Discover Australia & New Zealand 22 Days
22 Days: Melbourne, Ayers Rock Resort, Cairns, Sydney, Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown
Tour overview:
Combining the best of Australia and New Zealand, this tour has all the makings of one of your most memorable trips. From the busting metropolises of Sydney and Melbourne to Ayers Rock and The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, to the world renowned towns of Rotorua and Queenstown in NZ, as well as a ride on the legendary TranzAlpine train, this trip is bound to create memories that last for a lifetime!
Day 1 - Arrive Melbourne
On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. Meet your Travel Director this evening at a Welcome Reception and dinner. (D) Overnight Crowne Plaza Hotel, Melbourne, 3 nights.
Day 2 - Melbourne – City Sights
Explore Melbourne on a city sights tour this morning, then discover its gracious arcades, eclectic laneways and vibrant street art on a private walking tour. Afternoon at leisure (B)
Day 3 - Melbourne – At Leisure
Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. You may like to join an optional tour to the wineries in the Yarra Valley or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road to see the stone monoliths of the Twelve Apostles. (B)
Day 4 - Melbourne / Alice Springs
Fly to Alice Springs this morning (flight cost separate), and visit the School of the Air and the headquarters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This evening, join the Falzon family for a home-cooked gourmet BBQ dinner, and later listen as they speak of their passion for ecology, astronomy and culture. (BD)
Overnight Mercure Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs, 1 night.
Day 5 - Alice Springs / Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Travel though rugged outback scenery to Ayers Rock Resort. Enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine while watching sunset at Uluru (Ayers Rock). (B)
Overnight Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights.
Day 6 - Uluru (Ayers Rock)& Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
Witness the magical Uluru sunrise, then tour the caves at the base of Uluru and see ancient rock art. Later, travel over red desert plains to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and take a walk through some of the tallest domes of this majestic rock formation. (B)
Day 7 - Uluru (Ayers Rock) / Cairns
Depart the resort in total darkness for the short drive to Bruce Munro’s renowned Field of Light. Later, join an Indigenous artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. Later you will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Cairns (flight cost not included). Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Overnight Hilton Hotel, Cairns, 3 nights
Day 8 - Cairns – At Leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cairns. You may like to join an optional tour to Kuranda. Board the train for a historic journey through the scenic countryside behind Cairns. Return by the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the tropical rainforest. Evening dinner on the Cairns’ waterfront. (BD)
Day 9 - Cairns – Great Barrier Reef
Get ready for the experience of a lifetime when you board a high-speed catamaran and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling (equipment provided), or view the coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board before you return to Cairns. (BL)
Day 10 - Cairns / Sydney
Transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney (flight cost separate). Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Overnight Intercontinental Hotel Sydney, 3 nights
Day 11 - Sydney – Opera House, Bondi Beach & Harbour Cruise
Enjoy a tour of the Sydney Opera House with a local guide before putting your feet in the sand at legendary Bondi Beach. Enjoy lunch on one of Sydney Harbour’s most prestigious cruise vessels, and spend the rest of your day exploring the city at your leisure. (BL)
Day 12 - Sydney – At Leisure
Today is yours for further exploration of Sydney. And then celebrate your last evening in Sydney with your Travel Director at a waterfront restaurant. (BD)
Day 13 - Sydney / Auckland
You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your flight to Auckland. (flight cost not included). On arrival in Auckland you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelling companions. (BD)
Overnight Horizon by SkyCity, Auckland, 2 nights
Day 14 - Auckland – City Sights
A morning city sightseeing tour is followed by free time to relax or explore Auckland. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 15 - Auckland / Rotorua
Get up close with NZ's national bird, the endangered kiwi, at a working nursery and hatchery. See how breeding programs help sustain the population. Then, immerse yourself in the Te Pā Tū Māori Experience, celebrating Māori history, traditions and future aspirations celebrated over forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) with chef choice aperitif, and a delicious three-course meal. (BD)
Overnight Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 1 night
Day 16 - Rotorua / Auckland / Queenstown
Leave Auckland behind and journey into the countryside for an exclusive family-style experience in the Red Barn on a working dairy farm. Over your farm to table morning tea prepared by the onsite chef, get a feel for country life as you're invited to roll up your sleeves and make your own butter - butter churners, tiny mason jars and all!. We then travel to Auckland to board our flight to Queenstown. (flight cost separate). Arrive and transfer to our hotel. (B)
Overnight Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights
Day 17 - Queenstown – Milford Sound
Drive through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Cruise among sheer cliffs, massive waterfalls, glaciers and rainforest before you return to Queenstown in the late afternoon. (BL)
Day 18 - Queenstown – At Leisure
A full day to explore Queenstown at your leisure. You could take a 4WD minibus excursion through Skippers Canyon. Dinner in Arrowtown. (BD)
Day 19 - Queenstown / Lake Tekapo
Travel through Central Otago to the Mackenzie region with time along the way to stop in Arrowtown then Cromwell, situated next to the pristine Lake Dunstan and taste delicious stone fruit at a local orchard. Continue over the dramatic Lindis Pass before reaching the Starlight Highway and Tekapo's world renowned UNESCO Aoraki McKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. This afternoon enjoys the views of Mt Cook before heading to the iconic Church of the Good Shephard. This evening, see amazing constellations that can only be seen in the southern hemisphere. (BD)
Overnight Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo, 1 night.
Day 20 - Lake Tekapo / Christchurch
Enjoy a relaxed start before heading north though Southern Canterbury, visitng the charming boutique village of Geraldine as you travel to Christchurch. (B)
Overnight Distinction Christchurch Hotel, 2 nights
Day 21 - Christchurch - Farm Visit
Travel north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, for an experience with the Bamford Family. Enjoy warm kiwi hospitality from Scotty and the team, who have been farming at Hurunui since 1884 with six generations focused on producing premium Merino sheep, wool and Angus Cattle. You will hear from Maria in the woolshed and view a sheep dog demonstration. Continue to local vineyard Waipara Springs Winery, where you will enjoy a platter style lunch among the vines. Spend the last evening with your Travel Director at a Farewell Dinner. (BLD)
Day 22 - Depart Christchurch
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)