Australia and New Zealand offer an incredible breadth of adventure and new experiences. Meet local specialists throughout your journey who offer a wide range of expertise.

Day 3: Cairns, Australia
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Today is at leisure for personal exploration. Tonight, enjoy a special reception and dinner. (D)

Day 4: Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. From Green Island, stroll on the walking trail or travel on a glass bottom boat to see the underwater life up close. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional snorkeling and outer reef tours are also available. (B, L)

Day 5: Cairns
A ride aboard the historic Kuranda Rail, constructed in 1882, offers a scenic rail journey to view the spectacular Atherton Tablelands. This afternoon take a crocodile cruise on Hartley's Lagoon in search of saltwater crocs in their natural habitat as well as the exotic birdlife of Queensland. After the cruise, enjoy a delicious Aussie barbecue. (B, D)

Day 6: Cairns - Ayers Rock
Fly to the heart of the Outback, arriving at Ayers Rock. Tour the sandstone domes of the Olgas and the area around the base of “The Rock.” Later, witness a stunning sunset as the colors of the Rock change dramatically.

Day 7: Ayers Rock - Alice Springs
Depart for Alice Springs, the largest community in Central Australia. Take a sightseeing tour of this frontier town, including the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill. Tonight, experience unique dining and entertainment at a traditional dinner in the bush. (D)

Day 8: Alice Springs - The Ghan
Early this morning gain a different perspective of the majestic Australian Outback with an optional hot air balloon ride. Next, explore the Aboriginal culture through site visits and native cooking. Later, board the legendary Ghan for an overnight journey through ancient mountain ranges, over red-baked earth, and across oceans of sand hills. (B, D)

Day 9: The Ghan - Barossa Valley
Your train journey concludes in the South Australian capital of Adelaide, where you take a morning sightseeing tour. Travel to Barossa Valley and experience the Whispering Wall; listen as voices travel along a quarter-mile path powered by natural amplification. A wine tasting at one of the local wineries introduces the flavors of this region. Dinner at your hotel, in the serene Barossa Valley, overlooks the vineyards of well-known vintners such as Jacobs Creek. (B, D)

Day 10: Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley is Australia’s richest and best-known wine-making region. The area was first settled by German immigrants more than a century ago and today produces some of the world’s finest wines. Enjoy tours and tastings at two of the area’s wineries. (B, D)

Day 11: Barossa Valley - Coonawarra
Travel through the southern Australian countryside, stopping at Naracoorte Caves National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn about the extensive fossil deposits of Southern Australia as you tour the fossil center and view the ‘megafauna’ that once thrived in the area. Continue to Coonawarra, another rich wine-making region. (B, D)

Day 12: Coonawarra - Melbourne
Journey across the spectacular Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most scenic drives. Pass through Port Campbell and discover the “12 Apostles,” a dramatic row of stone pillars rising from the ocean, and the “London Bridge,” a magnificent stone arch formation. Marvel at Loch Ard Gorge before arriving in Melbourne in the early evening. (B)

Day 13: Melbourne
A tour of Melbourne features the Shrine of Remembrance and Parliament House, and a visit to Fitzroy Royal Botanical Gardens. Later, travel to Phillip Island, home of the world’s largest colony of “Little Penguins.” Experience the wonders of the Little Penguin Parade as hundreds of these lovable birds waddle out from the sea and cross the beach to their burrows in the dunes. Learn more about the life cycle of the penguin and their significance to the area at the Interpretation Center. (B, D)

Day 14: Melbourne - Sydney
This morning, it’s off to Sydney, Australia’s cultural capital. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city followed by an afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 15: Sydney - Hunter Valley
Visit Koala Park to see koalas in a natural habitat. Traveling to Hunter Valley, enjoy a private wine tasting, along with a selection of local cheeses, at McGuigan Cellar. A vineyard tour by horse-drawn carriage concludes with a special vintner's dinner. (B, D)

