Cruising Down Under - Eastbound 2019

20 days
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USTOA

Small Ship Cruise
NEW for 2019! Our new 20-day Australia and New Zealand cruise blends two-night land stays in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Auckland with 9 nights aboard Le Lapérouse, cruising to New Zealand's natural gems... creating cultural connections through Tauck's included shore excursions, signature sightseeing and exclusive cultural experiences.

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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • 9-night cruise aboard Le Lapérouse; 2-night hotel stays in Melbourne
    • Cairns
    • Sydney
    • Auckland; snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef; rainforest gondola in Cairns; private event at Tjapukai.

What's this trip about?

    NEW for 2019! Our new 20-day Australia and New Zealand cruise blends two-night land stays in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Auckland with 9 nights aboard Le Lapérouse, cruising to New Zealand's natural gems... creating cultural connections through Tauck's included shore excursions, signature sightseeing and exclusive cultural experiences.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMelbourne
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Auckland
  • Cairns
  • Melbourne
  • Queenstown
  • Sydney

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Private Tauck Shore Excursions Visits to wineries in New Zealand with tastings and food pairing Visit to Whakarewarewa Maori village in Rotorua A four-wheel-drive "seal safari" in Wellington A food tour in Wellington with behind the scenes visits to eateries Visit to the state-of-the-art Museum of New Zealand in Wellington Kayaking on Queen Charlotte Sound / Cycling Queen Charlotte Trail Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef Treetop gondola ride in a rainforest at Barron Falls Thunder Jetboat ride through a river gorge in Queenstown Visit to Hartley's Wildlife Park and crocodile farm, Cairns Private cruise and dinner on Sydney Harbor Visit to Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter Lunch at Larnach Castle in Dunedin Dinner and show at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park Aboard ship alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day, including house wines and spirits; premium spirits and wines are available at extra cost Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 46 meals on land and sea (18 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 14 dinners), all gratuities to Tauck Director, local guides & ship staff, applicable fuel surcharges, service charges, porterage and taxes

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Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Melbourne
Tour begins 6:00 PM. Transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins in the heart of the shopping, dining, and theatre district. Join us this evening for a welcome reception at the hotel is followed by dinner. MEALS : D LODGING : Sofitel Melbourne on Collins or Park Hyatt Melbourne PORTOFCALL : Melbourne, Australia

