 Deluxe hotels and private touring throughout
22 days - Air & Land
20 days - Land Only
Australia only - 13 days
New Zealand only - 8 days
from $2213 land only
LOCALLY HOSTED
Travel any day
Brendan Gold's Travel Value Includes
All flights when Brendan issues the air ticket
Private transfers throughout the tour
Services of local hosts and/or guides
Accommodation in deluxe or superior first class hotels
Meals - Breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D) as indicated in the itinerary
Sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary including admission charges where applicable
Porterage of two bags per person
All gratuities except to local guides/hosts and drivers
Brendan Gold flight bag and portfolio of travel documents
Itinerary
Day 1 DEPART LOS ANGELES.
Board your overnight flight for Melbourne.
Day 2 EN ROUTE.
During your flight, cross the International Dateline.
Day 3 ARRIVE MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.
Transfer to your hotel; your morning is free. Then, enjoy a tour including Port Phillip Bay, the Shrine of Remembrance and more. Later, dine aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, traveling on Melbourne's scenic streets. (D)
Day 4 MELBOURNE.
A full free day. Optional trips include the Great Ocean Road, Wine Country and an evening excursion to see the Fairy Penguins. (B)
Day 5 MELBOURNE / AYERS ROCK.
Fly to Ayers Rock and take an afternoon tour of the Olgas. Listen to the sounds of the didgeridoo during a desert dinner. (B,D)
Day 6 AYERS ROCK.
This morning see the beauty of sunrise on Ayers Rock, followed by a tour of the base. Your afternoon is free. Perhaps go flightseeing over the Rock or climb to the top of the Rock (all own expense). (B)
Day 7 AYERS ROCK / ALICE SPRINGS.
Fly to Alice Springs where your tour includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Overland Telegraph Station and the School of the Air. The
balance of the day is free to relax, shop, or explore Alice Springs on your own. (B)
Day 8 ALICE SPRINGS / CAIRNS.
A free morning. You might take an optional hot-air balloon ride (own expense), shop or just relax. This afternoon, fly to Cairns. (B)
Day 9 RAINFOREST EXCURSION.
Learn about the flora and fauna of the rainforest with a naturalist and then cruise the wetlands to watch for the elusive crocodile. Next, take a skyrail to Kuranda for a short visit to this charming mountain town. From here, board a 4WD to explore the surrounding forests and mountains. (B,L)
Day 10 CAIRNS / HAYMAN ISLAND.
Fly to Hamilton Island, then travel by private yacht to Hayman Island. The Hayman Island Resort has a reputation for luxury. This, combined with its setting on the Great Barrier Reef, makes it a perfect spot to relax, swim, and snorkel. (B)
Day 11 HAYMAN ISLAND.
Cruise out on to the Barrier Reef. Swim, snorkel or simply relax. (Cruise operates on Mon, Wed and Sat - If the cruise does not operate, you will be taken on a beach cruise.) (B,L)
Day 12 HAYMAN ISLAND / SYDNEY.
Fly to Sydney and transfer to your hotel, located in the "Rocks" area with views of Sydney Harbour. Afternoon free. (B)
Day 13 SYDNEY.
See the State Library, Parliament House, St. Mary's Cathedral, the Art Gallery, and Bondi Beach. Next board a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour for views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Fort Denison. Later, take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. (B,L)
Day 14 SYDNEY.
A free day to shop or explore. Optional trips to a wildlife park, the Hunter Valley, and the Blue Mountains are available. (B)
Day 15 SYDNEY / CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND.
Fly to Christchurch, New Zealand. Upon arrival, tour "the Garden City." Highlights include the Avon River and Cathedral Square. Tonight, meet local New Zealanders for a home-hosted dinner. (B,D)
13 day Australia only guests
transfer to Sydney Airport to connect with your onward flight. (B)
8 day New Zealand only guests
are met at Christchurch airport and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy a home-hosted dinner this evening. (D)
Day 16 CHRISTCHURCH / QUEENSTOWN.
