Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...

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Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Very Best of New Zealand
& Wonders of Australia
48 days from £9,295 per person
Combine these two itineraries to make the ultimate         New Zealand is like no other place on earth – packed full of amazing
                                                           and diverse landscapes. New Zealand’s North Island is dominated by
holiday to Australasia. You will start your adventure by   ancient volcanoes, stunning coastal scenery and pristine beaches.
joining our Very Best of New Zealand tour, before          South Island possesses high mountain peaks, deep fiords, lush
flying to Australia and joining our Wonders of              rainforests and magnificent glaciers.
Australia tour.                                            From the glitter of Sydney and Melbourne, to the haunting splendour
                                                           of the outback – we visit all the must-see sights on our Wonders of
                                                           Australia, including four nights in tropical Cairns, the ideal base to visit
                                                           the Great Barrier Reef and an overnight journey on-board ‘the
                                                           legendary Ghan’

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Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Your holiday includes
                                                                                        Your holiday includes
                                                                                        •   Return economy class flights
                                                                                        •   Fly with Qantas/Emirates from London Heathrow, Manchester,
                                                                                            Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow
                                                                                        •   Flights between New Zealand and Australia
                                                                                        •   All domestic flights in New Zealand and Australia
                                                                                        •   All airport charges, security charges and any applicable
                                                                                            fuel surcharges
                                                                                        •   UK Air Passenger Duty
                                                                                        Choice of outbound stopover
                                                                                        •   Two-night outbound stopover; choose from Singapore, Bangkok
                                                                                            or Dubai
                                                                                        Carefully selected hotels
                                                                                        •   Superior hotels in great locations
                                                                                        •   All hotel porterage
                                                                                        •   Applicable hotel taxes
                                                                                        Many meals
                                                                                        •   Daily breakfast
                                                                                        •   Dinner in Rotorua
                                                                                        •   Buffet lunch on the Great Barrier Reef
                                                                                        •   Lunch cruise around Sydney Harbour
                                                                                        All-inclusive on The Ghan
                                                                                        •   All meals
                                                                                        •   Selected alcoholic and soft drinks
                                                                                        Unforgettable experiences
                                                                                        •   Sightseeing tours in Singapore (or Bangkok or Dubai),
                                                                                            Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Wellington, Rotorua,
                                                                                            Auckland, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Adelaide and Sydney
                                                                                        •   Overnight cruise on Milford Sound
                                                                                        •   Maori concert
                             4 Cairns                                                   •   Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
                                                                   3 Bay of Islands
                                                                                        •   ‘Hole in the Rock’ cruise in the Bay of Islands
Uluru 1    2 Alice Springs                                           2 Auckland         •   Full day on the Great Barrier Reef
                                                                                        •   Experience Uluru at sunset and sunrise
The Ghan 1                                                                2 Rotorua     •   Lunch cruise around Sydney Harbour
                                                                             1 Napier
      Adelaide 2                  3 Sydney                                              On the ground
                                                      Nelson
          Melbourne 3
                          4                                    2     2 Wellington       •   Services of an experienced Coach Captain in New Zealand and
          Mornington Peninsula                                                              Tour Manager in Australia
                                        Franz Josef
                                                 2
                                                                                        •   All overseas transfers
                                                          2 Christchurch                •   Modern, air-conditioned coaches throughout
                     Milford Sound 1        3 Queenstown
                                                                                        100% confidence
