Upon visiting Australia, Oprah Winfrey remarked the locals in Sydney, “You’re so darned friendly, you must go to friendly class!” But you don’t need to be a celebrity to get the star treatment and warm welcome of Aussies. Experience the meaning of “G’day, mate!” on this 16-day Globus Independent tour. We’ve arranged your hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing, and private transfers to/from the airports from/to your hotels for your intra-vacation flights. Plus, a one-of-a-kind feature: the Globus Local Host®, someone who is there throughout your stay (in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, and Queenstown) to ensure your vacation runs smoothly and to help you make the most of your vacation. This Globus Independent tour packs plenty of I-time to explore, relax, and discover on your own. Your vacation begins the moment you arrive. Globus can pick you up at the airport and whisk you seamlessly to your selected hotel. Your Local Host will greet you with a smile and information to help you get settled. The next day, after your included breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour with a local expert. You’ll hear inside stories behind the must-see sights, like the Opera House and Bondi Beach. And never fear...we’ve scouted the city for the best place to capture a photo of Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge. In Melbourne, your guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide includes the Royal Botanic Gardens and Queen Victoria Market. On the third day in each city, you have a free day to explore on your own (with your Local Host support, of course). You may want to follow in Oprah’s footsteps in Sydney and climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge; explore the cobblestone streets of the Rocks, the harborside area where the first convicts settled; or participate in a game of lawn bowling. In Melbourne, you can visit one of Australia's leading opal companies or take an excursion to see the little penguins emerge
Your Globus Independent tour gives you the freedom to explore with the I-time you crave–with all the perks you'd expect from Globus. We take care of the details with included accommodations, daily breakfasts, select guided sightseeing, transportation and transfers between each city on your tour, and a Local Host in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Queenstown to assist you when needed. We’ll also handle flight arrangements and airport transfers at the beginning and end of your tour, if you wish.
Notes: During the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, certain activities may not be available. A different activity may be substituted or a refund offered if your included activity is not available. Intra-tour flights not included.
• Welcome to beautiful Sydney, Australia’s largest city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for independent activities. Your Globus Local Host will make contact with you to discuss your vacation, answer questions, and give suggestions to make the most of your stay
Day 2 SYDNEY
• Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes an Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop. Visit stunning Bondi Beach, considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in Sydney.
(B)
Today's I-Time Tips
The remainder of the day is yours to explore this vibrant city. Your Local Host will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, dining, and shopping Breakfast
Day 3 SYDNEY
• Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city. Choose from our selection of optional excursions, including a cruise on Sydney Harbour and a climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
(B)
Today's I-Time Tips
Spend the day in Hunter Valley, sampling some of Australia’s best wines; or join a guided backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House. Other options include exploring the restaurants of Spice Alley, exploring the Rocks District on the Rocks Pub Tour, or learning how to surf at nearby Bondi Beach Breakfast
Day 4 SYDNEY–CAIRNS
• Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Enjoy a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring.
(B) Breakfast
Day 5 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
• Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Late this afternoon, return to Cairns.
(B,L) BreakfastLunch
Day 6 CAIRNS
• A full day at leisure.
(B)
Today's I-Time Tips
Take a trip into the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest living rainforest, and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include relaxing by your resort’s pool, a ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, or shopping for a special souvenir at the Cairns Night Markets Breakfast
Day 7 CAIRNS–MELBOURNE
• Transfer to Cairns for your flight to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
(B) Breakfast
Day 8 MELBOURNE
• Morning guided sightseeing tour includes Federation Square, St. Patrick’s Park, Queen Victoria Market (when open), Albert Park Lake, the Shrine of Remembrance, and St. Kilda Beach. Your tour ends at the Melbourne Skydeck for awe-inspiring views of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform.
(B)
Today's I-Time Tips
The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may wish to visit the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s largest, oldest, and most visited art museum. Other options include window shopping on Bourke Street, a tour of the Old Melbourne Goal, once home to Australia’s notorious outlaw, Ned Kelly, or just relax at one of Melbourne’s famous coffee cafes Breakfast
Day 9 MELBOURNE
• Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent activities.
(B)
Today's I-Time Tips
Join an optional excursion to Phillip Island to watch the world-famous Penguin Parade, travel on the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the magnificent 12 Apostles or explore the hidden lanes and arcades of the city Breakfast
Day 10 MELBOURNE–QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND
• Fly to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Your Local Host is available for sightseeing, shopping, and dining suggestions.
