18 Day New Zealand & Australia w/Cairns & Air from $5,749

Travel Team > Australia – Escorted Tours > 18 Day New Zealand & Australia w/Cairns & Air from $5,749

DAY 1, Depart for Australia

Depart for Australia

DAY 2,  En Route

Cross the International date line en route to Australia and skip a day ahead

DAY 3, Arrive in Cairns

Arrive in Cairns, the tourist capital of tropical North Queensland and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll be welcomed by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a Welcome Drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager on the exciting journey that lies ahead, followed by a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight: Cairns

Meals: Dinner

DAY 4, Low Isles

Today, set sail to the beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay of the Low Isles in a high speed catamaran, a short journey across the Coral Sea, located in the inner Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This beautiful island is a one-stop tropical experience with its unique reef and rainforest, home to 126 native plant species, colorful birds and magnificent coral gardens. Stroll through the magical rainforest, snorkel at the inner reef, or laze on the white coral sands, there are many activities to choose from. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Overnight: Cairns

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Full Day in Cairns

Enjoy all of the delights of this resort city on your day at leisure or, join the optional Crocodile Farm Tour with lunch. Depart Cairns and head north to explore an eco-park and working crocodile farm. Learn about Australia’s incredible wildlife and discover the park’s five different ecological zones. After lunch, return to Cairns. In the afternoon, participate in the optional Skyrail Experience with dinner. Ride the Kuranda Skyrail for great views of the rainforest canopy. Along the way, stop for a ranger-guided boardwalk tour and visit the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, lookouts and historical displays. Conclude your tour with an authentic Australian dinner

Optional: Crocodile Farm Tour with lunch

Optional: Skyrail Experience with dinner

Overnight: Cairns

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Flight to Sydney

Depart Cairns and head south on a flight to Sydney, one of Australia’s largest cities. Upon arrival, take a panoramic tour of the city. View the celebrated Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge and the striking Sydney Opera House located on the water’s edge, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass historic buildings including the Parliament House, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Queen Victoria Building. Then, to The Rocks, a historic area where the city was founded by Captain Arthur Phillip and his working parties of convicts. Arrive at the hotel before dinner tonight

Overnight: Sydney

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Full Day in Sydney

Spend your day at leisure to pursue your personal interests. Australia’s largest city has something for everyone, from the glorious beaches to the stylish boutiques and top restaurants. Tonight, attend an optional lovely dinner cruise by catamaran on Sydney Harbour where you’ll savor your dinner that includes a variety of dishes while enjoying the sights of illuminated Sydney from the catamaran’s extensive deck

Optional: Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise

Overnight: Sydney

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Flight to Ayers Rock

Depart Sydney by flight to Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia. This iconic monolith and the sandstone domes known as Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) were created over some 600 million years. Uluru is a sacred place and has a great spiritual meaning for the Aborigines of the area, known as the Anangu. Each cave and fissure of the monolith has a meaning in Dreamtime (creation of the world). After checking in to your hotel spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight, attend the optional Sounds of Silence Dinner. As the sun sets over Uluru, enjoy sparkling wine and canapes while listening to the sound of a didgeridoo. Afterward, an unforgettable dining experience awaits you, as you sample local bush tucker, accompanied by assorted cultural entertainment. End the evening with stargazing. Listen to the resident star talker decode the constellations of the southern night sky

Optional: Sounds of Silence Dinner

Overnight: Ayers Rock

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Spend the morning at leisure, or experience the tranquility of the pre-dawn land on the optional Desert Awakening Tour. See the first rays of sun reach across and set alight the expanses of Australia’s Red Center. Continue along the Mutitjulu Walk and visit the waterhole that has provided the Aboriginal people with water for thousands of years. View examples of traditional Aboriginal rock art along the way before visiting the Kata Tjuta Cultural Center, home to a collection of handmade ceramics, traditional punu (woodwork) and art from the Anangu people. Later, return to the hotel. In the afternoon, explore the Walpa Gorge located in the Kata Tjuta portion of the national park, also referred to as the Olgas. A desert refuge for plants and animals, the area has an abundance of rare plant species. The hike takes you right between the sheer rugged walls of two of the tallest domes of Kata Tjuta. Spend time admiring the massive and unusual conglomerate rock formations that make this area famous. At sunset, proceed to the Uluru viewing area to enjoy complimentary wine as the setting sun casts a variety of color changes across the mystical sandstone monolith. Afterward, savor a barbecue dinner, in true Aussie-style amid a peaceful desert setting while listening to aboriginal stories from your local guide