                                                2 Dunedin
                                                                                        •   Your holiday is covered by our Price Promise*
                                                                                        •   Your holiday is covered by our Covid Guarantee*
                                                                                        •   Your holiday is fully ATOL protected

                                               3 = Number of nights                     *   For more information on our Price Promise and Covid Guarantee, please refer to
                                                                                            our website www.distantjourneys.co.uk

                                                                                                                                    To book call 01695 577 961               2
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia
Days 1 to 7: UK - Singapore - Christchurch - Dunedin
Day 1: Depart UK                                   This morning, enjoy a tour of this wonderful       ‘Cardboard Cathedral’. From here we take a
Depart from the UK airport most convenient         city. Included is a stop at Merlion Park with      visit to the Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1863
for you with Qantas/Emirates. Choose from          impressive views of Marina Bay. See the            with the planting of an English oak tree, the
London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham,           historic Civic District, Thian Hock Keng           Christchurch Botanic Gardens contain an
Newcastle or Glasgow. No matter which              Temple and the fabulous orchid gardens set         impressive array of flora and fauna. Our
airport you choose, there will be no               within Singapore’s botanical gardens. Return       afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring
additional cost. In-flight meals and drinks         to the hotel where the rest of our day is free     this delightful city. Breakfast included
included                                           to spend as we please. Breakfast included
                                                                                                      Day 7: Dunedin, 2 nights
Day 2: Singapore, 2 nights                         Day 4: Depart Singapore                            This morning following breakfast we begin
Flights from London Heathrow may travel            A day at leisure in Singapore until it’s time to   our journey south towards Dunedin. We stop
direct to Singapore. All UK regional flights will   leave for our evening flight to Auckland.           at Hampden Beach to witness the geological
travel via Dubai. Arrive into the wonderful        Perhaps explore the impressive Gardens by          curiosities known as the Moeraki Boulders,
city of Singapore and transfer to the four star    the Bay or enjoy high tea at Raffles.              huge spherical boulders which are scattered
Copthorne Kings Hotel, situated in an              Breakfast, in-flight meals and drinks included      along the beach, whilst others can be seen
enviable position close to the banks of the                                                           emerging from the sandstone cliffs. Each
Singapore River. In-flight meals and drinks         Day 5: Christchurch, 2 nights                      boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to
included                                           We change aircraft in Australia. On arrival        two metres in diameter. According to Maori
                                                   into Christchurch we meet our local Coach          legend, the boulders are gourds washed
                                                   Captain, who will be our driver and guide          ashore from the great voyaging canoe
    Alternative stopovers:                         during our time in New Zealand. Transfer to        Araiteuru when it was wrecked upon landfall
    Dubai or Bangkok                               the centrally located Distinction Hotel            in New Zealand hundreds of years ago.
    We have based days 2-4 of this itinerary       Christchurch, where we spend our first two          Scientists explain the boulders as calcite
    on a stopover in Singapore. Should you         nights in New Zealand. In-flight meals and          concretions formed about 65 million years
    prefer, you may choose to stop in              drinks included                                    ago. The soft mudstone containing the
    Bangkok or Dubai for the same price.                                                              boulders was raised from the seabed around
    Your stopover includes transfers,              Day 6: Christchurch                                15 million years ago and waves, wind and rain
    accommodation, daily breakfast and a           Considered the most English of New                 are excavating them one by one. Known as
    city sightseeing tour. Flight timings will     Zealand’s cities, today in the aftermath of the    the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin is
    vary. Please speak with one of our             2011 earthquake, Christchurch is in the midst      South Island’s second largest city and is
    personal travel experts for more detail        of an epic rebuild that has completely             considered New Zealand’s architectural
                                                   reconstructed the city centre. This morning        heritage capital, with its lovingly restored
                                                   we take a tour to see what this exciting           Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Our next
Day 3: Singapore                                   developing city has to offer. We start our day     two nights are spent at the Distinction Hotel
Known as ‘the crossroads of Asia’, Singapore       with a visit to the Sign of the Takahe, an         Dunedin, conveniently located close to the
is a city where east meets west; a                 historical building on the edge of the city        Octagon. Breakfast included
cosmopolitan melting pot with an                   before continuing to view the key landmarks
inspirational identity.                            of the city centre, including the transitional

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Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia
Days 8 to 11: Dunedin - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Day 8: Dunedin                                   On board the wonderful Milford Mariner we        Day 11: Queenstown Freedom Day
Enjoy a city sightseeing tour this morning       cruise the full length of New Zealand’s most     Queenstown smiles south across Lake
travelling past Otago University, New            spectacular fiord to the Tasman Sea, and          Wakatipu into an incomparable alpine scene.
