Ag Tour New Zealand & Optional Tour of Australia

May 19

Monday

-, -, D*

Kansas City – Auckland.

Depart Kansas City on United Airlines flight TBA departing at TBA and arriving in Denver at TBA. Your connecting flight TBA departs at TBA and arrives in Los Angeles at TBA. Board your overseas flight, Air New Zealand flight 5, departing Los Angeles at 10:30P with dinner and feature films on board.

May 20

Tuesday

Over the Pacific Ocean.

En route to Melbourne, lose one day crossing the international dateline.

May 21

Wednesday

B*, -, D

Auckland – Hamilton.

Arrive in Auckland at 6:30A, the largest and most cosmopolitan city. After customs formalities, meet your tour guide outside baggage claim. Board the coach for a city sightseeing tour, including a trip up the extinct volcano, Mount Eden, for panoramic views of the region, a visit to a fascinating Underwater Aquarium, and a look at the boats and activity around the waterfront at Viaduct Basin where the famous Americas Cup yachting Regatta is held.

Later depart south, passing the vegetable growing region of the Bombay Hills and on to the productive Waikato farmland. This afternoon, settle in to the hotel for a well-earned rest after your overseas flight. “Welcome dinner” this evening at the hotel.

Overnight at:

Hamilton Hotel

May 22

Thursday

B, -, D

Hamilton – Rotorua

After breakfast, visit a Waikato kiwifruit orchard beautifully positioned on the shores of Lake Karipiro. Continue on to the pretty town of Cambridge for lunch.

After lunch, visit a nearby sheep and bull beef breeding property overlooking Lake Rotorua. Later continue on to Rotorua, a centre of Maori culture and interesting geothermal region with boiling mud pools and spouting geysers.

A great way to end the day is with a Maori hangi (feast) and concert this evening!

Overnight at:

Rotorua Hotel

May 23

Friday

B, L, D

Rotorua – Palmerston North – Wellington.

Following breakfast, visit a 900 cow pasture-based dairy farm including a modern rotary milking parlor. Then travel south via the vast Lake Taupo and visit Kitenui Deer Park, a fascinating 1200 head deer farm for a tour and lunch, then on to view the Huka Falls where the mighty Waikato River is confined to a narrow gorge, just a few metres wide. Continue on passing the active volcano of Ruapehu and across the Desert Road, to the farmland of the Manawatu and town of Palmerston North.

travel via the attractive coastline of the Tasman Ocean and on to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, attractively positioned within a sheltered harbour.

Overnight at:

Wellington Hotel

May 24

Saturday

B, - , D**

Wellington – Blenheim – North Canterbury

After check-out and breakfast, we transfer to port to board a ferry to cross Cook Strait to the South Island. travel to Blenheim in the heart of New Zealand’s premier wine growing region and sample local wines at one of the country’s largest wineries. Continue along the spectacular Pacific Coastline to Kaikoura, home of large whales and other marine life, which inhabit the deep, Pacific waters close to shore.

Later, continue to North Canterbury, where overnight farm stays are arranged with a number of farmer hosts. This evening, a home cooked dinner and chat around the table with your host family, and a chance to see how they live and work.

Overnight at:

North Canterbury Farmstay

May 25

Sunday

B**, L, D

North Canterbury – Christchurch

After breakfast with your hosts, reassemble and travel south through the North Canterbury farmland. Visit a hog farm to see how pork and bacon are produced for the domestic market.

Later you travel to a hill country sheep and beef farm for a farm lunch. Here you will see breeding cows and beef finishing under New Zealand conditions.

Continue to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. Enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of the city before transferring to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at:

Christchurch Hotel

May 26

Monday

B, -, D

Christchurch – Twizel, Mackenzie Country.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Lincoln University– one of the two main agricultural universities in the country. Meet with Animal Science staff then visit the University’s 600 cow dairy farm for an introduction to the pastoral system of producing milk.

Then travel south across the patchwork farmland of the Canterbury Plains and take a look at a nearby arable farm growing crops such as wheat, clover, peas, barley, and pasture seeds. (This is early winter in NZ so most crops will have been harvested but some replanting may be taking place.)

Continue on to the spectacular but desolate Mackenzie Country with its aqua blue hydro lakes and sheep stations. Dinner at the hotel this evening.

Overnight at:

Twizel Hotel

May 27

Tuesday

B, -, D**

Twizel – Oamaru.

This morning you visit the Mount Cook National Park to view the glaciers and high mountain vistas. Stop for lunch on own.

Later visit high country station where Merino sheep are kept for their fine wool, produced for European clothing manufacturers.

Continue via Omarama and the Waitaki River valley to Oamaru on the Pacific Coast. Here the group will split up and meet with local farming families for an overnight stay on several farms.

Overnight at:
Farm stay with host families

May 28

Wednesday

B**, L, -

Oamaru – Dunedin.

After time with your hosts, visit a leading farmer who specializes in growing lucerne, sunflowers and canary seed crops for an added value bird seed and pet food wholesaling business. The farmer also grows alfalfa for local livestock farmers.

Later continue south along the Pacific Coastline to Dunedin where you take a wildlife cruise on the Otago harbour. Here you will see pelagic birds, fur seals and rare albatrosses that have a colony nearby. Dinner on your own this evening.

