New Years in Australia & New Zealand

OVERNIGHT FLIGHT 2 nights
Day 1: Travel day
Cross the International Date Line in flight and “lose” a day.

Day 2: Travel day
Your flight continues to Australia.

SYDNEY 3 nights Hotel info
Day 3: Arrival in Sydney
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Welcome to Sydney! At an included welcome dinner, meet your fellow travelers.

Day 4: Sightseeing tour of Sydney
Included meals: Breakfast
Take a guided tour of one of the world’s most pleasant cities.

• Pass Darling Harbor and the Royal Botanic Gardens
• Stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair to take in views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge
• See the Rocks neighborhood, the Gap in Watsons Bay and Bondi Beach
• Enter the National Opal Collection then visit the Sydney Opera House with a guide
• Enjoy a free evening in Sydney or add an excursion.

Optional Excursion - Sydney Harbor Dinner Cruise $129pp* Details

Take a dinner cruise through Sydney Harbor, basking in views of the city’s famous bridge, opera house and twinkling cityscape at night. The MV Sydney 2000, one of Sydney's most prestigious cruise ships, features multiple decks and live entertainment. Your dinner will be served on the Sky Deck, offering 360-degree views of the city.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $139)

Day 5: Free day in Sydney & New Year’s Eve celebration
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included entrances: Champagne toast

• Enjoy a free day in Sydney or add an excursion.
• Tonight, enjoy a celebratory dinner and a Champagne toast to welcome the new year.

Optional Excursion - The Blue Mountains & Koala Park $129pp* Details

On a clear day, the Blue Mountains are imbued with an exquisite blue hue, the result of sunlight striking drops of eucalyptus oil hanging in the air. On this excursion, you’ll visit Scenic World to see the famed Three Sisters rock formation. See the historic township of Katoomba, then browse through the shops in the quaint village of Leura, where you’ll also have free time for lunch. Set out on a short bushwalk to Wentworth Falls and enjoy panoramic views of Jamison and Megalong Valleys. Stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you can view koalas, kangaroos and crocodiles. You’ll even get the chance to feed kangaroos and wallabies. Please note: This excursion is weather dependent.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $139)

• CAIRNS 3 nights Hotel info
• Day 6: Fly to Cairns
• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Fly to Cairns, a coastal city in the state of Queensland. Then, enjoy a dinner with your fellow travelers.

• Day 7: The Great Barrier Reef
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a full day at the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system.
Head to Cairns Marina to board a boat out into the Coral Sea
View the coral’s colors from the underwater observatory, glass-bottom boat or semi-submarine—or hop in the water with a snorkel

• Day 8: Free Day in Cairns
• Included meals: Breakfast

Spend a full free day in Cairns or add an excursion.
Optional Excursion - Kuranda Village Aboriginal Park & Rainforest $159pp* Details

At the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, meet your guide who will accompany you through the park. Along the way, you’ll learn how to make and play a didgeridoo, how to throw a spear and watch performances that celebrate the culture of the rainforest’s indigenous people. Next, you’ll take a scenic ride on the historic Kuranda Train before a leisurely lunch break. Take some free time to explore the Kuranda Village—discover treasures at the markets, visit an Aboriginal art gallery or hop on a river cruise. Before the end of your trip, take a ride on the Skyrail cable car, soaring high over the canopy of the forest. The cable car will stop along the way, giving you the chance to walk along a boardwalk through the rainforest floor.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $169)

• AYERS ROCK 1 night Hotel info
• Day 9: Transfer to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park
• Included meals: Breakfast

Fly from Cairns to Ayers Rock. Then, take a panoramic tour of the magnificent monolith (called “Uluru” to the locals) that’s been worshiped by Aboriginal tribes for 22,000 years. You’ll take in views of Kata Tjuta, the weathered rock domes also known as the Olgas.

ALICE SPRINGS 1 night Hotel info
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Alice Springs
Included meals: Breakfast

This morning, take a scenic drive through the Outback, stopping at a camel farm for a ride. Then, continue on to Alice Springs for a guided sightseeing tour.

• Stop at Anzac Hill and take in sweeping views of the town and countryside
• Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of Air and the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station

MELBOURNE 3 nights Hotel info
Day 11: Flight to Melbourne
Included meals: Breakfast

• Spend a free morning in Alice Springs or add an excursion.
• Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Melbourne.

Optional Excursion - Sunrise Ballooning $239pp* Details

Sail through the morning sky high above Alice Springs on this breathtaking excursion. Watch as kangaroos and wallabies greet another day in the Outback. Your balloon ride lasts 30 minutes, and upon landing, you'll enjoy breakfast accompanied by champagne. Please note: This excursion is weather dependent.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $249)

• Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Melbourne
• Included meals: Breakfast

Take a guided tour of the city’s beautiful 19th-century architecture, historic landmarks and sprawling parks.

• Explore Carlton Gardens, home of the Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum
• Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Shrine of Remembrance
• Pass the Yarra River, the Sports and Arts Precinct and Queen Victoria Market
• Enjoy a free afternoon in Melbourne or add an excursion.

Optional Excursion - Fairy Penguin Parade $139pp* Details

Every night, the tiny Fairy Penguins of Phillip Island waddle ashore in an adorable parade. On this excursion, you'll journey to Summerland Beach to see the penguins come home after a long day of fishing. They're returning to feed their babies, and you'll watch as the penguins arrive for dinner on the beach. Please note: This excursion is weather dependent.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $149)

Day 13: Free day in Melbourne
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Enjoy a full free day in Melbourne or add an excursion.
• Tonight, enjoy dinner in Melbourne with your fellow travelers.

