Cruising Down Under - Eastbound 2017

19 days
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USTOA

Small Ship Cruise
Our 19-day Australia and New Zealand cruise blends land stays in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Auckland with 9 nights aboard L'Austral cruising to New Zealand's natural gems... creating cultural connections through Tauck's signature sightseeing, exclusive cultural experiences and included shore excursions.

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • 9-night cruise aboard L'Austral; overnight hotel stays in Melbourne
    • Cairns
    • Sydney
    • Queenstown & Auckland; Sydney Opera House tour; snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef; rainforest gondola in Cairns; visits to Larnach Castle
    • a wildlife preserve & a brewery in Dunedin; Akaroa
    • including Little River and Giant's House and Garden; wine tasting in Marlborough; Waiheke Island
    • Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum
    • Whakarewarewa Reserve

What's this trip about?

    Our 19-day Australia and New Zealand cruise blends land stays in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Auckland with 9 nights aboard L'Austral cruising to New Zealand's natural gems... creating cultural connections through Tauck's signature sightseeing, exclusive cultural experiences and included shore excursions.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMelbourne
End CityWaiheke Island, New Zealand

Travel Themes

  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Auckland
  • Cairns
  • Melbourne
  • Queenstown
  • Sydney

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Private Tauck Shore Excursions - $2,875 Value 9-night cruise, plus hotel stays & sightseeing in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, Queenstown & Auckland Insider tour of Sydney Opera House; a Great Barrier Reef cruise & jet boating in Queenstown A Tauck-exclusive lecturer onboard throughout the cruise to provide expert insights In-depth exploration of Dunedin, with visits to Larnach Castle, a wildlife preserve & a brewery; sightseeing in Akaroa, including Little River and the Giant's House and Garden Wine tasting in Marlborough and on Waiheke Island & a private tour of Auckland Museum Bar & restaurant beverages throughout the day aboard ship, including house wines and spirits Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 45 meals on land and sea (18 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 14 dinners), all gratuities to Tauck Director, local guides & ship staff, applicable fuel surcharges, service charges, porterage and taxes

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Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Melbourne
Tour begins: 6:30 PM at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. A transfer is included upon arrival from Melbourne International Airport to the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, located at the prestigious 'Paris end' of Collins Street. We have arranged for an early check-in so you...
Day 2 Melbourne City Sights
Explore Melbourne this morning on a city tour that showcases Fitzroy Gardens, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Victorian Parliament House. Visit the Shrine of Remembrance before enjoying the remainder of the day as you choose. MEALS : B LODGING : Sofitel Melbourne on Collins PORTOFCALL : Melbourne, Australia

Day 3 Fly to Cairns & Meet the Crocs
Welcome aboard Tauck's private charter flight as we wing our way to Cairns. First stop is a wildlife park for a boat cruise on Hartley's Lagoon and a barbecue lunch. Crocodiles are an integral part of the waterscapes here; meet them on a guided tour and during a hands-on...
Day 4 A great day at the Great Barrier Reef
Step outside on the dock of your hotel and board our waiting boat for a cruise to one of the world's true natural wonders. Home to more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef teems with marine life; it is estimated that some 1,500 different s...
Day 5 Rainforest Canopy & Fly to Sydney
Experience World Heritage Rainforest with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, including time at two mid-stations for views of Barron Falls and other inspiring sights. Touch down for a flight to Sydney aboard Tauck's private charter. Spend the next two nights on the celebrated h...
Day 6 A g'day in Sydney
Begin the day with a tour of city sights, including an insider visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House and a delightful cruise around Sydney Harbour. Spend the rest of your time here at leisure. MEALS : B, L LODGING : Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney PORTOFCALL : Sydney, Australia

Day 7 Fly to Queenstown & a jet boat ride
An early morning flight speeds you across the Tasman Sea to Queenstown for an overnight stay. Sightseeing treats today include a ride on the Skyline gondola and a jet boat* adventure. Dine à la carte tonight at your resort on Lake Wakatipu. MEALS : B, D LODGING : Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa PORTOFCALL : Queenstown, New Zealand

Day 8 Milford Sound / Embark L'Austral
Your Tauck cruise begins in Milford Sound, where the glacier-hewn scenery will take your breath away. En route to L'Austral, stop for lunch at Te Anau in the Fiordlands resort area. Embark your ship this afternoon and enjoy the picturesque sights "Down Under" as you chart a course for Dusky Sound. MEALS : B, L, D LODGING : Aboard L'Austral PORTOFCALL : Milford Sound, New Zealand

