Itinerary
- Day 1
International Dateline Crossing
Your journey begins as you cross the International Dateline and skip ahead a full day. It's an interesting way to start, gaining extra time as you head toward New Zealand.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rydges Auckland)
- Day 2
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland, the City of Sails, which has the world's highest Polynesian population outside of the Pacific Islands. After settling in, you'll meet your travel companions at a welcome dinner this evening to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sudima Lake Hotel)
Landmarks Auckland Harbour - Day 3
Auckland to Rotorua
This morning includes a panoramic city tour covering Auckland's highlights like the America's Cup Village, War Memorial, and Queen Street. From there, you'll travel to Rotorua, the Maori capital, where an authentic Hangi dinner awaits with cultural learning about local traditions.
- Meals
- Dinner (Authentic Hangi dinner celebration)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sudima Lake Hotel)
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Auckland featuring America's Cup Village, War Memorial, Queen Street, and Auckland Harbour Bridge
- Travel to Rotorua
- Authentic Hangi dinner celebration and Maori cultural experience
Landmarks America's Cup Village Auckland War Memorial Queen Street Auckland Harbour Bridge - Day 4
Rotorua
You'll head to Whakarewarewa Thermal Village to see geysers and bubbling mud pools, then take part in a weaving demonstration and spot Kiwi birds. After that, the Agrodome has a sheep shearing show lined up. Your evening is free to either rest or wander around the city.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Christchurch Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Village - New Zealand's premier Maori cultural and geothermal experience
- Witness geysers, bubbling mud pools, and geothermal wonders
- Interactive weaving demonstration
- Kiwi bird viewing and endangered species information
- Agrodome sheep shearing demonstration and agricultural learning
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Rotorua in the evening
Landmarks Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Agrodome - Day 5
Rotorua to Christchurch
A flight takes you south to Christchurch, the Garden City. You'll see firsthand how the city is moving forward and rebuilding after the 2011 earthquake, getting a real sense of its recovery and recreation efforts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Christchurch Hotel)
Included Activities
- Flight to Christchurch
Landmarks Christchurch 
- Day 6
Christchurch
Start with a city tour of Christchurch, then head to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve to see New Zealand's Big 5 (Kiwi, Kea, Tuatara, Kaka, and Takahe). The day wraps up with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional Maori waka canoe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel)
Included Activities
- City tour of Christchurch
- Visit Willowbank Wildlife Reserve - see New Zealand's 'Big 5' (Kiwi, Kea, Tuatara, Kaka, Takahe)
- Paddle on the Avon River in a traditional Maori waka (canoe)
Landmarks Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Avon River - Day 7
Christchurch to Queenstown
You'll depart Christchurch and travel south to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World. By afternoon you'll be there with time to explore on your own before dinner, giving you a chance to get your bearings in this mountain-backed setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel)
Included Activities
- Travel to Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Queenstown in the afternoon
Landmarks Queenstown Bay 
- Day 8
Queenstown
A cruise on Lake Wakatipu takes you through surrounded by dramatic scenery with BBQ lunch served lakeside and a sheepdog demonstration beforehand. Later, you can choose between bird watching at Kiwi Birdlife Park or taking a gondola up to Bob's Peak for views. The evening is yours to enjoy Queenstown.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (BBQ lunch lakeside)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu
- BBQ lunch lakeside
- Sheepdog demonstration
Optional Activities
- Bird watching at Kiwi Birdlife Park
- Gondola to Bob's Peak for panoramic views
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Kiwi Birdlife Park Bob's Peak - Day 9
Milford Sound
You'll travel through the Hollyford Valley via Homer Tunnel and past ancient beech forest on your way to Milford Sound. The fjord cruise shows you why this area ranks as one of the South Island's most visited spots. An optional scenic flight back to Queenstown is available if weather cooperates.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel)
Included Activities
- Travel through Hollyford Valley via Homer Tunnel
- Ancient beech forest experience
- Cruise Milford Sound
Optional Activities
- Return to Queenstown via scenic flight (weather permitting)
Landmarks Hollyford Valley Homer Tunnel Milford Sound 
- Day 10
Queenstown
Today is free for independent exploring. You can take an optional tour through the Queenstown countryside to see movie filming locations, or just shop and watch people in the village. Everyone gathers this evening for a farewell dinner celebrating your time in New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell to New Zealand dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bailey Crystalbrook Collection Hotel)
Included Activities
- Farewell to New Zealand dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional tour through Queenstown countryside showcasing movie filming locations
- Independent shopping and exploration in Queenstown village
- Day 11
Cairns
A flight takes you to Cairns, the tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This World Heritage site and marine park is home to thousands of sea species, turtles, and birds across its protected waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bailey Crystalbrook Collection Hotel)
Included Activities
- Flight to Cairns
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef - Day 12
Cairns
At Rainforestation Nature Park, an Indigenous Pamagirri guide shares customs and traditions while you learn about Australia's original inhabitants. After an Aussie BBQ lunch, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures offers a nature cruise and rainforest boardwalk walk where you'll spot birds, reptiles, and wallabies, plus meet a koala.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Aussie BBQ lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bailey Crystalbrook Collection Hotel)
Included Activities
- Rainforestation Nature Park visit with Indigenous Pamagirri guide
- Aussie BBQ lunch
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures nature cruise
- Rainforest boardwalk experience
- Wildlife viewing including birds, reptiles, and wallabies
- Koala encounter with wildlife naturalist
Landmarks Rainforestation Nature Park Hartley's Crocodile Adventures - Day 13
Great Barrier Reef
A high-speed catamaran takes you out to the Great Barrier Reef with Green Island as your base. You can try a glass-bottom boat ride, walk the island trails, relax on the beach, go snorkeling, or watch fish and sea turtles from the pier. An optional outer reef tour is available if you want more.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Sydney Darling Square)
Included Activities
- High-speed catamaran excursion to Great Barrier Reef
- Glass-bottom boat ride
- Green Island walking trails
- Beach access on Green Island
- Snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef
- Fish and sea turtle viewing from pier
Optional Activities
- Optional outer reef tour
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef Green Island 
- Day 14
Cairns to Sydney
The morning is yours to relax and take in Cairns' tropical atmosphere and the surrounding area. This afternoon you'll fly to Sydney, giving you time to unwind before heading to Australia's iconic harbor city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Sydney Darling Square)
Included Activities
- Flight to Sydney
Optional Activities
- Independent relaxation and exploration of Cairns in the morning
- Day 15
Sydney
A city tour covers Sydney's colonial history including Kings Cross, Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, and Botanic Gardens. An expert-led tour of the iconic Opera House is included, followed by a visit to the National Opal Collection for a special presentation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Sydney Darling Square)
Included Activities
- City tour of Sydney featuring Kings Cross, Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, and Botanic Gardens
- Expert-led tour of Sydney Opera House
- Visit to National Opal Collection with special presentation
Landmarks Kings Cross Sydney Harbour Bridge Chinatown The Rocks Circular Quay Botanic Gardens Sydney Opera House National Opal Collection 
- Day 16
Sydney
You have the day to explore Sydney on your own terms. Tonight you'll board a dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour for your Australian farewell, taking in views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the water with your travel group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour)
Included Activities
- Dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Sydney
Landmarks Sydney Harbour - Day 17
Tour End
Your tour ends today. You'll head home with plenty of memories from your time across New Zealand and Australia, from geothermal areas and adventure capital to reef experiences and iconic harbor cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
