Day 1 | Feb. 9, 2018 | TORONTO—BRISBANE
Air Canada flight 33 departs Toronto 8:15 p.m. arrives Vancouver 10:13 p.m. Connecting with Air Canada flight 35, departs Vancouver on
Feb. 10 at 12:35 a.m. arrives Brisbane at 9:15 a.m. the following day.

Day 3 | Feb. 11, 2018 | BRISBANE—GOLD COAST
Upon arrival in Brisbane International airport meet your local representative, and transfer to your accommodations in the Gold Coast. Accommodations: Mantra Sun City Apartments
Address: 3400 Gold Coast Highway Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
Phone: +07 5584 6000

Days 4-16 | Feb. 12-24, 2018 | GOLD COAST
Days at leisure to explore the Gold Coast and its surrounding areas on your own. Your Merit Travel tour host will be available for suggestions on optional excursions. The following four excursions are included:

Day 6 | HALF-DAY BRISBANE EXCURSION
Depart your hotel for a half-day Brisbane city excursion to discover Brisbane's convict and colonial past, and see its oldest buildings including the magnificent St. John's Cathedral and City Hall, Treasury Casino, Parliament House and the Commissariat Store. Pass the
City Botanical Gardens and stop on top of Kangaroo Point Cliffs for great views of the river and the city skyline. Then cross the Story Bridge, passing Chinatown to Bartley's Lookout, for a panoramic view of Brisbane. See Queensland's oldest home and enjoy sweeping views from Mt. Coot-tha Lookout, a favourite destination for locals and visitors. Return to your hotel in the Gold Coast.

Day 8 | EXCURSION TO WILDERNESS RAINFOREST TOUR WITH SOUTHERN CROSS
Depart your hotel for the World Heritage listed rainforests of Lamington National Park. The trek into the Hinterland region follows the original pioneer’s track to the volcanic plateau of Tamborine Mountain and this area of secluded eucalyptus forests provides a private
sanctuary for koala, wallabies and other varied wildlife. You will enjoy morning tea with delicious fresh scones served with jams, cream, tea and coffee and you will have the chance to check out Gallery Walk on the mountain. Discover lush subtropical rainforests with cascading waterfalls, learn about the forest's unique characteristics, how the Aboriginal people gathered food from the forest floor and the animals and
birds that call the area home. Tucked away in the beautiful Sarabah Valley is our private lunch venue, Spring Gully, that has all the appeal of the outback, yet only a stone’s throw from the Gold Coast. This 400 acre property provides the ideal venue for a delicious BBQ lunch, and on a hot day, nearby cool waters and rock pools provide the opportunity for a refreshing swim. It is recommended that guests bring their swimsuits. Following lunch, the tour continues on into the mountainous regions of Lamington National Park (Australia’s largest preserved natural stand of subtropical rainforest). At O’Reilly’s Plateau, some 3,000 feet above sea level, colourful native birds flock around and can be fed. The Treetop Boardwalk through the rainforest canopy offers a bird’s eye view of this enchanting area, especially for those who climb the observation tower. Leaving O’Reilly’s we take in the magnificent view of mountains and valleys with a 300-degree view from the Gold Coast to Brisbane and around to the Great Dividing Range. On the return journey to the Gold Coast, sightings of kangaroos and the pretty-faced wallabies is common, as they emerge from their bush retreats to feed on the lush grass in the cooler part of the day. Return to your hotel in the Gold Coast.

Day 12 | AQUA DUCK SAFARI EXCURSION
Depart your hotel and experience the Gold Coast as you never have before! Your Ducktacular land and water tour begins with a bit of ducking and weaving around the streets of Surfers Paradise, followed by a waddle along the glorious Gold Coast beaches and up to the magnificent Versace and Marina Mirage Resorts. That's where our Aquaduck Gold Coast Adventure gets to show its true colours with a bit of 'duck diving' into the spectacular Broadwater and you get to experience the thrill of the big splash. Cruise along and take in the sights of the beautiful waterways and of course the fabulous millionaire's row. The Aquaduck has a unique seating layout which offers you more room to stand and move around, along with great views.

