SOUTH PACIFIC ITINERARY
Depart San Francisco, enroute to Auckland, NZ
LV: SAN FRANCISCO/INT’L SUNDAY
( LOSE A DAY IN CROSSING THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE )
AR:
AUCKLAND/INT’L
TUESDAY
Transfer by private van to our hotel.
ASCOT METROPOLIS HOTEL
IN: JULY 13*
1 COURTHOUSE LANE
OUT: JULY 15
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
TEL: 011-64 (09) 300-8800
FAX: 011-64 (09) 300-8899
2:00 p.m. Afternoon City
Sights by private car: Afternoon tour of the city takes you through the city
past yacht-filled Westhaven Marina and over the summit of Mt. Eden
for panoramic views. In the Domain
Park, visit the Auckland Museum
to see the magnificent collection of Maori artifacts. Pass through quaint Parnell
Village and along the waterfront back to the city.
WED.
JULY 14 IN AUCKLAND
Day free for independent activities.
10:00 A.M. – Visit Landmark Office, 125 Vincent Street,
3rd floor (no elevator). Take taxi to the office.
THU. JULY 15 AUCKLAND – WAITOMO – ROTORUA
8:00 a.m., leave by mini-van to Matamata, a rural town near Hamilton
in the Waikato Region, a two-hour drive south of Auckland. The filming of The Lord of the Rings movies in the area has created a lot of excitement and pride
in the town. The Alexander Farm near Matamata was used as the Hobbiton movie
set. To celebrate the launch of the first The Lord of the Rings film, the town
changed it name to Hobbiton for a short time and Hobbiton burgers were on sale.
Tour the
Hobbiton Village Movie Set (10:00 – 12:00) where you can see the remnants
of the original Hobbiton Village set. The remnants of the LOTR movie set are on picturesque private farmland near Matamata. The Hobbiton Movie Set has been returned to its natural state; however, hobbit holes
and some structures from the film set are still present. After visiting Hobbiton,
(around 12:00 Noon) drive to Rotorua (1
hour) arriving around 2:00 p.m., with time for lunch stop at Tirau.
Check into the
Swiss Lodge situated near the tip of Kawaha Point, a leafy peninsula on the Western Shore of Lake Rotorua. It is just 5 minutes’ drive from the city center, but far away from traffic noise and sulphur fumes. The unique lakefront retreat nestles in a peaceful garden setting with panoramic views
of the lake. Guests can swim at the private beach.
SWISS LODGE
IN: JULY 15
207 – 209 KAWAHA POINT ROAD
OUT: JULY 17
ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND
TEL: 011-64 (7) 348-5868
FAX: 011-64 (7) 348-5869
4:00 p.m. Driver will take us to Whakarewarewa and then he will return to Auckland. Admission to Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and Whakarewarewa
Thermal Valley.
5:15 p.m., see a Maori cultural performance of stirring songs and dances, and enjoy a “hangi”
(ground oven) cooked dinner at the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Return transfer
will be provided by another driver.
FRI.
JULY 16 IN ROTORUA
09:30 a.m. Transfer for sightseeing.
09:45 a.m. Walk through the flora and fauna park at Paradise Valley Springs.
11:00 a.m. Visit the entertaining and informative Agrodome Sheep Show featuring sheep shearing
demonstration.
Return transfer
will be provided.
Remainder of
the day at leisure.
SAT.
JULY 17 ROTORUA – QUEENSTOWN
8:15 a.m. Transfer to the Rotorua Airport
in time for departure.
LV: ROTORUA
SATURDAY
AR: CHRISTCHURCH
SATURDAY
AR: CHRISTCHURCH
SATURDAY
AR: QUEENSTOWN
SATURDAY
On arrival,
we will be met and will be taken to the Heritage Hotel where we are to leave our excess baggage while we spend the night at
TeAnau. En route, stop at Arrowtown for lunch.
In Arrowtown, trees planted by the goldminers line the streets and many old stores and cottages remain. Visit the museum to see gold nuggets and the old tools and artifacts used by the miners.
