Australia & New Zealand
Exploring Down Under
Experience the wonder of two inspiring destinations in a single journey. We begin Down Under in Australia with visits to Cairns with its rain forests and the Great Barrier Reef, and Sydney, the cultural hub of the country. We then travel to New Zealand for a comprehensive look at the geography and the people of this island nation so far removed from the rest of the world. We will spend time on both islands and see geysers, glaciers, fjords, beaches, mountains and cities. We’ve packed a lot into this trip, but at a leisurely pace, with ample opportunity to pursue personal interests. This trip is a WTT favorite. Come see why!
Australia & New Zealand
October 4 - October 19, 2019Highlights
- See the Great Barrier Reef
- Cruise Sydney Harbour
- Tour the Sydney Opera House
- Interact with New Zealand's indigenous people
- Visit Auckland, the City of Sails
- Learn why Queenstown is known for extreme sports
- Enjoy superior lodging throughout the trip
- Comprehensive yet relaxed paced tour
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for things to do
- Small group no larger than 18
- And More...See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Friday, 04 October 2019: Arrive Los Angeles; Group Flight
Schedule your arrival into Los Angeles Airport (LAX) no later than 3:00pm. Upon arrival use the hotel courtesy shuttle and make your way to the airport hotel. Relax or go exploring depending on how early in the day you arrive. We will gather in the lobby at 5:00pm for our Welcome Meeting. After making introductions, we take the hotel shuttle back to LAX for our international flight.
Saturday, 05 October 2019: En Route to Down Under
We cross the International Date Line and temporarily lose a day.
Sunday, 06 October 2019: Arrive Auckland and Connect with Flight to Cairns; Free Afternoon
This morning we arrive in Auckland and connect with our flight to Cairns situated on Australia’s northeast coast along the Coral Sea. Cairns is the gateway to two of the world's greatest natural wonders: tropical rain forests and the Great Barrier Reef. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to our hotel. Whatever time is left in the day is free to rest up from the long flights or leisurely get your bearings with an informal walkabout with your Tour Leader. Overnight Cairns - 2 nights
Monday, 07 October 2019: Visit the Kuranda Rainforest; Aussie BBQ Lunch; See Koalas (B,L)
After breakfast, we embark on a tour in the Kuranda Rainforest. We'll visit the Rainforestation Nature Park and enjoy cultural entertainment and activities including aboriginal dancers, a guided Dreamtime Walk, a boomerang-throwing demonstration and a "fair dinkum" (Aussie BBQ lunch). There will be time to visit the Koala & Wildlife Park where a series of elevated boardwalks provide close-up views of various Australian animals. We'll also take an amazing ride above the rainforest via the Skyrail, a gondola that glides just above the canopy and allows us to better experience the rainforest.
Tuesday, 08 October 2019: Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Group Dinner (B,L,D)
Today, we cruise aboard the Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay, a sandy reef island surrounded by coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. The cay is a protected seabird sanctuary hosting over 20,000 migratory seabirds and is one of the most important nesting sites in the Southern Hemisphere. A hot & cold buffet lunch is included. This is an all-day excursion with plenty of time to snorkel or to ride in a semi-submersible sub. Later this evening, after returning to our hotel, we'll get together for dinner.
Wednesday, 09 October 2019: Fly to Sydney; Free Evening (B)
Enjoy a last stroll along the waterfront in Cairns this morning before we transfer to the airport for our flight to Sydney. Established in 1788 as a convict settlement, Sydney has grown from these humble beginnings to become Australia's largest, oldest and liveliest city, and is considered one of the great international cities of the world. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Sydney - 3 nights
Thursday, 10 October 2019: Sydney City Tour; Luncheon Cruise; Opera House Tour (B,L)
Today’s informative city tour takes us to sights such as the historic Rocks area, the Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park, the Domain and Bondi Beach. At noon we enjoy a buffet luncheon cruise of picturesque Sydney Harbour, and take in vistas of Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Fort Denison. Our final stop for the day is a tour of the Sydney Opera House. The rest of the late afternoon and evening are at leisure.
Friday, 11 October 2019: Free Day in Sydney; Group Dinner (B,D)
Today is your opportunity to explore on your own or with your fellow travelers. Your Tour Leader will have plenty of suggestions. On previous trips, women interested in climbing the bridge over Sydney Harbour started the day with this optional activity. A day trip to the Blue Mountains is also a possibility. Later this evening we gather for dinner to celebrate our last night in Australia.
Saturday, 12 October 2019: Fly to Auckland, NZ; City Sightseeing Tour (B)
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Auckland, New Zealand, the "City of Sails." Upon arrival we'll embark on a panoramic city sightseeing tour to get an overview and glimpse iconic sights including Mount Eden and the Harbour Bridge, Auckland's most striking man-made landmark. Its 3,500-foot span links the city with the North Shore suburbs. Enjoy a bird's-eye-view down the length of the Hauraki Gulf—location of the America's Cup race—and across to Rangitoto, a volcano that erupted 750 years ago. After checking into our hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore or to just relax and settle in. Overnight Auckland - 2 nights
Sunday, 13 October 2019: Free Day in Auckland; Group Dinner (B,D)
Today is yours to discover Auckland. Your Tour Leader will have plenty of suggestions for the day. In addition to sights in the city, there are easy day trips. Since New Zealand is the capital of extreme sports, you may want to consider options such as bungee jumping or a sky walk. We'll have dinner together this evening.
