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Accommodations
Coral Princess II
Discover the idyllic world of tropical islands, breathtaking coral reefs and abundant marine life while cruising aboard the Coral Princess II. This intimate expedition cruiser is acclaimed for its exceptional crew, which embodies Australian hospitality and is known for establishing a strong sense of camaraderie with passengers from around the globe. Designed specifically to navigate the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, this impeccably crafted ship is the perfect vessel for exploring the wonders of the Coral Sea. With only 22 staterooms, it offers the personal feel of a yacht, and its enhanced navigability enables it to call at remote coral reefs and small islands inaccessible to larger ships. Each tastefully appointed stateroom is outside and features two twin beds or one double bed, private bathroom facilities and air conditioning. Meals are served daily in a singe, open seating in the dining room, where skilled chefs specialize in Australian cuisine prepared with local ingredients, including the region's legendary fresh seafood. Complimentary coffee and tea are available around the clock. Public areas include the lounge, bar, reference library, boutique and the spa pool on the sun deck. The Coral Princess II features an onboard marine biologist who enthusiastically shares his knowledge of an insights into the Great Barrier Reef's amazing array of marine life during excursions and lectures. The ship is also equipped with a special glass-bottom boat for viewing the wonders of the underwater universe in dry comfort. Novotel Queenstown Lakeside - Queenstown, New Zealand
The first-class, three-story Novotel Queenstown Lakeside enjoys an ideal setting on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. The hotel, built in 1987 and renovated in 2007, is centrally located in downtown Queenstown, just a few steps from popular shopping and dining venues. Spacious accommodations provide modern amenities and contemporary decor. Luxmore Hotel - Te Anau, New Zeland
The two-story Luxmore Hotel is located in the center of the beautiful New Zealand town of Te Anau. The township takes its name from New Zealand's second largest lake, which is located only 100 meters from the front steps of the hotel. The hotel was built in 1970 and renovated in 1996. Accommodations provide modern amenities, clean lines and modern decor. Copthorne Central Hotel - Christchurch, New Zealand
The four-star Copthorne Central Hotel overlooks Christchurch's beautiful Victoria Square and the tranquil Avon River. The hotel is only a four-minute walk from the center of the city. Built in 1974 and renovated in 2002, the hotel's contemporary architecture is completed by comfortable accommodations, modern amenities and striking city views. Menzies Hotel - Sydney, Australia
Embracing Sydney’s best location, The Menzies Sydney Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Sydney City with famous attractions including the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Royal Botanical Gardens all a short stroll away. With Sydney at its finger tips The Menzies Sydney Hotel offers an unparalleled standard of personal service in time-honored tradition. Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Hotel - Cairns, Australia
The superior first-class Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Hotel is set in 45 hectares of lush tropical gardens, just a five-minute walk from the beach or the palm-fringed beachside village of Palm Cove, dotted with outdoor cafés, restaurants, bars, boutiques and convenience ships. The hotel was built in 1989 and renovated in 2006. Each guestroom features modern amenities and a private outdoor terrace or balcony overlooking one of the resort's seven swimming pools or the golf course.
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Australia & New Zealand this trip can be booked
March 1 - 14, 2009 with Tahiti & Polynesia
Join us on this fascinating adventure to the great Down Under, a perfect introduction to island nations of New Zealand and Australia. Immerse yourself in the remote beauty of Kiwi hospitality. Marvel at the glittering architecture of Sydney, hear the primeval tones of the digeridoo and delve into the age-old traditions of the Aborigines. Cruise on an old-fashioned coal-powered steamer on Lake Wakatipu, see the mountainous fjords of Milford Sound and revel in the classic English charm of the delightful town of Christchurch. Your journey culminates with an exclusive 3-night cruise aboard the intimate Coral Princess along the Great Barrier Reef, one of nature's greatest treasures. Designed specifically to navigate remote reefs, inlets and small islands not accessible to larger ships, this stylish vessel is known for the warm Aussie hospitality of its crew, which includes a full-time marine biologist who will share his expertise with you through the cruise.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY INCLUDED FEATURES
EXCLUSIVE GOHAGAN TRAVEL SERVICES
AUCKLAND PRE-PROGRAM OPTION
A carefully crafted itinerary available only from Gohagan & Company that encompasses the richness and diversity of New Zealand and Australia from Queenstown and the charming city of Christchurch to Sydeny and the Great Barrier Reef. Exceptional cruise accommodations aboard the exclusively chartered Coral Princess, an inviting small ship with only 25 staterooms. Unique opportunities to experience the region's cultures, including a specially arranged meal with local families in New Zealand.
