Choose Your Departure Year:

Tour Overview

Embark on the ultimate tour of these two Southwest Pacific islands, featuring 12 days in Australia and 10 days in New Zealand. In the Land Down Under, look forward to three-night stays in beautiful Sydney, Victorian Melbourne, rugged Tasmania, and Queensland’s tropical north. Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a spectacular cruise and helicopter flight. Venture along Sydney’s famous harbor, tour the iconic Sydney Opera House, and witness a variety of native wildlife at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, Natures Wonders, and Koala Gardens. In New Zealand, spend three nights on the North Island and six nights on the South Island. Immerse yourself in rich history with a visit to Larnach Castle & Gardens, tour the famous Hobbiton™ Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings, and discover a variety of natural wonders, including a Milford Sound cruise and the Orakei Korako Thermal Park.

The Holiday Advantage
Airfare Included
Airfare Included
Exceptional Accommodations Included with Baggage Handling
Exceptional Accommodations Included with Baggage Handling
Most Meals Included
Most Meals Included
Premier Attractions
Premier Attractions
Professional Tour Directors
Professional Tour Directors
Motorcoach & Professional Driver
Motorcoach & Professional Driver
Low Deposit, Guaranteed Prices, & No Hidden Costs
Low Deposit, Guaranteed Prices, & No Hidden Costs
Call 1-800-826-2266 to Book

You can earn a $100 Travel Show Credit good for your next trip with Holiday Vacations by simply clicking the photo to watch the online travel show! The show is about 10 minutes long and at the end, you'll have the ability to submit your contact information and receive a travel credit which can be applied to this or any Holiday Vacations tour. Get started now!

EACC
Tour Highlights

Additional Tour Information

Your Holiday Vacations Experience Includes:

Accommodations

All Accommodations Featuring

  • 3 nights at the Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank
  • 3 nights at the Vibe Hotel Hobart
  • 3 nights at the Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns
  • 3 nights at the Rydges World Square Hotel in Sydney
  • 1 night at the Distinction Christchurch Hotel
  • 2 nights at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown
  • 1 night at the Distinction Luxmore Te Anau Hotel
  • 2 nights at the Distinction Dunedin Hotel
  • 1 night at the Hilton Lake Taupo
  • 1 night at the Hidden Lake Hotel in Cambridge
  • 1 night near the Los Angeles International Airport
Attractions & Highlights

Attractions & Highlights

  • Melbourne guided city tour
  • Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
  • Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Sunset penguin parade at Phillip Island
  • Hobart & Historic Richmond
  • Tasman Island eco-cruise
  • Port Arthur Historic Site
  • Wooden Boat Centre
  • Huon River Valley
  • Tahune Forest AirWalk
  • Tropical Cairns
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway (subject to maintenance closures)
  • Birdworld Kuranda
  • Kuranda Koala Gardens
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Great Barrier Reef cruise, scenic helicopter flight, reef viewer & glass-bottom boat (subject to weather)
  • Sydney Opera House guided tour
  • Sydney Harbor Cruise
  • Sydney guided city tour
  • Lake Tekapo & Christchurch
  • Queenstown & Lake Wakatipu
  • Kiwi Birdlife Park
  • Fiordland National Park
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • Dunedin city tour
  • Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
  • Larnach Castle & Gardens
  • Orakei Korako Thermal Park
  • Huka Falls River Cruise
  • Hobbiton™ Movie Set
  • Auckland Sky Tower
Meals

30 Excellent Meals Featuring

  • Tropical breakfasts in Cairns
  • Lunch at Frogs Restaurant in Kuranda
  • Lunch at Sydney Tower
  • Dinner at the MacKinnon Restaurant in Te Anau
  • Dinner at Parcels Restaurant in Dunedin
  • Dinner at Bistro Lago in Taupo
  • Maori cultural performance & feast in Taupo
  • Pasture-to-plate lunch at The Red Barn
Tour Date & Pricing

Tour Dates & Pricing

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11299

Single

$13399

Final Payment Date: 07/27/2023

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11299

Single

$13399

Final Payment Date: 08/03/2023

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11499

Single

$13599

Final Payment Date: 12/14/2023

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11499

Single

$13599

Final Payment Date: 12/21/2023

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11699

Single

$13799

Final Payment Date: 07/25/2024

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11699

Single

$13799

Final Payment Date: 08/08/2024

Day Itinerary

Day Itinerary

Day 1 : Depart the USA

Following our included flight to Los Angeles International Airport, we meet our Tour Director and board an Air New Zealand flight bound for Australia. Enjoy attentive service and included, tasty meals en route to our destination.

