Day 1 : Fly to Australia

The Tour Director greets our group in Eau Claire before the drive to Minneapolis for a flight to Dallas. Next, we take an Air New Zealand flight to Australia, enjoying great food and attentive service en route.

Day 2 : International Date Line

We lose a calendar day when crossing the International Date Line.

Day 3 : Welcome to Sydney

Upon arriving at the Auckland Airport, we take a short flight to Sydney and meet our local guide with expertise in agriculture. There’s some downtime to stroll iconic Bondi Beach or grab lunch before our tour of the city’s best highlights, including views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, the Eastern suburbs, and the city’s oldest historical area – The Rocks. Later, we check in to our centrally located hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 4 : Royal Botanic Gardens & Sunset Harbor Cruise

Enjoy a leisurely morning before our Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour at the Royal Botanic Garden with a First Nations guide who joins us for a walk through the grounds to share fascinating insight on Indigenous bush foods, including traditional uses and how they have been adapted over time. Next, we see unrivaled panoramic views from the observation deck of the city’s tallest structure, Sydney Tower Eye. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore more incredible attractions, such as the historic Queen Victoria Building. As the sun sets, we gather for a wonderful cruise on sparkling Sydney Harbor with a Welcome Dinner.

Day 5 : Hunter Valley

Today, we travel north into the renowned wine-growing region of Hunter Valley. Indulge in the taste of world-famous vinos made from three of the oldest vineyards in the Upper Hunter during our paddock-to-plate lunch at Hollydene Estate. There’s also time to greet the farm animals! Afterwards, we learn about performance horse breeding on the outskirts of Tamworth before settling into our accommodations within the city, known as the Country Music Capital of Australia.

Day 6 : New England Tablelands

Our day begins by visiting a local producer of irrigated lucerne hay, a highly nutritious feed for livestock. We then travel to the New England Tablelands region and spend time at Dobson’s Distillery, where we learn how Australian gin is crafted and try a glass. Next, enjoy free time to grab lunch and explore the quaint town of Uralla. Our journey continues up the scenic New England Highway and we stop to indulge in the sweet taste of fresh fruit at a family-owned orchard while hearing about their tried-and-true practices. Our accommodations are in Armidale.

Day 7 : Merino Wool Production & Trout Hatchery

This morning, we visit a sheep farm in this wool-growing area to learn about Australian Stud Merinos and the various types of sheep wool. Next, we dive into the importance of the seafood industry with a tour at a Dutton Trout Hatchery near Ebor, which produces rainbow and brown trout. On our way back to Armidale, take in spectacular views of the east coast and waterfalls during our stop at a lookout. The evening is yours to relax or explore independently.

Day 8 : Cattle Sale & Leather Goods

Today, we have the exciting opportunity to attend the live cattle sale at Armidale Livestock Selling Center! A livestock agent shares in-depth information about their local market, the sale process, and the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). Our journey continues to a family-owned sheep and cattle farm near Guyra, where the friendly hosts talk about their operations and serve a delicious lunch. Crossing into Queensland, the Sunshine State, we visit Kent Saddlery in Stanthorpe for a workshop tour of custom-made saddles and leather products, followed by a whip-cracking demonstration. Later, we settle into our nearby accommodations.

Day 9 : Darling Downs & The Granite Belt

We drive to the Southern Darling Downs region this morning, a farming area in the Granite Belt with fertile soil and a longstanding winemaking tradition. Our first stop is a cropping enterprise near Pittsworth, where the family takes us behind the scenes of their operations. Next, we visit a large cattle feedlot near Oakey before traveling to our overnight accommodations in Toowoomba.

Day 10 : Koala Sanctuary & Brisbane

Our morning is spent meeting the animals at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane. As the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, it boasts incredible experiences with the country’s unique wildlife, such as petting a koala or hand-feeding kangaroos. Next, we drive up to Brisbane’s highest point at Mt Coot-tha Lookout for unbeatable vistas of the city and beyond. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the subtropical capital of Queensland and one of Australia’s most charming cities.

Day 11 : Tropical Cairns

Today, we take a short flight to tropical Cairns in Far North Queensland. After checking in to our beautiful hotel nestled along the Esplanade and overlooking Trinity Harbor, the day is yours to explore.

