Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland at your own pace and head to the hotel. This evening, there's a welcome meeting with your CEO. If you have extra time before the evening, Auckland is a vibrant multicultural city with plenty to see and do.
Included Activities
- Welcome Meeting with CEO
Optional Activities
- Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience (Pre Tour) - 195 NZD per person
- Hobbiton Movie Set day trip (requires pre-night booking)
- Day 2
Auckland to Waiheke Island
Start with an orientation walk through Auckland to explore one of the Southern Hemisphere's most multicultural cities. After that, you'll take a ferry across to Waiheke Island to visit vineyards and learn about New Zealand's wine industry while sampling local blends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk with CEO in Auckland
- Waiheke Island Wineries
Landmarks/POIs Waiheke Island - Day 3
Waiheke Island to Rotorua
You'll drive to Rotorua, a lakeside town known for active geothermal features and Maori heritage. En route, you'll explore Waitomo Glowworm Caves with an underground boat ride to see thousands of glowworms lighting up the darkness.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Waitomo Cave Excursion with underground boat ride
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Glowworm Caves Rotorua - Day 4
Rotorua
Full day walking through 800-year-old podocarp trees in Whirinaki Rainforest, spotting endemic birds and medicinal plants. You'll visit Kohutapu Lodge to experience Maori culture, watch traditional hangi lunch preparation in an underground pit, and learn about ancient rock carvings. There's an evening option to soak in hot springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Hangi Lunch with Maori hosts)
Included Activities
- A day at Kohutapu - Whirinaki Rainforest walk
- Traditional Hangi Lunch preparation and feast
- Ancient rock carvings and Maori cultural experience
Optional Activities
- Hot Springs evening soak (45-75 NZD per person)
- Evening meal in Rotorua
Landmarks/POIs Whirinaki Rainforest Kohutapu Lodge - Day 5
Rotorua to Christchurch
You'll take a private tour at the National Kiwi Hatchery with an expert guide to learn about the iconic kiwi species and conservation efforts for this endangered bird. The morning has free time to optionally relax in natural hot springs. In the afternoon, you'll catch a flight to Christchurch on the South Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- The National Kiwi Hatchery - private tour with expert guide
- Orientation with CEO
Optional Activities
- Hot spring relaxation in Rotorua
Landmarks/POIs National Kiwi Hatchery - Day 6
Christchurch to Canterbury Plains
You'll board the scenic TranzAlpine train through verdant plains, beech forests, and misty mountains to Arthur's Pass in the Southern Alps. After exploring the alpine area, you'll descend into Canterbury Plains to visit a working sheep farm. BBQ lunch with locally sourced ingredients, shearing demonstrations, and farm talks follow before returning to Christchurch.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (BBQ lunch with locally sourced ingredients at sheep farm)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine Train journey
- Sheep Shearing Experience at working farm
- Sheep farming demonstrations and farmer talks
Landmarks/POIs TranzAlpine Train Route Arthur's Pass Canterbury Plains - Day 7
Christchurch to Tekapo
Morning is free in Christchurch to stroll the Botanic Gardens or explore the city. You'll then drive west to Tekapo at the base of Aoraki/Mt Cook. After dinner, you'll join local experts for an exclusive astronomy experience in one of the world's official Dark Sky Parks, viewing stars, planets, and distant galaxies.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tekapo Dark Sky Experience - astronomy with expert guides
Optional Activities
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens visit
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch Botanic Gardens Lake Tekapo Aoraki/Mt Cook - Day 8
Tekapo to Aoraki/Mt Cook
You'll visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre to learn about Hillary's achievements and his preparation for the Everest summit in 1953. After exploring the visitor center, you'll take a guided trek along the Kea Point track, a 1.8-mile trail with views of Mount Sefton, Hooker Valley, Mueller Glacier Lake, and Aoraki/Mt Cook.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre visit
- Aoraki/Mt Cook Kea Point Trek (1.8 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Kea Point Track Mount Sefton Hooker Valley Mueller Glacier Lake - Day 9
Aoraki/Mt Cook to Queenstown
You'll head west towards Wanaka with free exploration time and lunch at leisure. Stopping in historic Arrowtown, you'll have an orientation with your CEO, then explore the former gold mining town with optional walking tours through miners' cottages and the Chinese Settlement. Late afternoon brings you to Queenstown with evening at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation of Arrowtown with CEO
Optional Activities
- Walking tour starting at Lakes District Museum
- Exploration of historic miners' cottages and old churches
- Chinese Settlement exploration
Landmarks/POIs Wanaka Arrowtown Lakes District Museum Chinese Settlement, Arrowtown - Day 10
Queenstown to Fiordland National Park
You'll cruise through the glacially carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park past shimmering waterfalls and towering cliffs. With naturalist guides, you'll look for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and little blue penguins. After returning to shore, you'll head back to Queenstown for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Fiordland National Park Wilderness Cruise with naturalist guides
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park - Day 11
Queenstown
Full day at leisure in Queenstown with options to cruise Lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer, experience a jet boat ride, or visit a local winery to sample award-winning regional vintages. There's an optional farewell dinner with your CEO and fellow travelers this final evening in New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Lake Wakatipu historic steamer cruise (99-120 NZD per person)