Day 2 : Australia Bound

When we cross the International Date Line, we lose a calendar day.

Day 3 : Melbourne

After arriving in Australia, we clear customs in the charming Victorian capital, Melbourne. The remainder of the day is free to wander along Southbank’s Waterfront precinct, visit the Victorian Art Center, Crown Casino, or Chinatown.

Day 4 : Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Today our guided city tour of Melbourne includes Fitzroy Gardens, Flinders Street Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Queen Victoria Market, and Parliament House. Later, we visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne which houses a collection of more than 8,500 species of plants from around the world. We enjoy lunch at Ludlow Bar and Dining Room, then spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 : Penguin Parade & Wildlife Park

This morning we travel to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery to watch chocolatiers create over 150 different types of chocolate and indulge in a few samples. Later, we visit Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, home to over 200 species of Australian birds, mammals, and reptiles set in a natural environment. After an included dinner, we go to Phillip Island, a sanctuary for seals and birds. Our day concludes with perhaps our most unique wildlife encounter as we witness the world famous penguin parade. As the sun sets over this beautiful landscape we get an up-close view of the little blue penguins, the world’s smallest penguins, as they return home to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 : Tasmania

We fly to Hobart to begin our exploration of wild and untamed Tasmania. We visit Richmond, one of Australia’s most historic villages. The nostalgic charm of colonial days is present in the Georgian mansions, cottages, convict jail, bridge, and Catholic Church. Later, we tour Hobart and enjoy breathtaking views of the town from Mount Wellington.

Dinner

Day 7 : Eco-Cruise & Port Arthur

Enjoy a three-hour guided Tasman Island eco-cruise along the spectacular coastline of Tasman National Park. Experience the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. Enter deep-sea caves, see playful dolphins, hundreds of seals, and abundant bird species including albatross and sea eagles. After lunch, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site, which brings Australia’s early convict history to life.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 : Tahune AirWalk

We tour the picturesque Huon River Valley and visit the Wooden Boat Centre, which has been producing beautiful hand-crafted timber boats for nearly 25 years. Later, we walk the Tahune Forest AirWalk that sits 90 feet above the forest floor with the last section, the cantilever, sitting 150 feet above the Huon River.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 : Tropical Cairns

Today we fly to tropical Cairns in Far North Queensland. Our accommodations at the Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns are adjacent to the waterfront and esplanade. This stunning five-star hotel features three restaurants and bars, glass swimming pools, and the Eléme Day Spa and Wellness Center.

Breakfast

Day 10 : Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail

Enjoy one of the most spectacular rail excursions in the world on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Our journey reveals lush, wondrous World Heritage rainforest, steep ravines, and picturesque waterfalls within Barron Gorge National Park. Later, we visit the Kuranda Koala Gardens and have an opportunity to pet a koala and hand-feed tamed kangaroos or wallabies. After lunch at Frogs Restaurant, we visit Birdworld Kuranda, which showcases the natural habitats of nearly 60 native and exotic species. Visit the Kuranda Heritage Markets before we descend the MacAlister Range on the 4.7-mile Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. While gliding in your gondola, enjoy spectacular views of rainforest highlands, Cairns, and the Coral Sea.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 : Great Barrier Reef & Scenic Helicopter Ride

Today we experience one of the highlights of our tour, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living organism and one of Australia’s greatest national treasures, stretching more than 1,200 miles along the coast. We view vividly colored tropical fish and coral from the reef viewer, underwater observatory, and glass-bottom boat. Learn about the fish and marine life that inhabit this underwater world. Enjoy breathtaking sights of the Great Barrier Reef on an included scenic helicopter flight. Swim, snorkel, or just relax in this beautiful marine setting.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 : Sydney

We fly to Sydney, Australia’s most vibrant city. On arrival we transfer to our hotel and the remainder of the day is free.

