The Complete South Pacific featuring the Best of Australia & New Zealand

Call (631) 569-2620 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7320016

Tour Operator

Collette Vacations

Duration

27 Days

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Air 1	Depart From Home	Depart from Home : Today you board your Qantas flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime to Australia and New Zealand. Crossing the International Dateline, you skip a day ahead.
Day 2	Cairns	Cairns (Northern Beaches), Australia - Tour Begins : Your tour begins in the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the northern beaches of Queensland. Tonight, enjoy a special welcome dinner with your new mates. Todaydinnerwill be included.
Day 3	Great Barrier Reef	Great Barrier Reef : Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting tour of the Great Barrier Reef - the most biologically diverse ecosystem in the world. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, take a stroll in the rain forest, 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. Todaybreakfast and lunchwill be included.
Day 4	Cairns	Cairns : This morning you board the Skyrail Rain Forest Cableway for an unforgettable ride above the rain forest canopy. There are two stops where you may get off the cableway and experience the forest floor from specially designed boardwalks. The amazing diversity of plants, animals and birds will astound you. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy your tropical surroundings. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 5	Ayers Rock	Cairns - Ayers Rock : Fly to the heart of the Outback, arriving at Ayers Rock. Tour the sandstone domes of the Olgas and the area around the base of "The Rock." Later, witness a stunning sunset as the colors of the Rock change dramatically. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 6	Alice Springs	Ayers Rock - Alice Springs : This morning you depart for Alice Springs, located in the heart of the Australian Outback. A sightseeing tour of the area includes the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Gain insight into the educational system in the Outback with a visit to the School of the Air - you may even see a class in session! A special experience is in store for you this afternoon as you will have the opportunity to meet the young Aboriginal group, Drum Atweme. Supported by the Collette Foundation, Drum Atweme is a musical group comprised of at-risk youth from the local community. Tonight, enjoy dining and entertainment during a traditional dinner in the bush. You'll experience Outback hospitality and entertainment under the Southern Hemisphere's stars. Todaydinnerwill be included.
Day 7	Kakadu National Park	Alice Springs - Darwin - Kakadu National Park : Begin your day with a Dreamtime Tour. Experience the culture of the Australian Aborigines and learn about their ancient culture, folklore, customs and the concept of Dreamtime. You will have the opportunity to taste some of their traditional Aboriginal food. Later, board your flight to the northern tip of Australia and the city of Darwin. Then, drive into the heart of Kakadu National Park. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 8	Kakadu National Park	Kakadu National Park : Today, experience the beauty and culture of Australia's "Top End." Kakadu National Park is home to wallaroos and wallabies, monitors and lizards, birds of every imaginable color, and crocodiles. See ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock and enjoy an audio-visual show at the Visitors Centre. During your afternoon Yellow Waters cruise you may see crocodiles as they bask in the sun, as well as waterfowl such as jabiru, egrets, herons and eagles. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 9	Melbourne	Kakadu National Park - Darwin - Melbourne : Fly to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 10	Melbourne	Melbourne : This morning enjoy a city tour which includes Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and Parliament House. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore Melbourne independantly. You may visit the elegant parks and gardens in this friendly city, take a ride on a streetcar or enjoy lunch at an outdoor cafe in the quaint Italian neighborhood of Carlton. This afternoon visit Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home of the world's largest colony of Little Penguins. The Little Penguin is protected on Phillip Island and rangers diligently study them. View the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of them waddle out of the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. You will also visit the interpretation center to learn about the life of the Little Penguins and their significance to the area. Dinner is included at a favorite Phillip Island restaurant. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 11	Hobart	Melbourne - Hobart : A flight to Hobart, Tasmania brings you to Australia's second oldest city. The rugged and pristine beauty of Tasmania provides the backdrop to your 2-night stay here. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 12	Hobart	Hobart : This morning you will get to see the Tasmanian Devil! Learn about this great creature and their plight for survival and the great efforts to save them from extinction. Later, take a guided tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site, the best-preserved example of Australia's penal colonies. Dating back to 1833, the site features a large number of stabilized ruins and restored buildings. This afternoon, visit the interpretive center for a glimpse into the lives of the convicts. Later, witness the spectacular coastal rock formations known as Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen and the Blow Hole. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 13	Sydney	Hobart - Sydney : Return to mainland Australia today and arrive in the bustling city of Sydney.