(B) Breakfast
Day 11 QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND
• Enjoy a full-day excursion to Milford Sound. First, travel by motorcoach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. View the Mirror Lakes as you pass through Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel, emerge into Cleddau Valley. Join your Milford Sound cruise for an unforgettable experience. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as dolphins and penguins and enjoy the breathtaking waterfalls and scenery. Return to Queenstown late this evening.
(B) Breakfast
Day 12 QUEENSTOWN
• Enjoy a full day at leisure in beautiful Queenstown.
(B)
Today's I-Time Tips
Choose an optional thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River, visit a local winery, or tour some of the sites used to film The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Hike, bike, or get on the water. Your Local Host will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining Breakfast
Day 13 QUEENSTOWN–ROTORUA
• Fly to Rotorua on New Zealand’s north island. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
(B) Breakfast
Day 14 ROTORUA
• Guided sightseeing includes a visit to Agrodome, where you’ll learn about New Zealand’s sheep industry, the National Kiwi Hatchery, and to Te Puia, where you’ll explore this geothermal wonderland
(B)
Today's I-Time Tips
Choose to join our optional Māori (indigenous Polynesian people) cultural performance and Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones). Other options include a relaxing soak in one of the therapeutic pools at the Polynesian Spa, a magical treetop walk through the Redwoods, or a helicopter tour to see this scenic region by air Breakfast
Day 15 ROTORUA–WAITOMO–AUCKLAND
• Head north to Waitomo, where you will take a boat trip through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue on to Auckland where your evening is at leisure.
(B,L) BreakfastLunch
Day 16 AUCKLAND
• Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Auckland and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.
(B)
Accommodations
Sydney
Cairns
Melbourne
Queenstown
Rotorua
Auckland
Swissotel Sydney Deluxe
Hotel as shown or similar
68 Market Street Sydney NSW Australia
The Swissotel Sydney is surrounded by Sydney's most exclusive shopping centres, such as the beautiful Queen Victoria Building and iconic Westfield Sydney and is within walking distance to all of Sydney's famous landmarks and cultural attractions. Enjoy a seasonally inspired dinner menu at JPB or delight in a unique buffet high tea at Crossroads Bar. The hotel offers a wide choice of treatments at the Day Spa as well as a gym, heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi.
Pullman Cairns International Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
17 Abbott St Cairns QLD Australia
Pullman Cairns International is an upscale hotel exuding the architectural grandeur of the city's rich colonial past. Overlooking Cairns Harbour and the lush mountain hinterland, this 321-room hotel is perfectly positioned in the CBD to take advantage of all the city has to offer. After a great day of sightseeing, dine in Coco's Restaurant, grab a drink at the Lobby Bar, or pamper yourself at Vie Spa. Laundry is available through the hotel for a fee.
The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
630 Little Collins Street Melbourne VIC Australia
Situated in the heart of downtown Melbourne, The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins is ideally located for exploring the city. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, bar, gym, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Corner Frankton Rd & Adelaide St Queenstown New Zealand
Within a tranquil, garden setting, the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront blends superior facilities and comfort with friendly, personal service and offers panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain peaks. The resort is a short stroll from the town center, and minutes from Queenstown's key tourist attractions and adventure activities. After a great day of sightseeing, relax at the Impressions Cocktail Bar and Impressions Restaurant with views over the lake and mountains or take a dip in the two spa pools. Wireless broadband internet access is available in all public areas (fee may apply). The hotel also features coin-operated, self-service laundry.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
1270 Hinemaru Street Rotorua New Zealand
Next to mystical Lake Rotorua and just a brief stroll from the city center, Millennium Hotel Rotorua is an eco-friendly hotel. Perhaps its most unique feature is that its heating is provided by harnessing the hotel's natural geothermal resource. The hotel's amenities include a heated pool, spa, two restaurants, a lounge, and room service.
Adina Auckland Britomart Moderate First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
2 Tapora Street Auckland New Zealand
Situated in downtown Auckland, Adina Auckland Britomart is only minutes away from the City's best offerings. The hotel features a fitness center, on-site restaurant and bar, apartment-style guestrooms with laundry available, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
Breakfast
Accommodations
