American breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 4 dinners including a traditional Hangi dinner in Rotorua, and a farewell dinner in Sydney
Itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Kia Ora—welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4:30 pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing. NOTE:Early check-in does not include breakfast. You may purchase breakfast directly from the hotel at an additional cost.
Day 2 AUCKLAND. EXCURSION TO WAIHEKE ISLAND
This morning, enjoy an orientation tour of Auckland, the “City of Sails.” See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and the historic Parnell Village. Then, take a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, where we’ll visit a 
WINERY for a tour, tasting, and lunch. The remainder of the day is yours to explore more of Auckland.

Breakfast

Lunch
Day 3 AUCKLAND–WAITOMO–MATAMATA–ROTORUA
This morning, depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Next, stop at a picturesque farm near Matamata that was transformed into the HOBBITON MOVIE SET from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. During your visit, see the hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and other structures built for the movies. Continue on to Rotorua for a 2-night stay.

Breakfast
Day 4 ROTORUA
This morning, visit TE PUIA, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. Next visit RAINBOW SPRINGS to view native bush and wildlife including the shy Kiwi bird. This evening, enjoy a traditional HANGI DINNER, followed by an authentic 
MAORI CULTURAL PERFORMANCE.

Breakfast

Dinner
Day 5 ROTORUA–QUEENSTOWN
Fly to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Tonight, take a scenic GONDOLA RIDE to the top of Bob’s Peak. Take in the spectacular mountain views and the lights of Queenstown below as you dine in the Skyline Restaurant.

Breakfast

Dinner
Day 6 QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND
Today, travel into FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. CRUISE on the fiord, with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths.

Breakfast

Lunch
Day 7 QUEENSTOWN
A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Consider an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages—or maybe take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you plan your day to explore, shop, and enjoy optional activities.

Breakfast
Day 8 QUEENSTOWN–MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
This morning, board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne.

Breakfast
Day 9 MELBOURNE
Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful FITZROY GARDENS, then drive past the lush Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Tonight’s optional excursion to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is highly recommended.

Breakfast
Day 10 MELBOURNE
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take a trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.”

Breakfast
Day 11 MELBOURNE–CAIRNS–PORT DOUGLAS–CAIRNS
Today, fly to Cairns, the “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Enjoy a special visit to the HARTLEY’S CROCODILE ADVENTURES for your chance to meet Australia’s native animals. Continue to Port Douglas, a beachside town surrounded by rainforest and the Coral Sea. Enjoy time at leisure before returning to Cairns for a 3-night stay. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Breakfast

Dinner
Day 12 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
Today, prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and CRUISE to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to SNORKEL, take a semi-submersible WATERCRAFT TOUR, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist.

Breakfast

Lunch
Day 13 CAIRNS
A full day at leisure. You may wish to take a trip into the Daintree Forest, the world’s oldest living rainforest and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include hiking, relaxing by your resort’s pool, or window shopping at the unique boutiques and art galleries in Cairns, where you are sure to find a favorite souvenir.

Breakfast
Day 14 CAIRNS–SYDNEY
Today, fly to Sydney, the largest city in Australia.

Breakfast
Day 15 SYDNEY
Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interior and theaters. Travel to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s BOTANIC GARDENS for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Visit world-famous MANLY BEACH with time to explore the shops or perhaps go for a stroll on the beach. Afterward, take a FERRY back to Sydney Harbour and enjoy some of the city’s best views. Make sure to have your camera ready!

Breakfast
Day 16 SYDNEY
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join our optional excursions to the Blue Mountains or to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! Your Tour Director will help you make the most of this exciting city. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner at a WATERFRONT RESTAURANT overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Breakfast

Dinner
Day 17 SYDNEY
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast