New Zealand, AustraliaHighlights of Australia and New Zealand
Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
Private Vehicle
Travel 1.5 hrs to Mossman Gorge. Later, continue 2 hrs to Cape Tribulation.
Indigenous Peoples Interpretive Walk
Take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Follow an Indigenous guide and learn about bush food, medicinal plants and the lasting relationship of the Kuku Yalanji people with their natural environment. Find out how to make bush soap, watch an ochre painting demonstration and sample some bush tea.
Accommodation
Cape Tribulation Beach House
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
Free Time
Head out and start exploring.
Optional Activities - Day 3Show
Accommodation
Cape Tribulation Beach House
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas and opt to have lunch at a local market.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Make the most of a few hours in this city.
Accommodation
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments
Spend the day out on the water boating around the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.
Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion
Enjoy a day out on the water amidst some of the 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsunday archipelago. Visit Whitehaven Beach, jump overboard for a quick refreshing dip, and make friends with the tropical fish that thrive within Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Barrier Reef Visit
The Whitsunday Islands are in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the day out on a boat cruising through the waters around the islands. Then, when it gets too hot, pull on a mask and snorkel and dive overboard to check out the variety of brightly coloured marine plants, coral and fish that thrive right in these warm tropical waters.
Optional Activities - Day 6Show
Accommodation
Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Byron Beachcomber
Spend a free morning exploring Byron or opt to prebook a kayaking tour. In the afternoon, you'll head to the beach for a surf lesson with a trained surf instructor. Enjoy a few hours of instruction before hitting the waves for some practice rides. Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional experience on your tour.
Surfing Lesson
Hit the beach and get ready to hang ten with a surf lesson from trained surf instructors. Spend some time in the water getting friendly with the waves, practice paddling, then pop up to balance on the wider, softer beginner boards. Too easy.
Optional Activities - Day 8Show
Accommodation
Byron Beachcomber
Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.
Free Time
Get out and explore this lazy beach town.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
El Motor Inn Port Macquarie
Travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains today. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn’t matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you’ll still spot beauty around every turn.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Leisure Inn Spires
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.
Blue Mountains Excursion
With charming Leura as your base, explore the major attractions of the Blue Mountains from sightseeing to bushwalking to cafés and more.
Jamison Valley Walk
Take in some amazing lookouts over the Jamison Valley, via the iconic Three Sisters. Descend down the 900 step giant staircase to the valley floor. Walk amongst the beautiful forest to the steepest incline railway in the world — The Katoomba Scenic Railway. Opt to ride its 52-degrees angle or take the Scenic Cableway. If you're keen for more walking, and time permitting, take the 900 stairs back up.
Scenic Railway
This railway is steep and plunges into the rainforest and through the valley. The ride is scenically stunning. At the end, opt to take a rainforest walk or a cable car back to the visitor's centre.
Accommodation
Leisure Inn Spires
This morning, leave the Blue Mountains behind and continue onward to Sydney. Once you arrive head out for an orientation walk before taking advantage of some free time to keep exploring. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk
Discover the highlights of Sydney on an orientation walk with the CEO. They will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 12Show
Accommodation
Rydges Sydney Central
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.
Free Time
Enjoy a free day to explore one of Australia's most exciting cities.
Optional Activities - Day 13Show
Accommodation
Rydges Sydney Central
Say goodbye to Australia and hop on a flight to Auckland, New Zealand. After transferring from the airport, enjoy some free time to explore this vibrant city.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Accommodation
Oaks Auckland Hotel
Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.
Free Time
Enjoy the city or choose from the many day excursions available.
Accommodation
Oaks Auckland Hotel
Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Waitomo Cave Excursion
Enjoy a peaceful boat ride through 30 million year old caverns covered with magical glowworms that are unique to New Zealand. Hundreds of thousands of these tiny creatures radiate luminescent light in underground caves carved by rivers and time. Take in more than 136 years of cultural and natural history on this unique excursion.
Accommodation
Sudima Lake Rotorua
Visit Rotorua and opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment. Rotorua sits over an active volcanic zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. Opt to visit one of the sites, or go whitewater rafting nearby.
Mitai Experience
Visit the Mitai Maori Village and learn the migration story of Tamatekapua of the Te Arawa canoe to Aotearoa and the Maori Pacifica connection told in dance form. Enjoy a delicious Hangi meal, similar to a Hawaiian Luau, with dishes such as chicken, sweet potato (kumara) and lamb steamed over heated rocks.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to visit the geothermal sites around town.
Optional Activities - Day 17Show
Accommodation
Sudima Lake Rotorua
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington
Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the botanical gardens.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Spend some time exploring the city.
Optional Activities - Day 19Show
Accommodation
Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington
Fly to the South Island and travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life. Stop en route for a wine tasting at a local winery.
Winery Visit
Stop at a local winery and opt to sample some of the wines produced on site.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 20Show
Accommodation
The White Morph
Enjoy a free morning in Kaikoura. Opt to go on a whale watching tour and search for giant sperm whales. Or head out on a tour to swim in the open ocean in a place often visited by wild dolphins. In the afternoon, travel to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 21Show
Accommodation
Drifters Inn Hanmer Springs
Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near the world's fastest moving glacier.
Private Vehicle
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle. Driving time includes stops.
Accommodation
Rainforest Retreat
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike. There are plenty of optional activities in the area to suit just about any budget and preference. Try heli hiking, scenic helicopter flights, skydiving or lake kayaking.
Free Time
Don't waste a minute—get exploring.
Optional Activities - Day 23Show
Accommodation
Rainforest Retreat
Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there's something for everyone. Enjoy the great night life.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Heartland Hotel Queenstown
With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving or hiking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak. Opt to pre-book the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Free Time
There's tons to do, get out and get going.
Optional Activities - Day 25Show
Accommodation
Heartland Hotel Queenstown
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night.
Private Vehicle
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle. Driving time includes stops.
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
Cruise through the stunning Doubtful Sound, one of the most untouched, remote places in the world. The only way to get here is by boat across Lake Manapouri, then bus across Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. Marvel at the steep cliff walls and cascading waterfalls, and keep an eye out for area wildlife: dolphins, penguins, seals, and a variety of birds. This isolated part of New Zealand is truly a special place!
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Heartland Hotel Queenstown
Travel north through the centre of the South Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor's Centre, before a short but scenic journey to Tekapo Village.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre
Stop by the visitor's centre to learn more about the region.
Aoraki/Mount Cook Visit
Aoraki/Mount Cook is both a village, a national park and the name of New Zealand's highest mountain. Located in central South Island, the park includes a mix of rocks and glaciers, as well as alpine plants including the world's largest buttercup, the Mount Cook lily. There are several short walks that reward with spectacular views.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Godley Hotel
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group. Travel to the Garden City of Christchurch, a little piece of England in New Zealand, still recovering from a devastating earthquake.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Enjoy a last night out.
Accommodation
Bealey Quarter
Depart at any time.
