Contrasts of Downunder

Down under Touring Highlights:

• Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures Wildlife River Cruise
• Tree Planting Activity with Rainforest Rescue
• Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Guided tour of the Sydney Opera House
• Exclusive visit to the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club & lunch at the Bondi RSL Club
• Cruise Sydney Harbour and see the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Visit the interactive All Blacks Experience in Auckland
• Visit the film set of Hobbiton for a guided tour through the magical world of Middle Earth
• Immerse yourself in Māori culture in Rotorua, with traditional performances and dinner
• Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise to see towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls and untouched fiord scenery
• Astronomy & Stargazing tour at Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
• Visit a high-country sheep farm and enjoy a delightful morning tea
• Visit a family-owned vineyard for lunch and wine tasting among the vines

Sample Itinerary (Subject to Change)

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 and fellow travellers for dinner.

Day 2: Melbourne Sightseeing

Get out and see the sights today on a guided walk discovering the lanes, arcades, and cafe society. Gaze up at the beautiful Victorian façades lining grand boulevards, stroll past street art that shows a stylish contrast to federation buildings and churches. Discover more of Melbourne at Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery to learn about Koorie peoples, cultures and communities. With a vison to ensure the rich cultural heritage, history and knowledge systems of First Peoples are valued, celebrated and an active part of Australian society.

There’s time afterwards to explore the city on your own, enjoy an optional experience to Phillip Island to see the nightly ritual of the Penguin Parade. Or simply relax and watch the world go by (excursion optional, additional expense).

Day 3: Melbourne – 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: Cairns – The Great Barrier Reef – Cairns

Get ready for an experience of a lifetime – board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef ,the world’s largest coral reef system and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – 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 (excursions optional, additional expense).

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 – Sydney

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

Day 7: Sydney

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 Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, Shark Island, impressive mansions, beaches and parks. The cruise also takes you under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, offering a memorable experience.

Day 8: Sydney

Today is free time to explore more of Sydney at your leisure or book one of our optional sightseeing activities available (excursions optional, 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) – Auckland (New Zealand)

Farewell Australia today, cross the Tasman Sea and fly to New Zealand for the next part of your down under adventure (International flights not included in tour price). 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 a Memorial to New Zealand’s first Labour Prime Minister. Admire the sunken pool and landscaped gardens as you’re treated to sweeping views of Waitemata Harbour and the North Shore.

Day 11: Auckland – 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 guided around the 12-acre set, including an interior of a Hobbit Hole.

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 – Auckland – 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.

Fly south to Queenstown, the 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.

Day 13: Milford Sound/Piopiotahi & 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/Piopiotahi. Enjoy a picnic lunch onboard and a cruise on this wonder of nature. Later, return to Queenstown.

Day 14: Queenstown

Today you may choose from a range of optional sightseeing experiences (excursions optional, 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. Wherever you wander today, save space for dinner at a historic Arrowtown cottage with picket fence and picturesque gardens.

Day 15: Queenstown – Lake Tekapo

Today your tour continues to lovely Lake Tekapo. Visit the Jones Family fruit stall to taste of some of the town’s juicy stone fruit including apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums. Stop at the Highlands Motorsport Museum to see some of the rarest cars in NZ motorsports history.

Arriving at Lake Tekapo take a moment at the 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 – 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 2010-2011 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: Depart 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 (International flights not included in tour price).

Ask our team about adding the best value flights to your tour, or perhaps upgrade to Business Class on your international flights for the ultimate comfort in the skies!

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.

If you are looking for something else we also have many other Australia and New Zealand guided tours to choose from, or can customize an independant vacation.