Australia and New Zealand - Student Travel Tour

Australia and New Zealand (2013)

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ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

DAYS 1-2 - FLIGHT

Overnight flight

Overnight flight
On your way to New Zealand, cross the International Date Line and "lose" a calendar day (you'll get it back on the way home).

DAY 3 - AUCKLAND

Arrive in Auckland

Arrive in Auckland
Touch down in Auckland, New Zealand. After clearing customs, you’ll meet your full-time tour director and the rest of your group. Backpackers and travelers from all over the world love New Zealand, drawn by its natural beauty, outdoor adventure activities, and a great cultural scene.

Sightseeing tour of Auckland (EFCB Tour Director)

Sightseeing tour of Auckland (EFCB Tour Director)
Get to know the city with your tour director. Located between two harbors, Auckland is the biggest and most multicultural city in New Zealand. It’s built on top of seven extinct volcanoes. You'll see the Domain (a hilltop park), the busy downtown area, Mount Eden and Victoria Park Market.

DAY 4 - ROTORUA

Travel to Rotorua

Travel to Rotorua
Drive to the city of Rotorua, home of the Maori people.

Rotorua Duck Tour

Rotorua Duck Tour
Hop aboard an amphibious military vehicle from WWII for a unique tour of Rotorua. Learn a bit of history and enjoy the amazing scenery as you ride the roads and “splashdown” into as many as three lakes.

Rotorua Agrodome

Rotorua Agrodome
New Zealand is home to over 55 million sheep. See one sheared at the world-famous Agrodome.

Hangi feast

Hangi feast
Get to know the travelers in your group at a special Hangi dinner, a traditional Maori feast cooked to perfection in an underground thermal pit.

DAY 5 - ROTORUA

Guided visit of the Whaka area

Guided visit of the Whaka area
Geothermal wonders abound in the Whakarewarewa area—bubbling pools of mud, crystal springs, geysers and more. A Maori guide will tell you all about it on this interesting tour.

Maori Village

Maori Village
See a model native Maori village, learn about Maori legends and tribal customs, and touch noses as a traditional Maori gesture.

Skyline Gondola ride

Skyline Gondola ride
Head hundreds of feet up Mount Ngongotaha and take in unbelievable views of the lake and township of Rotorua.

Jade factory

Jade factory
Find out all there is to know about New Zealand’s favorite green gemstone.

DAY 6 - SYDNEY

Fly to Sydney

Fly to Sydney
Head back to Auckland and hop a flight to Sydney, Australia’s oldest and largest city. Sydney brings an energizing combination of scenery (the harbor, the bridge, the beach), culture and nightlife. It has a very international feel—more than 200 nationalities are represented in the city’s population.

Walking tour of the Rocks District

Walking tour of the Rocks District
Your tour director will take you around this historic area, with its cobblestones, galleries, restaurants and street performers. This is where Australia's first fleet of European settlers landed in 1788.

DAY 7 - SYDNEY

Sydney Tower

Sydney Tower
Go up to the observation deck of Sydney Tower. At 1,063 feet, this is the second-tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.

Opal factory

Opal factory
The opal is the national gemstone of Australia and makes a great souvenir. Learn all about the special stone and maybe pick up one or two on a visit to a factory.

Sightseeing tour of Sydney (EFCB Tour Director)

Sightseeing tour of Sydney (EFCB Tour Director)
Your tour director will bring Sydney into focus. Learn about the city’s early role as a home for exiled convicts, and see the Sydney Opera House with its famous sail-like roof.

Sydney Harbour cruise

Sydney Harbour cruise
Enjoy a scenic boat ride out on the picturesque Sydney Harbour and enjoy the amazing city views. You'll also visit Darling Harbour, an area of shops, gardens and museums.

Sydney Wildlife World

Sydney Wildlife World
Get up close to all kinds of animals, including Australian favorites like kangaroos, koalas and crocs.

