Collette > South Pacific Wonders

South Pacific Wonders
16 Days starting from $2,199

Countries Visited:
Australia, New Zealand

 

Length: 16 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: Australia and New Zealand Tour
Operator: Collette
Tour Code: 3388
   
 
 
About This Tour


This vacation offers the essential sights and unique culture of the land "Down Under," Australia, and the spectacular natural beauty of New Zealand's South Island all at an enjoyable pace. Your trip includes the lovely Victorian city of Melbourne with its trend-setting shops; and a side trip to Phillip Island for the legendary Little Penguin Parade, where these lovable flightless birds make their daily walk from the sea to their burrows in the dunes. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef provide fascinating introductions to the Aboriginal lifestyle and a world of colorful sea life unique to the area. Learn to throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. From your base on Green Island, there are many ways to enjoy the reef – you can scuba, snorkel or enjoy a glass bottom boat ride. Sydney will delight you with its friendly manner and sites like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge for which Australia is famous. New Zealand…land of breathtaking terrain and stunning natural beauty offers much to see and do. Check out the strong historical and architectural reminders of a colonial past in the cities of Queenstown and Christchurch. Visit Mt. Cook, New Zealand's most famous national park. Highlights are many, including a tour of the countryside from the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley, a cruise on picture-perfect Milford Sound, and a gondola ride to dinner overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. Dine with a "Kiwi" family and take with you a wonderful memory of New Zealand…a place like no other

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • Details

Enjoy the services of a professional tour manager who accompanies you throughout your trip.

Meals
11 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunch(es), 6 Dinner(s

Hotel Accommodations:
Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

CAIRNES NORTHERN BEACHESNovotel Rockford Beaches
SYDNEYNovotel Rockford Darling
QUEENSTOWNMercure Resort
CHRISTCHURCHChateau on the Park or Rydges

Complimentary hotel-to-hotel baggage handling.
Sightseeing
Private transportation via a deluxe, climate-controlled motorcoach
Day 3
Sydney - Cairns - July 2, 2010
Your tour begins today in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Do not forget to look up at the Southern Hemisphere''s stars this evening after you join your mates for a welcome dinner.

Day 4
Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. This is an immense series of 2,800 coral reefs which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride*, a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling, and an outer reef tour are also available*. Whichever way you choose, you will see some of the world’s most fascinating marine and plant life.

Day 5
Cairns
Today visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. You’ll see traditional Aboriginal dances, learn about the Aboriginal lifestyle, and even throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center, which houses a collection of interesting artifacts. This afternoon a great experience awaits as you search for crocodiles in their natural habitat during a visit to Hartley''s Croc Farm! While visiting you also have the chance to meet some of the local koalas and kangaroos! Your evening is at leisure.

Day 6
Cairns - Melbourne
Fly to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne, set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse.

Day 7
Melbourne
Today you embark on a tour of Melbourne featuring Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and the Parliament House. Later, travel to Phillip Island, a nature reserve and home of the world’s largest colony of Little Penguins. The Little Penguin is protected on Phillip Island and a staff of rangers works diligently to study and protect them. A highlight is sure to be the adorable Little Penguin Parade during which hundreds of lovable birds waddle out of the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. You will also visit the interpretation center where you will learn about the life of the Little Penguins and their significance to the area. Dinner is included on Phillip Island.

Day 8
Melbourne - Christchurch, NZ
You leave Australia behind and travel to New Zealand. Journey through the rolling Canterbury hillside arriving into Christchurch, located on the Avon River, this charming city is considered “the most English city outside of England.”

Day 9
Christchurch
A sightseeing tour highlights magnificent gardens, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral and the downtown park district. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. This evening you are invited to dine and make friends with a New Zealand family in their home. This is sure to be an unforgettable evening during which you will learn about the customs of the “Kiwi’s” and enjoy a home cooked meal.

Day 10
Christchurch - Mt. Cook - Queenstown
Traverse the spectacular countryside to New Zealand’s most famous national park, Mt. Cook. En route, enjoy a stop at a local fruit stand to gain an inside look at the produce of New Zealand. Mt. Cook is one of the most impressive mountains in the world. You may choose to view the massive glaciers and extensive snow-covered mountain top terrain on an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting), or perhaps enjoy the park during a nature walk.

Day 11
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Today you will travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on the spectacular fjord of Milford Sound, experiencing breathtaking vistas at every turn. Following your cruise you will return to Queenstown. You may opt to return via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of the Southern Alps.

Day 12
Queenstown
Your day is at leisure. You may choose from several options to enhance your vacation. Shop in the charming village, relax and visit with new friends, or enjoy an optional ‘Safari of the Rings’ tour that takes you deep into the majestic landscape of the Lord of the Rings movies. Enjoy your farewell dinner at the Skyline Restaurant where you will enjoy spectacular views overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains, and Lake Wakatipu.

