ITINERARY
Day 1 : October 23 – Depart Tampa for Italy : Leave Tampa ( TPA ) on your overnight flight to Melbourne , Australia . You ’ ll cross the International Date Line .
Day 2 : ( Cross Date Line ) October 25 – Arrive in Melbourne : Transfer from Melbourne Airport with English-speaking guide for meet and greet and accompany on transfer to the hotel for check-in . Afternoon at leisure . Tonight , depart our hotel to Tram Stop 125 for our 3-course dinner , including selected beverages , and coffee or tea , aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant . Dine aboard the converted 1927 tram that has become the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant . Dining aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is not only a culinary delight , but also a trip into a little piece of Victoria ' s history . On completion of dinner we transfer back to our hotel . ( D )
Day 3 : October 26 – Melbourne city tour : Full breakfast at the hotel . This morning we depart for our sightseeing tour of the city . We see Bourke Street Mall and tree-lined Collins Street , the ultimate shopping strip and business centre . See premier examples of Melbourne Victorian architectural splendor , including St . Paul ’ s Cathedral , Princess and Regent Theatres , Melbourne Town Hall , Parliament House , the Treasury Building , the Royal Exhibition buildings , and the Queen Victoria Markets . Time permitting , pass by Albert Park Lake , Melbourne ’ s spectacular Royal Botanic Gardens , the picturesque Fitzroy Gardens , including entrance to Cook ’ s Cottage and the historic Shrine of Remembrance located amidst the peaceful Kings Domain Gardens . Also view the world-renowned sporting arenas including the MCG and Melbourne Park ( home of the Australian Tennis Open ) and see Southbank – a world of waterfront shopping , dining and arts , incorporating the Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct and Crown Entertainment Complex ( Melbourne ’ s casino ). Arrive back at our hotel to enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure . [ OPTIONAL – Phillip Island and Fairy Penguin Tour : this afternoon we depart our hotel and travel to Phillip Island to experience one of Australia ' s most popular attractions . Firstly , we visit the Koala Conservation Centre , encounter koalas close up from elevated boardwalks . Enjoy the colorful birdlife and true “ Aussie ” atmosphere before we travel onto Phillip Island where each night at sunset you ' ll be amazed by little Penguins returning ashore after a day of fishing . See the world ' s smallest penguin in its natural habitat from viewing stands and boardwalks . Enjoy interactive and educational displays in the visitor ' s center and the spectacular coastal scenery from the Penguin Parade . Return to Melbourne on completion of this spectacle . COST : $ 145.00 USD per person .] ( B )
Day 4 : October 27 – Victoria for a full-day tour of the famous Yarra Valley winery region : Full breakfast at the hotel . Less than an hour ’ s drive from Melbourne , the Yarra Valley is famous for its wine , fresh food , and breathtaking scenery . The place where Victorian winegrowing started , the Yarra Valley is now home to over 55 wineries , most of which offer cellar door tastings and sales . Many are as serious about food as they are about their harvest , matching the wine they make with local produce in restaurants located in beautiful vineyards . The Yarra Valley is richly endowed with some of the most beautiful countryside in Victoria . Distant blue ranges , rolling hills strung with vines , towering trees , and verdant valleys with pristine rivers make up the spectacular scenery around Marysville and Warburton . Your day will include a delicious lunch at a local winery and wine tastings at three local wineries . ( B , L )
Day 5 : October 28 – Melbourne to Cairns : Transfer from the hotel to Melbourne Airport with your guide for your departure flight . Fly Melbourne to Cairns . Arrive in Cairns and transfer from Cairns domestic airport to hotel with your guide . Then transfer to the Cairns Zoo . The Cairns Night Zoo is a uniquely Australian night out . Combining the ubiquitous Aussie BBQ , some night spotlighting , a meeting with a genuine “ Swaggie ” by his campfire – he ' ll offer you some billy tea and damper and spin a yarn about life in the slow lane . The evening is not complete without some great Aussie entertainment so we ask you to join our friendly team for some supper ( including a cold beer or a glass or two of Australian wine ) and an interactive experience . After BBQ everyone is provided with a torch ( this place is dark at night ) and the intrepid guide will take visitors to meet the creatures of the night . Spot crocs ( their eyes glow in the torchlight ), see snakes , possums , and more . Somewhere in the bush meet our itinerant “ Swaggie ” – the genuine Australian bushman . ( B , D )
Day 6 : October 29 – Great Barrier Reef : This morning we depart our hotel by Quicksilver Connections and drive north along the scenic Cook ’ s Highway , passing some of the most beautiful beaches in the world to Port Douglas where we embark on the Quicksilver Wavepiercer catamaran and journey to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef , the most spectacular undersea garden in the world . At the Reef , we are at a large platform or raft where we can view the coral in a number of ways . There is a semi-submarine , an underwater viewing platform , an optional helicopter ride or the option of trying a scuba dive ( with tank ). There is nothing more thrilling than being in the sea at the Great Barrier Reef , looking at the colourful fish and coral . A buffet lunch will be served during the time you are at the reef . Arrive back at Port Douglas Marina . On arrival back at Port Douglas we have a limited amount of time at the Marina before travelling back down the coastline by water on the Quicksilver Wavepiercer to arrive at Marlin Marina Wharf Cairns . From here we can take an easy walk back to our hotel . ( B , L )