DAY 8 - SYDNEY

Optional excursion to the Blue Mountains (extra cost)

Optional excursion to the Blue Mountains ($105 pre-booked)
Join a full-day excursion to the amazing Blue Mountains, named for the blue mist that rises from the area’s eucalyptus trees. Watch The Edge, Australia’s only giant-screen destination movie, which recounts how explorers conquered the Blue Mountains in 1813. While doing research for the film, scientists made an extremely rare botanical discovery: the Wollebi Pine Grove, made up of ancient pine trees not found anywhere else on Earth.

Free time in Sydney (day)

Free time in Sydney (day)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. Bondi Beach – Sun, sand and surf are yours at Sydney’s number one beach.
2. Shopping on Pitt Street – Browse the shops in this bustling commercial area; buy everything from music to clothing to perfume.
3. Centennial Park – The city’s largest green space, this is a great place to picnic, take a walk, rollerblade, or even rent a horse for riding.
4. Australian Centre for Photography – Photo lovers will enjoy the exhibits here; there’s a special wall dedicated to up-and-comers.
5. Luna Park – This colorful old-fashioned amusement park opened in 1935.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Sydney.

DAY 9 - COFFS HARBOUR

Travel to Coffs Harbour

Travel to Coffs Harbour
Drive up to Coffs Harbour, where you'll spend the night. The area was originally called Korff's Harbour, after shipbuilder John Korff, who came upon it in 1847 when seeking shelter from a storm at sea. Coffs Harbour is famously the largest banana producing area in New South Wales.

Free time in Coffs Harbour (night)

Free time in Coffs Harbour (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. High Street – This is a central spot for nightlife, so take your pick of bars, restaurants and clubs.
2. Coffs Harbour Hotel – There's a BBQ restaurant here, and also a bar with Karaoke or live bands, depending on the night.
3. Plantation Hotel – Live music or DJs keep the crowds dancing late at this popular venue.
4. Jetty Theatre – Situated right on the water, this venue features concerts, plays, movies, and other live entertainment.
5. Indulge – If you want to dance, head to this popular nightclub.

DAY 10 - BYRON BAY • SURFERS PARADISE

Travel via Cape Byron

Travel via Cape Byron
Continue along the coast to Byron Bay, the beautiful coastal town traditionally known for its hippie and new age culture and its backpackers. This area is home to a beach, a rainforest, and a picturesque 1901 lighthouse which stands on Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point.

Arrive in Surfers Paradise

Arrive in Surfers Paradise
Pull in to this famed resort town on Australia's legendary Gold Coast.

DAY 11 - SURFERS PARADISE

Optional full-day rain forest excursion (extra cost)

Optional full-day rain forest excursion ($125 pre-booked)
Go for a full-day tour of the Lamington and Mount Tamborine National Parks. Out-of-this world vegetation, cascading waterfalls and incredible scenic views make for a truly unforgettable trip into Australia’s largest preserved subtropical rainforest. Feed exotic birds by hand, have some morning tea, and chow down on an Aussie BBQ lunch. You’ll also visit O’Reilly’s Guest House and take a “Tree Top Walk” high above the rainforest floor.

Free time in Surfers Paradise (night)

Free time in Surfers Paradise (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Beachfront markets – Shop for all kinds of stuff at more than 120 stalls lining the shore.
2. Moonlight beach – Walk along the sand or just take a blanket and hang out.
3. Melbas – By day it serves lunch, by night it becomes a packed bar and dance club, attracting many backpackers.
4. Natural Bridge – After dark see thousands of glowworms under this bridge made of rock.
5. Beach House Pub – This bar/restaurant features live music and is popular with locals and tourists alike.

DAY 12 - FRASER ISLAND

Travel via Noosa National Park

Travel via Noosa National Park
Drive by the picturesque Glasshouse Mountains, along the spectacular Sunshine Coast, and through Noosa National Park.

