Day 1 | ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND |
| Welcome to Auckland! Hotel check-in available upon arrival. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Schedule flights to arrive by 4:30 pm in time for a welcome meeting and dinner. (D) |
Day 2 | AUCKLAND. EXCURSION TO WAIHEKE ISLAND |
| AUCKLAND Guided sightseeing includes Queen Street, Auckland Domain (Auckland’s oldest park), and historic Parnell Village. Ferry crossing to Waiheke Island. Free time this evening. WAIHEKE ISLAND Guided sightseeing of the island includes a visit to an olive grove, plus a tour, tasting, and lunch at a [LF] local vineyard. (B,L) |
Day 3 | AUCKLAND–WAITOMO–MATAMATA–ROTORUA |
| Scenic drive through the pastoral region of Waikato en route to Waitomo. WAITOMO Sightseeing with Local Guide at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves includes a boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto. MATAMATA Guided tour of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Hobbiton movie set includes the hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and structures built for the filming. Continue to Rotorua. ROTORUA Free time this evening. (B) |
Day 4 | ROTORUA |
| ROTORUA Guided sightseeing includes Te Puia with its geysers, boiling mudpools, and silica terraces. Enjoy a guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery. Free time this afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a traditional [LF] Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones), followed by an authentic Máori (indigenous Polynesian people) cultural performance with singing, dancing, and storytelling. (B,D)ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Rotorua with a flightseeing excursion over volcanoes, lakes, and mountains. This and many more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app. |
Day 5 | ROTORUA–QUEENSTOWN |
| Fly to Queenstown.QUEENSTOWN A scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak includes dinner with amazing views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkable Mountains, Lake Wakatipu, and Queenstown. (B,D) |
Day 6 | QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND |
| MILFORD SOUND Full-day sightseeing in Fiordland National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) includes a scenic cruise on Milford Sound with the chance to see marine wildlife, waterfalls, glaciers, and rainforest. Late evening return to Queenstown. (B,L)NOTE:Please note that the excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 7 depending on weather and road conditions today. |
Day 7 | QUEENSTOWN |
| QUEENSTOWN Free day. (B) |
Day 8 | QUEENSTOWN–MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA |
| Fly to Melbourne. MELBOURNE Free time the remainder of the day. (B) |
Day 9 | MELBOURNE |
| MELBOURNE Guided sightseeing includes Parliament House, the Shrine of Remembrance, Queen Victoria Market, and beautiful Fitzroy Gardens. A ride on the [LF] Melbourne Star Observation Wheel includes a sparkling drink, appetizers, and views of Melbourne and the bay. Free time the remainder of the day. (B,L) |
Day 10 | MELBOURNE |
| MELBOURNE Free day. (B) |
Day 11 | MELBOURNE–CAIRNS |
| Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” CAIRNS Visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures includes kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, and more native species. [LF] Have your photo taken with a koala or a crocodile. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (B,D) |
Day 12 | CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF |
| OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF Scenic catamaran cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) includes the option of snorkeling, a glass-bottom-boat tour, an underwater observatory, and watching a fish feeding. CAIRNS Free time this evening. (B,L) |
Day 13 | CAIRNS |
| CAIRNS Free day. (B) |
Day 14 | CAIRNS–SYDNEY |
| Fly to Sydney SYDNEY Free time the remainder of the day. (B) |
Day 15 | SYDNEY |
| SYDNEY Sightseeing includes a tour of the Sydney Opera House (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with a Local Guide. See the financial district, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, the botanic gardens, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Visit to world-famous Manly Beach includes free time, followed by ferry crossing to Sydney Harbour. Free time this evening. (B) |
Day 16 | SYDNEY |
| SYDNEY Free day before a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant this evening. (B,D)ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Sydney with a guided climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This and many more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app. |
Day 17 | SYDNEY–THE OUTBACK (ULURU/AYERS ROCK) |
| Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock) (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).ULURU Remainder of your day at leisure. (B) |
Day 18 | THE OUTBACK (ULURU/AYERS ROCK) |
| ULURU This morning, rise early for an inspiring sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Witness incredible views over the dunes and stunning desert landscape. Continue to Walpa Gorge for a guided walk through Kata Tjuta. Later this afternoon, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, which houses an amazing collection of ceramics, paintings, and punu (woodwork) from the Anangu people, the traditional custodians of Uluru. Finish the day at “Sunset Strip” for a drink and canapes, and to witness the changing colors of the rock. (B) |
Day 19 | THE OUTBACK (ULURU/AYERS ROCK) |
| ULURU A full day to experience more of this unique part of Australia. For an unforgettable experience, you may choose to rise early for an optional camel ride to watch the sunrise at Uluru. You can also choose to take in the grandeur of the Outback on a scenic helicopter flight or via Harley-Davidson motorcycle. In the evening choose from an optional star-gazing program, as well as a special dinner under the stars. (B) |
Day 20 | THE OUTBACK (ULURU/AYERS ROCK) |
| Transfer to Ayers Rock Connellan Airport where your tour ends. (B) |