The Complete South Pacific
From the underwater splendor of the Great Barrier Reef to the towering Southern Alps of New Zealand – this is the South Pacific. Spend three nights on the island of Tasmania and see the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Center. Toast Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset with champagne. Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for a ride over the rainforest canopy and experience indigenous culture and Australian wildlife at Rainforestation Nature Park. Tour the famous Sydney Opera House. Spend two nights each in Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland and the “Garden City” of Christchurch. Marvel at Milford Sound. Discover the intrinsic beauty of Australia and New Zealand.
From the underwater splendor of the Great Barrier Reef to the towering Southern Alps of New Zealand – this is the South Pacific. Spend three nights on the island of Tasmania and see the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Center. Toast Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset with champagne. Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for a ride over the rainforest canopy and experience indigenous culture and Australian wildlife at Rainforestation Nature Park. Tour the famous Sydney Opera House. Spend two nights each in Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland and the “Garden City” of Christchurch. Marvel at Milford Sound. Discover the intrinsic beauty of Australia and New Zealand.
Highlights
- Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populated city in Australia. It is located on the large natural bay of Port Phillip. The city was founded on August 30th, 1835. Melbourne is often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital because it is a major center for the performing and visual arts. Melbourne is said to be the birthplace of Australian dance styles, the Australian film industry, Australian impressionist art and the Australian television industry.
- Tasmania is an island state a part of the Commonwealth of Australia located 150 miles south of the Australian mainland separated by the Bass Strait. The state includes in the island of Tasmania and the surrounding 334 islands. Tasmania is promoted as a natural state with 45% of Tasmania being reserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites. In 1856 it became a self-governing colony and was renamed Tasmania, and in 1901 became part of Australia.
- Journey to the Barossa Valley, Australia’s famous wine region. Renowned among connoisseurs, the valley’s award-winning wines attract visitors from across the globe. Tour the region’s incredible and historic wineries, and sample these special vintages.
- Uluru, also called Ayers rock, is a large, sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory of central Australia. It lies 208 miles southwest of the nearest large town, Alice Springs. The rock is one of Australia’s most recognizable natural landmarks. The rock stands at 1,142 feet tall and is 2,381 feet above sea level.
- Cairns is a regional city in the far north of Queensland, Australia. The city was founded in 1876 and named after the then governor of Queensland. The region of Cairns ranks as the 4th most popular destination for international travelers in Australia. The city serves as a gateway point for those visiting the Great Barrier Reef. While being a gateway to Australia’s surrounding ocean, Cairns is also surrounded by rainforest, and also serves as a gateway to destinations like Daintree.
- Experience one of the seven wonders of the natural world when you climb aboard a high speed catamaran and set off for the Great Barrier Reef. As the world’s largest living organism, you’ll find over 2,800 individual coral reef systems which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. Their bright colors look remarkable against the turquoise waters. Jump in the water to snorkel and really experience the Reef in an immersive way! Stroll along the walking trails with a reef expert, simply relax on the beach, or meet with a marine biologist during an informative presentation. It’s a truly good day at the Reef, mate.
- The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on Bennelong Port in Sydney Harbour, adjacent to Sydney’s Central Business District and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The facility opened on October 20th, 1973. The opera house comprises several performance venues which together make one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world hosting 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people. More than 7 million people visit the opera house each year.
- Auckland is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and is the largest and most populous area in the country. Roughly one third of New Zealand’s population resides here. Dating back to the year 1350 when the Maori people founded the land, known for being rich and fertile. It is now known for its parks, nature, and volcanic fields as well as rich culture, many festivals and a good quality of living.
- Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, on New Zealand’s North Island, and is in the heart of the North Island located 140 miles southeast of Auckland. The area is known for its geothermic activity and features geysers and hot mud pools as the town lies on the Rotorua caldera which is where the thermal activity is from. The tourism industry is by far the largest industry in Rotorua and is popular with both domestic and international tourists.
