21-DAY IN-DEPTH TOUR $7,450

ITINERARY

Friday, Saturday - Feb. 18, 19: Madison to Auckland, New Zealand. Today, board your overnight transatlantic flight. You lose a day when you cross the international dateline.

Sunday, Feb. 20: Arrival in Auckland, New Zealand. Haere Mai--Welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. This afternoon, enjoy sightseeing that includes a visit to the Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand. Here you will ascend to the observation deck for sweeping views. Tonight join your Tour Director for a special Welcome Dinner. (D)


Monday, Feb. 21: Auckland-Waitomo-Rotorua. Travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Enjoy a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms. In the afternoon, continue to Rotorua. This evening enjoy a traditional Hangi Dinner, followed by an authentic Maori Concert. (B,D)

Tuesday, Feb. 22: Rotorua. This morning, experience Te Puia, Rotorua's most prominent thermal area with New Zealand's largest geyser, boiling mud pools and silica terraces. Continue on to the Agrodome to learn more about one of the country’s major industries--sheep! Then on to Rainbow Springs to view native bush and wildlife. Afternoon at-leisure options include hot springs pool bathing/spa activities or enjoy a New Zealand dinner in the home of a local family. (B)

Wednesday, Feb. 23: Rotorua-Queenstown. A flight will take you to Queenstown on the South Island, home base for discovering every type of adventure sport imaginable. See the sights of this popular resort town, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. (B)

Thursday, Feb. 24: Queenstown. Enjoy the scenery as you travel into Fjordland National Park to Milford Sound. This area boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Enjoy a fabulous cruise on Milford Sound. (B,L)

Friday, Feb. 25: Queenstown. Today is free for you to explore on your own or with an optional tour. This evening, enjoy breathtaking scenery in every direction as you cruise Lake Wakatipu on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. On arrival at Walter Peak, you'll be served dinner at Colonel's Homestead. (B,D)

Saturday, Feb. 26: Queenstown-Mount Cook-Christchurch. Today you'll travel to magnificent Mount Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Stop at the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center. Later, you'll leave this alpine wonderland and drive to Lake Tekapo to view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Cross the patchwork Canterbury Plains to lovely Christchurch. (B)

Sunday, Feb. 27: Christchurch-Melbourne, Australia. Sightseeing starts with views of Lyttleton Harbor, then Christchurch's old stone buildings, the charming Avon River, and acres of green parks. On the way to the airport for your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne, Australia you will have the option to visit the International Antarctic Centre. (B)

Monday, Feb. 28: Melbourne. G'day and welcome to Australia! Today's sightseeing includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia's war heroes. Visit beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, then drive past the lush Royal Botanical Gardens. You'll also stop at one of the country's leading opal companies to discover how the beautiful gems are mined. Then, enjoy a unique lunch experience on board a historic tramcar restaurant as it winds its way through the streets of Melbourne. Tonight's optional excursion to see the world-famous penguin parade is highly recommended. (B,L)

Tuesday, March 1: Melbourne. Enjoy a full day to explore on your own. (B)

Wednesday, March 2: Melbourne-Alice Springs. Today we fly to the Outback. Here, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of Air to appreciate how medical and education services are provided to the Outback's most remote regions. On to Anzac Hill, a tribute to war heroes. Visit Old Telegraph Station and enjoy a true Aussie experience, an Outback Barbeque. (B,D)

Thursday, March 3: Alice Springs-Ayers Rock. Today experience an Aboriginal Dreamtime Tour and learn more about this important native culture from your Local Guide. Later, fly to the center of Australia. Travel past Uluru (Ayers Rock) to the magnificent Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Time for photos before returning to "Sunset Strip" for a drink and the changing colors of the Rock. (B)

Friday, March 4: Ayers Rock-Cairns. This morning your Outback adventure continues as you enjoy a tour around the base of Uluru, learning of its significance in Aboriginal "Dreamtime" mythology. You may wish to rise early for an optional camel ride to watch the sunrise. Later, fly to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. (B)

Saturday, March 5: Cairns-Great Barrier Reef Excursion. Board a fast catamaran for a cruise to Green Island, one of the many tropical islands on Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef. You can choose to snorkel, take a glass bottom boat tour or walk through the island's rainforest. Tonight, a unique dinner event at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park offers an interactive, entertaining portrayal of the culture, dance and folklore of this indigenous tribe. (B,D)

Sunday, March 6: Cairns. Enjoy a full day at leisure in this tropical paradise with optional tours available. (B)

Monday, March 7: Cairns-Sydney. This morning offers a special treat as you visit a local wildlife park for your chance to meet Australia's native animals. Enjoy breakfast in the park, a talk by a wildlife keeper, and have your picture taken with a koala! Later, fly to Sydney, Australia's largest city. (B)

Tuesday, March 8: Sydney. Start your busy day with a guided tour of the Opera House including it's interior and theaters. A highlight is a stop at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, located in the city's Botanical Gardens, for a great photo opportunity. You'll tour the famous Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club and enjoy a lifesaving demonstration! For a truly memorable experience, enjoy a scenic cruise on Sydney Harbour. (B)

Wednesday, March 9: Sydney. Enjoy the full day at leisure, or do an optional climb to the top of Sydney's Harbour Bridge. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. (B,D)

Thursday, March 10: Travel back in time! Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

PRICE PER PERSON: $7,450--A GREAT VALUE WITH THESE HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

*Round-trip Air from Madison and all flights within Australia and New Zealand
*Guided Sightseeing in Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Sydney
*Traditional Hangi Dinner and Maori Concert
*Guided visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves
*Visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve, Agrodome & Rainbow Springs in Rotorua
*Cruise Lake Wakatipu & Milford Sound
*Visit Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center
*Sightseeing Tour of Mount Cook National Park, Christchurch & Alice Springs
*Shop for Opals
*Outback sightseeing including Alice Springs, Camel Farm and Outback Barbeque
*Ayers Rock and Aboriginal Dreamtime Tour
*Catamaran Cruise to Great Barrier Reef
*Daily American Breakfast; 3 Lunches; 6 Dinners including dinner overlooking Sydney Harbour
*18 Nights at first-class hotels in prime locations
*Deluxe motorcoach transportation
*Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage in all hotels
*Current taxes, gratuities and fuel supplements on included items
*Professional Tour Director and Burkhalter Tours Host (with 20 travelers?)