Itinerary:
Day
1: Arrive Sydney – Show Boat Dinner Cruise
Arrive Sydney and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. In the evening make your way to King Street Wharf at 1900 hrs to board the Show Boat Dinner Cruise. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
2: Half Day City Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city sights tour includes Opera House, Parliament House, Hyde Park, Sydney Tower and Darling Harbour. After crossing Sydney Harbour Bridge heading for our northern surf beaches, photo stops are made that provide excellent views of the city skyline and the harbour. Final stop is at the seaside resort of Manly with time to relax and browse through the shops. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
3: Sydney- Christchurch
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to Christchurch. On arrival at Christchurch Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel
Day
4: Christchurch - Greymouth - West Coast Glaciers (450 Kms)
Breakfast at the hotel. One of the world's best scenic train journeys - The Tranz Alpine winds across spectacular gorges and river valleys, over the massive Southern Alps in Arthur's Pass National Park and through lush beech forest to Greymouth on the West Coast. Continue southwards by coach along the coast to reach Westland National Park and the glacier region. (Self-drive passengers travel over the Canterbury Plains over to Arthur's Pass and then en route to Westland National Park). Overnight at the hotel.
Day
5: West Coast Glaciers (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. A full day at leisure to enjoy the magnificent glaciers. Climb on to the slow moving river of ice or take a scenic flight (optional) for a bird's eye view of this spectacular terrain. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
6: West Coast Glaciers - Queenstown (420 Kms) (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. We depart this morning through the South Westland Heritage Park and across the rugged Haast Pass and Lake Wanaka. This afternoon's travel is through the Kawarau Gorge to reach Queenstown. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
7: Queenstown
Breakfast at the hotel. To day a cruise on the vintage ‘Old Lady” the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for an excursion at the Colonel’s Homestead. When you board the boat’s return journey, join in the sing-a-long session for a memorable 40 minutes trip. (The ‘TSS Earnslaw’ is away on its annual service in June and July and therefore is replaced with other activity or activities that will be advised). Overnight at the hotel.
Day
8: Day At Leisure
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
9: Queenstown - Mt Cook - Christchurch (600 Kms)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we travel over the Lindis Pass to reach Mt Cook around lunch time. A rare opportunity to take an optional scenic flight to view Mt Cook's snow fields and glaciers. We continue through to Lake Tekapo and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
10: Christchurch- Cairns
Breakfast at the hotel. Early this morning a tour on the “Hot Air Balloon” is suggested if time permits. Transfer to the airport is included for your departure flight. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
11: Green Island Reef Cruise
Breakfast at the hotel. Coach transfer to board your cruise for the crossing to Green Island. Enjoy 5 ½ hours on Green Island with a coral viewing tour in the semi-sub, glass bottom boat tour or snorkel gear and fish feeding. Tea/ Coffee and BBQ lunch also included. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
12: Cairns- Hamilton Island
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to Hamilton Island. Arrive Hamilton and private transfers to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
13: Day At Leisure
Breakfast at the hotel. We depart this morning through the South Westland Heritage Park and across the rugged Haast Pass and Lake Wanaka. This afternoon's travel is through the Kawarau Gorge to reach Queenstown. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
14: Hamilton – Brisbane-Gold Coast
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to Brisbane. Arrive Brisbane and transfer to the hotel at Gold Coast. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
15: Sea World
Breakfast at the hotel. A visit to Australia’s No.1 tourist attraction. Marvel at the dolphin and sealion aquatic show. See divers hand feed sharks, stingrays and gropers. Visit the 3D theatre to view the new “Pirates” movie and enjoy the dozens of thrilling rides including the famous Corkscrew roller coaster and the mysterious Bermuda Triangle. Late afternoon, transfer back to hotel and at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
16: Movie World
Breakfast at the hotel. Stunt Shows, special effect stages and adventures in the 4th dimension. See your favourite Looney Tune cartoon characters and tour through a live working film studio. Experience “Lethal Weapon” – the ride, marvel at the Maverick illusion and magic show and take the thrilling Water borne ride through the Wild Wild West. Late afternoon, transfer back to hotel and at leisure. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
17: Depart Gold Coast
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.