Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This evening join your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner on board Melbourne's famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting!

Please note: Flights need to arrive in Melbourne by 12pm as touring commences at 3pm.

Day 2: Melbourne

Explore Melbourne on a city sights tour then discover its eclectic little laneways, arcades, café society and street art on a private walking tour. The rest of your day is free. You may like to take an optional experience to Phillip Island to see the famous penguin parade or maybe you'd prefer to relax or even experience some of Melbourne's well known food and culture.

Day 3: Melbourne ‘Free Time’

Today is free for you to explore the delights of Melbourne. You may like to take a full day optional experience to the Great Ocean Road to discover the stunning coastline and the Twelve Apostles. Or maybe treat yourself to a theatre production or indulge in some world class fare at one of the city's famous eateries

Today you fly from Melbourne to Alice Springs. On arrival visit the School of the Air and hear how this school delivers education to children living in remote areas. Next stop is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where you'll learn about this facility that provides a 'mantle of safety' to the people of the outback.  ‘You're invited’ this evening by Joe, Dan, Tommy and Ben Falzon for a homecooked gourmet BBQ dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. Join them as they share stories of ecology, culture and astronomy and even lead you on a sing-a-long accompanied by the didgeridoo and guitar. It will be a night to remember!

Day 5: Alice Springs – Ayers Rock

Travel through the West MacDonnell and James Ranges and pause to view majestic Atila (Mt. Conner) often mistaken for Uluru, before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the resort’s facilities. Later, travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Witness and photograph the striking colour changes of Uluru at sunset while enjoying gourmet canapés and wine.

Day 6: Uluru and Kata Tjuta

This morning view the magical Uluru sunrise. Afterwards, gain insight in to the traditional owners of the land, the Anangu, as you tour the caves at the base of Uluru discovering ancient rock art and hearing stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta and take a walk at Walpa Gorge. Later experience a Kata Tjuta sunset with sparkling wine and nibbles

Day 7: Ayers Rock – Cairns

Join an Aboriginal artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. Your Anangu artist will provide you with cultural insight, explaining the meanings of their totems, before assisting you to complete your own painting to take home as a memento of your experience. In the afternoon you will fly from Ayers Rock to Cairns.

Day 8: Great Barrier Reef

Get ready for an experience of a lifetime - board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. 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, just one metre underwater. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns. This evening you'll dine at Dundee's Restaurant enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront.

Day 9: Cairns ‘Free Time’

Today is free for you to do as you choose! Perhaps take an optional experience to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for an insightful look at indigenous culture or journey to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals. Or maybe travel to the ‘village in the rainforest’ on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and return to the lowlands on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Day 10: Cairns – Sydney

Spend time at Cairns Wildlife Dome for the chance to see some cuddly Australian wildlife. This afternoon fly to Sydney where you will have a free evening to do as you please.

Day 11: Sydney

A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Join a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House before discovering Sydney's Eastern Suburbs and putting your feet in the sand at famous Bondi Beach. Take to the water on a Captain Guided Holidays Cook highlight lunch cruise, sailing around the glistening harbour while you enjoy a fresh seasonal menu. Spend the rest of your day seeing the sights of your choice or maybe even take an optional experience to see an opera under the famous sails of Sydney Opera House.

Day 12: Sydney ‘Free Time’

Enjoy a full free day in exciting Sydney. Maybe take an optional experience to the Blue Mountains or climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on a 'BridgeClimb'. Spend your last evening in Sydney together along with your Travel Director and companions in a local restaurant by the water.

Day 13: Sydney – Auckland

This morning you say goodbye to Australia and fly to New Zealand! This evening meet your Travel Director for your highlight dinner at 'Eight' at The Langham. Your personal degustation is prepared for you from the freshest, quality ingredients, including mouth-watering seafood and delicious desserts.

Day 14: Auckland Sightseeing & ‘Free Time’

A morning cruise on Waitemata Harbour is followed by a city sightseeing tour. Later, you'll have free time to relax or explore.

Join a guide for a boat tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto. Continue to Rotorua where a Maori guide will accompany you at Te Puia Thermal Reserve.  ‘You’re invited’ this evening to experience the heartpounding wero (challenge) from a Maori warrior during a Powhiri, a ceremonial welcome, at the Tamaki Family Marae. Journey into the village and gain a cultural insight into life in New Zealand before European settlement. Feast on succulent meats and vegetables cooked in a hangi, the traditional Maori method of cooking in the earth.

Explore Rainbow Springs Nature Park and discover the native flora and fauna. You may even spot a kiwi! Next stop is the Agrodome Sheep Show for a taste of farm life. Later, you'll fly to Christchurch.

Journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train. Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and live demonstration by a local greenstone carver. Continue to Franz Josef Glacier.

Day 18: Franz Josef – Queenstown

Drive over the Haast Pass, past Thunder Creek Falls and a trio of lakes. Enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell then visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown before arriving in Queenstown for an orientation tour. This evening join your Travel Director for a highlight dinner at The Boatshed. Set in the restored historic New Zealand Railways Shipping Office and relocated to its lakefront setting in 1936, The Boatshed, with its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range, is the perfect venue for your exclusive meal.

Day 19: Milford Sound Cruise

Drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau then through the rainforest of Fiordland National Park. Travel through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, on your way to Milford Sound to board your cruise. Return to Queenstown this afternoon.

Day 20: Queenstown 'Free Time'

Today you may like to consider taking one of our optional experiences. You could ride the Shotover Jet, the most thrilling jet boat ride in the world! Perhaps join a wine tour at Gibbston Valley Winery or play a round of golf on one of Queenstown’s spectacular courses. Choose from the immaculately groomed greens of a resort course or a simple fairway with rugged mountain peaks as your backdrop. You could take a 4WD minibus excursion through Skippers Canyon alongside the Shotover River to Skippers Point in Mount Aurum Conservation Area. Or why not enjoy a relaxing spa. You’ll be pampered at one of Queenstown’s luxurious day spas. Sink into a therapeutic hot pool or treat yourself to a selection of therapies at a local salon. This evening, consider taking the gondola ride to Bob’s Peak for dinner at the Stratosphere Restaurant.

Visit Lake Tekapo, stopping at the Church of the Good Shepherd.  You are welcomed by your hosts Angie and Stan Taylor at Morelea Farm for a ‘You’re invited’ lunch in their 240 hectare garden. Join your Travel Director this evening in Christchurch for a farewell dinner.

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.