Day 1: Melbourne and the start of your Australia tour days Tauck's Australia begins at 1:45 PM at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne.
A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to the Grand Hyatt Melbourne. Welcome to Tauck's grand Australia tour, where friendly g'days greet you from arrival to departure! Take a sightseeing tour this afternoon that provides a valuable introduction to Melbourne; tonight, board a vintage tram-restaurant for a tour of city landmarks while enjoying a welcome dinner featuring regional cuisine. Meals LD

Day 2 Melbourne’s Victorian charms You’ll see a lot of Melbourne on a sightseeing tour of the city, including the High Victorian architecture of Parliament House, the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and the ANZAC War Memorial – the Shrine of Remembrance. The rest of the day is free to explore as you please. Visit the museums, check out the trendy restaurants, or relax and read a book in the beautiful parks and gardens. Meals B

Day 3 All about Alice, a highlight of any Australia tourFly to Alice Springs in the heart of the Red Centre, where you'll be treated to an Aboriginal Dreamtime lunch after your arrival. Pick up some interesting information on Central Australian animals and plants at Alice Springs Desert Park, and learn how the Aborigines have managed the land for thousands of years. Attend a barbecue dinner under a starry sky, where you dine on bush tucker (indigenous Australian food) and are entertained by storytelling. Meals BLD.

Day 4 Outback adventure at Uluru Start your day with an optional (additional $215 per person) hot air balloon adventure, where you'll drift peacefully over the red desert landscape to see wildlife stirring at dawn and vast cattle stations; a champagne breakfast awaits upon your arrival back on land. Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), a massive monolith sacred to the Aboriginal people. Witness the sunset spectacle when the Rock changes color from pink to deep red, intertwining with the red desert outback surrounding it. Champagne and canapés complete this essential Australia tour experience! Meals BD

Day 5: Off to Queensland Spend a free morning at Uluru where you'll have an opportunity to do some more exploring. Your Australia tour continues with a flight north from the red desert to the tropical rainforests of Queensland. Arrive in Cairns, where your hotel is centrally located, overlooking Marlin Marina; the hotel recently completed a comprehensive multi-million dollar redevelopment. Meals BLD.

Day 6: Luxury, luxury, luxury – it's Hayman Island Hop a short flight from Cairns to Hamilton Island, where you'll board a catamaran for your three-night stay on luxurious Hayman Island. The multi-award winning resort Hayman lies in a picture-postcard setting... tropical palm-fringed beaches surrounded by the sparkling crystalline waters of the Coral Sea, complete with formal European and manicured Oriental gardens. Indulge in stylishly elegant guest rooms and superb cuisine prepared by acclaimed chefs in the resort's outstanding restaurants. Spend the afternoon as you please, with a variety of activities available such as reef tours, snorkeling, sailing, tennis, a nine-hole putting green, culinary classes and a renowned spa. Meals BD.

Day 7: Tauck's Australia tour continues on the Great Barrier Reef Spend a full day exploring one of earth's most incredible "living" sites, the Great Barrier Reef, on an eco-cruise accompanied by a marine biologist. Marvel at the colors and beauty of the coral and fish while swimming, snorkeling, or riding on a glass bottom boat or a semi-submersible watercraft that features enormous viewing windows. Meals: BLD

Day 8: Indulgence and Inspiration at Hayman It's your day to spend your way on Hayman Island. You can practice your golf strokes. Or play a game of tennis. Or play a round of croquet. Swim in the sea, scuba dive under the sea, or snorkel on the sea. Sunbathe on idyllic tropical shores. Take a lap in the pool – and make sure you allow plenty of time as the Hayman pool is 7 times Olympic size. If you're feeling adventurous, soar over the island by seaplane. Indulge the senses, restore the spirit, and discover nature's best-kept secrets at the extraordinary spa. Sail away on a cocktail cruise under the stars. It's your day, all day, your way. Meals: BD

Day 9: Fly to Sydney for the final three nights of your Australia tour Bid a reluctant farewell to this tropical paradise and return to the mainland to fly to Sydney, one of the most exciting cities in the world. Spend the next three nights at a five-star luxury hotel in the Rocks, city center. Your hotel overlooks Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, within walking distance of just about everything from shopping to acclaimed restaurants. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is yours to explore. A late afternoon cocktail cruise on Sydney Harbour is a fabulous way to unwind and relax, while getting a good look at some of this extraordinary city's landmark sites. The day ends with dinner at a restaurant on the waterfront. Meals: BD

Day 10: Behind the chic white sails, and a trip to the zoo Today begins with a city sightseeing tour to view many of the city's noted attractions. Visit the Sydney Opera House and go "behind the sails" of one of the world's most beloved architectural masterpieces and performing arts centers. Next up – an opportunity to come face to face with one of the iconic symbols of Australia, the koala, at the acclaimed Koala Park Sanctuary. Set on 10 acres of lush rainforest, eucalyptus groves and gardens, the park was created in the 1920s to ensure the preservation of the endangered koala. Today you'll find beloved Australian wildlife such as red & grey kangaroos, dingoes, wombats, echidnas, emus, wallaby species and a large collection of Australian native birds sharing this protected sanctuary. And best of all, during your visit you'll have an opportunity to cuddle, pat, and / or have your photograph taken with a koala! Upon your return to Sydney, the day is free to do what you want. Meals: B

