Great Trains, Wineries & Cultures of Australia & New Zealand

Call (631) 569-2620 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7320004

Tour Operator

Collette Vacations

Duration

29 Days

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Air 1	Overnight Flight	Overnight Flight : Embark on an unforgettable journey through Australia and New Zealand. Explore diverse natural wonders from Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the fjords of Milford Sound. Local specialists regale you with cultural history of the Aboriginal and Maori cultures as well as natural history of these destinations. Climb aboard trains like the Ghan and the TranzCoastal and enjoy wine tastings at vineyards in both Australia and New Zealand. En route, skip a day ahead as you cross the International Dateline.
Day 2	Cairns	Arrive Cairns, Australia : Welcome to Cairns - the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a special reception and dinner. Todaydinnerwill be included.
Day 3	Great Barrier Reef	Great Barrier Reef : Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the outer Great Barrier Reef, where the magic of this natural wonder surrounds you. Snorkel or stay dry while checking out the marine life from the semi-submersible! Todaybreakfast and lunchwill be included.
Day 4	Cairns	Cairns : A ride aboard the historic Kuranda Rail, constructed in 1882, awards you with views of the spectacular Atherton Tablelands. This afternoon enjoy a cruise on Hartley's Lagoon in search of saltwater crocodiles as well as exotic birdlife. After the cruise, enjoy an authentic Aussie barbecue. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 5	Ayers Rock	Cairns - Ayers Rock : Fly to the heart of the Outback - Ayers Rock. Tour the sandstone domes of the Olgas and the area around the base of "The Rock." Later, behold a stunning sunset as the Rock's colors change dramatically. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 6	Alice Springs	Ayers Rock - Alice Springs : Depart for Alice Springs, the largest community in Central Australia. A sightseeing tour of this frontier town includes the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Learn about the educational system in the Outback during a visit to the School of the Air - you may even see a class in session. Experience unique dining and entertainment during a traditional dinner in the bush. Todaydinnerwill be included.
Day 7	The Ghan	Alice Springs - The Ghan : Early this morning you may choose to take an optional hot air balloon ride over the Outback. Next, explore Aboriginal culture through site visits and native cooking. Board the legendary Ghan for an overnight journey through ancient mountain ranges, over red-baked earth, and across oceans of sand hills. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 8	Barossa Valley	The Ghan - Barossa Valley : Your train journey concludes in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Adelaide before traveling to Barossa Valley. Experience the Whispering Wall, listening as voices travel along a quarter-mile path powered by natural amplification. A wine tasting at one of the local wineries introduces the flavors of this region. Dinner at your hotel, in the serene Barossa Valley, overlooks the vineyards of well-known vintners such as Jacobs Creek. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 9	Barossa Valley	Barossa Valley : Barossa Valley is Australia's richest and best-known wine-making region. Enjoy tours and tastings at two of the area's wineries. Your evening is at leisure. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 10	Coonawarra	Barossa Valley - Coonawarra : Travel through the southern Australian countryside, stopping at Naracoorte Caves National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn about the extensive fossil deposits of southern Australia while touring the fossil center. Continue to Coonawarra. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 11	Coonawarra	Coonawarra : Enjoy a morning at leisure. Then learn more about Coonawarra, a rich wine making region known for producing world-class red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon during visits and tastings at two local wineries. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 12	Melbourne	Coonawarra - Melbourne : Traverse the spectacular Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most scenic drives. Pass through Port Campbell and discover the "12 Apostles," a dramatic row of stone pillars rising from the ocean; the "London Bridge," a magnificent stone arch formation; and Loch Ard Gorge. Arrive in Melbourne. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 13	Melbourne	Melbourne : A tour of Melbourne features the Shrine of Remembrance, Parliament House and a visit to Fitzroy Gardens. Travel to Phillip Island, home of the world's largest colony of "Little Penguins." Experience the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of them cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. Learn about the penguins' significance to the area at the Interpretation Centre. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 14	Sydney	Melbourne - Sydney : This morning you're off to Sydney for a panoramic tour of Australia's capital, followed by a tour of the world-famous Sydney Opera House. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 15	Sydney	Sydney : This morning, visit Sydney Wildlife World which showcases over 6,000 native animals and Australia's flora and fauna through three floors of exhibits. Walk amongst the wallabies and birds in an interactive display. Visit the koala sanctuary viewing Australia's most famous species in its natural habitat. You can even pet one! This evening, sail Sydney Harbour during a dinner cruise offering spectacular views of Sydney's renowned icons - the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 16	Sydney	Sydney : Explore Sydney on your own. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 17	Queenstown	Sydney - Queenstown, New Zealand : Fly to the resort town of Queenstown. Visit one of Otago's best-known wineries for a tour and tasting, followed by a spectacular dinner paired with the local favorites. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 18	Queenstown	Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown : Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley to world-famous Milford Sound. Relax as you cruise this dramatic fjord. Return to Queenstown by coach or via a short optional flight* for spectacular views of the Southern Alps. Todaybreakfast and lunchwill be included.
Day 19	Queenstown	Queenstown : Explore Queenstown on your own. Perhaps you'll enjoy an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 20	Mt. Cook	Queenstown - Mt. Cook : Travel through the picturesque countryside, stopping in the gold boomtown of Arrowtown. In Mt. Cook National Park, take a nature walk or enjoy an optional flightseeing tour*. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 21	Christchurch	Mt. Cook - Christchurch : Travel to Christchurch for a short sightseeing tour highlighting its gardens, cathedral and downtown park district. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 22	Christchurch	Christchurch : Today is free to relax and unwind. Perhaps enjoy an optional journey through the Southern Alps aboard the Tranz-Alpine Express. This evening, enjoy a special dinner at a restored mansion that was once the homestead of Christchurch's first settlers. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 23	Christchurch	Christchurch : Enjoy a visit to the International Antarctica Centre, the base for all U.S. expeditions to Antarctica. This evening, dine with a New Zealand family in their home, learning about the customs of the "Kiwis" over a home-cooked meal. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 24	Wellington	Christchurch - Picton - Wellington : Board the Tranz Coastal train for a scenic journey up the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island taking in its beauty - flanked by the Kaikoura Mountain Range to the west and the Pacific Coast to the east. Sail by ferry from Picton through Marlborough Sound and across Cook Strait to the North Island. Arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's harbour capital. Todaybreakfast will be included.
Day 25	Wellington	Wellington : A sightseeing tour of Wellington includes the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic St. Paul's Church, and the Government Building. This afternoon, tour the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the national museum of New Zealand, and enjoy a discussion on the Maori culture. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 26	Rotorua	Wellington - Rotorua : Travel through the heart of the North Island to Rotorua, the center of Maori heritage. Tonight, discover the indigenous culture of New Zealand when you participate in an authentic Hangi and concert. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 27	Rotorua	Rotorua : This morning visit Te Puia for a Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Behold erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools and other geothermal wonders! The Maori keep their customs alive by teaching the tribal youth the skills of traditional carving, weaving and dancing. Take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving and the importance of the Maori dress. View the Kiwi bird and learn how New Zealanders are working to remove the Kiwi from the endangered species list. Next, a visit to the Agrodome offers you insight into how wool is produced during a sheep-shearing demonstration. Visit a jade factory to see how the raw product is transformed into a gemstone. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. Todaybreakfast and dinnerwill be included.
Day 28	Tour Concludes	Rotorua - Auckland - Tour Concludes : Drive to Auckland where your tour ends. Todaybreakfast will be included.

Dates/Pricing

Lodging

	Novotel Cairns Oasis, Cairns		Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock
	Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs		The Ghan Train,
	Novotel, Barossa Valley		Chardonnay Lodge, Coonawarra
	Grand Mercure Swanston, Melbourne		The Menzies, Sydney
	Grand Mercure St. Moritz, Queenstown		Hermitage Lodge, Mt. Cook Region
	Novotel Christchurch, Christchurch		Chateau on the Park, Christchurch
	Novotel Hotel, Wellington		Rydges Hotel, 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.