Australia & New Zealand 2012
November 26 - December 14
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| Sunday, November 25 |
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Tour participants are encouraged to leave their home town at least 1 day before the group’s departure from San Francisco |
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Monday, November 26
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| Depart: San Francisco Air New Zealand # 7 (D,B) |
8:00 pm |
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Tuesday, November 27 In transit
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Wednesday, November 28
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| Arrive Auckland, New Zealand, | 5:00 am |
Bondi beach, Sydney Australia
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| Depart Auckland , Air New Zealand # 101 |
7:00 am |
| Arrive Sydney, Australia |
8:30 am |
Transfer from Airport to Hotel
Lunch on own : Hotel restaurant or near by café.
Afternoon: City Tour Gray Line - City tour including Bondi and Coogie Beaches, with the option to be dropped off in Bondi and walking between Bondi and Bronte Beach (1 hour walk)
Dinner at Bronte Beach restaurant and return to hotel for evening. |
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Accommodation: Holiday Inn, Potts Point (B/D) |
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| Thursday, November 29
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Breakfast
Morning visitation to Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World
Lunch at National Art Gallery and visit to National Art Gallery
Visit the Botanical Gardens.
Afternoon: Tour of Sydney Opera House
Free time
Dinner
Accommodation: Holiday Inn, Potts Point. (B)
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Koala Bear Sydney Wildlife World |
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| Friday, November 30
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 The Opera House |
Breakfast
Morning: Ferry ride across Sydney Harbor to Manly for optional biking, swimming, snorkeling, walking around Manly.
Lunch: in Manly. Return to Sydney via ferry
Afternoon: Sydney Tower (included but optional)
Dinner
Evening: Optional: Attending performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, at the Sydney Opera House
Accommodation: Holiday Inn, Potts Point
(B)
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Aboriginal art in Manly |
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| Saturday, December 1
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Breakfast
7:00 am Transfer from Hotel to Airport |
| 9:40 am Depart: Sydney, Air New Zealand # 102 |
| 2:50 pm Arrive: Wellington |
Meet with guide and tour manager, Anthony Norris. Private vehicle transfer to central city accommodation via the scenic South Coast road and up to the Mount Victoria look-out. Here the guide will share some of the legends and history of the Wellington area and point out places that will be visited during the program.
5:00 pm: check-in to hotel
Evening options (not included): dinner at one of Wellington’s excellent eateries, seeing local live music and theatre performances, downtown shopping and strolling.
Accommodation: Quality Inn, Central Wellington www.hotelwellington.co.nz
(B/L)
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Lee and Tim meeting our guides Anthony and Marina in Wellington |
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| Sunday, December 2
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7am onward: breakfast available at the hotel, then a stroll down Cuba Street and through Civic Square to Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand. www.tepapa.govt.nz (The walk can easily be done in 15 minutes, but people can take their time and visit shops, galleries, cafes, etc. along the way).
9:30 am: 90-minute private, guided tour of Te Papa, focusing on the Maori culture. Free time to explore the museum, art gallery and store.
12:30 pm: Rendezvous for a picnic lunch at a nearby waterfront park (or local cafe in the event of rain).
1 pm: Walk (10 minutes) to the Museum of Wellington for a self-guided tour. www.museumofwellington.co.nz
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Te Papa Museum- Wellington, New Zealand |
2 pm-4 pm: Individual group members can choose one of the following options:
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Lucy, our Maori guide at the Te Papa
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A two-hour, un-guided walk (following detailed route notes) through several scenic, interesting Wellington neighborhoods, finishing at the hotel. (This includes a one-way trip on Wellington’s historic cable-car).
A one-hour un-guided walk (following detailed route notes), together with a two-hour guided tour of New Zealand’s parliament buildings, finishing at the hotel. (Includes a one-way trip on the cable-car).
Private vehicle transfer to Weta Cave (film studio visitor centre) in the suburb of Miramar (15 minutes) for a behind-the-scenes look at Weta Workshop, best known for its design and effects work on award-winning film projects including the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia and Avatar. Private vehicle transfer back to hotel (15 minutes).
4 pm onward: free time.
Evening options : dinner at one of Wellington’s excellent eateries, seeing local live music and theatre performances, downtown shopping and strolling.
Accommodation: Quality Inn, Central Wellington
(B,L)
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| Monday, December 3
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Queen Charlotte Sound |
7:30 am: Private vehicle transfer (15 minutes) to board the 8:25 am Inter-Islander ferry sailing to the South Island (3 hours 10 minutes). Breakfast served on board. www.interislander.co.nz
11:35 am: Arrival at Picton on the ferry from Wellington. Free time to find lunch and snacks for the afternoon, as well as to stroll around Picton.
1 pm: Departure by water-taxi to start-point of the Marlborough Sounds adventure: Participants can choose either a guided sea-kayaking trip or an un-guided walk along the Queen Charlotte Track. (Easy and more-challenging options for both activities).
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6:30 pm: Arrival by water-taxi back to Picton. Private vehicle transfer to accommodation (5 minutes). Dinner at Le Café Restaurant overlooking the harbor (a 5 minute's walk from our accommodation.)
Accommodation: Harbour View Hotel (B/D)
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Kayaking on Queen Charlotte Sound |
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| Tuesday, December 4
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7:30am onward: Breakfast available at Le Café
9 am: Private vehicle transfer (1 hour) to Barewood Garden and high-country farm.
10 am: Tour of Barewood Garden, sheep dog herding presentation, farm lunch featuring locally grown foods and opportunity to hear from the long-time owners of Barewood Garden and high-country farm, Carolyn and Joe Ferraby.
www.barewoodgarden.co.nz
1:30 pm: Private vehicle transfer (2 hour) to Nelson.
