Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive in Melbourne and settle into your hotel positioned on the banks of the Yarra River. After getting settled, you'll meet your Travel Director and the rest of the group for dinner at a popular local spot where everyone gets to know each other.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne)
Landmarks Yarra River 
- Day 2
Melbourne
Your Travel Director takes you on a guided walk through Melbourne's lanes, arcades, and cafes, pointing out Victorian architecture and street art along the way. You'll visit the Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery to learn about Koorie peoples and their cultures. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne)
Included Activities
- Guided walk discovering Melbourne's laneways, arcades, and cafe society
- Tour and talk at Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
Optional Activities
- Phillip Island - Penguins, Koalas & Wildlife (AU$203.00 adults)
- Eureka Skydeck viewing platform at Eureka Tower (AU$28.00 adults, AU$19.00 children)
- Explore Melbourne city on your own
Landmarks Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery Eureka Tower Phillip Island - Day 3
Melbourne to Cairns
You'll fly to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. Once there, you board a cruise at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures to see koalas, wallabies, and crocodiles. Later, you'll participate in a rainforest restoration project where you plant trees in the Notophyll Vine Forest to help protect this rare ecosystem.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Boxed breakfast provided if departing on early flight)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- Cruise at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
- Hands-on tree planting activity with Rainforest Rescue - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
Landmarks Hartley's Crocodile Adventures Notophyll Vine Forest - Day 4
Great Barrier Reef
A high-speed catamaran takes you out to the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can snorkel with provided equipment to explore the underwater world, or stay dry in a semi-submersible craft with an underwater observatory. Your local guide shares insights about the reef. A buffet lunch and afternoon tea and coffee are served onboard before you head back to Cairns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Buffet lunch onboard), Snack (Afternoon tea and coffee)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- Cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Snorkel exploration of Great Barrier Reef (equipment provided)
- Semi-submersible underwater observatory experience (alternative to snorkeling)
- Buffet lunch onboard
- Afternoon tea and coffee
Optional Activities
- Great Adventures Introductory Dive (AU$194.00 adults, subject to medical assessment)
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef 
- Day 5
Cairns
This day is completely yours. You could take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over World Heritage rainforest to Kuranda, explore the village, and return via the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. Or just relax by your hotel pool or at a local cafe. In the evening, everyone meets up for dinner at Ochre Restaurant featuring Australian cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Australian cuisine featuring best local produce)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Cairns)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Ochre Restaurant featuring Australian cuisine and local produce
Optional Activities
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda over World Heritage rainforest
- Explore Kuranda village
- Historic Kuranda Scenic Railway return journey
- Relax by hotel pool or at local cafe
- Dinner and Harbour Cruise on Spirit of Cairns (AU$129.00 adults)
Landmarks Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Kuranda Kuranda Scenic Railway - Day 6
Cairns to Sydney
After a relaxed morning, you'll fly to Sydney. As you land, you'll get nice views over the harbor. After checking into your centrally located hotel, the rest of the day and evening are yours. Your Travel Director can offer suggestions for sightseeing and dinner spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney)
Optional Activities
- Explore Sydney at your own pace
- Seek recommendations from Travel Director for sightseeing and dining
Landmarks Sydney Harbour - Day 7
Sydney
You'll take a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House and learn about its unique architecture and famous artists who've performed there. Next, you head to Bondi Beach for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. Lunch happens at the Bondi RSL club with views of the beach and Pacific Ocean. To finish, you'll take a Sydney Harbour cruise that passes the Opera House from the water, Circular Quay, Shark Island, mansions, beaches, parks, and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Be My Guest lunch at Bondi RSL Club with views across Bondi Beach and Pacific Ocean), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Private guided tour of the Sydney Opera House
- Behind-the-scenes tour of Bondi Surf Life Saving Club
- Be My Guest lunch at Bondi RSL Club
- Sydney Harbour cruise with views of Opera House, Circular Quay, Shark Island, and Sydney Harbour Bridge
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Bondi Beach Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Circular Quay Shark Island Sydney Harbour Bridge - Day 8
Sydney
Sydney is yours to explore today at your own pace. Consider visiting the Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains for mountain scenery and fresh air. Or if you're feeling adventurous, there's an optional climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Later in the evening, you'll get together with fellow travelers for dinner and share your experiences.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney)
Included Activities
- Dinner with travel group
Optional Activities
- Visit Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains (own expense)
- Sydney Harbour Bridge climb (own expense)
- Explore Sydney at leisure
Landmarks Three Sisters Sydney Harbour Bridge - Day 9
Sydney to Auckland
You'll sit back and take in the view as you cross the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. Dinner this evening is at The Grill, where you'll enjoy New Zealand's best grassfed steaks from 100% New Zealand owned suppliers and sustainable line-caught fish.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebrating Aotearoa's culinary treasures with finest quality grassfed steaks from 100% NZ owned and operated suppliers and sustainable line-caught fish)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Horizon by SkyCity Auckland)
Included Activities
- Dinner at The Grill featuring fine quality grassfed steaks and sustainable line-caught fish
Landmarks Tasman Sea 
- Day 10
Auckland
After a relaxed start to the day, you'll explore New Zealand's national game at the interactive All Blacks Experience. Then comes a city sightseeing tour that includes Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, both offering sweeping views of Waitemata Harbour and the North Shore. You'll also see the sunken pool and landscaped gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Horizon by SkyCity Auckland)
