Grand Australia and New Zealand

•   Tauck's exclusive business-class charter flights in New Zealand – more sightseeing, less waiting

Day 1: Arrive Melbourne
A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to The Langham Melbourne; you’ll enjoy a river-view room. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner. 
Overnight: The Langham Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Discover Melbourne's Charm
Victoria's capital city is a cultural melting pot steeped in history and charm. Landmarks you’ll see today include St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the ANZAC Memorial, Victoria’s Market and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Melbourne is also home to the world’s oldest tram network; dine on Australian cuisine aboard the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant as it travels the city streets.
Overnight: The Langham Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3: Alice Springs to Uluru and the Desert Outback
Touch down in Alice Springs en route to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for a night in the desert Outback. A private “silver service” sunset champagne party overlooking mystical Uluru enchants with a spectrum of colors, canapés and intimate conversation.
Overnight: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: The Mysteries of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and on to the Beach
Learn about the sacred Aboriginal traditions associated with Uluru (Ayers Rock) on a guided tour around the base of this massive sandstone monolith looming high above the desert floor. After lunch, fly from the Outback to Queensland for a three-night oceanfront stay at Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll arrive in time for dinner.
Overnight: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Wave Dancer at the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only living structure on Earth visible from the moon! Board the catamaran Wave Dancer for a cruise to the Low Isles – a swimming, snorkeling and a glass-bottom boat experience that’s accompanied by a marine biologist. Spend the evening back at your beach resort.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Rainforest Skyrail, Crocodiles & More
Join us for an amazing day around Port Douglas in tropical North Queensland! Ride a gondola on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway from the mountain village of Kuranda through the mist-shrouded canopy. You’ll learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the crocodile at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, where a tour and special crocodile feeding presentation precede an exclusive boat cruise on the lagoon. In tonight’s memorable outdoor dining experience at Flames of the Forest, torches, candelabras and aboriginal musicians create a true feast for the senses.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Optional Balloon Ride & On to Sydney
Early risers may choose to soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional hot air balloon ride* at dawn (additional cost of $229 per person), before our flight to Sydney for a four-night stay.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Sydney Sightseeing & Harbour Cruise
Sightseeing includes the Sydney Opera House, followed by a private luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. Sydney sightseeing continues with a bit of history at The Rocks and Kings Cross.
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 9: Meet the Koalas & Visit Bondi Beach
Watch the resident koalas dine on eucalyptus leaves and simply be adorable at Sydney’s Featherdale Wildlife Park. Then head to Bondi Beach, home to the world-famous Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club (Bondi Surf Club) to visit the members-only clubhouse, hear about the history of life-saving, and enjoy a dry surfing lesson on the beach. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: “Foodie Tour” of Sydney
Taste your way through some of Sydney’s coolest culinary nooks and crannies on a “Foodie Tour” to a variety of local eateries including an Italian deli, a chocolatier, a century-old fish market, an 1840s brewery and a post-WWII pie cart-turned-café. Spend the afternoon at leisure, and dine at a local restaurant.
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: On to Auckland, New Zealand
Fly to Auckland, surrounded on all sides by water. The nation’s first capital until 1864, it is New Zealand’s largest city. Accommodations for the next two nights are at The Langham Auckland; enjoy a 3-course à la carte meal at the hotel’s award-winning Barolo restaurant, voted the best in the city.
Overnight: InterContinental Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Wonders of Waiheke Island
Discover Auckland on a city tour before ferrying to Waiheke Island, a paradise for nature lovers and wine connoisseurs alike with sugar-sand beaches, lush greenery, fertile farmland and the region’s top wineries. Tour the island and have lunch at magical Mudbrick Vineyard, followed by free time in Auckland.
Overnight: The Langham Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 13: Rotorua and Maori Traditions
Today’s destination is Rotorua, rooted in centuries of Maori culture and farming traditions. Have lunch at Longlands Farm, a working farm and country garden, and visit the Te Puia Maori Cultural Center where a private welcome presentation includes Poi dancing and a moving Haka dance; exhibits showcase daily life from cultural arts to thermal geysers. Fly by private charter to Wellington.
