Discover the lands down under on this 23-day tour through Australia and New Zealand's greatest hits. Venture along Australia's east coast from Cairns to Sydney, stopping to snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef and explore the caves of the Blue Mountains. Afterwards, jet over to New Zealand where you'll get a glimpse into Maori culture and satiate your adrenaline-seeking spirit in the birthplace of bungee jumping. Your bucket list will be significantly shorter once this tour is complete.
Day 1 Cairns
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Cairns/Cape Tribulation
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
Day 3 Cape Tribulation
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
Day 4 Cape Tribulation/Cairns
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.
Day 5 Cairns/Airlie Beach
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way.
Day 6 Airlie Beach
Set sail for a day in 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.
Day 7 Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.
Day 8 Byron Bay
Spend the day wandering the town or taking part in a multitude of optional activities like skydiving, visiting Cape Byron Lighthouse, or relaxing on the beach.
Day 9 Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
Tour an organic farm in the heart of Byron Bay before sitting down to a delicious lunch featuring local produce. Head 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.
Day 10 Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
En route to the Blue Mountains, opt to stop at the Koala Hospital to learn about vital wildlife conservation work in the area.
Day 11 Blue Mountains
Travel to the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the area around Leura and Katoomba and view the Three Sisters. Take a guided tour of Jenolan Caves, filled with striking limestone rock formations.
Day 12 Blue Mountains/Sydney
This morning, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world. Continue to Sydney and head out for an orientation walk. With some free time, opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.
Day 13 Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional final night out with the group.
Day 14 Sydney/Auckland
Fly to Auckland, New Zealand and enjoy free time in the city.
Day 15 Auckland
Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.
Day 16 Auckland/Rotorua
Visit the Waitomo Caves, famous for their glow-worms and adventure activities. Continue to Rotorua, notable for its geothermal activity and culture.
Day 17 Rotorua
Take advantage of free time in the adrenaline capital of the North Island, and opt to go whitewater rafting, check out a geothermal park with technicolour pools, hit up a nearby spa, or journey to Middle-earth on an excursion to the Hobbiton Movie Set. This evening, learn more about Maori culture with a local experience and dinner.
Day 18 Rotorua/Christchurch
Catch a flight to Christchurch on the South Island. Take in an orientation walk with your CEO before enjoying a few hours to explore the city.
Day 19 Christchurch/Lake Ohau
Drive to beautiful Lake Ohau with a stop at Lake Tekapo along the way. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and admire the stunning alpine scenery that surrounds this local landmark.
Spend the afternoon hiking the region around Aoraki/Mt Cook. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Aoraki/Mt Cook Visitor's Centre.
Day 20 Lake Ohau/Queenstown
Drive to Queenstown, with a stop at Wanaka and a local vineyard for a wine tasting.
Day 21 Doubtful Sound
Take in the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Keep an eye out for the waterfalls and wildlife in this breathtaking area. Return to Queenstown in the evening.
Day 22 Queenstown
Enjoy a free day in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving, paragliding, hiking or mountain biking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.
Day 23 Queenstown
Depart at any time.
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Byron Bay Your Foodie Moment: Winery Visit, Central Otago District Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
- Guided rainforest walk
- Whitsunday Islands sailing excursion
- Blue Mountains stay with hikes
- Scenic Railway
- Jenolan Caves visit
- Jamison Valley walk
- Waitomo Caves visit
- Maori cultural experience
- Wine tasting
- Aoraki/Mt Cook NP visit with hiking opportunity (weather permitting)
- Aoraki/Mt Cook NP Visitor's Centre visit
- Fiordland NP visit
- Doubtful Sound day cruise
- Orientation walk in Sydney and Christchurch
- Free time in Cairns, Byron Bay, Sydney, Rotorua and Queenstown
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- 12 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 2 dinners
Reference : GAH