Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive in Melbourne and get settled at your hotel right on the Yarra River. After checking in, you'll meet your Travel Director and the other people on the trip over welcome dinner at a restaurant on South Wharf. It's a good chance to get oriented and start connecting with everyone.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at popular restaurant on Yarra River South Wharf)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at restaurant on Yarra River South Wharf
Landmarks Yarra River 
- Day 2
Melbourne
Your Travel Director takes you on a walking tour through Melbourne's Victorian buildings, arcades, and laneways where street art covers the walls. You'll experience the city's coffee culture firsthand, then have free time to either explore the food and culture scene on your own or join optional activities if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Melbourne's Victorian architecture, arcades, laneways, and street art
Optional Activities
- Trip to Phillip Island to see the famous penguin parade
Landmarks Phillip Island - Day 3
Melbourne
This is a free day to explore stylish Melbourne at your own pace. You can browse boutiques and laneways on Brunswick Street, sit at cafes, or pick from optional experiences like the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles or a History and Donuts Walking Tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza)
Optional Activities
- Great Ocean Road trip featuring the Twelve Apostles and Apollo Bay
- History and Donuts Walking Tour
Landmarks Twelve Apostles Apollo Bay Brunswick Street - Day 4
Melbourne to Uluru
You'll fly to Ayers Rock Resort in the Red Centre near Uluru. The drive takes you through red dirt landscapes, and by evening you'll experience a classic Uluru sundowner with light snacks and sparkling wine as the desert sun goes down. You're staying at the indigenous-owned Desert Gardens Hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Desert Gardens)
Included Activities
- Uluru sundowner with nibbles and sparkling wine at sunset
Optional Activities
- Uluru BBQ Dinner with informative star talk
Landmarks Uluru Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Day 5
Uluru
Head out to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at dawn with hot cocoa to watch the sunrise. Then tour the base of Uluru with your Travel Director to see ancient rock art and hear stories from the Anangu caretakers. You'll try a Western Desert art introduction and create your own artwork. Later, walk through Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta and catch the sunset with sparkling wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Desert Gardens)
Included Activities
- Sunrise experience at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with hot cocoa
- Guided tour of Uluru base with MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience - stories about the Anangu and ancient rock art
- Introduction to Western Desert art with Anangu artist - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
- Western Desert art creation activity
- Walk through Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta
- Sunset experience at Kata Tjuta with sparkling wine
Landmarks Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge - Day 6
Uluru to Cairns
On your final morning at Uluru, there's an optional early experience to see the Field of Light art installation before flying to Cairns. You'll arrive in this tropical city and start getting used to its laid-back pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton)
Optional Activities
- Field of Light art installation sunrise experience by artist Bruce Munro - watch darkness change to rainbow-coloured dawn, then view desert awakening from sand dune with coffee or tea
Landmarks Field of Light - Day 7
Cairns
You have a full free day in Cairns to explore however you like. Optional activities include hot air ballooning, rainforest bush tucker experiences, historic rail trips to Kuranda, or crocodile spotting. In the evening, you'll dine at Salt House restaurant on Cairns' waterfront.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Salt House, highlighting fresh, local ingredients prepared on custom-built Argentinian wood fired grill)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Salt House on Cairns waterfront
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon flight over Atherton Tablelands
- Bush tucker hunting and gathering experience in Daintree Rainforest
- Historic rail journey to Kuranda village
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
- Hartley's Crocodile wetlands cruise
Landmarks Atherton Tablelands Daintree Rainforest Kuranda Hartley's Crocodile - Day 8
Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran and head out to the Great Barrier Reef. You can choose to snorkel with provided equipment or explore the reef from a semi-submersible craft. Your local guide shares information about the local ecology and reef preservation. Lunch is an onboard tropical buffet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Tropical buffet lunch under the glorious Aussie sunshine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton)
Included Activities
- High-speed catamaran cruise to Great Barrier Reef
- Snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef with equipment provided OR semi-submersible craft experience