Overnight: The Langham Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 14: Exploring Historic Welllington
Wrapped around a naturally curved harbor, Wellington chronicles the history of New Zealand in its Parliament buildings and Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum. Enjoy its world-class displays and motion simulators, which make the country’s history, arts and natural environment come alive before your eyes.
Overnight: Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay, Rotorua, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15: Mussels on Marlborough Sounds
Board Tauck’s exclusive charter flight to Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds on New Zealand’s South Island, prized for its seafood and wine-growing expertise. Experience a taste of life here on a wine and green-lipped mussel cruise that celebrates the bounty of land and sea. Fly by private charter to Te Anau for two nights at an ideally located hotel in this popular resort area of the stunning Fiordlands region.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16: Cruise the Milford Sound
Enjoy a morning drive through the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park en route to a luncheon cruise on Milford Sound, showcasing its sheer cliffs and glacier-hewn inlets. The evening is at leisure at your Te Anau hotel.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17: Wine Tasting and More in Queenstown
Travel across more beautiful South Island landscapes to Queenstown. Enjoy a wine-tasting and lunch at the Amisfield Winery, set in an iconic stone building with gorgeous mountain views and known for its Pinot Noir. Your hotel enjoys a premier city-center address overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Queenstown, Queenstown, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 18: Jet Boat and Helicopter Ride
Queenstown is known for outdoor adventures, as you’ll discover for yourself on today’s exciting jet boat excursion* through the rapids of the Shotover River in Skippers Canyon, followed by yet another thrill – a helicopter ride* to the top of stunning Bob’s Peak. Take a Skyline gondola back into town for a free afternoon.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Queenstown, Queenstown, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 19: Auckland's captivating Sky Tower
Spend a little more time in Queenstown this morning before taking Tauck’s private charter flight back to Auckland – you’ll get a great aerial perspective of the very different North and South Islands that you’ve just experienced! You’ll have a little free time in Auckland, then join us for a very special cocktail reception and dinner at the Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand. 360° spectacular panoramic views take in the city of Auckland from the restaurants that are located at the top of the Sky Tower – a fantastic finale to an amazing journey!
Overnight: Millennium Hotel Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 20: Journey Home
Tour ends: Auckland. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Langham Auckland to Auckland Airport. You should allow three hours for check-in at the airport.
Overnight: Millenniium Hotel Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 21: Journey Home
Tour ends: Christchurch. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Tauck's hotel to Christchurch International Airport; you should allow 3 hours for check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/20/2012 - 9/10/2012	$9,990
8/27/2012 - 9/17/2012	$9,990
9/10/2012 - 10/1/2012	$9,990
9/17/2012 - 10/8/2012	$9,990
9/24/2012 - 10/15/2012	$9,990
10/1/2012 - 10/22/2012	$9,990
10/4/2012 - 10/25/2012	$10,590
10/8/2012 - 10/29/2012	$10,590
10/15/2012 - 11/5/2012	$10,590
10/18/2012 - 11/8/2012	$10,590
10/22/2012 - 11/12/2012	$10,590
10/25/2012 - 11/15/2012	$10,590
10/29/2012 - 11/19/2012	$10,590
11/5/2012 - 11/26/2012	$10,590
11/12/2012 - 12/3/2012	$10,590
11/26/2012 - 12/17/2012	$10,590
12/3/2012 - 12/24/2012	$10,590
12/10/2012 - 12/31/2012	$10,590
12/17/2012 - 1/7/2013	$10,590
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour's average rating:

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(4 out of 5, Based on 1 ratings) Write a review.

 

The most recent reviews for this tour:

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KiwiCat rated this tour a 4 on 2/10/2011 11:30:45 AM and says:

"Surprisingly, the long flight to Australia went very quickly. Our Qantas flight departed out of SFO around 11pm and we were served a full dinner at midnight. Qantas also has individual television screens with various movies and shows you can select which made the time go by quickly. The tour itself was wonderful and first class all the way. Expect a private ferry Sydney Harbour cruise, private charter flights (and Tauck provided excellent service on their flights), VIP lounge on the Milford Sound cruise, etc. All the hotels were first rate at great locations. If you're staying at the Crowne Plaza in Sydney, be sure to visit the fruit bats just across the street from the hotel! The tour ran very smoothly, but we've had better tour directors with other tour companies. Expect three hour long dinners on the tour! The only thing we didn't like was the Fiji extension - the hotel and Denerau Island is overpriced and overrated and four nights is way too long. I recommend flying to Australia one day earlier if possible to get used to the time change. Upon arrival, we went to Manly Beach on our own which was nice but nothing extraordinary. New Zealand is just gorgeous - especially Queenstown!"

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