Australia and New Zealand Encompassed

Duration: 17

Highlights:
- Hike the dramatic scenery of World Heritage listed Blue Mountains
- Nestle in with hundreds of fairy penguins at charming Phillip Island
- View towering waterfalls and rock faces at Milford Sound fjord
- Snorkel the vibrant oasis of the Great Barrier Reef
- Enjoy a stunning Maori performance at Te Papa Museum
- See the 30-metre Pohutu Geyser shoot into the air

Australia and New Zealand are home to some of the world’s most striking and breathtaking scenery. From emerald fjords to World Heritage listed forests, to geothermal wonders and the marvellous Great Barrier Reef; learn about Indigenous cultures and endemic wildlife on this scenic odyssey of Australasia.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Sydney

Welcome to Australia!  On arrival you will be met and transferred by private coach to your luxury accommodation in the heart of Darling Harbour. Spend the afternoon relaxing before joining your group for a Welcome Dinner at a local harbourside restaurant.

Overnight: Hyatt Regency Sydney

Meal Plan: D

Day 2: Sydney

This morning following breakfast, meet your expert local Akorn guide and head out on a sightseeing tour of Sydney and it’s surrounds, including a visit to iconic Bondi Beach where you’ll have an opportunity to get your feet wet, and Paddington Walk for shopping.

In the afternoon, commence your Sydney Opera House journey by exploring underneath the sails with a spectacular private 1-hour Sydney Opera House Tour, taking you inside one of the world's greatest performance venues.

This evening, enjoy a 2-hour sunset dinner cruise on both Darling and Sydney Harbour. Sit down to a delicious Australian themed dinner as the sun descends and the city comes to life.

Overnight: Hyatt Regency Sydney

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 3: Sydney

Following breakfast, meet your guide and group in the lobby and depart on your full day private tour of the Blue Mountains.

Travel out of the city and into the Australian bush, arriving at the picturesque Blue Mountains. After pausing at a scenic lookout, continue onto Featherdale Wildlife Park arriving well before the crowds do. Get up close and personal with some iconic Australian animals!

Continue onto into the heart of the Blue Mountains, stopping at Kings Tableland. This breathtaking view looks out over the Jamison Valley. You will see firsthand the ruggedness and beauty that this region is famous for.

Enjoy a stop in an idyllic local township for shopping and lunch before setting off again! Take the scenic route around cliff drive towards the township of Katoomba. At Eagle Hawk lookout you will see the famous 3 sisters Rock formation and marvel at the stunning views of the Jamieson Valley. Heading south now, stop is Wentworth Falls for a guided walk down a well worn path towards the falls and stunning views. Experience the local flora and fauna up close as your guide informs you of the incredible geology of the Blue Mountains and how they were formed. Then reboard your vehicle and sit back and relax for the interesting drive back through Sydney’s western suburbs and across ANZAC Bridge before finally arriving back at your hotel around 5.00pm where you’ll be at leisure for dinner.

Overnight: Hyatt Regency Sydney

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 4: Sydney - Cairns

Following breakfast, transfer back to the airport to board your onward direct flight to Cairns (approx. 2.5 hours). On arrival into Cairns, you’ll be met by your local guide at the baggage carousel and transferred directly to your oceanside accommodation where your room will be available for immediate check-in. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring this fascinating northern city at your leisure.

Overnight: Rydges Esplanade Hotel Cairns

Meal Plan: B

Day 5: Cairns

This morning meet your local guide and head north into the Daintree region.

Your first stop is at the multi- award winning Skyrail Rainforest Cableway where you will enjoy a world heritage listed rainforest experience and take in some of the most spectacular views on earth from the comfort of your Cablecar, suspended above the forest canopy.

Arrive at Kuranda the 'Village in the Rainforest' famous for its colourful arts and crafts markets. Here you’ll get to visit Kuranda Koala Gardens, a boutique wildlife attraction and one of the very few places in Australia where you can hold a Koala for a souvenir photo. After some time in the Gardens and an opportunity for lunch at leisure, it's time for a trip on one of the most spectacular rail journeys in Australia, the Kuranda Scenic Train. Upon arrival at Freshwater station, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight: Rydges Esplanade Hotel Cairns

Meal Plan: B

Day 6:  Cairns

This morning you’ll be met early by a shuttle bus in your hotel lobby and transferred the short distance to the Marina for your full day snorkelling cruise to the Outer Reef of the Great Barrier Reef.

