Day 1 : Welcome to Melbourne
Begin your Australia and New Zealand tour discovering the style and spirit of Melbourne, your launch pad to an epic adventure through Australia and New Zealand (flights to arrive prior to 12pm). On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel on the Yarra River before celebrating the beginning of your journey at a Welcome Reception at The General Assembly. Located on the Yarra River, this restaurant is known for its modern pub fare such as buttermilk fried chicken burger, Hopkins River Scotch fillet, and beer and miso lamb ribs. Dive in and raise your glass to the adventure. Cheers!
Accommodation : Crowne Plaza
Day 2 : Discover the Magic of Melbourne
There’s so much to see both in and out of the city and you’ll get a jump on it this morning, joining your Travel Director for an exploration of Melbourne’s famous hidden laneways. Discover the city's eclectic arcades, café society, and vivid street art Melbourne is famous for. See something you like? The rest of your day is free in town or to take an Optional Experience to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade watching the little guys emerge from the sea and waddle their way home to their beach burrows. If you’d prefer to stay in town and soak up city life, explore the galleries and museums such as the Center for the Moving Image, poke around the Queen Victoria Market where vendors have been selling fresh goods since 1878, or experience some of Melbourne's celebrated eateries and sample the area’s world-class wines.
Accommodation : Crowne Plaza
Day 3 : North to Sunny Cairns
From city life to sunshine state of mind, today you’ll fly to laid-back Cairns. Get right into the action and meet your Local Specialist for a private wildlife journey at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Your boat cruise will take you through the woodlands and rainforest that provide sanctuary to koalas, tropical birds and, of course, crocodiles. See what critters are out today as your local guide shares their in-depth knowledge of the wildlife that call the sanctuary home. Continue your exploration of wildlife and wild places taking part in a Rainforest Restoration project to protect the natural wonder of Notophyll Vine Forest. Join in and plant a tree knowing that your visit is part of a larger scale effort to restore the rainforest since the land was cleared and overgrazed. Your contribution to the revitalization of this rare dry rainforest will help to bring back its native plants and birds. After a big day, enjoy an evening dining in one of the many restaurants in the nearby Cairns Marina. Or, pop into the Cairns Night Markets, choosing your favorite dinner option from over 70 local vendors.
Accommodation : Hilton
Day 4 : A Natural Wonder, the Great Barrier Reef
On a bucket-list, day-long excursion, immerse yourself in Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef boarding a high-speed catamaran for this underwater wonderland and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The choice is yours on how to explore: view the iridescent coral formations and colorful marine-life from your semi-submersible craft or get your feet wet and have an up-close encounter snorkelling with a rainbow of fish and coral (equipment provided). Whichever you chose, you’ll enjoy a full day of wildlife, insights from your local guide, and a tropical lunch as you bask in the glorious Australian sunshine. You’ll return to Cairns after a day of sun and fun with a greater appreciation for this beautiful and fragile part of the world.
Accommodation : Hilton
Day 5 : Time to Explore Tropical Cairns
Spend the day soaking up the sun discovering Cairns on your own terms. Relax in town or at the hotel pool or consider joining an Optional Experience such as the Scenic Rail journey to Kuranda to explore the remote and fascinating 'village in the rainforest'. All aboard as your day begins taking a historic train through the rainforest rich with gorges and waterfalls to Kuranda. The views alone are worth the trip, but you’ll also have time to explore this village’s unique shops and markets or experience more of this World Heritage rainforest taking to the trails or visiting a wildlife sanctuary. Return to the lowlands on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway though and above some of the oldest rainforest in the world. Tonight, join your travel mates for a Regional Dinner at Ochre Restaurant for views of the inlet and mountains as you enjoy Australian cuisine featuring the best local produce and maybe a cocktail highlighting their largest selection of Australian spirits in the region.
Accommodation : Hilton
Day 6 : Sydney's Eclectic Sights
Kick off your day with the behind-the-scenes guided tour of the Sydney Opera House with a Local Specialist. Then experience the beauty of the city aboard a harbor cruise sailing past Circular Quay, Shark Island, magnificent homes, beaches, and parkland, and the iconic white sails of the Opera House. Across the harbor Bridge visit Wendy's Secret Garden at Lavender Bay, a peaceful hideaway with a special history, and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Wind your way through the garden's nooks and crannies, where shrubs. herbs, and towering trees line meandering paths. After a morning of touring, the rest of the day is yours to explore a bit more of the city. Take a stroll around the harbor or find a spot by the Opera House and perhaps raise a glass as you watch the sunset over the bridge.
Accommodation : Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Day 7 : Sydney, It's All Yours Today
Get your final fix of Sydney with a full day to explore. Consider joining an Optional Experience to discover the spectacular Blue Mountains for fresh mountain air and stunning natural scenery. Animals lovers will not want to miss a visit to the Sydney Zoo to see some of Australia's unique native animals. On your last night in town, enjoy one last walk around the harbor before sitting down to a Regional Dinner. After so many incredible experiences in Australia, get excited for the next leg of your journey in New Zealand.