- Shotover Jet Boating (159 NZD per person)
- Vineyard Tour (210-240 NZD per person)
- Gondola Ride (66-80 NZD per person)
- Farewell dinner with CEO and fellow travelers
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu - Day 12
Queenstown to Melbourne
You'll fly from Queenstown to Melbourne, Australia, and have free time to explore the vibrant city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 13
Melbourne
You'll join a culinary storyteller for a food tour through Melbourne's famous laneways and multicultural communities. Experience ranges from Asian entree with wine to Italian main with wine, finishing with gelato dessert at three popular venues. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Three-venue foodie tour with Asian entree, Italian main, and gelato dessert, wine included)
Included Activities
- Melbourne Foodie Walk - three-venue lunch tour with wine
Landmarks/POIs Melbourne Laneways - Day 14
Melbourne
Full day exploring vibrant Melbourne. You'll wander the city's narrow cobbled lanes discovering quirky cafes and colorful murals. An optional excursion along the Great Ocean Road following spectacular sea cliffs is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road - must be pre-booked to secure spot
Landmarks/POIs Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles - Day 15
Melbourne to Uluru
You'll catch a flight to Uluru in the heart of the Australian outback. At the Cultural Centre of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you'll learn about the Anangu people's beliefs and customs. Guided walks along the northwest and southern sides of Uluru let you explore the history and Anangu stories of these iconic sandstone formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Indigenous Cultural Centre Visit at Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park
- Uluru Mala Walk - guided walks on northwest and southern sides
Landmarks/POIs Uluru (Ayers Rock) Kata Tjuta Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre - Day 16
Uluru
Morning walk through Kata Tjuta, Uluru's neighboring natural wonder, exploring the ancient red-hued landscapes. Afternoon is free to relax. You'll cap off the day with sparkling wine as you watch the crimson sunset over this fabled monolith.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kata Tjuta Guided Walk
- Sunset at Uluru with sparkling wine
Landmarks/POIs Kata Tjuta Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Day 17
Uluru to Sydney
You'll wake at dawn to witness the Field of Light installation by artist Bruce Munro, with illuminated artworks changing in the sunrise light and Uluru in the distance. After breakfast at the hotel, you'll pack up for an afternoon flight to Sydney and check into the hotel. There's an optional dinner with your CEO in one of Sydney's famous neighborhoods.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise at Field of Light installation with views of Uluru
Optional Activities
- Farewell dinner with CEO in Sydney neighborhood
Landmarks/POIs Field of Light - Day 18
Sydney
Walking orientation tour with your CEO covers well-known landmarks including the Rocks area, a waterfront neighborhood marking the site of first European settlement in Australia. You'll take a private tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House, then board a private boat for a sunset sail around Sydney Harbor with an Australian barbecue dinner as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Australian Barbecue dinner on private boat during sunset sail)
Included Activities
- Walking orientation tour including the Rocks area
- Private Tour of the Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
Landmarks/POIs The Rocks Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour - Day 19
Sydney
Full day at leisure exploring the best of Sydney. You can walk through the Rocks and visit Maybe Sammy bar, take the ferry to Manly Beach, or walk the Bondi Coastal walk for photos and beach exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to the Rocks neighborhood
- Maybe Sammy bar visit
- Ferry to Manly Beach
- Bondi Coastal walk
Landmarks/POIs The Rocks Manly Beach Bondi Beach - Day 20
Sydney to Port Douglas
You'll fly early morning to Cairns, then travel up the scenic coastal road to Daintree Rainforest, the world's oldest tropical rainforest and UNESCO World Heritage site. An interpretive walk with an Indigenous guide at Mossman Gorge teaches about the traditional ways of the Kuku Yalanji people. You'll continue to Port Douglas for three nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Indigenous Peoples Interpretive Walk at Mossman Gorge with Kuku Yalanji guide
Landmarks/POIs Daintree Rainforest Mossman Gorge Port Douglas - Day 21
Great Barrier Reef
Full-day catamaran tour to the Outer Reef of the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system. You'll swim and snorkel in warm waters teeming with tropical fish, whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Lunch is served onboard, and the evening is free in Port Douglas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch served onboard catamaran)
Included Activities
- Great Barrier Reef Excursion with Sailaway - full-day catamaran to Outer Reef
Landmarks/POIs Great Barrier Reef - Day 22
Port Douglas
Free morning in charming Port Douglas to stroll boutique-lined streets and beaches, or head to the Sunday markets. Later in the day, you'll join an exclusive cultural experience at Cooya Beach with Indigenous guides for a welcome ceremony and time with the Kuku Yalanji people. Your CEO can organize an optional farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exclusive Indigenous experience at Cooya Beach with welcome ceremony and Kuku Yalanji guides
Optional Activities
- Farewell dinner organized by CEO
Landmarks/POIs Port Douglas Cooya Beach - Day 23
Port Douglas to Cairns
After breakfast in Port Douglas, you'll transfer back to Cairns where the tour ends at the airport mid-morning. Alternatively, you can extend your stay in Port Douglas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
