Australia & New Zealand Grand Tour - 2013

Itinerary

Jan 11, 2013
FLYING TO NEW ZEALAND
This tour begins with a flight from Canada via Vancouver into Auckland, New Zealand. We will cross the International Date line and lose a day. [IFM]

Jan 12, 2013
LOSE THIS DAY

Jan 13, 2013
CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
Upon arrival into Auckland International Airport, on the North Island of New Zealand, we clear New Zealand Customs and transfer to the Domestic Airport for a flight into Christchurch on the South Island and where we begin our tour. We check into our downtown location hotel. The balance of the day is free to rest and relax until we go for our “Welcome Dinner “ this evening hosted by Select Holidays. [IFM/D]

Jan 14, 2013
ASHBURTON, NZ
This morning we tour Christchurch and visit some of the beautiful gardens for which the city’s famous. We depart Christchurch and cross the Canterbury Plains. These checkered-patterned, hedge-rowed fields are one of New Zealand's outstanding man-made features.  Overnigh in the rural community of Ashburton.  [B]

Jan 15, 2013
RURAL HOME STAY, NZ
Following a technical visit with a local grain farmer, we meet our host family in a farming community, for an overnight home stay. [B/D]

Jan 16, 2013
QUEENSTOWN, NZ
Following beside crystal clear lakes and crossing meadows and over mountain passes, we come to the resort community of Queenstown for a two night stay. This evening we take the scenic gondola ride up “Bob's Peak” for dinner in the “Skyline Restaurant”. [B/D]  

Jan 17, 2013
QUEENSTOWN, NZ
A leisurely morning and afternoon in Queenstown for us to enjoy some of the many attractions that can be found here. You may want to book a tee time at a local golf course, ride the jet boats, walk through the Botanical Gardens etc. There are many options to choose from. Later this afternoon, we take a relaxing cruise on the historic coal-fired steamer, the “SS Earnslaw” across Lake Wakatipu to the “Walter Peak Sheep Station” for dinner and a sheep dog demonstration. We return to Queensland for the night. [B/D]

Jan 18, 2013
TE ANAU, NZ
Our journey today will follow along the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu as we make our way to the city of Te Anau. From here, we enter Fiordlands National Park, crossing mountain passes and valleys enroute to Milford Sound for a luncheon cruise. We will want to watch for seals sunning themselves on the rocks. We return to Te Anau for an overnight stay. [B/L]

Jan 19, 2013
ASHBURTON, NZ
Today we travel past deer and sheep farms on our way to the Scottish town of "Dunedin". After lunch we will visit the "Moeraki Boulders" before arriving into Ashburton for the night. [B/D] 

Jan 20, 2013
ROTORUA, NZ
It is back to the airport at Christchurch, for a short flight to the North Island and the resort city of Rotorua. Enroute from the airport in Rotorua, we will stop to visit a Red Wood Forest before checking into our hotel for a two night stay. This evening we can enjoy and partake in a Maori Hangi Feast and Concert at our hotel. [B/D]

Jan 21, 2013
ROTORUA, NZ
This morning we visit a Maori Village and have a guided tour from one of the elders. It is here that we get to see first hand how the local native people use the hot water and steam to cook their food and heat their homes. We will also get to view the boiling mud pools and see the spewing geysers for which this area of New Zealand is famous. We then take a short drive to the “Agrodome”, one of New Zealand's top tourist attractions, to get up close and personal with the numerous breeds of sheep that are produced in New Zealand. The late afternoon and evening is free to enjoy on your own. Why not visit the hot pools next door to our hotel? [B]

Jan 22, 2013
RURAL HOME STAY, NZ
This mornings will include a visit to “Waitomo Caves”. Meet your host families in the Cambridge area for a tour of their property including dinner and an overnight stay.  [B/D]

Jan 23, 2013
AUCKLAND, NZ
Visit a local deer farm before travelling to Auckland, New Zealand’s  largest city, for a two night stay. [B]

Jan 24, 2013
AUCKLAND, NZ
We tour Auckland, known as “The City of Sails”, including a visit to the “Kelly Tarlton Underwater World” with its live penguin display. The afternoon will be free for you to explore on your own. Join your fellow travelers for dinner this evening at the hotel. [B/D]

Jan 25, 2013
AUCKLAND, NZ ~ CAIRNS, AU
This morning we transfer to the Auckland International Airport for a flight that will take us into Cairns, Australia. Upon arrival into Cairns, we clear Australian Customs then transfer to “Tjapukai Aboriginal Park” for lunch, followed by a tour of the park which features shows, dancing and boomerang throwing. We check into our hotel around 3:30 p.m. and the rest of the day is free to enjoy the pool area and to relax after our busy day. [B/L]