Enjoy the very best in comfort with spacious decks, day-bed style seating and air-conditioned saloons. While out on the reef, delight in morning tea, a gourmet buffet lunch and afternoon tea abroad your cruising vessel. You will return to the mainland in the late afternoon.

Tonight, gather with your group for dinner.

Overnight: Rydges Esplanade Hotel Cairns

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7: Cairns - Melbourne

This morning you’ll be met and transferred back to Cairns Airport to board your direct flight to Melbourne (approx. 3 hours).

Upon arrival, met your local guide and enjoy a 2 hour sightseeing tour of this fascinating city. See Melbourne’s fine arts and sporting precincts as well as its incredible parklands including the Royal Botanical Gardens. Along the way you’ll see many of Melbourne's cultural and historic icons of the city including the stunning Shrine of Remembrance, magnificent Royal Exhibition Building, State Library and more.

Upon conclusion of  your tour, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for a late afternoon arrival.

Overnight: Savoy Hotel on Little Collins

Meal Plan: B

Day 8: Melbourne

This morning, enjoy some time at leisure for last minute shopping and lunch before meeting your local guide and transferring south to Phillip Island, (approx. 90 minutes). Enjoy some time in the afternoon on the Island, stopping at a local chocolaterie and a heritage listed farm, before driving all the way to the tip of the island and enjoy dinner at Shearwater.Later, enjoy what Phillip Island is famous for, the Penguin Parade with Penguins Plus upgraded passes.

Over 4,000 of the 32,000 little penguins living in the waters around Phillip Island have their burrows around Summerland Beach. Native to Australia and the smallest of their species at just 33 centimetres, the little penguins leave their burrows about an hour before sunrise and swim up to 100 kilometres each day before returning at dusk. The daily parade of little penguins draws thousands of visitors from around the globe every year.

When you walk down to the observation boardwalks at dusk, you’ll see the penguins race up Summerland Beach to their burrows. Experience that electrifying moment as you spot the first little penguins emerging from the sea and waddling along.

Upon conclusion of the parade, you’ll be transferred back to Melbourne with an approximate arrival time of 11pm.

Overnight: Savoy Hotel on Little Collins

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 9: Melbourne - Queenstown

This morning, rise early and transfer back to the airport where you’ll board your Trans-Tasman flight to Auckland.

Kia Ora, (welcome) to New Zealand! Commence your kiwi journey in Queenstown, the capital of the South Island.

Upon arrival, you’ll be met and taken on a sightseeing tour of the city, including historic Arrowtown, an old goldmining settlement that retains much of its early character. It was the discovery of gold in Arrowtown which led miners by the thousands into the district and resulted in the formation of settlements adjacent to the gold diggings. From 1869 there was small community of Chinese miners living in Arrowtown. You then visit the Kawarau Bungy Bridge. If you've heard of Bungy, you've heard of the Kawarau. The world's first and most infamous of leaps is still going strong, with tens of thousands of Bungy jumpers each year. If you choose to take the leap there are a number of options; topple over backwards, forwards, with another person, spin or somersault.

In the mid-afternoon, you’ll be transferred to your hotel where your rooms will be available for immediate check-in. Tonight, gather with your group for dinner at one of the cities premier restaurants, Rata.

Overnight: Novotel Lakeside Queenstown

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 10: Queenstown

This morning depart on your full day private Milford Sound Day Tour with your local guide.

In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu Te Raki Whanoa, a godly figure who came wielding a magical adze and uttering incantations. Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is without doubt his finest sculpture.  Whatever the fiord’s mood, teeming with rain or with sun glistening on deep water, it will inspire you. 

The Milford Road (between Te Anau and Milford) is one of the finest alpine drives in the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from broad grassy flats, dense rainforest, and towering mountains through to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. No other road in Fiordland offers such a diverse glimpse into New Zealand’s alpine zone.

Upon arrival at Milford Sound board your vessel to enjoy a 2-hour scenic Nature Cruise the length of Milford Sound including a picnic lunch. Upon conclusion of the cruise you will re-board your coach reflecting on the beautiful scenery you have experienced as you retrace your steps Queenstown and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure.

Overnight: Novotel Lakeside Queenstown

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 11: Queenstown - Lake Tekapo

This morning meet your guide and depart for Lake Tekapo via via Wanaka, where you’ll stop for lunch in this picturesque ski town overlooking Lake Wanaka.

Continue onto Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Basin. The township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water. See the Church of the Good Shepard, take in the scenery and enjoy some time for lunch at leisure before transferring to your accommodation.