Zealand’s first. Our sightseeing also takes in    anchor for the night in a sheltered cove. Our    Poplars and willows surround the lakefront
the city’s neo-Gothic churches, town hall,       night aboard Milford Mariner will be a truly     and the lake seems to glisten every shade of
opulent theatres, and other 19th century         memorable experience, with nature guides         blue. Today has been left free to take
buildings. We have time to admire the            on hand to assist, and the option to explore     advantage of the incredible variety of
beautifully landscaped trees and plants of       in the tender craft or kayaks, or simply relax   activities available in and around New
Dunedin Botanical Gardens and the                on deck. After the day’s activities, enjoy a     Zealand’s most glamorous alpine resort. For a
spectacular views of the Otago Peninsula and     sumptuous evening buffet in the spacious         fabulous view across the lake to the
Harbour before we return to our hotel. Our       dining saloon before retiring to your private    Remarkables, why not take a gondola ride to
afternoon is at leisure to spend as we please.   cabin with en-suite facilities. Breakfast and    the top of Bob’s Peak? There is also an
Breakfast included                               dinner included                                  opportunity to take an optional leisurely
                                                                                                  cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the
Day 9: Milford Sound, Overnight                  Day 10: Queenstown, 3 nights                     vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw. The cruise
Tour Highlight                                   After a truly wonderful experience as well as    includes a visit to Walter Peak Homestead
Today we visit the magnificence of Fiordland      a hot breakfast, it’s time to make our way       and a sheep shearing show, before returning
National Park and Milford Sound. We say          back to the jetty ready for the next part of     to Queenstown aboard Earnslaw. Breakfast
goodbye to Dunedin passing through               our journey. We re-trace our tracks to Te        included
Balclutha, which has a distinctive arched        Anau and continue through high country
concrete bridge and pass through fresh,          landscapes as we travel to the historic mining   We recommend
green farm scenery as we continue to             town of Arrowtown. The heart of its history      Queenstown TSS Earnslaw
Lumsden and Mossman and the scenic               is Buckingham Street, a procession of small-     Enjoy a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard
lakeside shores of Te Anau. From here our        town heritage buildings that stretch into a      the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, including
scenic drive takes us through a variety of       tree-lined avenue of tiny miners’ cottages. Be   a sheep shearing show at Walter Peak
landscapes – farmland, native tussock            sure to try a cream tea in one of the quaint     homestead.
grasslands, lush beech forests and impressive    tea rooms. We journey on to nearby
glacial valleys – before arriving at Milford     Queenstown, and our home for the next
Sound. In the height of summer Milford           three nights, the four-star Millennium Hotel,
Sound attracts thousands of tourists each        situated only a short walk from the centre of
day; but when the day ends, visitors depart      town. Breakfast included
and a silence descends. Distant Journeys have
included an overnight cruise along Milford
Sound, undoubtedly a once in a lifetime
experience.

                                                                                                              To book call 01695 577 961      4
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia
Days 12 to 17: Queenstown - Franz Josef - Nelson - Wellington
Day 12: Queenstown Freedom Day                    We recommend                                    Day 16: Nelson Freedom Day
A further Freedom Day to enjoy in this            Scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier           Nelson is a delight for explorers on foot.