- Local guide commentary on ecology and reef preservation
- Tropical buffet lunch onboard
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef 
- Day 9
Cairns to Sydney
You'll fly south to Sydney and spend the day exploring this harbour city from your centrally located hotel. Walk around the waterfront at Circular Quay or check out the Rocks District, Chinatown, craft breweries, and rooftop bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (InterContinental)
Landmarks Circular Quay The Rocks Chinatown 
- Day 10
Sydney
Start with a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House led by a Local Specialist. After that, take a Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise where you'll pass scenic harbour sights and eat local food and wine. Later, head to Bondi Beach to relax, stroll the promenade, look at surf shops, or grab a coffee.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise with menu focusing on local food and wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (InterContinental)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sydney Opera House with Local Specialist
- Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise with local food and wine
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bondi Beach - Day 11
Sydney
You have a full free day to explore Sydney however you want. Optional experiences include Sydney Zoo to see native Australian animals, the Blue Mountains with the Three Sisters rock formation, or climbing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge for views across the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (InterContinental)
Optional Activities
- Sydney Zoo visit to see wombats, Tasmanian devils, and koalas
- Blue Mountains excursion featuring Three Sisters rock formation and Aboriginal legend
- Sydney Harbour Bridge climb - 134 metres above Sydney Harbour guided by professional climber
Landmarks Sydney Zoo Blue Mountains Three Sisters Sydney Harbour Bridge - Day 12
Sydney
You have a free morning to explore Sydney on your own pace, walking around Circular Quay, browsing galleries and shops, or relaxing with harbour views. Late morning, you'll visit the Royal Botanic Garden and join a guided tour of the Art Gallery of New South Wales with a Local Specialist focusing on First Nations and Australian art. That evening, toast the end of your journey with other travellers and your Travel Director at a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with Travel Director and fellow travellers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (InterContinental)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Art Gallery of New South Wales with Local Specialist - First Nations and Australian art
Landmarks Circular Quay Royal Botanic Garden Art Gallery of New South Wales The Rocks - Day 13
Sydney to Auckland
You'll fly to Auckland, known as the City of Sails because of its islands and recreational boats in the harbour. The city sits on 53 dormant volcanoes. After settling in, you'll have dinner at The Grill celebrating Aotearoa's culinary treasures.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at The Grill celebrating Aotearoa's culinary treasures)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Horizon by SkyCity)
Included Activities
- Dinner at The Grill
Landmarks Auckland Harbour 
- Day 14
Auckland
After a relaxed start, explore New Zealand's national game of rugby at the All Blacks Experience interactive exhibition. Then discover city highlights including Mission Bay waterfront, Bastion Point historic overlook, and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial gardens with views of Waitemata Harbour and the North Shore. You'll pass the Auckland Museum on dormant volcano Pukekawa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Horizon by SkyCity)
Included Activities
- All Blacks Experience - interactive exploration of rugby as part of New Zealand culture - DIVE INTO CULTURE Experience
- City highlights tour including Mission Bay, Bastion Point, Michael Joseph Savage Memorial
Landmarks All Blacks Experience Mission Bay Bastion Point Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Auckland Museum Pukekawa 
- Day 15
Auckland to Rotorua
Head to the Hobbiton Movie Set for a guided 12-acre tour with plenty of photo opportunities in interactive hobbit holes. After lunch, continue to Rotorua for a Te Po Maori Experience at Te Puia, which includes Maori history and culture, a cultural performance in a carved meeting house, viewing of Pohutu Geyser, and hangi-inspired dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine at Te Puia)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set - 12 acres with photo opportunities in hobbit holes
- Te Po Maori Experience at Te Puia - guided MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience on Maori history and culture
- Cultural performance in finely carved meeting house Te Aronui a Rua
- Viewing of Pohutu Geyser
- Dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Te Puia Pohutu Geyser 
- Day 16
Rotorua to Queenstown
Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa with a Local Specialist to learn about conservation efforts for New Zealand's national bird. You'll see kiwi eggs, the hatching process, and newly hatched chicks. Then fly to Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital known for ski fields, white-water activities, and award-winning restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium)