Optional Excursion - Yarra Valley Winery via Steamtrain $165pp* Details

Embark on a journey to the Dandenong Ranges rainforest. Upon arrival, you’ll have the opportunity to feed some of the wild birds native to the area, including colorful parrots and cockatoos. Next, board the authentic “Puffing Billy” steam-powered train en route to Menzies Creek. Along the way, admire the mountain’s eucalyptus forest and fern gullies. After the scenic train ride, you’ll travel to a regional vineyard to enjoy an included lunch and wine tasting, followed by a visit to another local winery.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $175)

CHRISTCHURCH REGION 1 night Hotel info
Day 14: Arrival in the Christchurch Region
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Say goodbye to Australia and fly to Christchurch, New Zealand, where you’ll enjoy a home-hosted dinner with a Kiwi family.

QUEENSTOWN 4 nights Hotel info
Day 15: Transfer to Queenstown
Included meals: Breakfast
Pass through the Canterbury Plains and the sheep-farming region..
Stop at the Tin Shed, a traditional barnyard-style country store featuring authentic New Zealand-made woolen goods
Pass by beautiful Lake Tekapo and the popular Jones’s Fruit Stall

Day 16: Sightseeing tour of Queenstown
Included meals: Breakfast
Included entrances: Wine tasting
Spend the day exploring the Queenstown area with your Tour Director.

• Take the Gondola Aerial Cableway 1,500 feet up Bob’s Peak
• Visit the Gibbston Valley vineyard for a wine tasting and explore the gold rush settlement of Arrowtown and see the bridge where bungy jumping was born
• Enjoy free time in Queenstown or add an excursion.

Optional Excursion - Walter Peak: Lake Cruise & Dinner $99pp* Details

Board the steam-powered TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu. Your destination is Walter Peak, one of New Zealand’s most famous sheep and cattle stations. There, you'll enjoy a barbecue dinner and watch a sheep-shearing demonstration and sheep dog show before heading back to Queenstown. Please note: This excursion is seasonal from October through April. A weatherproof jacket and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $109)

Day 17: Milford Sound
Included meals: Breakfast
Depart early this morning to see the breathtaking scenery of Fiordland.

• Travel through the Five Rivers farming region and past Lake Te Anau
• Pass through beautiful beech forests and by glittering mirror lakes
• Climb to the Homer Saddle and drive through Homer Tunnel
• Cruise around Milford Sound, in view of Mitre Peak

Day 18: Free day in Queenstown
Included meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day in Queenstown.

ROTORUA 1 night Hotel info
Day 19: Arrival in Rotorua
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Fly to Rotorua in the heart of Maori country and enjoy a traditional hangi feast.

AUCKLAND 2 nights Hotel info
Day 20: Transfer to Auckland via Kiwi Wildlife Park
Included meals: Breakfast
Learn about the region’s indigenous birds at the Kiwi Wildlife Park. Then, get to know Auckland, the City of Sails, with your Tour Director in the lead.

• Take an elevator to the top of the 1,076-foot-high Sky Tower
• Pass the Auckland Harbor Bridge and the neoclassical Auckland Museum
• Explore Mission Bay Beach and the scenic suburb of Parnell

Day 21: Free day in Auckland
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Enjoy a full free day in Auckland or add an excursion. 
• Later, say goodbye to your group at tonight’s farewell dinner.

Optional Excursion - Waiheke Island $115pp* Details

Board a ferry and settle in for a scenic cruise across the Auckland Harbor to Waiheke Island. Upon arrival at the wharf, a local guide will provide full commentary regarding the history of the island, the native flora and fauna, and tales of the region. Make your way to a local boutique vineyard for a wine tasting before continuing to a bustling olive oil mill. With the beach close at hand, take some time after the tastings to explore the coast and soak in the spectacular views. Before boarding the ferry back to Auckland, you’ll have free time for lunch at a local cafe or restaurant.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $125)

Day 22: Departure
Included meals: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to explore Fiji.

Add Fiji $749 pp

Conjure up your fantasy of paradise on earth: you’re probably imagining Fiji. Gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, colorful coral reefs, lush tropical rainforests and majestic mountains—that’s what makes this island nation in the South Pacific one of the most enticing places on Earth. Paradise, aside, perhaps the true allure of Fiji lies with the warmth of the people and the fascinating blend of cultures that has endured for centuries.

FIJI 3 nights Hotel info
Day 22: Arrival in Fiji
Included meals: Breakfast
Fly to Nadi, Fiji, where you will be taken to your seaside hotel.

Day 23: Free day in Fiji
Included meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day on Denarau Island.

Day 24: Free day in Fiji
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend another free day on Denarau Island or add an excursion.
Optional Excursion - Fiji Village Visit $75pp* Details

Set off to Viseisei Village, one of the oldest settlements in Fiji. On the way, stop at Nadi market for a guided walk through its fruit and vegetable stalls. Then proceed to your destination where you’ll be greeted with a traditional welcome ritual, including a taste of kava, a ceremonial beverage. After a walking tour of the village, learn to collect, husk and extract milk from coconuts during a hands-on demonstration. Finish your day with a farewell drink before you return to your hotel.
Save $10 when you book this excursion up to 3 days before your tour departs. (On-tour price: $85)

Day 25: Departure
Included meals: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.