The Small Group Travel Experience
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National Geographic
Adventure 2007
Exploring Australia & New Zealand
Tour membership limited to 12-24 guests
22 days from $5,495 — air & land inclusive
Small group touring and the Lands Down Under — a perfect combination as we travel from Australia’s spectacular Great Barrier Reef to the storied Outback and sophisticated Sydney; from New Zealand's English-accented Christchurch to towering Mt. Cook; from breathtaking Milford Sound to high-spirited Queenstown and nautical Auckland.
Itinerary
Day-By-Day Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Depart U.S. for Cairns, AustraliaDay 3: Arrive Cairns This afternoon we arrive in Cairns, gateway to Australia’s Far North and the Great Barrier Reef. We transfer to our hotel where tonight we enjoy a briefing and dinner. D
Day 4: Cairns/Kuranda After an orientation tour of Cairns we board an historic railway for the mountain village of Kuranda. After time to explore we descend to Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park via the gondolas of Skyrail, gliding just feet above the rainforest canopy. Showcasing the culture of the rainforest people, Tjapukai ranks as Australia’s premier Aboriginal cultural attraction. We enjoy a traditional performance here. B
Day 5: Great Barrier Reef This morning we board a boat for a day-long excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, at 1,200 miles long the world’s largest living organism and richest marine resource. We pull up at Michaelmas Cay where we can swim, snorkel, view the reef from a semi-submersible vessel, or take a guided birding tour. B,L
Day 6: Cairns/Alice Springs We take a morning flight to Alice Springs, where we see the Anzac Hill Monument to Australian and New Zealand soldiers, Royal Flying Doctors Service, and School of the Air, which provides schooling to widely scattered Outback children. Tonight we enjoy a traditional dinner in the “bush.” B,D
Day 7: Alice Springs This morning we embark on an Aboriginal “dreamtime” tour, to meet Walpiri tribespeople and learn about their ancient culture. Then we visit Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm, where we enjoy a picnic lunch and see the sheer rock walls aglow in reflected sunlight. B,L
Day 8: Alice Springs/Ayers Rock We reach our Ayers Rock hotel early afternoon. After lunch on our own, we visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the traditional land of the Anangu Aboriginal peoples and home to the Olgas rock formations and Uluru (Ayers Rock). We watch the sun set over this fabled sandstone monolith that rises to a height of 1,114 feet above the flat plain. B
Day 9: Ayers Rock/Sydney Very early this morning we have the opportunity to climb Uluru (if we wish) before we visit the base of the rock and museum here. Mid-day we fly to Sydney, arriving late afternoon at our hotel in the famed Rocks area. B
Day 10: Sydney Today’s tour features the breathtaking Royal Botanic Gardens, Darling Harbor and Mrs. Macquarie’s Point, Rose and Watson’s bays, and popular Bondi Beach. Then we board a catamaran for a lunch cruise around Sydney Harbour. B,L
Day 11: Sydney This morning we tour Koala Sanctuary Park, where koalas roam free in the rainforest, eucalyptus groves, and native gardens. Next we drive along Sydney’s Northern Beaches, a string of 18 stunning playgrounds, then stop in fashionable Manly for free time and lunch on our own. B
Day 12: Sydney After we tour the iconic Sydney Opera House this morning, the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant, with excellent seafood and beautiful harbor views. B,D
Day 13: Sydney/Christchurch, New Zealand We fly this morning to English-accented Christchurch, with its own River Avon and scores of parks and gardens. Upon arrival we enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour. B
Day 14: Christchurch This morning’s tour includes the city center and River Avon, University of Canterbury, Hagley Park, and the Firefighters Memorial. We also visit the lovely gardens of a private home, where we enjoy tea and scones. B,D
Day 15: Christchurch/Mount Cook National Park Today’s destination is Mt. Cook National Park. We stop first at a local farm to watch a sheep shearing demonstration and see the sheep dogs in action. Then we reach Aoraki Mt. Cook in the Southern Alps early this afternoon; the rest of the day is free to explore this breathtaking swath of nature on our own, hike, or take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). B,D
Day 16: Mount Cook/Queenstown En route to Queenstown today we travel through lush fruit-growing country, stopping in historic Arrowtown for lunch on our own. Mid-afternoon we reach Queenstown, New Zealand’s “adventure capital” blessed with a supremely scenic location. B
Day 17: Queenstown A day at leisure. B
Day 18: Milford Sound Our day-long excursion to Milford Sound includes a nature cruise through the breathtaking fjords. We have lunch on board then later have the opportunity to return to Queenstown on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). B,L
Day 19: Queenstown/Rotorua We depart this morning for Rotorua, with its geysers, bubbling mud pools, hot thermal springs, and a center of Maori culture. This afternoon’s tour includes the new Rotorua Museum, among other highlights. B
Day 20: Rotorua This morning and early afternoon are at leisure; late afternoon we visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori Cultural Center for a traditional hangi dinner and performance. B,D
Day 21: Rotorua/Auckland On our way to Auckland we stop at Ruakuri Caves to see the unique glowworms illuminate underground grottoes. Mid-afternoon we arrive in the “City of Sails,” in a beautiful natural setting atop 48 volcanic hills. We take a panoramic city tour featuring the War Memorial Museum, Auckland Harbour, and the America’s Cup Village. Tonight we celebrate at a farewell dinner. B,D
Day 22: Depart for U.S. Late afternoon we transfer to the airport for the flight to Los Angeles, where we connect with our return flights home. B
B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included
Included
Tour Price Includes
- Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary
- 19 nights' accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels
- 30 meals: 19 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners
- Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
- Services of local Odysseys Unlimited Tour Directors
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
- Luggage handling for one bag per person
- Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
- $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)
Dates and Prices
2009 Tour Dates & Prices
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Sep 12 |
Oct 3 Oct 24 Oct 31 Nov 7 |
May 2 |
April 18 |
| Los Angeles | $5,495 | $5,795 | $6,395 | $6,595 |
| Phoenix, San Fran | $5,695 | $5,995 | $6,595 | $6,795 |
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Dallas, Houston, Port (OR), Seattle |
$5,795 | $6,095 | $6,695 | $6,895 |
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Atlanta, Boston, Chi, Cleve, Den, Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Tampa |
$5,895 | $6,195 | $6,795 | $6,995 |
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Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, New York, Phil, Washington, DC |
$5,995 | $6,295 | $6,895 | $7,095 |
Please call if your city is not listed; land only not available. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single travelers please add $1,995 Apr-May; $1,795 all other dates. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2009 tour prices above are guaranteed.
An overnight stay at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport (upon departure or return) is available for $79 (single supplement: $59). Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. departure cities may require an overnight stay at your expense.
Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Pacific flight: $8,995 per person. Airline taxes and departure fees of $517 per person are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.
Hotels
Hotels & Ratings
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Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. |
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- Ride aboard Vintage Kuranda steam train and Skyrail gondolas
- Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park
- Great Barrier Reef excursion
- Aboriginal "dreamtime" experience
- Sunset at Ayers Rock
- Sydney touring and Harbour cruise
- Koala Sanctuary Park
- Private home and garden visit
- Overnight stay at Mt. Cook National Park
- Milford Sound cruise
- Geo-thermal Rotorua
- Maori cultural experience
- Auckland Museum
