Australia and New Zealand
As some of you know my flight from Dallas to Melbourne was canceled the night before I was to leave and I ended up with 4 flights instead of 2, however all the flights were on time and the luggage arrived with me. 
I must say that one of the highlights of this trip were the many private charters we took, got really spoiled by having the bus take us to the airplane and the bus waiting when we landed, once we had to go through the terminal, what a let down 
There were 22 people in our group and our TD Mary Pierik was wonderful.
The flies were present in the rain forest, Uluru and other places but Tauck provides netting which prevents them from being in your face.
There are laundry facilities at all the hotels but Silky Oaks had washers and dryers available free of charge and I took advantage and did my laundry there.
All the hotels were nice and the food was good, but rooms in the Sofitel in Queenstown were dark which made it difficult to read at night.
The day of my arrival we went for a walk (planned this trip with another solo lady that I met in a prior trip, we each have our own room but it's nice having someone to pal with) , took a tram for a few blocks and went back to walking alongside the river Yarra, lots of eateries, stopped by one called Soho for some dinner and returned to the Langham Hotel.
Day 1 - We took a private tour to the Great Ocean Road, the scenery is magnificent, started at 6 AM as that was the day of the Welcome Dinner, we stopped along the way for cockatoos and for a snack at an out of the way food place where we had the most delicious calamari I've ever had, got to see 2 koalas in tree nearby, continued to a rain forest in Great Otway Park and finally reached the 12 Apostles of which there's only 7 left made of limerock formations that broke away from the cliffs and stand alone in the ocean, really breathtaking.
WE also visited Loch Ard Gorge where ships used to shipwreck and then to an off the road site where we climbed the cliffs for a fantastic view of the Southern Ocean. Returned to the hotel for our reception and welcome dinner.
The Apostles during the Great Ocean Road trip
Day 2 - Started the day by taking a walking tour of Melbourne, visiting shopping and food court areas, continued the tour by bus stopping at St. Patrick's Cathedral which we could not visit due to Mass being said. After the bus tour we went on our own to the Shrine of Remembrance that honors Australian and New Zealand soldiers that fought in WWI and WWII beautiful building and very moving, from there we went to the National Gallery International Victoria to see an Alexander McQueen exhibit who was a very talented designer, the exhibit was wonderful, we had dinner at an outdoor café and completed the day with a glass of wine at the hotel.
Melbourne at night
Day 3 - We flew to Uluru (Ayer's Rock) this morning, (BTW the earliest luggage pick up we had was at 6:00 AM one day). Uluru (Ayer's Rock) is a massive sandstone monolith in the heart of the Northern Territory and is sacred to Indigenous Australians and it's thought to have started forming 550 million years ago. From the plane we went to the Anangu Cultural Center, very informative and after to our hotel Sails in the Desert for lunch. In the evening we went to visit Uluru to enjoy the change of colors of the rock as the sun went down with wine, beer and some canapes which were smocked kangaroo and something else I don't remember, all I had was the wine and some cheese and crackers.
There was an option upon the return to the hotel for an artistic light display by Uluru which was not included and it sounded good except they were sold out.
Uluru a/k/a Ayer's Rock
Day 4 - We went on a walking tour of the "Rock" with a tour guide that had many stories about the aborigines that lived in that area, very interesting and finished the tour at Mutijulu waterhole, there were no animals around. From there we went to the airport for our private charter flight to Cairns. Upon arrival we went to Sky Rail where we took a gondola over the Sky Rail Rainforest, stopping a few times to walk around the forest with a Sky Rail Ranger, there were many beautiful sights and it was the only day we had rain. We were supposed to go from there to Silky Oaks Lodge but due to the rain the bridge was flooded and we ended up spending the night in the Sheraton. Kudus to our TD Mary that made all the arrangements. Dinner at the Sheraton was okay considering they had to prepare for 23 more people within a few hours notice.
Barron Falls in the Skyrail Rainforest
Day 5 - Today was all about the Great Barrier Reef. We took a catamaran to the platform from which some of the group snorkeled. I took the submersible submarine twice which provided me with great views even though the water appeared murky and also walked through an under water observatory, we had lunch aboard and it was really a fantastic day. Luckily the bridge was cleared and we were able to to to Silky Oaks Lodge that afternoon which was my favorite hotel. We went to a 4 course dinner with wine pairings and a scrimption chocolate mouse with 2 very nice couples. All wine and beer are included at Silky Oaks including items in the minibar. Between 5 and 6 the bar offers a different gin cocktail every day.
Great Barrier Reef
Day 6 - This was a free day, no tours scheduled, after breakfast I did my laundry and went for a walk around the property and the chef's garden, we took the hotel shuttle to Port Douglas a small town half an hour away from the hotel and walked around the marina and the small town, lots of small shops and eateries, that night we had a group dinner with entertainment, a guitar player who sang Australian songs and a version of Waltzing Matilda I'd never heard before, lots of fun.
