New Zealand and Australia

Sold out - call to be added to the waiting list!

 

March 19th - April 5th, 2025

 

Itinerary at a Glance

 

Days 1-2 | Overnight Flight

Day 3 | Rydges Auckland, Auckland

Days 4-5 | Millenium Hotel Rotorua, Rotorua

Days 6-7 | Distinction Christchurch Hotel, Christchurch

Days 8-11 | Millenium Hotel Queenstown, Queenstown

Days 12-14 | Bailey Hotel by Crystalbrook, Cairns

Days 15-17 | Novotel Sydney Darling Square, Sydney

On some dates, alternate hotels may be used.

 

Days 1-2 | Wed-Thu, Mar 19-20 | Depart from home | Cross the International Date Line, skipping a day ahead, and begin your adventure of a lifetime!

 

Day 3 | Fri, Mar 21 | Auckland | Arrive in one of the world's most inspiring and sought-after destinations due to its clean air, stunning scenery, and friendly culture - New Zealand! Begin your tour in Auckland, the "city of sails." Auckland has the highest Polynesian population in the world, imbuing its chic atmosphere with the vibrant feel of the Pacific islands. Meet your travel companions at this evening's welcome dinner. (D)

 

Day 4 Sat, Mar 22 | Auckland - Rotorua | Get to know the best of Auckland during a panoramic city tour featuring the America's Cup Village, the War Memorial, vibrant Queen Street, and Rotorua. Known as the Maori capital of New Zealand, over one third of Rotorua's population has Maori roots dating back over 1,000 years. Tonight, experience an authentic Hangi dinner celebration and learn about the warm-hearted Maoris as well as their lives before European colonists arrived in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and since. (B, D)

 

 

Day 5 | Sun, Mar 23 | Rotorua | This morning discover Whakarewarewa – a Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Explore an authentic Maori village on a private guided tour where people live using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have done for centuries. Then, visit the Agrodome for a fun sheep shearing demonstration and learn about the importance of agriculture to the nation. Learn about the cultural significance of New Zealand jade and its symbolism to the Maori. After dinner, relax or explore this lovely city on your own. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

. (B, D)

 

Day 6 | Mon, Mar 24 | Rotorua - Christchurch | A short flight brings you to the historic city of Christchurch. Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the city known as "the garden city" is recreating itself. (B, D)

 

Day 7 | Tue, Mar 25 | Christchurch | Start your morning with a city tour of Christchurch. Pay a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. A leader in the conservation of New Zealand species, Willowbank offers the chance to view New Zealand's "big 5" - the kiwi, the kea, the tuatara, the kaka, and the takahe - up close and personal. Then, learn about the local indigenous culture of the Maori with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional waka (canoe). (B)

 

Day 8 | Wed, Mar 26 | Christchurch - Queenstown | Depart Christchurch and make your way south to Queenstown. Known as the "adventure capital of the world," Queenstown is nestled against a picturesque bay and snowcapped mountains. Arrive in Queenstown in the afternooon and have time to explore independently before dinner. (B, D)

 

Day 9 | Thu, Mar 27 | Queenstown | Cruise Lake Wakatipu surrounded by Queenstown's stunning landscape aboard an iconic coal-fired steamship. Then, enjoy a BBQ lunch lakeside followed by a sheepdog demonstration before sailing back. This evening is yours to enjoy charming Queenstown. (B, L)

 

Day 10 | Fri, Mar 28 | Queenstown - Milford Sound | Enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollywood Valley as you travel through an ancient beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. Cruise the Milford Sound and see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights on the South Island. Following your cruise, you may choose to return to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand's Southern Alps. (B, L)

 

 

Day 11 | Sat, Mar 29 | Queenstown | A free morning offers an optional tour taking you through the majestic Queenstown countryside showcasing many of the locations where blockbuster movies have been filmed, or perhaps you'll want to shop or peoplewatch in the village. Later, it's your choice! Go bird watching at the Kiwi Birdlife Park or take a gondola to the top of Bob's Peak for stunning panormic views of the area. Gather for a "farewell to New Zealand" dinner. (B, D)

 

Day 12 | Sun, Mar 30 | Queenstown - Cairns, Australia | Fly to Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the world's most spectacular natural attractions and a World Heritage site - the Great Barrier Reef. Established as a marine park in 1975, the reef is a haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and birds. (B)

 

Day 13 | Mon, Mar 31 | Cairns | Come to know the history of Australia's original inhabitants at the Rainforestation Nature Park where an indigenous Pamagirri guide will show you through some of their oldest customs and traditions. Then, visit Hartley's Crocodile Adventures to see crocodiles on a nature cruise. Head through rainforests on boardwalks to see animals such as birds, reptiles, and wallabies. Visit with a koala and chat with a wildlife naturalist to learn more about these furry creatures. End your visit as Hartley's with a dinner of local favorites. (B, D)