wonderful alpine setting. The thrill seekers      Enjoy an optional helicopter flight over         Scattered throughout the city are art
amongst us may wish to try the Shotover Jet       awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier.              galleries and workshops, historic buildings
– an exhilarating boat ride amongst the crags                                                     and street-side cafés. Today has been left as
and boulders of the Shotover River canyon.                                                        a Freedom Day so you can spend it any way
For a more serene experience maybe stroll by                                                      you choose. Perhaps consider a trip to Abel
the lakeside or take a gondola ride to the top                                                    Tasman National Park, New Zealand’s smallest
of Bob’s Peak for a magnificent panoramic                                                          national park, blessed with golden beaches,
view of Queenstown. Breakfast included                                                            sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-
                                                                                                  famous coast track. A cruise along the coast
Day 13: Franz Josef, 2 nights                                                                     will take you to the very best scenery this
Incredible scenery today as we travel via Lake                                                    region has to offer. Alternatively, you may
Dunstan, created by the mighty Clyde hydro                                                        wish to take a tour of some of the region’s
dam in 1994. We make our way through New                                                          wonderful wineries. Breakfast included
Zealand’s Central Otago region, along the         Day 15: Nelson, 2 nights
shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. We will         Journey north this morning along the            Day 17: Wellington, 2 nights
also travel along one of the most exciting        Heritage Highway, passing Lakes Lanthe and      This morning we leave South Island in our
scenic roads ever built – crossing the Haast      Mapourika as we leave Westland National         wake as we board the ferry for our
River Bridge and via Clark Bluff. Later in the    Park. Our travels continue northbound taking    interisland cruise to New Zealand’s North
afternoon we reach Franz Josef in the             us via Hokitika and Hari Hari travelling        Island. During the cruise, enjoy spectacular
Westland National Park. Our next two nights       alongside striking wild scree-scarred terrain   views as we depart Queen Charlotte Sound.
are at the Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. Breakfast   with forests of Crimson Rata and Kahikatea.     With the possibility of birds and dolphins
included                                          We also visit Punakaki (Pancake Rocks), an      following, we make our way across the Cook
                                                  incredible maze of limestone rocks with         Straight to Wellington. Upon arrival we re-
Day 14: Franz Josef Freedom Day                   booming blowholes stacked high above the        join our coach and make our way to
Today is left completely free to absorb the       sea; before arriving in Nelson where our next   Wellington, where the remainder of our day
beauty of Franz Josef. For those that so wish,    two nights are at the Nelson Rutherford         is at leisure. Our next two nights are spent at
we shall drive to the Franz Josef Glacier         Hotel. Breakfast included                       the Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay. Breakfast
terminal where we will have the opportunity                                                       included
to walk to view the glacier. Weather
permitting, we may also take an optional
scenic flight, which is at an additional cost,
over the glacier and the awe-inspiring Alpine
region. Breakfast included

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Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia
Days 18 to 24: Wellington - Napier - Rotorua - Bay of Islands
Day 18: Wellington                                  narrows to a chasm less than 15 metres across     You’ll cruise via Red Head Passage to Cape
Wellington is compact, cultured and full of         and heaves its vast bulk over an 11-metre         Brett and Piercy Island and on to the famous
character. Its interesting and varied               ledge to boil furiously in a deep semi-circular   ‘Hole in the Rock’. In these world-famous
architecture provides the ideal starting point      basin below. We continue to Rotorua, the          deep-fishing spots it’s not uncommon to see
for our orientation tour this morning. We           heart of New Zealand’s rich Maori culture,        schools of fish and dolphins. The return trip
visit Wellington’s administrative area, taking in   and enjoy lunch inspired by traditional Maori     includes a visit to historic Russell. It’s hard to
Parliament House, ‘the Beehive’ – you’ll            cooking. This afternoon, we explore,              believe that this quaint township was once
understand the name when you see it – and           Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, with its           known as the ‘Hell Hole of the Pacific’. As the
the government buildings. We then continue          spurting geysers and boiling mud pools, and       afternoon has been left free, you have an
to the top of Mount Victoria for the finest          attend a concert featuring traditional song       excellent opportunity to take an optional
view of the city and its picturesque harbour.       and dance, including the world famous war         visit to the grounds of the Waitangi National
Your afternoon is at leisure – a visit to Te        dance – The Haka. After a wonderful day, we       Reserve. It was here in 1840 that the British
Papa museum is highly recommended, as it            head to the Millennium Hotel for two nights.      and Maori chiefs signed the Waitangi Treaty.
offers a fascinating insight into New Zealand’s     Breakfast and lunch included                      Breakfast included
rich history and cultural heritage.