Day 7 - Departed the hotel for Hartley's Crocodile Adventure where we first went to see wallabies, koalas and a wombat, one of the ranges held a baby crocodile and another a python. We went on a boat ride where we saw crocodiles in their natural habitat and after attended a crocodile show, we had a family style lunch after which we rode to the airport for our flight to Sydney arriving at the Intercontinental Hotel in time for dinner.
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Day 8 - We met in the lobby for our walk to the Opera House ( very close by ) where we had a tour of the place which is amazing after which we boarded our private Captain Cook vessel for our Sydney Harbor Cruise with lunch. From there we took the bus for sightseeing around the city stopping at the Domain Park for a walk and sitting on Mrs. Macquaries chair a sandstone bench hand carved by convicts in 1810 as a view point for the then governors wife. Tonight we had an included dinner at Fish at the Rocks in the Rock's neighborhood with another couple from the tour. Great Food.
Sidney Opera House
Day 9 - We went on a walking tour with an excellent local guide of "The Rocks" where Sydney's history begins, many lovely old buildings always remembering that Australia was a penal colony for the British prisoners'. After the tour we had a light lunch at St. Francis Church and went back through the neighborhood to do a bit of shopping and walk through the park. that evening we had a light dinner by the harbor and attended a performance of La Boheme at Sidney Opera Huose. It was fabulous. Last night in Australia.
I will write about New Zealand tomorrow and will try to post some pictures, I have not uploaded them to the computer yet.
Comments
Thx for this fabulous review. We’re going on this tour in mid-October, have already booked the Great Ocean Road the day prior to the Tauck tour beginning, and the Penguin Parade the afternoon/evening following the Tauck walking tour of Melbourne. Looking forward to your report of New Zealand!
Day 10 - Spent most of the day traveling to New Zealand on a commercial flight which was not included in the price of the tour, everyone had to book their own flight, we were all in the flight with Qantas, upon a late arrival at the Intercontinental Wellington, we went for a drink at the hotel club lounge which we had access to and after to an included dinner at 2 Grey Restaurant in the hotel with the cutest waiter named Antonio unfortunately he was very, very young, the food was delicious.
Day 11 - First I must say that NZ was my favorite part of the tour, this country is stunning.
We went on a short walk to the cable car that took us to the top of the Botanical Gardens from there we took had a walking tour of the city with a local tour guide, walked by the Parliament which is called Beehive, St. Paul's Cathedral, old St. Paul's Anglican Church and St. Mary's church, stopped at "Urban on Manners" for hot chocolate, stopped at "Rumours" for a lesson on how to make Kombucha and a tasting of the different flavors together with spinach roll for me as I don't eat red meat, from there an Asian restaurant for spring rolls so we had a food tour of Wellington.
We continued walking until we arrived at Te Papa Museum where we had a wonderful Museum guide, walked through a small forest of plants brought by the Maori, pre historic animals and a Maori house which we could not take pictures of. Upon our return to the hotel we had High Tea in the hotel lounge and later a light dinner in the same place.
Wellington Parliament also called Beehive
Day 12 - We left Wellington for the airport and our private charter flight to Blenheim, from the airport we went to Picton where we boarded a catamaran for a private cruise in the Malborough Sounds with fresh green-lipped mussels cooked on board (delicious) and grilled salmon for lunch. The scenery was amazing. From there we took the bus to Chateau Marlborough Hotel ( it was okay) in the town of Blenheim, went for a long walk around the small town and had an included dinner at the hotel with 2 other couples on the tour.
Cruising Marlborough Sounds
Day 13 - Today was a full day, started by visiting Kaituna Ridges a working sheep farm ran by Freddy, Nikita and their 4 children (a young family), we were given a demonstration of how the sheep dogs manage the flock and sheep shearing, it was amazing.
From there we went to Wither Hills Winery for wine tasting and lunch, after returning to the hotel went for another walk through town and got ready for dinner at Omaka Aviation Heritage Center where we viewed a fascinating collection of WWI planes collected and donated by Peter Jackson and also some WWII planes built by the Center after which we had dinner amongst the Warbird planes.
Sheep Farm
Wither Hills Winery vineyards
Day 14 - Left Blenheim for our flight to Queenstown and upon arrival went to Kinross Winery for wine tasting and lunch Mr. Kinross came from Oregon in 1860 and started the vineyard, needless to say the pinot noir was excellent. Continued to the Sofitel Hotel (my least favorite, very dark rooms) a group of us walked to the Skyline Gondola (our TD provided us with tickets) and went up 1,575 feet for magnificent views of the Remarkable Mountain Range and Lake Wakatipu. Dinner was on our own.
Remarkable Mountain Range
Day 15 - Long bus ride today to Milford Sound, the only place in the world where you can see a river, a glacier, a rainforest and a fjord. Stopped along the way for beautiful views and the Mirror Lake. Upon arrival at Milford Sound we went on a cruise aboard the Sinbad our private vessel, had a light lunch and partook on the incredible scenery, waterfalls, fjords, seals and then there was the bus ride back of another 3 1/2 to 4 hrs. There was an option to take a helicopter back for $500.00 a person and 16 people in our group took it. Six of us rode the bus back with Mary our TD, relaxed, watched a movie and had dinner at the hotel when we returned.