Day 2 The Heart of Melbourne
Take a walking tour of Melbourne this morning, with a motorcoach tour of major landmarks, including Fitzroy Gardens, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Parliament House, and Olympic Drive. Visit the Shrine of Remembrance, one of Melbourne's most important landmarks, honorin...
Day 3 Fly to Cairns & meet the Crocs
Fly to Cairns, a city surrounded by rainforests, where your first stop is Hartley's Wildlife Park, an award-winning ecopark of specially designed habitats that makes you feel like you're in the wild with crocodiles, lizards, cassowaries, and other indigenous wildlife; yo...
Day 4 A great day at the Great Barrier Reef
Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, with a biology presentation and a snorkeling demonstration en route. The coral reef is one of the world's great natural wonders, considered the largest living thing on the planet; more than 1,400 miles long, it is longer than the Great W...
Day 5 Sydney rocks
Fly to Sydney, where sightseeing with a local guide includes The Rocks (an historic neighborhood of open-air markets and the city's oldest pubs), the Botanical Gardens, the Central Business District, Hyde Park, St. Mary's Cathedral, and the neighborhoods of Darling Point...
Day 6 A g'day in Sydney
Walk to the iconic Sydney Opera House for a tour with a local guide. Projecting into Sydney Harbor, the operahouse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an architectural masterpiece of interlocking shells (or sails) surrounded by terraces and pedestrian concourses. Inside are...
Day 7 Fly to Queenstown & a jet boat ride
Fly to Queenstown and check into your hotel on the scenic shores of Lake Wakitipu. You will have crossed a time zone, so turn your clocks ahead two hours. Get an adrenalin rush on a Thunder Jetboat ride through a river gorge, taking hairpin turns and skimming the water a...
Day 8 Arrowtown and free time in Queenstown
Explore Arrowtown, a historic gold-mining town on the Arrow River which retains much of its original character and charm. Then return to Queenstown for free time on your own; relax at the hotel, enjoy the spa, go hiking, or explore Queenstown, which calls itself the Adve...
Day 9 Dunedin / embark Le Laperouse
Drive to Dunedin (du-NEE-din) on the Otago Peninsula. The city bears the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, while Otago takes its name from the Maori village, Otakou, which preceded it. Dunedin was settled by Scottish missionaries in 1848 and la...
Day 10 Fjords... colors and mist on a day at sea
This afternoon, sail into Dusky Sound, once a popular whaling and seal-hunting ground, where humpback whales still frequent the waters, along with bottlenose dolphins and seals. The sound is one of New Zealand's most inspiring natural settings. Dense forests line the sho...
Day 11 Treasured sights on a day at sea in Milford Sound
Arrive in Milford Sound, a fjord of breathtaking cliffs, rain forests, black water and alpine peaks at the edge of Fjordland National Park. The Maoris call it Piopiotahi; Rudyard Kipling called it the Eighth Wonder of the World. Explorer James Hingston, who saw it in 188...
Day 12 A marvelous day at sea
Spend a day at sea as Le Laperouse sails up the western coastline of South Island, a showcase of seaside towns and national parks, swaths of pristine wilderness and Southern Alps. There are videos and documentaries on the region available. Or you can relax and enjoy the...
Day 13 Picton and Marlborough Valley
Picton is a picturesque seaside town of cafes, restaurants, and galleries, where ferry service connects to the islands of Marlborough Sounds. Your choice of shore excursions today includes visits to Omaka Aviation Heritage Center, film director Sir Peter Jackson's person...
Day 14 In and around Wellington
New Zealand's capital city is also the nation's cultural heart, nestled in a sheltered harbor ringed by mountains at the southern tip of North Island. The compact metropolis is an energetic hive of government and commerce, theatres, museums, galleries, restaurants, and c...
Day 15 Napier and the wineries
Arrive in Napier, a coastal city on Hawke's Bay, North Island, where you have a choice of shore excursions. Napier was leveled by an earthquake in 1931 and completely rebuilt within two years, which accounts for its unparalleled wealth of Art Deco architecture. Take a r...
Day 16 White Island... lava bombs and fumeroles
White Island is a live volcano 30 miles off the mainland. Most of it is underwater, so the rim of the crater is near the waterline. Our visit is weather-dependent. Land on the island by zodiac. Within the crater is a world of hissing and roaring vents, bubbling mud pits,...
Day 17 Maoris artisans and geysers in Rotorua
Sail to Tauranga, a city on the Bay of Plenty near Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano. Maunganui (also called Mauao, or The Mount) may be cold, but geothermal activity still rages under the earth in nearby Rotorua, steaming up from cracks, fault-lines, geysers and hot s...
Day 18 All about Auckland
Ride the ferry to Waiheke Island for a tour of an olive estate, a wine tasting and vineyard lunch; enjoy some time at leisure. Join us this evening for our farewell dinner that marks the end of a fabulous journey. MEALS : B LODGING : Hilton Auckland PORTOFCALL : Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Day 19 Pleasures of Waiheke Island
Sail by ferry to Waiheke Island, a picturesque haven of vineyards, wineries, and olive orchards. New Zealand, with its moderate climate and diverse terroirs, is famous for its distinctive wines, and today you'll learn why at a visit to Batch Winery for a tour and tastin...
Day 20 Journey home
Tour ends: Auckland. Fly home any time; transfers are included from Hilton Auckland to Auckland International Airport. MEALS : B

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Dates & Availability

Price From $14,990
Price per day$750
Last Updated: 2/16/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Susan

Jun 2023

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Cougess

Jan 2023

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Skip this cruise - not worth it

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Sep 2022

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Tauck/Aon terrible travel insurance

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Tour Operator

Tauck

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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What they’re known for
Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

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Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-APE2019

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