Australia & New Zealand

Day 1

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (D)

Our Down Under Adventure begins this evening with a Qantas Airlines flight from Los Angeles International Airport to the island continent of Australia. DOWN UNDER DELIGHTS - Australia travelers begin the Adventure here!

Day 2

EN ROUTE TO MELBOURNE (B,L,D)

We lose a day by crossing the magical International Date Line; we'll regain it when we fly home. Flying time is only about 3 meals, 2 movies, a 2-hour leg-stretching break in Auckland, and a long nap!

Day 3

ACTIVITIES IN MELBOURNE, VICTORIA (B,D)
Marvelous Melbourne Walk - 10 km, rated 1

After an early morning arrival in Melbourne, we'll check into our hotel and freshen up, then spend the day exploring this world-class big city with a small town feel. Our Marvelous Melbourne Walk has it all: bustling lanes and maze-like shopping arcades coupled with the serenity of Fitzroy Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Kings Domain (park), and the world-renowned Royal Botanic Gardens.

Day 4

ACTIVITIES IN MELBOURNE (B,L,D)

We see a different face of Victoria today with an excursion aboard the Puffing Billy Steam Train through the spectacular Down Under scenery of the Yarra Valley. Lunch at a local vineyard punctuates a relaxing day that blends into tonight's memorable dinner aboard Melbourne's Colonial Tramcar - an early 20th century sightseeing trolley.

Day 5

MELBOURNE - THREDBO, NEW SOUTH WALES (B)

Our drive through dense stands of eucalyptus along the Alpine Way of the Snowy Mountains yields opportunities to spot grazing kangaroos and takes us to the quiet skiing village of Thredbo, nestled among the snow gum forests of the Thredbo River Valley.

Day 6

THREDBO - CANBERRA, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (B)
Snowy Mountains Ascent - 12 km, rated 3+/4

After a ski lift ride up Mt. Crackenback, we start our hike along an excellent steel grate pathway to the summit of Mt. Kosciusko, the highest point on Earth's flattest continent. From Thredbo, our scenic drive traverses the Australian Capital Territory to Canberra, the nation's capital.

Day 7

CANBERRA - LEURA, NEW SOUTH WALES (B)
Canberra Capital Circuit - 11 km, rated 1

This morning's walk captures Australia's sparkling monuments and impressive federal buildings, tastefully arranged around Lake Burley Griffin. Following a tour of the architecturally unique Parliament Building, we depart for the Blue Mountains and Jamison Valley, the “Grand Canyon of Australia.”

Day 8

LEURA - CAIRNS, QUEENSLAND (B)

Breathtaking Jamison Valley vistas precede a thrilling descent to the valley floor on the Katoomba Scenic Railway. The Featherdale Wildlife Sanctuary provides a memorable visit with koalas, wombats, wallabies, and other wonderfully odd Aussie critters. Later this evening, we fly to Cairns for three nights amidst the tropical climes of Queensland.

Day 9

ACTIVITIES FROM CAIRNS (B)
Cairns Jungles and Gardens Walk - 5 km, rated 1

After a walk through the verdant Fletcher Botanical Gardens, we ride the Skyrail gondola ride above the lush rainforest canopy to Kuranda. Time to explore this mountain market village is followed by a return to the coast aboard the Kuranda Royale Train, an historic 1880s railroad constructed through seemingly impossible terrain.

Day 10

ACTIVITIES FROM CAIRNS (B,L)

We have two distinctly different and uniquely Aussie optional activities to consider today:

“Old Salts” Great Barrier Reef Expedition: PRICE: $175
The Great Adventures catamaran takes us to Green Island for an opportunity to snorkel, enjoy a coral reef tour, join a guided island walk, and indulge in a scrumptious lunch buffet. The catamaran then continues to the Outer Reef for swimming, snorkeling or viewing reef life from the underwater observatory.


“Landlubbers” Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park: PRICE: $80
This Park is dedicated to preserving and presenting Aboriginal culture through the use of three theaters, a museum, an art gallery, and a traditional Aborginal camp.

Day 11

CAIRNS - AYERS ROCK, NORTHERN TERRITORY (B)
Valley of the Winds Walk - 5 km, rated 2+/3

This morning we fly to Ayers Rock, in the heart of the Outback. Our afternoon activity takes us to Kata Tjuta & Dunes. This bizarre arrangement of massive domed boulders provides the setting for a walk through the gorge and a chance to experience the mystical landscape that has shaped Aboriginal beliefs and culture.

Day 12

ACTIVITIES FROM AYERS ROCK (B,D)
Uluru (Ayers Rock) Aborigine Walk - 10 km, rated 1+

This morning we rise early for a sunrise walk around Ayers Rock. On a trail that dates back a millennium or more, our guide will explain Aboriginal "songs" (legends, cultural lessons, and law) based upon features of Uluru. This afternoon we ride through the massive Curtin Springs Cattle Station to Mt. Conner. Here ancient fossils and 1000-year-old trees grace an ancient desert where rainfalls are sometimes years apart.

Day 13

AYERS ROCK - SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES (B)

After several days packed with Aussie adventure, this morning is free to relax before a midday flight to Sydney. Late afternoon and evening are free to explore Australia's largest city from our strategically located hotel near the waterfront and bustling Circular Quay.

KIWI WONDERLAND – NEW ZEALAND ONLY travelers depart today from Los Angeles.