Included Activities
- Tour of National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa with Local Specialist - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
Landmarks National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa 
- Day 17
Queenstown to Milford Sound
Journey along Lake Wakatipu shores and over Devil's Staircase toward Te Anau, taking in Mirror Lakes, Cleddau Valley, and the Chasm. Pass through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel toward Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound. Cruise the calm waters of Milford Sound, then return to Queenstown for a free evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive along Lake Wakatipu with Devil's Staircase, Mirror Lakes, Cleddau Valley, and Chasm views
- Passage through Homer Tunnel
- Views of Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls
- Cruise on Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Devil's Staircase Te Anau Mirror Lakes Cleddau Valley Homer Tunnel Mitre Peak Bowen Falls Milford Sound - Day 18
Queenstown
You have a full free day in Queenstown with several options. Take a thrilling Skippers Jet boat through cliffs and gorges, or cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steamship, to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a tour and morning or afternoon tea. In the evening, have dinner at the historic Postmasters Cottage in Arrowtown built in 1907, focusing on fresh local food and wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at historic Postmasters Cottage with focus on fresh, local food and wines - Stays With Stories experience)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium)
Included Activities
- Dinner at historic Postmasters Cottage in Arrowtown
Optional Activities
- Skippers Jet boat through cliffs and gorges
- TSS Earnslaw cruise on Lake Wakatipu - New Zealand's oldest steamship - to Walter Peak High Country Farm with farm tour and morning or afternoon tea
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Walter Peak High Country Farm TSS Earnslaw Arrowtown Postmasters Cottage - Day 19
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
Travel to Cromwell on the banks of Lake Dunstan, then to Lake Tekapo. Stop at Mrs. Jones' Fruit Stall to taste regional stone fruits. Explore Highlands Museum with rare motorsport cars and gems. Visit the quaint lakeside Church of the Good Shepherd with its bronze sheepdog statue. Experience guided stargazing in the UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve using powerful telescopes. You're staying at Peppers Bluewater Resort overlooking Lake Tekapo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Peppers Bluewater Resort)
Included Activities
- Visit to Mrs. Jones' Fruit Stall for stone fruit tasting
- Highlands Museum visit featuring rare motorsport cars
- Church of the Good Shepherd visit
- Guided stargazing experience with Local Specialist in UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Landmarks Cromwell Lake Dunstan Lake Tekapo Highlands Museum Church of the Good Shepherd Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve - Day 20
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
Visit the country town of Geraldine, known for locally-made preserves. Then arrive in Christchurch and explore local sights including Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Earthquake Memorial, Bridge of Remembrance, and the Cardboard Cathedral, a striking temporary structure with colourful stained-glass windows.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction)
Included Activities
- Visit to Geraldine town
- Canterbury Museum visit
- Christchurch Earthquake Memorial viewing
- Bridge of Remembrance viewing
- Cardboard Cathedral (Cathedral in Latimer Square) viewing
Landmarks Geraldine Canterbury Museum Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Bridge of Remembrance Cardboard Cathedral - Day 21
Christchurch
Travel through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, a working hill-country sheep and cattle farm in North Canterbury. You'll experience warm Kiwi hospitality with the Bamford Family, who've farmed Merino sheep and Angus cattle for six generations since 1884. Meet farm animals and learn about life off the land. Visit Waipara Springs Winery for wine tasting and platter-style lunch among the vines. Share a farewell dinner celebrating your travels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Platter-style lunch at Waipara Springs Winery), Dinner (Farewell dinner showcasing Canterbury region food with Travel Director and group)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction)
Included Activities
- Hurunui Hills farm visit - By My Guest experience with Bamford Family
- Farm tour, animal encounters, and learning about Merino sheep, wool, and Angus cattle farming
- Waipara Springs Winery visit with wine tasting and platter-style lunch
- Farewell dinner showcasing Canterbury region food
Landmarks Hurunui Hills North Canterbury Waipara Springs Winery - Day 22
Christchurch
Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You'll say goodbye to the friends you've made on the trip and transfer to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