Leave Queenstown
at 3:00 p.m. and arrive at Te Anau at 5:00 p.m.
Check in at our hotel
TE ANAU HOTEL & VILLAS
IN: JULY 17
LAKEFRONT DRIVE
OUT: JULY 18
TE ANAU, NEW ZEALAND
TEL: 011-64 (03) 249-9700
FAX: 011-64 (03) 249-7947
6:25 p.m. Report to Real Journeys Office (across
the road).
6:45 p.m. Board launch and cruise across Lake
Te Anau to tour this spectacular limestone caverns and see the glittering glow-worm grotto.
(Tour is 3 hours). Return to your hotel.
SUN.
JULY 18 TE ANAU – MILFORD SOUND – QUEENSTOWN
Early morning,
buy lunch from “Pop Inn” on Lakefront Drive across the road
from the Great Sights Office. The lunch on the cruise is not very good and it
was recommended we take lunch with us. Be sure to bring your overnight bag
as we will be let off in Queenstown for our stay of next two nights.
9:30 a.m. Report to Real Journeys Office (across
the road).
9:45 a.m. By Seat-in-Coach, leave Te Anau for
a Full-day Excursion to Milford Sound, one way by coach and one way by air. Travel
to the Eglinton River Valley
and Cascade Creek; climb to the Homer Tunnel and descend steeply to Milford Sound. Cruise
up the ten-mile fiord. 3:00 p.m. Return
to Queenstown by scenic flight (weather permitting). If weather is not good,
we will return by motorcoach. Arrival in Queenstown at 3:40
p.m.
On arrival,
we will be transfer to our hotel, overlooking the awe-inspiring vistas of Queenstown, and a sophisticated European-style resort
hotel. It stands proudly above the shores of the picturesque Lake
Wakatipu, with magnificent views of the majestic Remarkables Mountain Range.
THE HERITAGE QUEENSTOWN HOTEL
IN: JULY 17
91 FERNHILL ROAD
OUT: JULY 20
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND
TEL: 011-64 (03) 442-4988
FAX: 011-64 (03) 442-4560
MON.
JULY 19 IN QUEENSTOWN
Day free for independent activities
There
is a courtesy bus (every hour) between the hotels and to the Gondola area. Hotel
provides free tickets for the bus.
Morning,
Skyline Gondola & Luge – Luge Ride ends at 5:00 p.m. in
winter. Take the gondola up to Skyline Building
Complex. Luge ride is at the rear of the building and it goes further up the
hill. There is a walkway up the hill to a little office where everyone gets a
helmet and then they hop on their luge cart. The ride is approximately 5 minutes. One ride is never enough, according the agent.
The track runs just below the Skyline building and at the end you can take a ski lift back up to the top of the hill
again for another ride down. Lunch at the Chalet at 1:00
p.m.
TUE.
JULY 20 QUEENSTOWN – CHRISTCHURCH
8:00 a.m. Transfer to the airport.
LV: QUEENSTOWN
TUESDAY
AR: CHRISTCHURCH
TUESDAY
Orientation
Tour of Christchurch en route to hotel. Christchurch is “the most English city outside of
England” – you will understand why when you spy
the gracious willow trees along the beautiful Avon River. Highlights in the city features the inner city Victorian and modern buildings, including
the Cathedral, Town Hall and Arts Center, Canterbury Museum, the tree-lined Avon River, Botanical Gardens and Hagley Park
and a panoramic view of the city from the “Sign of the Takahe.”
MILLENNIUM HOTEL
IN: JULY 20
14 CATHEDRAL SQUARE
OUT: JULY 21
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
TEL: 011-64 (03) 365-1111
FAX: 011-64 (03) 365-7676
Remainder
of the day free for independent activities.
WED.
JULY 21 CHRISTCHURCH
– SYDNEY
Early-morning
wake-up call.
4:40 a.m. – pick up at hotel for transfer to the airport for early-morning
flight.
