DAY 1 ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Welcome to Aotearoa, Maori for “land of the long white cloud.” Your room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 4:30pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner.
DAY 2 AUCKLAND
Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. B
DAY 3 AUCKLAND-WAITOMO-ROTORUA
Depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the Famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Enjoy a Hangi dinner this evening.
CULTURE & TRADITION Journey back to a time of proud warriors and ancient Maori traditions. Tour the village and learn about Maori traditions and customs followed by a delicious Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones). You’ll be entertained by master storytellers and singers, and you might even be asked to join in a Haka, the traditional war dance. B, D
DAY 4 ROTORUA
This morning, enjoy a guided tour and a special visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery. Then, visit the Agrodome to learn more about one of the country’s major industries–sheep! Continue to Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
CONSERVATION HEROES Only about 5% of all Kiwi birds hatched in the wild survive to adulthood making them endangered. At The National Kiwi Hatchery, you’ll see conservation in action. Known as the national leader in hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing, you’ll see each stage a kiwi chick goes through before being released into the national parks. 100% of your entry goes straight back to the Kiwi hatching program. B
DAY 5 ROTORUA-CHRISTCHURCH-MOUNT COOK
Fly to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, then travel south to magnificent Mount Cook National Park, named after New Zealand’s highest peak. Weather permitting, you may wish to join a stargazing program this evening. The Mount Cook region offers some of the darkest skies in the world – perfect for viewing the southern night sky
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Spend the evening at the historic Hermitage Hotel, located at the base of Mount Cook. The Hermitage is the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of Mount Cook and has a variety of dining options, unique activities, and genuine kiwi hospitality. Enjoy splendid views, fresh mountain air, and all the modern amenities of this first-class property. B, D
DAY 6 MOUNT COOK-QUEENSTOWN
Start the day with a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. Then, time to explore on your own. Continue to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.
DAY 7 QUEENS TOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND
Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously described by author, Rudyard Kipling, as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Late evening return to Queenstown. B, L
DAY 8 QUEENSTOWN
A full day at leisure for your own discoveries.
AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE This evening, take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains. Make sure to have your camera ready for fantastic photo opportunities. B, D
DAY 9 QUEENSTOWN-MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne. Enjoy three nights in the city often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital. Melbourne is a blend of world-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and interesting hidden laneways. B
DAY 10 MELBOURNE
Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, then drive past the Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Following lunch at a local restaurant, travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck. Enjoy free time the remainder of the day.
REACH NEW HEIGHTS Be ready to be wowed when you travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck, the southern hemisphere’s highest observation deck. The city comes to you when you take it all in from nearly 1,000 feet/300 metres high. Enjoy awe inspiring views of Melbourne from the observation deck. The Skydeck will change the way you look at Melbourne and maybe the world. B, L
DAY 11 MELBOURNE
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. B
DAY 12 MELBOURNE-ALICE SPRINGS
Today, fly to the Outback where sightseeing includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station. Tonight, a unique Outback Barbecue features typical campfire fare and awe-inspiring Outback ambiance.
Due to the remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Melbourne to Alice Springs.
LOCAL TASTES A fun filled evening of entertainment and outback cuisine is in store for you this evening. Huddle around a cozy campfire, learn about bush damper cooking, enjoy music, local storytelling, and a boomerang demonstration. Sink your teeth into a mouth-watering meal of prime Australian beef and wet your whistle with a cold drink. There’s even time for some star gazing to finish off this memorable evening.
FLIGHT FOR LIFE The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was established in 1928 to bring much needed medical care to the residents of the remote Outback. Learn the history of Reverend John Flynn, the founder, and hear the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the RFDS. Through the interactive displays you can experience what it’s like to fly with an RFDS pilot and the issues they have faced from dirt runways, inadequate maps, and more. B, D
DAY 13 ALICE SPRINGS-ULURU
Travel by coach to Uluru. Upon arrival, visit a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological spectacle of some 36 brilliant domes. There is time to take photos before visiting the “Sunset Strip” for a drink and to witness the changing hues of light painting the rock.
NATURAL WONDERS Experience a spectacular way to end the day at Uluru. This fascinating icon stands 1,141 feet (348 meters) high, however, most of its mass is below ground level. You’ll be overwhelmed by its incredible size, presence and inherent spirituality. As the sun sinks over the horizon and the evening sky brings out the many shades of color for which Uluru is famous, you’ll enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles and say goodbye to another wonderful day. B
DAY 14 ULURU-CAIRNS
Your Outback adventure continues with free time this morning. Later, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Due to this remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Uluru to Cairns. B
DAY 15 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a brilliant kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure.
BUCKET LIST. CHECK! The only living structure on Earth that can be seen from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Comprising of over 3,000 individual reefs and spanning over 135,135 miles (350,000 square kilometres), your day at the Reef will be one to remember. After your scenic catamaran cruise, the day is yours to explore the Reef how you like. Choose to snorkel amid a dazzling array of fish and coral, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attend an informative presentation by a marine biologist, or just relax and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings. B, L
DAY 16 CAIRNS
A full day at leisure. B
DAY 17 CAIRNS-SYDNEY
This morning, enjoy a special visit to the Koala Gardens. Later, fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Sydney is home to first-class restaurants, grand shopping arcades, and top tourist attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Taronga Zoo.
WILD & WONDERFUL See Australia’s famous animals this morning with a visit to the Koala Gardens. See kangaroos, wombats, quokkas, wallabies, gliders and of course the famous salt-water crocodiles. You’ll also have a chance to see koalas doing what they do best – eating, sleeping, and looking adorable. Before your visit ends, you’ll have a photo taken with a koala – the perfect souvenir!
DAY 18 SYDNEY
Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the Sydney Opera House and travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s botanic gardens for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Next, visit world-famous Bondi beach for an insider’s tour of Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club with one of the lifesavers. Afterward, a cruise on Sydney Harbour Highlights some of the city’s best views
HISTORIC SPOT Enjoy lunch at the historic North Bondi Returned Servicemen’s Leagues Club. Learn about the history of this place and the courageous “Rats of Tobruk” that stopped the Nazis in North Africa during WWII. You’ll enjoy delicious food while looking out at amazing waterfront views.
CULTURAL GEM The Sydney Opera House is one of the most well-known buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was designed by Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, and was finally completed in 1973, after sixteen years of construction, at a cost of over $100 million dollars. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the Opera House and see its interiors and theaters. Hear untold stories, be awed by the acoustics, and learn the history and future of this amazing hall beneath the sails. B, L
DAY 19 SYDNEY
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour. B, D
DAY 20 SYDNEY
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.