| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA. |
| | Welcome to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The balance of the day is at your leisure. |
| Day 2 | CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF. |
| | Today, prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Return to Cairns, where your evening is at leisure. (B,L) |
| Day 3 | CAIRNS. |
| | A full day at leisure to explore tropical Cairns. Perhaps select an optional excursion to visit a wildlife park to see crocodiles, kangaroos, and koalas, or to the quiet mountain village of Kuranda via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. (B) |
| Day 4 | CAIRNS–SYDNEY. |
| | Today, fly to Sydney, Australia's stunning capital. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
| Day 5 | SYDNEY. |
| | Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes an Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop. Visit stunning Bondi Beach, considered the most beautiful beach in Sydney by many. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B) |
| Day 6 | SYDNEY. |
| | Enjoy a full day at leisure in this vibrant city. Choose from our selection of optional excursions, including a cruise on Sydney Harbour and a climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. (B) |
| Day 7 | SYDNEY–AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND. |
| | Today, fly to Auckland. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
| Day 8 | AUCKLAND |
| | Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour of the city, followed by a cruise on Waitemata Harbour for spectacular views of Auckland and its surroundings. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) |
| Day 9 | AUCKLAND–HOBBITON–WAITOMO–ROTORUA |
| | Today, travel via motorcoach south to visit the Hobbiton movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Afterward, visit Waitomo, where you will take a boat trip through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue on to Rotorua. (B,L) |
| Day 10 | ROTORUA |
| | This morning, enjoy guided sightseeing with visits to Te Puia, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and the Agrodome. This afternoon, explore this geothermal wonderland on your own. This evening, you may choose to join an optional Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones) followed by an authentic Māori (indigenous Polynesian people) cultural performance with singing, dancing, and storytelling. (B) |
| Day 11 | ROTORUA–WELLINGTON |
| | Fly to Wellington, capital of New Zealand. (B) |
| Day 12 | WELLINGTON |
| | Your guided morning sightseeing tour takes you to see the famous Beehive and Parliament buildings as well as scenic views from the top of Mount Victoria. Take in the beauty of the Wellington Botanical Gardens, then drive around the rugged Wellington coastline, discovering hidden bays and some of Wellington’s most popular beaches. During your free time today, you may want to visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, where interactive displays tell the story of the country’s great heritage and natural wonders. (B) |
| Day 13 | WELLINGTON–CHRISTCHURCH |
| | Today, fly to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. (B) |
| Day 14 | CHRISTCHURCH. EXCURSION TO AKAROA |
| | Today, travel to Akaroa, a former French and British settlement where you will have some time to explore the charming village with its colonial architecture, galleries, and cafés. Afterward, take a nature cruise on Akaroa Harbour for a chance to see some of the native wildlife, including New Zealand fur seals, the white-flippered blue penguin, and the Hector’s dolphin, one of the smallest and rarest in the world. Return to Christchurch in the late afternoon. (B) |
| Day 15 | CHRISTCHURCH–MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK |
| | Travel south by motorcoach via the Canterbury Plains to the shores of turquoise-blue Lake Tekapo, where the Southern Alps provide the backdrop for a stunning photo. Continue on to Mount Cook National Park. After lunch at your hotel, you will have time to explore this alpine wonderland. (B,L,D) |
| Day 16 | MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK–QUEENSTOWN |
| | Enjoy the morning at leisure to further explore the area. In the afternoon, travel via motorcoach past Lake Pukaki and rugged Mackenzie Basin to Omarama, where you will make a comfort stop. Continue on to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” (B,L) |
| Day 17 | QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND |
| | Enjoy a full-day excursion to Milford Sound. First, travel by motorcoach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. Marvel at the Mirror Lakes as you pass through Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel, emerge into Cleddau Valley and join your Milford Sound cruise for an unforgettable experience. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as dolphins and penguins, and enjoy the breathtaking waterfalls and scenery. Return to Queenstown late this evening. (B) |
| Day 18 | QUEENSTOWN |
| | Enjoy a full day at leisure in one of New Zealand’s prettiest towns. Perhaps choose an optional jet boat ride, visit a local winery, or tour some of the sights used to film The Lord of the Rings trilogy. (B) |
| Day 19 | QUEENSTOWN |
| | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |