Day 1: Monday – Depart for Australia

Depart from the United States for Australia.

Day 2: Tuesday – En Route

Cross the International Date Line en route to Australia and skip a day ahead.

Day 3: Wednesday – Arrive in Sydney

Arrive in Sydney, Australia’s cosmopolitan premier city. You’ll be welcomed by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 5:30 PM, followed by a light dinner.

Overnight: Sydney

Day 4: Thursday – Explore Sydney

This morning’s panoramic tour of Sydney starts at world-famous Bondi Beach and historic and fashionable Paddington with its unique terrace houses. Continue to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and the Royal Botanic Gardens, offering extraordinary views of Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, and the striking Sydney Opera House. Pass historic buildings including the Parliament House, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and the Queen Victoria Building. Then, head to The Rocks, a historic area where the city was founded. Shop for opals at a local shop. Spend the balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Sydney

Day 5: Friday – Full Day in Sydney

Spend the day at leisure. Perhaps, participate in the optional full-day excursion to Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Blue Mountains. Featherdale is home to over 300 species of Australia’s diverse wildlife. Admire the koalas, feed the kangaroos, and see the colorful parrots. Travel through quaint mountain villages and the rugged Australian Bush. Return to Sydney in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Sydney

Day 6: Saturday – Flight to Melbourne

Board your flight this morning for the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. Today’s tour of Melbourne highlights the mingling of the city’s cultures, monuments, and scenic delights, from the magnificent gardens to the riverside complexes and bayside suburbs, with elegant 19th-century architecture. This evening, dinner is at the hotel.

Overnight: Melbourne

Day 7: Sunday – Full Day in Melbourne

Today is free to explore Melbourne on your own, or participate in the optional Yarra Valley Wine Experience. Depart the busy city and travel into the fertile Yarra Valley to experience the delights of Victoria’s wine country. Enjoy wine tastings at four exclusive wineries, as well as a winery lunch, and learn about winemaking in Australia.

Overnight: Melbourne

Day 8: Monday – Flight to Queenstown

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Queenstown, named for Queen Victoria. The city is surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu. On arrival, check into your hotel. Spend the balance of the day at leisure to explore the city, known as New Zealand’s adventure capital.

Overnight: Queenstown

Day 9: Tuesday – Discover Milford Sound

Today, take a full-day tour to Milford Sound. Travel to World Heritage Fiordland National Park, rich with dense rainforest, lakes, and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. En route to Milford Sound, stop at Te Anau and the glacier-hewn Eglinton Valley before embarking on the cruise out into the fjord with scenic views of temperate rainforest, stunning Mitre Peak, and Bowen Falls. Possible wildlife viewings include seals, birds, and occasionally even dolphins or penguins. Late afternoon, return to Queenstown.

Overnight: Queenstown

Day 10: Wednesday – Full Day in Queenstown

Spend time on your own. Walk along the streets of the sophisticated downtown area, with its trendy shops and restaurants, or be adventurous and ascend on the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak, high above the city for magnificent views of Queenstown, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Lake Wakatipu. Alternatively, participate in the optional Skippers Canyon adventure that follows this rugged road into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley. During the tour, visit many historic sites and stop at Deep Creek to try your hand at gold panning. Later, join the optional Walter Peak Farm Tour. Embark on a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Take a walking tour of the farm and learn about New Zealand’s farming lifestyle. Afterward, return back to Queenstown.

Overnight: Queenstown

Day 11: Thursday – Flight to Auckland, Bay of Islands

This morning, board a flight to Auckland, often called the “City of Sails.” Arrive and head to the Bay of Islands, the birthplace of New Zealand, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British and the North Island’s Maori chiefs. The Bay of Islands is also known for its stunning beauty, marine life, water activities, and beaches.

Overnight: Bay of Island

Day 12: Friday – Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Today, spend the morning at leisure, or participate in the optional Bay of Islands Cruise with Hole in the Rock. Glide through the Bay of Islands, sailing past the Cape Brett Lighthouse to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, and other marine life. In the afternoon, explore New Zealand’s most important historic site, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Take a guided tour of the grounds, which feature iconic buildings and breathtaking examples of Maori architecture. View an authentic ceremonial war canoe and stand in the spot where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Tour the Museum of Waitangi Te Kongahu, a modern and comprehensive showcase of New Zealand’s history, and be welcomed in traditional Maori style at a cultural performance.

Overnight: Bay of Islands

Day 13: Saturday – Travel to Auckland

Begin the day with a scenic drive back to Auckland. On arrival, check into your hotel. Free time to rest, or perhaps head to the Sky Tower offering panoramic 360° views of the city and the surrounding area. Tonight at dinner, share wonderful memories of your journey and bid farewell to your Tour Manager.

Overnight: Auckland

Day 14: Sunday – Depart New Zealand

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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