Day 7 : October 30 – Cairns to Sydney : Transfer from hotel to Cairns airport with your guide for departure flight . Fly Cairns to Sydney . Arrive in Sydney and transfer to your hotel with your guide . This afternoon we depart with our guide for our sights of Sydney and the famous beaches . Driving through the city centre , we will see many contrasts , from the traditional Victorian architecture of the Town Hall and the Queen Victoria Building ( worth an interior visit on your own ) to the modern skyscrapers of the business district ; from the sweeping design of the Opera House to the modern developments of Darling Harbour . Drive through the Botanic Garden to Lady Macquarie ' s Chair ( for views of the harbour and the Opera House and bridge ) and then head out to the exclusive eastern suburbs , passing Kings Cross en route to Vaucluse and Double Bay . Continue to the Heads , famous Bondi Beach , and historic Paddington with its iron railed town houses , arriving at the hotel for a night at leisure . ( B )
Day 8 : October 31 – Sydney City Tour : Today we depart from King Street Wharf with our guide and Majestic Cruises on a magical and spectacular Sydney Harbour cruise . Our Magistic Cruises vessel has exceptional nautical design , superior service , and fine catering . It is the sightseeing cruise of choice for something above the ordinary . The sensational seafood buffet lunch includes a delicious selection of fresh seafood , gourmet roasts , chef ' s daily specials , crisp salads , and seasonal fruit plus a selection of divine desserts and Australian cheeses . On completion of the cruise , walk around from Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House for our guided tour . This tour offers the opportunity to experience the Sydney Opera House in its daily operation . Be guided through theatres , giving a fascinating account of the history & architecture of the House . On completion of the guided tour , enjoy time at leisure in Sydney . ( B , L )
Day 9 : November 1 – Full-day Blue Mountain excursion : This morning we depart our hotel for our full-day Blue Mountains excursion . Travel to the Featherdale Wildlife Park , handfeed kangaroos , see koalas , wombats , emus , dingoes ( the native Australian dog ), plus crocodiles , owls , and more . Depart the Park , then continue onto Blue Mountains to discover the remarkable beauty of Blue Mountains National Park . From the quaint little village of Leura we skirt around Cliff Drive to Katoomba where you will find yourself looking out over the magnificent Jamieson Valley ( Australia ’ s Grand Canyon ) & the Three Sisters . Enjoy lunch at the Carrington Hotel . After lunch , ride on the Scenic Railway or Sceniscender down into the rainforest . Our tickets entitle us to one-way Scenic Railway and one-way Sceniscender . From there we can enjoy a walk in the forest and views of the beautiful Three Sisters before heading back into the city . ( B , L )
Day 10 : November 2 – Full-day at leisure in Sydney : This evening we will be transferred from our hotel with our guide to the Waterfront Restaurant for our dinner . Enjoy dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant – with breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House . The Restaurants of the Rocks are a must for any visitor to Sydney . Experience the languid , holiday feeling in this converted stone warehouse , while enjoying memorable seafood delicacies . The Waterfront Restaurant ' s unique nautical decor creates a splendid ambience . Fishermen ’ s nets , ship ' s bells , rudders , and other treasures of the marine world are on display to set the nautical mood , which is carried on right to the water ' s edge . After dinner , we will be transferred back to our hotel . ( B , D )
Day 11 : November 3 – Depart for USA : After breakfast at the hotel , transfer to Sydney International Airport with your guide for your departure flight back to the USA , or onto your New Zealand extension ( B )
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS POST TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND
Day 11 : November 3 – Sydney to Queenstown , New Zealand : After breakfast at the hotel , transfer to Sydney International Airport with your guide for your departure flight to Queenstown , New Zealand . Meet and greet and transfer to your hotel . Tonight , enjoy a welcome dinner at the Skyline Restaurant . ( B , D )
Day 12 : November 4 – Queenstown : Full breakfast at hotel . Today , enjoy a half-day Safari of the Scenes . Afternoon is at leisure in Queenstown to explore the city on your own . ( B ) Day 13 : November 5 – Queenstown : Full breakfast at hotel . Depart on your full-day guided tour of the Milford Sound , including a buffet lunch . ( B , L )
Day 14 : November 6 – Queenstown : Full breakfast at hotel . Today is at leisure for you to explore and enjoy Queenstown on your own or book some optional sightseeing . Tonight , experience a farewell dinner cruise on the Walter Peak . ( B , D )
Day 15 : November 7 – Depart for USA : After breakfast at the hotel , transfer to Queenstown International Airport with your guide for your departure flight back to the USA . ( B )