Australia's Outback To New Zealand's South Island

Day Stop

• Sydney NSW, Australia

Hotel(s)

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Meal(s)

Dinner

Arrive today in Sydney, perhaps one of the friendliest metropolis in the world. Tonight join your fellow travelers and toast to the start of your adventure down under during dinner in lively Darling Harbour.

Day Stop

• Sydney NSW, Australia

Experience

Tour of Sydney Opera House

Hotel(s)

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Meal(s)

Breakfast

See where English colonists first settled during a city tour of Sydney, starting with an Aboriginal-guided walking tour of The Rocks district, after which you visit Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the fashionable suburb of Darlinghurst. Take an expert-led tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour. Then, have the chance to join a special presentation at the National Opal Collection.

Day Stop

• Sydney NSW, Australia

Experience

Dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour.

Hotel(s)

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Deepen your exploration of Sydney’s many wonders with a day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy scenic vistas of Sydney during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Marvel at the magnificent skyline and iconic attractions: the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Day Stops

• Sydney NSW, Australia
• Cairns QLD, Australia

Experience

Great Barrier Reef (UNESCO)

Hotel(s)

Bailey Hotel by Crystalbrook

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Fly to Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions – the Great Barrier Reef (UNESCO). Established as a marine park in 1975, the reef is a haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and birds.

Day Stop

• Cairns QLD, Australia

Experience

Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef

Hotel(s)

Bailey Hotel by Crystalbrook

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the reef from your base on Green Island. Enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride, stroll the island’s walking trails, relax on the beach, snorkel or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, an optional outer reef tour is also available.

Day Stop

• Cairns QLD, Australia

Hotel(s)

Bailey Hotel by Crystalbrook

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Soak up the tropical atmosphere – the morning is yours. Perhaps you will take an optional tour on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, taking you above the rainforest canopy for a bird’s-eye view of unspoiled nature. This afternoon, visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures to see crocodiles on a nature cruise. Head through rainforests on boardwalks to see animals such as wild birds, reptiles, and wallabies. Visit with a koala and chat with a wildlife naturalist to learn more about these furry creatures.

Day Stops

• Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
• Cairns QLD, Australia

Hotel(s)

Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Experience the vast landscapes and tranquility of the Outback. Your flight takes you to Alice Springs, the perfect place to begin exploring this unique land. Tonight, continue your cultural immersion with a memorable bush dinner set against the backdrop of this unique desert environment.

Day Stop

• Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia

Experience

Access the history and culture of the Arrernte Aboriginal people by enjoying a guided walk.

Hotel(s)

Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Access the history and culture of the Arrernte Aboriginal people by enjoying a guided walk on their sacred land, followed by a talk with an Aboriginal guide. Gain insight into their cultural history and discover what makes this place so special. This afternoon, discover a more modern side to Outback living when you visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a lifeline to thousands across the vast terrain of Central Australia. Later, tour the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill with its excellent views of Alice Springs and the surrounding area.

Day Stops

• Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
• Uluru Gardens, Ballajura WA 6066, Australia

Hotel(s)

Desert Gardens

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Traverse the “Red Centre” and head to Uluru (the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock) in the heart of the Australian Outback. This huge monolith and the sandstone domes known as Kata Tjuta were created through upheaval and erosion. Tour the base of "the Rock," learning about its geology and significance to Aboriginal culture. Witness the changing colors of Uluru at sunset accompanied by a champagne toast.

Day Stop

• Melbourne VIC, Australia

Hotel(s)

Crown Promenade Melbourne

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Fly to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Set upon the shores of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River, the city exudes a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Day Stop

• Melbourne VIC, Australia

Experience

Melbourne Botanical Gardens and Shrine of Remembrance

Hotel(s)

Crown Promenade Melbourne

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Set out on a city tour and see Fitzroy Gardens and Melbourne’s bustling “laneways.” Then, it’s your choice! Enjoy free time to explore on your own -OR- visit the Melbourne Botanical Gardens and Shrine of Remembrance. With an afternoon to yourself, perhaps you will ride a free city tram, try the amazing array of cuisines on offer in this multicultural city or enjoy the Victorian-era architecture.

Day Stops

• Melbourne VIC, Australia
• Queenstown, New Zealand

Hotel(s)

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Leave Australia behind and fly to Queenstown, New Zealand. One of New Zealand’s most popular towns, Queenstown is nestled against a picturesque bay and snowcapped mountains. Home to ski resorts, hiking trails and an abundance of natural beauty, the city is known as the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Settle into your new home for the next 3 nights.

Day Stops

• Queenstown, New Zealand
• Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand

Experience

Cruise the Milford Sound and see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights on the South Island

Hotel(s)

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

Soak in the rugged grandeur of Hollyford Valley as you travel through an ancient beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. Cruise the Milford Sound and see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights on the South Island. Following the cruise, consider returning to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

Day Stop

• Queenstown, New Zealand

Hotel(s)

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Your day is free to experience Queenstown your way. Shop or people-watch in the village, find a unique eatery for lunch, sample some New Zealand wine – the day is yours to enjoy this stunning city.

Day Stop

• Queenstown, New Zealand

Hotel(s)

The Hermitage

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Set off for the 19th-century settlement of Arrowtown, founded in the gold fever. Follow the Kawarau River and cross Lindis Pass before arriving in New Zealand’s most famous national park – Mt. Cook. Savor some free time in this Alpine paradise. You may choose to take a nature walk or simply meditate on the beauty of the Southern Alps.

Day Stop

• Christchurch, New Zealand

Experience

Pay a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Hotel(s)

Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Depart for Christchurch this morning and pay a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. A leader in the conservation of New Zealand species, Willowbank offers the chance to view New Zealand’s “Big 5” up close and personal. Learn about the local indigenous culture of the Maori, with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional canoe or ‘waka’. Later, join a local Kiwi family for a home hosted dinner.

Day Stop

• Christchurch, New Zealand

Hotel(s)

Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the “Garden City” is recreating itself during a sightseeing tour that highlights the city’s magnificent gardens and elegant park district. As the day draws to a close, toast to your adventure down under at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day Stop

• Christchurch, New Zealand

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Your tour comes to a close, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the South Pacific.