Wonders of Australia and New Zealand

Kick off your wondrous travels through Australia and New Zealand in sunny Brisbane. You have a free afternoon and evening, so why not explore some inner-city Brisbane sights? You could walk to the hub of the city, Queen Street Mall, where rich heritage and modern retail collide. Perhaps venture into South Bank's Parklands (site of Expo 88). Or for an injection of culture and adventure, visit South Bank's Cultural Precinct. Later, kick off your trip meeting your Travel Director and travelling companions for a Welcome Reception and dinner.

This morning, you’ll get to experience Aboriginal culture on a tour of Birrunga Gallery, Brisbane's Indigenous Gallery. You will be personally guided by one of our acclaimed First Nations artists to view the original work by resident artists, and to gain valuable behind-the-artwork insights and stories behind some of Australia’s leading contemporary Aboriginal art. The afternoon and evening are yours, to perhaps explore Queen’s Wharf or the trendy bars and restaurants of Brisbane’s South Bank. Ask your Travel Director for recommendations.

Get ready to set your body clock for ‘island time’. Arriving on Hamilton is quite the experience: you land on a tiny airstrip, then are told the only way to get around is in a golf buggy or foot. Do either or both, and then regroup for sunset cocktails at One Tree Hill with some of the best views over the Whitsundays.

Did you know that the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, is home to 1,500 species of fish, 215 different birds, 3,000 molluscs, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, and 30 species of dolphins and whales are residents? Head out on a catamaran to swim and snorkel – or enjoy a bird’s-eye view of paradise on a scenic flight over Heart Reef. 

After yesterday’s Great Barrier Reef overload, we wouldn’t blame you for sleeping in. But… there are so many other things to see and do around Hamilton, at your leisure. Enjoy brunch at the marina, or lace up your hiking boots and head up Passage Peak for unbroken views across the archipelago. Perhaps followed by a well-deserved dip at Catseye Beach or Coral Cove. The stretch of sand that’s regularly voted the most beautiful in the world, however, is Whitehaven – so high in silica, it squeaks underfoot. It’s a short boat-ride away, but we can help you get there.

One last Hamilton ocean swim? Why not. Touchdown Sydney and you have equally enticing views over Darling Harbour, where dinner is served. Is there any better way to end a day than this?  

You might have seen Sydney Opera House from the outside, but have you ventured within? This incredible architectural feat holds many secrets, as your local guide will reveal. From harbour to beach – Bondi beckons. Stroll the promenade in the company of Sydney’s beautiful people – perhaps lingering for a coffee or spritz – before regrouping to help feed those in need via community organisation Our Big Kitchen

Today is yours to get your final fix of Australia’s largest city. If you haven’t seen enough of the harbour, buckle in for a Sydney BridgeClimb, perhaps, before joining your companions for a sunset dinner cruise. What a way to end the day. 

It's time to say Hoo Roo Australia and Kia Ora New Zealand as you fly to Queenstown’s adventure capital. Take in its alpine, mountain town vibe, where the evening is free for you to enjoy one of its many lakefront restaurants and bars. Why not try some of the famous New Zealand lamb with a Pinot Noir from the local Otago wine region?

Flying over New Zealand, the first thing you’ll notice is that there’s a lot of farmland. It’s fitting, then, that one of the first people you’ll meet is southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm she was born and raised on. Think sheep mustering and whip cracking as well as the chance to feed and pet the farm animals. Then you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you arrive at former gold-mining town of Arrowtown. Come dusk, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw; the only thing more inspiring than the peaks of the Remarkables that surround is the festive atmosphere welcoming you to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet barbecue at the Colonel’s Homestead awaits.

You could spend a long time in and around Queenstown. But on your free day, we highly recommend either venturing into the end-of-the-Earth wilderness that is Milford Sound, to cruise past sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks and waterfalls. Or blissing out on an obligatory wine tour of the Otago region. It’s a difficult decision.

Touching down in Auckland, you’ll immediately understand why it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’ – New Zealand’s largest city has two lovely yacht-filled harbours, which you can explore at our leisure this afternoon. 

Today is set to sparkle – quite literally – as thousands of bright green and blue glowworms light up your next destination: the cavernous Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo. From overhead attractions to those below the ground… this evening your Highlight Dinner is prepared in an earthen Hangi at Te Puia. Your meal, succulent meats and vegetables, hot chocolate and steamed pudding, is served while you overlook the spectacular geothermal valley. Cap it off with a moving Māori cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It’s an insightful and fun evening that will surely leave you with a newfound understanding and love for New Zealand.

Cute and cuddly, NZ’s national bird, the kiwi, is also endangered. Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping the population thrive. The natural drama reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a geothermal reserve and the country’s only living Māori village, home to famous Pohutu Geyser and the bubbling beauty of mud pools. You’ll cap off your day joining your Travel Director and companions for a Farewell Dinner at Poco Tapas & Wine, where the menu is designed for sharing.

Most people travel for two weeks and don’t even scratch the surface, let alone enjoy cultural immersion across two countries. What a wild and wonderful ride.