Alternatively, ride a cable car to Wellington’s     Day 21: Rotorua Freedom Day                       Day 24: Bay of Islands Freedom Day
beautiful botanical gardens. Breakfast included     A day at leisure in Rotorua. For those that so    Today you’ll have a full day at leisure,
                                                    wish, optional activities include a float plane    allowing you to do the things that really
Day 19: Napier, Overnight                           flight over Mount Tarawera, or perhaps a visit     interest you. For example, there is the
This morning our journey continues north via        to the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of        opportunity to join a fantastic optional trip
Hastings and the Kapiti coast as we make our        the Rings may be more appealing? Breakfast        to Cape Reinga. It’s a full-day excursion which
way to our final destination, the Art Deco           included                                          visits the northern tip of New Zealand. Not
city of Napier, located in an area dominated                                                          only is this area the place where the Tasman
by orchards and vineyards. Napier’s city            Day 22: Bay of Islands, 3 nights                  Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, but it holds a
centre has the feeling of a time capsule - the      We travel north this morning via Auckland as      special significance in Maori tradition as the
seamless line of 1930s architecture is quite        we make our way to the pale sands and             place where Maori spirits return to their
extraordinary. One of the ways to enjoy the         turquoise waters of the Bay of Islands, and       traditional homeland, Hawaiiki-A-Nui, via the
streetscape is on a self-guided tour. Our           the pretty seaside town of Paihia where the       roots of a lone – and still standing – 800 year
evening is spent at the delightful Scenic           Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands will be our home      old pohutukawa tree. Other standout
Hotel Te Pania, superbly situated on Napier’s       for the next three nights. Breakfast included     locations during the tour include the Te Paki
sea front. Breakfast included                                                                         sand dunes and a drive along Ninety Mile
                                                    Day 23: Bay of Islands cruise                     Beach, passing some magnificent scenery
Day 20: Rotorua, 2 nights                           Tour Highlight                                    along the coast. Breakfast included
Today we make our way along the Thermal             Undoubtedly one of the highlights of this
Explorer Highway to Lake Taupo, New                 tour is a cruise around the Bay of Islands, as
Zealand’s largest lake. Visit the impressive        in our opinion, there’s no better way to see
Huka Falls where the Waikato River suddenly         this picturesque part of New Zealand.

                                                                                                                   To book call 01695 577 961          6
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia
Days 25 to 33: Auckland - Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne
Day 25: Auckland, 2 nights                       Day 27: Mornington Peninsula, 4 nights            We recommend
After breakfast this morning, we leave The       Today we say farewell to our friends in New       Great Ocean Road
Bay of Islands. On the drive to the Waipoua      Zealand as they depart for home, whilst you       Journey along one of the world’s most
Kauri Forest Reserve, we pass rolling hills      will transfer to the airport for your flight to    spectacular coastal roads, the internationally
dotted with dairy farms which give way to        Melbourne, Australia. On arrival you will be      renowned Great Ocean Road.
lush forest the closer we get to the reserve.    met by our local representative and
There’s chance to marvel at the gigantic kauri   transferred to the picturesque Mornington
tree Tane Mahuta, or ‘Lord of the Forest.’       Peninsula, staying at the Portsea Village
From here, we cross the impressive               Resort. Breakfast and in-flight meals and
Waitemata Harbour Bridge and head in to          drinks included
Auckland, and the Grand Millennium Hotel,
where our last two nights of this guided tour    Day 28-30: Mornington Peninsula, at leisure
of New Zealand will be spent. Breakfast          Three days at leisure to explore this beautiful
included                                         region as you please, or relax and reflect on
                                                 the memories of your time in New Zealand.