Day 13
Queenstown - Depart for home



To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

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.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
8/29/2008 - 9/11/2008
$2,299
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9/4/2008 - 9/17/2008
$2,249
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9/9/2008 - 9/22/2008
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9/11/2008 - 9/24/2008
$2,249
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9/18/2008 - 10/1/2008
$2,249
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9/23/2008 - 10/6/2008
$2,249
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9/25/2008 - 10/8/2008
$2,249
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10/2/2008 - 10/15/2008
$2,299
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10/9/2008 - 10/22/2008
$2,299
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10/16/2008 - 10/29/2008
$2,299
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10/21/2008 - 11/3/2008
$2,299
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10/28/2008 - 11/10/2008
$2,299
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10/30/2008 - 11/12/2008
$2,299
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11/6/2008 - 11/19/2008
$2,299
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1/13/2009 - 1/26/2009
$2,199
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1/20/2009 - 2/2/2009
$2,199
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2/10/2009 - 2/23/2009
$2,299
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2/17/2009 - 3/2/2009
$2,299
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3/10/2009 - 3/23/2009
$2,299
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4/16/2009 - 4/29/2009
$2,249
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4/21/2009 - 5/4/2009
$2,249
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4/28/2009 - 5/11/2009
$2,249
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5/4/2009 - 5/17/2009
$2,499
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5/18/2009 - 5/31/2009
$2,499
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5/25/2009 - 6/7/2009
$2,499
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6/22/2009 - 7/5/2009
$2,499
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8/3/2009 - 8/16/2009
$2,499
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8/10/2009 - 8/23/2009
$2,499
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8/14/2009 - 8/27/2009
$2,499
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8/17/2009 - 8/30/2009
$2,499
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8/19/2009 - 9/1/2009
$2,499
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8/24/2009 - 9/6/2009
$2,499
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8/31/2009 - 9/13/2009
$2,499
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9/7/2009 - 9/20/2009
$2,499
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9/14/2009 - 9/27/2009
$2,499
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9/21/2009 - 10/4/2009
$2,499
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10/5/2009 - 10/18/2009
$2,499
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10/7/2009 - 10/20/2009
$2,499
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10/14/2009 - 10/27/2009
$2,499
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10/26/2009 - 11/8/2009
$2,499
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11/11/2009 - 11/24/2009
$2,499
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11/30/2009 - 12/13/2009
$2,499
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1/18/2010 - 1/31/2010
$2,499
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1/25/2010 - 2/7/2010
$2,499
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2/1/2010 - 2/14/2010
$2,499
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2/8/2010 - 2/21/2010
$2,499
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2/15/2010 - 2/28/2010
$2,499
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3/1/2010 - 3/14/2010
$2,499
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3/15/2010 - 3/28/2010
$2,499
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3/22/2010 - 4/4/2010
$2,499
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4/5/2010 - 4/18/2010
$2,499
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4/12/2010 - 4/25/2010
$2,499
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4/14/2010 - 4/27/2010
$2,499
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4/21/2010 - 5/4/2010
$2,499
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4/26/2010 - 5/9/2010
$2,499
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Package Notes:
Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may change.
The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights need to be arranged and purchased separately if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through the tour company.
Previous clients have indicated that a small gift from your area is appropriate and appreciated the night of your home hosted dinner in New Zealand
Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in.
*If you purchase the outer reef option in the Great Barrier Reef, the glass bottom boat ride will be replaced by a semi-submersible boat on the outer reef pontoon.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
Notes:The Fiji Extension for this tour date will be 3 nights Fiji due to flight restrictions. The Skyrail in Cairns is closed for maintenance. We will replace this with the Kuranda Railway.
This tour includes Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Milford Sound, Queenstown, and more.

Capture the amazing scenery of the fjords of New Zealand on a cruise of Milford Sound.

Experience the magic of the Sydney Opera House as you enjoy a captivating performance.

Visit a Canterbury farmyard to see a sheep shearing demonstration and learn how this New Zealand family farm works.

Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef.From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride*, a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. You’ll see traditional Aboriginal dances, learn about the Aboriginal lifestyle, and even throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument.

visit to Hartley''s Croc Farm

Dine atop the city at Sydney's Revolving Restaurant enjoying the spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House at night!

Enjoy a city tour of Sydney: Highlights of your exploration include Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable Paddington suburb. Discover one of the world’s most fascinating architectural wonders during a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House.

Delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour during which you’ll pass by two of Australia’s most famous icons: the renowned Sydney Opera House and the Harbour.

Enjoy a spectacular performance at the Sydney Opera House.

Enjoy a gondola ride to dinner at the Skyline Restaurant which overlooks Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the mountains.

Cruise of the breathtakingly beautiful Milford Sound .

Visit a Canterbury farmyard to see the workings of the farm including a sheep shearing demonstration, herding, and learn first hand how this New Zealand family farm operates.

Package Notes:
Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may change.
The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights need to be arranged and purchased separately if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through the tour company.
Previous clients have indicated that a small gift from your area is appropriate and appreciated the night of your home hosted dinner in New Zealand
Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in.
*If you purchase the outer reef option in the Great Barrier Reef, the glass bottom boat ride will be replaced by a semi-submersible boat on the outer reef pontoon.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
Notes:The Fiji Extension for this tour date will be 3 nights Fiji due to flight restrictions. The Skyrail in Cairns is closed for maintenance. We will replace this with the Kuranda Railway.
   
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