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SST Tours - International Tours for Seasoned Travelers
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Highlights of
Australia & New Zealand

 
14 Days

12 Meals
Breakfast daily
4 dinners
 Itinerary at a glance:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14

Overnight flight
Overnight flight
Auckland - Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua - Queenstown
Queenstown
Queenstown - Mt. Cook
Christchurch
Melbourne
Melbourne
Canberra - Sydney
Sydney
Sydney
Return flight home
 Departures & Rates:    Travel Inclusions:

• Call or
email us for departure dates and pricing from your gateway city.
• Prices are per person and based on two people sharing a twin-bedded room.
• Single Room Supplement will apply.

• Roundtrip air transportation from your gateway.
• Personal airport VIP greeting & check-in
• All transfers and luggage handling between airports and hotel
• Comprehensive sightseeing throughout the itinerary
• Professional, Tour Manager while on tour
• Pre-departure orientation and travel docs
• All tips and taxes for included services, except airport departure taxes and tips to drivers and guides.
 Detailed Itinerary:

DAY 1 & 2: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

DAY 3: ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND - ROTORUA

This morning we arrive in Auckland New Zealand also known as, “The City of Sails.” Our day begins with an orientation tour of New Zealand’s largest city. We’ll travel past Victoria Park Market, Westhaven Marina, and America’s Cup Village before heading on to the volcanic crater of Mt. Eden where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city and harbour. We continue to travel to Rotorua, where we will enjoy a welcome dinner with your tour manager. (D)

DAY 4: ROTORUA
Today we begin with a visit to Waitomo Caves and tour of the famous Glow Worm Grotto. Ride through the caverns illuminated by millions of glow worms that are endlessly fascinating, looking like blue stars on the ceiling. This afternoon we visit Whakarewarewa where we will take an educational journey through time, covering 300 years of history that are still present within this unique environment of this valley. See boiling pools, bathing and washing areas using the thermal waters and enjoy a cultural performance normally held in the beautifully carved ancestral house, Wahiao. In the evening we’ll experience a Maori Hangi feast, followed by traditional music and dancing. (B,D)

DAY 5: ROTORUA - QUEENSTOWN
This morning we’ll visit Geyser Park and see Rainbow Springs National Park, best known for its trout and wildlife. Also enjoy our visit to the New Zealand Farm Show. Your time here will include a professional sheep shearing demonstration, milking a dairy cow by hand and machine, a live auction, butter making, dog trials, baby animal feeding and much more. This afternoon fly from Rotorua to Queenstown. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is free to relax in this resort town along lovely Lake Wakatipu. The cosmopolitan flavor of Queenstown is reflected in the vibrant downtown center, where shops stay open seven days a week until late evening. (B)

DAY 6: FREE DAY IN QUEENSTOWN

The day is at your leisure. You might want to join an optional trip to Milford Sound. There you will enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley as you travel through beach forest via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound.

DAY 7: QUEENSTOWN - MT. COOK - LOCAL HOME STAY

Traverse the spectacular countryside to New Zealand’s most famous national park, Mt. Cook. Spend afternoon time at Mt. Cook, one of the most impressive mountains in the world. In the afternoon we make our way through the scenic canterberry plains before arriving in Christchurch. This evening you are invited for a special experience, to dine and stay with a New Zealand family. “Meet The Friendly New Zealanders,” is one of the most successful cultural exchange programs in the world. These host families are chosen from a highly selective process to share the New Zealand culture with their guests. (D)

DAY 8: SIGHT-SEEING IN CHRISTCHURCH
This morning enjoy a short sightseeing tour of “The most English city outside of England” highlighting magnificent gardens, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral and the downtown park district. The rest of the afternoon is yours at leisure. (B)

DAY 9: MELBOURNE

This morning fly to Melbourne, truly a city full of history, character and charm. The remainder of today is free for you to experience this city all from our centrally located hotel. The Queen Victoria Market...the southern hemisphere’s largest open-air market is just around the corner and offers a variety of fresh farm produce and a range of uniquely Australian items and souvenirs to take back home.

DAY 10: MELBOURNE

Enjoy a tour of the fascinating city of Melbourne this morning, viewing Parliament House once home to the three different governments, Fitzroy Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. This afternoon we will learn how raw opals are processed from the mine shafts to their arrival in your favorite jewelry store. Over 90 percent of the worlds opals are mined in Australia. We will learn about opals during a discussion covering the history of their mining, the opal extraction process, the qualities to look for when purchasing a gem, and a display of opal cutting. Later today you might want to take an optional trip to Phillip Island to visit the Koala Conservation Center and view the tiny fairy penguins as they waddle up the beach. (B)

DAY 11: TRAIN RIDE THROUGH WINE COUNTRY - CANBERRA - SYDNEY

This morning you will be transferred to the train station for a wonderful day of riding the rails through Aussie wine country on your way to Sydney. The Blue Mountain region is famous for opals and scenery. We’ll stop in Canberra, Australia’s capital. Surprisingly an American Architect is credited for designing the Australian capital! We will enjoy an orientation of this unique city before continuing onto Sydney for our 3 night stay. (B)

DAY 12: SYDNEY

After a big breakfast, the day is set for a great day of sight-seeing in Sydney, including visits to the historic Rocks District. The Rocks is the site of Australia’s first European settlement, the colorful street-scapes and beautifully restored buildings are home to a wide variety of entertainment venues and specialty shops. Next we will stop off at Darling Harbour with its rich history having an integral role in Sydney’s early market days. This afternoon you may choose an optional tour to Koala Park, where you will see koalas in their natural habitat. You will even have the chance to feed the kangaroos and pet a wombat! (B)

DAY 13: SYDNEY

The day has been left free of organized group activities. You may want to join an exciting Bridge Climb on the Sydney Harbour Bridge or take time for some last minute shopping. Later this evening we’ll relax and enjoy a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a wonderful dinner while seeing many sights of the spectacular harbour including the opera house, Sydney Bridge and multi-million dollar homes of the rich and famous. (B,D)

DAY 14: RETURN TO USA

This morning you will be transferred to the airport and we’ll board our flights back home. Arrive home on the same day as we left, courtesy of the International Date Line. (B)
SST Tours - International Tours for Seasoned Travelers
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