12 days December 19 - 30, 1996
INCLUDED MEALS
Departure day
Thursday Dec. 19
Friday Dec. 20
Board your Air New Zealand flight bound for Sydney, Australia. Cross the International Date Line.
Sydney Opera House
Gold Coast
Saturday Dec. 21 D
In Sydney connect with a flight to Brisbane. Enjoy immediate check-in at your hotel on the Gold Coast. With 300 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 75 degrees, this is the most developed tourist destination in Australia. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the resort, nestled amid lush gardens and fronting a secluded beach. A suspension bridge over the road links the resort with the elegant Marina Mirage shopping center. Join your tour manager and fellow travelers at this evening's get-acquainted reception and dinner at SHERATON MIRAGE GOLD COAST
Lamington National Park
Sunday Dec. 22 BL
Drive up the northern spur of Tamborine Mountain to Eagle Heights. From this mountain vantage point are spectacular views of the Gold Coast and the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean stretching from Coolangatta in the south to Stradbroke Island in the north. Morning tea is served in the village where you will have time to sample local cuisine at one of the cafes, restaurants or tea rooms. Continue through the township of Canungra, founded 100 years ago by cedargetters and sawmillers, and into Lamington National Park. This park features 20,200 hectares of rugged mountains and jungle-like rain forests, 87 miles of walking trails, 500 waterfalls and a bewildering diversity of plant and animal life. Wind your way up the Mountainside, through tunnels of subtropical rain forest past ancient Antarctic Beech trees and giant twisting buttresses of gracious old Fig and Booyong trees. At the summit is O'Reilly's Guest House, opened in 1926 and run by members of the family ever since. This afternoon, explore on your own. Feed the Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots. Walk on the suspended Treetop bridge which takes you across the rain forest. Visit the Botanic Gardens, the wishing tree or Mick's Rain forest tower. Watch for brush turkeys and pademelons (miniature kangaroos). Return to your hotel late this afternoon. SHERATON MIRAGE GOLD COAST.
To Cairns
Monday Dec. 23 B
Fly to Cairns and have the afternoon free to explore on your own. CAIRNS INTERNATIONAL HOTEL.
Ride the Kuranda Train through the rain forest.
Kuranda Train Skyrail gondola
Tjapukai Dance Theatre
Tuesday Dec. 24 BD
Board the historic Kuranda Train and ride through the rain forest to Kuranda, an old sugar plantation town. See crafts displayed in the local shops. Learn about Aboriginal culture at the Tjapukai Dance Theatre and enjoy a performance by this award-winning dance group. On your return trip to Cairns, glide above the rain forest canopy aboard the world's longest gondola cableway. Traveling at treetop level you will see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical rain forest environment. Late this afternoon, enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner at the CAIRNS INTERNATIONAL HOTEL.
Christmas day Board cruise
Wednesday Dec. 25 BLD
Merry Christmas! The morning is free to relax. After brunch, cross the street for an afternoon boarding of the Captain Cook Cruises' Reef Endeavour, the ultimate Great Barrier Reef cruise ship. This cruise ship boasts two lounges, two bars, pool, sports deck and chart house, two spas, sauna and gym. An on-board marine naturalist accompanies guests on excursions in the ship's glass bottom boat for excellent marine-life viewing. A dive master is available to assist with snorkeling and diving activities. Boat trips into beautiful bays combine a relaxing cruise with a beach holiday. Enjoy a reception and Christmas dinner during an evening sailing. REEF ENDEAVOUR.
Great Barrier Reef Lizard Island
Thursday Dec. 26 BLD
Sail to Lizard Island, formed mostly of granite and boasting a diversity of vegetation and terrain - grassy hills, rocky slabs and valleys of rain forests. The whole island is a national park ringed by white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters and some of the best coral. From the highest point, Cook's Look, Captain James Cook of the Endeavour spied a passage through the reef. Snorkel or dive over coral reefs and giant clam gardens. Or watch the marine life from the comfort of the glass-bottom boat. REEF ENDEAVOUR.
Great Barrier Reef Ribbon Reef
Friday Dec. 27 BLD
The Reef Endeavour sails to Ribbon Reef, home of the black marlin and giant Potato Cod that swim up to be fed. This is an exciting experience when you see them, weighing over 250 pounds and stretching six feet long! The reef is one of the marine park's most spectacular and remote coral reef destinations. Your marine naturalist offers descriptions as you take a close look at some of this under water world. Tonight enjoy your captain's farewell dinner. REEF ENDEAVOUR.
Sydney Summit Restaurant
Saturday Dec. 28 BD
Disembark in Cairns this morning and fly to Sydney. Enjoy a brief overview of the city en route to the hotel, a minute's walk from the harbor. This evening, dinner is served at the revolving Summit Restaurant offering breathtaking views of the city and the harbor. ANA HOTEL SYDNEY.
