Australia & New Zealand
$5297
November 5 - 17, 2024 ** (13 days)
**dates subject to change by 2 days depending on availability
Cost: $5297 Includes: all international & domestic flights, nightly 3-star accommodations, shuttle service from West Michigan to the Chicago O'Hare airport, all ground transportation in Australia and New Zealand, full-time travel director, & all listed admissions & tours. Other expenses not included are: most meals, checked baggage, optional excursions, and travel insurance.
Sign-up deadline is July 5, 2024
The Best of
*$995 for single supplement if you require a private single room
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Travel Insurance is available through our affiliate program at World Nomads.
Click HERE for more information.
Signup Deadline: July 5, 2024 - checks made payable to Percussive Tours, LLC – Cash, Venmo (@percussive), & Credit Card also accepted. 3.95% processing fee added to all credit card transactions
ITINERARY
DAY ONE & TWO>
Fly to Australia
This morning, we will meet in West Michigan and our private coach will transfer us to the Chicago O’Hare airport for our flight across the Pacific to Australia!
Our flight will include all meals, beverages, and entertainment.
DAY THREE>
Sydney, Australia
This morning, we will arrive to Australia’s largest city of Sydney! After we clear customs and collect our baggage, our private coach will escort us to our centrally-located hotel in Sydney. After we check-into our hotel, there will be time to relax and freshen up before our walking tour.
Next, we will meet our local tour guide for a 2.5-hour “walkabout” tour of Sydney. A walking tour is a great way to learn about the history and culture of Australia. We will see sites such as:
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The Sydney Opera House
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Sydney Harbour Bridge
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Cadman’s Cottage
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Garrison Church
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And so much more!
Afterwards, our guide can give us excellent recommendations of nearby shopping, attractions, and restaurants in the area.
Sydney Opera House
Circular Quay
Sydney Bridge
DAY FOUR>
Sydney, Australia
Enjoy free time to explore the city on your own or join us on one of our optional excursions!
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
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Sydney Opera House Tour
There is no building as iconic as the towering sails of the Sydney Opera House! Explore the theatre and learn about the state-of-the-art architecture, unbelievable stories, and compelling anecdotes of this concert hall.
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Harbour Bridge Climb Experience
Follow your experienced guide up the walkway on the outer arches of the bridge, soaking in panoramic views of the city around you. Enjoy great photo ops from the summit, which sits at 440 feet (134 meters). Learn about the iconic bridge’s history and savor the accomplishment of completing your 3.5-hour BridgeClimb. Choose either the daytime or nighttime option for the once-in-a-lifetime climb.
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Gourmet Food Tour
Taste the best of Australian cuisine on the guided food tour! Take to the streets for a walking tour of Sydney's cafes, markets, delicatessens, and street food haunts. We will uncover the secrets of the city's culinary heritage. Along the way, stop to sample local treats like; Pavlova, Barramundi, vegemite on toast, and more!
Interior of the Sydney Opera House
Bridge Climb Experience
Bridge Climb Experience
Sydney Opera House Tour
DAY FIVE>
Sydney, Australia
Today is a free day to relax and enjoy the amazing things that Sydney has to offer or join us for one of these awesome excursions!
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
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Bondi Beach Surf Lesson
Ready to hang ten? Learn to surf on the famous Bondi Beach. Our coach will teach us how to ride the waves like a pro in this 2-hour surfing lesson!
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Full-Day Blue Mountains and Wildlife Park Tour
Experience the majesty of the Blue Mountains on this full-day tour! We will start our day at the Featherdale Wild Life Park. In this sanctuary, you will see kangaroos, koalas, and beautiful native birds. Next, hike across Echo Point Katoomba. Afterwards, enjoy panoramic views of the Blue Mountains by cable car! Soar over Katoomba Falls, Orphan Rock, and more via cable car.
Scenic Overlook in Blue Mountains National Park
Surf Lessons on Bondi Beach
Sylvia Falls in Blue Mountains National Park
Sky Gondola at Blue Mountains
DAY SIX>
Cairns, Australia
Today, our private coach will meet us outside of our hotel to transfer us back to the airport, where we will board our plane for the coastal city of Cairns! Cairns is home to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest and it is an iconic launching point for exploration in the Great Barrier Reef!
When we arrive, our private coach will transfer us to our centrally located hotel near the Esplanade Lagoon.
After we check-in to our hotel, choose swim in the pool or head over to the nearby Cairns Night Market for food and shopping.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
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Sunset Catamaran Dinner Cruise
Experience stunning views of Cairns city and enjoy the best in gourmet cuisine. We will board a luxurious catamaran and watch the sunset as we sail across calm waters, taking in the sights and sounds of this tropical port city. Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival and an indulgent 3-course buffet dinner.
