New Year's Eve Down Under

Your room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 3pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner.

Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the Sydney Opera House and travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s botanic gardens for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Enjoy a walk around the Rocks District, the site of the first European settlement in Australia now home to shops, restaurants, and art galleries. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.

Today is at leisure. You may wish to spend some time in Darling Harbour with its many shops and restaurants. Other options including visiting the Art Gallery of New South Wales, strolling through the Royal Botanic Garden, or enjoying delicious Asian food at one of the restaurants in Spice Alley. This evening, a special New Year’s Eve celebration awaits.

Today, enjoy time to relax after your New Year’s Eve celebration.

Fly to Cairns, “Gateway of the Great Barrier Reef.” Check-in to your Cairns hotel for a 3-night stay. Cairns is known for its mild winters, great nightlife and plenty of fun things to see and do. Why not explore the Cairns Night Markets whose vendors sell a vast array of souvenirs, delicious foods, and the work of local artisans and designers.

Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure.

A full day at leisure.

Fly this morning to Australia’s “Red Center.” Enjoy a tour at the base of the rock, learning of its significance to the Anangu Aboriginal people. Visit magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendour of some 36 brilliant domes. Later, visit the “Sunset Strip” for a drink and to witness the changing hues painting the rock.

NOTE:
Due to this remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Cairns to Uluru.

Today, fly to Melbourne. Enjoy three nights in the city often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital. Melbourne is a blend of world-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and interesting hidden laneways.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore more of this vibrant city on your own.

Board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously described by author, Rudyard Kipling, as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Late this evening, return to Queenstown.

NOTE:
The excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 15 depending on weather and road conditions today.

Today’s journey brings us to magnificent Mount Cook National Park. Weather permitting, you may wish to join a stargazing program this evening. The Mount Cook region offers some of the darkest skies in the world – perfect for viewing the southern night sky

Travel to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island and then fly to Rotorua, the heart of the Māori culture.

Depart Rotorua and cross over the Mamakue ranges to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Then, travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to Auckland. This evening, why not enjoy a glass of New Zealand’s famous wine while dining at one of Auckland’s world-class restaurants?

Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy a festive farewell dinner.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.