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The Essential South Pacific Tour

Island relaxation

13 NIGHTS

PLEASE NOTE: We can help you add, adjust and tailor the itinerary to suit your requirements.  Each clients itinerary is different. We work to your budget and take advantage of current specials in the marketplace for your time of travel.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 3 nights Denarau Island

  • 2 nights Auckland

  • 2 nights Queenstown

  • 3 nights Sydney

  • 3 nights Cairns

  • Tivua Island day cruise with lunch and snorkeling

  • Romantic sunset dinner cruise with traditional Fijian cultural entertainment

  • Auckland City tour

  • West Coast tour (from Auckland)

  • Shotover jet experience

  • 4WD off road tour in Queenstown

  • Central Otago wine tour

  • Milford Sound scenic flight

  • Milford Sound nature cruise

  • The Essential Sydney Tour

  • Sydney Opera House Tour

  • Blue Mountain Tour

  • Featherdale Wildlife Park, pat a koala and feed kangaroos

  • River cruise

  • Cairns dinner cruise

  • Great Barrier Reef experience with snorkeling

  • Kuranda tour with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Rainforestation

  • All transfers

  • Breakfast Daily

ITINERARY OVERVIEW:

Destinations:     Denarau Island (Fiji), Auckland, Queenstown (New Zealand), Sydney, Cairns (Australia)

Experiences:     Culture, Scenery, Food and Wine, Wildlife, Relaxation, Adventure

No. of days:      14 days / 13 nights

Visit three South Pacific locations over fourteen days with this comprehensive itinerary.  Start your adventure in beautiful Fiji where you can enjoy relaxing by the pool, sail through crystal clear waters, snorkel, swim and experience Fijian culture.  Next, you’re off to Auckland, New Zealand to explore the harbor city and West Coast areas.  Auckland has a great mix of natural wonders and urban highlights.  You can’t visit New Zealand without adventures in Queenstown.  Go jet boating on the Shotover River, 4WD off-road and sample Central Otago wines before flying into stunning Fiordland National Park for a nature cruise on Milford Sound.  Leaving New Zealand, you head to Sydney.  Tour the city, discover the highlights and visit the iconic Sydney Opera House.   Journey to the famous Blue Mountains just out of Sydney and get up close with Australian native animals at the wildlife park.  You move from Sydney to the Tropical North for a complete change of scenery.  From Cairns you get to experience the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest of Kuranda before returning home.

DAY BY DAY:

Day 1:   Arriving in Nadi Airport, Fiji.  You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation at The Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa.  Lounge under the warm tropical sun on this 5 star hotel’s private oceanfront property with 30 acres of exclusive space.  Enjoy the quintessential South Pacific vacation experience with a premium 18-hole championship golf course, a seemingly unending selection of onsite dining options and a convenient location close to Nadi. Relax by one of the resort's tropical swimming pools with a tasty drink or renew your mind, body and spirit with a range of pampering experiences in the spa.  (3 nights Denarau Island)

 

Day 2:   Explore Tivua Island today on a full day outing. Tivua Island: where warm waters, acres of coral gardens and soft white beaches await. This day cruise afloat a magnificent tall ship, Ra Marama, combines sailing through crystal-clear seas to a Fijian island with buffet lunch spreads and plenty of activities too. Head for Denarau Marina, board the historic beauty Ra Marama and set sail for Tivua Island. Enjoy your morning tea as the anchor is pulled up and the captain steers you toward the open sea. Upon arrival on the island, receive a warm greeting and sip kava among the locals – all part of an ancient welcome ceremony.  From here, spend the day exactly how you please. Catch a ride over 500 acres of coral gardens and peer down through your glass-bottomed boat at centuries of colorful reefs. Should a particular patch of anemones require a closer inspection, simply dive off the edge and snorkel in for a personal introduction.

For lunch, feast on a buffet spread of fresh fruit, local specialties and refreshing drinks. Post-refuel, tackle some traditional Fijian crafts, canoe, play volleyball or simply sprawl out on a hammock. Wind down with a cup of afternoon tea, before your evening sail back to the marina.

