Kesher

Day 1 Tuesday New York – Melbourne January 20

Flight to Melbourne, Australia.

Day 2 Wednesday Melbourne January 21

Arrive in Melbourne and transfer to our hotel.

Day 3 Thursday Melbourne – Phillip Island January 22
We start the morning with a city tour of Melbourne; the 2nd largest city in Australia, followed by an excursion to Philip Island, known by its famous Penguin Colony. On the way we will visit the Koala Conservation Center and then enjoy the famous “Penguin Parade”.

Day 4 Friday Melbourne – Great Ocean Road January 23
Today we will travel along the famous Great Ocean Road, going through the marvelous beaches of New South Wales. We will stop for a view of the “Twelve Apostles”; a row of impressive naturally cut rocks, and then on to admire the Island Arch. On the return to Melbourne, we will stop at London Bridge. Preparation for Shabbat. Shabbat Service followed by Shabbat Dinner.

Day 5 Shabbat Melbourne January 24
After the Shabbat Services and lunch, take a stroll with your guide of the area around the hotel. tel.

Day 6 Sunday Melbourne - Cairns January 25
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Cairns, home to the Great Barrier Reef. Upon arrival, visit the renowned Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center, where you will have time to explore many of the local handicrafts and traditional activities, including the famous Tjapukai Dance Troupe. We will then board the Kuranda Scenic Train; a railroad running through the Australian rainforest for the trip to Kuranda. In Kuranda we will visit the Butterfly Sanctuary and stroll through the local markets.

Day 7 Monday Cairns – The Great Reef January 26
Depart on board a high-speed catamaran to the Outer Reef visiting Michaelmas Cay. Here you will have plenty of leisure time to snorkel, swim, relax and ride in a submersible coral viewer.

Day 8 Tuesday Alice Springs January 27
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Alice Springs. Alice Springs is located in the heart of the “Northern Territory” on the shores of the dried Lake Todd. Upon arrival depart for a tour of the city’s highlights: Old Telegraph Station, royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air. Than take a trip to Anzac Hill which provides gorgeous views of the “Alice”.

Day 9 Wednesday Ayers Rock January 28
After breakfast, we will take a drive towards Ayers Rock – a huge monolith that captured the imagination of the Australian aboriginals centuries before the European settlement. Upon arrival, visit the Uluru reserve and learn about the legend, mythology and folklore of the Aborigines.

Day 10 Thursday Ayers Rock - Sydney January 29
An early morning departure, in order to view Ayers Rock at sunrise will be followed by a coach tour of the Rock Natural Reserve. On to the airport for a flight to Sydney; considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Arrival in Sydney and hotel.

Day 11 Friday Sydney January 30
Explore the wonderful city of Sydney. View the famous Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, King’s Cross, Bondi Beach and Darling Harbor. Visit the famous Marine Museum and The Great Synagogue. Preparations for Shabbat. Shabbat Service followed by Shabbat Dinner.

Day 12 Shabbat Sydney January 31
After the Shabbat services and lunch, take a walk with your tour escort in the vicinity of the hotel.

Day 13 Sunday Sydney – Blue Mountains February 1
Today we will visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park, where koalas, dingoes, kangaroos, emus and other Australian native animals may be admired. After the visit we will head towards the “Blue Mountain”. We will see the Victoria Mountain, at Echo Point. Stop to see the “Three Sisters” rock formation towering over the Jamison Valley, as well as the impressive Wentworth Falls. Late in the afternoon we will return to the hotel in Sydney.

Day 14 Monday Christchurch, New Zealand February 2
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival we will have a tour to view the Cathedral Square and the River Avon in the garden city; once described as the “most English-like city outside England”.

Day 15 Tuesday Franz Josef February 3
Today we will Travel across the Canterbury Plains and cross the Southern “Alps Mountain” through Arthurs Pass, with its spectacular scenery, and on to the to the coastal town of Greymouth; a town created around the 1860's Gold Rush. We will then continue on with a drive down the West Coast to Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight will be spent in this area.

Day 16 Wednesday Franz Joseph Glacier, Queenstown February 4
This morning enjoy the magnificent sight of Franz Josef Glacier before continuing south to Queenstown; the famous resort town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu . On our way we will be passing the Fox Glacier and the Haast Pass. Upon arrival we will have a short tour of the city and then transfer to the hotel.

Day 17 Thursday Milford Sound – Queenstown February 5
An early morning departure for a drive further south to Te Anau and the magnificent Milford Sound Natural Reserve. Enjoy a cruise on the Milford Sound fjord before returning to Queenstown by coach.

Day 18 Friday Wellington February 6
Transfer to airport for a flight to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Upon arrival we will have a short sightseeing tour of the city. Preparation for Shabbat. Shabbat Service followed by Shabbat Dinner.

Day 19 Shabbat Wellington February 7
After the Shabbat services and lunch take a walk with your guide in the vicinity of the hotel.

Day 20 Sunday Rotorua February 8
Enjoy a coach drive to Tongariro National Park where three massive volcanoes are clustered together. Proceed to the thermal city of Rotorua. After dinner you are invited to attend a traditional Maori Show.

Day 21 Monday Rotorua February 9
Enjoy a full day excursion through Rotorua. Highlights will include a visit to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, where geysers, hot springs, hot mud pools and the Kiwi bird are all to be found. We will be visiting the Maori Art and Crafts Institute and the world famous Agrodrome for a demonstration of sheep shearing. We will then proceed to the Rainbow Springs Reserve with its kiwi house and trout springs. We then conclude with a relaxing cruise on Lake Rotorua.

Day 22 Tuesday Glow-worm Caves February 10
Depart Rotorua to Wiatomo for an astonishing visit of the famous glow-worm caves. We will be travelling underground in a boat, to see the glow-worm grotto. Continue to Hamilton, via The Wikato River valley to Auckland; know also as the "City of Sails".

Day 23 Wednesday Auckland February 11
This morning’s tour includes a drive to the top of Mount Eden for a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Transportation to the airport for our flight home