Your morning is free before your flight to Queenstown. (B)
Day 17 QUEENSTOWN.
Sightseeing includes Gibbston Winery and Arrowtown. Back in Queenstown, your afternoon is free. Tonight, cruise to the Walter Peak Sheep Station for dinner. (B,D)
Day 18 MILFORD SOUND EXCURSION.
Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. On arrival, embark on a cruise on lovely Milford Sound. Afterward, take a scenic flight back to Queenstown. The rest of the day is free. (B,L)
Day 19 QUEENSTOWN / ROTORUA.
Fly to Rotorua. Tonight, visit a local Maori Marae to enjoy a Hangi, dinner and performance by New Zealand's native Maori. (B,D)
Day 20 ROTORUA.
Visit Rainbow Springs, then the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. On to fascinating Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Next is the Agrodome, for a sheep shearing display. The balance of the day is free. (B)
Day 21 ROTORUA / WAITOMO / AUCKLAND.
Travel to Auckland via the Waitomo Caves. Explore the caverns of the grotto, known for the tiny blue glow worms reflected in the underground river. Your afternoon is free in Auckland. (B)
Day 22 AUCKLAND / LOS ANGELES.
This morning, enjoy a tour of Auckland. Later, head to the airport. Cross the International Dateline and arrive Los Angeles the same day. (B)
Brendan Hotels
MELBOURNE - Langham Hotel Melbourne (DLX)
AYERS ROCK - Sails in the Desert (SF) or Longitude 131 (DLX)
ALICE SPRINGS - Crowne Plaza (SF)
CAIRNS - Sofitel Reef Casino (DLX)
HAYMAN ISLAND - Hayman Island Resort - Pool view (DLX)
SYDNEY - Park Hyatt (DLX)
CHRISTCHURCH - The George Hotel (DLX)
QUEENSTOWN - Millbrook Resort (DLX)
ROTORUA - Novotel Rotorua Royal Lakeside (SF)
AUCKLAND - Langham Hotel Auckland (DLX)
Kangaroo Island extension
ADELAIDE - Hyatt Regency Hotel (DLX)
Add Kangaroo Island to Your Vacation
Days 1-4. Like tour BGAN.
Day 5 MELBOURNE / ADELAIDE.
Morning flight to Adelaide. On arrival, enjoy a city tour. View the lovely parks, bluestone mansions, row cottages and other sights in the "arts capital of Australia." Your evening is free. (B)
Day 6 KANGAROO ISLAND EXCURSION.
Fly to Kangaroo Island where you will be whisked away in 4WD vehicles to explore the red gum forests of the Cygnet River Valley. Take a guided walk through the habitat of kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and the endangered black cockatoos. Next, visit Seal Bay where you will share the land with sea lions, and Cape Gantheaume where osprey nest. This afternoon, return to Adelaide. (B,L)
Days 7-24. Like days 5-22 of tour BGAN.
Upgrade Your Stay in Ayers Rock to Longitude 131
Day 5 MELBOURNE / AYERS ROCK.
Fly to Ayers Rock. Transfer to Longitude 131, set on sand dune on the border of the Park. Each luxurious tent is as unique as its surroundings with sweeping views of the world's most recognized monoliths. This afternoon, head to the base of Ayers Rock for a guided walk. (B,D)
Day 6 AYERS ROCK.
An early morning walk takes you through a variety of desert landscapes. Afternoon free. Later, visit Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park and the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and learn the ancient traditions of song, story and art. (B,L,D)
Day 7 AYERS ROCK / ALICE SPRINGS.
This morning, see the beauty of sunrise on Ayers Rock from an ancient aboriginal playground. Fly to Alice Springs and see the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Overland Telegraph Station and the School of the Air. The balance of the day is free to relax, shop or explore Alice Springs on your own. (B)
Supplement per person from:
Twin $621, Single $797, Triple on request
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