Day 14	Sydney	Sydney : A city tour of Sydney, where modern-day Australia was born, highlights Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one of the world's greatest architectural achievements as you take a guided tour through the Sydney Opera House. Dinner is included at one of Sydney's revolving restaurants which offers spectacular views of the city. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 15	Sydney	Sydney : This morning, visit Sydney Wildlife World which showcases Australia's fascinating flora and fauna with three floors of exhibits. Within its walls, over 6,000 native animals are protected. Walk amongst the wallabies and birds when you experience Sydney Wildlife World's new interactive walk-through. Visit the koala sanctuary where you can see Australia's most famous animal species in its natural habitat. If you want to, you can even pet one! Next, enjoy a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about opals during a special presentation at the National Opal Collection, one of Australia's top jewelry companies. An amazing evening begins with a sail on Sydney Harbour's glistening waters during a dinner cruise offering spectacular views of Sydney's greatest icons - the Harbour Bridge and world-famous Opera House. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 16	Christchurch	Sydney - Christchurch, New Zealand : Travel to New Zealand, arriving in the town of Christchurch. Located on the Avon River, Christchurch is considered to be "the most English city outside of England." Upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour along the Avon River and view magnificent gardens, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral, and the downtown park district.
Day 17	Queenstown	Christchurch - Queenstown : Travel to the gorgeous town of Queenstown. Dinner is included at the Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains, and Lake Wakatipu. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 18	Queenstown	Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown : Journey through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise of Milford Sound fjord. 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. Todaybreakfast and lunchwill be included.
Day 19	Queenstown	Queenstown : A leisurely day in this charming village offers several options to enhance your vacation. An optional thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River, or the "Safari of the Rings" adventure into the spectacular Tolkian landscape, are two favorite ways to spend time here. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 20	Mt. Cook National Park	Queenstown - Mt. Cook National Park : Traveling through New Zealand's picturesque countryside you will learn about the 19th century gold rush when you stop in Arrowtown. Later today you will arrive at Mt. Cook National Park where you may take nature walks or, if weather permits, enjoy an optional flightseeing tour to the top of the rugged mountain range. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 21	Christchurch	Mt. Cook - Christchurch : A drive through the Southern Alps, which line the western side of New Zealand's South Island, brings you to the beautiful English city of Christchurch. Today is yours to explore the historic city of Christchurch at your leisure. This afternoon you may choose to take an optional tour to the International Antarctic Centre, the gateway for expeditions to Antarctica. Tonight, experience the elegance of Canterbury as you dine in a restored mansion and learn the history of the first family to settle in Christchurch. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 22	Wellington	Christchurch - Wellington : Traveling north along the coast you'll pass scenic river valleys and vineyards. Arriving in Picton, you will ferry to the North Island on one of the most scenic trips the world has to offer. Cruising through the Marlborough Sounds and across the Cook Strait, your final destination is Wellington, the harbour capital of New Zealand. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 23	Wellington	Wellington : According to Maori legend, Wellington Harbour was founded in the 10th century by the Polynesian navigator Kupe and first named Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui - or "head of Maui's fish." A tour of this city showcases the Beehive Parliamentary buildings and views from atop Mt. Victoria. Later, experience Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, New Zealand's national museum which has won worldwide acclaim for its innovative, exciting and diverse range of artwork and exhibitions which relay the captivating stories of the indigenous people. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 24	Rotorua	Wellington - Rotorua : Depart for the center of Maori culture - the city of Rotorua. Here you'll see a unique landscape of bubbling and steaming geothermal springs. Tonight you will enjoy a home stay** and dinner with a New Zealand family. This is a great way to meet the Kiwis and perhaps form lifelong friendships. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 25	Rotorua	Rotorua : This morning visit Te Puia, New Zealand's premier Maori cultural and geothermal experience. You'll be truly amazed by the landscape of erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools and other geothermal wonders. Here, the Maori keep their culture alive by teaching the tribal youth traditional carving, weaving and dancing. Learn about this unique culture as you partake in a demonstration about the importance of the Maori dress and the weaving process. Before leaving you will get to view the national bird - the Kiwi. A visit to the Agrodome will give you insight into how wool, one of New Zealand's premier products, is processed. You will also view a special sheep shearing demonstration. Later this afternoon, meet jade carvers and discover how jade is transformed to make beautiful jewelry. This evening you receive a traditional Maori welcome at a Hangi meal followed by a traditional performance of songs, dances and other festivities. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 26	Nadi	Rotorua - Auckland - Nadi, Fiji : Today you will arrive in the beautiful paradise island of Fiji. Fiji retains all the primitive cultural fascination of the South Pacific and boasts expansive sandy beaches and clear ocean waters. Tonight, enjoy a lovely dinner. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 27	Fiji	Fiji : Your day is free to relax and enjoy your surroundings. Tonight, an optional island tour is offered. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 28	Tour ends	Fiji - Tour Ends : Today your tour ends in Fiji. Todaybreakfast will be included.

Dates/Pricing

Lodging

	Rydges Esplanade, Cairns		Desert Gardens, Ayers Rock
	Crowne Plaza Alice Springs, Alice Springs		Gagudju Crocodile, Kakadu
	The Grand Mercure Swanston, Melbourne		Rydges Hotel, Melbourne
	Mercure Hotel, Hobart		The Menzies Hotel, Sydney
	Mercure Queenstown Resort, Queenstown		Hermitage Lodge, Mt. Cook Region
	Chateau on the Park, Christchurch		Rydges, Christchurch
	Duxton Hotel, Wellington		Novotel Hotel, Wellington
	Home Stay Hotel**, Rotorua		Rydges Rotorua, Rotorua
	Rydges, Rotorua

Disclaimer

Note
Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.