Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland with hotel check-in available immediately. If you get there by 4:30 pm, there's a welcome meeting and dinner waiting for you. Later that evening, head up to the Orbit Restaurant atop SkyCity where you'll have dinner surrounded by 360-degree views of the city.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Orbit Restaurant atop SkyCity with 360-degree views of Auckland)
Optional Activities
- Visit Sky Tower for views of Auckland, harbor, volcanoes, and historical landmarks ($50 USD and under)
Landmarks Sky Tower Orbit Restaurant 
- Day 2
Waiheke Island
Start the morning with an orientation tour covering Queen Street, Auckland Domain park, and Parnell Village. Then catch a ferry to Waiheke Island where you'll walk through an olive grove and vineyard, do a tasting, and grab lunch. You're back in Auckland by afternoon with the rest of the day free to check out whatever interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at winery on Waiheke Island)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Auckland including Queen Street, Auckland Domain, and Parnell Village
- Ferry to Waiheke Island
- Guided tour and wine tasting at Stonyridge Vineyards
- Visit to olive grove
- Lunch at winery
Landmarks Queen Street Auckland Domain Parnell Village Waiheke Island Stonyridge Vineyards - Day 3
Waitomo - Rotorua
Travel through Waikato's green farmland to Waitomo Glowworm Caves for a guided walk through limestone chambers. You'll take a quiet boat ride through the grotto to see thousands of glowworms lighting up the cave ceiling. After that, head to Hobbiton near Matamata for a walking tour of the Lord of the Rings movie set, including the Hobbit Holes, Mill, and Green Dragon Inn. Then continue on to Rotorua for your two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto
- Guided walking tour of Hobbiton movie set including Hobbit Holes, Mill, and Green Dragon Inn with cold beverage
Landmarks Waitomo Glowworm Caves Glowworm Grotto Hobbiton Movie Set Kaimai Mountain ranges Green Dragon Inn - Day 4
Rotorua
Begin at Te Puia thermal area to see New Zealand's largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. From there, head to Agrodome to learn about the sheep industry with shearing demos and herding dogs showing their skills. This evening, have a traditional Hangi dinner with Maori cultural performances including storytelling, songs, dances, and the Haka, all served in the Wharenui ancestral meeting house.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Hangi dinner with roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones, served in the Wharenui with Māori music and dancing entertainment)
Included Activities
- Visit to Te Puia thermal area with New Zealand's largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces
- Visit to Agrodome with sheep shearing demonstration and farm dog herding demonstration
- Farmyard nursery visit
- Māori cultural performance including storytelling, songs, dances, and Haka
- Traditional Hangi dinner in Wharenui with music and dancing entertainment
Optional Activities
- Rotorua Duck Tours - 2 hours on WWII amphibious vehicle exploring geothermal wonders, Māori culture, and natural beauty ($51-$100 USD)
- Rotorua Zipline and Canopy Tour - 4 hours on native forest zipline in 500-year-old Mamaku Forest ($101-$150 USD)
Landmarks Te Puia Agrodome Wharenui - Day 5
Rotorua to Queenstown
Fly to Queenstown, known as the Adventure Capital. You'll find excellent restaurants, cafes, galleries, and shops throughout the city. Later this evening, ride a scenic gondola to the top of Bob's Peak and have dinner with views looking out over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Bob's Peak with breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains)
Included Activities
- Scenic gondola ride to Bob's Peak
- Dinner at Bob's Peak with views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and Remarkable Mountains
Landmarks Bob's Peak Lake Wakatipu Remarkable Mountains - Day 6
Fiordland - Queenstown
Travel into Fiordland National Park on a cruise through the fiord where sheer rock walls rise thousands of feet. You'll see dense rainforest, mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Keep an eye out for dolphins, seals, and penguins in the water. Return to Queenstown late tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cruise on Milford Sound fiord with sheer rock walls, dense rainforest, mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls
- Marine life viewing opportunities including dolphins, seals, and penguins
Optional Activities
- Upgrade One-Way Flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown - 45 minutes ($150+ USD)
Landmarks Fiordland National Park Milford Sound - Day 7
Queenstown
Spend the full day exploring Queenstown at your own pace. Check out restaurants, galleries, shops, and spas. If you want some action, there are optional activities like visiting a local vineyard or taking a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit local vineyard and sample wines
- Jetboat ride on Dart River - 3 hours ($150+ USD)
- Walter Peak Evening Dinner - 3.5 hours cruise on TSS Earnslaw steamship with dinner at farm ($51-$100 USD)
- KJet Thrill Ride - 1 hour across three waterways ($51-$100 USD)
- Cruise on historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship - 1 hour across Lake Wakatipu ($50 USD and under)
