this the journey of a lifetime! Read on...but don't delay - this tour always fills quickly! Itinerary
Mar 5, Friday: Depart CANADA
Tour members from across Canada gather in Vancouver and then fly non-stop with Air New Zealand to Auckland, losing a day en route. Mar 7, Sunday: AUCKLAND Arrive Auckland early this morning and transfer to the centrally located Mercure Hotel Auckland, (our rooms will be ready on arrival). This afternoon is at leisure to help us to adjust to the new time zone. This evening we gather for dinner at our hotel. [D] Mar 8, Monday: AUCKLAND Enjoy a sail on Auckland’s Waitamata harbour and then discover the city’s charms by land, including the National Museum and Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World. Enjoy a free afternoon. This evening we are in for a special treat - a Welcome Reception and BBQ Lamb dinner at Soljan’s winery. [BD] Mar 9, Tuesday: WAITOMO We follow the Waitomo River to the famous Waitomo Caves where we cruise in the Glow-Worm Grotto. Continue through the rich dairy farms to Te Awamutu, where we split into groups and stay as guests of New Zealanders, enjoying a home-cooked dinner and the fellowship of our hosts. Farmstay [BD] Mar 10, Wednesday: ROTORUA After spending some time with our hosts, we continue through rich farmlands to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua, the home of the Maori. This afternoon we will visit the Whaka Thermal Reserve to see the mud pools and geysers and to learn about the life and crafts of the Maori. Royal Lakeside Novotel (2 nights) [BD] Mar 11, Thursday: ROTORUA At Rainbow Springs, experience New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna (including the nocturnal Kiwi) and take in the sheep show at the Agrodome. Later this evening we enjoy a traditional "Hangi" dinner in a Maori village complete with a concert of Maori songs and dances. [BD] Mar 12, Friday: ROTORUA / WELLINGTON After our flight to Wellington, the nation’s capital, a local guide will take us around the city, with visits to Mt Victoria and the Botanic Gardens plus a ride on the cable car. View the Parliament buildings and visit old St Paul’s Church before spending a few hours exploring Te Papa, the national museum. Wellington Novotel (1 night) [BD] Mar 13, Sat: WELLINGTON / DUNEDIN Fly this morning to Dunedin, with its delightful reminders of its Scottish name sake and heritage. Our tour will take us into the city and out on the Otago Peninsula for a picturesque coastal drive to visit Larnach Castle and the beautiful Glenfalloch Gardens for Devonshire Tea. Southern Cross Hotel (1 night) [BD] Mar 14, Sunday: TE ANAU Enjoy a delightful drive through rich fields and rolling sheep country as we drive to Te Anau, set on the edge of Fjordland’s World Heritage National Park. Te Anau Distinction Hotel (1 night) [BD] Mar 15, Monday: MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN Travel through the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley to Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch as we cruise to the sea, past towering Mitre Peak and cascading waterfalls. Majestic mountain scenery and crystal lakes highlight our drive to Queenstown, New Zealand's resort capital. Novotel Lakeside Hotel (2 nights) [BL] Mar 16, Tuesday: QUEENSTOWN Enjoy a full day at leisure - ride a jetboat on the Shotover River, take the Gondola to Bob’s Peak or stroll by the lake. This evening we cruise across the lake to Walter Peak sheep station on the ss Earnslaw where we enjoy a shearing demonstration and a sumptuous buffet dinner. [BD] Mar 17, Wednesday: FRANZ JOSEPH Visit the gold mining centre of Arrowtown and journey across the Southern Alps via the Haast Pass en route to the West Coast. Enjoy the pristine beauty of this region and the option to flightsee over Mt Cook, weather permitting. Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (1 night) [BD] Mar 18, Thursday: ARTHUR’S PASS Continue our exploration of Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers and Westlands National Park en route to Greymouth. Cross over Arthur’s Pass and then descend across the Canterbury Plains into Christchurch, a city “more English than England”. Copthorne Durham Street Hotel (2 nights) [BD] Mar 19, Friday: CHRISTCHURCH Our morning tour will take us through Cathedral Square, along the banks of the Avon River and to Port Hills for views of the city. Enjoy lunch at Mona Vale House followed by a free afternoon. [BL] Mar 20, Saturday: SYDNEY / CAIRNS Following a free morning we visit the fascinating Museum of the Antarctic before we fly via Sydney to tropical Queensland and Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Tradewinds Esplanade Hotel (3 nights) [B] Mar 21, Sunday: GREATT BARRIER REEF Embark on the catamaran Quicksilver and journey to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest and most spectacular undersea garden in the world. Enjoy swimming and viewing the coral. [BL] Mar 22, Monday: KURANDA / PAMAGIRRI / SKYTRAM After our scenic rail journey to Kuranda through the Barron Gorge, we are taken into the rainforest to a wildlife park to see a variety of native fauna and to be entertained by the Pamagirri Aboriginal dancers. Following our bush BBQ, we return to the lowland on the Skytram with close up views of the rainforest. [BL] Mar 23, Tuesday: AYERS ROCK Fly to Uluru or Ayers Rock, in the heart of the