Optional: Desert Awakening Tour (AM)

Overnight: Ayers Rock

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Flight to Sydney

Return to Sydney by flight and spend the balance of the day at leisure

Overnight: Sydney

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11,  Flight to Queenstown

Depart Sydney on a flight to Queenstown, named for Queen Victoria. The town, nestled on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, is considered New Zealand’s adventure capital. Its fabulous outdoor attractions and resort like atmosphere are enjoyed by international travelers and locals alike. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy your first dinner in New Zealand

Overnight: Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Discover Milford Sound

Spend a full day tour to Milford Sound! Travel to World Heritage Fiordland National Park, rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. Lunch is provided en route to Milford Sound. Stop at Te Anau and the glacier hewn Eglinton Valley before embarking on the cruise out into the fjord with scenic views of temperate rainforest, stunning Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Possible wildlife viewings include seals, birds and occasionally even dolphins or penguins as you marvel at the sights around you. Late afternoon, return to Queenstown

Overnight: Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 13, Full Day in Queenstown

Spend time on your own discovering always picturesque Queenstown. Walk along the streets of the sophisticated downtown area, with its trendy shops and restaurants or, be adventurous and ascend on the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak, high above the city for magnificent views of Queenstown, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Lake Wakatipu. Alternatively, participate in the optional Skippers Canyon adventure that follows this rugged road into the sheer cliffsides of the Shotover River Valley. During the tour, visit many historic sites and stop at Deep Creek to try your hand at gold panning at one of the richest gold bearing rivers in the world. Return to Queenstown along Skippers Road

Optional: Skippers Canyon 4WD Adventure (AM)

Overnight: Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14, Flight to Rotorua

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rotorua, famous for its geothermal activity. Tonight, participate in the optional home hosted dinner with a local family and experience a unique opportunity to learn about their values and traditions

Optional: Home Hosted Dinner in Rotorua

Overnight: Rotorua

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 15, Te Puia Thermal Reserve

Morning is at leisure for independent explorations of Rotorua, or join the optional Hobbiton tour. Travel through the spectacular North Island scenery to Matamata, home to the Hobbiton movie set. Take a guided tour around the set and view Hobbit holes, the Party Tree, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn, before returning to your hotel. In the afternoon, journey to Te Puia in Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, set amidst a landscape of erupting geothermal activity and thermal springs. Discover the unique lifestyle and traditions of the Maori and learn how they live in harmony with this unique environment. Tonight, have dinner at your hotel

Optional: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (AM)

Overnight: Rotorua

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 16, Bay of Islands

Travel to the Bay of Islands, the birthplace of New Zealand, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British and the North Island’s Maori chiefs. The Bay of Islands is also known for its stunning beauty, marine life, water activities and beaches

Overnight: Bay of Islands

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 17,  Waitangi Treaty Grounds

This morning, explore New Zealand’s most important historic site, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Take a guided tour of the grounds, which feature iconic buildings and breathtaking examples of Maori architecture. View an authentic ceremonial war canoe and stand in the spot where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Tour the Museum of Waitangi Te Kongahu, a modern and comprehensive showcase of New Zealand’s history, and be welcomed in traditional Maori style at a cultural performance. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or participate in the optional Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise. Glide through the Bay of Islands, sailing past the Cape Brett Lighthouse to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales and other marine life. Tonight, share wonderful memories together on your last night in New Zealand. Bid farewell to your Tour Manager and newfound friends at a Farewell Dinner

Optional: Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise

Overnight: Bay of Islands

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 18, Depart New Zealand

Transfer to the airport in Auckland for your departure flight

Meals: Breakfast