National Geographic Journeys - 23 Day Iconic Australia & New Zealand Tour Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!

Welcome to Auckland ‘The City of Sails’. You may have time to explore New Zealand’s largest city before joining your travel companions in the early evening. Auckland is a fantastic city with so much to see and do. Should you want more time to explore on your own, we recommend booking pre-nights.

Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.

Flights to arrive into Auckland Airport at any time

Accommodation: Auckland - 2 Nights (or similar)

Take an orientation walk in Auckland, one of the most multicultural cities in the Southern Hemisphere. We’ll then catch a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, a haven of world-class vineyards and idyllic beaches. Visit wineries to learn about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of viticulture in the country while sampling some of the local blends.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Rotorua  - 2 Nights (or similar)

Begin your full-day excursion with a walk through the 800-year-old podocarp trees in Whirinaki Rainforest, learning the history of the forest and spotting endemic birds and medicinal plants. Then head to the Maori-owned Kohutapu Lodge, our base for exploring New Zealand's indigenous culture. Watch as a hangi lunch is prepared the traditional way-—buried in an underground pit—and enjoy the resulting feast with your Maori hosts. After lunch see ancient rock carvings and learn about their spiritual significance to the Maori people, both past and present. Return to Rotorua for an optional evening meal or a well-deserved soak in the hot springs.

Include Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, spend some time learning about New Zealand's most iconic species-the kiwi. Enjoy a private tour at the National Kiwi Hatchery with an expert guide and learn how the chicks are reared and cared for in this incredible conservation effort protecting the endangered kiwi. In the afternoon, catch a flight to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:  Christchurch​ - 2 Nights (or similar)

Board the TranzAlpine train—one of the world’s most scenic rail routes—for a breathtaking journey through verdant plains, beech forests, and majestic, misty mountains. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass - the highest pass in the Southern Alps - and choose to grab a coffee and spend some time exploring this alpine area. Descend into the Canterbury Plains to visit a working sheep farm. On arrival, dig into a bbq lunch prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Then spend the afternoon with the sheep dogs learning about how the dogs work in tandem with their human owners to care for the farm. Watch a sheep shearing demonstration and hear from the farmers about the their life and work in this fascinating industry. Return to Christchurch later in the afternoon, with time to explore on your own and take dinner at your leisure

**Please be aware that if you are traveling over the Christmas and New Year period the TranzAlpine train may not be operational. Instead your CEO will drive the group through the Southern Alps on a similar route. An additional group holiday dinner will be provided as a substitute for missing the train experience.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Christchurch. Choose to ride the Gondola for incredible sweeping views, or stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. In the afternoon, head west to Tekapo at the base of Aoraki/Mt Cook. This evening after dinner, join local experts for an exclusive astronomy experience in one of the worlds official Dark Sky Parks in Tekapo. Expect breathtaking perspectives of the stars, planets, and distant galaxies. You'll have the rare opportunity to capture stunning celestial images with expert guidance, while experienced guides take you on a journey through the Southern Skies.

Please note that the times for the stargazing vary dramatically based on season. In the summer months, the activity can start as late as midnight. You will have time to relax and rest after dinner before heading out for the evening activity.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Lake Tekapo - 2 Nights

Set off this morning for the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Sir Edmund Hillary, New Zealand's most famous explorer, made some of his very first ascents here at the south face of Aoraki/Mt Cook which set the foundation for his world-changing summit of Everest with Tenzing Norgay in 1953. In a July 1954 issue of National Geographic Hillary was quoted as saying “We are there. Nothing above us, a world below.” Spend time at the visitor centre that honors Sir Edmund Hillary and his achievements in the exploration of so many fascinating parts of the planet. Later in the afternoon, embark on your own explorations with a guided trek along the Kea Point track. This 1.8 mile trail offers views to Mount Sefton, Hooker Valley, Mueller Glacier Lake and Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Set off this morning heading further west towards Wanaka. Enjoy some free exploration time in Wanaka and grab some lunch at leisure. This afternoon, join your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) for a brief orientation of Arrowtown before enjoying some time to explore this historic mining town. Choose to go on a walking tour starting at the Lakes District Museum. Then stroll around the historic miner's cottages, old churches, and explore the Chinese Settlement to learn about the gold mining past that shaped Arrowtown. In late afternoon, head to Queenstown and enjoy dinner at leisure

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 Nights (or similar)

Discover the glacially carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park on a cruise. Glide past shimmering waterfalls and towering cliffs, and look out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and little blue penguins with our naturalist guides. Travel back to shore, head to Queenstown for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
​

Enjoy a day at leisure in Queenstown to explore the myriad things that make this southern city so famous. Choose to cruise lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer; experience a thrilling jet boat ride; or visit a local winery to sample the region’s award-winning vintages. Choose to join your CEO and fellow travelers for a delicious farewell dinner on this final evening in New Zealand.

Optional Activities:
Vineyard Tour - Queenstown
Visit vineyards in New Zealand's fastest growing wine region. Taste some of Queenstown's finest Pinot Noir, as well as Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc and learn more about the grape varietals that flourish here. Pick up a few bottles to savour back home.

Shotover Jet Boating - Queenstown
Jet boating is a typical New Zealand activity— go as fast you can in a boat over water. Hang on tight as you fly across the surface of the water. Shoot through narrow rocky gorges and dare to watch as the driver takes hairpin turns frighteningly close to the cliffs.

Gondola Ride - Queenstown
Take a ride up to the top of the mountain by cable car gondola. Get a spectacular 220º view of Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountain range, and Lake Wakatipu below.

