Royal Escorted

A 22-Day Quantas tour starting from $6,990

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Starting Price: $6,990 Printer Friendly Page
Tour Length: 22 Days
Countries Visited: Australia, New Zealand
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More Information About This Tour:
Tour Type: Australia Tour
Tour Category: First Class Tour
Tour Operator: Quantas
Tour Code: QTE22
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Cities Visited:
Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Mt Cook, Sydney, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Dunk Island, Cairns, Coral Coast,

It is not surprising that this is our most popular escorted tour. This Premier Escorted Group Vacation explores the icons of New Zealand and Australia. You will be accompanied by an expert guide from the moment you arrive. Discover attractions in style, stay in premier hotels and enjoy local delicacies. Special highlights include staying on a tropical island for 2 nights and an overnight at Mt Cook. Enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow travelers, with a group limited to no more than 30 people.

 
Price Includes

  • Fully escorted touring in New Zealand and Australia with Tour Director and Driver/Guides

  • Luxury motorcoaches and superior accommodations

  • Centrally-located hotels in key locations

  • 37 meals: 21 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L), 12 dinners, (D)


  • Country Homestay Option on Day 5 (must be pre-booked)

     
    Note: Itinerary effective 1 May 2009

    Day 1: Los Angeles
    This evening board your flight bound for Auckland, New Zealand. (D)

    Day 2: In Flight
    Cross the International Dateline and “lose” a day.

    Day 3: Auckland
    Arrive in Auckland and meet your Tour Director. Make an early-morning check-in at your hotel before an afternoon of sightseeing. Gather this evening for a special welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. Overnight: Auckland, Crowne Plaza (B,D)

    Day 4: Auckland—Rotorua
    Travel south to the Waitomo Caves for a guided tour and ride through the fascinating Glow Worm grotto. Continue to the Rotorua thermal region, where you are invited to a special Hangi (feast) and Maori concert. Overnight: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua for 2 nights (B,D)

    Day 5: Rotorua Sightseeing
    Tour Te Puia Thermal Reserve to discover boiling mud pools and steaming geysers. See an agricultural show and sheep-shearing display, then travel to Rainbow Springs to view the flightless Kiwi bird. Later, choose to experience rural living with a country family: Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and stay the night—or dine and stay at the hotel (B,D)

    Day 6: Rotorua—Christchurch
    There is time to relax before flying to the charming city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. Overnight: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B,D)
    Day 7: Christchurch—Franz Josef
    Board the TranzAlpine Train for your journey through spectacular alpine scenery in the Southern Alps. Continue down the rugged West Coast to the remarkable Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (B,D)

    Day 8: Franz Josef—Queenstown
    Magical scenery presents itself today as you travel over Haast Pass, then along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Check in to your accommodation, located right on Queenstown’s waterfront. This evening cruise aboard the vintage steamer TSS Earnslaw to historic Walter Peak Station for dinner. Overnight: Queenstown, Crowne Plaza Hotel for 2 nights (B,D)

    Day 9: Milford Sound Cruise
    Enjoy the beauty of Fiordland National Park as you cruise Milford Sound beneath tumbling waterfalls and famous Mitre Peak. The optional return flight to Queenstown provides a memorable aerial perspective of this untamed region (flight, own expense). (B,L)

    Day 10: Queenstown—Mt Cook
    The morning is free before traveling to New Zealand’s highest peak, Mt Cook, where the Tasman Glacier flows down its eastern slopes. If the weather permits, take a ski-plane flight over this spectacular region, including landing on the glacier (optional, own expense). Overnight: Mt Cook National Park, The Hermitage (B,D)
    Day 11: Mt Cook—Christchurch—Sydney
    Travel via Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Burkes Pass, through the plains of Canterbury to Christchurch, where you board your flight to Sydney, Australia. Check in to your hotel and relax for the remainder of the day. Overnight: Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel for 3 nights (B)

    Day 12: Breakfast with the Koalas, Sydney City Sights, Harbor Cruise
    Enjoy a unique breakfast with the koalas at a wildlife park before seeing Sydney’s iconic sights on a tour of the city and its surrounding beaches. Later take a luncheon cruise on Sydney’s harbor for great views of the famous Harbor Bridge and Opera House before enjoying a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. (B,L)

    Day 13: Sydney at Leisure
    Relax and enjoy cosmopolitan Sydney today. Perhaps take an optional sightseeing tour to the Hunter Valley or the Blue Mountains (own expense), stroll the famous Rocks area or visit the exclusive Queen Victoria Shopping Complex. (B)

