Grand Australia and New Zealand

•   Tauck’s private business-class charter flights in New Zealand – more sightseeing, less waiting

Day 1: Melbourne and the start of your Australia tour
A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to the InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto. Welcome to Tauck's grand Australia tour, where friendly g'days greet you from arrival to departure! Join us for a welcome dinner tonight.
Overnight: InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto, Melbourne, Australia
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Melbourne’s Victorian charms
You’ll see a lot of Melbourne on a sightseeing tour of the city, including the High Victorian architecture of Parliament House, the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and the ANZAC War Memorial – the Shrine of Remembrance. The city is also home to the oldest tram network in the world; experience it up-close tonight when you dine aboard the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant as it travels around the city.
Overnight: InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto, Melbourne, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3: All about Ayers Rock, a highlight of any Australia tour
Fly to Alice Springs en route to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for an two-night stay. Settle into your Outback resort and join us for a "silver service" champagne party at Uluru; while the celebration by itself is very special, wait until you experience it under the setting sun when the light bathes the mystical rock with a palette of ever-changing color.
Overnight: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Aboriginal adventures in the Outback
Aboriginal traditions define life in the Outback, especially at Uluru. Learn about the  "dreamtime" legends associated with this massive monolith on a guided tour. Nearby, the many-headed Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) awaits your discovery; hear stories about the 36 gigantic rock domes that are found here and explore mazes and crevasses steeped in local lore.
Overnight: Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: Off to Queensland
Spend a free morning at Uluru where you'll have an opportunity to do some more exploring. Your Australia tour continues with a flight north from the red desert to the tropical rainforests of Queensland. Arrive in Cairns and continue on to your resort in Port Douglas.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Life at The Great Barrier Reef
Spend a full day exploring one of earth's most incredible "living" sites, the Great Barrier Reef, on an eco-cruise accompanied by a marine biologist. Marvel at the colors and beauty of the coral and fish while swimming, snorkeling, or riding on a glass bottom boat or a semi-submersible watercraft that features enormous viewing windows.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Tauck's Australia tour takes you to the rainforest
Your resort is close to many natural wonders, including a mist-shrouded tropical rainforest. Ride a gondola through the lush jungle landscapes to the mountain village of Kuranda, before returning to the resort for some free time.
Overnight: Peppers Beach Club, Port Douglas, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Optional balloon ride and on to Sydney
Soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional early morning balloon ride* (additional cost of $165 per person applies) or spend the morning at the resort at your leisure. Everyone takes off for Sydney late this morning for a four-night stay in the heart of the city. Your hotel is within walking distance of the Botanic Gardens,  shopping and restaurants.
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Sightseeing in Sydney
One of Australia's most famous iconic sights takes center stage today when you visit the Opera House on a personally guided tour. A luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour is a fabulous way to unwind and relax, while getting a good look at some of this extraordinary city's landmark sites from the water. City sightseeing continues as you view The Rocks, Kings Cross and surfing heaven at Bondi Beach.
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Breakfast with Koalas
Have breakfast with the koalas this morning at the Featherdale Wildlife Park, before heading off into the Blue Mountains National Park. A scenic wonderland surrounds you here, chronicling life that began centuries ago in ancient ferns and fossils, like the Dinosaur Tree, thundering waterfalls and forested canyons. Champagne with the kangaroos celebrates today's outdoor adventures in style!
Overnight: InterContinental, Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 11: Sydney your way, all day
There is so much to see in Sydney, and so many ways to do it, that the entire day is free to explore and dine as you please – Sydney's got it all. From museums to shopping, from Aboriginal art to an array of Australian and international dining options, you'll find many ways to spend the day and make it memorable!
Overnight: InterContinental Sydney, Australia
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Farewell to the Australia tour, hello to New Zealand
