• New Zealand
  • Australia

Overview

New Zealand will continue to surprise you, as you visit its many forests, beaches, mountains, & waterways. The colorful Rainbow Springs National Park & the colossal mountains of Fiordland National Park will mesmerize you, to say the least. Beauty is almost an understatement for many sites across the country. In addition to capturing scenic views, you’ll discover a wide variety of wildlife, & learn about the indigenous Maori people. Near the end of the trip, you’ll head over to Australia to tour its lovely capital city, Sydney. 

Highlights

  • Sydney – Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the city. Includes visit to the world-famous Sydney Opera House.
  • Fiordland National Park – Take a cruise between the mountains, on the Milford Sound. Features some of the world’s most awe-inspiring scenery. Home to dolphins, seals, & other wildlife.
  • Shotover River – Feel the rush of a speed boat ride along this New Zealand river.
  • Mitai Maori Village – Learn about the Maori culture. Enjoy traditional entertainment, & more.
  • Glowworm Grotto – Discover the underground, fluorescent spectacular.
  • Auckland – Observe a population of King Penguins.
  • Rainbow National Park – Its name says it all. Nature in its most beautiful colors, in one place together.

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland

Arrive at the airport in Auckland, New Zealand, & transfer to the hotel. Afterward, enjoy a guided tour of the city & the nearby area. Highlights include Parnell Village, the War Memorial Museum, the Domain Wintergardens, & Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium, which features penguin & shark exhibits. After the tour, enjoy dinner & an overnight stay in Auckland. 

Day 2: Auckland

Travel outside of the city this morning, into the beautiful surrounding nature. You’ll marvel at the landscapes, consisting of waterfalls, Kauri trees, & dark, sandy beaches. Enjoy a walk along the shores of Muriwai Beach. Don’t forget to bring your camera! The beach is home to a population of yellow-headed seabirds known as Australasian gannets. After the nature tour, enjoy dinner in a scenic location.

Day 3: Auckland – Matakohe – Dargaville – Waipoua Forest – Bay of Islands

Head to the Bay of Islands today, enjoying stops along the route. Explore the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, see the Gumdigger statue in Dargaville, & observe the Kauri trees on a stroll through Waipoua Forest. Upon arrival at the Bay of Islands, enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.   

Day 4: Bay of Islands – Auckland

Take a cruise through the Bay of Islands, which features a variety of marine wildlife including penguins, dolphins, seals, whales, & marlin. Sightseeing & shore excursion highlights include the Grand Cathedral Cave, the Cape Brett Lighthouse, & “The Hole in the Rock.” Return to Auckland for dinner & an overnight stay. 

Day 5: Auckland – Waitomo – Rotoua

After breakfast, travel out of the city to Waitomo. You’ll experience the landscape & scenery of the underground. Tour the underground Cathedral Cavern, a limestone cave deep beneath the surface. Along the way you’ll take a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. You’ll be fascinated by all the surrounding fluorescence. Afterward, travel to steamy Rotorua. Learn about the city’s history & environment- specifically its thermal activity. 

Day 6: Rotorua

Discover the amazing Te Puia Thermal Reserve this morning, which features hundreds of springs – including both cold & hot! You’ll also have a great chance of seeing the Pohutu Geyser spurt, as it spurts water numerous times a day. Next, head to Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where you'll see nature that together resembles a rainbow! Keep your eyes peeled for kiwis. No, not the fruit, the bird. Besides its long, narrow beak, this bird species often closely resembles a baby porcupine. After enjoying the park, get ready for a live sheep auction, where you’ll see almost twenty different breeds of sheep. Watch the canines herd these wooly mammals around the platform. Afterward, you’ll experience Rotorua from high above, on a cable-car skyline ride. Visit the world-famous, colorful Champagne pool on the way to the Mitai Maori Village. At the village you’ll learn & experience Maori culture. From dances to duals with unique weaponry, you’ll be sure to find excitement during your visit. Head back to Rotorua for an overnight stay. 

Day 7: Rotorua – Queenstown

Transfer to the airport in Rotorua, & board domestic flight to Queenstown. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay in the city.

Day 8: Queenstown – Walter Peak – Queenstown

Enjoy an adventure across the waters of Shotover River. You’ll feel the excitement & rush of this speedy boat ride, & enjoy the beautiful, surrounding nature. Afterward, enjoy a change of pace as you ride on a steam boat. This boat ride heads to Walter Peak, where you’ll enjoy a buffet-style carvery dinner. Return to Queenstown for another overnight stay. 

Day 9: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown

Travel to Fiordland National Park. Discover the park’s natural scenery as you drive along Milford Road. You’ll be in awe as you look outside the window, where you’ll find surrounding massive cliffs; some of which are capped with snow. Upon arriving at the Milford Sound, you’ll hop on a boat for a cruise between the mountains’ peaks. You’ll see the cascading Stirling Falls & Mount Pembroke, amongst other famous sites. Don’t forget to bring your camera. You might see penguins, seals, & dolphins during your cruise! Afterward, enjoy a scenic ride back to Queenstown. 

Day 10: Queenstown

Spend the day at leisure in Queenstown. There are lots of exciting & adventurous activities to choose from, including fly fishing & paragliding. 

Day 11: Queenstown

Enjoy a morning filled with adventure! Featured activities include a scenic, 4-wheel drive to see the area’s diverse landscapes, & gold-panning. After lunch, enjoy time of leisure. Dinner will be held at a local restaurant this evening.  

Day 12: Queenstown – Sydney

Transfer to the airport, & board flight to Sydney, Australia. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. 

Day 13: Sydney

The spectacular city of Sydney awaits you today. You’ll visit famous sites during your full-day guided tour. See the colorful streets of Sydney’s urban neighborhood Paddington. Take a cruise on the Sydney Harbour, visit the world-famous opera house, walk on the sandy shores of Bondi Beach, & more. Enjoy your last dinner & overnight stay in the land down under. 

Day 14: Sydney – USA

Transfer to the airport, & board return flight home.