 

Day 14 | Tue, Apr 1 | Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Cairns | Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the reef from your base on Green Island. Enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride, stroll the island's walking trails, relax on the beach, snorkel, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, an optional outer reef tour is also available. (B, L, D)

 

 

Day 15 | Wed, Apr 2 | Cairns - Sydney | The morning is yours. Enjoy your last few hours in Cairns by relaxing and taking in the tropical atmosphere and surrounding neighborhood. Then, this afternoon, fly to the bustling city of Sydney. (B, L)

 

Day 16 | Thu, Apr 3 | Sydney | See where English colonists first settled during a city tour of Sydney, featuring Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Darlinghurst. Take an expert-led tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour. Then, have the chance to join a special presentation at the National Opal Collection. (B)

 

Day 17 | Fri, Apr 4 | Sydney | Embrace the exciting city of Sydney during a day of independent exploration. Tonight, say farewell to Australia while on a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Marvel at the scenic vistas of the harbor, showcasing Sydney's magnificent skyline, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge. (B, D)

 

Day 18 | Sat, Apr 5 | Tour Ends | Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with unforgettable memories of a wonderful adventure. (B)

 

 

~ Experience the Great Barrier Reef ~

Experience one of the seven wonders of the natural world: the Great Barrier Reef. As the world's largest living organism, it contains over 2,800 individual coral reef systems which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. From your base on Green Island, there are many ways to explore the Reef at your fingertips. A glass-bottom boat ride takes you out to sea and allows you to almost feel as if you were swimming with the fish. Their bright colors look remarkable against the turquoise waters, and the boat reveals it all. Jump in the water to snorkel and really experience the Reef in an immersive way!

 

Identification:

Passports and visas are required for this tour at your expense. Certain countries require a minimum of 6 months passport validity from date of return home. You are strongly urged to contact the appropriate consult for details. Visit www.travel.state.gov for the U. S. State Department for the latest details about passports and visa requirements.

 

Important:

We recommend that our guests traveling abroad take a photocopy of their passports and applicable visas. It should be packed separately from your actual passport and visa. We also recommend leaving a copy at home with your emergency contact.

 

Visa requirements: U. S. and Canadian citizens: eTAs (Electronic Travel Authority) are required for this tour.

For travel to Australia, your eTA must be processed in advance of travel through the Austalian Immigration website by visiting

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601

 #HowTo or by downloading the Autralian eTA app on a smartphone. The approximate cost of the eTA application is $20 Australian dollars. Please allow for up to 72 hours for processing. For travel to New Zealand, your NZe TA must be processed in advance through the New Zealand Immigration online system by visiting https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/ (approximate cost of 12 New Zealand dollars) or through their mobile app NZeTA (approximate cost of 9 NZD) in addition to Tourism Levy of 35 NZD. Rates are approximate and can be changed at any time based on governing authority.

 

Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in. Single accommodatioins are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

The overall activity level of this tour is a level 2. This means you like a balanced approach to travel. Walking two to three miles over the course of a day is no problem for you. You can participate in a two-hour leisurely walking tour, covering up to two miles (with included breaks). You can handle a variety of terrains, from cobblestone streets to moderate hills with relative ease and without assistance. You can climb two flights of stairs with ease. There may be 1 to 2 days on this tour when walking tours can cover 3 to 4 miles over uneven terrain. Expect some full days balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. You can handle altitudes up to 6,000 feet. While this level is appropriate for travelers that require mobility assistance devices, there could be times when you may have to sit out on some of the included activities.

If you require any special assistance while on tour, please make us aware at the time of your reservation so the necessary request form can be sent to your attention.

 

Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may change.

 

Please be advised many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. Advance seating will be subject to the airline's terms and conditions.

 

Because this tour includes international flights, travelers are required to provide Timi's Tours with a copy of your passports.

 

Internal flights, round-trip air from O'Hare International Airport, air taxes and fees/surcharges, and hotel transfers are included. Luggage fees are not included.

 

Cancelation: Cancelation for any reason within 220 days of this tour is non-refundable. Cancelation prior to 8/11/24 will incur a 4% processing fee for refunds. See our policies on our website at www.timistours.com for complete details.

 

Call for pricing to upgrade your in-flight experience with Elite Airfare!

 

Occupancy	Due At Booking	Due 2/11/24	Due 5/11/24	Due 8/11/24
Double-$11,099	$995	$3,368	$3,368	$3,368
Single-$13,094	$995	$4,033	$4,033	$4,033