Coach Tour – Australia New Zealand – 16 Days / 15 Nights

Itinerary:

Welcome to the Australia & New Zealand Tour! You will be visiting 2 beautiful countries which are rich in culture and heritage. Explore both Australia and New Zealand for a complete South Pacific Experience. These two fascinating countries possess an incredibly varied landscape: Reefs to rainforests, deserts to snowy mountains, small towns to multicultural and cosmopolitan cities. Discover the best of these magic destinations in a single trip. Australia is a vast country, although it is the smallest continent in the world, it has geography of unspoiled beaches and vast deserts. It is home to amazing places, exotic animals, an ancient aboriginal culture and lively, fun cosmopolitan cities. New Zealand, the youngest country on earth has vast open spaces filled with stunning landscapes, dramatic contrasts of scenery, gorgeous beaches, spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, exotic animals and plant life…Unique and wonderful! High mountains with flourishing green forests are some characteristics of this stunning land.

Day 01: Arrive at Melbourne – Guided City Tour
Welcome to Melbourne! Our representative greets you at the airport and then escorts you to your hotel, where you will spend the next three nights. Melbourne is also home to the wonderful and scenic coastal drives in the world. In the evening we proceed for Melbourne city tour and visit the famous and beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens, Town Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, National Tennis center, the 1956 Olympic venue, the Shrine of Remembrance, Bourke Street Mall and some beautifully-restored Victorian houses.

Day 02: MCG – Churchill Island Farm – Chocolate Factory – Phillip Island – Koala Conservation Centre – Penguin Pardise
After breakfast, enjoy spectacular Melbourne Cricket Ground – one of Australia’s greatest assets. We then drive you to Phillip Island. On the way we visit Chocolate Factory. Get up close to Australia’s famous wildlife on a day trip to Phillip Island. You’ll see the little penguins, koalas and wallabies on this full day tour from Melbourne. Your Phillip Island excursion includes a visit to Churchill Island Farm, the Koala Conservation Center and the famous Penguin Parade, featuring dozens of fairy penguins which shuffle up from the sea at dusk on their way to underground burrows. Enjoy the opportunity to pat and feed kangaroos, wallabies and a host of farm animals.

Day 03: Melbourne – Great Ocean Road
After breakfast we leave for a day tour of Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Walk, on Victoria’s spectacular west coast, stretches 104 kms from the idyllic resort town of Apollo Bay, to within sight of the magnificent 12 Apostles. Enjoy the spectacular views over golden surf beaches, sheer cliff faces and magnificent stands of Eucalyptus. Weave through beautiful National Parks, walk deserted beaches and gaze over pristine marine sanctuaries. Enjoy the breathtaking sights of world famous rock formations “The Twelve Apostles”, “The Lord Ard Groge” & the remnants of the collapsed London Bridge. Later in the evening enjoy Indian dinner.

Day 04: Melbourne – Cairns
After breakfast you will be transferred for your flight to Cairns. Proceed to Kuranda–a village in the rainforest. Here we experience the Skyrail – a unique rainforest experience taking you on an unforgettable journey through Australia’s world heritage listed Tropical Rainforest. Enjoy the stunning rainforest scenery, panoramic views of the Cairns tropical region and the glittering waters of the Coral Sea. Explore the amazing environment from the forest floor on boardwalks, scenic lookouts in the state-of-the-art Rainforest Interpretation Centre. Free time to stroll around this beautiful tropical village & discover the market independently. After relaxing & enjoying this tranquil village we check into the hotel.

Day 05: Cairns – Green Island – Semi Submarine Tour (choice of Glass Bottom Boat or Snorkeling Gear)
After an early breakfast at your hotel, proceed to board the cruise liner to the Green Island and Great Barrier Reef – a Marine National Park with unique rainforests, surrounded by white sandy beaches and magnificent coral reefs and abundant marine life. Green Island is a true coral atoll and is one of the most picturesque island resorts on the Queensland coast. The scenic beauty of the region attracts many visitors and the local national parks and islands are a tourist paradise. There are a million and one activities to partake in. Snorkel, dive and swim in the warm island waters, view the spectacular reef from the coral viewing tours, explorer Green Island National Park or just relax on the sandy beach. Green Island coral cay is readily identified from the air by its emerald rainforest surrounded by white sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs. Enjoy a delicious continental lunch on board the cruise liner. After spending the entire day at the reef, you return with a lifetime of memories.

Day 06: Cairns – Sydney, Guided Sydney City Tour
Today we depart for Sydney, the largest and the most populous city in Australia and the cosmopolitan city of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia’s south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. We will proceed for city tour of Sydney and visit Chinatown, Sydney Aquarium, The Rock’s – Sydney’s birthplace, Parliament House , Hyde Park, St James Cathedral , St Marys Cathedral ,Art Gallery and the Domain , Mrs Macquaries Chair – superb views of the harbour and city skyline , Royal Australian Naval Base at Garden Island , Kings Cross- Sydney’s ‘hot spot’ , Exclusive Double Bay and Vaucluse. Later enjoy shopping (if time permits).

Day 07: Sydney – Feather Dale Wildlife Park – Blue Mountain Scenic World
Today after breakfast we proceed for Feather dale Wildlife Park followed by a long drive to Blue Mountain. Just one hour out of Sydney’s City Centre, The Feather dale Wildlife Park is Australia’s largest private collection of native animals. In a bush land setting, the collection includes koalas, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, dingoes, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, fairy penguins and a large number of native birds. Blue Mountains region is wilderness at its most spectacular; the mountain terrain is alive with incredible wildlife, blooming flora, splendid sheer sandstone cliffs and towering rock formations intercepted by waterfalls – making it one of Australia’s must see destinations. Enjoy a ride on Blue Mountains Scenic Railway and Sky rail the world’s steepest railways, and take a trip on the cable rides. Enjoy the scenic view and 3 rock formation known as 3 sisters at Echo Point. Regarded as Australia’s most outstanding cave system with 11 spectacular show caves, pure underground rivers and amazing formations, it is among the finest and oldest cave systems in the world.

