Travel with AG Trips founder Jim West as he takes an adventure down under in Australia. This 11-day adventure takes place from February 19 - March 1, 2009, with an optional 9-Day New Zealand tour from March 1 - 9, 2009.
For those who might be interested, we are offering a hotel package in LOS ANGELES the day before we fly to AUSTRALIA. Please let us know if you would be interested in participating in this package.
Tonight we begin our Australia Adventure with a flight from LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT to SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. This is a non-stop flight. Dinner, breakfast and snacks will be served on-board the airplane during our flight. Be sure you bring some reading material to occupy your time during the flight, and wear comfortable clothing. You may consider bringing a neck and/or back pillow so you are comfortable during the flight. D, B
Friday, February 20th
Because we are crossing the INTERNATIONAL DATELINE, we lose a day in transit! But not to worry, we'll get this day back on our return home.
This morning we arrive at the SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Upon our arrival, we will collect our luggage, pass through customs, and meet our bus driver and tour guide. They will provide for us a PANORAMIC TOUR of SYDNEY. We will drive through Kings Cross, Double Bay, Paddington's fashionable Oxford Street, look out at the view from the Sydney Harbor Bridge and travel through Sydney's shopping district. We will eventually arrive at our first-class hotel, the Sheraton Four Points, located in the Darling Harbor area of the city, where we will check in and relax. Tonight, we will enjoy a special "welcome dinner" at our hotel and have an opportunity to meet each other as Jim tells us more about our exciting adventure. D
This morning, following breakfast, we will participate in a special garden tour, visiting the ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS of Sydney. The afternoon is free for you to shop and relax on your own. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at the hotel, and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B, D
This morning, following a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to the spectacular BLUE MOUNTAINS. The Blue Mountains are an inspiring mix of rain forest, canyons and tall forests. With magnificent landscapes such as Three Sisters, the Grand Arch, Hanging Rock and Twin Falls, we will be on photography overload! There will be time for souvenir shopping before enjoying a special lunch. In the middle of the afternoon we will return back to our hotel where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B, L
Today, following breakfast, we will travel to the HUNTER VALLEY REGION, known for its lush green surroundings and first-class wineries. We will visit a family owned winery for wine tasting and a special lunch. We will return back to Sydney in the middle of the afternoon where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. B, L
This morning, following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and board a flight from Sydney to MELBOURNE. Upon our arrival, we will collect our luggage and meet our motorcoach driver and guide, who will take us on a PANORAMIC TOUR of the city of Melbourne. Later in the day, we will arrive at our first-class hotel, the Hilton on the Park, where we will check in and relax. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. B
This morning we will have the entire day to enjoy on our own. With all the wonderful shopping opportunities, art galleries and great museums, you'll find many things to do and see the entire day. Tonight we will all enjoy dinner together at our hotel. B, D
This morning is completely free to sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast and relax. In the later part of the morning we will board our motor coach and travel south to the PHILLIPS ISLAND NATURE PARK. This award winning nature park provides some of the most extraordinary opportunities for ecotourism. There will be an opportunity to see the world famous Penguin Parade, go to the Koala Conservation Center, take a step back in history at Churchill Island and enjoy the entire afternoon and early evening surrounded by nature. Tonight, we will dine at a very special restaurant on the island before returning back to our hotel. B, D
Today you have the opportunity to enjoy the city on your own. If you are interested, the largest "quilt expo" is happening in Melbourne, and we will bring any crafters and quilters in our group to this event. Dinner will be served at the hotel. B, D
This morning, following a very early breakfast, some of our group will fly back to the United States and others will continue their journey to the incredible country of NEW ZEALAND. For those who are flying back home, you will cross the INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE once again, only this time, you gain a day and not lose one. You will arrive in LOS ANGELES later today.
