Down Under Journey

Welcome To Sydney! Your room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 3pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner. (D)

Sights & Bites Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the Sydney Opera House and travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s botanic gardens for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Next, visit world-famous Bondi beach for an insider’s tour of [LOCAL FAVORITE] Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club with one of the lifesavers. Afterward, a cruise on Sydney Harbour highlights some of the city’s best views (B,L) LOCAL FAVORITE HISTORIC SPOT Enjoy lunch at the historic North Bondi Retired Servicemen’s Leagues Club. Learn about the history of this place and the courageous “Rats of Tobruk” that stopped the Nazis in North Africa during WWII. You’ll enjoy delicious food while looking out at amazing waterfront views. TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEM The Sydney Opera House is one of the most well-known buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was designed by Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, and was finally completed in 1973, after sixteen years of construction, at a cost of over $100 million dollars. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the Opera House and see its interiors and theaters. Hear untold stories, be awed by the acoustics, and learn the history and future of this amazing hall beneath the sails.

Spectacular Sydney Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE You may choose to take an optional excursion to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience or to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city.

Tropic Wonder Today, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Cairns is known for its mild winters, great nightlife, and plenty of fun things to see and do. Why not explore the Cairns Night Markets whose vendors sell a vast array of souvenirs, delicious foods, and the work of local artisans and designers.

Below the Surface Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a brilliant kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT BUCKET LIST. CHECK! The only living structure on Earth that can be seen from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Comprising of over 3,000 individual reefs and spanning over 135,135 miles (350,000 square kilometres), your day at the Reef will be one to remember. After your scenic catamaran cruise, the day is yours to explore the Reef how you like. Choose to snorkel amid a dazzling array of fish and coral, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attend an informative presentation by a marine biologist, or just relax and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings.

Ticket to Paradise A full day at leisure. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE For a truly amazing experience consider an optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey, you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway; or maybe spend the day in the magical Daintree Rainforest thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest. Your Tour Director will have recommendations for shopping, dining, and additional sightseeing.

Into the Outback Today, fly to the heart of Australia’s Outback. Enjoy a tour at the base of the massive monolith of Uluru. Also known as Ayers Rock, its nearly 6-mile circumference is studded with caves adorned with ancient Aboriginal paintings. Visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Center and learn about the local indigenous culture. Tonight, visit the Sunset Strip, where you will enjoy a champagne toast while experiencing one of the world’s greatest spectacles--Uluru at sunset. (B) NOTE: Due to this remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Cairns to Uluru. TOUR HIGHLIGHT Explore the Cultural Center at Uluru and the galleries that showcase Anangu (local Aboriginal people) arts and crafts. Then, meet with local Anangu during an interactive cultural talk. You will be mesmerized by their story-telling art, sense of humor, and perception. TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Experience a spectacular way to end the day at Uluru. This fascinating icon stands 1,141 feet (348 meters) high, however, most of its mass is below ground level. You’ll be overwhelmed by its incredible size, presence, and inherent spirituality. As the sun sinks over the horizon and the evening sky brings out the many shades of color for which Uluru is famous, you’ll enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles and say goodbye to another wonderful day.

Rock Stars Rise early for an inspiring sunrise over Uluru. As the first rays of sunlight creep across the desert sky, gaze in awe as the sun rises in the distance behind Uluru and Kata Tjuta, flooding the landscape with light. Later, visit a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological spectacle of some 36 brilliant domes. Enjoy time in the afternoon at your leisure to explore the town center, art gallery, or just relax at your hotel. Tonight, a unique [LOCAL FAVORITE] welcome awaits you at the Sounds of Silence dinner experience. (B) LOCAL FAVORITE TASTES & TRADITIONS Your evening begins with canapés and chilled sparkling wine upon a dune top overlooking Uluru. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of a didgeridoo welcoming you for an unforgettable dining experience. Enjoy a bush tucker inspired menu along with a selection of Australian wines and beers. Afterward, sit back and listen to a star talker decode the southern night sky. You’ll soon be able to locate the Southern Cross, signs of the zodiac, the Milky Way as well as planets and galaxies. From amazing scenery to delicious food and wide-open spaces, it’s sure to be a memorable evening!

