Antipodean Discovery
Day 1 London – In Flight
We begin with Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® to London Heathrow Airport and your direct scheduled British Airways flight to Singapore.
Day 2 Singapore
We arrive into Singapore in the early evening and transfer straight to the Concorde Hotel, which enjoys an ideal location on Orchard Road.
Day 3 Singapore
This morning we take a city tour of this exciting island city, where the differing cultures and traditions blend harmoniously together. Our tour includes a stop at the stunning Botanical Gardens and National Orchid Gardens, where over 600 species and hybrids of Orchid are on display at any given time. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to make your own discoveries.
Day 4 Singapore – In Flight
This morning you are free. Late afternoon we transfer to the airport for our overnight Qantas flight to the capital of the Queensland Gold Coast, Brisbane.
Day 5 In Flight – Brisbane
We have an early morning arrival into Brisbane, after which we transfer to the Royal on the Park Hotel (2012 & 2013 departures) or Mercure Hotel (2014 departures), where rooms will be available for immediate occupation. Our hotel is located within walking distance from the heart of the city. The remainder of the day is free for you to make your fi rst explorations of Australia’s third largest city.
Day 6 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – Brisbane
This morning we pay a visit to the superb Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where well over 100 of these iconic Australian marsupials live in protection. We have plenty of time to view these cuddly and timid animals, together with other unique Australian animals. Later we travel to Mount Coot-tha for panoramic views of Brisbane’s skyline before returning to the city where the remainder of the day is free.
Day 7 Brisbane – Auckland
This morning we leave Australia for our Qantas flight across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand’s North Island and the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland, we spend the next two nights at the Crowne Plaza.
Day 8 Auckland
Our city tour this morning introduces you to the heart of the ‘Queen City’ and its founder, Captain Hobson, before making our way to the suburbs and Parnell Village with its quaint boutiques, restaurants and Victorian styled shops. The rest of the day is free to meander around the city with its stunning waterfront location.
Day 9 Auckland – Rotorua
Today we travel south and stay in one of the ‘jewels’ of New Zealand and the heart of the Maori culture, with its crystal clear lake, thermal wonders and lush forests. After checking into the Holiday Inn, situated close to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, you are free to make your own way into this unique area with the awesome spouting geyser of Pohutu as it thunders up to a height of 100 feet, the bubbling mud pools and enchanting village. Late afternoon we drive to Tamaki Maori Village to have an all embracing cultural experience complete with a traditional ‘hangi’ accompanied by song and dance.
Day 10 Rotorua – Christchurch
Late this morning we transfer to the airport for our short Air New Zealand flight to Christchurch, situated on the banks of the River Avon. On arrival we will transfer to Chateau on the Park Hotel.
Day 11 Akaroa
Today we travel to Akaroa with its French colonial history. Learn about the geology of the Banks Peninsula and keep an eye out for Hector’s Dolphins, penguins and fur seals during our superb cruise on the harbour. Enjoy free time after the cruise to take lunch in the Akaroa township before returning to our hotel later in the day.
Day 12 Christchurch – TranzAlpine – Franz Josef
All aboard as we travel on the award winning TranzAlpine for probably one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. We traverse the South Island through spectacular gorges, plummeting river valleys and across the stunning Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass, we rejoin our coach and travel onwards to Westland National Park and the world-renowned glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox. Our overnight stay is at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier where dinner is included.
Day 13 Franz Josef – Wanaka
Following an included breakfast, begin the day soaking up the magnificent scenery before embarking on our exhilarating river safari down the Haast River to Roaring Billy Falls. Here we re-board our coach as we continue south through Mt Aspiring National Park and the Haast Pass to the Southern Lakes of Otago. An area once rich in gold, with its lush green vegetation, it is home to the Kea, the native parrot. We skirt the shores of Lakes Hawea and Wanaka before arriving at the attractive lakeside town of Wanaka and the beautifully located Edgewater Resort, where dinner is included.
Day 14 Wanaka – Queenstown
This morning we leave Wanaka and travel south to Arrowtown, a delightful historic mining town, before continuing to Queenstown for our three night stay at the Crowne Plaza. During the afternoon we board the vintage TSS Earnslaw, which takes us on a steam powered journey along Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak High Country Farm, where we disembark for a tasty included lunch overlooking the lake. Later we rejoin our vessel and return to Queenstown.
Day 15 Queenstown
Queenstown is dominated by the Remarkables, mountains so named because of the ever-changing colours played across their faces. During New Zealand’s winter months, the town comes alive with the influx of skiers and in summer the resort is popular with walkers and those in search of outdoor activities. Those seeking something a little more adventurous may like to take an optional boat ride deep into the World Heritage site, to Paradise, travelling up the Dart River,stopping to stroll through ancient forests.
Day 16 Queenstown
A further day at leisure to do as little or as much as you like. A full day optional excursion will take you to the famous Milford Sound by road or air, or you could take a gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for stunning views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
Day 17 Queenstown – Sydney
This morning we drive to Queenstown airport for our Qantas flight to Sydney, which may operate via Christchurch. On arrival we transfer to the Parkroyal Hotel, ideally located close to Darling Harbour, where we spend the next three nights.
Day 18 Sydney
Sydney is best viewed from the water and this morning we take a cruise around the magnificent harbour to get another perspective of this exciting city. The focal point of life in Sydney is the bustling harbour and this afternoon you are free to take a leisurely stroll around Circular Quay to the Rocks with its quaint shops and cobble-stoned streets.
Day 19 Sydney
Today you are left to enjoy this cosmopolitan city with its many fine restaurants, cafés and bars. Stroll down Macquarie Street and visit the majestic sandstone buildings of St Mary’s Cathedral, Hyde Park Barracks and the State Parliament before venturing to the harbour’s foreshore where the beautiful Royal Botanical gardens lie winding their way along the bay side.
Day 20 Sydney – Inflight
Our Antipodean Discovery at an end, we transfer to the airport for our direct scheduled Qantas flight to Singapore or Bangkok and flight to London.
Day 21 London
Arrival at London Heathrow, where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan’s transport for your journey home to your own front door.
IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION
Please note: Departures November 2012 – February 2013 follow a different 21 day itinerary with 1 night in Christchurch and 2 in Wanaka. The Akaroa cruise is replaced with a winery visit on day 14 and the TSS Earnslaw lunch cruise has been upgraded to a dinner cruise. Please call for the full itinerary.
Meal Option
Meal Option – 16 breakfasts from £245 pp
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Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.
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