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Highlights of New Zealand and Australia with Rose Gray
February 14, 2023 to
March 4, 2023
Join Fox World Travel to experience the best of New Zealand and Australia on an unforgettable tour filled with fascinating wildlife, dramatic scenery and the region’s favorite cities. From the South Pacific’s must-sees to its hidden gems, this tour is a dream vacation!
In New Zealand, float by boat through the Waitomo caves under the brilliance of thousands of glowworms. Visit the picturesque farm that brought the Hobbiton movie set of The Lord of the Rings trilogy to life and find inspiration from the majestic beauty of Fiordland National Park, where you will cruise the stunning Milford Sound.
Off to Australia to dine aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant while it winds its way through the city streets of Melbourne. Lose yourself in the city’s boutiques and decadent food and wine scene! From the laid-back seaside town of Port Douglas, a full-day excursion takes you to the Great Barrier Reef to snorkel or to take a semi-submersible watercraft tour of the famous underwater world that explodes with color and marine life. You will also go behind the scenes at the world-famous Opera House in Sydney and enjoy a spectacular harbor cruise. The Adventure of New Zealand and Australia await!
Itinerary
Your journey begins at Chicago O’Hare, where you will board your flight to Auckland, New Zealand. You will pass over the International Dateline and arrive two days later.
Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Upon arrival in Auckland, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening join your local Tour Director for a welcome briefing.
Hotel: SkyCity Hotel (or similar)
Meal: Dinner
This morning take an orientation tour of Auckland the “City of Sails.” See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and the historic Parnell Village. Then take a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island where we will visit a winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch. The remainder of the day is yours to explore more of Auckland.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Today depart Auckland and 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. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Next, stop at a picturesque farm near Matamata that was transformed into the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. During your visit see the hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn and other structures built for the movies. Continue to Rotorua for two nights.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel Rotorua (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast
Guided sightseeing includes Te Puia with its geysers, boiling mudpools and silica terraces. Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park to see native bush and wildlife including the shy Kiwi bird. Free time this afternoon. This evening enjoy a traditional Globus Local Favorite Hangi dinner of roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones. This will be followed by an authentic Máori cultural performance with singing, dancing, and storytelling by indigenous Polynesian people.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Fly to Queenstown the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Tonight, take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak. Take in the spectacular mountain views and the lights of Queenstown below as you dine in the Skyline Restaurant.
Hotel: Heritage Hotel Queenstown Lakefront (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today travel into Fiordland National Park through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise on the fiord with its sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages or maybe take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities.
Meal: Breakfast
This morning board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne.
Hotel: Vibe Melbourne (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast
Guided sightseeing includes Parliament House, the Shrine of Remembrance, Queen Victoria Market, and beautiful Fitzroy Gardens. A ride on the local favorite Melbourne Star Observation Wheel includes a sparkling drink, appetizers and views of Melbourne and the bay. Enjoy the rest of the day free.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Take today at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets which are famous for great shopping. Take a trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.”
Meal: Breakfast
Fly to Cairns known as the “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Continue to Port Douglas, a beachside town surrounded by rainforest and the Coral Sea. Enjoy a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Pullman Cairns International (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Today prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and Cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to snorkel or take a semi-submersible watercraft tour.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
A full day at leisure. You may wish to take a trip into the Daintree Forest, the world’s oldest living rainforest and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include hiking, relaxing by your resort’s pool, or window shopping at the unique boutiques and art galleries in downtown Port Douglas, where you are sure to find a favorite souvenir.
Meal: Breakfast
Fly to Sydney and enjoy a full day at leisure to explore and enjoy this beautiful city!
Hotel: Swissotel Sydney (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast
Visit the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interior and theaters. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s Botanic Gardens for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Visit world-famous Manly Beach with time to explore the shops or perhaps go for a stroll on the beach. Afterward, take a Ferry back to Sydney Harbour and enjoy some of the city’s best views.
Meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day at leisure and join optional excursions to the Blue Mountains or to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! Your Tour Director will help you make the most of this exciting city. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant with fantastic views of Sydney.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Swissotel Sydney (or similar)
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the Sydney Airport for your flight home to Chicago.
Meal: Breakfast
Terms: Minimum of 30 passengers required for the Fox World Travel tour to travel. Hotels and itinerary are subject to change.
Inclusions
Air-Inclusive Package
- Round-trip air from Chicago O’Hare to Auckland, New Zealand and return from Sydney, Australia to Chicago, including air taxes and fees
- Internal New Zealand and Australia air flights
- Round-trip airport/hotel motorcoach transfers including baggage handling for one bag per person when purchasing the air-included package
Hotel Accommodations
16 Nights throughout the tour
- Two nights in Auckland, New Zealand
- Two nights Rotorua, New Zealand
- Three nights Queenstown, New Zealand
- Three nights Melbourne, Australia
- Three nights Cairns, Australia
- Three nights Sydney, Australia
Includes hotel service charges, taxes and luggage handling
Included Meals
- Daily breakfast
- Four lunches
- Five dinners including a welcome and farewell dinner
Fox Flourish!