Jan 26, 2013
CAIRNS, AU
A high speed catamaran takes us to the tropical ‘atoll’ of “Green Island”, which is situated on part of the “Great Barrier Reef”. While on Green Island our group will take a glass bottom boat to view the coral and enjoy a buffet lunch. There will be time for snorkeling and swimming in either the warm waters of the ocean or the fresh water pool located at the resort. Mid afternoon we return back to Cairns. [B/L]

Jan 27, 2013
CAIRNS, AU
Today we travel from Cairns, up onto the Atherton Tablelands. Here we can learn some of the farming techniques unique to the area; from sugar cane to bananas and from peanuts to tea. We will also get to taste some of the exotic tropical fruits that are grown in the area. After lunch, we visit the Giant Fig Tree, before returning to Cairns for the night. [B/L]

Jan 28, 2013
CAIRNS, AU
Following breakfast at our hotel, we travel to “Freshwater Station” where we board the “Kuranda Rail” for a scenic train journey up the mountains to “Kuranda Station”. There is time to explore Kuranda on our own before taking one of the most unforgettable and the world’s longest gondola ride over the rainforest to Smithfield Station.  Board the afternoon flight that will take you to Brisbane for a 2-night stay.   [B]

Jan 29, 2013
BRISBANE, AU
Enjoy a morning cruise on the Brisbane River to “Lone Pine Wildlife Park”, where it is still possible to cuddle a koala and feed the kangaroos.  Return to the city of Brisbane with the afternoon free.  [B]

Jan 30, 2013
DALBY, AU
Depart Brisbane and travel westward over the “Great Dividing Range” and onto the Darling Downs.  This area encompasses some of Australia's richest farm lands where wheat, sorghum and pulse crops are grown  in abundance.  Visit a feed lot and  with local farmers.  Overnight in Dalby.  [B/L]

Jan 31, 2013
GOONDIWINDI, AU
Visit more grain farms this morning  around the agricultural community of Dalby before driving to the major wheat area of Goondiwindi for an         overnight stay.  Goondiwindi is known for the huge grain bunkers and storage silos.  [B/L]

Feb 01, 2013
NARRABRI, AU
This morning you cross into New South Wales. A short drive will take you to Moree for a tour of a pecan farm, olive tasting and lunch before continuing past more grain bunkers on the way to Narrabri, the Cotton Capital of Australia, for an overnight stay. [B/L]

Feb 02, 2013
RURAL HOME STAY, AU
This morning you tour Narrabri then meet your host families for lunch, dinner and an overnight stay. The cotton and wheat farms here are some of the largest in the country. [B/L/D]

Feb 03, 2013
MUDGEE, AU
This morning we say good bye to our host families and travel through the countryside to the city of Mudgee. This is one of the premier wine producing areas of Australia. Dinner will be at our hotel this evening. [B/L/D]

Feb 04, 2013
SYDNEY, AU
Our scenic travels today will take us over the “Blue Mountains” of the Great Dividing Range with a stop at the “Incline Railroad”. We arrive into Sydney in the afternoon for a tour of the “Sydney Opera House” before checking into our hotel in Sydney for a two night stay. Dinner this evening will be in the Sydney Tower. [B/D]

Feb 05, 2013
SYDNEY
Enjoy a morning cruise on the beautiful Sydney Harbour passing under the Sydney harbour Bridge and past the Sydney Opera House plus other attractions.  The balance of the day is free to explore Sydney on your own. [B]

Feb 06, 2013
MELBOURNE
Fly from Sydney to Melbourne.  Upon arrival, travel through the wine country of the Yarra Valley for lunch and wine tasting before checking into the city centre hotel for 3-night stay. [B] 

Feb 07, 2013
MELBOURNE
This is a free say to explore on your own, join an organized tour to the Great ocean Road or visit the Ferry Penguins.  The choice will be yours. [B]

Feb 08, 2013
MELBOURNE
A morning tour of Melbourne and have a chance to shop at the Queen Victoria Market where local farmers and market gardeners bring their produce to sell.  There are numerous other shops for some of that last minute purchasing.  The afternoon is free to explore on your own.  This evening, dinner will be in the “Historic Tram Car Restaurant” as a “Farewell to Australia”, hosted by Select Holidays. [B/D]

Feb 09, 2013
END OF TOUR
Transfer to the Melbourne International Airport this morning for the  flights back to North America [B]