1. 2011 Australia & New Zealand Tour 18 Days Melbourne to Auckland YMT Vacations “ America’s Best Choice for Affordable Travel Since 1967” Prepared May 2010

2. Tourists staying no longer than 3 months can get an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), on-line at the http://www.eta.immi.gov.au website . They will need to have their valid passport number and travel dates to apply. (They do not need their airline ticket to apply.) There is no charge for the Visa, but there is a 20 Australian Dollar processing fee which will be charged when they apply. BEFORE THEY DEPART….. All visitors to Australia MUST get an Australian VISA.

5. Rotorua Traveling to the other side of the globe – everything runs in reverse

6. Tour at a Glance Day 4 & 5 Melbourne – City Sights & Phillip Island Day 18 Rotorua to Auckland and fly back to the USA Day 17 Rotorua Day 16 Auckland to Rotorua Day 15 Auckland sightseeing Day 14 Fly Cairns to Auckland, New Zealand Days 12&13 Cairns – Barrier Reef & Kuranda Day 11 Fly Sydney to Cairns Days 9&10 Sydney – City Sights & Blue Mts Day 8 Canberra to Sydney Day 7 Albury to Canberra , ATC Day 6 Melbourne to Albury Day 3 Arrive Melbourne , Australia Days 1-2 Depart USA & day lost crossing Int’l Dateline Passport & Visa Required!

7. Day 1 – Depart USA Day 2 – Cross the International Dateline The world is divided into 24 time zones. The International Date Line marks the dividing time zone where one day ends and the next one begins. When you travel west ( USA to Australia ) across the International Date Line, you will go forward one day, or “lose” a day. When you travel east you will go back one day, and “gain a day. Flight time LA to Melbourne about 15 hours It’s always tomorrow in Australia!

8. Day 3 – Arrive Melbourne, Australia 1 - Clear immigration (have passport ready) 2 - Collect checked luggage (the baggage trolleys are free) 3 -Proceed through Customs After exiting the Customs Hall, guests are met by a YMT representative and transferred to their Melbourne Hotel* *Transfer ONLY provided if air flights bought through YMT

9. On Tour in Australia Travel on Deluxe motor coaches with a friendly and experienced Drivers and Escort Guides Afternoon Meeting with Tour Escort for tour briefing and to learn about Optional Tour opportunities.

10. AUSTRALIA The Land DownUnder A vast land of haunting beauty, natural wonders and unique wildlife Almost size of the US mainland, Australia is sparsely populated - only 18 million people , most residing in the larger cities Young country – first European settlers in 1788 Casual atmosphere, friendly people who love sports & Americans Visit 3 of 7 states : Victoria, New South Wales & Queensland The climate is like California Seasons are reversed to USA

11. MELBOURNE The capital city of the state of Victoria, Melbourne is best known for it’s many parks, gardens, museums, variety of restaurants and iconic streetcars. The city sits atop Port Phillip Bay, bordered by the Yarra River.

12. Travelodge Southbank Hotel Melbourne - Stay 3 nights A 275-room hotel features rooms with A/C, cable TV, internet access, in-room safe, hairdryer & kitchenette with a microwave & refrigerator A 4-star hotel next to a shopping center & short walk to Flinders St / city center The hotel has a breakfast lounge. Internet café & laundry facilities

14. Afternoon – at leisure in Melbourne Take a free City Circle Tram ride around the city Visit the Australia Centre for Contemporary Art Explore Queen Victoria Market Stroll famous Royal Botanical Gardens 85 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens along Yarra River Queen Victoria Market Royal Botanical Gardens

15. Day 5 –Melbourne Morning – at leisure to explore city Afternoon /Evening – Tour to Phillip Island Visit Koala Conservation Center – See Koalas , wallabies & kangaroos in their natural habitat Dinner at a local waterfront restaurant At dusk watch little Fairy Penguins swim to shore then waddle to nest in sand marshland

16. Day 6 – Melbourne to Albury Drive through the Victoria countryside. At border of Victoria and New South Wales, cross Murray River into Albury An 1800’s frontier town set along the riverbank

17. Chifley Albury Hotel Albury – Stay 1 nt Situated on the majestic Murray River, this newly refurbished hotel has an outdoor pool, full-service restaurant, bar with a fireplace and laundry facilities. Each air-conditioned guestroom features cable TV, Internet access, coffee/tea maker, minibar, and a hair dryer.