Cost Special Tulane pricing is from approximately $4495 per person, plus airfare and based on double occupancy. Booking For booking information please contact Thomas P. Gohagan at 800-922-3088, or Tulane Alumni Travel at 877-488-5263. Specific trip details (itinerary, meals, sightseeing & accommodations) will be published in the brochure.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1-2 - United States
Depart for Queenstown, New Zealand. Cross the International Date Line.
DAY 3 - Queenstown, New Zealand
Arrive in Queenstown and check into the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, located in the heart of the town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
DAY 4 - Queenstown
The morning tour reveals the charms and treasures of Queenstown and its environs. Step back into the pioneering days of the 1860's gold rush during a visit to the historic mining settlement of Arrowtown, where old-time pubs and traditional shops lend the town an ambiance reminiscent of America's Old West. Visit the Lakes District Museum, where a fascinating collection of exhibits paints a vivid and authentic portrait of 19th-century life in New Zealand's frontier country. Admire stunning canyon scenery from the historic Kawarau suspension bridge, constructed in the 1880's, and ride a gondola to the summit of Bob's Peak for breathtaking panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps. This evening, board the legendary "Lady of the Lake," the T.S.S. Earnslaw, a classic turn-of-the-century, coal-powered steamship, and cruise through Lake Wakatipu's stunning mountain setting to the Walter Peak High Country Farm. Here, observe and learn about New Zealand's rich tradition of sheep ranching and savor a high country carvery dinner of local meats and specialties.
DAY 5 - Queenstown/Milford Sound/ Te Anau
Words cannot describe the sublime beauty of Milford Sound, a spectacular fjord-like inlet where towering mountains plunge into the sea as countless waterfalls cascade down their verdant slopes, misting into a vast, ever-changing sequence of small rainbows. Following a scenic drive from Queenstown, the afternoon cruise provides an ideal opportunity to experience Milford Sound and its surrounding landscapes, which according to Maori legend were created by the demigod Tu Te Raki Whanoa, who used his great powers to forge the mountains and valleys of New Zealand's southern Fjordland region. Continue to Te Anau and check into Luxmore Hotel for the night.
DAY 6 - Te Anau/Christchurch
Depart Te Anau and arrive this afternoon in Christchurch. Check into the Copthornes Central Hotel, located in the heart of the city overlooking Victoria Square and the Avon River. Known as "the most English city outside England," Christchurch captures the provincial charm of Britain with its Victorian architecture, elegant public squares and well-tended parks. The special panoramic city tour introduces you to the town's most alluring landmarks, including Cathedral Square, the University of Canterbury and Hagley Park. Afternoon tea at the beautifully landscaped, 100-year-old, Tudor-style Mona Vale Homestead provides the perfect opportunity to experience Christchurch's classic English character. This evening, an intimate dinner has been specially arranged in the home of a local family. Enjoy traditional Kiwi hospitality and cuisine and gain personal insight into the lives of typical New Zealanders.
DAY 7 - Christchurch/Sydney, Australia
Pursue individual interests in Christchurch until the transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, check into the The Menzies Hotel, located in Darling Harbour, on of Sydney's most dynamic neighborhoods. This evening is at leisure.
DAY 8 - Sydney
Sydney's stunning skyline, magnificent harbor and multi-cultural and cosmopolitan residents distinguish it as one of the world's truly great cities, a status revealed to a global audience when it hosted the Summer Olympic Games of 2000. The city history come alive during the guided city tour that encompasses Sydney's most famous neighborhoods and landmarks, including the Circular Quay; bustling Chinatown; vibrant King's Cross; the historical Rocks area, once the rough-and-tumble center of Australia's first British penal colony; and Bondi Beach, where master surfers come to ride the breakers the size of small mountains. After lunch on your own, the special tour of Sydeny's magnificent Opera House reveals the secrets of one of the world's most famous buildings. Get a behind-the-scenes look at this architectural masterpiece and its design, and learn how the Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, arrived at his inspiration for the building's ingenious sail motif. Admire the city's legendary skyline from the harbor during this evening's private cocktail cruise.
DAY 9 - Sydney
Enjoy the day in Sydney on your own.
