Overview
Independent Australian & New Zealand Explorer
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 Australia & New Zealand vacation. 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 available throughout your stay (in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, and Queenstown) to ensure your vacation runs smoothly and to help you make the most of your trip. This Globus Independent tour packs plenty of free time to explore, relax, and discover on your own. Your vacation begins the moment you arrive. 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 tour 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 from the sea and waddle across the beach in the world-famous Penguin Parade.It's not just the big cities you'll experience on this Australia vacation. In Cairns, we’ll take you to the Outer Great Barrier, where you can snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. You'll be amazed by the clarity of the water and the variety of fish that will swim all around you. You may even see a green sea turtle glide by! You will also have a day at leisure so perhaps take an excursion via the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the quiet mountain village of Kuranda or explore one of the markets to try locally grown mangoes and bananas.After seeing the highlights of Australia, fly over the “ditch” to Queenstown, New Zealand, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” We’ll take you on what will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip: a cruise on Milford Sound, which boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Continue to Rotorua where you’ll visit the Agrodome to learn about New Zealand’s sheep industry and Te Puia to explore a geothermal wonderland. End your vacation in vibrant Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Treat yourself to a tour that is exclusively yours with free time to enjoy optional adventures that speak to your independent spirit!
Highlights of Independent Australian & New Zealand Explorer
Travelers Notes
Special features included in this tour: • Guided sightseeing tour in Sydney with visit to Bondi Beach • Full-day excursion by catamaran to the Outer Great Barrier Reef with options to snorkel, take a semi-submersible ride, or attend a marine biology presentation • Guided sightseeing tour in Melbourne• A full day at leisure in each city with available optional excursions • Excursion to Fiordland National Park with scenic cruise on the famous Milford Sound • Guided sightseeing in Rotorua with visits to the Agrodome, National Kiwi Hatchery, and Te Puia • Visit to the Waitomo Glowworm Cave with silent boat ride • Guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set
UNESCO Sites
Great Barrier Reef|Sydney Opera House|Wet Tropics of Queensland
Product Group
Independent Australian Explorer
Independent Tour
Venture further to enjoy the world your way without the group. The experts at Globus put Peace of Mind first in travel planning. We take care of the details with included hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts and select meals, guided sightseeing, and transportation between cities. Explore confidently, knowing your Globus Local Hosts and GlobusGO mobile app provide you with tips and recommendations to personalize your tour and see the world your way.
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.
Meals
Breakfast daily; 2 lunches
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 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 photo stops at the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Visit stunning Bondi Beach, considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in Sydney. (B)INSIDER PICKSThe remainder of the day is yours to explore this vibrant city. Your Local Host will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, dining, and shopping.
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 or a climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. (B)INSIDER PICKSSpend 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.
Day 4
SYDNEY–CAIRNS Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” for a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring. (B)
Day 5
CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEFPrepare 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)
Day 6
CAIRNS A full day at leisure. (B)INSIDER PICKSTake 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.
Day 7
CAIRNS–MELBOURNE Transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day 8
MELBOURNE Your 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. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more of Melbourne.(B)INSIDER PICKSThe 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 relaxing at one of Melbourne’s famous coffee cafes.
Day 9
MELBOURNE Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent activities. (B)INSIDER PICKSJoin an optional excursion to Phillip Island to watch the world-famous Penguin Parade, travel on the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the magnificent Twelve Apostles, or explore the hidden lanes and arcades of the city.
Day 10
MELBOURNE–QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALANDFly 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)
Day 11
QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUNDEnjoy 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)
Day 12
QUEENSTOWNEnjoy a full day at leisure in beautiful Queenstown. (B)INSIDER PICKSChoose 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.
Day 13
QUEENSTOWN–ROTORUAFly to Rotorua on New Zealand’s north island. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day 14
ROTORUA Guided sightseeing includes a visit to the 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)INSIDER PICKSChoose 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.
Day 15
ROTORUA–HOBBITON–WAITOMO–AUCKLANDHead north and tour the Hobbiton movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Then on to Waitomo, where you will take a boat trip through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue to Auckland where your evening is at leisure. (B,L)
Day 16
AUCKLANDYour 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)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Swissotel Sydney | 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. | Sydney | 68 Market Street | Deluxe |
| 2 | Pullman Cairns International | 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. | Cairns | 17 Abbott St | Superior First-Class |
| 3 | The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins | 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. | Melbourne | 630 Little Collins Street | First-Class |
| 4 | Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront | 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. | Queenstown | Corner Frankton Rd & Adelaide St | First-Class |
| 5 | Novotel Rotorua Lakeside | Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua, the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside offers tranquil surroundings with sensational views. The central location makes for easy access to Rotorua's cafes, restaurants, and many popular local attractions. Dry cleaning, as well as coin-operated self-service laundry, is available. | Rotorua | Lake End Tutanekai Street | Superior First-Class |
| 6 | Pullman Auckland | A positive departure from the usual formula in hotel accommodation, Pullman Auckland's sleek interiors emit a warm and friendly vibe, creating an intimate atmosphere whether in the lobby lounge, by the heated pool, while sampling fare at Tapestry Dining or listening to live music at the Omni Bar. | Auckland | Corner Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant | Moderate Deluxe |