Day 12 : Kuranda Scenic Railway & Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience

We discover one of the most spectacular rail excursions in the world this morning on Kuranda Scenic Railway. Our journey reveals lush, wondrous World Heritage rainforest, steep ravines, and picturesque waterfalls within Barron Gorge National Park. Upon arrival in Kuranda, there’s time to visit the Heritage Markets before encountering the world’s oldest surviving culture in Rainforestation Nature Park. We embark on the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, a traditional dance performance and a six-wheel Army Duck tour through the rainforest. Later, we descend the MacAlister Range on a 4.7-mile gondola cableway. Listen for the sounds of the sulfur-crested cockatoo and enjoy magnificent views of the rainforest highlands, Cairns, and the Coral Sea as we glide over dense forest canopy. We then return to our hotel for the evening.

Day 13 : The Great Barrier Reef

Today, we revel in the ultimate bucket list experience as we cruise to the Great Barrier Reef! One of Australia’s greatest national treasures and the world’s largest living organism, it stretches more than 1,200 miles along the coast. Our day is spent seeing vividly colored tropical fish and coral from the reef viewer, snorkeling, and savoring lunch in this natural wonder. The onboard marine biologist also shares fascinating narration about the fish and other marine life of this underwater world.

Day 14 : Fly to New Zealand

Bid farewell to Australia today as we board a flight back to Sydney and fly to Christchurch, located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Arriving late evening, we check in to our hotel and rest.

Day 15 : Christchurch & Canterbury Plains

This morning, we venture into New Zealand’s largest area of flat land and a farming paradise: the picturesque Canterbury Plains. Our first stop is Lincoln University, the oldest agricultural teaching institution in the Southern Hemisphere, for a farm walk to admire its impressive operations that span over 450 acres. Next, we visit a local farm near Ashburton to learn about the most common arable crops like wheat, barley, peas, and ryegrass seed. Marvel at how the plains have transformed into a man-made checkerboard pattern with rectangles of cultivated land, pastures, straight roads, and irrigation canals. Later, we return to Christchurch for time at leisure.

Day 16 : Fiordland National Park & Jet Boat Tour

Our day begins with a short flight to Queenstown, then a transfer to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Enjoy views of the glistening lake, golden tussock-covered ridges, deep fiords, and towering alpine mountains. We drive to Wairio and visit Brightview Farms, a massive sheep, beef, and high-producing dairy farm spanning nearly 3000 acres. The farmer greets us and shares his mission of maintaining healthy, quality livestock and pastures, then whips us up a traditional Kiwi farm lunch. Afterwards, we take a thrilling jet boat tour on the crystal-clear Waiau River and Lake Manapouri, disembarking midway to learn about the local flora and fauna in Fiordland National Park’s ancient beech forest. Later, we check in to our Te Anau hotel for a relaxing evening.

Day 17 : Milford Sound Cruise

Revel in a full day of exploring natural wonders! We travel back into Fiordland National Park for sights of mountain ranges, waterfalls, lush rainforest, and valleys carved by Ice Age glaciers. Upon reaching Milford Sound, we board a boat and cruise near Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, and Bowen Falls, while watching for marine life, such as seals and dolphins. After lunch on board, we drive the scenic route through Cleddau Valley and Homer Tunnel into the lovely Eglinton Valley and reach Te Anau. From there, our journey continues past the quaint settlements of Mossburn, Athol, and Garston. Our memorable day ends at our Queenstown accommodations, situated on the rippling shores of Lake Wakatipu and set against the dramatic 7,000-foot Remarkables mountains.

Day 18 : Queenstown & Gibbston Valley Wine

Enjoy a leisurely morning to relax before our sightseeing tour of Arrowtown this afternoon. A local guide takes us through this historic gold mining settlement to see sycamore trees covering charming cottages, stone buildings, and more. We also visit the Lakes District Museum and Gallery to browse pioneer relics, gold rush tools, and the vault of an 1860s bank. Later, we travel into the gorgeous Gibbston Valley and savor a tasting at Kinross Winery. Tonight, we celebrate our travels with a Farewell Dinner overlooking the lakefront.

Day 19 : Fly Home

Enjoy one last morning to explore Queenstown or relax before we fly to Auckland for our evening flight to Dallas. We cross the International Date Line and gain a day, arriving early in the afternoon for our final flight back to Minneapolis. Our journey concludes with a motorcoach ride to your departure point, returning with phenomenal memories of our time exploring the South Pacific’s agricultural splendor.