Day 26: Auckland                                 Breakfast included
Start the morning with an orientation tour of                                                      Day 33: Melbourne Freedom Day
the city. Auckland has a beautiful waterside     Day 31: Melbourne, 3 nights                       Today we can choose to relax or explore as
setting, with a modern skyline standing out      Today you will be transferred to Melbourne        we please. Our Distant Journeys Tour
against a backdrop of volcanic hills. As part    ready for the start of your Australian            Manager will be on hand to help with advice
of the tour, we’ll drive along the famous        adventure, where you will stay at the four-       on things to do, where to eat, make any
Waitemata Harbour. You’ll be able to see         star Stamford Plaza in the heart of the city.     arrangements and book excursions for you to
Rangitoto Island, an extinct volcano, which      Your new travelling companions in Australia       further explore the area. For example, we
although it’s in the distance, dominates the     will not arrive into Melbourne until later this   have the opportunity to take a trip to Phillip
horizon. The stylish Viaduct Harbour is          evening so today is free for you to explore       Island, home to the world’s largest colony of
another stop on the tour, which has played       independently. Breakfast included                 fairy penguins, to view the ‘Penguin Parade’.
host to many America’s Cup celebrations. As                                                        Alternatively, take the Puffing Billy steam
the afternoon has been left free for you to      Day 32: Melbourne                                 train through the Blue Dandenong Ranges,
enjoy however you’d like, why not take in the    A leisurely start this morning before our city    explore the city’s most famous sporting
panoramic views from the top of the Sky          tour of Melbourne. Sights include Captain         landmarks or tour along one of the world’s
Tower? As you’d expect from the tallest          Cook’s Cottage (optional entry at own             most spectacular coastal drives, the
building in the southern hemisphere, the         expense), Victoria Markets, Federation            internationally renowned Great Ocean Road.
views truly are breathtaking. Breakfast          Square, the MCG and Rod Laver Arena. We           Breakfast included
included                                         also head out of the city to see the
                                                 waterside suburbs of St. Kilda and Port
                                                 Melbourne, returning to our hotel later in the
                                                 day. Breakfast included

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Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia
Days 34 to 39: Adelaide - The Ghan - Alice Springs - Uluru
Day 34: Adelaide, 2 nights                         Our twin accommodation is in Gold Service,        Day 38: Alice Springs Freedom Day
Following breakfast this morning, we board         airconditioned, private sleepers, all with        Our day is free to relax or explore the
our flight to Adelaide. Surrounded by grassy        upper and lower bunk beds, en-suite shower,       outback. You may wish to take a trip to the
parkland, picturesque hills and the Mount          wash basin and toilet. Single travellers will     Western MacDonnell Ranges; an excellent
Lofty Range, Adelaide could scarcely present       stay in single cabins, which are configured as     opportunity to get a real picture of life in the
a more captivating aspect. We shall take a         a lounge chair, converting into a bed at night,   outback. The full day excursion takes us
sightseeing tour and be introduced to              with shared bathroom facilities at the end of     through the wondrous and picturesque
Adelaide’s streets, fine Victorian buildings and    each carriage. Whilst on board, all meals are     scenery of Simpson’s Gap and the towering
attractive parks and gardens that surround         included as are a wide selection of alcoholic     granite walls of Standley Chasm. Breakfast
the city. Later, we arrive at the excellent        and non-alcoholic drinks. During lunch,           included
Peppers Waymouth for our next two nights.          marvel at the ever-changing landscape as we
Breakfast included                                 journey north. This evening, following dinner,    Day 39: Uluru, Overnight
                                                   sleep to the rhythm of the rails. Breakfast,      Tour Highlight
Day 35: Adelaide Freedom Day                       lunch and dinner PLUS selected onboard            Leaving Alice Springs, we head west through
A Freedom Day to spend as you please. Take         drinks included                                   amazing outback landscapes as we travel
a look around Adelaide on foot or perhaps                                                            along the scenic Stuart and Lasseter
take an optional tour to the famous wine           Day 37: Alice Springs, 2 nights                   Highways and make our way to Uluru, the
growing region of the Barossa Valley.              Awake this morning to notice the contrast         icon of Australia’s outback, and the world’s
