20 Day New Zealand cruise & Indian Pacific Rail Journey

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1 20 Day New Zealand cruise & Indian Pacific Rail Journey 14 night Princess cruise on board the Emerald Princess One-way port transfers 2 nights superior twin share Sydney accommodation 4 days onboard the Indian Pacific from Sydney Perth in Gold Service Professional Guides All meals while onboard your cruise & train All drinks on the Indian Pacific Off Train Experiences on the Indian Pacific #1 Online Travel Company in Australia Webjet Approved Guides Webjet Crafted Itineraries Always Includes Flights No Hassel Easy Booking Process 4 October November December 2016^ 3 January January 2017 ^ 20 day itinerary (B) - Breakfast / (L) - Lunch / (D) - Dinner Flight Cruise Day 1: Sydney (D) Today, board the first leg of your Journey on board your premium Princess cruise ship as you set sail for New Zealand. As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney - hailed by many seafarers as "the most beautiful harbor in the world." Two prominent landmarks, Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. There is a wealth of adventure waiting in Sydney - from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains. Day 2: At sea Day 3: At sea Day 4: Bay of Islands The Bay of Islands offers more than broad vistas of sea and sky, more than beaches, boating, and fabulous water sports. The Bay is the birthplace of modern New Zealand. Here the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, establishing British rule and granting the native inhabitants equal status. Rich in legend and mystery, the Bay of Islands has age -old ties to the Maori and to whalers, missionaries and New Zealand's early settlers. Day 5: Auckland Straddling a narrow isthmus created by 60 different volcanoes, New Zealand's former capital boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. Rangitoto, Auckland's largest and youngest volcano, sits in majestic splendor just offshore. Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill, once home to Maori earthworks, overlook the city. One of New Zealand's fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland. Train

2 Day 6: Tauranga New Zealand's natural bounty is always on display at the Bay of Plenty. It was Captain James Cook who in 1769 aptly named this bay, thanks to the prosperous Maori villages of the region. Tauranga, the chief city, is a bustling port, an agricultural and timber center and a popular seaside resort. Tauranga is also the gateway to Rotorua - a geothermal wonderland that is the heart of Maori culture. A 90-minute drive from Tauranga, Rotorua is New Zealand's primary tourist attraction. Day 7: At Sea Day 8: Picton Located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is your gateway to the South Island's famed Marlborough District. Once known primarily for its lush farm lands and many sheep stations, Marlborough came to international attention thanks to a new agricultural product - wine. The release of the 1985 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand on the map and changed the world's focus on winemaking in the Southern Hemisphere. Today, the Marlborough region boasts dramatic sea and landscapes, fascinating wine country, excellent restaurants and a number of the nation's finest gardens. Day 9: Napier New Zealand's capital offers stunning views of forested peninsulas, dramatic cliff-side homes and fine Victorian buildings. Settled in 1840 by the London-based New Zealand Company, "wonderful, windy Wellington" is frequently buffeted by bracing winds funnelling through Cook Strait. The sophisticated metropolis boasts museums, winding streets and even a cable car. No wonder many travelers compare it to San Francisco.

3 Day 10: Akaroa On the eastern shores of New Zealand's South Island, Akaroa is a popular tourist destination with a distinctly French flair, its history steeped in legend. It lies on the volcanic Banks Peninsula, which the Maori believe was formed when a hero named Maui piled mountains upon a giant who threatened to eat his children. The same peninsula was purchased from the local Maori by a French whaler around 1838, and was later settled by both the French and the British, who had just signed the Treaty of Waitangi ensuring New Zealand's existence as a British colony. With French-named streets leading to restaurants serving French cuisine and colonial architecture all around, Akaroa's heritage as the only French-founded community in New Zealand is unmistakable. Day 11: Dunedin Perched on the hills above one of New Zealand's loveliest harbors, Dunedin is a Kiwi city with a Scottish heart. Hailed as the "Edinburgh of New Zealand," Dunedin is proud of its heritage. A statue of famed Scottish poet Robert Burns graces downtown, and the presence of New Zealand's only kilt maker and whisky distillery - as well as many bagpipe bands - keep Dunedin's ties to Scotland alive. The city also boasts a distinguished architectural and cultural history, a legacy of New Zealand's 1860s gold rush. Day 12: Fiordland National Park New Zealand's largest national park was formed millennia ago by massive glacial flows that carved deep fiords into the coast of New Zealand's South Island. At the heart of Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound. Lined by cliffs that soar nearly a mile above its surface, Milford Sound cuts into the heart of the Southern Alps. Rainforest clings to the cliffs and graceful waterfalls plummet into the void. Mile-high Mitre Peak dominates the upper reaches of the sound. Day 13: At sea

4 Day 14: At Sea Day 15: Sydney - - Sydney (B) Today you disembark from your premium cruise ship to begin the next leg of your journey. You ll be met at the port and transferred to your Sydney hotel. Day 16: Sydney Today is a free day to explore Sydney at your own pace. Day 17: Sydney - Broken Hill Today, make your way to Sydney Central Station to board your All Inclusive rail journey! Depart Sydney in the afternoon and start a true journey of contrasts - it will take you through the heights of the majestic Blue Mountains and across the barren expanse of the Nullarbor Plain, to lush vineyards and vast goldmines, and from cities of 4 million to ghost towns of just four citizens. Named for the two oceans the train encounters on its journey, the Indian Pacific travels between Perth and Sydney, via Adelaide, in a spectacular 4352km journey. Day 18: Broken Hill - Adelaide Wake up with a coffee as you arrive in Broken Hill, a classic mining town where the streets are wide and there is a pub on every corner. On your Off Train Excursion, explore the beauty of this Silver City and discover the history of mining that makes the town what it is today and the artistic culture that also abounds in the area. Visit the Pro Hart Gallery, where you can learn all about one of Australia's most iconic and enduring artists, whose art captures the spirit of the outback. Off Train Excursions, taking in the delights of this famous outback town. A full day in Alice Springs gives you ample opportunity to visit the town landmarks, get up close and personal with Australia's incredible flora and fauna or explore the Alice at your own leisure.

5 Stepping back onboard, head straight to Queen Adelaide Restaurant for breakfast. An extensive menu caters to all tastes from light fare such as bagels, cereals and juices to the traditional cooked Australian breakfast. Take your time as you have a full day onboard to yourself. By the time lunch is served, you ll already be well into South Australia on the southern tip of the Flinders Ranges. What better way to celebrate than digging into a beautifully prepared South Eastern Australian beef medallion, served with dauphinoise potato, broccolini onion jam and red wine jus? Day 19: Nullarbor - Perth Wake up and marvel at the raw beauty of the Nullarbor. Taking its name from the Latin meaning no trees, the ancient Nullarbor conjures the sense of limitless space and time. Take some time to reflect on the changing landscapes in your journey and to enjoy the hospitality of the Outback Explorer Lounge as you travel across Australia s longest single stretch of railway. Your sense of wonder will be well and truly ignited when it comes time to set foot at Rawlinna that evening. Under brilliant desert stars, enjoy an evening stop to partake in a traditional Outback lamb roast dinner under the wide Nullarbor skies. Day 20: Perth (B) The Avon Valley beckons you this morning the mild skies and cool green vales of this picturesque part of the world will truly delight. Arrive into the cosmopolitan western capital of Perth after lunch, having finished an epic Australian journey end-to-end. Choose to spend some more time in Perth and surrounds with city tours and day trips to Margaret River and Fremantle available. Say farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark from your luxury train experience.