Day 13 | OUTBACK SPECTACULAR, INCLUDING MEDIEVAL DINNER
Depart your hotel and enjoy a fabulous dinner and a high country show at the Outback Spectacular. Saddle up and join us on a captivating
journey to the snow peaked mountains of the high country, where enchanted whispers and legendary yarns come alive with the most inspiring stories of Australian characters. Be dazzled like never before by the amazing animal stars, and see death-defying stunts and aerial performances as you hear the brave tale of the Aussie girl sold to the circus at the tender age of seven. You will be mesmerized by the biggest display of special effects, seen as you travel the Road to Omeo, with Australia’s yesteryear ghosts.
This popular dinner show is accompanied by a stirring musical score as well as fantastic country music composed and written by country music legend Lee Kernaghan. Australians are famous for their competitive spirit, and it’s impossible not to become involved in the competition that develops between stockmen and women from rival stations. High country hospitality demands that every visitor to the mountains be well fed, and that applies especially to the audience. Sit back and enjoy the majesty of an arena transformed into the snowy peaks of the high country as 40 stockmen and women serve up a gourmet Aussie feast with beer, wine or soft drink to every member of the audience—all in record time. Witness the bravery, beauty and courage of the greatest Australian stories never told. High Country Legends, proudly presented by R.M. Williams at the
Australian Outback Spectacular.

Day 17 | Feb. 25, 2018 | GOLD COAST—FRASER ISLAND (D)
Transfer by coach to Brisbane airport for flight to Hervey Bay. Qantas flight 2376 departs Brisbane at 11:00 a.m. arrives Hervey Bay at 11:50 a.m. Upon arrival on Fraser Island, you will transfer to the Kingfisher Bay Mainland Reception to catch your ferry. The ferry departs River Heads (Hervey Bay) at 12:30 p.m. Sit back and enjoy a 50 minute cruise across the Great Sandy Straits to Kingfisher Bay Resort. On arrival, you will be met by the resort representative and transferred to reception for check-in. You will then join an afternoon Bushtucker and Taste tour, before relaxing in the afternoon at the resort. Enjoy a buffet dinner this evening.
Accommodations: Kingfisher Bay Resort
Address: 4655 Fraser Island Queensland 4655
Phone: +61 7 4120 3333

Day 18 | Feb. 26, 2018 | FRASER ISLAND (B, L, D)
Enjoy a relaxing buffet breakfast at the Maheno Restaurant, then make your way to the Village Square to meet your Ranger for your day’s
adventure on the world’s largest sand island. Embark on a full-day exploration of Fraser Island from the comfort of an air-conditioned, custom
designed 4WD coach with lunch. Swim in the fresh waters of Eli Creek on Fraser Island’s eastern beach and see the rusting hulk of the Maheno
Shipwreck and continue on to the coloured sands of the Pinnacles. Discover the former logging station at Central Station, walk along the
boardwalk of Wanggoolba Creek, and visit Pile Valley, where Fraser famous Satinay trees grow in sand. Then take a dip in the clear waters of Lake McKenzie, walk around the sandy shoreline or just relax and enjoy the spectacular view. Arrive back at your resort and relax while enjoying the stunning views of the natural surroundings. A buffet dinner will be served at the resort.

Day 19 | Feb. 27, 2018 | FRASER ISLAND TO SYDNEY (B, D)
Enjoy a relaxing buffet breakfast at the Maheno Restaurant. Take some time and explore more of the natural surroundings with our team of resort
rangers. Depart on the 10:30 a.m. ferry to transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Qantas flight 2377 departs Hervey Bay at 12:15 p.m. arrives Brisbane at 1:10 p.m. connecting to Qantas flight 0537 departs Brisbane at 2:05 p.m. arrives in Sydney at 4:40 p.m. Upon arrival in Sydney, collect your luggage and meet your local representative for your transfer to the hotel. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, I’m Angus (3 courses) within an easy 15 minute walk around the Darling Harbour/Cockle Bay district.
Accommodations: Grace Hotel
Address: 77 York Street Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: +612 8076 0385

Day 20 | Feb. 28, 2018 | SYDNEY (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel. Depart at 7:30 a.m. and travel to Lincolns Rock lookout for a beautiful view over the Blue Mountains. Arrive in the quaint mountain village of Leura with some free time to look at the shops and for morning tea. Travel onto Govetts Leap in Blackheath for a short walk and some more spectacular views, then onto the Three Sisters lookout. A two-course lunch will be provided at the Hydro Majestic, with our final stop of the day being the Scenic Railway which is included for two rides to take the group up and down the valley boardwalk. Arrive back at the hotel by 4.00 p.m.

Day 21 | Mar. 1, 2018 | NEW ZEALAND DISCOVERY CRUISE (B, D)
Depart our hotel mid-morning accompanied by our Sydney local guide for our sights of Sydney tour and the famous beaches, and ending at White Bay Cruise terminal, where you will board your 14-night New Zealand Discovery Cruise at 3.00 p.m. onboard MS Noordam.

Day 35 | Mar. 15, 2018 | SYDNEY—TORONTO (B)
After breakfast disembark your cruise. Your guide will be waiting at the pier at 9:00 am. for your transfer to the airport for your flight home. Air Canada flight 34 departs Sydney at 11:20 a.m. arrives Toronto at 4:22 p.m.