Breakfast

Day 13 : Harbor Cruise & Sydney Opera House

Today we experience Sydney’s sparkling waterfront during a delightful harbor cruise sailing past pristine parks, golden beaches, and charming harborside neighborhoods. Discover Sydney with an expert local guide to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hyde Park, bustling Kings Cross, and popular Bondi Beach before touring the Sydney Opera House, one of the great man-made wonders of the modern world. Enjoy lunch today in The Rocks, a significantly historic and affluent area in Sydney with its restored houses and buildings, spectacular views across the harbor, shops, and cobbled streets and pathways.

Breakfast

Day 14 : Sydney Tower & Darling Harbor

Today we enjoy a luncheon at Sydney Tower, admiring panoramic views of the harbor and city. Later, there’s time to visit Darling Harbor, Sydney’s most popular destination for leisure and entertainment, with numerous restaurants, cafes, museums, parks, theaters, and specialty shops.

Lunch

Day 15 : Christchurch, New Zealand

This morning we bid farewell to Australia and fly to Christchurch, located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Day 16 : Glacial Lakes & Southern Alps

This morning we travel through picturesque patchwork farmlands within Canterbury Plains and enter the Geraldine foothills and expansive Mackenzie Country. We stop to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd overlooking Lake Tekapo’s pristine waters. We then drive along Lake Pukaki’s shimmering, turquoise glacial waters while enjoying the spectacular backdrop of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps. We journey over Lindis Pass and through the tussock-covered plains of Mackenzie Country to the Fruitlands of Central Otago, famous for its summer fruit production including apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums. Our memorable day ends at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown in the city, situated on the rippling shores of Lake Wakatipu and set against the dramatic 7,000-foot Remarkables mountains.

Breakfast

Day 17 : Kiwi Birdlife Park

Enjoy a private homemade breakfast featuring local produce at Kiwi Birdlife Park. After breakfast, we have the rare opportunity to meet New Zealand’s most iconic bird, the kiwi, in specially designed nocturnal houses that allow us to view the kiwi during the day. Later, we visit the historic and picturesque “gold rush” settlement of Arrowtown, then view the Kawarau River suspension bridge where bungee jumpers come for thrills from all over the world. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy New Zealand’s adventure capital with jet boating, golf, picturesque walks, and abundant restaurants and shops in one of the most scenic settings in the world.

Breakfast

Day 18 : Milford Sound Cruise

Today we travel through an ancient ice age region by first crossing pasturelands on our way to Fiordland National Park. We journey through beech forests and the beautiful Eglinton Valley to the Homer Tunnel before descending through the spectacular Cleddau Canyon, reaching Milford Sound. Our cruise takes us past Mitre Peak, rising over 5,500 feet, as well as the phenomenal Stirling and Bowen Falls. Cascading at more than 500 feet, these falls flow from valleys formed by receding glaciers. Watch for sea lions and a variety of birds. Our accommodations tonight are at the Distinction Te Anau Hotel, the town nestled on the shores of Lake Te Anau with a spectacular backdrop of Mount Luxmore and the Murchison Mountains.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 19 : Dunedin

Departing Te Anau, we travel through some of New Zealand’s most populated sheep country, taking us through Lumsden and Gore. We arrive in Dunedin, known for its Scottish heritage and Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Enjoy a city tour to discover iconic attractions such as Speights Brewery, the University of Otago, the world’s steepest street, and First Church of Otago. Later, we visit the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, dedicated to telling the story of the Dunedin people whose character, culture, technology, art, fashion, and transportation shaped the surrounding area and New Zealand’s first great city.

Breakfast

Day 20 : Larnach Castle & Wildlife Tour

Today we enjoy a guided tour of the historic Larnach Castle & Gardens nestled on picturesque Otago Peninsula. Marvel at magnificent carved ceilings, antiques, and breathtaking views. Later, we join our Natures Wonders Argo Wildlife tour aboard an 8-wheeled vehicle for an exhilarating ride in search of Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, and New Zealand Fur Seals.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 21 : Lake Taupo

This morning we fly to the North Island to Rotorua and motorcoach to the quaint town of Taupo, located on the edge of New Zealand’s largest lake. Taupo is home to award-winning attractions, activities, and breathtaking lake and mountain vistas. Our lodging is at the Hilton Lake Taupo, featuring spacious rooms overlooking the thermally heated pool.