Your grand Australia tour comes to an end as you bid a final farewell and board a flight across the Tasman Sea for your grand New Zealand tour! First stop is Auckland, the City of Sails, where your hotel is located in the heart of the city. Dine at the hotel's award-winning Partingtons restaurant, voted the best in the city.
Overnight: The Langham, Auckland, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: Wonders of Waiheke
Board a ferry for a ride to Waiheke Island for a day of natural delights. An island tour includes a close-up look at sugar-sand beaches, fertile farmland and some of the region's top wineries. A special lunch at Mudbrick Vineyard entices with a taste of the vine. The remainder of the day is spent on your own back in Auckland.
Overnight: The Langham, Auckland, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 14: A day of Maori traditions
Travel to Rotorua today, rich in geologic history and Maori traditions. Have lunch at a working farm and country garden to experience an authentic glimpse of daily life and spend the afternoon at the Te Puia Maori Cultural Center. A private welcome presentation includes poi dancing and a moving rendition of the haka. Stroll through an array of cultural arts exhibits amidst bubbling mud pots and thermal geysers.
Overnight: Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay, Rotorua, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15: Mussels on Marlborough Sounds
Feel like a privileged member of the jet set today as Tauck puts a private plane at your service. Tauck's private charter flight takes you first to Blenheim and the Marlborough Sounds on New Zealand's South Island. Besides producing great wine, this island boasts delectable freshly caught seafood, including green-lipped mussels. Sample them on a luncheon cruise that celebrates the bounty of land and sea before flying off to Wellington on Tauck's exclusive private charter. Stay two nights at an ideally located waterfront hotel.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16: Historic Wellington
Your New Zealand / Australia tour continues in a city known for its scenic beauty and its amazing five-story national museum. Touring the Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum is like actually experiencing thousands of years of New Zealand's history in person as motion simulators and interactive exhibits include you in the journey. The remainder of the day is free to make your own history.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17: Fly to Queenstown
Weather permitting, glimpse Mt. Cook from aboard Tauck's private charter as you fly to Queenstown. One of the benefits of flying on our private plane is the ability to circle sights you want to see; if feasible, our pilot will soar close to the mountain for you to get a better look.  Your Queenstown hotel enjoys a premier city-center address overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Queenstown, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 18: From jet-boating to sheep-shearing
Even if you're not all that adventurous, today's thrilling high-speed jet-boat ride down a river carved through the narrow, rocky gorges and canyons of Shotover River Canyon will be a highlight of Tauck's New Zealand / Australia tour! Catch your breath on a leisurely cruise to Walter Peak Country Farm. Afternoon tea and a sheep-shearing demonstration round out the day's activities.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Queenstown, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 19: Milford Sound and Christchurch as you please
Tauck's early morning charter flies you to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a scenic drive and luncheon cruise on Milford Sound. Soul-stirring scenery includes rainforests with cascading waterfalls, glacier-carved inlets and an occasional sunbathing seal. This afternoon's flight takes you to the garden city of Christchurch, where gracious willow trees line the banks of the Avon River.  Join us for a farewell dinner tonight as we say hooray (goodbye) to the lands down under.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 20: So long to the lands down under
Tauck's New Zealand and Australia tour ends in Christchurch. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Millennium Hotel Christchurch to Christchurch International Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in at the airport.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey. Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE. Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost. Tauck Single Specials in North America Best of the Canadian Rockies Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Charleston/Savannah Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys Tauck Single Specials in Europe A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/30/2010 - 9/19/2010	$7,990
9/20/2010 - 10/10/2010	$8,590
10/4/2010 - 10/24/2010	$8,590
10/11/2010 - 10/31/2010	$8,590
10/18/2010 - 11/7/2010	$8,590
10/25/2010 - 11/14/2010	$8,590
11/1/2010 - 11/21/2010	$8,590
11/8/2010 - 11/28/2010	$8,590
11/22/2010 - 12/12/2010	$8,590
12/16/2010 - 1/5/2011	$8,590
12/20/2010 - 1/9/2011	$8,590
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Melbourne ~ Sydney ~ Uluru (Ayers Rock) ~ Hayman Island ~ Great Barrier Reef ~ Auckland~ Queenstown

Tauck Tour Deals

Tauck Single Specials

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