Alternatively visit Kangaroo Island, situated      between the fiery red earth and the cobalt         largest monolith. Rising from the flat
off the Fleurieu Peninsula, which offers a         blue skies. Enjoy an off-train experience as      surrounding scrubland, Uluru is a site of deep
unique touring experience combining                The Ghan makes a short stop in Marla – in         cultural significance to the Aboriginal
friendly, native wildlife with natural, unspoilt   the middle of the Australian outback. In just     communities of the Northern Territory. Relax
wilderness. Breakfast included                     25 hours aboard The Ghan we will have             and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine whilst
                                                   covered 1,555 kilometres and passed golden        witnessing the changing colours as the sun
Day 36: The Ghan, Overnight                        wheatfields, vast sheep stations, rugged           begins to set. It’s truly a photographer’s
Tour Highlight                                     mountain ranges, salt lakes and the fierce         delight. Overnight at the four-star Desert
A morning at leisure until it’s time to make       Simpson Desert. Upon arrival into Alice           Gardens Hotel. Breakfast included
our way to Adelaide Parklands Rail Terminal in     Springs, we will board our coach and enjoy a
time for a magnificent overland journey to          sightseeing tour of the outback’s largest
Alice Springs, in the heart of Australia’s         town. Visits include the Royal Flying Doctor
outback. Renowned as one of the world’s            Service, the School of the Air, and the Old
most iconic train journeys, The Ghan was           Telegraph Station, now a museum and the
named after the Afghan cameleers who once          site of the old springs from which Alice gets
traversed this route.                              its name. Later in the afternoon we arrive at
                                                   the four-star DoubleTree by Hilton. Breakfast
                                                   included

                                                                                                                  To book call 01695 577 961       8
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia
Days 40 to 44: Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Cairns - Sydney
Day 40: Cairns, 4 nights                            marine biologist on a guided snorkel safari, or      Day 43: Cairns Freedom Day
For early risers, a dawn visit to the rock has      soaring above the reef on a spectacular scenic       Another Freedom Day to enjoy in tropical
been arranged. Seeing Uluru at sunrise, from        helicopter flight. Breakfast and lunch included       northern Queensland. Surrounded by
a different position and a different light,                                                              rainforest and mountains, Cairns boasts over
offers a totally new perspective on the             Day 42: Cairns Freedom Day                           200 walking tracks; there are also numerous
changing colours and character of the rock.         Although today has been left free you may            interesting museums and art galleries to
We return to the hotel for breakfast, prior to      wish to take an optional trip to Kuranda. We         explore, as well as the option to take a hot
a gentle stroll around significant areas of the      ascend to Kuranda by the Skyrail Rainforest          air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands.
rock to learn more about its historical and         Cableway, a beautiful experience gliding over        If you prefer to venture further afield, a day
cultural importance. Later, we visit the            the rainforest canopy. ‘The village in the           trip to the nearby World Heritage listed
impressive series of rounded sandstone              rainforest’ Kuranda awaits. It’s a lovely place to   Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in
domes known as the Olgas. Afterwards we             while away a few hours visiting the markets,         the world, is a fascinating experience. The
leave for the airport in time for our flight to      butterfly sanctuary or the Koala Gardens.             tour gives a wonderful insight into the
Cairns. Upon arrival we shall transfer to the       Travel back to Cairns along one of the most          rainforest’s unique flora and fauna, including a
centrally located four-star Cairns Hilton,          unique rail journeys in Australia, the Kuranda       walk with an aboriginal guide and a cruise
which will be our home for the next four            Scenic Railway. See how the track clings to the      spotting saltwater crocodiles. Breakfast
nights. Breakfast and in-flight drinks included      rockface along a narrow coastal strip. During        included
                                                    our journey we encounter no fewer than 40
Day 41: Great Barrier Reef                          bridges and 15 tunnels as we make our way            Day 44: Sydney, 3 nights
Tour Highlight                                      back to Cairns. Breakfast included                   This morning we make our way to Cairns
A holiday to Australia would not be complete                                                             Airport in time for our flight to Sydney.