Dinner

Day 22 : Orakei Korako & Maori Concert

We begin with a visit to Orakei Korako Thermal Park, where we walk through Hidden Valley to see silica terraces, boiling pools, geysers, and a geothermal cave. After lunch at leisure in Taupo’s town center, we enjoy a Huka Falls River Cruise on the Waikato River and witness impressive Huka Falls, New Zealand’s most visited natural wonder. Tonight, we enjoy an authentic Māori hangi feast, including a customary cooking method that prepares food in an underground pit oven, followed by powerful song and dance from the traditional culture.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 23 : Hobbiton™ & The Red Barn

We travel to Alexander Sheep & Cattle Farm in Matamata, a working sheep farm and home to Hobbiton™, The Shire™ from Middle-earth™. Our visit includes a drive through the picturesque 1,250-acre farm with spectacular views across the Kaimai Ranges and a guided tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. The set has been completely rebuilt and remains as it was seen in these films. During our tour, we see Hobbit Holes™, The Green Dragon Inn™, the mill, the double-arched bridge, and other structures and gardens built for this beloved imaginary world. For lunch, we enjoy a traditional New Zealand pasture-to-plate meal at The Red Barn, a 500-acre working dairy farm. Later, we take a pleasant drive to Cambridge in the heart of rural Waikato, a picture-perfect country town characterized by quaint charm and tree-lined streets.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 24 : Auckland

This morning we arrive in Auckland, the largest Polynesian city in the Southern Hemisphere. We enjoy lunch before ascending Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand, offering breathtaking views in every direction. We have a brief sightseeing tour of the city including American’s Cup Village, lively Queen Street, and the Harbor Bridge before heading to the airport for our evening flight to Los Angeles. We cross the International Date Line and regain a day, arriving early in the afternoon.

Lunch

Day 25 : Arrive Home

Tour Map

Tour Map

Tour Map for Grand Australia & New Zealand
Departure Cities

Departure Cities

Airport Pickups

Choose a State:

Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

Fayetteville/Bentonville - Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport

Little Rock - Little Rock National Airport

Phoenix - Sky Harbor International Airport

Los Angeles - Los Angeles International Airport

Orange County - John Wayne Airport

San Diego - San Diego International Airport

San Francisco - San Francisco International Airport

Denver - Denver International Airport

Hartford - Bradley International Airport

Washington - Ronald Reagan National Airport

Washington - Washington Dulles International Airport

Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale International Airport

Fort Myers - Southwest Florida International Airport

Jacksonville - Jacksonville International Airport

Miami - Miami International Airport

Orlando - Orlando International Airport

Tallahassee - Tallahassee International Airport

Tampa - Tampa International Airport

West Palm Beach - Palm Beach International Airport

Atlanta - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Cedar Rapids - Eastern Iowa Airport

Des Moines - Des Moines International Airport

Boise - Boise Airport

Chicago - O'Hare International Airport

Moline - Quad City International Airport

Evansville - Evansville Regional Airport

Fort Wayne - Fort Wayne International Airport

Indianapolis - Indianapolis International Airport

South Bend - South Bend International Airport

Wichita - Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport

Lexington - Blue Grass Airport

Louisville - Louisville International Airport

Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport

Lafayette - Lafayette Regional Airport

New Orleans - Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Shreveport - Shreveport Regional Airport

Boston - Boston Logan International Airport

Baltimore - Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Detroit - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Grand Rapids - Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Airport

Saginaw - MBS International Airport

Duluth - Duluth International Airport

Minneapolis - Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport

Rochester - Rochester International Airport

Kansas City - Kansas City International Airport

Springfield - Springfield-Branson National Airport

St Louis - St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Gulfport - Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport

Jackson - Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport

Billings - Billings-Logan International Airport

Bozeman - Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

Missoula - Missoula Montana Airport

Charlotte - Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Greensboro - Piedmont Triad International Airport

