Great Trains, Wineries and Cultures of Australia and New Zealand

br />Spend 4 glorious weeks traveling through Australia and New Zealand. Explore the diverse natural wonders of land and water, from sacred Ayers Rock and the amazing underwater life of the Great Barrier Reef to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the magical fjords of Milford Sound. Local specialists enhance your understanding of the cultural history of the unique Aboriginal and Maori cultures as well as the vast natural history highlighted throughout your journey. Travel on the historic Ghan train for an overnight journey through the outback concluding the beautiful city of Adelaide,; board the Tranz Coastal train for a scenic ride up the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island; enjoy special wine tastings at the well-known vineyards of Coonawarra and Australia’s Barossa Valley; and take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving in New Zealand.

Day 1 and Day 2: 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 3: Arrive Cairns, Australia
Welcome to Cairns – the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a special reception and dinner.

Day 4: 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!

Day 5: 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.

Day 6: 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.

Day 7: 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.

Day 8: 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.

Day 9: 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.

Day 10: 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.

Day 11: 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.

Day 12: 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.

Day 13: 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.

Day 14: 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.

Day 15: 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.

Day 16: 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.

Day 17: Sydney
Explore Sydney on your own.

Day 18: 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.

Day 19: 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.

Day 20: Queenstown
Explore Queenstown on your own. Perhaps you’ll enjoy an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River.

Day 21: 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*.

Day 22: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Travel to Christchurch for a short sightseeing tour highlighting its gardens, cathedral and downtown park district.

Day 23: 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.

Day 24: 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.

Day 25: 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.

Day 26: 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.

Day 27: 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.

Day 28: 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.

Day 29: Rotorua - Auckland - Tour Concludes
Drive to Auckland where your tour ends.

Don't miss our current specials: FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
1/6/2011 - 2/2/2011	$6,299
2/17/2011 - 3/16/2011	$6,299
3/10/2011 - 4/6/2011	$6,299
4/3/2011 - 4/30/2011	$6,199
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.

FREE Door to Door Service

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour has no reviews yet. Have you experienced this tour? Write a review.

Related Travel Articles

• Travel Improves Your Health
• Sydney Opera House: One of the World's Most Iconic Buildings
• Adventures by Disney Invites Families to Experience the World in 2010
• About Trafalgar Tours
• PERSONALIZE YOUR HONEYMOON - STRESS-FREE - WITH MONOGRAMS
• Touring Australia and New Zealand
• Royal Caribbean Cruises for 2011
• Fascinating Sydney, Australia