Tonight, after dinner, join your resident astronomy guide for New Zealand’s premier Stargazing experience from the Summit of Mt John. Your tour begins as the darkness comes alive with the stars and gives you the opportunity to view the galaxy through high powered telescopes!

Overnight: Peppers Bluewater Lake Tekapo

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 12: Lake Tekapo - Christchurch

This morning transfer by private coach to Christchurch via Lake Pukaki one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives.

Pause at Lake Pukaki, the largest lake in the area and the perfect vantage point to see Aoraki/ Mount Cook in all it’s glory.

Upon arrival in Christchurch, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city before being transferred to your hotel for some time at leisure. Tonight, join your group for a special dinner at the Curators House situated in the Botanical Gardens.

Overnight: Rendezvous Christchurch

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 13: Christchurch - Wellington

This morning following breakfast, rise early and transfer to the train station to board the iconic Coastal Pacific to Picton!

The Coastal Pacific takes you breathtakingly close to the Pacific Ocean, where the roaring sea meets enormous bush-clad mountains, before passing through the idyllic Canterbury Plains and weaving north once more to the coast. Upon arrival in Picton at noon, connect with the Interislander Ferry crossing to Wellington (duration 3.5 hours). Launched in 1962, the Interislander ferry service is New Zealand's original Cook Strait ferry and is considered one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world and one of New Zealand's most iconic experiences.

Once in Wellington, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the waterfront district. in The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to discover this sensational city at your leisure.

Overnight: Copthorne Oriental Bay

Meal Plan: B

Day 14: Wellington - Rotorua

This morning following check-out, commence your private 1.5 hour tour of Te Papa Museum with your specialist guide.

Discover Te Papa's Taonga (Treasure) and hear stories and insights into Maori culture. From historic, artistic and contemporary perspectives, this tour will enrich your understanding of what makes New Zealand Maori culture unique.

You’ll then be met by your coach and taken on a sightseeing tour including a visit to Parliament House, also known as “the Beehive” and Kelburn Lookout at the Botanic Gardens which yields spectacular views of the entire city and surrounding Harbour.

Continue onto Wellington Airport where you’ll board your short flight to Rotorua. Transfer to you hotel upon arrival for an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Meal Plan: B

Day 15: Rotorua

Today, enjoy a 3-hour sightseeing tour of Rotorua, including a visit to Rainbow Springs to get up close and personal with New Zealand’s famous icon, the kiwi bird.

Late in the afternoon, transfer to Te Puia home to the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, Pōhutu Geyser, as well as the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

Feel the warm welcome of Maori guides from the moment you walk into Te Puia past the twelve monumental carvings –  Te Heketanga a Rangi reaching skywards.

In a guided tour, hear your guides proudly recount stories handed down from their ancestors, see the iconic New Zealand Kiwi, explore the geothermal reserve where mud bubbles and the star of the Whakarewarewa Valley, the Pohutu Geyser explodes 30 metres high into the air. You’ll also get to see the New Zealand National Carving and Weaving Schools where you can watch carvers and weavers carry out the traditions of their Maori ancestors.

Afterwards see a cultural performance which is an easy and exciting introduction to Maori culture. Gather outside the main entrance to the Marae (meeting place). A traditional karanga (welcome) marks the start of 45 minutes of song and dance inside the meeting house. Here, surrounded by the beautiful wooden carvings of ancestors, visitors are treated to harmonies, the seductive poi dance, the ferocious haka (war challenge), and the complex tititorea (stick games). Your experience tonight also includes a delicious dinner.

Overnight: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 16: Rotorua - Auckland

Today your destination is Auckland, the “City of Sails”. Transfer by private coach stopping en route via the world-famous Waitomo Caves.

Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glow worm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history. Discover an ancient world 30 million years in the making and marvel at Mother Nature’s light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Experience the serene ambience as you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights. The glowworm is unique to New Zealand, making the Waitomo Glowworm Caves an absolute must-do. See thousands of these tiny creatures as they radiate their unmistakable luminescent light in a subterranean world.

Upon conclusion of your tour enjoy a delicious lunch at the Waitomo Homestead before continuing your journey north to Rotorua where you’ll take a sightseeing tour upon arrival before transferring to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Tonight, enjoy a delicious Farewell feast at your hotel’s flagship restaurant, East.

Overnight: Sudima Auckland

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 17: Depart Auckland

Today, your adventure comes to an end as you transfer with your group to the Auckland Airport for your flight home.

Meal Plan: B