Raleigh - Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Bismarck - Bismarck Airport

Fargo - Hector International Airport

Grand Forks - Grand Forks International Airport

Lincoln - Lincoln Airport

Omaha - Eppley Airfield

Newark - Newark Liberty International Airport

Albuquerque - Albuquerque International Airport

Las Vegas - McCarran International Airport

Albany - Albany International Airport

Buffalo - Buffalo Niagara International Airport

New York - Kennedy International Airport

New York - La Guardia Airport

Rochester - Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport

Syracuse - Syracuse Hancock International Airport

Cincinnati - Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

Cleveland - Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Columbus - John Glenn Columbus International Airport

Dayton - Dayton International Airport

Oklahoma City - Will Rogers World Airport

Tulsa - Tulsa International Airport

Portland - Portland International Airport

Allentown - Lehigh Valley International Airport

Harrisburg - Harrisburg International Airport

Philadelphia - Philadelphia International Airport

Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh International Airport

Charleston - Charleston International Airport

Greer - Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport

Rapid City - Rapid City Regional Airport

Sioux Falls - Sioux Falls Regional Airport

Knoxville - McGhee Tyson Airport

Memphis - Memphis International Airport

Nashville - Nashville International Airport

Austin - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Dallas - Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Houston - George Bush Intercontinental Airport

San Antonio - San Antonio International Airport

Salt Lake City - Salt Lake City International Airport

Norfolk - Norfolk International Airport

Richmond - Richmond International Airport

Seattle - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Spokane - Spokane International Airport

Appleton - Appleton International Airport

Baldwin - Groome Transportation

Eau Claire - Groome Transportation

Green Bay - Austin Straubel International Airport

Hudson - Groome Transportation

Madison - Dane County Regional Airport

Menomonie - Groome Transportation

Milwaukee - Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport

Charleston - Yeager Airport

Choose Your Departure Year:

Grand Australia & New Zealand

Embark on the ultimate tour of these two Southwest Pacific islands, featuring 12 days in Australia and 10 days in New Zealand. In the Land Down Under, look forward to three-night stays in beautiful Sydney, Victorian Melbourne, rugged Tasmania, and Queensland’s tropical north. Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a spectacular cruise and helicopter flight. Venture along Sydney’s famous harbor, tour the iconic Sydney Opera House, and witness a variety of native wildlife at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, Natures Wonders, and Koala Gardens. In New Zealand, spend three nights on the North Island and six nights on the South Island. Immerse yourself in rich history with a visit to Larnach Castle & Gardens, tour the famous Hobbiton™ Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings, and discover a variety of natural wonders, including a Milford Sound cruise and the Orakei Korako Thermal Park.

The Holiday Advantage
Airfare Included
Airfare Included
Exceptional Accommodations Included with Baggage Handling
Exceptional Accommodations Included with Baggage Handling
Most Meals Included
Most Meals Included
Premier Attractions
Premier Attractions
Professional Tour Directors
Professional Tour Directors
Motorcoach & Professional Driver
Motorcoach & Professional Driver
Low Deposit, Guaranteed Prices, & No Hidden Costs
Low Deposit, Guaranteed Prices, & No Hidden Costs
Call 1-800-826-2266 to Book

You can earn a $100 Travel Show Credit good for your next trip with Holiday Vacations by simply clicking the photo to watch the online travel show! The show is about 10 minutes long and at the end, you'll have the ability to submit your contact information and receive a travel credit which can be applied to this or any Holiday Vacations tour. Get started now!

EACC

Additional Tour Information

Your Holiday Vacations Experience Includes:

Accommodations

All Accommodations Featuring

  • 3 nights at the Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank
  • 3 nights at the Vibe Hotel Hobart
  • 3 nights at the Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns
  • 3 nights at the Rydges World Square Hotel in Sydney
  • 1 night at the Distinction Christchurch Hotel
  • 2 nights at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown
  • 1 night at the Distinction Luxmore Te Anau Hotel
  • 2 nights at the Distinction Dunedin Hotel
  • 1 night at the Hilton Lake Taupo
  • 1 night at the Hidden Lake Hotel in Cambridge
  • 1 night near the Los Angeles International Airport
Attractions & Highlights