Day 11: Sydney your way, all day There is so much to see in Sydney, and so many ways to do it, that the entire day is free to explore and dine as you please – Sydney's got it all. From museums to shopping, from Aboriginal art to an array of Australian and international dining options, you'll find many ways to spend the day and make it memorable! Meals: B

Day 12: Farewell to the Australia tour, hello to New Zealand Your grand Australia tour comes to an end as you bid a final farewell and board a flight across the Tasman Sea for your grand New Zealand tour! First stop is Auckland, the City of Sails, where your hotel is located in the heart of the city. Meals: BD

Day 13: Adventures in Auckland A visit to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World gives you a close-up look at what lies beneath the waters off New Zealand's coast. See extensive collections of Maori and Polynesian artifacts, as well as natural history exhibits at the Auckland War Memorial Museum - and witness age-old Maori song and dance at a presentation. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Auckland and dine as you please. Meals: B

Day 14: Sheep and farming and thermal geysers While touring the heart of the North Island, have lunch at Longlands Farm, which is a combination working farm and country garden. Next up is a visit to the Agrodome, a great way to learn about one of New Zealand's most important industries, sheep farming. See bubbling mud pools and geysers at Whakarewarewa Thermal Village in Rotorua, as well as Maori crafts and village life exhibits. Meals: BLD

Day 15: Tauck Exclusive: Private Charter to Mount Cook As a Tauck exclusive, enjoy the benefits of VIP travel when you fly on Tauck's private charter flight to the South Island's Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. You have an opportunity to take an optional dramatic helicopter flightseeing excursion, providing the weather cooperates, over the glacier-capped Southern Alps (additional cost of $225 per person). Another private charter flight in the afternoon brings you to beautiful Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. Meals: BLD

Day 16: Cruise Milford Sound, then on to Queenstown A New Zealand / Australia tour is not complete without visiting Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise the lovely waters of Milford Sound, an inlet carved by glaciers with cascading waterfalls along sheer rock walls that rise thousands of feet from the water – a New Zealand / Australia tour must-do activity! Travel to Queenstown, New Zealand's alpine resort playground. It lies along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, beneath the sawtooth peaks of The Remarkables mountain range. Meals: BLD

Day 17: Adventure awaits on the rapids Ever dream of being a daredevil? Even if you're not all that adventurous, today's thrilling high-speed jet boat ride down a river carved through the narrow, rocky gorges and canyons of Shotover River Canyon will be a highlight of Tauck's New Zealand / Australia tour! Explore the sights of Queenstown on your own for the rest of the day. Meals: B

Day 18: Cultural charms of Christchurch, including the museum Another private charter flight brings you to the gracious city of Christchurch, where you'll think you've landed in England due to the appearance of the landscape and the architecture. Tour notable gardens and the historic part of the city, and visit the Canterbury Museum to see exhibits displaying New Zealand's natural and human heritage. Meals: B

Day 19: Christchurch as you please Spend the day any way you choose - from diverse museums to the Botanic Gardens, harbor cruises, train journeys, wildlife centers - Christchurch is a great city to explore. Share experiences at the farewell cocktail reception and dinner, where you'll have a chance to reflect on the many adventures throughout this 20-day New Zealand and Australia tour! Meals: BD

Day 20: So long to the lands down under Tauck's New Zealand and Australia tour ends in Christchurch. A transfer is included from Crowne Plaza Christchurch to Christchurch International Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in at the airport. Meals: B

Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
1/18/2009 - 2/4/2009	$4,709	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/8/2009 - 2/25/2009	$4,709	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/22/2009 - 3/11/2009	$4,709	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/22/2009 - 4/8/2009	$4,659	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/19/2009 - 5/6/2009	$4,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/10/2009 - 5/27/2009	$4,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/7/2009 - 6/24/2009	$4,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/13/2009 - 9/30/2009	$4,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/27/2009 - 10/14/2009	$4,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/11/2009 - 10/28/2009	$4,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/18/2009 - 11/4/2009	$4,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/1/2009 - 11/18/2009	$4,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/15/2009 - 12/2/2009	$4,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
12/6/2009 - 12/23/2009	$4,749	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
Related Tours PAQ|Start Your Vacation Early in Fiji Price Details US Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation. Single Room Supplement: $1462. Triple Room reduction per person: $155. Extra Nights per person in Cairns: In single room $173; in twin room $98; in triple room $90. Extra Nights per person in Sydney: Jan. & Apr.-Jul. in single room $213; in twin room $117; in triple room $106. Feb.-Mar. & Aug.-Dec. in single room $249; in twin room $135; in triple room $118. 2010 prices and itineraries subject to change. Details will be available in August 2009.

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.

Pay less for your second vacation

We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.

Triple room reduction

On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.

Avoid the single room supplement

We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!

Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75

Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel? Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.