Accommodation : Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Day 8 : Fly into Fun in Queenstown
New Zealand’s adventure capital beckons as you fly to Queenstown this afternoon for the next leg of your journey. Get your bearings around town, including your first views of stunning Lake Wakatipu which frames the town. Reminiscent of alpine village, you’ll love the mountain-town vibe of this adventure hub. Lucky for you the evening is free to explore the many walkable bars and restaurants before resting up in the cozy and contemporary central Millennium Hotel.
Accommodation : Millennium
Day 9 : Say Hello to Laura on Her Farm
An insider's look at New Zealand rural life awaits as you meet Southern Girl Laura. Born and raised here in Central Otago, Laura will share her story of hunting, fishing, horse riding, and growing up on a family farm in the deep south of New Zealand at this immersive experience. Hear how after working in the corporate world, Laura traded her stilettos for gumboots and returned to her country roots. Now it’s your turn to have some fun as you have a go at sheep mustering, whip cracking, and the chance to feed and pet the sheep, horses, and goats. With Laura’s warm welcome and love of the land, know that you’ve experienced ‘the Real New Zealand.’ Jump right into the region starting in gorgeous, quaint Arrowtown, a riverside town that boomed during the gold mining era of the mid-1800s. You’ll feel like the clocks been turned back as you stroll among the pioneer-constructed cottages, churches, as well as the boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes. Be sure to have a look at the Chinese Settlement at the edge of the Arrow River made of restored shelters and buildings originally constructed in 1868. From land to water, Dive Into Culture and sit back on a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw before arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Regional Dinner, piled high with ribs and salad. After dinner at this historic homestead, learn how it all comes together watching the sheep dogs in action before cruising back to your Queenstown hotel.
Accommodation : Millennium
Day 10 : Queenstown to Spend as You Wish
Good morning, Queenstown! You have a final day in New Zealand's adventure capital and the choice is yours on how to spend it. Nature lovers can take advantage of an Optional Experience on a cruise of breathtaking Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Experiencing this world heritage listed national park and majestic fiord carved by glacial ice will bring you up close to sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks, and waterfalls. Each turn of the boat will have you “oohing” and “aahing” at this dramatic landscape but be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins, penguins, and seals. If you’d prefer to stay on dry land sample flavors of this world-renowned wine region, join an Optional Experience touring three premium boutique vineyards in the Otago region. You’ll enjoy vineyard and barrel hall tours complete with early history and, of course, tastings of the area’s famous Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc paired with a platter lunch.
Accommodation : Millennium
Day 11 : Fly North to Auckland
Today you’ll say farewell to Queenstown as you fly north to Auckland, the 'City of Sails'. You’ll easily see how the city got its nickname soaring in over the islands and boats in the harbor. In fact, one in four New Zealanders owns a boat! Auckland is also known for being built on 53 dormant volcanoes each rich with Maori history for you to uncover. And if you’re seeking a cosmopolitan vibe, Auckland will not disappoint. The city’s melting pot of cultures means there are a variety of restaurants, from the glamorous to the local hot spots, for you to sample both international and New Zealand fare. This evening is free and this is your chance to explore the city, so why not dine in the heart of the city Federal Street, a hotspot for food lovers right on your doorstep?
Accommodation : The Grand by SkyCity
Day 12 : Culture Capital Rotorua
Begin your dive into the rich culture and natural beauty of Rotorua journeying through King Country, the center of the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s, to the starry wonderland of the Waitomo Caves. Your underground exploration begins joining a Local Specialist to descend a spiral staircase past curving limestone formations and crystal tapestries as you listen to the distant waterfalls. In the cave, you’re enveloped in a galaxy of twinkling green and blue glowworms lighting up the walls - a dazzling and unforgettable experience you’ll carry with you outside of this magical cave. This evening you'll Dive Into Culture and Maori traditions at Te Puia. Your Regional Dinner, succulent meats and vegetables cooked in a Hangi, is served while you overlook the spectacular geothermal valley. Cap it off with a moving Maori cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua.
Accommodation : Millennium
Day 13 : Delve into Maori Culture
It may be the last day on tour, but there’s still so much more to see. Begin the last day visiting the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa for a tour with a Local Specialist. You’ll love this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learning all about New Zealand’s national bird and the work being done by this leader in kiwi husbandry to save the iconic creature. See kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process, and newly hatched kiwi chicks as you get an insider’s look at this fascinating bird. Next up Dive Into Culture at the Living Maori Village Whakarewarewa where you’ll gain an even deeper insight into the lives of the Maori and the special bond they share with this ancient land. You’ll learn about the Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people who lived on top of a volcanic crater since 1886. Explore the trails winding through geothermal fields past steaming lakes. Later, join your Travel Director and companions for a Farewell Dinner.
Accommodation : Millennium
Day 14 : Farewell Rotorua and Auckland
Your Australia and New Zealand tour concludes this morning after breakfast. Savor one hearty breakfast in this beautiful place and say farewell to your newfound friends before your transfer from Rotorua to Auckland Airport for your onward flight (flights to depart after 2pm).