Mirror Lake on our way to Milford Sounds
Milford Sounds Cruise
Day 16 - Today was a day of adventures and thrills. We were divided in 2 groups and rode a van up Skippers Canyon on very narrow, rocky roads but with stunning scenery, then we went on a jet boat ride on Shotover river that was a lot of fun after which we took a helicopter 15 minute ride down the canyon to meet our bus. Upon returning to the hotel we went on a long walk around town and met others in the tour for dinner.
View from Skippers Canyon
Day 17 - Today we flew to Auckland so different from the previous places, more commercial and less mountains, actually only one and some hills we were supposed to stay at the Sofitel but it flooded during the hurricane and instead we stayed at the Park Hyatt right on the harbor, from the plane we went to the East restaurant for lunch, Asian plant based food that was great, served family style, upon arrival at the hotel the rooms were not ready so Mary offered to take anyone that would want on an orientation tour of the harbor around the board walk, very lovely, returned to hotel and met others for drinks and our included dinner in the hotel's Onemata restaurant.
Views of Auckland
Day 18 - This morning the bus took us to the Ferry building where we boarded a ferry to Weikeke Island, (beautiful scenery on the way). We toured the island by bus and stopped at Allpress for an olive oil tasting. Back on the bus for a brief stop at the beach and continued to The Heke for a whiskey tasting, very interesting using beer to cleanse the palate between the different whiskeys and from there we went o Mudbrick Winery for a wine tasting of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz and bordeaux followed by lunch, we were all able to stay awake. Tonight we had dinner on our own at Saint Alice one of many restaurants on the wharf.
Weikeke Island
Day 19 - we took a short walk to the inner harbor to board our vessel for a sail in beautiful Waitemata (sparling waters) Auckland Harbor, after the sail we visited the Auckland Museum where we experienced a private Maori cultural performance including the Poi Dance and the Haka which we all enjoyed. From there we went (on our own) to the Weta Cave Experience to see how the creatures and special effects for the movies are created, very entertaining. After we returned to the hotel for our cocktail reception and farewell dinner.
Sailing in Auckland Harbour.
Day 20 - Flew home, 2 flights. Auckland to Dallas and Dallas to Orlando, both on time. I will try to post some pictures soon.
What a terrific review...well written and insightful. Makes me want to return! Thank you for sharing your great experiences.
I was surprised to see that you had to book your flight from Australia to New Zealand on Day 10. When we went in 2019, that was provided as part of the tour. The tour did have a slightly different name - "Australia and New Zealand - Eastbound". It was a combined land tour in Australia and a cruise in New Zealand.
Sounds like you had a good, enjoyable tour. Thanks for the review.
I had to book my own flight from Sydney to Auckland on the Grand Australia & New Zealand tour in 2018. Tauck told us what flight to book.
Gladys , great report and I'm glad you did the day tour to the Great Ocean Road, it's so beautiful.
Also, glad you went to the Opera House, the acoustic it's insane. I saw Hair, it was also incredible.
Well lady, I'm glad to have you back safe and to know you had a great time, now wait for the next one...
Have a great evening.
Wonderful review Gladys! The tour is different than when we took it.
Tauck has never included the flight between Australia and New Zealand. We did not take the combined tour, we did Australia in the Australia winter, adding days beginning and end and then a couple of years later, New Zealand in their summer, adding days beginning and end. The fact that you had to book the flight between the two countries offset the fact we had to fly all the way there twice. I do recall, that when we went to New Zealand, the service in the hotel in Wellington was not very good, then, like a miracle, once the staff realized we were with Tauck, at the start of the tour, the same people were all over us….yes we were now in the Tauck bubble.
Thank you so much for the review! It brought back great memories! We met such wonderful people on this trip that we have stayed in touch with! It was like summer camp ! Ditto - we went in 2017 and had to book our own flights between Australia and New Zealand. We LOVED this trip. It is funny how people are touched by different experiences. My husband and I loved Australia and will certainly go back. It felt like home but without the obvious political strife.
BTW - best prices anywhere at Hartley’s crocodile adventure on crocodile belts!
Why would a crocodile need a belt?
To get to the other side without its pants falling down?
P.S. Where's LOL when you need it?
I can feel it - the flagger's blood pressure is up...
There is always this emoji gif:
I've posted some pictures, hope you enjoy them, I know some are not in the right direction, one of these days I'll master that.
Great review Gladys and I loved the photos. Thanks for sharing.
Stunning photos that beautifully compliment each day's narrative! Thanks again.
Gladys - Compare your picture of Barren River Falls to my picture below. Clearly I was there in a much drier time.
Where are your pictures Gladys, did you delete them?
British - they are interspersed within her original post.
Sam - there was a lot of rain the day before, only rainy day we had but it paid off.
British they are in my original post.
Thank you Gladys. Fantastic photos!!