Day 16: Sydney
You will have time to explore the city of Sydney on your own this morning. This afternoon, a fascinating opal presentation at Gemtec demonstrates how raw opals are processed, from the dark mine shafts to your favorite jewelry. Tonight, an evening dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour gives you the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. Afterward, enjoy a performance at the Sydney Opera House. (B, D)

Day 17: Sydney - Queenstown, New Zealand
Today fly to New Zealand, arriving in the beautiful resort town of Queenstown. Dinner is at the Skyline Restaurant. (B, D)

Day 18: Queenstown - Milford Sound
Travel through beech forest into the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley to world-famous Milford Sound. Enjoy a relaxing luncheon cruise in this dramatic fjord. Choose to return to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of the Southern Alps or return by coach. (B, L)

Day 19: Queenstown
Your day is at leisure to explore Queenstown on your own, take an optional jet boat ride on the Shotover River, or choose from a variety of other activities. (B)

Day 20: Queenstown - Mt. Cook
Traveling through the picturesque countryside, stop in the old gold boomtown of Arrowtown. In Mt. Cook National Park take a nature walk or enjoy an optional flightseeing tour (weather permitting). This evening's dinner includes the famous Hermitage Hotel wine buffet, featuring a sampling of local wines from some of the finest wineries in New Zealand. (B, D)

Day 21: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Travel to the city of Christchurch, where a short sightseeing tour highlights magnificent gardens, the Cathedral, and the downtown park district. Dinner on the Christchurch Tramway, a beautifully restored tramcar restaurant, passes some of the most interesting and historic city sights. (B, D)

Day 22: Christchurch - Tranz-Alpine Express
Journey through the Southern Alps aboard the Tranz-Alpine Express. This evening enjoy a special dinner at a restored mansion which was once the homestead of Christchurch's first settlers. (B, D)

Day 23: Christchurch
Today is free to relax and unwind. You may choose an optional afternoon excursion to the International Antarctica Center, the base for all U.S. expeditions to Antarctica. This evening you will be invited to dine with a New Zealand family. Enjoy this unforgettable experience as you learn about the customs of the "Kiwis" and enjoy a home cooked meal. (B, D)

Day 24: Christchurch - Picton - Wellington
Traveling north, arrive in Picton and ferry across Marlborough Sound to the North Island. Arrive in Wellington, the harbor capital of New Zealand. (B)

Day 25: Wellington
Enjoy sightseeing in Wellington, including the Beehive, New Zealand’s Parliament, historic St. Paul’s Church, and Government Building. Later, tour the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the national museum of New Zealand. (B, D)

Day 26: Wellington - Rotorua
Board the Overland Express train, which provides landscape views of the volcano-filled North Island, en route to Rotorua, the heart of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland. Tonight, receive a traditional Maori welcome at a Hangi meal followed by songs, dances, and many other festivities. (B, D)

Day 27: Rotorua
Visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to observe the steaming silica terraces and geysers. View craftsmen at work in a typical Maori village and attend a sheep shearing demonstration at the Agrodome. Enjoy some free time to explore Rotorua before gathering tonight for a festive farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 28: Rotorua - Auckland - Tour Ends
Experience the North Island's Waitomo Caves, which are lit by thousands of glow worms clinging to the cave walls. Drive to Auckland where your tour ends. (B)

Stay a little longer...Add a pre night stay in Los Angeles or Palm Cove or a post night stay in Auckland. Prices start at $50 per person, double.

• Due to changes in air schedules while on tour, the order of days in the itinerary may change.
• The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price
• Due to early arrival times in some cities, rooms may not always be ready for immediate check-in.
• Breakfast aboard The Ghan train is deluxe continental. Please be prepared to pack an overnight bag for your trip on The Ghan.
• Previous guests have indicated that a samll gift from your area is appropriate and appreciated the night of your home-hosted dinner in New Zealand.
• Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed with the exception of visits to wildlife parks.
• Tour price does not include fees for a passport and visa, which are required.