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South Pacific Wonders
Member Choice Vacations | 15 Days | Christchurch to Sydney
September - November 2025 Departures
January - May 2026 Departures
See what life is like “Down Under” on this incredible journey through New Zealand and Australia. Experience Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Cruise Lake Wakatipu and enjoy a lakeside BBQ. Cruise Milford Sound and Sydney Harbour. Discover the wonders of Aboriginal culture. From the ethereal beauty of New Zealand's glacial fjords to the tropical splendor of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, enjoy the best of the South Pacific.
AAA Member Benefits and Special Offers:
- AAA Member Benefit
- Up to $50 per person savings
- AAA Vacations® Amenities
- Up to $75 per person towards an optional excursion activity.
Call to Book
1-800-529-3222
Included With Your Trip
Must-See Inclusions & Cultural Experience:
- Board a catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
- See where the original colonists first settled during a city tour of Sydney
- Come to know Australia's ancient traditions at the Rain forestation Nature Park
- Take a guided tour of the fascinating Sydney Opera House
- Paddle the Avon River in a traditional Maori waka (canoe)
Meals:
- 22 Meals
- 12 Breakfasts
- 4 Lunches
- 6 Dinners
Culinary Excursions:
- Enjoy a Kiwi BBQ on the western shore of Lake Wakatipu
- Take in the sights during a dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour
Activity Level: 2
Additional Information
Day 1: Depart from Home
Day 2: Christchurch, New Zealand
Arrive in the historic city of Christchurch. Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the city known as “the Garden City” is recreating itself. Meet your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner and start your South Pacific journey off on the right foo.
Day 3: Christchurch, New Zealand
Start your morning with a city tour of Christchurch. Then, pay a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. A leader in the conservation of New Zealand species, Willowbank offers the chance to view New Zealand’s “Big 5” - the Kiwi, the Kea, the Tuatara, the Kaka, and the Takahe - up close and personal. Then, learn about the local Indigenous culture of the Maori with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional waka (canoe).
Day 4: Christchurch - Queenstown, New Zealand
Depart Christchurch and make your way south to Queenstown. Known as the “Adventure Capital of the World,” Queenstown is nestled against a picturesque bay and snowcapped mountains. Arrive in Queenstown in the afternoon and have time to explore independently before dinner.
Day 5: Queenstown, New Zealand
Cruise Lake Wakatipu surrounded by Queenstown’s stunning landscape aboard an iconic coal-fired steamship. Then, enjoy a "Kiwi" BBQ lunch lakeside followed by a sheepdog demonstration before sailing back. Later, it’s your choice! Go bird watching at the Kiwi Birdlife Park -OR- take a gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for stunning panoramic views of the area. This evening is yours to enjoy charming Queenstown.
Day 6: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown, New Zealand
Enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley as you travel through an ancient beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. Cruise the Milford Sound and see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights on the South Island. Following your cruise, you may choose to return to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
Day 7: Queenstown, New Zealand
A free day offers an optional tour taking you through the majestic Queenstown countryside showcasing many of the locations where blockbuster movies have been filmed, or perhaps you’ll want to shop and people-watch in the village. Gather for a “farewell to New Zealand” dinner.
Day 8: Queenstown, New Zealand - Cairns, Australia
Fly to Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions and a World Heritage site - the Great Barrier Reef. Established as a marine park in 1975, the reef is a haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and birds.
Day 9: Cairns, Australia
Come to know the history of Australia’s original inhabitants at the Rainforestation Nature Park where an Indigenous Pamagirri guide will show you through some of their oldest customs and traditions. Enjoy an "Aussie" BBQ lunch before visiting Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures to see crocodiles on a nature cruise. Head through rainforests on boardwalks to see animals such as birds, reptiles, and wallabies. Visit with a koala and chat with a wildlife naturalist to learn more about these furry creatures.
Day 10 - Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Cairns, Australia
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the reef from your base on Green Island. Enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride, stroll the island’s walking trails, relax on the beach, snorkel or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, an optional outer reef tour is also available.
Day 11: Cairns - Sydney, Australia
The morning is yours. Enjoy your last few hours in Cairns by relaxing and taking in the tropical atmosphere and surrounding neighborhood. Then, fly to the bustling city of Sydney.
Day 12: Sydney, Australia
See where English colonists first settled during a city tour of Sydney, featuring Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, and the Botanic Gardens. Take an expert-led tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour. Then, have the chance to join a special presentation at the National Opal Collection.
Day 13: Sydney, Australia
Embrace the exciting city of Sydney during a day of independent exploration. Tonight, say farewell to Australia while on a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Marvel at the scenic vistas of the harbor, showcasing Sydney’s magnificent skyline, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.
Day 14: Sydney, Australia - Tour Ends
Price My Trip
Product Code: AAA-Member Choice Vacations
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Rate is per person, land only, double occupancy. Offers, tour inclusions and available options may vary based on departure date. Itineraries are subject to change. Member Benefit savings applied at time of reservation and is not yet reflected in the rate. CST No. 2006766-20, UBI No. 601-220-855, Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST35613