Monday, 14 October 2019: Waitomo Caves; Rotorua (B,L)
We travel to the fascinating Waitomo Caves to enjoy a guided tour by boat of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Afterward, we dig into a BBQ lunch at Roseland Farm before continuing on to Rotorua, the thermal and volcanic resort capital of New Zealand. On arrival, we check-in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Rotorua - 2 nights
Tuesday, 15 October 2019: Full-Day Tour of Rotorua (B,L)
Our tour of Rotorua begins at the Agrodome Sheep Show where we are introduced to 19 breeds of sheep. Afterward, it’s on to Te Puia for a cultural performance and Ingo lunch, followed by a guided tour of the geothermal valley known for its Pohutu Geyser. If time permits, we'll stop at Rainbow Springs Nature Park to experience a Kiwi Encounter and marvel at the silent grace of rainbow, brown and tiger trout cruising the fern-fringed pools. After returning to our hotel, we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Wednesday, 16 October 2019: Fly to Queenstown, NZ; Free Time; Group Dinner (B,D)
This morning we transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Queenstown. After transfering to our hotel, the rest of the day will be at leisure until we gather for dinner together. Queenstown lies beside Lake Wakatipu at the foot of The Remarkables mountain range. It is South Island's most popular resort and the base for excursions into the surrounding mountains and nearby fiords. Overnight Queenstown - 3 nights
Thursday, 17 October 2019: Skyline Gondola; Winery Visit; Kawarau Bridge; Free Time (B,L)
Enjoy a ride up to Bob’s Peak on a scenic gondola cableway. The distinctive outline of Skyline Gondola against the backdrop of Queenstown captivates visitors to this city. From here we proceed to Gibbston Valley Winery for lunch and wine tasting. Afterward, we make a quick stop at Kawarau Bridge to watch the bungee jumping, then continue on to Arrowtown for a two-hour stop to enjoy various activities at your leisure.
Friday, 18 October 2019: Queenstown Personal Day; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Today is yours to either explore or relax. Consider a thrilling ride on the Shotover River by jetboat or a day trip to Milford Sound, located within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. The scenery is incredible, the water color a blue you've never seen. Your Tour Leader will have more activity suggestions.
Saturday, 19 October 2019: Return Home from Queenstown (B)
In the early afternoon we transfer to the airport for our trip back to Los Angeles. We cross the International Date Line again, arriving on the same day we departed Queenstown. We arrive at 11:40AM. Once in Los Angeles you will need to clear customs and retrieve your bags. Make your return flight home no earlier than 2:00PM.
WTT will make every attempt to reschedule impacted activities.
Activities that cannot be rescheduled will not be refunded.
WTT will assist travelers who purchased Travel Insurance with filling a claim after the trip concludes.
Australia & New Zealand
October 4 - October 19, 2019Pricing
Room Share
$5,945.00Single Room
$7,558.00Non-Members
ADD $100.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Air from your home to Cairns, Australia or air to your home from Queenstown, New Zealand or internal air in New Zealand, Australia, or between the two countries (group air round trip from LAX is an optional cost)
- Any departure taxes or other fees imposed by the local government that must be paid at the time of services or border crossings, etc.
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses
- Any gratuity for the WTT tour leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Sunday, 7 Apr 2019: Air Payment due in full (non-refundable)
Sunday, 7 Apr 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Wednesday, 26 Jun 2019: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Monday, 5 Aug 2019: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
Australia & New Zealand
October 4 - October 19, 2019Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
All travelers using the Group Air will make their own air arrangements from and returning to their home as follows:
Arrival Airport: LAX - Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles Int'l Airport)
Arrival Date: Friday, October 4th. Arrive no later than 3:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use hotel courtesy shuttle. Individuals who do not wish to use the group air for this trip, see Arrival and Departure Information on the Tour Pricing TAB
Departure Airport: LAX - Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Saturday, October 19th. Depart Los Angeles no earlier than 2:00pm
Departure Transfer: Not applicable. You will connect with your flight home.
Individuals who do not wish to use the optional group air for this trip will be responsible for
1) their own flight arrangements to Cairns and returning from Queenstown, as well as airport transfers at the start and finish of the tour, and
2) making their own reservations on the internal flights to correspond with the travel plans of the group. Contact WTT for exact flights.
Lodging / Hotels
LAX: Embassy Suites LAX North
Cairns: Pacific Hotel Cairns
Sydney: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
Auckland: Grand Millennium Hotel
Rotorua: Distinction Rotorua Hotel
Queenstown: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$213.00 Roomshare $426.00 Single
Additional Reminders About This Tour
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport.
- Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
- VISA is required of US and Canadian citizens entering Australia. For US & Canadian Citizens visit this website to start the process: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/appl/visitor The second tab gives specific directions on how to apply and includes a link. Select the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA - subclass 601) link and follow the instructions for applying for your VISA. It takes up to 24 hours to receive your confirmation.
We have secured an exceptional price for ALL the air on this trip. Group air also includes all transfers.
- Economy Class = $2565
- Premium Economy Class = $4577 (sold out)
- Business Class = $7,797 (1 remaining)
**Premium Economy and Business ONLY on flights LAX-AKL and AKL-LAX. All other flights will be Economy seat.
Preferred seating is not guaranteed but will be requested
NOTE: In the unlikely event a flight is delayed or cancelled, WTT will make every attempt to reschedule impacted activities. Activities that cannot be rescheduled will not be refunded. WTT will assist travelers who purchased Travel Insurance with filling a claim after the trip concludes.
Australia & New Zealand
October 4 - October 19, 2019Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" for more details
How Active is this Tour?
Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 75% Easy
- 25% Moderate (expect to walk, over the course of the day, 2 - 4 miles)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 6 Lunches
- 5 Dinners at local restaurants and hotels
- Selections for the included lunches and dinners will highlight the local cuisine.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general this time of year, the average temperature during the day is in the 70s with nighttime lows in the 50s in Australia. In New Zealand the daytime temperature is in the 60s with nighttime lows in the 50s.
For This Tour You May Want—
- One smart-casual outfit if you’d like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Swimsuit - Many hotels have pools or spas, and you may wish to snorkel in Cairns.
- Lightweight but warm and jacket
- Small travel umbrella or inexpensive rain poncho
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layers and coordinates as much as possible. Your fellow travelers will not mind – or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- For longer trips, plan to do laundry half-way through the tour.
- Limit you shoes to two pairs if you can: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use, the restrictions imposed by other forms of transportation such as small planes, and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- We strongly recommend that you bring only one suitcase plus 1 carry-on. Your purse should be able to be worn across your body, hands-free.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
- We expect you to be able to navigate the airports that are a part of this itinerary, with your belongings and without assistance. You will not have time to search for a porter.
- If you intend on shopping, you may want to consider packing an empty, soft-sided gym bag or small nylon zippered bag packed in your suitcase to accommodate purchases made during your trip.
- Remember, the most oft-repeated tip from those who have returned from an international tour is that they wish they had packed less!
What are the health recommendations for this tour?
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
Only you can determine your need to stay in contact while traveling. Internet access is available in most hotels, sometimes for a fee.
- If you are bringing a cell phone, contact your cell phone service provider before departing about adding international calling and/or texting features. Texting internationally is often less expensive than placing a cell phone call.
- Learn how to make an international call BEFORE you leave. Consult your cell provider and check out the web site www.HowtoCallAbroad.com.
What are the electricity requirements for this tour?
You will need an adapter for any electrical items, you may want to purchase a “universal adapter” plug. Australia and New Zealand both have 230V 50h. An adapter modifies the electrical socket, it does not change the voltage of an electronic device. You will need a power converter if whatever you are trying to plug in does not “convert” to 230/240V. Most technology (cell phones, tablets, computers) will automatically convert and most heating appliances (flat irons, curling irons, etc.) will not. To find out if your appliance converts, look closely at the appliance as it often states it in fine print or consult the appliance manual.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- The official currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and in Australia it is the Australian Dollar (AUD).
- Credit cards are widely accepted in most destinations. Many banks charge a currency exchange fee (anywhere from 3%-10%) on most transactions. Check with your bank. There are credit cards that impose no foreign transaction fees.
- Debit cards can be useful for cash advances. ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash as they are found in most airports and big cities and tourist areas. However, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work overseas. Some foreign countries limit the amount that can be withdrawn daily. You must know your PIN number for your debit card to use ATMs. Always use caution when withdrawing money.
- Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money.
- Exchange $100+ into local local currency so you have cash upon arrival. Be sure to keep smaller denominations of cash on hand for taxis, small purchases, etc.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping individuals who provide a personal service to you. However, tipping is not expected in Australia nor New Zealand. If you have exceptional service and would like to leave a tip, anything more than 10% is considered extraordinary.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport.
- Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
- VISA is required of US and Canadian citizens entering Australia. For US & Canadian Citizens visit this website to start the process: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/appl/visitor The second tab gives specific directions on how to apply and includes a link. Select the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA - subclass 601) link and follow the instructions for applying for your VISA. It takes up to 24 hours to receive your confirmation.
We have secured an exceptional price for ALL the air on this trip. Group air also includes all transfers.
- Economy Class = $2565
- Premium Economy Class = $4577 (sold out)
- Business Class = $7,797 (1 remaining)
**Premium Economy and Business ONLY on flights LAX-AKL and AKL-LAX. All other flights will be Economy seat.
Preferred seating is not guaranteed but will be requested
NOTE: In the unlikely event a flight is delayed or cancelled, WTT will make every attempt to reschedule impacted activities. Activities that cannot be rescheduled will not be refunded. WTT will assist travelers who purchased Travel Insurance with filling a claim after the trip concludes.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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