Day 14

ACTIVITIES IN SYDNEY (B,D)
Sydney Gardens, Harbour, & Heritage Walk - 10 km, rated 1

Today's sightseeing walk in captivating Sydney includes The Rocks, Australia's first British settlement; Sydney Opera House; the Botanic Gardens; Hyde Park; The Domain; and Darling Harbour. You have all day to linger and loiter through the many inviting attractions of Sydney. Later this evening, we'll reminisce about the Adventure with DOWN UNDER DELIGHTS travelers at our Farewell Dinner.

KIWI WONDERLAND travelers are en route today. The flight is not really 2 days long, but crossing the man-made International Date Line costs you a one-day deposit, which you redeem on the return flight.

Day 15

SYDNEY - AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND **OR** SYDNEY - USA (B,D)

Travelers continuing on to New Zealand will spend most of the day in transit to the land of the Kiwis. Upon arrival in Auckland, we'll rendezvous with KIWI WONDERLAND travelers “fresh” from North America at our hotel in the city.

DOWN UNDER DELIGHTS - AUSTRALIA ONLY travelers return to Los Angeles today from Sydney.

Day 16

AUCKLAND - FARM STAY IN CAMBRIDGE (B,D)
Auckland City of Sails Walk - 10 km, rated 3

Auckland's Coast-to-Coast trail between the Pacific and the Tasman Sea provides the venue for today's walk. This afternoon's scenic drive takes us into the pastoral Cambridge district, where we divide into smaller groups for one of our all-time favorite experiences - overnight visits to individual farm host families for a memorable taste of Kiwi country hospitality.

Day 17

FARM STAY - ROTORUA (B,L)

We'll trek through the delightful rural beauty of the North Island today, near where the opening scenes from the blockbuster trilogy Lord of the Rings were filmed. This is the New Zealand we've all imagined - rolling green hills dotted with sheep and cattle. Our final destination is Rotorua, center of Maori culture bubbling with geothermal activity.

Day 18

ACTIVITIES FROM ROTORUA (B)
Lake Tikitapu/Waimangu Volcanic Valley Walk - 10 km, rated 2

Our day begins with a stroll around Lake Tikitapu through a striking blend of Douglas firs and giant tree ferns. After the widely acclaimed and immensely entertaining Agrodome Sheep Show, the second part of today's walk takes us past Frying Pan Lake (121°F), Iodine Pool (208°F), and Inferno Crater (176°F) in Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

Tumunui Marae - Optional:
This evening you'll experience a slice of Polynesian Maori culture at a Tumunui Marae, (meeting place), take part in the fearsome Maori powhiri (welcome ceremony), enjoy fast- paced Maori song and dance, and indulge in the plentiful Maori hangi (feast).

Day 19

ROTORUA - CHRISTCHURCH (B)
Christchurch Garden City Wander - 10 km, rated 1

A morning flight takes us to the South Island and the lovely city of Christchurch, considered by some “the most English city outside England.” Our trail through the Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, Mona Vale Gardens, and along the meandering Avon River explains Christchurch's other moniker “the Garden City.”

Day 20

CHRISTCHURCH - FOX GLACIER (B)

Our coach takes us through the picturesque patchwork of the Canterbury Plains and into the pristine Southern Alps this morning. We continue down the western slopes to the tiny coastal hamlet of Hokitika to watch jade craftsmen work their wonders. Our home tonight is the mountain resort outpost of Fox Glacier.

Day 21

FOX GLACIER - HAAST (B)
Lake Matheson/Fox Glacier/Munro Beach Walk - 12 km, rated 2+

A lovely nature trail encircles the tea-colored waters of Lake Matheson, a surprisingly effective mirror for the profiles of Mounts Tasman and Cook. The second segment of today's walk takes us to Fox Glacier, a stunning river of ice flanked by subtropical foliage. The walk's final section winds through the otherworldly solitude of a luxuriant rainforest to Munro Beach on the Tasman Sea.

Day 22

HAAST - TE ANAU (B)

We re-cross the continental divide today into a different kind of climate and natural beauty - semi-arid landscapes punctuated by a seemingly endless chain of lakes. After a lunch break in 19th century Arrowtown, we'll continue through sheep-dotted pastures to Te Anau. This evening, we cross Lake Te Anau in small boats for an underground adventure in an enchanting glowworm grotto.

Day 23

TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND (B,D)
Rainbow Reach Walk on Kepler Track - 10 km, rated 2

This morning's walk winds through peaceful beech forests and along the rushing Waiau River. Later this afternoon, our overnight cruise on Milford Sound aboard the Milford Mariner begins with spectacular waterfalls and sea life viewing, preludes to an outstanding dinner and a peaceful evening beneath the southern stars.

Day 24

MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN (B)

Following a relaxing mariner's breakfast, our program takes us back over the Southern Alps for more pleasing pastoral scenes en route to Queenstown. Upon arrival at our lakeside hotel, the balance of the afternoon and evening will be free to enjoy the charms of this entertaining vacation village.

Day 25

ACTIVITIES FROM QUEENSTOWN (B,D)
Remarkables Mountain & Lakeside Walk - 10 km, rated 2+/3

Today's trail combines breathtaking Alpine views from the Remarkables Mountains with a colorful lakeside stroll through the autumn foliage of Frankton Arm. The afternoon is free to explore this fun resort community on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakitipu. Later tonight, a gondola takes us to the Skyline Restaurant where we'll enjoy our Farewell Dinner with unforgettable panoramas over Lake Wakitipu.

Day 26

QUEENSTOWN - LOS ANGELES, USA (B)

We fly from Queenstown to Auckland today, then board our connecting flight back to Los Angeles. Time stands still as we gain a day, arriving in Los Angeles 5 hours earlier than our Auckland departure?! We return to the other side of the globe overflowing with indelible memories of our walking adventure Down Under!