Sunset Catamaran Dinner Cruise
Cairns, Australia
Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns, Australia
DAY SEVEN>
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
This morning, we will walk over to the pier from our hotel and meet our guide for an exciting day of snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef! We will climb aboard our yacht and set sail for the open sea. Receive full training and gear to explore the reef for about 2 hours. Next, enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the crew on the yacht. Afterwards, you will head to a new location in the reef for more snorkeling. Upon your return, relax with a cup of tea, glass of wine, or snacks as you proceed back to shore.
Snorkeling
Great Barrier Reef
Catamaran
Great Barrier Reef
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Great Barrier Reef
DAY EIGHT>
Cairns, Australia
Today is a free day to take at your own pace or choose one of our fun optional excursions!
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
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Rainforest River Tubing
Amble down the Mulgrave River on a wet and wild adventure! Soak up the scenery as you flow through the rainforest and speed over thrilling rapids on this 4-hour tour.
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Tropical Wildlife Full Day Tour
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal tradition! First, we will visit the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people of the Mossman Gorge and partake in a traditional smoke ceremony. Next, we will cruise along the Daintree River. Bring your binoculars to view the native wildlife and crocs along the way.
Afterwards, we will stop at Cape Tribulation and enjoy a nice lunch. Following lunch, we will have a walkabout in Daintree National Park. Lastly, we will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view from Mount Alexandria!
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Discover Scuba Diving
Dive deeper into the Great Barrier Reef on this fun scuba diving adventure. No need to be certified; your expert dive instructor will teach you everything you need to know before heading out to the reef. View spectacular fish, wildlife, and corals of this iconic reef.
Rainforest River Tubing
Daintree Rainforest
Scuba Diving
Daintree Rainforest
DAY NINE>
Rotorua, New Zealand
Today, we will transfer back to the airport and head to New Zealand! After landing in Auckland, our private coach will transfer us to Rotorua, southeast of Auckland. After we check-in to our resort, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
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Mountain Luge and Sky Gondola
Fly up to the top of the mountain in a gentle sky gondola ride with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Next, careen down the winding path on a wheeled luge sled on this thrilling adventure down the mountain.
Sky Gondola
Air New Zealand Plane
Mountain Luge
DAY TEN>
Rotorua, New Zealand
Today, we will explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley in Rotorua! This treacherous landscape is filled with bubbling mud pools, sulfuric lakes, and geysers. The Pohutu Geyser is estimated to shoot up to 100’ high!
Our group will also visit Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Te Puia and watch a traditional demonstration on carving, weaving, and other traditional arts.
Te Puia Institute
Geyser in Rotorua
Rotorua Sulphur Springs
DAY ELEVEN>
Rotorua, New Zealand
Today is a free day to relax in Rotorua or join us for one of our awesome optional excursions.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION:
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Hobbiton Movie Set Tour & Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Today, visit two iconic attractions of the amazing northern New Zealand landscape. First, we will head to the fantastical world of Lord of the Rings and view the utopian Hobbiton village. Peak into precious little Hobbit Holes and frolic through the Shire on this guided tour of Middle-earth.
In the afternoon, see the magic of bioluminescence in Waitomo Cave. Discover a galaxy of tiny glowworms lighting our way as we travel by boat through delicate cave formations.
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Hobbiton Movie Set
Rotorua
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
DAY TWELVE>
Rotorua, New Zealand
Today is a free day to go at your own pace or join us for these optional excursions! Later this evening, transfer to Auckland
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
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Wine and Dine Full Day Tour
Visit New Zealand's finest wineries in West Auckland. Sip along the Kumeu Wine Trail with your local sommelier as you learn about which grape varieties grow best in New Zealand vineyards and other wine fermentation facts. Between the vineyards enjoy a delicious 3-course lunch.
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Lake Taupō Voyager Full Day Tour
Board a sailboat and voyage on New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Taupō! View the incredible landscape of snowcapped mountains, steaming mud pools, the Huka waterfall, the historic Māori Rock Carvings of Mine Bay and more on this amazing full day adventure.
Gourmet Wine and Dine Tour
Lake Taupō Voyage
Māori Rock Carving in Mine Bay
Auckland, New Zealand
DAY THIRTEEN>
This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of New Zealand’s largest city, including sights such as:
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Ferry Building
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Sky Tower
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Albert Park
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Auckland University
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Auckland Art Gallery
After the tour, head to the airport for our flight home.
*Percussive Tours reserves the right to modify this itinerary if certain activities become unavailable
