Get a feel of authentic Australia and New Zealand on this 18-day small group luxury journey. Start your adventure in Melbourne, Australia and discover a unique blend of inspiring destinations on your way to Auckland, New Zealand. Travel through a diverse range of landscapes, observe native species, explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, tour the magnificent Sydney Opera House, cruise to New Zealand's spectacular Milford Sound, and view the stunning Franz Josef Glacier on a guided walk.
Highlights
Enjoy the wonders of Australia's Great Barrier Reef on a full-day excursion
Visit Sydney's Taronga Zoo to meet Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and koalas
Get a feel for authentic Aussie rural life on a visit to a sheep farm
Explore the Franz Josef Glacier, led by your specialist hiking guide
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Melbourne, Australia, where you are met and transferred to your luxurious hotel in the heart of the city. This afternoon, tour Melbourne’s landmarks, seeing the Shrine of Remembrance and the thriving Arts Precinct. Later, gather for your welcome dinner.
Day 2: Melbourne | Private Sheep Farm Experience
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Today, travel to Coliban Rural Farm on a private experience, where you are personally welcomed into the home of the Barber family to learn a little of what it is like to be an Aussie family “living off the land.” After morning tea, head out to the stockyards to watch the working dogs bring in a herd of sheep, followed by a demonstration of shearing skills. Next, head back to the homestead and enjoy a lunch featuring organic farm produce and local wines.
Day 3: Uluru | An Undeniable Presence
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), and settle into your hotel. This afternoon, tour Kata Tjuta National Park (the Olgas). As evening approaches, enjoy a Scenic Sundowner with sparkling wine and canapés, watching the sunset at Uluru.
Day 4: Uluru | Port Douglas | A Spiritual Sojourn
1 Breakfast
Rise early to see Uluru at sunrise, as the sun’s morning glow brings the desert to life. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Later, visit the base of the monolith with your guide, who shares the cultural and geological significance of this sacred ceremonial site, which is part of the belief system of one of the oldest human societies. Fly to Cairns and continue to Port Douglas.
Day 5: Daintree Rainforest | Exclusive Botanical Ark Visit
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel to Mossman Gorge for a guided walk through this lush corner of Daintree National Park. Continue to an A&K-exclusive visit to the Botanical Ark, a private ethnobotanical garden, for a Chef’s Table lunch. Return to Port Douglas for time at leisure.
Day 6: Great Barrier Reef | Exploring Underwater Gems
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Embark on a full-day exploration of the Great Barrier Reef aboard a beautiful sailing vessel. Visit the Low Isles, with their white-sand beaches, coconut palms, and coral gardens. Enjoy a gourmet buffet lunch while moored in the sheltered blue lagoon. Relax on the island, join a guided snorkel tour, or take a trip on a glass bottom boat before an exhilarating sail back to port.
Day 7-8: Sydney | Harbor Cruise & The Rocks Tour
2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Fly to Sydney and settle into your hotel near the historic Rocks area. Tonight, dine at a fine local restaurant. In the morning, embark on a chartered morning tea cruise of stunning Sydney Harbour. Back onshore, stop for lunch at a local restaurant, and then go on a walking tour in the historic Rocks District, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood. (Note: day 7 meals include breakfast and dinner; day 8 meals include breakfast and lunch.)
Day 9: Sydney | City Highlights & Bondi Beach
1 Breakfast
Visit Sydney’s bustling Fish Markets in Pyrmont, before sinking your toes in the sand at famed Bondi Beach. Later, stroll the boutique shops of Paddington.
Day 10: Sydney | Native Species & Opera House Tour
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Ride like a local when you board a ferry to Taronga Zoo for a guided tour, visiting kangaroos, koalas, wombats, dingoes, echidnas and Australian birds. Next, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House, followed by lunch on its lower concourse. Tonight, sit down to your final dinner in Australia.
Day 11: Christchurch, New Zealand | The Garden City
This morning, fly to Christchurch, New Zealand. On arrival, join your guide to explore this beautiful Garden City situated between the Pacific Ocean and New Zealand’s majestic Southern Alps. Then, embark on a leisurely punt on the Avon River before dinner.
Day 12: Franz Josef Glacier | The Story of Pounamu
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Board the famed TranzAlpine train to Greymouth, enjoying thrilling vistas along the Waimakariri River. In Greymouth, relax with lunch at a local brewery before continuing to Hokitika. Once there, meet a carver who introduces you to the local pounamu (jade). Discover its historic and cultural importance to the Maori people on this fascinating artisan visit. Continue to your hotel, in picturesque Franz Josef.
Day 13: Franz Josef Glacier | Glacier Valley Walk
1 Breakfast
Experience the Franz Josef Glacier at its most dynamic, led by your specialist hiking guide. Follow the glacier’s path through the remarkable landscape for an up-close look at the giant sheets of ice that form its forward face. Return to your retreat for an afternoon at leisure, perhaps visiting the Glacier Hot Pools near your hotel.
Journey overland to Queenstown on a scenic drive along the majestic coastline, and then inland through mossy rainforests, past cascading waterfalls and breathtaking mountains. Stop for lunch in the picturesque ski town of Wanaka. Upon arrival in Queenstown, check in to your luxurious hotel. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
This morning, fly to Milford Sound, taking in the stunning alpine views along the way. On arrival, board a spacious vessel for a tour of the sound’s awe-inspiring scenery, cruising New Zealand’s southern fjords amid towering cliffs, viewing sparkling waterfalls and watching for wildlife. Keep a lookout for seals basking on the rocks or dolphins frolicking in the water. Return to Queenstown for an evening at leisure.
Tour quaint, picturesque Arrowtown and visit the Kawarau Bungy Bridge. Next, stop at a local Gibbston Valley winery for a wine tasting, followed by lunch. Return to Queenstown.
Fly to Auckland, where you visit the Auckland Museum to enjoy a cultural performance and a He Taonga Maori Gallery Tour. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a special farewell dinner. The next day, transfer to the airport and depart.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $1,200, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
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