Outback and the Aborigine’s most sacred site. Enjoy vistas of Uluru before exploring Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) where we will take a walk deep into the gorge. This evening, enjoy the changing colours of Uluru as the sun sets during our special Sounds of Silence Dinner. Desert Gardens Hotel (2 nights) [BD] Mar 24, Wednesday: AYERS ROCK Drive around Uluru this morning and enjoy a walk to the base, learning about the Aboriginal Walkabout and Dreamtime. This afternoon we experience the real Outback as we drive over rough roads to the huge cattle station of Curtin Springs. Experience the beauty and loneliness of this vast region before enjoying a bush dinner prepared by the station cook. [BD] Mar 25, Thursday: ADELAIDE This morning we depart the Outback, enjoying lunch as we fly to Adelaide. On arrival, we shall be taken on a brief city tour, highlighting the history and heritage of this beautifully planned square mile of the city’s centre as well as the gracious residential areas of the northern district. Balance of day at leisure. Rendez-vous Allegra Hotel (2 nights) [B] Mar 26, Friday: BAROSSA VALLEY Our day will be devoted to the Barossa Valley, Australia’s best wine producing region. Enjoy the picturesque valleys, quaint villages and traditional wineries established by German immigrants over a century ago. We shall be taken on guided tours and enjoy some samples at two of the region’s most famous wineries - Penfolds and Seppeltsfield. Lunch will be provided in the township of Tanunda at the historic 1918 Bistro & Grill. [BL] Mar 27, Saturday: KANGAROO ISLAND We travel by coach and ferry to explore the natural wonders of Kangaroo Island, home to colonies of Australian Sea Lions, fur seals as well as kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, platypus and many varieties of birds. Highlights will include visits to Rocky River, Flinders Chase National Park, the Remarkable Rocks and Little Sahara. Enjoy a BBQ lunch by the sea and overnight at the Kangaroo Island Lodge (1 night) [BLD] Mar 28, Sunday: ADELAIDE / SYDNEY Our exploration of the island continues today. Later this afternoon we fly back to Adelaide and continue by air to Sydney, Australia’s largest and most beautiful city. Kangaroo Island Lodge (3 nights) [B] Mar 29, Monday: SYDNEY This morning we discover the charms of Sydney, from its historic centre through the posh inner suburbs to the Heads and its famous southern beaches. After our luncheon harbour cruise, we can return to the hotel or visit the Historic Rocks. [BL] Mar 30, Tuesday: SYDNEY Cross the Harbour Bridge to discover the charms of the northern suburbs. Visit Sydney’s excellent zoo to see many of the fascinating animals that are unique to the continent. Following free time in Manley, we can return to the city by coach or enjoy the beach and take the Manley Ferry to Circular Quay. This evening we will gather for a Farewell dinner by the waterfront. [BD] Mar 31, Wednesday: SYDNEY / CANADA All too soon our journey Down Under draws to a close as we catch our flights back across the Pacific. Regaining our lost day, we arrive in Canada later today. [B] TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
° Rooms confirmed for early arrival in Auckland (plus 2 additional nights) ° 3 nights in Cairns and Sydney ° 2 nights each in Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown (NZ’s premier resort), Christchurch, Ayers Rock & Adelaide ° Overnight Farmstay in Te Awamutu ° Overnights in Wellington, Dunedin, Te Anau, Franz Joseph, and Kangaroo Island ° Full day excursion to Milford Sound with lunch ° Ample time in Scottish Dunedin and English Christchurch ° Full day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas ° Full day rainforest experience in Kuranda by rail and Skytram ° Two days in the Outback - Ayers Rock, Mt Connor and the Olgas ° Full day excursion to the Barossa Valley, Australia’s wine region ° Overnight excursion to Kangaroo Island, Australia’s nature reserve ° Most meals (46) included with many special outings:
Tour Costs (CDN$/person)
Prices from other cities are available upon request.
* Land price covers all costs from the first hotel until departure from the last hotel including all internal flights. Prices are based on airfares, taxes & fees plus exchange rates effective May, 2009 and are subject to change. Tour price is based on a minimum of 20 participants. CT RATING THREE: this journey involves extensive travel with long flight and some long travel days. Temperatures will range from comfortable to very hot and humid. Travel in the Outback can be strenuous, involving rough roads. Tour cost and deposit includes the cost of comprehensive insurance ($285 pp) for passengers under 86 years of age at time of travel. Cancellations of any booking prior to December 4, 2009 will be subject to an Administration Fee of $50pp – this fee will not be covered by our insurance. Insurance coverage will begin on the above date and will cover penalties from that date forward. Contact our office for full details. Final payment will be due on January 4, 2010. Inclusive Features
To enroll on this tour simply complete our online enrollment form or alternatively complete the enrollment form found at the back of our brochure and return it with your deposit of $900 per person to Craig Travel's office.
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