AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Best of Australia and New Zealand

Boasting a whole class of species that cannot be found anywhere else, terrain as diverse as the Red Center and the green and blue tropical coast, this truly is a land like no other!

Separated by the raging “Tasman Sea” neighboring New Zealand too is a land of exquisite beauty, complete with glaciers, fjords, volcanic lakes, snow-covered mountain ranges, as well as thermal springs and pools of virtually every color.

15 days
Thursday Nov 28 – Thursday Dec 11, 2024

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ITINERARY

With endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, friendly wildlife, natural wonders, and dramatic deserts, Australia is the smallest continent, yet one of the largest countries on Earth.

'NO WORRIES'

On this luxury kosher trip, we enjoy 15 days of incredible scenery, gourmet kosher food, luxury hotels and fascinating culture. We will experience this breathtaking tour together relishing in adventure, fun and unforgettable memories!

“It turns out that travel heaven just might be down under! With its vast and varied landscapes, unique wildlife, and white-sand beaches, Australia is one of the most interesting continents around” unknown

DATES & PRICES

Itinerary

This morning, we arrive in Sydney, Australia's most famous metropolis. From the iconic opera-house and harbor, to its spectacular beaches and Tower, this city is truly one of the world's greatest.

What better way to start our trip than an afternoon classical music concert in the Opera House itself. A special delight we hope to experience subject to schedule confirmation.
Today, we enjoy the sights and sounds of Sydney that we have still not yet explored, including Hyde Park, the Botanical Gardens, the Rocks, an incredible boat excursion in the harbor, and of course, some free time for shopping.

An unforgettable Shabbat awaits in the famous BondiBeach neighborhood, both the center of the Jewish community and one of the most popular tourist spots of Sydney. On Shabbat afternoon, the walking enthusiasts can enjoy part of the spectacular coastal walk from Bondi to Coojee.
This morning an early flight takes us north to the natural wonders of tropical North Queensland.

From Cairns, we explore the magnificent Daintree Rain-forests, one of the largest in the world.

We will drive up the mountains to the rainforest village of Kuranda, and take the incredible skyrail down, over the river-gorge and rain-forests, back to the coast.

Following this incredible experience, we drive up the coast to the tropical town of Port Douglas, gateway to the great Barrier Reef, where we spend the next 2 nights.
Today experience up close one of the Seven Wonders of the natural world, the largest coral reef on the planet, which stretches 1000 miles from one side to the other!

We depart Port-Douglas by boat, cruising through crystal-clear waters to the fixed pontoons in the heart of the reef, from where we have a chance to snorkel, and for those able, to even go diving.
If you prefer to remain dry, the pontoons have under-water observatories from which the incredible life of the reef can be observed.

A relaxed cruise takes us back to our hotel, for a well-deserved dinner.
Today we fly south to visit another famous Australian city. On our muchawaited arrival in Melbourne, we are met at the airport, and taken for a walking tour of this colorful and dynamic city, where we explore the modern city center, the Yarra River-front with its eclectic bars and coffee-shops, and some of its contrasting quaint side-alleys.

We then check into our hotel and tonight enjoy dinner at a kosher restaurant in Melbourne’s Jewish area of Caulfield.
Taking an early leave of Melbourne with some great views of this famous city, we travel west along the highway towards the “Great Ocean Road”.

This is 243 kilometers of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford, an Australian National Heritage, that is known as one of the most beautiful coastal routes on the planet.
On this drive, we will see some of the most magnificent formations of the western “Great Ocean Road”, including the “postcard perfect” limestone Twelve Apostles, Gibson’s steps, Loch Ard Gorge, grotto, and London Arch.

From the 12 Apostles, we drive the Great Ocean Road East back towards Melbourne.
En route, we’ll see spectacular coastal scenery, look for wild koalas and Australian parrots at Kennett River; and explore the rain forest at Great Otway National Park with its grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies among other animals.
Queenstown is considered by everyone in the know, to be New Zealand’s most beautiful town. Surrounded by mountains and on the shores of the pristine Lake Wakatipu, there are views virtually from every corner.

After our morning flight from Sydney, we explore the downtown area of this quaint town, walking its alleyways and enjoying its quaint stores.

We also take the gondola up to the viewing point and the ski-lift up to the Luge track, where we enjoy the thrill of “Luging” hundreds of metres above the city!
On Fri, we have a free day to select from the many adventurous or more relaxed activities in the greater Queenstown area, from a leisurely cruise on the lake, to rafting and canyoning in the rivers and gorges.