 

Day 3:   You have the day at leisure today.  This evening as the sky streaks pink, head for the open seas on an enchanting and romantic dinner cruise along Fiji’s peaceful waters. Dine on a succulent barbecued meal, take in a live Fijian cultural performance and soak up the spectacular sight of the sun setting over the Pacific.  Board your vessel at Denarau Marina, sip on a refreshing welcome drink and ponder the marvelous views from the open deck. Long, white beaches meet easy ocean waves, crafting the perfect island scene. Enjoy a delicious dinner followed by dessert and your evening show.  Watch as traditional Fijian dancers and music soothe you, and marvel at the glow of the setting sun in the distance.

 

Day 4:   Transfer from your accommodation to Nadi Airport for your flight to Auckland, New Zealand.  Arrive at Auckland Airport and transfer to your Auckland accommodation. (2 nights Auckland)

 

Day 5:  You’re off to explore Auckland City and the West Coast today on this small group tour.  You will be picked up from your accommodation and set off to see the best of Auckland City.  Be amazed by spectacular views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea plus dramatic views of several volcanoes, city and regional parks. Explore untamed coastline, black as well as golden sand beaches, subtropical rainforest with the famous Kauri trees, plus unique indigenous flora and fauna.

 

Day 6:  Transfer from your accommodation for your early flight to Queenstown.  Making the most of your Queenstown visit today you have a morning tour that combines essential Queenstown activities.   The trip features the world famous Shotover Jet experience where you take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons and hold on tight for Queenstown's only exhilarating full 360 degree spins. Next, climb on board for a custom Nomad Safaris 4WD off road tour and experience a personalized adventure tour in the New Zealand backcountry in specialized 4x4 vehicles. Explore the abandoned gold mining area of the Arrow River and film locations used in Lord of the Rings'. Travel the rugged road and experience true off-roading as you explore the pioneer trails guided by the professional adventurers. Try your hand at gold panning.  Then relax on an afternoon tour of Central Otago’s scenic wine country. Enjoy tastings at three cellar doors within the Gibbston region, take a guided tour through New Zealand's largest wine cave, sample local cheeses and relax with a glass of premium wine. (2 nights Queenstown)

 

Day 7:  You’ll be collected from your Queenstown accommodation today for your transfer to Milford Sound Flights. Today is a half day tour to Milford Sound starting with scenic flight where you can enjoy panoramic views of spectacular alpine scenery including glaciers, rivers, lakes and rainforest. In Milford Sound you join a nature cruise, the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. View spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and towering peaks.  Look for wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. Afterwards be transferred back to Milford Airport for a scenic return flight to Queenstown.

 

Day 8:  Transfer from your accommodation to Queenstown Airport for your flight to Sydney.  Upon arrival in Sydney, transfer to your accommodation.  (3 nights Sydney)

 

Day 9:  You’re off to discover Sydney on your small group tour.  In this comprehensive 5-hour tour you will learn all about Sydney, see iconic landmarks, gardens, harbor areas, famous beaches, visit affluent suburbs, and lunch at Australia’s premiere yacht club. This Sydney tour covers all the essentials in one tour.  Follow up your city tour with a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House.  Learn about the history and unique architectural design. Visit areas off-limits to the public and capture photographs from rare vantage points.

 

Day 10:  You’re off to see the Blue Mountains today as they should be seen - from secluded lookouts and short bushwalks. Take in the beauty and fresh mountain air exploring the sites.  Visit the Waradah Aboriginal Culture Centre for an insight into this fascinating ancient culture with a dynamic dance and didgeridoo performance. Enjoy a 2-course restaurant lunch in the mountain village of Katoomba which is also a great place to wander to enjoy the shops and galleries. In the afternoon, head to Featherdale Wildlife Park for a hands on Australian native wildlife encounter and the chance to pat a koala and feed kangaroos. Return to the city in style by River Cruise, a relaxing way to see this beautiful Harbour city.