Attractions & Highlights

  • Melbourne guided city tour
  • Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
  • Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Sunset penguin parade at Phillip Island
  • Hobart & Historic Richmond
  • Tasman Island eco-cruise
  • Port Arthur Historic Site
  • Wooden Boat Centre
  • Huon River Valley
  • Tahune Forest AirWalk
  • Tropical Cairns
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway (subject to maintenance closures)
  • Birdworld Kuranda
  • Kuranda Koala Gardens
  • Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Great Barrier Reef cruise, scenic helicopter flight, reef viewer & glass-bottom boat (subject to weather)
  • Sydney Opera House guided tour
  • Sydney Harbor Cruise
  • Sydney guided city tour
  • Lake Tekapo & Christchurch
  • Queenstown & Lake Wakatipu
  • Kiwi Birdlife Park
  • Fiordland National Park
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • Dunedin city tour
  • Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
  • Larnach Castle & Gardens
  • Orakei Korako Thermal Park
  • Huka Falls River Cruise
  • Hobbiton™ Movie Set
  • Auckland Sky Tower
Meals

30 Excellent Meals Featuring

  • Tropical breakfasts in Cairns
  • Lunch at Frogs Restaurant in Kuranda
  • Lunch at Sydney Tower
  • Dinner at the MacKinnon Restaurant in Te Anau
  • Dinner at Parcels Restaurant in Dunedin
  • Dinner at Bistro Lago in Taupo
  • Maori cultural performance & feast in Taupo
  • Pasture-to-plate lunch at The Red Barn

Tour Dates & Pricing

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11299

Single

$13399

Final Payment Date: 07/27/2023

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11299

Single

$13399

Final Payment Date: 08/03/2023

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11499

Single

$13599

Final Payment Date: 12/14/2023

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11499

Single

$13599

Final Payment Date: 12/21/2023

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11699

Single

$13799

Final Payment Date: 07/25/2024

Occupancy

Price Per Person

Double

$11699

Single

$13799

Final Payment Date: 08/08/2024

Day Itinerary

Day 1 : Depart the USA

Following our included flight to Los Angeles International Airport, we meet our Tour Director and board an Air New Zealand flight bound for Australia. Enjoy attentive service and included, tasty meals en route to our destination.

Day 2 : Australia Bound

When we cross the International Date Line, we lose a calendar day.

Day 3 : Melbourne

After arriving in Australia, we clear customs in the charming Victorian capital, Melbourne. The remainder of the day is free to wander along Southbank’s Waterfront precinct, visit the Victorian Art Center, Crown Casino, or Chinatown.

Day 4 : Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Today our guided city tour of Melbourne includes Fitzroy Gardens, Flinders Street Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Queen Victoria Market, and Parliament House. Later, we visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne which houses a collection of more than 8,500 species of plants from around the world. We enjoy lunch at Ludlow Bar and Dining Room, then spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 : Penguin Parade & Wildlife Park

This morning we travel to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery to watch chocolatiers create over 150 different types of chocolate and indulge in a few samples. Later, we visit Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, home to over 200 species of Australian birds, mammals, and reptiles set in a natural environment. After an included dinner, we go to Phillip Island, a sanctuary for seals and birds. Our day concludes with perhaps our most unique wildlife encounter as we witness the world famous penguin parade. As the sun sets over this beautiful landscape we get an up-close view of the little blue penguins, the world’s smallest penguins, as they return home to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 : Tasmania

We fly to Hobart to begin our exploration of wild and untamed Tasmania. We visit Richmond, one of Australia’s most historic villages. The nostalgic charm of colonial days is present in the Georgian mansions, cottages, convict jail, bridge, and Catholic Church. Later, we tour Hobart and enjoy breathtaking views of the town from Mount Wellington.