After your activity of choice for the day, return to our hotel to prepare for a lovely, albeit late, Shabbat in the deep-South of the planet!
This breathtaking, glacier-sculpted fiord, with its vertical cliffs, mountain peaks and waterfalls, was described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, and as New Zealand’s most popular natural spectacle, is truly worth the long drive. The drive to Milford sound takes in some of the best scenery of the South-Island.
Following a coffee stop in the picturesque town of Te Anau, we drive past waterfalls, lakes, and forests, and through the spectacular Homer Tunnel, before making the dramatic descent into the fjord.

We then enjoy the highlight of the day, a boat cruise on the sound. For those who prefer to return to Queenstown by plane - an unforgettable scenic flight can be added at own cost.
Today, we drive through magnificent Southern Island Scenery, to Mount Cook National Park, site of New Zealand’s iconic highest peak, at the top of the Southern Alps. We hope for clear weather and great views of the mountain, and lovely nature trail in the foothills of the Alps.

An optional scenic flight over the mountains (own cost) is highly recommended!
We then cross the Southern Alps to the Canterbury plains, stopping at the pristine Lake Tekapo and the sheep farming village of Tweezel, en route to Christ-Church, the largest city on the South Island, famous for its rebuilding efforts after a series of devastating earthquakes. Time permitting, we enjoy a walking tour of this quaint and colorful city, after which we drive to the airport for our evening flight to the thermal-lands of Rotorua.
This morning, we enjoy a morning city-tour of the “City of sails,” after which, we drive through “Lord of Rings” country, to the incredible Waitomo Caves complex, where we visit some of the world’s most beautiful show-caves.

The highlight of the day is a short underground boat-cruise lit up by thousands of glow worms that resemble the star-filled vacuum of outerspace!

From here, we carry on to the thermal-lands of Rotorua, where we spend the last 2 nights of our trip.
Rotorua is all about geysers and volcanic activity, and today we explore some of the incredible thermal sites of this region.

We will take a cruise of Lake Rotorua, admiring the smoking geysers along the shore, and visit a Maori village, where we learn about the local culture.
30 min drive from Rotorua, the Wai-Tapu Thermal wonderland is the showcase of the region, and we spend a couple of hours exploring its incredible thermal pools and vistas from the boardwalks and trails of the reserve.
With multicolored pools like the “Artist’s Palette” and “Champagne Pools”, this walk provides some of the most unique and incredible views on the planet.
This morning, we return to Auckland on time for our international flights home.

Those with later flights can choose to enjoy one or more of the many attractions in the region and route back to Auckland.

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Thursday Nov 28 – Thursday Dec 11, 2024 (15 days)

Arrive: Thursday morning by latest 10am, Nov 28, in Sydney

Depart: Thursday evening, Dec 12 from Aukland

$16,500 per person sharing; Single supplement: $3,000

EARLY BIRD PER PERSON SHARING RATE: $15,000 (valid till April 1, 2024 )
Luxury accommodation as follows: Sydney: Adina Suites Hotel Bondi; Melbourne: Park Hyatt; Barrier Reef: Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas; Rotorua: Pullman Rotorua; Queenstown: Sofitel Hotel or Luxury Villas. All accommodations are subject to change based upon availability and scheduling.

Freshly prepared Glatt-kosher Gourmet Kosher meals daily, under our strict hashgacha

Packed lunch on day’s out

Snacks and plenty bottled water on excursions; drinks during meals

Quality kosher wines served at dinner

Experienced English-speaking guides throughout the trip

Air-conditioned vehicle for all transfer and touring transportation

Airport transfers

Excursions and activities per itinerary except where marked as own cost

All entrance fees

Government tax & Service charges

What’s not Included?

Tips – 6%

International airfares

Domestic Flights

Visas and airport taxes

Travel insurance

Hotel upgrades (enquire for options)

Personal expenses

Australazia

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Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. All foreign passport holders, regardless of age, must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of Australian visa types, including tourist visas, via the ETA app or on the Department of Home Affairs website.
U.S. citizens are able to apply for an electronic travel authority on-line, and must be sure to have it printed out.
All foreign travelers, incl. United States passport holders will usually require a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to enter New Zealand. An NZeTA is valid for 2 years. The processing time may take up to 72 hours.
Passports: Your passport has to be valid for 6 months from date of entry.
Australia and New Zealand have extremely strict bio-security rules and it is essential to avoid bringing any non-permitted foods into the country- we recommend avoiding bringing all non-processed foods completely