- Queenstown Wine Trail Tour - 3 hours at three premium vineyards ($101-$150 USD)
- Helicopter Flight over Remarkable Mountains with Landing - 45 minutes ($101-$150 USD)
- Discover Arrowtown and Wanaka - 6 hours exploring towns and Crown Range ($101-$150 USD)
- Day 8
Queenstown to Melbourne
Board your flight across the Tasman Sea heading to Melbourne, Australia's cultural center. The city is known for great restaurants, museums, shopping, and hidden laneways waiting to be explored.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Melbourne - Day 9
Melbourne
Start with sightseeing at Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, which honors Australia's war heroes. Drive past the Royal Botanical Gardens, then take a guided tour through Fitzroy Gardens and see Cook's Cottage. After that, enjoy high-tea lunch. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (High-tea lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Parliament House
- Visit Shrine of Remembrance
- Drive through Royal Botanical Gardens
- Guided tour of Fitzroy Gardens
- Visit Cook's Cottage
- High-tea lunch
Landmarks Parliament House Shrine of Remembrance Royal Botanical Gardens Fitzroy Gardens Cook's Cottage - Day 10
Melbourne
Have a full day free to explore Melbourne's multicultural vibe. If you want structured activities, there are options to visit the Yarra Valley for wine tasting, drive the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles, or head to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Yarra Valley wine tasting tour
- Great Ocean Road trip to see the Twelve Apostles
- Phillip Island Penguin Parade visit
Landmarks Yarra Valley Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles Phillip Island - Day 11
Melbourne to Cairns
Fly to Cairns, your base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. This tropical destination is where you'll spend time experiencing one of the world's greatest natural areas. Dinner is at a local restaurant this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant)
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef - Day 12
Great Barrier Reef
Board a catamaran cruising to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Once there, you can snorkel, take a semi-submersible tour for underwater views, listen to a marine biologist presentation, or just relax and take it all in. Return to Cairns late afternoon with the evening free to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Catamaran cruise to Outer Great Barrier Reef
- Choice of snorkeling, semi-submersible watercraft tour, marine biologist presentation, or leisure time at the reef
Landmarks Outer Great Barrier Reef - Day 13
Cairns
Have a full day at leisure in Cairns. Consider visiting the Daintree Forest, the world's oldest living rainforest, or heading to Cape Tribulation. You could also take the Kuranda Scenic Railway, relax by your resort pool, walk through shops and galleries along the Esplanade, or check out the Night Markets for food and souvenirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Trip to Daintree Forest, the world's oldest living rainforest
- Visit to Cape Tribulation
- Kuranda Scenic Railway ride
- Night Markets for dining and souvenirs
- Pool relaxation at resort
Landmarks Daintree Forest Cape Tribulation Kuranda Scenic Railway Cairns Esplanade - Day 14
Cairns to Sydney
Fly to Sydney, Australia's largest and oldest city. It's known for its beautiful harbor, superb beaches, and iconic Opera House. The city has everything from its convict history to modern skyscrapers, unique art and culture, interesting shops, gardens, and excellent dining options with harbor views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour - Day 15
Sydney
Start with a guided tour inside the Sydney Opera House to see the interiors and theaters. Head to Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the Botanic Garden for great photo spots and sweeping harbor views. Then travel to Manly Beach to explore shops or take a beach walk. After that, ferry back to Circular Quay to enjoy some of the city's best views from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sydney Opera House interiors and theaters
- Visit to Mrs Macquarie's Chair in Botanic Garden with harbor views
- Visit to Manly Beach with time to explore
- Ferry ride back to Circular Quay across Sydney Harbour
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Mrs Macquarie's Chair Sydney Botanic Garden Manly Beach Circular Quay Sydney Harbour - Day 16
Sydney
Spend the day exploring Sydney however you like. This evening, join a special farewell dinner at a waterside restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at waterside restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner at waterside restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour
Optional Activities
- Blue Mountains excursion
- Hunter Valley wine-growing region tour
- Sydney Harbour Bridge climb to the top
Landmarks Blue Mountains Hunter Valley Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Harbour - Day 17
Sydney
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning. If you want to stay longer and explore more of Sydney on your own, extra nights are available for purchase.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Sydney with additional nights available for purchase
