Iconic Australia and New Zealand

Arrive at any time into Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, which occupies a narrow isthmus marked by dormant volcanic cones. The city is one of the most multicultural in the Southern Hemisphere, with a significant Polynesian population. Settle in and take an initial walk to get oriented.

After a morning orientation walk through Auckland's city centre, a ferry departs for Waiheke Island, a haven of vineyards and beaches in the Hauraki Gulf. The visit focuses on the history of viticulture in New Zealand, which has roots in this region. At several local wineries, you can sample the blends the island is known for, particularly its Bordeaux-style reds and crisp Sauvignon Blancs, before a scenic ferry ride back to the mainland.

The day begins with an overland journey south from Auckland, stopping at the Waitomo Caves. Here, a boat navigates a subterranean river into a cavern system illuminated by thousands of endemic glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa). The bioluminescence creates a silent, star-like canopy on the cave ceiling. The drive continues to Rotorua, a town situated directly over an active geothermal field on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The region's landscape is defined by bubbling mud pools, geysers, and the distinct smell of sulphur.

Today's excursion heads into the Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park, a Jurassic-era podocarp forest with trees dating back 800 years. A guided walk focuses on the forest's ecology, endemic birds, and traditional Māori medicinal plants. Afterwards, visit the Māori-owned Kohutapu Lodge for a lunch prepared in a traditional hāngi earth oven. The meal is an opportunity to engage with the hosts about their culture and community initiatives. The day also includes a visit to nearby sacred rock carvings, whose origins are dated to 400 years before the Great Migration.

The morning centers on New Zealand's national icon at the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua. A visit to the facility provides a close look at the specialized conservation and breeding programs that incubate eggs and rear chicks of this endangered, flightless bird, offering critical insight into the intensive efforts required to protect the species from predation. In the afternoon, the route transitions south with a flight departing from Rotorua, crossing the Cook Strait to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. Upon arrival, settle into the Distinction Christchurch Hotel.

Board the TranzAlpine train for a journey across the Southern Alps, considered one of the world's great rail routes. The train climbs from the agricultural Canterbury Plains through alpine beech forests to Arthur's Pass, the highest pass on the route. After disembarking, the journey continues by road to a working sheep farm in the Canterbury high country. Here, you'll see a demonstration of highly trained sheepdogs working with their handlers and witness the skill of a professional shearer. A barbecue lunch featuring locally sourced ingredients is served on the farm before returning to Christchurch. Practical note: the TranzAlpine train runs daily but is occasionally cancelled — when it is, the National Geographic Expedition Leader drives the group through the Southern Alps on a similar route.

After a free morning in Christchurch, the route heads west into the Mackenzie Basin, arriving at the shores of Lake Tekapo. The lake's distinctive turquoise colour is caused by fine rock-flour suspended in the water, ground by glaciers. The region is designated as the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the largest in the world. After dinner, local astronomy experts lead a stargazing session from a purpose-built observatory, guiding you through the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere and offering opportunities for astrophotography.

The day is spent in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest peaks. A visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre provides context on the famed mountaineer, who trained on these very mountains before his 1953 Everest ascent. The centre documents his life and the region's climbing history. In the afternoon, a guided trek follows the Kea Point track, a relatively easy 2km trail. The walk terminates at a viewing deck overlooking the Mueller Glacier Lake, with clear views of the Hooker Valley, Mount Sefton, and the ice-clad summit of Aoraki/Mt Cook.

The overland route continues south, with a stop in the lakeside town of Wanaka for lunch and exploration. The journey then proceeds to Arrowtown, a former gold rush settlement preserved from the 19th century. An orientation walk explores the historic main street, the Lakes District Museum, and the carefully restored Chinese Settlement along the Arrow River, which tells the story of the thousands of Chinese miners who came during the Otago gold rush. In the late afternoon, the final leg of the drive concludes in Queenstown, a resort town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

A full-day excursion travels deep into Fiordland National Park, a vast wilderness defined by glacially carved valleys and sheer granite cliffs. The centerpiece is a wilderness cruise on Milford or Doubtful Sound, two of the region's most dramatic fiords. Aboard the vessel, where lunch is served, there are opportunities to look for wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and the Fiordland crested penguin. The scale of the landscape is immense, characterized by waterfalls cascading hundreds of metres down near-vertical rock faces. The long but scenic return drive brings you back to Queenstown in the evening, returning to the Novotel Queenstown Hotel.

Today is at leisure to explore Queenstown, a town known for both its dramatic alpine setting and its adventure sports. Options include taking a historic steamer like the TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu, experiencing a high-speed jet boat ride on the Shotover River, or exploring the acclaimed wineries of the Gibbston Valley, a sub-region known for its Pinot Noir.

A flight departs from Queenstown, crossing the Tasman Sea to Melbourne, Australia. After arriving and clearing immigration, transfer to the hotel in the city centre. The rest of the day is free to get a first impression of Victoria's capital, known for its vibrant arts scene, laneway culture, and Victorian-era architecture.

Melbourne's reputation as a gastronomic hub is built on its diverse immigrant communities. Today's walking tour, led by a culinary storyteller, explores the city's famed laneways and arcades. The route is a progressive lunch, moving between three different venues to sample a range of cuisines that reflect the city's history, from Asian starters to Italian mains, concluding with dessert. The walk provides a narrative of how waves of immigration have shaped Melbourne's contemporary food culture.

A full day is free for independent exploration. A popular option is a long day trip along the Great Ocean Road, a coastal highway that winds past dramatic sea cliffs and the iconic limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. Alternatively, remain in Melbourne to explore its distinct neighbourhoods, from the street art of Hosier Lane to the elegant arcades and bustling Queen Victoria Market.

A flight from Melbourne heads into the arid heart of Australia, landing at Ayers Rock Airport near Uluru. The first stop is the Cultural Centre in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which provides an essential introduction to the beliefs of the Aṉangu, the traditional owners of the land. In the afternoon, a guided walk follows the Mala trail along the base of Uluru. The guide interprets the rock art and explains the geological formation of the massive sandstone monolith, as well as its significance in Aṉangu creation stories (Tjukurpa).

The morning is spent exploring Kata Tjuta, a collection of 36 conglomerate rock domes located 30km west of Uluru. A guided walk into Walpa Gorge leads between two of the tallest domes, offering a different perspective on the region's geology. The track follows a natural creek bed, and the guide points out rare plant species. After free time in the afternoon to escape the desert heat, the day concludes at a viewing area to watch the sunset. The changing angle of the light causes Uluru's surface to shift through a spectrum of reds, oranges, and purples.

An early start allows for a pre-dawn visit to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation. This large-scale artwork consists of tens of thousands of solar-powered spheres of light that illuminate the desert floor in shifting colours. Watching the installation against the backdrop of the rising sun and the silhouette of Uluru is a singular experience. After breakfast, a flight departs the Red Centre for Sydney, Australia's largest and oldest city. After checking into the hotel, the evening is free.

A morning walking tour explores The Rocks, the historic quarter on Sydney Harbour that marks the site of the first European settlement in 1788. The area also holds deep significance for the local Gadigal people. Following the walk, the route leads to the Sydney Opera House for an in-depth exploration of the history behind Jørn Utzon's radical design and the complex engineering required to realize it. The day concludes with a sunset cruise around the harbour, offering prime views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, complete with a classic Australian barbecue dinner.

Today is entirely free for independent exploration of Sydney. One option is to take a public ferry from Circular Quay across the harbour to Manly Beach for a classic beach day. Another is to tackle the famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, a 6km clifftop path linking several of the city's iconic eastern beaches. Alternatively, one could delve into the city's museums or explore its diverse neighbourhood precincts.

An early flight departs Sydney for Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. From there, a scenic coastal road leads north to the Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest on Earth. At Mossman Gorge, an Indigenous guide from the Kuku Yalanji people leads an interpretive walk. The guide demonstrates traditional plant uses, identifies bush food sources, and explains the deep spiritual connection between the people and their environment. The day ends in the nearby resort town of Port Douglas. Domestic-flight baggage note: Australia's domestic carriers cap checked luggage at one bag (20kg) plus one 7kg carry-on. Anything above that gets airline fees the trip price doesn't cover.

A full-day catamaran trip travels from Port Douglas to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. This section of the reef, farther from the coast, typically offers superior water clarity and more vibrant coral ecosystems. The day is spent snorkeling in the warm waters, exploring a marine world that is home to over 1,500 species of fish and countless other organisms. For non-swimmers, a glass-bottom boat provides viewing opportunities. Lunch is served on board the vessel before the sail back to Port Douglas in the late afternoon.

Enjoy a free morning to explore Port Douglas, with its boutique-lined main street and long stretch of Four Mile Beach. If it's a Sunday, the local market is a popular draw. In the afternoon, a short drive leads to Cooya Beach for an exclusive cultural experience with members of the Kuku Yalanji community. The visit includes a traditional welcome and a smoking ceremony, with guides explaining the purpose and meaning of these ancient rituals and their place in contemporary life.

After a final breakfast in Port Douglas, an overland transfer of approximately one hour follows the scenic coastal highway south to Cairns Airport (CNS). The route concludes here, allowing for independent onward flights from mid-afternoon. Practical note: book onward flights from Cairns no earlier than 1pm. If you've booked extra nights, you're staying in Port Douglas — about an hour north of the airport — and you'll need to arrange your own onward transfer to Cairns from there.