without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Its      We recommend                                         Sydney is a city that takes full advantage of
vibrantly coloured marine life and                  Kuranda Railway & Skyrail                            its natural setting – its sparkling harbour is
breathtakingly beautiful coral make this World      A journey to Kuranda by the Skyrail                  host to the world-famous Sydney Harbour
Heritage site a must see for all visitors. During   Rainforest Cableway, returning on the                Bridge and the spectacular Sydney Opera
our full day Great Barrier Reef excursion, we       Kuranda Scenic Rail journey.                         House. Sydney’s suburbs are blessed with
board our high-speed catamaran and journey                                                               lush native bushland and pristine sandy
out to the Marine World platform located on                                                              beaches. Add to this the excellent dining
the Outer Reef. Snorkel in the sheltered coral                                                           venues, endless shopping opportunities and a
lagoon, or if you prefer to stay dry, view the                                                           vibrant culture and it’s very easy to
reef from the semi-submersible reef viewer,                                                              understand why Sydney is one of the world’s
glass-bottomed boat, or the underwater                                                                   favourite cities. Upon arrival we head to the
observatory. With five hours at the reef there                                                            four-star Mantra 2 Bond Street, superbly
is plenty of time to do it all. For the more                                                             located in the heart of Sydney’s main
adventurous, there are a number of activities                                                            attractions. Breakfast included
available at an additional cost, including scuba
diving (no experience necessary), joining the

9      Visit distantjourneys.co.uk
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia - Distant ...
Very Best of New Zealand & Wonders of Australia
Days 45 to 48: Sydney - UK
Day 45: Sydney                                   We recommend
Tour Highlight                                   World Heritage Blue Mountains
This morning’s sightseeing tour begins with a
drive through some of Sydney’s most
                                                 Experience the panoramas from a series of
                                                 lookouts, including Echo Point – the prime
                                                                                                     Call to book
fashionable inner city suburbs en route to       position to view the Three Sisters rock
Bondi Beach. Travel by Double Bay and            formation.
Rushcutters Bay as we make our way back to                                                         Our award-winning travel
the city centre. We journey via Hyde Park                                                         experts are happy to answer
and Parliament House to Mrs Macquarie’s
Chair in the Royal Botanical Gardens, where
                                                                                                    any questions you may
we stop for the classic photo opportunity of                                                           have, and to help
the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. We
complete our tour in the best possible way –
                                                                                                  you book your holiday with
enjoying a luncheon cruise around Sydney’s                                                             Distant Journeys.
beautiful harbour. The views of the Opera
House, the Harbour Bridge and the many
dream homes nestled along the edge of the
                                                                                                            Call us on
water are truly amazing. The afternoon has
been left free to spend as we please.
                                                 Day 47: Depart Sydney
                                                 The day is yours until it’s time to depart for
                                                                                                   01695 577 961
Breakfast and lunch included                     the airport. Our flights to our chosen UK           Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm
                                                 airport operate via Dubai or Singapore where         Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Day 46: Sydney Freedom Day                       there will be a change of aircraft. Breakfast,      Sunday Open in peak season.
Today has been left free, but for those that     in-flight meals and drinks included                    See website for details.
so desire, we shall be taking an optional trip
to the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains.     Day 48: Arrive UK                                 Should you prefer, please feel free to
The Blue Mountains are a perfect example of      This morning we arrive into our chosen                email us with your enquiry.
native Australian bushland, with gum trees,      airport; London Heathrow, Manchester,
                                                                                                  Email: enquiries@distantjourneys.co.uk
majestic peaks and deep gorges stretching as     Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow, bringing
far as the eye can see. Experience the           to an end our incredible adventure. In-flight
panoramas from a series of lookouts,             meals and drinks included
including Echo Point – the prime position to
view the Three Sisters rock formation. The
excursion also visits Wentworth Falls and the
pretty village of Leura, famous for their
annual garden festivals and playing host to
many of the region’s local artists. Breakfast
included

                                                                                                           To book call 01695 577 961       10
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