Itinerary Details
South Pacific Wonders including New Zealand's North Island
Day 1 Depart from Home
Cross the International Dateline, skipping a day ahead, and begin your adventure of a lifetime.
Day 3 Cairns, Australia
Hotel: Bailey Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Welcome to Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions and a World Heritage site - the Great Barrier Reef. Established as a marine park in 1975, the reef is a haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and birds. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Tonight, we gather for a welcome dinner.(D)
Day 3 Cairns, Australia
Hotel: Bailey Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Welcome to Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions and a World Heritage site - the Great Barrier Reef. Established as a marine park in 1975, the reef is a haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and birds. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Tonight, we gather for a welcome dinner.(D)
Day 4 Cairns
Hotel: Bailey Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Come to know the history of Australia’s original inhabitants at the Rainforestation Nature Park, where an Indigenous Pamagirri guide will show you some of their oldest customs and traditions. Enjoy an "Aussie" barbecue lunch before visiting Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures to see crocodiles on a nature cruise. Head through rainforests on boardwalks to see animals such as birds, reptiles, and wallabies. Visit with a koala and chat with a wildlife naturalist to learn more about these marsupials.(B, L)
Day 5 Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Cairns
Hotel: Novotel Sydney Darling Square
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the reef from your base on Green Island. Enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride, stroll the island’s walking trails, relax on the beach, snorkel, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, an optional outer reef tour is also available.(B, L)
Day 6 Cairns - Sydney
Hotel: Novotel Sydney Darling Square
The morning is yours. Enjoy your last few hours in Cairns by relaxing and taking in the tropical atmosphere and surrounding neighborhood. Then, fly to the bustling city of Sydney.(B, D)
Day 7 Sydney
Hotel: Novotel Sydney Darling Square
See where English colonists first settled during a city tour of Sydney, featuring Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, and the Botanic Gardens. Take an expert-led tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour. Then, have the chance to join a special presentation at the National Opal Collection.(B)
Day 8 Sydney
Hotel: Rydges Auckland
Embrace the exciting city of Sydney during a day of independent exploration. Tonight, say farewell to Australia while on a dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Marvel at the scenic vistas of the harbor, showcasing Sydney’s magnificent skyline, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.(B, D)
Day 9 Sydney - Auckland, New Zealand
Hotel: Sudima Lake Hotel
Say goodbye to Australia, and hello to New Zealand as you arrive in one of the world’s most inspiring and sought-after destinations due to its clean air, stunning scenery, and friendly culture. Arrive in Auckland, the “City of Sails.” Auckland has the highest Polynesian population in the world, imbuing its chic atmosphere with the vibrant feel of the Pacific Islands.(B, D)
Day 10 Auckland - Rotorua
Hotel: Sudima Lake Hotel
Get to know the best of Auckland during a panoramic city tour featuring the America’s Cup Village, the War Memorial, vibrant Queen Street, and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Next, travel to the dramatic geothermal landscape of Rotorua. Known as the Maori capital of New Zealand, over one-third of Rotorua’s population has Maori roots dating back over 1,000 years. Tonight, experience an authentic Hangi dinner celebration and learn about the warm-hearted Maoris as well as their lives before European colonists arrived in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and since.(B, D)
Day 11 Rotorua
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
This morning, visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, New Zealand's premier Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Witness a landscape of erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools, and other geothermal wonders. Take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving. You will also view the Kiwi bird and learn what is being done in an effort to remove the Kiwi from the endangered species list. Then, visit the Agrodome for a fun sheep-shearing demonstration and learn about the importance of agriculture to the nation. After dinner, relax or explore this lovely city on your own.(B, D)
Day 12 Rotorua - Christchurch
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
A short flight brings you to the historic city of Christchurch. Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the city known as “the Garden City” is recreating itself. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Experience the fascinating science behind earthquakes at Quake City, with engaging exhibits and stories that shake up your understanding -OR- embark on an icy adventure at the Antarctic Centre, where you can meet penguins and immerse yourself in the chill of Antarctica.(B, D)
Day 13 Christchurch
Hotel: Millennium Hotel
Start your morning with a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. A leader in the conservation of New Zealand species, Willowbank offers the chance to view New Zealand’s “Big 5” - the Kiwi, the Kea, the Tuatara, the Kaka, and the Takahe - up close and personal. Then, learn about the local Indigenous culture of the Maori with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional waka (canoe).(B)
Day 14 Christchurch - Queenstown
Hotel: Millennium Hotel
Depart Christchurch and trek south to Queenstown during a half-day of travel. Known as the “Adventure Capital of the World,” Queenstown is nestled against a picturesque bay and snowcapped mountains. Arrive in Queenstown in the afternoon and have time to explore independently before dinner.(B, D)
Day 15 Queenstown
Hotel: Millennium Hotel
Cruise Lake Wakatipu surrounded by Queenstown’s stunning landscape. Then, enjoy a lakeside barbecue lunch followed by a sheepdog demonstration before sailing back. This afternoon, take a gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak** for stunning panoramic views of the area. This evening is yours to enjoy charming Queenstown. Get some good rest ahead of a long day of travel tomorrow.(B, L)
Day 16 Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Hotel: Millennium Hotel
Enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley as you travel through an ancient beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. Cruise the Milford Sound and see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights on the South Island. Following your cruise, you may choose to return to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.(B, L)
Day 17 Queenstown
A free day offers an optional tour taking you through the majestic Queenstown countryside showcasing many of the locations where blockbuster movies have been filmed, or perhaps you’ll want to shop and people watch in the village. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner.(B, D)
Day 18 Queenstown - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful adventure.(B)