Day 08: Guided Tour of Opera House – Bondi Beach – Sydney Tower Eye – Showboat Dinner Cruise
Today after breakfast we will visit the famous Sydney Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in Sydney. Here you enjoy a visit to the observatory deck for the most spectacular 360° aerial view of the beautiful harbour city and embark on a journey across Australia’s landscapes, history and terrain to explore Australia’s national treasures at the Oz Trek. Visit the World Famous Sydney Opera House from inside with 1 hour guided tour. See inside the world’s most recognizable sails. Experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. Visit Bondi Beach – Australia’s most famous surf beach, Historic and trendy Paddington, Sydney Tower, Sydney Town Hall and Royal Botanical Garden and Luna Park. Enjoy the spectacular showboat dinner cruise along the famous Sydney harbour. Tonight, get set for the time of your life on board the Showboat dinner cruise. Enjoy a three – course Fusion dinner, followed by a spectacular cabaret show, with a cavalcade of glamorous Australian and International artistes to entertain you.

Day 09: Sydney – Transfer by air to Christchurch – The Garden City
Today after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to New Zealand. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy sight-seeing in the “Garden City”. And visit The Canterbury Museum, the Christchurch Arts Centre and Botanic Gardens, and the Port Hills are just a sampling of the sights you’ll see on this city tour.

Day 10: Christchurch – Arthurs Pass – Greymouth – Franz Josef
Breakfast at the hotel, later board your coach and take a scenic drive to beautiful Arthurs Pass. From Arthurs Pass Train station board world famous Tranzalpine train for your memorable journey to Greymouth. The Tranzalpine is described as “The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure” and is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. Upon arrival at Greymouth, connect with your coach journey from Greymouth to the Glacier Region today.

Day 11: Franz Josef – Wanaka – Queenstown. Visit the Puzzling world in Wanaka. Featuring Gondola Ride
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for your coach journey to Queenstown. Depart the Glacier Region this morning and Travel through the Haast Pass, journeying through native beech forest and over the Southern Alps. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. Follow the shores of Lakes Hawea and puzzling world of Wanaka to the resort city of Queenstown. Arrive Queenstown and enjoy Gondola ride and Queenstown City Tour where we will visit Lake Hayes, AJ Hackett Bungy Bridge, Gibbston Valley Winery, Historic Arrow Town, Edith Cavell Bridgend and transfer to the hotel.

Day 12: Queenstown – Cruise to the Milford Sound
After breakfast, depart for a full day tour to Milford Sound, which is by far the best known of all of the fiords and the only one that can be accessed by road. It is truly spectacular, with scenery that has remained unchanged throughout the ages. Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. The scenery changes dramatically from tussock covered grasslands to glacier hewn valleys as you enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breath taking man-made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls. On completion you will return to Queenstown by coach.

Day 13: Queenstown – Rotorua
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Rotorua. Rotorua – the place of skyrocketing geysers, hot springs and boiling mud pools. No visit to New Zealand would be complete without stopping here. Rotorua is one place where the turbulent forces that formed New Zealand are most evident. This city, on the Volcanic Plateau, has one of the world’s most lively fields of geothermal activity and sits squarely on the Pacific Rim of Fire. After lunch you will have a rare opportunity to spot the native bird Kiwi at Rainbow Springs. Then proceed to Lake Rotorua. After Indian dinner we check into the hotel.

Day 14: Rotorua – Waitomo – Auckland
Breakfast at the hotel, then proceed to the famous sights of Rotorua. Enjoy a visit to the sheep shearing show at Agrodome Farm. Later visit Whakarewarewa Geothermal reserve to view the boiling mud pools and cascading Pohutu geyser, that make Rotorua famous as New Zealand’s “Thermal City“. Here you can also enjoy a visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute to view local Maori carvers in action. You depart Rotorua and travel over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach Waitomo. Upon arrival in Waitomo, enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Overhead thousands of tiny glowworms light up the cave walls and roof. On completion continue through the fertile Waikato area through Hamilton, New Zealand’s fourth largest city to reach Auckland. On arrival check into your hotel.

Day 15: Auckland – Waiheke Island – Sky Tower
Auckland harbour is parked with thousands of yachts take a breath-taking view of the harbour. Today after breakfast get geared up for Waiheke Island. In the heart of Auckland’s sparkling Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island is a picturesque blend of farmland, forest, beaches, vineyards and olive groves. Waiheke is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, and has an international reputation for food and arts. Return back to Auckland and visit Sky Tower: At 328 meters, the Sky Tower is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and offers breath-taking views for up to 80 kilometres in every direction. Later enjoy time for shopping.

Day 16: Auckland City Tour – Departure from New Zealand
This morning after Breakfast, proceed for Auckland city tour and see Features Water Front, Mission Bay, Harbour Bridge, American Express Viaduct Harbour, and Mt. Eden. Mt. Eden is the highest natural point in the whole Auckland. Have a spectacular 360 degree view of the city and two harbours, Parnell Village and the Tamaki Waterfront. We proceed to the Airport for your flight back home. Return home with wonderful memories of your Australia and New Zealand tour!