    Day 14: Sydney—Melbourne
    After a short flight to Melbourne, the “Garden City,” take an in-depth tour including Victoria Market, Parliament House and beautiful Fitzroy Gardens. Check in to your elegant accommodation. This evening, step aboard the Colonial Tramcar for dinner while traveling the streets of Melbourne and the exclusive suburbs of Toorak and South Yarra. Overnight: Melbourne, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for 2 nights (B,D)

    Day 15: Melbourne at Leisure
    Today enjoy the many delights of Melbourne. Stroll through Southgate on the Yarra River, visit the city’s shopping arcades, catch a tram to St. Kilda, or take an optional tour to see the world famous “Penguin Parade” on Phillip Island (own expense). (B)

    Day 16: Melbourne—Alice Springs
    Morning flight to Alice Springs. On arrival, takea tour of this famous “Outback” town located close to the very center of the vast Australian continent.Visit the base of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, see the Old Telegraph Station and enjoy views of the town from Anzac Hill. Tonight enjoy a special Outback dinner and Aboriginal performance.Overnight: Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza (B,D)

    Day 17: Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
    Try riding a camel this morning when you makea stop at a Camel Farm (own expense). Continue to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home of Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Visit the Olgas, a cluster of 36rocky domes dominating the western skyline.Enjoy sunset at the Rock and be amazed by thechanging colors. Tonight, you may wish to dine at the Sounds of Silence dinner (optional, ownexpense, pre-booking recommended). Overnight:Ayers Rock Resort, Sails in the Desert (B)

    Day 18: Uluru (Ayers Rock)—Cairns
    Tour the base of Ayers Rock this morning viewingrock art, caves and sacred sites, and hearing of theregion’sancient Aboriginal legends. Visit MarukuArts & Crafts Gallery where there is the opportunityto purchase original artifacts from local Aborigines.Later, board a flight bound for the tropical city of Cairns, taking in the local sights on arrival.Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La, The Marina (B)

    Day 19: Cairns—Dunk Island
    Travel to tropical Dunk Island, your home for the nexttwo nights. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoythe palm-fringed beaches and lush rainforests, filledwith exotic flowers and bird life. Overnight: DunkIsland, Beachfront Room for 2nights (B,D)

    Day 20: Great Barrier Reef Cruise
    Witness the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef as youspend the day at lovely Beaver Cay. Swim, snorkel andjoin the glass-bottom boat to view brilliantly colored coral, giant clams and tropical fish. (B,L)

    Day 21: Kuranda, Scenic Railway – Cairns
    Depart Dunk Island and follow the coastline north toCairns. Journey to Kuranda, a picturesque mountainrainforest retreat. Enjoy some time to explore the lushsurroundings and the local markets. Then ride theKuranda Scenic Railway through the rainforest backto Cairns. Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner.Overnight: Cairns, Shangri-La, The Marina (B,D)

    Day 22: Depart Cairns—Los Angeles
    Board your flight to Los Angeles. (B) (B,L)

     
             
    Touring Date
    Land Only
    Land + Air
    Single
    (Land Only)
    Single
    (Land + Air)


    No Departure Date Information was found for this Tour. This could be due
    to our website undergoing an update.

    Please call a tour specialist at 1-800-942-3301 for personalized assistance.

     

             

    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.

    NEW ZEALAND

  • Tour the geothermal region of Rotorua

  • Traditional Hangi (feast) and Maori concert

  • Cross the Southern Alps by rail

  • View spectacular Franz Josef Glacier

  • Cruise beautiful Milford Sound

  • Visit Mt Cook National Park and spend a night at Mt Cook


  • AUSTRALIA

  • Breakfast with the Koalas in Sydney

  • Sydney sights and southern surf beaches

  • Sydney Harbor luncheon cruise

  • Tour the Sydney Opera House

  • Melbourne City Sights & Tramcar Dinner

  • Outback dinner and Aboriginal performance in Alice Springs

  • Explore Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

  • Relax on tropical Dunk Island for 2 nights

  • Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef

  • Kuranda Scenic Railway

  • Breakfast with the Koalas in Sydney


  •  

    All tour prices are per person, in US dollar.

    *Land price includes all New Zealand and Australian domestic flights and is based on using Qantas Airways as the international carrier. Fare will differ for other airlines.

    Prices may differ when you book your travel and are not guaranteed until full payment is received. All prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change. Please call for our current prices.

     
     

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