AAT Kings Escorted AAT Kings Escorted 2019-2020 | Page 46

46 Queenstown Contrasts of Australia & New Zealand 17 DAYS MELBOURNE QUEENSTOWN QCANA Melbourne Cairns Great Barrier Reef Sydney Auckland Rotorua Christchurch Franz Josef Queenstown Milford Sound On this grand, wide-ranging journey, you’ll explore the two diverse and fascinating nations that lie on the shores of the Tasman Sea. Vastly different in size, and each offering unique landscapes and experiences, Australia and New Zealand share a well-earned reputation for warm hospitality and great cuisine. Discover kiwis and crocodiles, exciting cosmopolitan cities, the Great Barrier Reef and stunning Milford Sound. HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy a special Be My Guest experience at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park • Indulge in lunch & learn about Aussie surf culture at Bondi Beach • Venture inside the Sydney Opera House on a guided tour • Toast the sunset on a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour • View Darling Harbour from your Sydney hotel room • Discover native Australian animals at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures • Snorkel & cruise on the Great Barrier Reef • Discover Melbourne’s colorful hidden laneways • Join the O’Sullivans for lunch on their Waikato farm • Discover spectacular Milford Sound on a lunch cruise • View Franz Josef Glacier • Visit a jade factory • Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train • Immerse yourself in rich Māori arts & culture with the Tamaki family over dinner Day 1 Welcome to Melbourne Day 2 Melbourne Day 3 Melbourne – Cairns Day 4 Great Barrier Reef Get to know your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening at a Welcome Reception and dinner on board Melbourne’s famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Melbourne, 2 nights. DW Explore Melbourne on a city sights tour this morning, then discover its gracious arcades, eclectic laneways and vibrant street art on a private walking tour. The rest of the day is at leisure to immerse yourself in this stylish cityscape. B Depart Melbourne by air this morning for Cairns, where you’ll join a local expert for a wildlife journey at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Enjoy a cruise where you’re sure to encounter koalas, wallabies and crocodiles. Hotel: Pacific Hotel, Cairns, 3 nights. B Board a high-speed catamaran today and cruise out to the iconic Great Barrier Reef beneath the sparkling blue waters of the Coral Sea. You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkeling (equipment provided), or view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board before you return to Cairns. B L Day 5 Cairns Free Time Day 6 Cairns – Sydney Day 7 Sydney Today is free for you to pursue your own interests in this vibrant tropical city, or you may choose to visit Kuranda, the ‘village in the rainforest’. This evening, you’ll be treated to a special Be My Guest dinner at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Experience a personal Welcome to Country ceremony, hear stories of the Dreamtime, witness an entertaining high-impact performance by an indigenous dance group and enjoy dinner accompanied by the sounds of the didgeridoo. B BG This morning you’ll fly to Sydney, where you’ll have time to relax or explore before boarding a Captain Cook Sunset Highlight Dinner Cruise. Glide past magnificent waterfront homes, the legendary Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Hotel: Hyatt Regency (Darling Harbour View Room), 3 nights. B HD Enjoy a tour of the Sydney Opera House then head to Bondi Beach for lunch at an Australian institution, the Returned Servicemen’s Club. Your host, a local surf lifesaver, will lead you on an exclusive tour through Australia’s oldest lifesaving club. Your afternoon is free for exploring or shopping, enjoying an optional excursion, or maybe just taking a stroll along the harbor front. B L