Highlights of the South Pacific Thursday, September 20 Saturday, October 6, 2018 Thursday, October 11 Saturday, October 27, 2018 17 Days/16 Nights Experience the best of Australia and New Zealand on an unforgettable vacation filled with fascinating wildlife, dramatic scenery, and the region s favorite cities. From the South Pacific s must-sees to its hidden gems, this Australia and New Zealand tour is a dream vacation! Day One: Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand Kia Ora welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4:30 pm in order to attend this evening s welcome briefing. Day Two: Auckland: Excursion to Waiheke Island This morning have breakfast in your hotel before you enjoy an orientation tour of Auckland, the City of Sails. See bustling Queen Street, the city s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and the historic Parnell Village. Take a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, where you will visit a winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch. The remainder of the day is yours to explore more of Auckland. Day Three: Auckland/Waitomo/Matamata/Rotorua This morning have breakfast and depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Experience a guided tour
through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Next, stop at a picturesque farm near Matamata that was transformed into the Hobbiton movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. During your visit, see the hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and other structures built for the movies. Continue on to Rotorua for a 2-night stay. Day Four: Rotorua/Excursion to Waimungu Volcanic Valley Day Five: Rotoura/Queenstown This morning, travel to the nearby Waimungu Volcanic Valley. Waimangu in the Maori language means black water, and the area was once the location of the most powerful geyser in the world. The valley is now home to wonderful plant and bird life, thermal hot springs, steaming cliffs, and volcanic craters. This evening, enjoy a traditional hangi dinner, followed by an authentic Maori cultural performance. After breakfast, fly to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World. Tonight, take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob s Peak. Take in the spectacular mountain views and the lights of Queenstown below as you dine in the Skyline Restaurant. Day Six: Queenstown/Excursion to the Milford Sound Enjoy breakfast before you start your day. Today, travel into Fiordland National Park through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise on the fiord, with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water s great depths. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day Seven: Queenstown Today is a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages or maybe take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities. (Breakfast) Day Eight: Queenstown/Melbourne Australia This morning, board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne. Day Nine: Melbourne Today s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia s war heroes. Visit beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, then drive past the lush Royal Botanic Gardens. You ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Next, enjoy a unique lunch experience on board the historic Colonial Tramcar Restaurant as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. Tonight s optional excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is highly recommended. Day Ten: Melbourne Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse yourself in Melbourne s passionate food and wine scene or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take a trip out of
town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles. Day Eleven: Melbourne/ Cairns/ Mossman Gorge/ Port Douglas Today, fly to Cairns, the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. At Mossman Gorge, home to lush tropical rainforest, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains, and colorful flora and fauna experience a dreamtime walk with a member of the local indigenous community. Hear stories and legends from a long time ago while your guide demonstrates traditional plant uses. At the end of the tour, enjoy traditional bush tea and damper. Continue to Port Douglas, a beachside town surrounded by rainforest and the Coral Sea. Enjoy a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. Day Twelve: Port Douglas/Excursion to the Outer Great Barrier Reef Today, 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 color and brilliance. Choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible Watercraft Tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Day Thirteen: Port Douglas Today is a full day at leisure. You may wish to take a trip into the Daintree Forest, the world s oldest living rainforest and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include hiking, relaxing by your resort s pool, or window shopping at the unique boutiques and art galleries in downtown Port Douglas, where you are sure to find a favorite souvenir. Day Fourteen: Port Douglas/Cairns/Sydney This morning, enjoy a special visit to the Hartley s Crocodile Adventures for your chance to meet Australia s native animals. Afterward, fly to Sydney, the largest city in Australia. Day Fifteen: Sydney Explore one of the world s most beautiful cities, Sydney. Visit the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interior and theaters. 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. Visit world-famous Bondi Beach for an insider s tour of Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club with one of the lifesavers. Lunch today is at the North Bondi Returned Servicemen s Leagues Club, located on Bondi Beach. Learn about the history of this special place and the courageous Rats of Tobruk while enjoying sweeping waterfront views and delicious food. Afterward, a cruise on Sydney Harbour highlights some of the city s best views. Day Sixteen: Sydney Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join our optional excursions to the Blue Mountains or to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney s Harbour Bridge! Your Tour Director will help you make the most of this exciting city. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner at Waterfront Restaurant with fantastic views of the highlights of Sydney. Day Seventeen: Sydney Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. Your Package Includes: 16 Nights accommodations 16 Breakfasts 6 Lunches 4 Dinners City tour of Auckland, New Zealand Ferry ride to Waiheke Island Tour and tasting at a local winery Admission to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visit Matamata, the town that was transformed into Hobbiton for Lord of the Rings Visit the Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Maori Cultural Performance Flight to Queenstown Gondola ride to the top of Bob s Peak Scenic drive to the Milford Sound Visit Fiordland National Park Day at leisure in Queenstown Flight to Melbourne, Australia City tour of Melbourne Admission to the Fitzroy Gardens Day at leisure in Melbourne Flight to Cairns Dreamtime walking tour around the Mossman Gorge Catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef Enjoy a day at leisure in Port Douglas Visit Hartley s Crocodile Adventures Flight to Sydney Guided tour of the Sydney Opera House Admission to the Botanic Gardens in Sydney Tour Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club Cruise the Sydney Harbour Full day at leisure in Sydney Full time tour director Motor coach transportation Taxes and gratuities (Note: Gratuities for your driver(s), Tour Director and local guides are not included and are at your discretion based on service). Pricing Information: Per person double occupancy: 4,758.00 (September departure) Per person double occupancy: 4,663.00 (October departure) Note: Notch Above Tours will gladly arrange round trip airfare as well as pre and post night stays. 824 West Lakeshore Drive, Suite 3, Colchester, VT 05446 802-881-0661 Copyright2018NotchAboveTours, Inc.