Dinner

Day 7 : Eco-Cruise & Port Arthur

Enjoy a three-hour guided Tasman Island eco-cruise along the spectacular coastline of Tasman National Park. Experience the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. Enter deep-sea caves, see playful dolphins, hundreds of seals, and abundant bird species including albatross and sea eagles. After lunch, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site, which brings Australia’s early convict history to life.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 : Tahune AirWalk

We tour the picturesque Huon River Valley and visit the Wooden Boat Centre, which has been producing beautiful hand-crafted timber boats for nearly 25 years. Later, we walk the Tahune Forest AirWalk that sits 90 feet above the forest floor with the last section, the cantilever, sitting 150 feet above the Huon River.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 : Tropical Cairns

Today we fly to tropical Cairns in Far North Queensland. Our accommodations at the Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns are adjacent to the waterfront and esplanade. This stunning five-star hotel features three restaurants and bars, glass swimming pools, and the Eléme Day Spa and Wellness Center.

Breakfast

Day 10 : Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail

Enjoy one of the most spectacular rail excursions in the world on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Our journey reveals lush, wondrous World Heritage rainforest, steep ravines, and picturesque waterfalls within Barron Gorge National Park. Later, we visit the Kuranda Koala Gardens and have an opportunity to pet a koala and hand-feed tamed kangaroos or wallabies. After lunch at Frogs Restaurant, we visit Birdworld Kuranda, which showcases the natural habitats of nearly 60 native and exotic species. Visit the Kuranda Heritage Markets before we descend the MacAlister Range on the 4.7-mile Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. While gliding in your gondola, enjoy spectacular views of rainforest highlands, Cairns, and the Coral Sea.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 : Great Barrier Reef & Scenic Helicopter Ride

Today we experience one of the highlights of our tour, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living organism and one of Australia’s greatest national treasures, stretching more than 1,200 miles along the coast. We view vividly colored tropical fish and coral from the reef viewer, underwater observatory, and glass-bottom boat. Learn about the fish and marine life that inhabit this underwater world. Enjoy breathtaking sights of the Great Barrier Reef on an included scenic helicopter flight. Swim, snorkel, or just relax in this beautiful marine setting.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 : Sydney

We fly to Sydney, Australia’s most vibrant city. On arrival we transfer to our hotel and the remainder of the day is free.

Breakfast

Day 13 : Harbor Cruise & Sydney Opera House

Today we experience Sydney’s sparkling waterfront during a delightful harbor cruise sailing past pristine parks, golden beaches, and charming harborside neighborhoods. Discover Sydney with an expert local guide to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hyde Park, bustling Kings Cross, and popular Bondi Beach before touring the Sydney Opera House, one of the great man-made wonders of the modern world. Enjoy lunch today in The Rocks, a significantly historic and affluent area in Sydney with its restored houses and buildings, spectacular views across the harbor, shops, and cobbled streets and pathways.

Breakfast

Day 14 : Sydney Tower & Darling Harbor

Today we enjoy a luncheon at Sydney Tower, admiring panoramic views of the harbor and city. Later, there’s time to visit Darling Harbor, Sydney’s most popular destination for leisure and entertainment, with numerous restaurants, cafes, museums, parks, theaters, and specialty shops.

Lunch

Day 15 : Christchurch, New Zealand

This morning we bid farewell to Australia and fly to Christchurch, located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Day 16 : Glacial Lakes & Southern Alps

This morning we travel through picturesque patchwork farmlands within Canterbury Plains and enter the Geraldine foothills and expansive Mackenzie Country. We stop to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd overlooking Lake Tekapo’s pristine waters. We then drive along Lake Pukaki’s shimmering, turquoise glacial waters while enjoying the spectacular backdrop of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps. We journey over Lindis Pass and through the tussock-covered plains of Mackenzie Country to the Fruitlands of Central Otago, famous for its summer fruit production including apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums. Our memorable day ends at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown in the city, situated on the rippling shores of Lake Wakatipu and set against the dramatic 7,000-foot Remarkables mountains.

Breakfast

Day 17 : Kiwi Birdlife Park

Enjoy a private homemade breakfast featuring local produce at Kiwi Birdlife Park. After breakfast, we have the rare opportunity to meet New Zealand’s most iconic bird, the kiwi, in specially designed nocturnal houses that allow us to view the kiwi during the day. Later, we visit the historic and picturesque “gold rush” settlement of Arrowtown, then view the Kawarau River suspension bridge where bungee jumpers come for thrills from all over the world. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy New Zealand’s adventure capital with jet boating, golf, picturesque walks, and abundant restaurants and shops in one of the most scenic settings in the world.