Blue Mountains four-wheel drive
Sunday Dec. 29 BLD
Get ready for the ultimate ecological photographic safari experience by four-wheel drive. An off-the-beaten track adventure takes you into the Blue Mountains amid spectacular flora, fauna and panoramic mountain scenery. From the fertile river flats of "Sydney's Fruit Bowl," ascend Bluebird Hill for a morning tea break at a lookout with distant views of Sydney. Continue along the scenic Bells Line of the Road on the Bilpin Plateau, apple-growing country. See sandstone formations, lush tree ferns and Bowens Creek before taking a walk through the Cathedral of Ferns Rain Forest. Following Mount Piddington four-wheel drive track reveals Kinimbla Valley, Blue Mountains Plateau and Great Dividing Mountain Range. See Echo Point and the famous Three Sisters rock formation in Jamieson Valley. Grab your camera! Glenbrook National Park is filled with wild, freeroaming kangaroos. Return to Sydney late this afternoon and relax before tonight's farewell dinner at the ANA HOTEL SYDNEY.
Return home
Monday Dec. 30 B
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your Air New Zealand flight departing for Los Angeles via Auckland. Thank you for traveling with us. We hope you've enjoyed your Christmas down under. For those of you who would like to extend your South Pacific holiday, Maupintour offers two optional extensions. Join us again soon.
Australia's shy and adorable Koala.
SOUTH PACIFIC CHRISTMAS & GREAT BARRIER REEF
TOUR NUMBER: SPC-248
LAND TOUR RATE per person is $3460 twin, $4445 single and includes:
Hotel upgrade to Opera House View in Sydney is available for $35 per person, twin and $70 single basis.
Cruise cabin upgrade to Top Deck is available for $130 per person, twin and $190 single basis.
AIRFARE EXAMPLE: $1566, aboard Air New Zealand from Los Angeles.
DEPARTURE TAXES of $38 per person are additional and are paid directly to Maupintour.
RESERVATION DEPOSIT per person is $450 plus (optional) $100 per person fee for Tour Cancellation Protection.
FULL REFUND when you participate in the Tour Cancellation Protection Plan.
Please see the For Your Information section.
Average temperature: Hi 77, Low 63
SYDNEY EXTENSION: SPD-A248
3-day optional extension
Sydney extension includes two nights at ANA Sydney Hotel with early afternoon checkout, half-day guided sightseeing and two full American breakfasts.
Please note: There will be no tour manager on this extension.
Sydney
Monday Dec. 30B
Stay in Sydney and have breakfast. A half-day sightseeing tour can be taken today or tomorrow. ANA SYDNEY HOTEL.
Tuesday
Dec. 31 B
After breakfast, relax, enjoy the hotel. Any activities should be booked independently. Enjoy a fireworks display over the harbor for a spectacular New Year's Eve celebration. ANA SYDNEY HOTEL.
Wednesday
Jan. 1 B
Happy New Year! Your room will be held until 1:00 this afternoon. Your transfer to the airport is provided. Board your Air New Zealand flight for your return flight home.
LAND TOUR RATE per person is $475 twin and $805 single basis, without airfare.
FULL REFUND when you participate in the Tour Cancellation Protection Plan.
Please see the For Your Information section.
Relax around an inviting pool at the Regent of Fiji.
4-day optional extension
Fiji extension includes three nights at the Regent of Fiji with late afternoon check out, half-day guided sightseeing and three full American breakfasts.
Please note: There will be no tour manager on this extension.
To Fiji Monday
Dec. 30 B
The airport transfers in Sydney and Fiji are provided. Fly to exotic Fiji's main island of Viti Levu. Enjoy a deluxe garden-view room at the Regent of Fiji, a legendary resort exuding the island's relaxing tropical flavor. REGENT OF FIJI.
Tuesday
Dec. 31 B
Take your half-day sightseeing tour of the island today or tomorrow. You'll visit the village of Viseisei, the Gardens of the Sleeping Giant and Lautoka. A local guide will accompany you on a walking tour of the fruit and vegetable market. Have the rest of the day to do as you please. Your resort is the perfect place for golf, tennis, swimming or sailing. REGENT OF FIJI.
Wednesday
Jan. 1 B
Happy New Year! If you have already taken the sightseeing tour, the entire day is free to do as you wish. Cruise to one of the other islands, visit the capital city of Suva or try snorkeling or deep sea fishing. The day is yours to relax and soak up a little sun. REGENT OF FIJI.
Thursday
Jan. 2 B
Today is free to enjoy the hotel's surroundings. Your room will be held until 6:00 p.m. when you transfer to the airport for the flight home.
FIJI EXTENSION: SPE-B248
LAND TOUR RATE per person is $525 twin and $875 single basis, without airfare. Hotel upgrade to Beachfront room is available for $90 per person, twin and $180 single basis.
AIRFARE EXAMPLE: $125 per person.
FULL REFUND when you participate in the Tour Cancellation Protection Plan.
Please see the For Your Information section.