- Wellington is located on the southwestern tip of the North Island. It is the world's southernmost capital city as well as being the most populous and remote as it is the furthest away from any other capital. Being built on the foreshore of a harbor and ringed by mountains, this gives the city the nickname Windy Wellington.
- Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the county’s third most populous urban area. It is located on the South Island’s eastern coast. Christchurch officially became a city on July 31st, 1856, making it the oldest established city in New Zealand. Christchurch is known as the Garden City due the large number of public parks and residential gardens.
- Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. The city is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu and has spectacular views of nearby mountains and the Southern Alps. The town was founded in the 1860s and is now known for commerce-based tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism, boasting over 200 adventure tourism activities to take part in.
- Milford Sound is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island. The sound runs inland for over 490 feet from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 3,900 feet on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 4,977 feet (1,517 meters), said to resemble an elephant's head, and The Lion, at 4,272 feet (1,302 meters), in the shape of a crouching lion. Milford Sound is acclaimed as New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination.
Hotels
- Sheraton Melbourne — Melbourne
- Hadley's Orient Hotel — Hobart
- Pullman Adelaide — Adelaide
- Desert Gardens Hotel — Ayers Rock
- Flynn Crystalbrook Collection Hotel — Cairns
- Sofitel Sydney Wentworth — Sydney
- Rydges Auckland — Auckland
- Sudima Lake Rotorua — Rotorua
- Novotel Wellington — Wellington
- Distinction Christchurch — Christchurch
- Heritage Hotel — Queenstown
Details
- Tour Operator
- Collette
- Start City
- Melbourne
- End City
- Queenstown
- Duration (Days)
- 27
- Activity Level
- Level 3
What's Included
- 39 meals included
- Inter-tour flights included
- Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populated city in Australia. It is located on the large natural bay of Port Phillip. The city was founded on August 30th, 1835. Melbourne is often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital because it is a major center for the performing and visual arts. Melbourne is said to be the birthplace of Australian dance styles, the Australian film industry, Australian impressionist art and the Australian television industry.
- Tasmania is an island state a part of the Commonwealth of Australia located 150 miles south of the Australian mainland separated by the Bass Strait. The state includes in the island of Tasmania and the surrounding 334 islands. Tasmania is promoted as a natural state with 45% of Tasmania being reserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites. In 1856 it became a self-governing colony and was renamed Tasmania, and in 1901 became part of Australia.
- Journey to the Barossa Valley, Australia’s famous wine region. Renowned among connoisseurs, the valley’s award-winning wines attract visitors from across the globe. Tour the region’s incredible and historic wineries, and sample these special vintages.
- Uluru, also called Ayers rock, is a large, sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory of central Australia. It lies 208 miles southwest of the nearest large town, Alice Springs. The rock is one of Australia’s most recognizable natural landmarks. The rock stands at 1,142 feet tall and is 2,381 feet above sea level.
- Cairns is a regional city in the far north of Queensland, Australia. The city was founded in 1876 and named after the then governor of Queensland. The region of Cairns ranks as the 4th most popular destination for international travelers in Australia. The city serves as a gateway point for those visiting the Great Barrier Reef. While being a gateway to Australia’s surrounding ocean, Cairns is also surrounded by rainforest, and also serves as a gateway to destinations like Daintree.
- Experience one of the seven wonders of the natural world when you climb aboard a high speed catamaran and set off for the Great Barrier Reef. As the world’s largest living organism, you’ll find over 2,800 individual coral reef systems which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. Their bright colors look remarkable against the turquoise waters. Jump in the water to snorkel and really experience the Reef in an immersive way! Stroll along the walking trails with a reef expert, simply relax on the beach, or meet with a marine biologist during an informative presentation. It’s a truly good day at the Reef, mate.
- The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on Bennelong Port in Sydney Harbour, adjacent to Sydney’s Central Business District and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The facility opened on October 20th, 1973. The opera house comprises several performance venues which together make one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world hosting 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people. More than 7 million people visit the opera house each year.
- Auckland is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and is the largest and most populous area in the country. Roughly one third of New Zealand’s population resides here. Dating back to the year 1350 when the Maori people founded the land, known for being rich and fertile. It is now known for its parks, nature, and volcanic fields as well as rich culture, many festivals and a good quality of living.
- Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, on New Zealand’s North Island, and is in the heart of the North Island located 140 miles southeast of Auckland. The area is known for its geothermic activity and features geysers and hot mud pools as the town lies on the Rotorua caldera which is where the thermal activity is from. The tourism industry is by far the largest industry in Rotorua and is popular with both domestic and international tourists.
- Wellington is located on the southwestern tip of the North Island. It is the world's southernmost capital city as well as being the most populous and remote as it is the furthest away from any other capital. Being built on the foreshore of a harbor and ringed by mountains, this gives the city the nickname Windy Wellington.
- Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the county’s third most populous urban area. It is located on the South Island’s eastern coast. Christchurch officially became a city on July 31st, 1856, making it the oldest established city in New Zealand. Christchurch is known as the Garden City due the large number of public parks and residential gardens.
- Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. The city is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu and has spectacular views of nearby mountains and the Southern Alps. The town was founded in the 1860s and is now known for commerce-based tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism, boasting over 200 adventure tourism activities to take part in.
- Milford Sound is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island. The sound runs inland for over 490 feet from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 3,900 feet on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 4,977 feet (1,517 meters), said to resemble an elephant's head, and The Lion, at 4,272 feet (1,302 meters), in the shape of a crouching lion. Milford Sound is acclaimed as New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Overnight Flight
Cross the International Dateline as you begin a comprehensive adventure through Australia and New Zealand. You’ll earn your world traveler reputation with each spectacular place you reach. Be prepared for some extensive travel days between the destinations on your tour.
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Day 3: Melbourne, Australia
Arrive in Melbourne. Set upon the shores of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River, the city exudes a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
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Day 4: Melbourne
Set out on a panoramic city tour, including a guided walk of the famed Royal Botanic Gardens. Afterward, the rest of the day is yours to explore Melbourne as you please. Soak in the atmosphere of this exciting city among the bustling laneways, at Queen Victoria Market, or along the waterfront.
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Day 5: Melbourne - Hobart
A flight to Hobart, Tasmania brings you to Australia's second oldest city. An island state of Australia, Tasmania is surrounded by more than 300 scattered isles. Its rugged and pristine beauty provides the backdrop for your three-night stay. Enjoy a guided walk to get to know Hobart before dinner this evening.
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Day 6: Hobart
Today, visit the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Center and learn about this unique marsupial, its fight for survival, and the plan to save it from extinction. Tour the Port Arthur Historic Site, the best-preserved example of Australia’s original penal colonies. En route, witness the coastal rock formations of Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, and the Blow Hole.
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Day 7: Hobart
Enjoy a free day to explore Tasmania’s capital city on your own. Perhaps you’ll indulge in the city’s up-and-coming café culture, meander along the lively harbor, or just take some time to relax.
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Day 8: Hobart - Adelaide
Fly to Adelaide, South Australia’s bustling cosmopolitan capital. Settle into your home for the next 2 nights.
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Day 9: Adelaide - Barossa Valley - Adelaide
Treat your taste buds to a full-day exploration of the Barossa Valley’s fine food and wine. Starting at Seppeltsfield winery where a wine educator will take you on a behind-the-scenes look through the estate’s treasure trove of historical buildings and spectacular surroundings. Learn of the Seppelt family history and their profound influence on the Australian wine industry. Following the tour enjoy a delicious Barossa-style lunch. Afterwards your vintner voyage continues at Chateau Tanunda for a private tour and tasting of their world-class wines.
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Day 10: Adelaide - Uluru (Ayers Rock)
This morning, make your way to Uluru (the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock) in the heart of the Australian Outback. Tour the beautiful area surrounding the base of “The Rock” and learn about its significance to the indigenous population. As the day draws to a close, sip a glass of champagne as Uluru’s hues change dramatically with the setting sun.