Breakfast

Day 18 : Milford Sound Cruise

Today we travel through an ancient ice age region by first crossing pasturelands on our way to Fiordland National Park. We journey through beech forests and the beautiful Eglinton Valley to the Homer Tunnel before descending through the spectacular Cleddau Canyon, reaching Milford Sound. Our cruise takes us past Mitre Peak, rising over 5,500 feet, as well as the phenomenal Stirling and Bowen Falls. Cascading at more than 500 feet, these falls flow from valleys formed by receding glaciers. Watch for sea lions and a variety of birds. Our accommodations tonight are at the Distinction Te Anau Hotel, the town nestled on the shores of Lake Te Anau with a spectacular backdrop of Mount Luxmore and the Murchison Mountains.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 19 : Dunedin

Departing Te Anau, we travel through some of New Zealand’s most populated sheep country, taking us through Lumsden and Gore. We arrive in Dunedin, known for its Scottish heritage and Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Enjoy a city tour to discover iconic attractions such as Speights Brewery, the University of Otago, the world’s steepest street, and First Church of Otago. Later, we visit the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, dedicated to telling the story of the Dunedin people whose character, culture, technology, art, fashion, and transportation shaped the surrounding area and New Zealand’s first great city.

Breakfast

Day 20 : Larnach Castle & Wildlife Tour

Today we enjoy a guided tour of the historic Larnach Castle & Gardens nestled on picturesque Otago Peninsula. Marvel at magnificent carved ceilings, antiques, and breathtaking views. Later, we join our Natures Wonders Argo Wildlife tour aboard an 8-wheeled vehicle for an exhilarating ride in search of Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, and New Zealand Fur Seals.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 21 : Lake Taupo

This morning we fly to the North Island to Rotorua and motorcoach to the quaint town of Taupo, located on the edge of New Zealand’s largest lake. Taupo is home to award-winning attractions, activities, and breathtaking lake and mountain vistas. Our lodging is at the Hilton Lake Taupo, featuring spacious rooms overlooking the thermally heated pool.

Dinner

Day 22 : Orakei Korako & Maori Concert

We begin with a visit to Orakei Korako Thermal Park, where we walk through Hidden Valley to see silica terraces, boiling pools, geysers, and a geothermal cave. After lunch at leisure in Taupo’s town center, we enjoy a Huka Falls River Cruise on the Waikato River and witness impressive Huka Falls, New Zealand’s most visited natural wonder. Tonight, we enjoy an authentic Māori hangi feast, including a customary cooking method that prepares food in an underground pit oven, followed by powerful song and dance from the traditional culture.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 23 : Hobbiton™ & The Red Barn

We travel to Alexander Sheep & Cattle Farm in Matamata, a working sheep farm and home to Hobbiton™, The Shire™ from Middle-earth™. Our visit includes a drive through the picturesque 1,250-acre farm with spectacular views across the Kaimai Ranges and a guided tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. The set has been completely rebuilt and remains as it was seen in these films. During our tour, we see Hobbit Holes™, The Green Dragon Inn™, the mill, the double-arched bridge, and other structures and gardens built for this beloved imaginary world. For lunch, we enjoy a traditional New Zealand pasture-to-plate meal at The Red Barn, a 500-acre working dairy farm. Later, we take a pleasant drive to Cambridge in the heart of rural Waikato, a picture-perfect country town characterized by quaint charm and tree-lined streets.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 24 : Auckland

This morning we arrive in Auckland, the largest Polynesian city in the Southern Hemisphere. We enjoy lunch before ascending Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand, offering breathtaking views in every direction. We have a brief sightseeing tour of the city including American’s Cup Village, lively Queen Street, and the Harbor Bridge before heading to the airport for our evening flight to Los Angeles. We cross the International Date Line and regain a day, arriving early in the afternoon.

Lunch

Day 25 : Arrive Home

Tour Map

Tour Map for Grand Australia & New Zealand

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Stories from Australia, New Zealand & Tahiti