3:30 pm: A visit to the World of WearableArt gallery and Classic Cars Museum www.wowcars.co.nz
5 pm: Private vehicle transfer (5 minutes) to accommodation. Free evening.
Accommodation: Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco (4-star hotel resort; double/twin-rooms with en-suites; 2 bedroom cottages available for those wanting self-catering facilities). www.monacoresort.co.nz (B,L)
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The shepherd and his dogs bring the sheep down from the hillside |
Steven talks with the group about herding and shepherding |
Lunch at Barewood Farms |
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| Wednesday, December 5
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6:30 am onward: Breakfast available at Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco hotel.
8:30 am: Private vehicle transfer (1 hour 10) to Kaiteriteri, gateway to Abel Tasman National Park.
10 am: Departure by water-taxi to start-point of the Abel Tasman National Park adventure: participants can choose either a guided sea-kayaking trip or an un-guided walk along the Abel Tasman Track. (Easy and more-challenging options for both activities). Swimming, beach picnic lunch.
3 pm: Arrival by water-taxi back to Kaiteriteri. Private vehicle transfer to nearby vineyard/winery for a sampling of regional wine varieties.
5 pm: Private vehicle transfer (1 hour) to Nelson accommodation. Free evening.
Accommodation: Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco (4-star hotel resort; double/twin-rooms with en-suites; 2 bedroom cottages available for those wanting self-catering facilities). www.monacoresort.co.nz (B,L)
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Abel Tasman National Park | 
Treking the Abel Tasman coastal track |
Marlborough vineyard |
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| Thursday, December 6 |
Overlooking Queenstown |
6:30 am onward: Breakfast available at Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco hotel.
7:00 am: private vehicle transfer (5 minutes) from hotel to Nelson Airport |
| Depart: Nelson Air New Zealand # 8146 |
8:25 am |
| Arrive: Wellington |
9:00 am |
| Depart: Wellington Air New Zealand # 5401 |
11:35 am |
| Arrive, Queenstown |
1:30 pm |
Transfer to hotel
Explore downtown Queenstown
5:00 pm: Welcome wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, and Queenstown orientation presentation, Skyline Restaurant , Bob’s Peak (round trip gondola ride)
Accommodation: Novotel, Queenstown
(B, & reception) |
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Friday, December 7 & Saturday, December 8
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Variety of optional daily activities chosen by participants and at participant’s expense.: biking, hiking, movie site visitation, swimming, sky diving, bunge jumping etc.
Accommodation: Novotel, Queenstown (B) |
 A visit to "Paradise" on the "Lord of the Rings" tour |
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| Sunday, December 9
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7:30 am onward: Breakfast available
9:00 am: walking transfer from hotel to docks (luggage to be transported by van)
10am: TSS Earnslaw boat trip across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm Station. (40 mins)
Bus and guide will meet our boat for transfer by the “Back Road,” taking in the Von Valley and Mavora Lakes region to join the main road and into Te Anau., arriving approx 3 to 4pm. (Lunch included in trip through the Backroad.)
Evening meal at La Dolce Vita, 2 course plus tea and coffee
Accommodation: Radfords Motel, Te Anau (self catering facilities) (B,L,D)
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 The TSS Earnslaw transports the group out of Queenstown |
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| Monday, December 10
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Milford Sound |
Breakfast served in your room
8am Pick up at Radfords Motel by 2 vans for Milford Sound “Big Day Out” tour. Trip includes 2 ¼ hour cruise on the Real Journeys vessel the “Sinbad”, with picnic lunches included. Afternoon activities will be a choice of a hike to Key Summit on the Routeburn track 2 ½ hours or short walks and a visit to the Hollyford Valley Camp with its historic museum. Returning to Te Anau approx 5:30pm |
Accommodation: Radfords Motel , Te Anau (self catering facilities)
(B,L)
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| Tuesday, December 11
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Breakfast served in your room
Morning at Fiordland College(high school) to talk with students and hear about the Kepler Birdsong project they are working on. Coordinated by Linda Miller,
Fiordland College Principal.
Guided walk on Kepler Track
Evening Glow Worm Cave visit
Accommodation: Radfords Motel , Te Anau (self catering facilities)
(B)
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A happy tree hugger on the Keppler Track |
Trekking the Keppler track with the students |
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| Wednesday, December 12
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Penguin Place, Dunedin |
Breakfast served in your room
8:30am: Depart Radfords Motel Te Anau for coach transfer to Dunedin.
Arrive Dunedin approx 1:30 pm
Check in to accommodation
Penguin Place visit in afternoon.
Group Meal at Eltrusco Italian Restaurant (3 course banquet)
Accommodation: 858 George St. Motel , Dunedin (self catering facilities)
(B,D)
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| Thursday, December 13
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Sheep shearing (why me?) |
Breakfast served in your room
“Zest Tour” day by private coach of area surrounding Dunedin
Full day tour includes; Coffee tasting, small dairy farm visit, yogurt tasting, Harbor fish visit, smoke fish tasting, NZ Honey company visit, honey tasting, small farm visit with lunch and farm tour, gourmet ice cream
Accommodation : 858 George St. Motel , Dunedin (self catering facilities)
(B, L, and tastings) |
Green Lipped Mussels |
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| Friday, December 14
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Auckland waterfront
Breakfast served in your room
7:30am Depart 858 George St. Motel to Dunedin airport
8:30am Arrive Dunedin Airport for check in formalities and departure on 9:45 am flight to Auckland. |
| Depart: Dunedin Air New Zealand # 672 |
9:45 am |
| Arrive: Auckland |
11:30 am |
| Depart: Auckland Air New Zealand # 8 |
7:30 pm |
| Arrive: San Francisco |
10:30 am (12/14/12) |
Tour participants to make own arrangements for flight to home town, same day or later. (B,D)
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