DAY 10-12 - Sydney/Townsville/Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Fly to Townsville and embark the Coral Princess II, an intimate cruiser designed specifically to navigate the remote inlets and channels of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's greatest treasures. Throughout your cruise, the ship will stop, when conditions permit, so that you may experience the Great Barrier Reef at its finest. The ship is fully equipped with complimentary snorkeling equipment and a glass-bottom boat, from which you can gaze upon the underwater wonders in dry comfort. Cruise along the picturesque shores of the densely forested Palm Islands and Magnetic Island, where Mount Cook, named for the great explorer, rises above lush hills carpeted with eucalyptus trees. On the tropical shores of Pelorus, trek through the isle's lush rainforest with the ship's marine biologist. Named Yanooa by the Aboriginals, Pelorus has been designated a national park by the Australian government, a status that fully protects its pristine and fragile ecosystem. It is also surrounded by a spectacular fringing reef, which provides excellent opportunities to snorkel in a vibrant world of kaleidoscopic sculptures of coral, where you may find thousands of colorful fish and fascinating creatures including giant turtles, graceful rays and mysterious dugongs, the sea mammals that many believe inspires the myth of the mermaids among generations of seafarers. Savor a typical Aussie-style barbecue lunch on Pelorus' sandy white beaches before departing for the scenic Hinchbrook Channel and the Family Islands group, laden with mangroves, mountainous cliffs and green forests. Visit the Dunk Island Resort on the largest of the Family Islkands, where you may spend the afternoon at the pool or join an optional walk through the rainforest in search of the island's more than 100 indigenous bird species. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive, blue-winged Ulysses butterfly. Enjoy a full day at awe-inspiring Nathan Reef, with time to snorkel in the warm, tropical waters and explore the breathtaking tapestry of life, from brightly colored starfish and sea cucumbers to hundreds of types of coral, plants and fish. You can also choose to experience this kingdom of coral while cruising aboard the ship's glass-bottom boat, accompanied by the marine biologist, who will share detailed knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef's complex ecosystem.
DAY 13 - Great Barrier Reef Cruise/Thetford Reef/Cairns
Conclude your cruise at Thetford Reef, with one last opportunity to snorkel amid its vast array of coral and sea life, which includes more than 1,500 species of fish as well as turtles and dolphins. After lunch, disembark the ship in Cairns. Delve into thousands of years of Aboriginal history during a visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. You can attend a performance of Aboriginal music to the tales of ancient legends or participate in demonstrations of boomerangs, didgeridoos and typical bush cuisine. Following your visit to Tjapukai Park, check into the Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Hotel, located on a beautiful beach against a scenic backdrop of lush rainforest. This evening is at leisure.
DAY 14 - Cairns/In Transit/U.S.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and board a flight to the U.S., arriving later today.
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INCLUDED FEATURES IN QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND
- Two nights in the first-class Novotel Queenstown Lakeside adjacent to Lake Wakatipu.
- Breakfast each morning.
- Tour of Queenstown with visitors to the historic mining settlement of Arrowtown and Kawarau Bridge.
- Gondola ride up toe Bob's Peak.
- Scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu on board the classic steamship, T.S.S. Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Sheep Station, where dinner will be served.
- Scenic transfer to Te Anau with lunch in a restaurant
- Nature cruise on breathtaking Milford Sound.
IN TE ANAU
- One night in the first-class Copthorne Central Hotel.
- Breakfast.
- Motorcoach transfer to Queenstown and flight to Christchurch.
IN CHRISTCHURCH
- One night at the first-class Copthorne Central Hotel.
- Breakfast.
- City tour of Christchurch, a city renowned for its classic English ambiance.
- Afternoon tea at the Historic Mona Vale Homestead.
- Specially arranged dinner in the home of a local family.
- Air transportation from Christchurch to Sydney.
IN SYDNEY
- Three nights in the Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour Hotel, ideally located near many of the city's highlights.
- Breakfast each morning.
- City tour including Bondi Beach, the Harbor Bridge, Chinatown and the Rocks area.
- Special behind-the-scenes tour of the Sydney Opera House.
- Private sunset cruise on Sydney Harbor.
- Air transportation from Sydney to Townsville.
ON BOARD THE CORAL PRINCESS II - Three-night cruise along the Great Barrier Reef from Townsville to Cairns, with stops at Pelorus Island, Dunk Island, Nathan Reef and Thetford Reef.
- Outside staterooms with private bathroom facilities and air conditioning.
- All meals throughout the cruise, featuring buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a single unassigned seating.
- Lecture series focusing on the Great Barrier Reef by the ship's knowledgeable marine biologist.
- Opportunites to snorkel at some of the world's most pristine coral reefs.
- Glass-bottome boat reef excursions featuring lively commentary by the ship's marine biologist.
- Authentic Australian barbecue on the shores of Pelorus Island.
- Rainforest hike on Dunk Island, the only island in Australia with rainforests.
IN CAIRNS - One night in the first-class Novotel Rockford Palm Cave Hotel.
- American breakfast.
- Visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, featuring stunning interpretations of Aboriginal culture and history.
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Aukland Pre-Program Option
Arrive in beautiful Auckland prior to your main program and spend two nights in this picturesque New Zealand port, known as the "City of Sails" for its rich maritime heritage. Stay in a deluxe hotel in the heart of the city and learn about Auckland's unique history and the fascinating culture of the indigenous Maori people. Complete details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
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