8 Day Norfolk Island Christmas Celebrations
Departs: Sunday 21st December 2008
SUPER SAVER FARE: $2648 pp twin share
Norfolk Island is a fascinating destination and Down Under Coach Tours gives you the opportunity to travel to this historic place to celebrate Christmas 2008. Enjoy an escorted tour with leisurely touring of the Island. Each day has been carefully planned to ensure your stay on Norfolk is memorable. Enjoy sumptuous feature dinners including a Progressive Dinner, Island Fish Fry, Seaworld Dining and the hilarious ‘Night as a Convict’! Visit beautiful gardens and scenic highlights and experience island culture. Step back in time and learn about the Island’s fascinating history with the Sound and Light Show and the Mutiny on the Bounty performance. Each day is structured to leave time for shopping, fishing, swimming or just relaxing. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a unique and memorable Norfolk Island Christmas Celebration Holiday
DAY 1 HERVEY BAY — BRISBANE — NORFOLK (D)
Sunday 21st December: An early start for travelling companions joining between Hervey Bay and Caloundra with coach transfer to Brisbane. (Brisbane and Gold Coast home pick up—limited area conditions apply). All passengers are greeted by your Down Under Tour escort at Brisbane International Airport for check-in flight for Norfolk Air Flight O7 331 (time subject to confirmation). During the flight you will be served a light refreshment. Touch down and welcome to Norfolk Island! Be greeted by the friendly staff of Pinetree Tours who will transfer our group to Norfolk Island’s leading Resort, the South Pacific Hotel. This evening enjoy a light supper at your Hotel.
DAY 2 ISLAND INTRODUCTION (BD)
Monday 22nd December: After breakfast enjoy an overview tour of this wonderful Island. Our guide introduces us to Norfolk’s beautiful scenery, rich history and heritage and the way of life that is enjoyed today. Visit historic Kingston and see the most popular beach on Norfolk, Emily Bay plus the famous convict buildings. Marvel at the Melanesian Chapel with its beautiful stained glass windows, enjoy the views from Cascade and Anson Bay and finish the tour with morning tea at an old historic home. This beautiful home was built by Fletcher Quintal, a descendent of the “Bounty” mutineers, Fletcher Christian and Matthew Quintal. Free time in the afternoon to absorb your Christmas holiday destination. This evening a feast not to be forgotten as we journey to Island homes for a four course Progressive Dinner! Indulge in some of Norfolk’s traditional dishes, and at the same time be welcomed into the homes of your friendly hosts for a touch of true Island living and history.
DAY 3 CONVICT TOUR & FISH FRY (BD)
Tuesday 23rd December: Enjoy breakfast then free time in your Island Paradise. In the afternoon be taken back in time with a discovery tour of the fascinating Georgian settlement at Kingston. Wander through the cemetery, The Old Military Barracks and other convict ruins. Learn of the barbaric history, where suffering and cruelty were the norm in our now idyllic paradise. This tour will prompt much discussion over an appetizing afternoon tea. Tonight enjoy an eye catching, taste bud tantalising Island Fish Fry feast at scenic Puppy’s Point. Enjoy a meal and the views perched on top of one of Norfolk’s majestic cliff tops surrounded by stately Norfolk Pines, watch the sea birds coming in for the night and the sun setting out in the Pacific Ocean. But there is still more in store as you experience the Mutiny on the Bounty Show in a spectacular outdoor amphitheatre. Watch as descendants of the mutineers bring the story of the “Mutiny on the Bounty” to life. Experience the heartache and happiness as love is lost and then found again amongst the English men and Polynesian women on beautiful Tahiti. Be sure to bring a warm jacket this evening as the sea breeze can be quite chilly.
DAY 4 BUSHWALK & CYCLORAMA (BD)
Wednesday 24th December:Get your walking shoes on for an early pick up this morning for a Breakfast Bush Walk. See some of Norfolk Island’s lush green rain forests and spectacular coast line with a choice of an easy stroll through One Hundred Acres Reserve, or for the more energetic, a leisurely 3.5 km walk from Mt Bates to Captain Cook Monument. If you’re lucky you may spot one of Norfolk’s endangered and very rare Green Parrots. After building up an appetite on one of these fantastic walks you will all be transferred to scenic Anson Bay for a delicious BBQ Breakfast. (Note: Anyone not wanting to do the walk will be transferred direct to Anson Bay for
the BBQ Breakfast.) Free time, then at 1.00pm we visit Norfolk Island’s newest attraction, The Cyclorama. Produced by local artists over a period of 15 months, The Cyclorama presents Norfolk Island’s history in a unique and fascinating way. Step into another time and place as you become a part of this magnificent artwork. After The Cyclorama you may like to pop into Guava Gallery and view some artwork by talented local artists, then can we recommend lunch (not included) at Hilis Lounge. All situated together, this makes for an enjoyable afternoon. The remainder of today is at your leisure. Enjoy a two course dinner at your hotel.
DAY 5 CHRISTMAS DAY AT NORFOLK (BLD)
Thursday 25th December: Happy Christmas! Exchange festive greetings over breakfast and enjoy your time with your fellow travelling companions on your idyllic Christmas paradise. A light lunch will be served. This evening a delicious Festive Feast is planned...will Santa find you this far from your home!
DAY 6 GARDEN TOUR & CONVICT NIGHT (BLD)
Friday 26th December: After breakfast tour some of the Island’s loveliest gardens beginning with a visit to Norfolk’s major orchard ‘Natural Choice’. Paddy Cavill will explain her horticultural style of gardening and show her specialist lowchill apple cultivation. Next, visit a nursery and then a gorgeous private garden with spectacular views of Kingston and Nepean Islands. Over morning tea a local historian gives a talk on this area with a history dating to 1788. Free time until it is time to get ready for a night of great fun with Norfolk’s longest running theme night, Night as a Convict. Uniforms are supplied so be prepared for an epic night of laughter, games and convict mayhem!
DAY 7 ISLAND TOUR & SOUND N’ LIGHT (BD)
Saturday 27th December: Breakfast at your hotel, then grab your camera as we join the Tin-A-Aii Tour to some of Norfolk Island’s most beautiful places. Be prepared for some breath taking sites that support James Cook’s description of Norfolk Island as a “paradise”. Free time this afternoon. Tonight enjoy a sumptuous two course Farewell Dinner at Seaworld Restaurant. Following dinner, be transported back to the convict era with the sensational Sound and Light Show. As the use of real life sounds and theatrical lighting break the still starry night, costumed actors will merge with the ruins to bring real convict stories to life, mesmerising you with tales of death, misery and the horror of these decades.
DAY 8 NORFOLK — BRISBANE — HERVEY BAY (B)
Sunday 28th December: Another wonderful cooked breakfast one last time before we leave our Christmas Island Paradise. Sadly, we must say, SEE YORLYE GANE! Board Norfolk Air flight O7 334 with a light lunch served on board (flight time subject to confirmation). Welcome home!! Touch down at Brisbane International Airport with return arrangements for Brisbane and Gold Coast passengers. Passengers enroute to Hervey Bay enjoy coach transfers home.
Thank you for joining us this Christmas and we trust you will return home with many cherished memories of your Norfolk Island Christmas Celebration.