Earnslaw Steamship Cruise - Queenstown
Discover the breathtaking Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a 103 year old traditional steamship. This 90 minute cruise highlights that stunning alpine scenery that surrounds Queenstown, and lets you check out the views while relaxing on deck.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Fly from Queenstown to Melbourne, Australia, and enjoy free time in the city.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Melbourne - 3 Nights (or similar)
​

Embark on a food tour of Melbourne with a culinary storyteller. Home to many thriving immigrant communities, Melbourne has long been considered one of Australia’s gastronomic hubs. On this foodie walk through the city’s famed laneways, we’ll experience a range of flavors and cuisines over lunch at three popular venues. Start with an Asian entree with wine; move on to an Italian restaurant for a main dish accompanied with more wine, and finish off the tour with a gelato dessert at our third stop. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Spend the day exploring vibrant Melbourne. Set out on an optional excursion on the Great Ocean Road, following spectacular sea cliffs along the windswept Southern Ocean. Wander the city’s narrow cobbled lanes and alleys, discovering quirky cafés and colorful murals.

Optional Activities:

12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road - Melbourne
Kick start this adventure early from Melbourne and travel straight to the 12 Apostles. Enjoy time to take in the scenery before the crowds of people arrive. Wander along the boardwalk and marvel at the limestone rocks and then continue on to the Gibson Steps. Walk down to the beach for a different perspective before grabbing lunch at a local cafe. With renewed energy the group will drive through the Great Otway National park where we’ll stop for a quick hike through the ancient rainforests here. From there, travel further along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay. There’s time here to grab an optional ice cream before trying to spot koalas, kangaroos, and king parrots near the Kennett River. Before heading back to Melbourne the group will make a final stop to the town of Lorne. Grab a snack, stroll past the shops, or walk along the beach in this quaint destination.

Due to exceptional demand, if you are interested in participating in the 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road optional activity, it must be pre-booked in order to secure a spot during your tour.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Catch a flight to Uluru, in the heart of the Australian outback. Visit the Cultural Centre of the Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park- a UNESCO World Heritage site - and learn about the beliefs and customs of the Anangu, the area’s traditional Indigenous owners. Then take a guided walk along both the northwest and southern sides of Uluru to learn about the history of the area, hear the stories of the Anangu people and gaze upon these awe-inspiring uplifted sandstone rock formations.

Airline schedules and flight availability are outside of our control and are always subject to change without notice. While we do our best to book direct flights, on occasion we may have to connect through another city.

Walking tracks may not be permitted if temperatures exceed 36°C (98°F), as governed by the National Parks guidance. Our CEOs and local guides will monitor the weather conditions and guidance to gauge the safety of any included walks and may need to call off or reschedule a given day's walk due to extreme heat.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Uluru - 2 Nights (or similar)

In the morning make your way to Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s neighboring natural wonder for a morning of exploration as you walk along these ancient, red-hued landscapes.

Enjoy some free time in the afternoon before capping off the day with a glass of sparkling wine as you witness a crimson sunset over this fabled monolith.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Awaken at dawn to witness the famous Field of Light installation, the artist Bruce Munro created an art installation that becomes illuminated in the changing light.
Enjoy your final moments in the heart of the outback before it’s time to pack up and head off to the airport for an afternoon flight to Sydney.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sydney - 3 Nights (or similar)

Join your CEO on a walking orientation tour of some of the city’s well known landmarks like the Rocks area, a waterfront neighborhood that marks the spot of the first European settlement in Australia. It also holds a spiritual significance for the area’s Indigenous people. Around midmorning, circle back and meet for a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. This afternoon, step aboard a private boat for a sunset sail around Sydney's famous harbor. Tuck into a delicious Australian Barbecue dinner as the sun sets in the background.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the best of Sydney. Walk the Rocks and stop by Maybe Sammy for a drink, which happens to be one of the best bars in Sydney. Take the ferry to Manly Beach or walk the Bondi Coastal walk and snap some photos.

Included Meals:  Breakfast

Fly to Cairns today and travel up the scenic coastal road to Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Embark on an interpretive walk with an Indigenous guide at the lush Mossman Gorge, learning about the traditional ways of life of the region’s Kuku Yalanji people. Continue to the resort town of Port Douglas, our home for the next three nights.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Port Douglas - 3 Nights (or similar)

Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day catamaran tour to the Outer Reef. Immerse yourself in the largest coral reef system in the world, which teems with 1500 species of tropical fish, as well as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Hop into the warm waters off Australia's east coast and experience this marine wonderland for yourself. Lunch will be served onboard. Back in Port Douglas the evening is yours to do as you please.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a free morning in charming Port Douglas. Stroll the town’s boutique-lined streets and idyllic beaches or head to the Sunday markets to browse the stalls. Later in the day, join your fellow travelers for an exclusive cultural experience at Cooya Beach. Meet Indigenous guides for a welcome ceremony, and get acquainted with members of the Kuku Yalanji people. Our CEO will organize an optional farewell dinner to toast your adventures down under.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

After one last breakfast in Port Douglas, transfer back to Cairns where our tour ends at the airport mid-morning. Alternatively, extend your stay in Port Douglas.

Please book your departing flights no earlier than 1pm out of Cairns.

The tour will end at the airport in Cairns. If you have booked extra nights you will be staying at the final hotel in Port Douglas about an hour north from the airport. Please note that should you book extra nights you will be responsible for getting yourself to the airport in Cairns from Port Douglas.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Luggage
The max luggage allowance on domestic flights within Australia is 1 checked bag (20 kgs) and 1 carry on (7 kgs) per person.

Solo Travellers
No extra fee for Solo Travelers—same gender roommate will be provided or pay extra for your own space

Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.