Itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Welcome to Australia! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or start exploring this vibrant city.
Day 2 MELBOURNE
This morning begins with a welcome briefing to meet fellow passengers and your Tour Director. Then, enjoy a city sightseeing tour which includes landmarks such as Flinders St. Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, FITZROY GARDENS, the Botanic Gardens, and the Shrine of Remembrance. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.
Day 3 MELBOURNE
A full free day to explore more of Melbourne on your own. You may wish to consider a day tour to the scenic Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles” or travel to Phillip Island and see the famous Penguin Parade.
Day 4 MELBOURNE–ALICE SPRINGS
Today, fly to the Outback and visit the SCHOOL OF THE AIR and ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE to learn how education and medical services are provided in remote regions (subject to opening times). Also, visit the OLD TELEGRAPH STATION to discover how early settlers developed communications.
Day 5 ALICE SPRINGS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)
Today, journey through the heart of the Outback, keeping a lookout for red kangaroos, dingoes, camels, and feral horses, known as “Brumbies.” Upon arrival, travel to a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent KATA TJUTA (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant domes. Later, visit the Sunset Strip, where you will enjoy a CHAMPAGNE TOAST while experiencing one of the world’s greatest spectacles—Uluru at sunset.
Day 6 ULURU (AYERS ROCK)–CAIRNS
Enjoy a tour at the base of Uluru, the extraordinary monolith whose circumference is studded with caves decorated with Aboriginal paintings. In the afternoon, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.”
Day 7 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
The world’s largest coral reef, made up of over 3,000 individual reefs and over 1,250 miles long, is one of our planet’s most amazing natural wonders. Board a CATAMARAN CRUISE to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Experience this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS-BOTTOM-BOAT TOUR, view the reef from an underwater observatory, and watch a fish feeding. Return to Cairns, where your evening is at leisure.
Lunch
Day 8 CAIRNS
Today is yours to relax and explore. Set amid lush rainforests, soaring peaks, and the ocean, Cairns is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. It has many attractions including a scenic railway, which runs to the picturesque market town of Kuranda and a cable car that glides over Australia’s World-Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy.
Day 9 CAIRNS–SYDNEY
Board your flight to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Tonight, you may wish to enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
Day 10 SYDNEY
Sydney boasts one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, home to the instantly recognizable Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-famous architectural wonder—the Sydney Opera House. This morning, your sightseeing tour will take you through the commercial and shopping heart of Sydney. End the day with a HARBOR CRUISE along Sydney Harbour for uninterrupted views of the city skyline.
Day 11 SYDNEY
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. You may wish to wander the cobblestone streets of the Rocks district, explore vibrant Darling Harbour, or 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.
Day 12 SYDNEY (EMBARKATION)
This morning is at leisure. This afternoon, transfer to Sydney’s port to embark on your ship, the MS Oosterdam, for a 14-night CRUISE.
Dinner
Day 13 EDEN
Straddling national parkland and sparkling estuaries on the unspoiled Sapphire Coast of New South Wales is the town of Eden. Learn about Eden’s historic mammalian partnership with local orcas at the Eden Killer Whale Museum, enjoy one of Eden’s many outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, snorkeling, or whale watching, or stroll the streets of Eden, taking in the local art scene and sampling some of the country’s most prized oysters.
Day 14 AT SEA
Enjoy a relaxing day as you cruise the coast of Australia towards Melbourne.
Day 15 MELBOURNE
Melbourne is Australia’s cosmopolitan heart with cutting-edge art and architecture, historic galleries, attractions and museum, plus a dizzying range of restaurants, bistros, markets, and bars. The famous laneways of Melbourne bustle with hidden boutiques, art galleries, and eateries, while myriad beaches and parks allow for the ultimate outdoor lifestyle and active things to do. During your free time here, you may choose to explore the famous lanes and arcades of the city, take a trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley, or learn about the wildlife and wonders of the Australian bush on a tour to You Yang Ranges National Park.
Day 16 AT SEA
Depart Australia and start your voyage across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. On board your ship, you may wish to take part in fascinating lectures, interactive workshops, and cultural performances.
Day 17 AT SEA
Depart Australia and start your voyage across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. On board your ship, you may wish to take part in fascinating lectures, interactive workshops, and cultural performances.
Day 18 AT SEA
Depart Australia and start your voyage across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. On board your ship, you may wish to take part in fascinating lectures, interactive workshops, and cultural performances.
Day 19 MILFORD SOUND & CRUISING FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK, NEW ZEALAND
Today, set sail through incredible Milford Sound, home to scenic beauty, soaring snow-topped peaks, and pristine wilderness. You’ll also cruise through Fiordland National Park, explored by Captain Cook back in 1770.
Day 20 PORT CHALMERS (DUNEDIN)
Dunedin, known as the “Edinburgh of the South,” was founded by Scottish settlers in 1848. During your time here, you may wish to learn more about the city’s Scottish influence, take an optional ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway, take a hike on Mount Cargill, or visit Penguin Place, an award-winning penguin conservation project.
Day 21 AKAROA (CHRISTCHURCH)
Akaroa is New Zealand’s only town to have originally been established by the French and is the oldest European settlement on the South Island. Take time to stroll the picturesque town, marvel at the colonial architecture, and enjoy the French-inspired and Kiwi-made cheeses and wine while soaking up the stunning scenery.
Day 22 PICTON
Tucked into the northeastern end of the South Island, the petite and picturesque port town of Picton is your starting point for exploring the region of Marlborough. Today, explore this tiny harbor town’s quaint cafés, shops, and aquatic themed museums or head out of town to the luscious wine country of Marlborough, heaven for sauvignon blanc lovers.
Day 23 WELLINGTON
Today you can explore New Zealand’s capital city on your own. Enjoy views from atop Mount Victoria, stroll through the city’s Botanic Gardens, or sample some fresh seafood and local wine. You may also wish to join in an optional city sightseeing tour, partake in a tasting tour featuring regional cheeses, fruits, chocolates, and coffees, or explore Wellington’s waterfront by bicycle.
Day 24 NAPIER
Napier is known as the Art Deco Capital of the World and is surrounded by the lush vineyards of the Hawke’s Bay wine region. Your choice of optional activities includes a city sightseeing tour where you can learn about Napier’s unique history and architecture, a scenic float trip on the Mohaka River, a visit and tasting to a local winery, or a tour by a local Maori guide who will show you his/her rich and colorful heritage.
Day 25 TAURANGA (ROTORUA)
Arrive in Tauranga, a great spot for enjoying water activities, exploring beaches, and discovering the local Maori Culture. You may choose to visit fascinating Rotorua, home to geo-thermal activity of bubbling mud pools, steaming cliffs, and geysers. Other options include an excursion to the famous Glowworm Caves in Waitomo, discovering the Hobbiton movie set used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or learning about the New Zealand sheep industry at Agrodome.
Day 26 AUCKLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
This morning, disembark your ship. Please schedule flights after Noon.
Breakfast