Day 1: Cairns, Australia
Your tour starts in Cairns.
Day 2: Great Barrier Reef
Today, board a catamaran and sail to the Low Isles to explore the fascinating underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef and choose how you want to spend your day in paradise.
Day 3: Cairns
The day is yours to explore. Perhaps you will join us for an optional tour on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that takes you above the rainforest canopy for some spectacular views.
Day 4: Cairns - Melbourne
Today fly to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River.
Day 5: Melbourne
Today’s tour of Melbourne features Fitzroy Gardens and the National Opal Centre. Later, you may participate in an optional tour that travels to Phillip Island, a renowned nature reserve and home of the world’s largest colony of Little Penguins.
Day 6: Melbourne - Alice Springs
Today you’ll travel to the tranquil Outback. Your flight will take you to Alice Springs where you will meet the young Aboriginal group, Drum Atweme. Tonight, enjoy a memorable bush dinner.
Day 7: Alice Springs
Access the history and culture of the Walpiri Aboriginal people during a “Dreamtime Tour” with a local guide. This afternoon visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and tour the Old Telegraph Station.
Day 8: Alice Springs - Uluru
Traverse the “Red Centre” as you drive to Uluru in the heart of the Australian Outback. Prepare for a truly majestic sunset as you witness the changing colours of Uluru accompanied by a champagne toast.
Day 9: Uluru - Sydney
Today fly to Sydney and enjoy dinner in the bustling Darling Harbour restaurant area.
Day 10: Sydney
Join a local resident for a tour of Sydney. Begin on a driving tour of the landmarks before disembarking for a walking tour. Next, discover the Sydney Opera House on a guided tour before learning first-hand about opals at the National Opal Collection. This afternoon, you can choose to experience Sydney with a Sydney cruise pass. Or ascend the Sydney Tower Eye for incredible views and explore the renowned Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.
Day 11: Sydney
Your day today is at leisure then tonight enjoy a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour.
Day 12: Sydney - Christchurch, New Zealand
Fly to the historic city of Christchurch. Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the “Garden City” is recreating itself.
Day 13: Christchurch - Franz Josef Glacier
Take in the marvellous snowcapped peaks and beautiful river gorges during your travels across the Southern Alps. You may choose to take the TranzAlpine train (optional) for a truly inspiring train ride through this glorious scenery. You will end your day in the Franz Josef Glacier Region which offers a rare opportunity to experience a living glacial landscape in a temperate environment.
Day 14: Franz Josef - Queenstown
Watch amazing landscape unfold on your way to Queenstown. Cross jade green glacial rivers, view thundering waterfalls and enjoy dramatic changes in scenery. After crossing the Haast Pass, arrive in Queenstown. Tonight, ascend the mountainside on a cable car for dinner at the
Skyline Restaurant.
Day 15: Queenstown
During a cruise of Milford Sound, you’ll see whythis fjord is one of the most visited sights on the South Island. Following the cruise, you return to Queenstown. You may choose to return via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
Day 16: Queenstown
Queenstown offers limitless diversions set amidst breathtaking Alpine scenery. Shop in the charming village centre or enjoy an optional and exhilarating jet boat ride on the Shotover River.
Day 17: Queenstown - Mt. Cook
Begin your day with a visit to the beautiful 19th-century gold rush settlement of Arrowtown, a boomtown during the 1860s gold fever. Next, enjoy a tasting and tour at one of New Zealand’s famous wineries. Follow the Kawarau River and cross Lindis Pass before arriving in New Zealand’s most famous national park, Mt. Cook.
Day 18: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
As you return to Christchurch this morning, pay a visit to a working farm and get to know the New Zealand farmers over a morning tea. This evening, dine with a New Zealand family in their home.
Day 19: Christchurch
Your tour ends in Christchurch.