Great Trains, Wineries & Cultures of Australia & New Zealand
October 11, 2009 through April 3, 2011
Starting at $6,199

Take an adventure of a lifetime and spend 28 days traveling through Australia and New Zealand. Explore the vast and diverse natural wonders of land and water, from sacred Ayers Rock and the amazing underwater life of the Great Barrier Reef to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the magical fjords of Milford Sound. Local specialists enhance your understanding of the cultural history of the unique Aboriginal and Maori cultures as well as this region's unique natural history. Travel on the historic Ghan train, the Tranz-Alpine Express, and other fascinating railways, and enjoy special wine tastings at well-known vineyards in both Australia and New Zealand.

Day 1-2 ~ Depart the U.S.
Lose a day en route as you cross the International Dateline.

Day 3 ~ Cairns, Australia
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Tonight, enjoy a special reception and dinner.

Day 4 ~ Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel, scuba dive (at an additional cost), or stay dry while checking out the marine life from the semi-submersible!

Day 5 ~ Cairns
A ride aboard the historic Kuranda Rail, constructed in 1882, offers a scenic rail journey to view the spectacular Atherton Tablelands. This afternoon take a crocodile cruise on Hartley's Lagoon in search of saltwater crocs in their natural habitat as well as the exotic birdlife of Queensland. After the cruise, enjoy a delicious Aussie barbecue.

Day 6 ~ Ayers Rock
Fly to the heart of the Outback, arriving at Ayers Rock. Tour the sandstone domes of the Olgas and the area around the base of "The Rock." Later, witness a stunning sunset as the colors of the Rock change dramatically.

Day 7 ~ Alice Springs
Depart for Alice Springs, the largest community in Central Australia. Take a sightseeing tour of this frontier town, including the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Gain insight into the educational system in the Outback during a visit to the School of Air - you may even see a class in session. Tonight, experience unique dining and entertainment at a traditional dinner in the bush.

Day 8 ~ Alice Springs and The Ghan
Early this morning gain a different perspective of the majestic Australian Outback with an optional hot air balloon ride. Next, explore the Aboriginal culture through site visits and native cooking. Later, board the legendary Ghan for an overnight journey through ancient mountain ranges, over red-baked earth, and across oceans of sand hills.

Day 9 ~ Barossa Valley
Your train journey concludes in the South Australian capital of Adelaide, where you take a morning sightseeing tour. Travel to Barossa Valley and experience the Whispering Wall as you listen to voices that travel along a quarter-mile path powered by natural amplification. A wine tasting at one of the local wineries introduces the flavors of this region. Dinner at your hotel, in the serene Barossa Valley, overlooks the vineyards of well-known vintners such as Jacobs Creek.

Day 10 ~ Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley is Australia's richest and best known wine-making region. The area was first settled by German immigrants more than a century ago and today produces some of the world's finest wines. Enjoy tours and tastings at two of the area's wineries. This evening is free for you to explore independently.

Day 11 ~ Coonawarra
Travel through the southern Australian countryside, stopping at Naracoorte Caves National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn about the extensive fossil deposits of Southern Australia as you tour the fossil center and view the "megafauna" that once thrived in the area. Continue to Coonawarra, another rich wine-making region.

Day 12 ~ Coonawarra and Melbourne
Journey across the spectacular Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most scenic drives. Pass through Port Campbell and discover the "12 Apostles," a dramatic row of stone pillars rising from the ocean, and the "London Bridge," a magnificent stone arch formation. Marvel at Loch Ard Gorge before arriving in Melbourne in the early evening.

Day 13 ~ Melbourne
A tour of Melbourne features the Shrine of Remembrance, Parliament House, and a visit to Fitzroy Royal Botanical Gardens. Later, travel to Phillip Island, home of the world's largest colony of "Little Penguins." Experience the wonders of the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of these lovable birds waddle out from the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. Learn more about the life cycle of the penguin and their significance to the area at the Interpretation Center.