- Professional tour manager from Fox World Travel
- Premium Fox World Travel Gift given with your travel documents
Premium Tour Experiences
- Guided Sightseeing of Auckland, includes Ferry crossing to Wailheke Island
- With a Local Guide visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and visit the movie set of The Lord of the Rings
- Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park to see native bush and wildlife including the Kiwi bird. After a traditional Hangi dinner enjoy an authentic Maori performance with singing, dancing, and storytelling.
- Scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s peak including dinner with amazing views of Coronet Peak, Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown
- Full-day sightseeing in Fiordland National Park including a scenic cruise on Milford Sound.
- A ride on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel includes a sparkling drink, appetizers and views of Melbourne and the bay
- Visit to Harley’s Crocodile Adventures with Kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and more native species
- Scenic catamaran cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef
- Tour of the Sydney Opera House with a local Guide. Visit the world-famous Manly Beach followed by a ferry crossing to Sydney Harbour
Tour Services
- Headset for guided sightseeing visits and walking tours
- Escorted by a professional, local Tour Director from Globus
- Customized, informative travel documents containing trip details and helpful packing and planning information
Note: Daily Itinerary is subject to change. Order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Air package pricing is subject to change until air is contracted due to the volatility of airfare costs.
A minimum of 30 travelers is required for this tour to operate.
Pricing
Tour Only
| Tour Only |
| Arrange your own airfare |
| Based on double occupancy |
Air Inclusive
| Tour and air included |
| Airfare from Chicago |
| Based on double occupancy |
Single occupancies are limited and based upon availability.
All current air taxes and fees of $840.50 per person and are subject to change. Air package pricing is subject to change due to the volatility of airfare costs until air is contracted.
Group Flights
Roundtrip flights from Chicago O’Hare are currently pending
Flight schedules are subject to change and FWT has no control over flight changes, seat assignments, delays or cancellations. Tickets will be non-refundable once issued. Changes will be subject to a fee plus any fare difference. Additional restrictions may apply. Checked baggage fees may apply.
Pricing and flight options from other cities available upon request.
Your Host
Rose Gray
Rose Gray is the Business Relationship Director at Fox World Travel. She is also the host of the Fox World Travel Show heard on WTMJ on Saturday mornings. Rose has a bachelor’s degree from Lakeland College and has completed the C T C program, a two-year management course offered by the Institute of Certified Travel Consultants. During her 35 years in the travel industry she has traveled as far north as Reykjavik, Iceland, as far south as Porto Montt, Chile, as far west as Vanuatu, and as far east as Singapore. And although she loves traveling the globe, her favorite vacation is Arizona in March for Brewers’ Spring Training.
Notes
Optional Motorcoach:
$50.00 per person, each direction. Group motorcoach transfer to and from Chicago O’Hare from select pick-up points (Air & Tour Packages only unless air schedules fit the group air package).
Optional Insurance:
Cancellation and travel protection is strongly recommended. Fox World Travel offers several plans. Details and rates can be obtained from your travel advisor.
Cancellation Penalties:
- From date of deposit to October 25, 2022: Initial deposit of $250.00 per person
- October 26, 2022 – December 9, 2022: 50% package price cancellation fee + applicable airline fees
- December 10, 2022 – January 13, 2023: 75% package price cancellation fee + applicable airline fees
- January 14, 2023 through day of travel: No refunds
Airline tickets are non-refundable once ticketed.
Note: Daily Itinerary is subject to change. Order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water levels or other uncontrollable factors.
Book Now
RESPONSIBILITY: We and any sponsoring organizations act only as agent for the suppliers of travel services such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, tour operators, restaurants, sightseeing companies, entertainment providers, and cruise lines (the "Suppliers"). We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of the Suppliers that cause losses or damages arising from physical or emotional injury, property or other economic damage, consequential damages, or monetary losses, or arising from any other causes beyond our control. We reserve the right to make any changes in the itinerary deemed necessary, and also the right to decline or retain any person as a member of the Trip. If you choose to arrange your own transportation for any portion of the Trip, we are not responsible for any arrangements or associated costs should there be a change in date that requires changes or cancellation to transportation arranged by you. We are not responsible should there be any changes with vacation hosts, tour managers, or entertainment. You grant to FWT and its designated agents the right to acquire and use the audio, photographic, video and other portrayals of your image, likeness, and voice in any medium of any nature whatsoever, including the Internet, for the purpose of trade, advertising, sales, publicity or otherwise, without compensation.
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