Welcome to Collette's Journey to the South Pacific. Today you board your Qantas flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime to Australia and New Zealand. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day.

Day 3: Cairns (Northern Beaches), Australia - Tour Begins
Your tour begins today in the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the Northern Beaches of Queensland, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a special welcome dinner with your new mates. (D)

Day 4: Great Barrier Reef
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. 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. (B, L)

Day 5: Cairns
Experience the unique lifestyle of the Aboriginal people with a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. See an Aboriginal dance show, learn about the Aboriginal life style, and learn to throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center which boasts a collection of interesting artifacts. Later, you may take an optional skyrail ride through the rain forest canopy viewing waterfalls and fabulous scenery and stopping en route at a rain forest station for a short stroll through the rain forest. This afternoon cruise the still waters of Hartley's Lagoon, home to many of the regions surly saltwater crocs, before enjoying an Aussie BBQ. (B, D)

Day 6: Cairns - Melbourne
A flight brings you to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic city tour viewing Fitzroy Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance and Parliament House.

Day 7: Melbourne
After a morning of leisure, travel to Phillip Island, a renowned 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. Behold the incredible Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of these lovable birds waddle out from 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. (B, D)

Day 8: Melbourne - Canberra - Sydney
Today you fly to Australia's capital, Canberra, where you enjoy a sightseeing tour of this beautiful city, architecturally modeled after Washington, DC. Then it's on to Sydney, Australia's fun-loving city. Tonight, view the city from one of Sydney's spectacular revolving restaurants as you enjoy a delicious dinner. (B, D)

Day 9: Sydney
Tour the amazing city of Sydney today. You will see Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Paddington. Discover one of the world's most fascinating architectural works as you take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. An evening dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour will give you a different perspective of this beautiful city. Enjoy spectacular views of Sydney's greatest icons - the Harbour Bridge and world-famous Opera House. Following the cruise, return to the Opera House to enjoy a captivating performance! (B, D)

Day 10: Sydney
Today you visit Koala Park. Not only will you see koalas in their natural habitat, but you might also have the unique opportunity to pose with one of these cuddly creatures. You will also have the chance to feed the kangaroos and pet a wombat. Later, enjoy a fascinating opal presentation and learn how raw opals are processed from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry store. This evening, enjoy the city at your leisure or join us for an optional tour. (B)

Day 11: Sydney - Auckland
You leave Australia behind and travel to New Zealand, arriving in the 'City of Sails', Auckland. Spend the evening at leisure in New Zealand's largest city.

Day 12: Auckland - Rotorua
Wind through the rolling hills of New Zealand's North Island en route to its cultural capital, the city of Rotorua. Experience the hospitality of the Kiwi's as you are invited tonight to dine in the home of a New Zealand family. (B, D)

Day 13: Rotorua
A visit to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve takes you to bubbling, steaming silica terraces and a Maori village. Here, the Maori keep their customs alive by teaching the tribal youth the skills of traditional carving, weaving and dancing. Learn more about this unique culture as you take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving and the importance of the Maori dress. You will also view the Kiwi and learn what New Zealanders are doing to rescue the Kiwi from the endangered species list. Next, a visit to the Agrodome will give you insight into how wool, one of New Zealand's premier products, is processed through the shearing of millions of sheep each year. You will also see a sheep shearing demonstration. This afternoon, visit a jade factory to see how the raw product is transformed into a fabulous gemstone. This evening you will receive a traditional Maori welcome at a Hangi meal followed by a traditional performance of songs, dances and other festivities. (B, D)

Day 14: Rotorua - Wellington
New Zealand's capital city awaits, nestled between a sparkling harbour and the rolling hills of the North Island. (B)

Day 15: Wellington
Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Wellington viewing the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic St. Paul's Church, and the government building, the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Following the tour, you visit the national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongawera Museum. (B, D)

Day 16: Wellington - Picton - Christchurch
Ferry across Cook Strait this morning and continue down the eastern coast of the South Island, arriving in the picturesque city of Christchurch. Located on the Avon River, this charming city is considered "the most English city outside of England." A sightseeing tour features the Neo-Gothic Cathedral, the downtown park district, and stunning Victorian-style buildings. The evening is yours to explore this great city! (B)

Day 17: Christchurch - Mt. Cook
Traveling along the rolling Canterbury hillside you will arrive in New Zealand's most famous national park, Mt. Cook. This afternoon you will have time to enjoy the park and perhaps take a nature walk or enjoy an optional flightseeing tour (weather permitting) that allows you to view the massive mountains from above. (B, D)

Day 18: Mt. Cook - Queenstown
This morning savor a breathtaking drive over the Lindis Pass and along the Kawarau River before arriving in Queenstown. (B)

Day 19: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley via the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy a fascinating 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. (B, L)

Day 20: Queenstown
Your day is at leisure. Shop in the charming village, or enjoy an optional 'Safari of the Rings' that takes you deep into the majestic landscape. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner overlooking the appropriately named 'Remarkable Mountains' at the Skyline restaurant. (B, D)

Day 21: Queenstown - Auckland - Tour Ends
Fly to Auckland where your tour ends. (B)

Stay Another Night - Add a pre night stay in Los Angeles or Palm Cove or a post night stay in Auckland. Prices start at $50 per person, double.

FREE! 2 NIGHTS IN FIJI WHEN YOU TRAVEL MAY, JUNE, AUGUST
During other departure dates add the 2 night stay in Fiji for $449 pp.

• Land rates do not include inter-tour flights.
• Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may change.
• Taxes/fees to be paid in local currencies upon exiting New Zealand are approximately $25 NZD.
• Upgrading your visit with the Outer Reef option is at an additional cost.
• Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in.
• Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
• This trip requires: Passport, Visa