G’day Melbourne! Today, fly to Melbourne, Australia’s cultural capital. The city is a blend of world-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and interesting hidden laneways. Before arriving at your hotel, travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT REACH NEW HEIGHTS Be ready to be wowed when you travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck, the southern hemisphere’s highest observation deck. The city comes to you when you take it all in from nearly 1,000 feet/300 metres high. Enjoy awe inspiring views of Melbourne from the observation deck. The Skydeck will change the way you look at Melbourne and maybe the world.

Sights & Heights Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, then drive past the Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Following lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy free time the remainder of the day. (B,L) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Tonight’s optional excursion is a visit to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Experience the magic of little penguins returning home at sunset to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia. Watch as these beloved fairy penguins waddle from the ocean to their burrows in the sand around you. You’ll get up close and personal from the special Penguins Plus grandstand. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

Cosmopolitan Cool Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Melbourne by dining at a local restaurant to immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene, or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take an optional trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.”

New Zealand Bound Board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Fjords, Forest & Falls Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park for a full-day excursion to the Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously described by author, Rudyard Kipling, as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Return late this evening to Queenstown. (B,L) NOTE: The excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 14 depending on weather and road conditions today. TOUR HIGHLIGHT PICTURE PERFECT Cruise on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. Experience dense rainforest, towering mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Have your cameras ready for marine life such as playful dolphins, seals, and penguins. It will be a day to remember as you experience New Zealand’s wild side at its absolute best!

Vineyards & Views A full day at leisure for your own discoveries before dinner with a view tonight. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE This evening, take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains. Make sure to have your camera ready for fantastic photo opportunities. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with an optional visit to a local vineyard, or maybe take a thrilling jet boat ride on the Dart River. These and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

Alpine Adventures Today’s journey brings you to magnificent Mount Cook National Park. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. (B,D) ENHANCED FREE TIME THINGS ARE LOOKING UP Weather permitting, consider the opportunity to join a stargazing program this evening in Mount Cook—offering some of the darkest skies in the world – perfect for viewing the southern night sky! This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.

New Zealand Treasures Travel to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island and then fly to Rotorua, the heart of the Maori culture. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME LOCAL LIFE This evening, you may wish to join an optional dinner at a New Zealand family’s home or indulge yourself in the relaxing hot springs or massage therapies at the Polynesian Spa.

Earthly Wonders This morning, enjoy a guided tour and a special visit to the [LOCAL FAVORITE] National Kiwi Hatchery. Then, visit the Agrodome to learn more about one of the country’s major industries–sheep! Continue to Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area. Enjoy a [LOCAL FAVORITE] Hangi dinner this evening. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CONSERVATION HEROES Only about 5% of all Kiwi birds hatched in the wild survive to adulthood making them endangered. At the National Kiwi Hatchery, you’ll see conservation in action. Known as the national leader in hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing, you’ll see each stage a kiwi chick goes through before being released into the national parks. 100% of your entry goes straight back to the Kiwi hatching program. LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Journey back to a time of proud warriors and ancient Maori traditions. Tour the village and learn about Maori traditions and customs followed by a delicious Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones). You’ll be entertained by master storytellers and singers, and you might even be asked to join in a Haka, the traditional war dance.

Glowing Views Depart Rotorua and cross over the Mamakue ranges to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Then, travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to Auckland. This evening, why not enjoy a glass of New Zealand’s famous wine while dining at one of Auckland’s world-class restaurants? (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Your visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves starts with a guided tour through the limestone chambers, delicate formations, and passages of the cavern. Next, discover an ancient world of 30 million years in the making and marvel at Mother Nature’s light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. See the lights of thousands of these tiny creatures as they radiate their light in a subterranean world. The glowworm (Arachnocampa Luminosa) is unique to New Zealand making the Waitomo Glowworm Caves an absolute must-do.

The City of Sails Start your day with a visit to the All Blacks Experience followed by a sightseeing tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy a festive [LOCAL FAVORITE] farewell dinner. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS OF THE GAME Immerse yourself into the legacy, culture and people who have made the All Blacks rugby team an important part of the history of New Zealand. You’ll experience first-hand the excitement and emotion of game day and be inspired by the full force of the haka. Hear about past and present legends of the game and enjoy hands-on interactions. You’ll quickly understand how deeply this team and sport are intertwined with the heart and heritage of the country. LOCAL FAVORITE THE HIGH LIFE Join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a festive farewell dinner high atop Auckland’s Sky Tower. Enjoy 360-degree views of the city and harbor below as the dining room rotates once every hour providing a unique experience. The perfect ending to your vacation!

Until We Meet Again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Auckland and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)