Catamaran to Fraser Island

Catamaran to Fraser Island
Hop aboard a boat to Fraser Island, named after Eliza Fraser, the only survivor of a shipwrecked party in 1836. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island, and it is amazingly diverse ecologically, with rainforests, lakes, and of course, beaches.

DAY 13 - FRASER ISLAND

Optional four-wheel drive excursion (extra cost)

Optional four-wheel drive excursion ($90 pre-booked)
Spend a half day exploring Fraser Island by 4WD vehicle. Many say this is the best way to experience the island. An expert ranger will give you the lowdown on everything you see, as you drive among rainforest vegetation and soak in the amazing scenery in Pile Valley. Continue through open woodlands and visit the island’s crystal clear lakes.

Free time on Fraser Island (day)

Free time on Fraser Island (day)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. Lake McKenzie – Take a swim in this beautiful inland lake.
2. Fraser Island Great Walk – The full walk from Dilli Village to Lake Garawongera takes a week, but even a short hike is worth it.
3. Fishing – Throw some line in the sea and see what you catch, or get on a boat for a half-day fishing trip.
4. The Cathedrals – View the amazing 230-foot cliffs of colored sand, which stretch for miles on the eastern side of the island.
5. Central Station – Learn about the local flora and fauna at this former loggers’ camp turned museum.

DAY 14 - ROCKHAMPTON

Catamaran from Fraser Island

Catamaran from Fraser Island
Set sail this morning back to the mainland.

Travel to Rockhampton

Travel to Rockhampton
Move on to the city of Rockhampton, about 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Rockhampton is the self-proclaimed beef capital of Australia.

Koorana Crocodile Farm dinner and tour

Koorana Crocodile Farm dinner and tour
Take a guided tour of a croc farm, and see the beasts up close (if you’re lucky, you might catch a crocodile hatching). Then it’s time to eat a croc for dinner. If you’re feeling less adventurous, they also serve other traditional Aussie dishes.

DAY 15 - WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS

Travel to the Whitsunday Islands

Travel to the Whitsunday Islands
Take a ferry to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. The amazing collection of forests, beaches and reefs attracts visitors from all over the world to enjoy outdoor activities, water sports and just plain relaxation.

DAY 16 - WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS

Optional Whitsunday Island cruise (extra cost)

Optional Whitsunday Island cruise ($120 pre-booked)
Take a full-day cruise through the Whitsunday Passage. Kick back and relax on board, and soak in the great views of the mountainous undeveloped islands.

DAY 17 - TOWNSVILLE • CAIRNS

Travel via Townsville

Travel via Townsville
Ferry back to the mainland and stop in Townsville, where your tour director will show you around. Townsville, the third-largest city in Queensland, is home to James Cook University.

Arrive in Cairns

Arrive in Cairns
Continue to the coastal city of Cairns, the last major settlement in Far North Queensland. Cairns is a tourist town through and through, all in a relaxing tropical setting. Its popularity is mostly due to the Great Barrier Reef located right off the coast.

DAY 18 - CAIRNS

Optional excursion to Kuranda and the rain forest (extra cost)

Optional excursion to Kuranda and the rain forest ($140 pre-booked)
Get in-depth with the local nature and culture. Take a scenic train ride up to the Atherton Tablelands, a tropical rainforest full of clear crater lakes, pristine waterfalls and awesome mountain views. Spend time in the rainforest village of Kuranda, with a chance to check out the goods in their markets. Then a thrilling Skyrail takes you back down over the rainforest canopy to the valley below, where a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Park will introduce you to the indigenous culture.

Free time in Cairns (night)

Free time in Cairns (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Chapel Café – Large groups flock here to sit in the green booths and listen to the live acoustic acts; there's also a balcony overlooking the Esplanade.
2. The Civic Theatre – See a show at Cairns's most popular venue for live entertainment.
3. Gilligan's – Check out this sprawling bar/club that's quickly becoming the hottest spot in the city.
4. Dinner cruise – Romantic types will enjoy a quiet float along Trinity Inlet, offering dinner and very nice city views.
5. Inbox Café – Come here to sample the local music scene; live gigs alternate with DJs on weekends.

