Contrasts of Downunder

Day 1: Arrive in Melbourne, Australia

Welcome to Australia. On arrival in Melbourne, you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner.

Day 2: Melbourne Sightseeing

Join a city sights walking tour through Melbourne’s hidden laneways. You will discover the city’s eclectic laneways, arcades, café society and street art. This afternoon there is time to explore the city on your own, enjoy an optional experience to Phillip Island to see the nightly ritual of the Penguin Parade (additional expense).

Day 3: Melbourne to Cairns

This morning you will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Cairns, Queensland. On arrival, join a wildlife journey at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures including a boat cruise and encounter koalas, wallabies, birds, crocodiles and more! There will be time to partake in their Rainforest Restoration project.

Day 4: The Great Barrier Reef

Get ready for an experience of a lifetime – board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the world. You can snorkel and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided) or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft.

Day 5: Cairns

Today is a free day to do as you choose. A great option is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, be amazed as you travel over and through World Heritage rainforest, explore quaint Kuranda village and later board the Kuranda Scenic Rail for this historic rail journey. If you’d prefer to spend the day relaxing by your hotel pool or sitting back at a local café you can do that too!

Day 6: Cairns to Sydney

Following a leisurely start to the morning, it’s time to switch the tropical vibes back to city highlights as you fly to Sydney.  Spend the rest of the day and evening exploring as you wish.

Day 7: Sydney Sightseeing

Start your day with a tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House, its architectural wonders and the legends who have performed there. Next, head to Bondi for a behind-the-scenes visit to the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, where you’ll uncover the rich history and vibrant culture of this famous beach. Enjoy a lunch at the Bondi RSL Club, with stunning views of the beach. In the afternoon, take a Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise with breathtaking views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Day 8: Sydney

Today is free time to explore more of Sydney at your leisure or book one of our optional sightseeing activities available (additional expense). There are so many sights and experiences to be had in this city and further afield such as visiting the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains or climbing up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This evening enjoy dinner with your group.

Day 9: Sydney (Australia) to Auckland (New Zealand)

Farewell Australia this morning and fly to New Zealand! Auckland is set between two harbours, hence why it is often called the ‘City of Sails’. Tonight you will dine together on your first night in New Zealand.

Day 10: Auckland Sightseeing

After a relaxed start, discover New Zealand’s national game: rugby. The interactive All Blacks Experience explores an introduction to the game as a part of New Zealand culture. Afterwards get the lay of the land on a city sightseeing tour including Mission Bay, Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial to New Zealand’s first Labour Prime Minister.

Day 11: Auckland to Rotorua

Departing Auckland, today you venture south through Waikato region to Rotorua. On the way, experience the real Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set where you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. You will be fully guided around the 12-acre set, including into an interior Hobbit Hole experience. Continue to Rotorua, where tonight you will visit Te Puia’s geothermal Valley. Dive into culture and learn about Maori history and culture including a dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine and a cultural performance in a finely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It ends on a high at the Pohutu Geyser, where, armed with a hot chocolate, you’ll view one of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderlands.

Day 12: Rotorua to Queenstown

Start your day at the National Kiwi Hatchery, where you’ll join a local guide for a tour. Learn about the work being done to save this rare native bird, get up close and see kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process, and even newly hatched kiwi chicks at this national leader in kiwi husbandry.

Travel to Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital of New Zealand. This lakeside resort town is surrounded by stunning scenery, plenty of adventures also also some of the country’s most awarded restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for bulging burgers or lakeside tapas, ask your tour director for recommendations while in Queenstown.

Day 13: Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park

Journey along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, over  Devil’s Staircase and along to Te Anau and the largest lake in the South Island.  Experience magnificent scenery as you continue along this alpine highway to Fiordland National Park. Enjoy numerous photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout (Pop’s view), Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel towards the iconic Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch and a cruise on this wonder of nature. Later, return to Queenstown for the evening.

Day 14: Queenstown

Today you may choose from a range of optional sightseeing experiences (additional expense). You could ride the world famous’ Shotover Jet or enjoy a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead.

Day 15: Queenstown to Lake Tekapo

Today you will leave the alpine wonderland of Queenstown behind, travelling through Central Otago to the Mackenzie region with time along the way to stop in Cromwell, next to the pristine Lake Dunstan and the motorsports museum.  Stop at at the quaint, lakeside Church of the Good Shepherd. Late this evening after dark, you’re treated to a guided stargazing experience in the world-renowned UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Your expert astronomy guide will highlight stars seen only in the Southern Hemisphere such as The Southern Cross and Centaurus.

Day 16: Lake Tekapo to Christchurch

Get an early start to watch the sun rise over the lake or sleep in before heading to Christchurch.  The community spirit is strong in this city that has rebuilt since the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, it is changing the way architects think about design. Examples of this can be seen at the mind-bending Cathedral made largely of cardboard and Turanga, the gold-clad central library.

Day 17: Christchurch

Travel north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, a hill country farm in North Canterbury. Enjoy warm Kiwi hospitality with a local family who have been farming since 1884 with six generations focused on producing premium Merino sheep, wool and Angus cattle. Soak up stunning scenery, meet the farm animals & discover what it is like to live off the land. Continue to a local vineyard, Waipara Springs Winery, where it’s time to relax with a platter-style lunch among the vines. A big day leads to a big evening joining your Travel Director and travel mates for a celebratory Farewell Dinner featuring produce from the Canterbury region.

Day 18: Farewell Christchurch, New Zealand

Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast, today it is time to say Haere rā (goodbye) to your group and to New Zealand. Your flights can depart any time today, and you will be transferred to Christchurch Airport (flights not included in price).

Important flight booking information for your tour:

Note: All flights referred to in the itinerary are not included in the tour price.  Please ask your Destination Specialist if you would like us to add your flights. Please be aware there are specific flights required to be booked to take this tour, ask our team for details and to book these for you (additional cost).