Day 14 ~ Sydney
This morning, depart for Sydney, Australia's cultural capital. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city followed by an afternoon at leisure.

Day 15 ~ Sydney and Hunter Valley
This morning visit one of Australia's best wildlife parks, where you can feed the kangaroos, pet a wombat, and have a photo taken with one of the local koalas. Tonight, an evening dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour gives you the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. Afterwards enjoy a performance at the Sydney Opera House.

Day 16 ~ Sydney
The entire day is at leisure for you to explore one of the world's most magnificent cities on your own.

Day 17 ~ Sydney and Queenstown, New Zealand
Today fly to the beautiful resort town of Queenstown. Experience New Zealand wine with a visit to one of Otago's best known wineries. Enjoy a tour and tasting, followed by dinner paired with local favorites.

Day 18 ~ Queenstown and Milford Sound
Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley to world-famous Milford Sound. Enjoy a relaxing cruise in this dramatic fjord. Choose to return to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of the Southern Alps or return by coach.

Day 19 ? Queenstown
Your day is at leisure to explore Queenstown on your own, take an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River, or choose from a variety of other activities.

Day 20 ~ Queenstown and Mt. Cook
Traveling through the picturesque countryside, stop in the old gold boomtown of Arrowtown. In Mt. Cook National Park, take a nature walk or enjoy an optional flightseeing tour (weather permitting). This evening's dinner includes a sampling of local wines from some of the finest wineries in New Zealand.

Day 21 ~ Christchurch
Travel to the city of Christchurch, where a short sightseeing tour highlights magnificent gardens, the cathedral, and the downtown park district. During dinner on the Christchurch Tramway, enjoy some of New Zealand's best fare while taking in the city sights.

Day 22 ~ Christchurch and Tranz-Alpine Express
Journey through the Southern Alps aboard the Tranz-Alpine Express. This evening, enjoy a special dinner at a restored mansion that was once the homestead of Christchurch's first settlers.

Day 23 ~ Christchurch
Today is free to relax and unwind. You may choose an optional afternoon excursion to the International Antarctica Center, the base for all U.S. expeditions to Antarctica. This evening you will be invited to dine with a New Zealand family. Enjoy this unforgettable experience as you learn about the customs of the "Kiwis" and enjoy a home cooked meal.

Day 24 ~ Picton and Wellington
Board the Tranz Coastal train for a scenic journey up the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island. Relax in comfort as you are surrounded by the Kaikoura Mountain Range to the west and the rugged Pacific Coast to the east. Arrive in Picton and ferry through Marlborough Sound and across Cook Strait to the North Island, arriving in Wellington.

Day 25 ~ Wellington
Enjoy sightseeing in Wellington, including the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic St. Paul's Church, and the Government Building.

Day 26 ~ Wellington and Rotorua
This morning tour the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the national museum of New Zealand. Next, travel through the heart of the North Island, arriving in Rotorua, the center of Maori heritage. Tonight, immerse yourself in the indigenous culture of New Zealand as you take part in an authentic Hangi and concert.

Day 27 ~ Rotorua
This morning visit the Te Puia, New Zealand's premier Maori cultural and geothermal experience. You'll be amazed by the landscape of erupting geysers, bubbling mud pots, and other geothermal wonders. Here, the Maori keep their customs alive by teaching the tribal youth the skills of traditional carving, weaving, and dancing. Take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving and the importance of Maori dress. You will also view the Kiwi bird and learn what New Zealanders are doing to try to remove the Kiwi from the endangered species list. Next, visit the Agrodome for an insight into how wool, one of New Zealand's premier products, is produced and observe a sheep shearing demonstration. This afternoon, visit a jade factory to see how the raw product is transformed into a fabulous gemstone. Gather this evening for a delightful farewell dinner.

Day 28 ~ Rotorua, Auckland and Depart
Experience the North Island's Waitomo Caves, which are lit by thousands of glow worms clinging to the cave walls. Drive to Auckland where your tour ends.