Day 9 Sailing in Dusky Sound
A full day at sea onboard your yacht is a delightful way to spend your first day cruising the waters of New Zealand, bound for Dunedin. In addition to the welcoming amenities of your ship, our exclusive lecturer will be sharing expert insights and anecdotes with you. MEALS : B, L, D LODGING : Aboard L'Austral

Day 10 An Adventurous Day in Dunedin
New Zealand's oldest city, Dunedin, on the South Island, is home to a fascinating mix of natural and historic sights. Home to rare yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and the world's only mainland albatross colony, Dunedin boasts a rich legacy that combines its days as a gol...
Day 11 Treasured Finds in Akaroa
In Maori, "akaroa" means "long harbor" and that's what comes to mind as you first step ashore today to discover the sights of this French-inspired South Island town. Guided sightseeing includes visits to the pretty village of Little River, the Garden at French Farm and t...
Day 12 A Taste of Marlborough Wine Country
Rise early today to enjoy the quiet beauty of the inlets and narrow passages of Queen Charlotte Sound - one of the four Marlborough Sounds - as L'Austral cruises to Picton for a day ashore in the Marlborough wine region. A wine tasting at a local vineyard, a visit to a w...
Day 13 Wonderful Wellington
New Zealanders call Wellington the capital of cool; as the seat of the country's government, it's all that and more. Your shore tour of Wellington includes a visit to Mt. Victoria Peak, and a cable car ride to the Botanic Garden to see the award-winning rose garden and g...
Day 14 Napier, A City Reborn
Rebuilt in the then-popular Art Deco style and expanded after suffering through New Zealand's worst earthquake in 1931, Napier has been called "the prettiest little city in New Zealand." Guided sightseeing includes a ride on the Hawke's Bay Express and a walking tour sho...
Day 15 Coastal Cruising in New Zealand
Spend the entire day enjoying seafaring pleasures aboard ship as L'Austral steams toward the thermal landscapes of New Zealand's North Island. MEALS : B, L, D LODGING : Aboard L'Austral

Day 16 Tauranga & Rotorua
Sun, sea and surf rule in Tauranga, the perfect port of call for a day filled with outdoor discoveries on the North Island of New Zealand. Come ashore for a drive to nearby Rotorua for a visit to the Whakarewarewa Reserve where the landscapes bubble with mud pools and ge...
Day 17 Disembark Ship in Auckland
Disembark L'Austral in Auckland. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city, including the waterfront neighborhood of Westhaven, and a private tour of Auckland Museum to see its collection of Maori and Polynesian art and artifacts. Lunch and dinner are on your own today. MEALS : B LODGING : Hilton Auckland PORTOFCALL : Auckland, New Zealand

Day 18 Waiheke Island Tours & Tastings
Ride the ferry to Waiheke Island for a tour of an olive estate, a wine tasting and vineyard lunch; enjoy some time at leisure. Join us this evening for our farewell dinner that marks the end of a fabulous journey. MEALS : B, L, D LODGING : Hilton Auckland PORTOFCALL : Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Day 19 Journey home
Tour ends: Auckland. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included to the Auckland Airport from the Hilton Auckland. Allow a minimum of three hours for your flight check-in. MEALS : B

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Dates & Availability

Price From $12,340
Price per day$649
Last Updated: 2/16/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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May 2024

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Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

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Cougess

Jan 2023

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Skip this cruise - not worth it

My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...

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Tauck

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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Logistics

Ship & cabin information
L'AUSTRAL
L'AUSTRAL L'Austral, a sleek yacht launched in 2011, is small enough to provide a truly intimate cruise experience; her size makes her ideally suited for visiting ports that bigger ships can’t reach. L'Austral sports 6 decks that include Le Restaurant Gastronomique, the elegant main dining room serving French and international cuisine; the casual Le Grill Restaurant; three lounges offering evening entertainment, bars and access to the open decks; Le Théâtre hosting informative lectures and entertainment; a Fitness and Beauty Corner; a Medical Center; and multiple observation areas. Elevators serve all passenger decks. Staterooms (ranging in size from 200 to 210 sq. ft.) and suites (ranging in size from 301 to 398 sq. ft.) have ocean views; 95% have private balconies. Staterooms are decorated by French designers, offering individually controlled air conditioning, twin beds converting to a queen-size bed (or one queen-size bed), DVD / CD player, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, electronic safe and minibar.
Built: 2010 Length: 466 ft. Draft: 15.3 ft. Beam: 59 ft. Tonnage: 10,700 tons Cruising Speed: 14 knots Air Conditioned: Yes Elevator: Yes Number of Guests: 224 - 264 Crew Members: 140 Registry: France Crew Nationality: French / International Internet: Send / Receive / Surf
L'AUSTRAL
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-APE2017

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