Overnight at:

Dunedin Hotel

May 29

Thursday

B, - , D

Dunedin – Queenstown.

Depart further south to Dunedin Sheep milking enterprise with 1200 ewes and Poll Dorset sheep stud. After a lunch break, head inland again to the dry central Otago region. Here stop off at a vineyard and fruit orchard growing apricots, cherries and other fruit.

Continue on into Queenstown for a two night stay. This is one of New Zealand's most beautiful regions, set in a delightful location beside the crystal clear waters of Lake Wakatipu amidst spectacular mountain ranges. You are free to explore the local restaurants for this evening’s meal.

Overnight at:

Queenstown Hotel

May 30

Friday

B, - , D**

Queenstown.

This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of this beautiful and popular resort town and nearby Arrowtown, an historic gold mining town. This afternoon you have free time for optional activities such as jet boating, lake cruises or perhaps a flight to Milford Sound. This evening, ride the gondola to a hill top restaurant for a farewell dinner amidst the lake and mountain scenery which surrounds you.

Overnight at:

Queenstown Hotel

May 31

Saturday

B**, - , -

Queenstown – Kansas City.

Free time until you need to be taken to the airport for your return flight home. Air New Zealand flight 524 departs at 12:20P, arriving in Auckland at 2:55P. Your overseas flight, NZ 6, departs at 7:15P and arrives in Los Angeles at 12:25P. Connect on United Airways flight TBA departing at TBA for Denver, arriving at TBA. Your last flight, UA TBA, departs at TBA and arrives in Kansas City at TBA. Welcome home!

May 31

Saturday

-, -, D

Queenstown – Sydney.

Air New Zealand flight 524 departs Queenstown at 12:20P and arrives in Christchurch at 1:05P. You connecting flight NZ 783 departs at 4:00P, arriving in Sydney at 5:30P. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at:

Ibis World Square (or similar)

June 1

Sunday

B, - , -

Sydney.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning a local guide joins you for a city and beaches tour, taking in the historic ‘Rocks’ area at the southern end of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the fashionable Eastern Suburbs, and famous Bondi Beach.

Return to the hotel, and the afternoon is free for shopping and individual sightseeing.

Overnight at:

Ibis World Square (or similar)

June 2

Monday

B, - , D

Sydney – Cairns.

Breakfast at the hotel and the morning is free to enjoy Sydney.

This afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cairns. Virgin Blue flight 391 departs at 3:00P and arrives in Cairns at 6:05P. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and get some rest. Dinner at the hotel.

Cairns is the international gateway into tropical North Queensland, and is home to two of the world’s greatest natural treasures - the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet tropics Rainforests. Both of these attractions are World Heritage listed, and there are very few places on earth where two such treasures rest side by side. Cairns city is modern and cosmopolitan with palm-fringed beaches, balmy days, and a friendly atmosphere.

Overnight at:

Country Comfort Sunlodge

June 3

Tuesday

B, - , -

Kuranda Scenic Rail, Skyrail, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning meet your Down Under Tours coach captain in your hotel foyer for transfer to Freshwater Station, where you will board the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail for a breathtaking journey on one of the world's most scenic operational rail journeys. On arrival in Kuranda there is free time to explore the "Village in the Rainforest". Time for lunch on own prior to departing on Skyrail to glide over the Rainforest canopy with picturesque view. After enjoying the "world's most beautiful Rainforest Experience", take a short walk to the fascinating Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Discover this ancient culture through theatres, stage shows and demonstrations before boarding your coach for the return to your accommodation late afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at:

Country Comfort Sunlodge

June 4

Wednesday

B, L, -

Great Barrier Reef.

A wonderful day of excitement on a cruise to one of the marine wonders of the world. There will be a short transfer from your hotel to the Marlin Jetty for your Great Adventures Reef Cruise. You visit Green Island as well as the Great Barrier Reef. Underwater coral viewing, snorkeling and lunch are all included. Scuba diving is available for all those qualified. Later return to Cairns for a free evening.

Overnight at:
Country Comfort Sunlodge

June 5

Thursday

B, - , D*

Cairns – Sydney – Los Angeles.

Breakfast in hotel restaurant. transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney, where you will take your connecting flights to the USA. Virgin Blue flight 382 departs at 6:35A and arrives in Sydney at 9:20A. NZ flight 718 departs at 3:30P, arriving in Auckland at 8:30P. Connecting flight NZ 2 departs at 9:45P, arriving in Los Angeles at 2:40P.

Take the free shuttle to your hotel. There is a 24-hour restaurant at the hotel, as well as a spa and pool where you can relax after your long flight.

Overnight at:

Hacienda Hotel and Conference Center

Los Angeles

June 6

Friday

- , - , -

Los Angeles – Kansas City.

Take an early morning shuttle to the airport for your flight home (shuttle is free). United Airlines flight 58 departs at 7:45A (you should arrive for flight check-in two hours prior to departure) and arrive in Denver at 11:11A. Your connecting flight UA 598 departs at 12:25P and arrives in Kansas City in 2:58P.

Welcome home!