 

Day 11:   Transfer from your accommodation to the airport for your flight to Cairns.  After arriving in Cairns you will be transferred to your accommodation.  This evening you get to board a sailing catamaran to enjoy an evening of calm water cruising on Trinity Inlet, taking in the sights and sounds of this tropical port city and its surrounding mangroves, as they transition from day to night. Your journey takes you deep into the heart of Trinity Inlet and across the waterfront precinct of Cairns, from the Cruise Liner Terminal to the Esplanade. The water is calm, the weather mild and the night is yours to enjoy, with entertainment and a delicious Buffet dinner featuring some of the region’s best produce, including seafood. (3 nights Cairns)

 

Day 12:  You’re off to experience the Great Barrier Reef today.  Travel by catamaran to a spacious reef activity platform moored in protective lagoons at the renowned Agincourt Reef, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. There are facilities to enable both swimmers and non-swimmers to experience this stunning reef world. Explore the reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible, the underwater observatory or by snorkeling. A range of optional activities are available including up to two dives for certified divers, and novices can experience the magic of scuba with a qualified dive instructor or an Oceanwalker helmet dive. Also available are guided snorkeling tours with a marine biologist and scenic helicopter flights over the reef (all optional activities at own expense). Enjoy lunch on board.

 

Day 13:  The tropical north is famous for its rainforest and you get to explore that today.  You will be transferred to Freshwater Station for your historical rail journey to Kuranda, enjoying breathtaking views across the cane fields of Cairns, to the tropical rainforest of Kuranda.  Explore the village, the markets are full of colorful and interesting arts and crafts.  Then visit Rainforestation, set in 40 hectares of lush gardens and tropical rainforest, where several unique attractions await you. Board the unusual amphibious Army Duck for a different look at the rainforest. Also included in your tour is the Koala & Wildlife Park. Back at Kuranda board the Skyrail Cableway for a 7.5km journey over and through World Heritage protected Rainforest. Explore rainforest boardwalks and lookouts and the Rainforest Interpretation Centre.

 

Day 14:   Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

TOP ACTIVITIES:  Denarau Island   |   Auckland   |    Queenstown   |   Sydney   |    Cairns

Customized Itinerary

  • All aspects of this itinerary can be changed to suit your requirements.

  • The itineraries provided are great introductions to your chosen destination.  You can create a travel plan using the itinerary provided or make modifications to destinations, activities and accommodation and create the dream trip you want.

  • Not every traveler is the same, we get that and so that’s why we recommend making changes to suit your needs. In fact, we insist - we want you to have the best trip.

  • If you would like any recommendations for dinner or shopping areas please let us know we are happy to help and make bookings for you where necessary.

Visa requirements:

To travel to Australia you will need a US passport valid for at least 6 months and we can process an ETA Visa for free for US Citizens.  We will need a copy of your Photo Page of your Passport.  Nationalities of any other countries please enquire with your agent to see if you are eligible for a free ETA Visa or if you need to apply for a Visitor Visa.

To travel to New Zealand you will need a US passport valid for at least 6 months and an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. More information on the NZeTA application requirements and process can be found on our FAQ page here.

Travel Insurance:

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment. We will provide a travel insurance quote at the time of booking, and you are free to use our recommended insurance with Travelguard, find your own, or book without insurance.

A product that we can offer is a Cancel For Any Reason policy that will provide you with 80% back in refunds.  If the cancellation is for medical reasons there is a 100% refund..

Additional information:

Downunder Journeys services travel requests from the United States and Canada for travel to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands and Tahiti.  All pricing on this website is in US Dollars.

 

All of the sample itineraries on this website do not include airfares as the airfare price changes daily and to ensure you get the best possible price we will work with the best airfares at the time.  If you happen to buy your airfare first and then need a package to fit it, we can certainly help with that as well, just let us know.

 

As an idea for a 2-week vacation to Australia or New Zealand we recommend a budget of around $8,000-10,000 (including economy airfare), this would be for a 4 star and above itinerary, a little cheaper if we did more moderate accommodations.

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