Included Activities
- Interactive All Blacks Experience
- City sightseeing tour including Bastion Point and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial
Landmarks Interactive All Blacks Experience Bastion Point Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Waitemata Harbour - Day 11
Auckland to Rotorua
You'll step into Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set and walk through the lush Shire from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. The 12-acre guided tour includes going inside a Hobbit Hole. After that, you head to Rotorua where you'll visit Te Puia's geothermal valley and learn about Maori history and culture. Dinner features hangi-inspired cuisine and a cultural performance in the Te Aronui a Rua meeting house, finishing at the Pohutu Geyser with hot chocolate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hangi-inspired cuisine with cultural performance)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel Rotorua)
Included Activities
- Visit the film set of Hobbiton for a guided tour through the magical world of Middle Earth
- Interior Hobbit Hole experience at Hobbiton
- Immerse yourself in Maori culture in Rotorua with traditional performances and dinner - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
- Guided experience at Te Puia's geothermal Valley
- Hangi-inspired cuisine dinner
- Cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house
- View Pohutu Geyser with hot chocolate
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Te Puia Pohutu Geyser 
- Day 12
Rotorua to Queenstown
You'll visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa for a guided tour about conservation efforts for this rare native bird. You'll see kiwi eggs being incubated, watch the hatching process, and check out newly hatched kiwi chicks. Later you fly south to Queenstown, known for ski fields, white-water rivers, bungy jumping, and excellent restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa with local guide - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
Landmarks National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa 
- Day 13
Milford Sound
From Queenstown, you'll travel along Lake Wakatipu and traverse the Devil's Staircase to reach Te Anau, the gateway to World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. You'll pause to admire Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout, and Cleddau Valley. Then you board a nature cruise where an experienced Naturalist guide explains the geologic history of the Fiord and points out fur seals and Kea birds. A delicious picnic lunch is served onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious picnic lunch onboard nature cruise)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Scenic journey from Queenstown to Te Anau via Devil's Staircase
- Views of Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout and Cleddau Valley
- Embark on a Nature Cruise in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi with lunch and views of towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and untouched fjord scenery
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Devil's Staircase Te Anau Mirror Lakes Hollyford Valley Cleddau Valley Fiordland National Park Milford Sound 
- Day 14
Queenstown
Today is yours to structure however you like. You could take a high-octane jet boat ride for an adrenaline rush, or glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a guided farm tour with tea. Or simply explore Queenstown and the surrounding area at your leisure. The group meets for dinner at Postmasters Cafe, a historic Arrowtown cottage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Millennium Hotel, Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Postmasters Cafe in historic Arrowtown cottage
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride on Lake Wakatipu (own expense)
- Historic TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm with guided farm tour and morning or afternoon tea (own expense)
- Explore Queenstown at leisure
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm Arrowtown - Day 15
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
You'll travel to Lake Tekapo and stop at the Jones Family fruit stall to taste fresh stone fruit. You'll also explore the Highlands Motorsport Museum featuring rare cars including a Michael Schumacher Benetton F1 car and a $4.2-million Aston Martin Vulcan. After arriving at Lake Tekapo, you'll pause at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Later that evening after dark, you'll experience a guided stargazing tour in the UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, learning about Southern Hemisphere stars including The Southern Cross.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo)
Included Activities
- Visit Jones Family fruit stall
- Visit Highlands Motorsport Museum featuring rare cars
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd
- Astronomy & Stargazing tour at Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
Landmarks Jones Family fruit stall Highlands Motorsport Museum Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve 
- Day 16
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
You can get up early to catch the sunrise over the lake, or sleep in before heading to Christchurch. Once there, you'll learn how the city has rebuilt since the 2010/11 earthquakes and discover new architectural designs like the cardboard Cathedral and the gold-clad Turanga central library.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Christchurch Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Watch sunrise over Lake Tekapo (own time)
- Sleep in before departure
Landmarks Lake Tekapo Christchurch Cathedral Turanga - Day 17
North Canterbury
You'll travel north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, a hill country farm in North Canterbury. The Bamford Family, who've been farming there since 1884 with six generations of experience, will welcome you with genuine Kiwi hospitality. You'll meet farm animals and learn what life on the land is really like. From there, you continue to Waipara Springs Winery for wine tasting and a platter-style lunch. Your Travel Director and travel companions join you for a celebratory dinner featuring Canterbury region produce.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Platter-style lunch at Waipara Springs Winery among the vines), Dinner (Celebratory dinner featuring Canterbury region produce)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Christchurch Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Hurunui Hills, a high-country sheep farm for warm, authentic rural experience - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
- Meet the Bamford Family and farm animals
- Visit Waipara Springs Winery for wine tasting and platter-style lunch
- Celebratory dinner featuring Canterbury region produce
Landmarks Hurunui Hills Waipara Springs Winery - Day 18
Christchurch
It's time to say goodbye. You'll depart from Christchurch on your homeward journey.