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Day 11: Uluru - Cairns
Fly to Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions – the Great Barrier Reef (UNESCO). Before your departure, perhaps you will choose to partake in an optional excursion where you will enjoy a camel ride, taking in the magnificent Uluru at sunrise.
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Day 12: Cairns
Rise high on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for an unforgettable ride over the rainforest canopy. Embrace the opportunity to explore the forest floor up close with access to specially designed boardwalks. Afterward, visit Rainforestation Nature Park for lunch and unique encounters with Australian wildlife and indigenous culture. Experience a performance of indigenous dancing, and join a guided walk to explore Aboriginal traditions, seeing how spears were used for hunting and trying your hand at throwing a boomerang. In the Koala and Wildlife Park, wander the boardwalks seeing kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles, and cassowaries. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring native cuisine.
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Day 13: Cairns
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the reef from your base on Green Island. Enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride, stroll the island’s walking trails, relax on the beach, snorkel or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, an optional outer reef tour is also available.
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Day 14: Cairns - Sydney
Fly to the dynamic city of Sydney. This evening, personalize your culinary experience with Diner’s Choice – choosing from a variety of local restaurants for an included dinner along bustling Darling Harbour.
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Day 15: Sydney
See where English colonists first settled during a city tour of Sydney, featuring Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Darlinghurst. Take an expert-led tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour. You’ll have the chance to join a special presentation at the National Opal Collection. The evening is yours to enjoy the ‘harbor city.’
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Day 16: Sydney
Enjoy a day at leisure. Marvel at the scenic vistas of the harbor showcasing Sydney’s magnificent skyline, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge. As the most populous city in Australia, Sydney is full of endless ways to spend your day.
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Day 17: Sydney - Auckland, New Zealand
Fly to New Zealand and arrive in Auckland, the “City of Sails.” A city tour features the America’s Cup Village, the War Memorial, vibrant Queen Street, the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and spectacular views from the harborside.
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Day 18: Auckland - Rotorua
Head to Rotorua’s dramatic geothermal landscape. Find culture behind every corner – over one-third of Rotura’s population boasts Maori roots, making it known as the Maori capital of New Zealand.
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Day 19: Rotorua
Discover Whakarewarewa – a Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Explore an authentic Maori village where people live using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have done for centuries. At the Agrodome, see a sheep-shearing demonstration and learn about the importance of agriculture to the nation. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore more of Rotorua independently.
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Day 20: Rotorua - Wellington
Make your way to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city and the world’s southernmost capital city. Built on the foreshore of a harbor and ringed by mountains, this gives the city the nickname “Windy Wellington.”
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Day 21: Wellington
Come to know Wellington on a tour including the Beehive, New Zealand’s Parliament, historic St. Paul’s Church, and the Old Government Building – the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Explore the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongawera, a fascinating center dedicated to art, history and the Maori culture. Afterward, enjoy the afternoon and evening to explore Wellington on your own.
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Day 22: Wellington - Picton - Christchurch
Today, experience what has been called “the most beautiful ferry ride in the world” as you sail across the Cook Strait on your way to the historic city of Christchurch, the “Garden City.” Dinner tonight will be at the hotel.
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Day 23: Christchurch
This morning, enjoy a city tour that highlights the city’s magnificent gardens and elegant park district. Then, visit Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. A leader in the conservation of New Zealand species, Willowbank offers the chance to view New Zealand’s “Big 5” up close and personal. Learn about the local indigenous culture of the Maori, with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional canoe or ‘waka.’
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Day 24: Christchurch - Queenstown
Make your way to Queenstown, nicknamed the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Nestled on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is surrounded by stunning natural beauty.
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Day 25: Queenstown
Enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley as you travel through a beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. Cruise the breathtaking Milford Sound* and see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights on the South Island. Following your cruise, consider returning to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
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Day 26: Queenstown
A free day in Queenstown offers limitless activities set amidst breathtaking Alpine scenery. Today, you have the opportunity to partake in a tour through the charming Queenstown countryside, showcasing the filming locations of many blockbuster movies. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner and toast to a fabulous trip.
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Day 27: Queenstown - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close in Queenstown.