Itinerary
- Day 1
International Dateline Crossing
You'll cross the International Dateline today, which means you'll skip ahead a day as you travel toward the South Pacific. It's one of those travel quirks that always feels a bit strange but makes for good conversation.
- Day 2
Christchurch Arrival
After arriving in Christchurch, you'll settle into your accommodation and get oriented. There's a welcome dinner tonight where you'll meet the other travelers on the tour and start getting to know everyone.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch - Day 3
Christchurch City Tour & Maori Cultural Experience
Start the morning with a city tour of Christchurch, then head to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve to see New Zealand's native wildlife. Later you'll paddle the Avon River in a traditional waka canoe and learn about Maori culture directly from local guides.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Christchurch city tour
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve visit - viewing New Zealand's Big 5 (Kiwi, Kea, Tuatara, Kaka, Takahe)
- Avon River paddle in traditional Maori waka (canoe)
Landmarks/POIs Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Avon River - Day 4
Christchurch to Queenstown
Drive south from Christchurch to Queenstown today, a journey that takes most of the day. You'll arrive in the afternoon with time to walk around and check out the town before heading to dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Independent exploration of Queenstown
Landmarks/POIs Queenstown - Day 5
Lake Wakatipu Cruise & Queenstown Activities
Take a cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard a coal-fired steamship and have lunch with a Kiwi BBQ by the water. You'll watch a sheepdog demonstration, then choose between the Kiwi Birdlife Park or taking the gondola up to Bob's Peak. The evening is free to explore Queenstown on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Kiwi BBQ lunch lakeside)
Included Activities
- Lake Wakatipu cruise aboard coal-fired steamship
- Kiwi BBQ lunch lakeside
- Sheepdog demonstration
Optional Activities
- Bird watching at Kiwi Birdlife Park
- Gondola ride to Bob's Peak for panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu Kiwi Birdlife Park Bob's Peak - Day 6
Milford Sound & Southern Alps
Travel through ancient beech forest via Homer Tunnel, then cruise through Milford Sound fjord. After the cruise, there's an option to fly back to Queenstown if weather cooperates, giving you great views of the Southern Alps from the air.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through Hollyford Valley via Homer Tunnel
- Milford Sound cruise
Optional Activities
- Return flight to Queenstown with views of Southern Alps (weather permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Hollyford Valley Homer Tunnel Milford Sound Southern Alps - Day 7
Queenstown Free Day & Farewell Dinner
This is your free day in Queenstown. You can either join an optional tour through countryside filming locations from major movies, or just wander the village shopping and watching people. Tonight there's a farewell dinner celebrating your time in New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell to New Zealand dinner)
Included Activities
- Farewell to New Zealand dinner
Optional Activities
- Movie locations tour through Queenstown countryside
Landmarks/POIs Queenstown - Day 8
Cairns Arrival
Fly to Cairns today and step into the tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is your base for exploring one of the world's most significant natural areas, home to thousands of marine species and coral formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Great Barrier Reef - Day 9
Rainforestation & Wildlife Adventures
Visit Rainforestation Nature Park with an Indigenous Pamagirri guide who'll share about Australia's original inhabitants and their traditions. After an Aussie BBQ lunch, head to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for a nature cruise, boardwalks, and up-close encounters with koalas and other wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Aussie BBQ lunch)
Included Activities
- Rainforestation Nature Park guided tour with Indigenous Pamagirri guide
- Aussie BBQ lunch
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures nature cruise
- Rainforest boardwalk experience
- Koala visit and wildlife naturalist chat
Landmarks/POIs Rainforestation Nature Park Hartley's Crocodile Adventures - Day 10
Great Barrier Reef Excursion
Board a high-speed catamaran and head out to the Great Barrier Reef based at Green Island. You'll have options like a glass-bottom boat ride, island walking trails, beach time, snorkeling, or watching from the pier. There's also an optional outer reef tour if you want something more adventurous.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- High-speed catamaran excursion to Great Barrier Reef
- Green Island as base for reef exploration
- Glass-bottom boat ride
- Island walking trails
- Beach access
- Snorkeling or pier observation
Optional Activities
- Outer reef tour
Landmarks/POIs Great Barrier Reef Green Island - Day 11
Cairns to Sydney
Spend the morning relaxing and soaking up Cairns' tropical atmosphere without structured activities. Later you'll fly to Sydney, Australia's bustling harbor city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Sydney - Day 12
Sydney City Tour & Opera House
Explore Sydney's historic sites where the first English colonists settled, including Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, and Circular Quay. You'll take a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House and visit the National Opal Collection.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Sydney city tour (Kings Cross, Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, Botanic Gardens)
- Expert-led Sydney Opera House tour
- National Opal Collection visit
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bridge Circular Quay The Rocks Chinatown, Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Kings Cross, Sydney National Opal Collection - Day 13
Sydney & Harbour Dinner Cruise
Today is yours to explore Sydney however you'd like without scheduled activities. This evening, you'll have a farewell dinner cruise around Sydney Harbour with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour)
Included Activities
- Sydney Harbour dinner cruise
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Sydney
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Harbour - Day 14
Tour Conclusion
Your tour ends today as you depart, taking with you memories from your travels across New Zealand and Australia.
