SUMMER & FALL 2012 - VOLUME 3 - Senior Tours Canada

TENTATIVE ITINERARY FOR THE SOUTH PACIFICDAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DAY 4DAY 5DAY 6DAY 7DAY 8DAY 9DAY 10DAY 11DAY 12DEPARTURE. We depart for New Zealand.We lose a day crossing the International Dateline.AUCKLAND. We arrive in Auckland, known as the "Cityof Sails", and transfer to our hotel. The remainder of theday is at leisure until our Welcome Dinner this evening.AUCKLAND. Our tour of Auckland, New Zealand'slargest city, will include a visit to Kelly Tarltons AntarcticEncounter and Underwater World - the largest andmost unusual aquarium in the world. We will enjoydinner aboard a sailboat with views of the harbour.AUCKLAND. The Hauraki Gulf is one of the world'srichest habitats for marine mammals, so we will embarkon an exciting Dolphin and Whale Safari. Watch out forBottlenose Dolphins and Orca and Bryde's Whales -seen on a regular basis in these waters.WAITOMO / ROTORUA. We drive through the WaikatoValley and stop at a local farm for a hearty country-styleBBQ lunch. We then proceed to the Ruakuri Cave for asubterranean tour. Our guide will show us glowworms,elaborate cave formations and underground rivers, andwill discuss myths, legends and sacred Maori sites.After our cave visit we travel through picturesquefarming country to the town of Rotorua.ROTORUA. This morning we visit the Agrodome FarmShow introducing New Zealand farming life completewith sheep shearing and sheep dog trails. We thenproceed to Te Puia Thermal Reserve, where geysers ofall sizes, bubbling mud pools, hot mineral springs,glittering silica terraces in strange, enchantingformations and richly coloured craters make this aworld famous tourist attraction. Tonight we enjoy ahangi, a traditional Maori feast prepared in pits the waytheir forefathers did centuries ago. Traditional Maorimusic and war dances are part of the fun!QUEENSTOWN. We fly to the South Island andtransfer to our hotel in Queenstown, New Zealand'smost beautiful resort city, set on a lake with snowcappedmountains as a backdrop.QUEENSTOWN. At leisure in Queenstown, popularlyknown as the "Adventure Capital of New Zealand".There is so much to do and see here, and your escortwill be on hand with recommendations. This eveningwe enjoy a scenic cruise on board the vintagesteamship TSS Earnslaw and dinner at a local farm.MILFORD SOUND / TE ANAU. We take a spectacularcruise in Milford Sound, for views of Mitre Peak,Sterling Falls and the steep rock walls that risethousands of feet against a backdrop of toweringmountains. A smorgasbord lunch will be served onboard our cruiser. After the cruise we proceed to TeAnau for our overnight.DUNEDIN. We travel to Dunedin, a young and livelycity with dramatic scenery and lovely historic buildings.Tonight we have dinner and a tour at Speights Brewery,home of the legendary beer of the South Island.OTAGO PENINSULA / DUNEDIN. Otago Peninsulaboasts several internationally recognized reserveswhere some of the world's rarest wildlife can be viewedyear-round in their natural habitats. We hop aboard allterrainvehicles for an exhilarating cross country ride tosee cormorants, New Zealand Fur seals, little blueDAY 13DAY 14DAY 15DAY 16DAY 17DAY 18DAY 19DAY 20DAY 21DAY 22penguins and shy yellow-eyed penguins. From thehighest point of the peninsula we have a spectacular360° view of the area. We then visit Larnach Castle withits unique architecture and fascinating history. Tonightdinner is on your own in Dunedin.CHRISTCHURCH. We head north for Christchurch,enjoying the beautiful scenery along the coastal route.We will stop enroute in Moeraki to see the unusualspherical boulders of Maori legend.CAIRNS. We depart for Australia and the tropical city ofCairns. The unofficial capital of Tropical NorthQueensland, Cairns has a beautiful coastal location onTrinity Bay surrounded by rainforest topped hills.CAIRNS & GREAT BARRIER REEF. We take a cruiseto one of the most spectacular sections of the GreatBarrier Reef. There will be time for swimming andsnorkelling and for viewing the vibrant sealife and coralcanyons. For those who wish to stay dry, an underwaterviewing platform is available. Lunch is served onboard.CAIRNS. We board a train for a scenic rail tour throughthe beautiful Atherton Tablelands to Kuranda, amagnificent area known for its lush tropical trees andflowers. In Kuranda we visit the Rainforest and KoalaWildlife Park, including an “army duck” vehicle tour, and“Dreamtime Walk” with the local aboriginal people. Adelicious BBQ lunch and Pamagirri dance performanceare included. Our day ends on the Skyrail for a delightfulcable car ride over the rainforest canopy.AYERS ROCK. We fly to the site of the world's greatestmonolith - Ayers Rock, also known as the red heart ofAustralia. We first venture into the scenic Outback tosee The Olgas, a jumble of 30 impressive monoliths ina ridge across the red desert plain. We will see AyersRock during sunset, when it appears to change from redto various shades of purple - the sunset of a lifetime!AYERS ROCK / ALICE SPRINGS. An early morning callis available for those who wish to view the sunrise onAyers Rock. We take a morning walk at the base of therock, and visit the nearby caves. Later we drive to AliceSprings and enjoy a special BBQ dinner in the “bush”.ALICE SPRINGS / SYDNEY. Founded in 1872, Alicewas a telegraph station linking Australia to the rest ofthe world. Today it is the base for the famous Outbackcattle stations. On our tour we see the Royal FlyingDoctor base; the panoramic view from Anzac Hill; andthe Overland Telegraph Station, site of the original Alice.Later we transfer to the airport for our flight to Sydney.SYDNEY. Our city tour will show us the Rocks area(Sydney's birthplace), the magnificent Opera House,Chinatown, beautiful South Head where the harbourmeets the Pacific, Vaucluse House, where theAustralian Constitution was signed, and Mrs.Macquarie's Chair for spectacular city and harbourviews. In the afternoon we take a boat cruise of SydneyHarbour - a perfect way to see the impressive OperaHouse, beaches and lavish waterfront homes.SYDNEY. At leisure to explore this exciting city.Perhaps take the ferry to the Taronga Zoo or enjoy astroll along the harbour. Tonight is our Farewell Dinnerat the Waterfront Restaurant.HOME. We fly home via L.A. arriving home the same day.67.