18. Day 7 – Albury to Canberra Full Day - Scenic drive along the Alpine Way, through plains with a view Mt. Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak. Late afternoon - Arrive Canberra Capital of Australia. Largest inland city. In ATC – Australian Capital Territory Built in 1918, a planned city designed by an American architect, constructed around man-made named after him - Lake Burley Griffin .

19. Novotel Canberra Canberra - Stay 1 night Located in the city center, a contemporary hotel with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, gym, and a restaurant and bar. The 286 spacious A/C rooms have cable TV, internet access, minibar, in-room safe and a hairdryer.

20. Day 8 – Canberra to Sydney Morning – City Tour views: National Library National Gallery Parliament House & Embassies Drive along Ceremonial Drive & ANZAC Parade – lined with monuments built to honor the men and women of Australia and New Zealand (ANZAC) who lost their lives in wars. View of ANZAC Parade to Mount Ainslie Parliament House Late Morning - Depart for drive northeast to Sydney . ANZAC = Australia & New Zealand Army Corp

21. SYDNEY One of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Australia’s largest city (4½ million) & most cosmopolitan Established in 1788 as a British penal colony . Full of history, natural beauty and sights & activities for every taste.

22. Sydney Travelodge Sydney - Stay 3 nights Close to Oxford Street, Darling Harbour, & Pitt Street shopping mall. Hotel has a laundry, internet access and a restaurant & bar The 406 air-conditioned rooms have cable TV, a kitchenette and a hairdryer.

24. Afternoon Short break to explore historic ‘Rocks’ area on own – Shops and colonial history displays 1-Hour Guided tour of inside Sydney Opera House Learn how the design was chosen and built. Hear the amazing acoustics The Rocks

25. Day 10 – The Blue Mountains View The Three Sisters Buffet Lunch Cable car ride into the valley for great views & explore the rainforest & old coal mines The Three Sisters Full Day Tour to Blue Mountains Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park Meet uniquely Australian animals - koalas, wombats, kookaburras & kangaroos in their natural habitat

26. Day 11 – Sydney to Cairns Morning Fly north to Cairns in Far North Queensland CAIRNS Tropical city & gateway to the Barrier Reef Small city with resort feel

27. Harbourside Cairns Hotel Cairns – Stay 3 nights Rooms are large with A/C, mini bar, cable TV, wi-fi internet access, in-room safe, coffee/tea maker, and a hairdryer. 4-Star hotel with great location on the Esplanade Hotel facilities include swimming & spa, gardens, laundry facilities, restaurants & bar

28. Day 12 – The Great Barrier Reef Full Day excursion to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World & the largest living structure on the planet Take high-speed catamaran for a 90-minute ride (40 miles) to a stable mooring at heart of the reef. There’s plenty of seating, tables, shade & sundeck, changing rooms, showers & a bar. Activities Lectures Snacks & a Buffet Lunch

29. On Board – sunbath, listen to Marine Biologists talks , walk through the Underwater Observatory Swim & Snorkel - the water is warm & snorkeling gear provided Ride on Subsea Explorer & Glass-Bottom Boat

30. Day 13 – Tjapukai & Kuranda Full Day Touring Drive to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park Village dedicated to the aboriginal culture. See historical theatre performances, famous Tjapukai Dance Troupe, craft demonstrations Learn how to throw a boomerang & play a didgeridoo

31. Take Skyrail cable car – gentle ride above the rainforest canopy. Stop at lookout stations for aerial view & visit Rainforest Interpretation Centre

32. Arrive in Kuranda village in the center of the rainforest - free time to explore shops and colorful craft markets. Take Kuranda Scenic Railway Winding train journey through World Heritage protected rainforest, see waterfalls and Barron Gorge .