LV: CHRISTCHURCH
WEDNESDAY
AR: SYDNEY
WEDNESDAY
We will be met
and will be transferred to our hotel set majestically on the eastern shore of Circular Quay, with spectacular views of Sydney’s
famous harbor and harbor bridge, the Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens
and city skyline. Each Quay Grand Suite comprises a spacious sitting room, a
choice of one or two bedrooms, a stylish, fully appointed bathroom with spa, and meticulously equipped gourmet kitchen..
WED.
JULY 21 (CONTINUED):
QUAY GRAND SUITES SYDNEY
IN: JULY 21
61 MACQUARIE STREET
OUT: JULY 22
EAST CIRCULAR QUAY
TEL: 011-61 (02) 9256-4000
SYDNEY NSW 2000 AUSTRALIA
FAX: 011-62 (02) 9256-4040
Remainder
of the day at leisure to explore the city. Decide
who will want to do the BridgeClimb on July 29.
THU.
JULY 22 SYDNEY – CAIRNS
– PALM COVE
07:50 a.m. Transfer to the airport.
08:20 a.m. Check in for flight.
LV: SYDNEY
THURSDAY
AR: CAIRNS
THURSDAY
We will be met
and driven north along a spectacular 16-mile stretch of unspoiled golden beaches to the small seaside townships of Palm Cove for accommodations at a hotel situated on the beachfront along Williams Esplanade in the heart
of Palm Cove Village.
In Palm Cove Village
itself, where no building is higher than the coconut palms, one can find restaurants, village shopping, bars and cafes.
OUTRIGGER BEACH CLUB & SPA
IN: JULY 22
123 WILLIAMS ESPLANADE
OUT: JULY 25
PALM COVE, 4879
TEL: 011-61 (07) 4059-9200
AUSTRALIA
FAX: 011-61 (07) 4059-9222
FRI.
JULY 23 AT PALM COVE
Full-day
Excursion. 8:00 a.m., depart for
the wonderful Rainforest Habitat where we will have breakfast with the many variety of birds, koalas, and crocodiles. It is very compact and very consumer friendly, and about 30 minutes from
Palm Cove. After visiting the Habitat, continue to Port Douglas to stroll
the village; then to the Mossman Gorge before arriving at Silky Oaks for lunch (lunch on own account). Take a tour of Silky Oaks and return to Palm Cove in the afternoon.
SAT.
JULY 24 AT PALM COVE
Full-day Great Barrier Cruise. 8:20
A.M. Join coach to transfer to Port Douglas
to join the Vessel Quicksilver for a full-day Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, which is the only
living structure visible on earth from the moon. It is a national treasure and
one of the true wonders of the world. Agincourt Reef lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage
Area. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most
diverse and delicate ecosystems in the world. The ribbon reefs north of Cairns are renowned for their excellent year round water clarity and coral formations. Agincourt Reef is the only ribbon reef on the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef to be visited by a day cruise operator with platform facilities. For your
experience of a lifetime, Quicksilver’s friendly crew will take you to a reef at the very edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of
color and brilliance. Quicksilver takes you to Agincourt Reef, a magnificent
ribbon reef where you can experience first hand the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef. You can choose to dive, snorkel, or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the
comfort of a Quicksilver semi-sub, just one meter underwater. Watch the fish
feeding from Quicksilver’s unique underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory; or as an option, fly in a
helicopter over the reef. Return to Port Douglas and transfer back to your hotel,
arriving around 5:30
P.M.
SUN.
JULY 25 AT PALM COVE
Excursion to Tjapukai Cultural Park and Kuranda. Transfer
to The Tjapukai Cultural Park, for a presentation of aboriginal culture incorporating 4 cultural events. The History Theatre on extensive audio visual presentation showcasing traditional culture telling of the
last 120 years and depicts where the aboriginal stands today. The Creation Theatre
portrays the spiritual and traditional beliefs of the Tjapukai people. And the
Dance Theatre to witness a celebration of song and dance and
the traditional camp a chance to interact with the community with
boomerang or spear throwing, or didgeridoo playing. Walk to Skyrail and glide over the rainforest canopy and take advantage of the two stops en route to
enjoy a walk through the rainforest. On arrival in Kuranda, the “Village in the Rainforest,” walk to the Kuranda Station and board the
Kuranda Train. Depart for a breathtaking journey on one of the world’s
most scenic operational rail journeys through hand hewn tunnels and across bridges with amazing views, arriving at Freshwater Station. Transfer
back to the hotel.
MON.
JULY 26 PALM COVE – CAIRNS – BRISBANE - NOOSA
09:15
a.m. Transfer to the airport for departure.
09:45
a.m. Arrive at airport and check in.
LV:
CAIRNS
MONDAY
AR:
BRISBANE
MONDAY
On arrival Brisbane, we will be met
by a driver with a 15-seater coach for the drive to Noosa. En route, visit Steve
Irwin’s Australiana Zoo. Arrive at NOOSA.
62 TINGIRA CRESC
IN: JULY 26
SUNSHINE BEACH
OUT: JULY 28
AUSTRALIA
TEL: 011-61 (07) 5447-3546
TUE.
JULY 27 AT NOOSA BEACH
Day free to relax and to swim
Suggested Restaurant: “Spirit House”
in a little village called Yandina, about 40 minutes drive from the house. Features
Asian Food with emphasis on Thai. May need two maxi taxis
for transport, if we decide to go. Otherwise, will go to local restaurant.
Enjoy the beach.
WED. JULY 28
NOOSA BEACH – BRISBANE – SYDNEY
12:40
p.m. Transfer back to Brisbane
Airport.
2:10 p.m. Check
in for flight.
LV:
BRISBANE
WEDNESDAY
AR:
SYDNEY
WEDNESDAY
On arrival in Sydney, we will be met and transferred to our hotel.
QUAY GRAND SUITES SYDNEY
IN: JULY 28
61 MACQUARIE STREET
OUT: AUG. 01
EAST CIRCULAR QUAY
TEL: 011-61 (02) 9256-4000
SYDNEY NSW 2000 AUSTRALIA
FAX: 011-62 (02) 9256-4040
THU. JULY
29 IN SYDNEY
Bridge Climb:
9:30 A.M. Walk to Bridge Climb Office at 5 Cumberland Street.
9:40 A.M. Commence Briefing for Bridge
Climb,
9:55 A.M. Commence Bridge Climb, which offers the ultimate experience of Sydney with
an exhilarating climb to the top of the Sydney Harbor
Bridge, Day and Night. Professional
Climb Leaders will take you all the way to the summit over ladders,
catwalks and
arches. The exhilaration and personal satisfaction achieved with BridgeClimb
provides a unique and unforgettable experience of Sydney. The Climb Leaders are equipped with the latest in digital photographic technology to capture this special
moment. All Climbers receive a complimentary photograph of their Climb group
and commemorative Climber Certificate.
Bridge
Climb Points to Consider:
-You will need
to be physically fit.
-Wear enclosed rubber soled shoes, such as runner, track or hiking shoes.
(PVC and leather-soled shoes are
not suitable).
-Every climber is breath tested to comply with 0.05% blood alcohol or less.
-Be prepared to complete an indemnity form to satisfy BridgeClimbs’ terms
and conditions.
-BridgeClimb operates in all weather with the exception of electrical storms.
-Pregnant women are not permitted to participate in the Climb.
1:55 p.m. Walk to
No. 6 Circular Quay for an afternoon coffee cruise.
2:15 p.m. Sydney Harbour is commonly referred to
as the most beautiful natural harbour in the world. A large harbour with many
bays, inlets and secondary harbours, it has not been built out like many of the world’s great harbours. Although there are exclusive homes dotted around the water’s edge, there are large tracts of parklands,
reserves and gardens that balance the harbour environmentally.
4:35 p.m. At the conclusion of the cruise, walk to the hotel.
FRI. JULY 30 IN SYDNEY
Day free for independent activities.
SAT. JULY 31 IN SYDNEY
SUN. AUG. 01 SYDNEY – SAN FRANCISCO
LV: SYDNEY/INT’L
SATURDAY
AR: SAN FRANCISCO/INT’L SATURDAY