For those who are continuing on with our tour, we will fly from Melbourne to the city of CHRISTCHURCH, located in the South Island of New Zealand. Upon our arrival, we will collect our luggage and meet our motor coach driver and tour guide who will provide a PANORAMIC TOUR of the central city. This tour will highlight all of the important sightseeing attractions in the city. It will give us an opportunity to learn why it is considered one of the most fabulous cities in the entire country. Along with so many other locations, we will experience Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, Thomas Edmunds former band rotunda and the Avon River. These are just a few of the incredible sites we will visit. Upon leaving the inner city, the tour includes several parks and gardens including Mona Vale Gardens and Hagley Park. We will also have the chance to see the University of Canterbury and other historic sites. When we finish the tour, we will be transported to our first-class hotel, where we will check in and relax. Tonight, we will enjoy a relaxing dinner and some great conversation. B, D
Today is a complete day of leisure. We are offering an "optional" tour to the incredible MILFORD SOUND. Not only was Milford Sound voted the number one tourist attraction in New Zealand, but Rudyard Kipling himself called it the 8th Wonder of the World. Located in New Zealand's southwest corner of the island, Milford Sound is without a doubt, one of the most spectacular places on this planet. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your day! B
This morning, following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and board the Tranz Coastal Train to the northern town of PICTON for a kaleidoscope of scenery, through Christchurch, across Canterbury farmland to the Hundalee Ranges. This train ride will follow the east coast along the shoreline, with the Kaikoura mountains forming a rugged backdrop to the west, passing tiny holiday settlements and Kaikoura, famous for whale-watching. Upon our arrival into Picton, we will board the Interislander ferry that will take us across to the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, Cook Strait and into the Wellington Harbor for a three hour tour. (No this is not Gilligan's Island!). We will meet our motor coach driver in WELLINGTON who will take us to our hotel. Tonight, dinner will be served at the hotel and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B, D
Following breakfast this morning, we will meet our tour guide and tour the city of Wellington. We will drive to the summit of Mount Victoria for views overlooking the city and harbor, see the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive "Beehive", drive past the Wellington Cathedral, Oriental Bay and through the City Center. The afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy on your own. You may opt to take a ride on a famous cable car or learn more about New Zealand's history at the Te Papa Museum. Whatever you decide to do, have a great afternoon and evening. B
Today, following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and travel north, to the town of ROTORUA. This drive takes us through rolling farmlands and through the central plateau, giving us views of the volcanic cone of Mt. Ruapehu. Along the way ,we will pass through the towns of HASTINGS and NAPIER and stop at Lake Taupo (the largest lake in New Zealand) to see Huka Falls. The Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm then to the Wairakei Geothermal Valley where natural steam is harnessed to generate electricity. There will be time for lunch and restroom breaks along the way. Upon our arrival into Rotorua, we will check into our hotel and relax. Dinner will be served at the hotel. B, D
This morning, after a delicious breakfast, we will be introduced to the Maori culture with a visit to Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Center and the Thermal Reserve, with its boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. There is a spectacular Skyline Gondola offering superb views over city, lake and mountains.We will have the opportunity to visit the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand's various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. Later in the day we will visit the Tamaki Village and experience a Maori concert and Hangi dinner in the evening. It's a full day of culture and fun. B, D
This morning we will check out of our hotel and drive to the city of AUCKLAND. Along the way, we will drive through the Waikato Region and stop in WAITOMO, where we will be escorted to underground limestone caverns and the Glowworm Grotto. This will be a very unique experience, as we explore the caverns and see millions of glowworms illuminating the caves. We will continue traveling north until we arrive into Auckland. We will be taken to our first-class hotel where we will check-in and get settled. B
This morning, following breakfast, we will meet our local guide and motor coach driver who will provide for us a PANORAMIC TOUR of AUCKLAND. We will have a chance to see first hand why Auckland is known as the City of Sails. In addition to Mount Eden, our tour also takes in the trendy shopping area of Parnell Village. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy for last minute souvenir shopping and sightseeing on your own. Tonight, our special "farewell dinner" will take us out of this world as we dine high above the city in the Orbit Sky Tower. This revolving restaurant provides 360? stunning views of the city. It will be a last supper to remember. Don't forget your cameras! B, D
Very early this morning, we will travel to the AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for our flight back to LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. During the flight we will cross the INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE and gain a day, so we arrive the same day we leave. We arrive back into San Francisco in the early evening. Lunch and dinner will be served on-board the airplane. B, L, D