33. Day 14 – Fly to NEW ZEALAND Depart Australia for flight across the Tasman Sea to the island nation of New Zealand. This is an International flight – about 3+ hours. Brisbane o Auckland o

34. NEW ZEALAND “ Aotearoa” - Land of the long white cloud Breathtaking scenery - diverse & dramatic landscapes Only 4 million people in a country about the size of California. Two main islands – North & South Tour visits the North Island – Subtropical forests, dormant volcanoes, thermal geysers, sparkling waterways Historical landmarks & Maori cultural center The climate on the North Island is temperate – similar to southern Australia.

35. AUCKLAND The “ City of Sails ” Nautical city built along beautiful Waitemata Harbour Most sailboats per capita in the world Cosmopolitan city built on hills and extinct volcanoes Subtropical climate hosting lush rainforest surroundings It is the largest city in New Zealand with almost 1½ million people – 40% of country’s total population

36. Mercure Auckland Windsor Auckland - Stay 2 nights Good location on famed Queen Street Boutique-style hotel with a gym, sauna, guest laundry and a restaurant and bar. Rooms have A/C, wireless internet, cable TV, minibar, iron and ironing board, tea/coffee maker & a hairdryer

37. Day 15 – Auckland Morning starts with 1½ hour harbor cruise See historic Devonport The Harbour Bridge New Zealand Navel Base. Stop on volcanic Rangitoto Island Learn about area’s flora & fauna

38. Afternoon - Sightseeing by motorcoach. Drive through quaint Parnell Village with its Edwardian style architecture. Follow Tarnaki Drive along the waterfront. Parnell Rose Garden Visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum , housing the world’s finest collection of Maori artifacts. Auckland War Memorial Museum

39. The Maori New Zealand’s native people Sailed from Polynesia about 950 AD Culture rich in art of sculpture, carving, and weaving — create objects that harbor an inner divine force & used with storytelling, song and dance to pass down their history & traditions Maori traditions, language and symbolic motifs are treasured, and pervade all facets of modern-day New Zealand culture. “ Hongi: The traditional Maori Greeting

40. Day 16 – Auckland to Rotorua Stop in Waitomo for a guided tour through the incredible Waitomo Glow Worm Caves . Morning descending into fertile Waikato Plains. 820 feet of an underground limestone passages & caves Boat cruise inside the Glowworm Grotto - meander along the underground Waitomo River and gaze at the myriad of ‘glowworm lights’ that light-up the cave walls & ceiling

41. Afternoon Lunch ( included ) Drive south through small timber-mining town of Putaruru to thermal wonderland of ROTORUA Located in the center the North Island, region alive with geysers, bubbling mud pools & steaming sulphurous lakes with some of the best trout fishing in the world. Rotorua is the center of the Maori culture

42. Sudima Hotel Rotorua On scenic shores of Lake Rotorua & walking distance to city center Hotel facilities include a swimming pool, 3 private spa pools, garden, laundry, gift shop, restaurant and bar. Rotorua - Stay 2 nights The 248 guestrooms feature cable TV, wireless Internet access, refrigerators, coffee/tea makers and hairdryers.

43. Day 17 – Rotorua Morning – Sightseeing tour Explore Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve Landscape of erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools & mineral springs Learn about Maori Culture through their traditional carving, weaving and dancing See the elusive national emblem - the Kiwi Bird . Visit Rainbow Springs Displays of native flora & fauna and development of the Rainbow Trout.

44. Drive through town along the lake’s waterfront See Government Gardens Afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore – Take a mud bath or spa, and explore some of the wonderful handicraft shops.

45. Last evening enjoy special Maori celebration dinner See a Maori concert of native games and dances, including the famous and fierce “Haka” or war dance. The included dinner is a “Hangi” – a buffet of native delights cooked in an earthen fire.

46. Day 18 – Rotorua to Auckland and fly to USA Morning drive north through the native bush and farmlands Stop at Longlands Farm at foot of Kaimai Ranges. Tour working dairy farm, with lavish lavender & rose garden Enjoy a BBQ lunch with tasty local produce Afternoon continue drive north through the Bombay Hills to Auckland

47. Depart Auckland and New Zealand Arrive Auckland International Airport for evening flights back to USA

48. Fly back across The International Dateline to arrive back in the USA on the same day.

49. Thank you YMT or another great holiday!