DAY 19 - GREAT BARRIER REEF

Great Barrier Reef cruise

Great Barrier Reef cruise
Discover one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Stretching for 1,240 miles along the Queensland coast, the reef is nature’s largest living organism. You can swim, snorkel or take a semi-submersible boat ride to view the incredible underwater scenery of this multi-colored world.

DAY 20 - CAIRNS

Free time in Cairns (day)

Free time in Cairns (day)
3 Free time suggestions:
1. The Esplanade – This recreational area is the focal point of the city, filled with backpackers, locals, joggers, skateboarders, and more.
2. Biking – Rent a bike and explore the town, or challenge yourself to the slopes of the Tablelands.
3. Crystal Cascades – About 15 miles from town, these waterfalls and pools are very photogenic and a great spot for a swim.

Farewell dinner

Farewell dinner
Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.

DAY 21 - FLIGHT

Fly home

Fly home
It's time to say your goodbyes. Head to the airport for your flight back home.

21 DAYS STARTING AT $5,323

Restrictions Apply

Price is valid on specific departure date and standard (triple/quad) rooming. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price may apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at efcollegebreak.com/baggage.
Prices may be subject to change.

DEPARTURES
~~05/21/2013~~FULL
06/25/2013*
*Limited Space Available

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EFCB PROGRAM FEE: DEPARTURE FEE:

TOTAL PRICE:

Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at efcollegebreak.com/baggage.

To view EF’s Booking Conditions, visit efcollegebreak.com/pdf/2013_booking_conditions.pdf.

Current departure fees include taxes and surcharges levied by governments and airlines and may be subject to change prior to final payment.

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PRICE THIS TRIP

Make Default Gateway

•Round-trip airfare, internal flight
•Welcome dinner
•Hotels

•Travel between cities
•Breakfast daily
•Farewell dinner
•Full-time tour director
•Walking tours
•Sightseeing tours
•Entrance to select attractions

• Kuranda with Skyrail & TrainGet in-depth with the local nature and culture. Take a scenic train ride up to the Atherton Tablelands, a tropical rainforest full of clear crater lakes, pristine waterfalls and awesome mountain views. Spend time in the rainforest village of Kuranda, with a chance to check out the goods in their markets. Then a thrilling Skyrail takes you back down over the rainforest canopy to the valley below, where a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Park will introduce you to the indigenous culture.

• Whitsunday Island CruiseTake a full-day cruise through the Whitsunday Passage. Kick back and relax on board, and soak in the great views of the mountainous undeveloped islands.

• Surfers Paradise Rainforest tourGo for a full-day tour of the Lamington and Mount Tamborine National Parks. Out-of-this world vegetation, cascading waterfalls and incredible scenic views make for a truly unforgettable trip into Australia’s largest preserved subtropical rainforest. Feed exotic birds by hand, have some morning tea, and chow down on an Aussie BBQ lunch. You’ll also visit O’Reilly’s Guest House and take a “Tree Top Walk” high above the rainforest floor.

• Blue Mountains and KatoombaJoin a full-day excursion to the amazing Blue Mountains, named for the blue mist that rises from the area’s eucalyptus trees. Watch The Edge, Australia’s only giant-screen destination movie, which recounts how explorers conquered the Blue Mountains in 1813. While doing research for the film, scientists made an extremely rare botanical discovery: the Wollebi Pine Grove, made up of ancient pine trees not found anywhere else on Earth.

• Four-Wheel Drive Fraser IslandSpend a half day exploring Fraser Island by 4WD vehicle. Many say this is the best way to experience the island. An expert ranger will give you the lowdown on everything you see, as you drive among rainforest vegetation and soak in the amazing scenery in Pile Valley. Continue through open woodlands and visit the island’s crystal clear lakes.