Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive in Melbourne and check into your hotel right on the Yarra River. After settling in, you'll meet your Travel Director and join the group for a welcome reception and dinner at The General Assembly restaurant at South Wharf. It's a nice opportunity to get to know everyone in the group before the trip really kicks off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with Wine at The General Assembly restaurant, South Wharf)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne)
Included Activities
- Welcome reception and dinner at The General Assembly restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Yarra River South Wharf 
- Day 2
Melbourne
This morning starts with a city sights tour that includes a private walk through Melbourne's famous hidden laneways. You'll come across eclectic lanes, arcades, café society, and interesting street art, plus you'll see beautiful Victorian façades and federated buildings throughout. After that, you'll have free time to explore on your own or try any optional experiences that appeal to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne)
Included Activities
- Private guided walk through Melbourne's hidden laneways
- City sights tour including street art and Victorian architecture
Optional Activities
- Penguin Parade experience at Phillip Island
- Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower
Landmarks/POIs Eureka Tower Phillip Island - Day 3
Melbourne to Cairns
You'll fly to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. Once there, you'll board a cruise at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures where you can see koalas, wallabies, and crocodiles in their natural setting. Later, you'll participate in a Rainforest Restoration project helping plant trees in the Notophyll Vine Forest, which supports protection and restoration of this rare dry rainforest.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Boxed breakfast provided for early departures from Melbourne)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- Flight from Melbourne to Cairns
- Cruise at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
- Rainforest Restoration project at Notophyll Vine Forest
Landmarks/POIs Hartley's Crocodile Adventures Notophyll Vine Forest 
- Day 4
Cairns
You'll set sail on a high-speed catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. Once there, you can snorkel with provided equipment or stay dry in a semi-submersible air-conditioned craft with an underwater observatory. Your local guide will share information about the reef and its marine species. On board you'll have a buffet lunch and afternoon tea and coffee before heading back to Cairns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Buffet lunch on board the catamaran)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- High-speed catamaran to Great Barrier Reef
- Snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef with equipment provided, or semi-submersible craft viewing
- Guided reef experience with local guide
- Buffet lunch on board
- Afternoon tea and coffee service
Landmarks/POIs Great Barrier Reef 
- Day 5
Cairns
You have the day to yourself to explore however you'd like. A popular choice is taking the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, traveling over and through World Heritage rainforest, then checking out the quaint Kuranda village and returning via the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. Or you can simply relax by your hotel pool or sit at a local café. Later, you'll meet up with the group for dinner at Ochre Restaurant featuring Australian cuisine made with local produce.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Australian cuisine at Ochre Restaurant featuring local produce)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Ochre Restaurant
Optional Activities
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda
- Explore Kuranda village
- Kuranda Scenic Railway return journey
Landmarks/POIs Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Kuranda Kuranda Scenic Railway - Day 6
Cairns to Sydney
You'll fly from Cairns to Sydney. The rest of the day is yours to spend however you want. You could walk to the Art Gallery of NSW or head to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for panoramic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Your Travel Director can offer evening dining suggestions if you'd like some recommendations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Flight from Cairns to Sydney
Optional Activities
- Visit to Art Gallery of NSW
- Walk to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for views of Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Art Gallery of New South Wales Mrs. Macquarie's Chair Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bridge 
- Day 7
Sydney
You'll go inside the iconic Sydney Opera House with a local guide who'll explain the secrets behind this architectural achievement. From there, you'll take to the water on a Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise with great views of the city. Then you'll visit Wendy's Secret Garden at Lavender Bay, a beautiful pocket garden overlooking Sydney Harbour, and your visit helps support its ongoing maintenance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Guided tour inside Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise
- Visit to Wendy's Secret Garden at Lavender Bay
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Lavender Bay Wendy's Secret Garden - Day 8
Sydney
The day is yours to explore at your own pace, or you can book one of the hand-crafted optional activities available. You could experience the city from above on a Sydney BridgeClimb, or take a tour to the Blue Mountains to see the famous Three Sisters. This evening, you'll share your stories and experiences from the day with fellow travelers over dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Dinner with fellow travelers
Optional Activities
- Sydney BridgeClimb
- Blue Mountains tour to see Three Sisters
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Harbour Bridge Blue Mountains Three Sisters - Day 9
Sydney to Queenstown
You'll fly to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. Once there, you'll explore the alpine village and Lake Wakatipu, then wander through the walkable bars and restaurants. Your Travel Director can give you tips on what to do and see in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Flight from Sydney to Queenstown
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu Queenstown 
- Day 10
Queenstown
You'll experience country life at Real Country where you'll meet a local Southern Girl farmer. You'll watch horse communication and working sheep dog demonstrations, try stock whip cracking, and feed farm animals. Later, you'll explore Arrowtown, a former gold-mining village with quaint shops, restaurants, and Southern Alps views. At dusk, you'll cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner at Colonel's Homestead, Walter Peak High Country Farm with Wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Real Country farm experience with demonstrations
- Horse communication demonstration
- Working sheep dog mustering demonstration
- Stock whip cracking lesson
- Feed and interact with farm animals
- Explore Arrowtown village
- TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu
- Gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner at Colonel's Homestead, Walter Peak High Country Farm
Landmarks/POIs Real Country Arrowtown Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables Walter Peak High Country Farm TSS Earnslaw - Day 11
Queenstown
You have a free day to explore as you choose. You might venture into the wilderness of Milford Sound to cruise past sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks, and waterfalls, or relax on a wine tour of the Otago region. Both activities are at your own expense.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Optional Activities
- Milford Sound cruise adventure
- Otago region wine tour
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound Otago region - Day 12
Queenstown to Auckland
You'll fly to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, known as the 'City of Sails' for its two yacht-filled harbours. You can explore these harbours at your leisure this afternoon, taking time to walk around and see what interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Horizon by SkyCity Auckland)
Included Activities
- Flight from Queenstown to Auckland
Landmarks/POIs Auckland 
- Day 13
Auckland
You'll travel to the cavernous Waitomo Caves where thousands of bright green and blue glowworms light up the space around you. This evening, you'll head to Te Puia's geothermal valley and learn about Māori history and culture on a guided experience. You'll enjoy dinner featuring hangi-inspired cuisine and a cultural performance in the finely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua, then finish with hot chocolate while viewing the Pohutu Geyser.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hangi-inspired cuisine with cultural performance and hot chocolate at Pohutu Geyser, Te Puia)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel Rotorua)
Included Activities
- Waitomo Caves tour with glowworms viewing
- Te Puia geothermal valley guided experience
- Hangi-inspired cuisine dinner at Te Puia
- Cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house
- Pohutu Geyser viewing
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Caves Te Puia Te Aronui a Rua Pohutu Geyser 
- Day 14
Auckland
You'll go behind the scenes at a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping New Zealand's endangered national bird. After that, you'll experience the natural drama at Whakarewarewa, where geysers and thermal springs shoot skywards. The day ends with a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and companions to celebrate the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell Dinner with Travel Director and companions)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel Rotorua)
Included Activities
- Working kiwi nursery and hatchery behind-the-scenes tour
- Whakarewarewa geysers and thermal springs experience
- Farewell Dinner with Travel Director and companions
Landmarks/POIs National Kiwi Hatchery Whakarewarewa - Day 15
Departure from Auckland
You'll depart Auckland today. You've seen two countries, had multiple adventures, and made many new friends. It's time to reflect on the journey as you say goodbye to everyone and head home.
