Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand

Join your Travel Director for a city sights tour that includes a private walk through Melbourne's famous hidden laneways. You'll discover the city's eclectic little lanes, arcades, café society and fascinating street art. There's time afterwards to explore the city on your own, enjoy an optional experience or simply relax and watch the world go by.

This morning you will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Cairns, Queensland. On arrival join a private wildlife journey at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Enjoy a boat cruise and encounter koalas, wallabies, birds, crocodiles and more! This evening is free for your to choose from the numerous restaurants that Cairns has to offer.

Get ready for an experience of a lifetime - board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided) or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft, just one metre underwater. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns.

Today is a free day to do as you choose. A great option is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, be amazed as you travel over and through World Heritage rainforest, explore quaint Kuranda village and later board the Kuranda Scenic Rail for this historic rail journey. If you'd prefer to spend the day relaxing by your hotel pool or sitting back at a local café you can do that too! In the evening rejoin your travelling companions for a Be My Guest dining experience at Tjapukai Cultural Park. Hear dreamtime stories, witness a high impact dance performance and enjoy dinner with your local host to the sounds of the didgeridoo.

This morning you'll fly to Sydney! On arrival there's time to relax at your hotel or explore this exciting city before boarding a Captain Cook Sunset Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a contemporary two course a la carte meal and the mesmerising views of Sydney at night. You'll pass magnificent waterfront homes, beaches and parklands and all the main harbour attractions including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Kick off this highlight day of sightseeing on a guided tour of iconic Sydney Opera House. Later, your destination is famous Bondi Beach, for an iconic Australian experience. You'll be greeted by a local surf lifesaver before enjoying a delicious lunch at an Aussie institution, the Returned Servicemen's Club, with its views over the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Your host will take you on an exclusive tour through Australia's oldest surf lifesaving club and share with you the history of Bondi and surf lifesaving. Later enjoy some free time to do some shopping, enjoy and Optional Experience or maybe just take a stroll along the harbour front.

Today is free for you to do as you choose. Why not take a day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains for fresh mountain air and stunning scenery. You'll visit the charming village of Leura, see the famous Three Sisters rock formation and visit a Wildlife Park to get up close and personal to some of Australia's cuddly native animals. If you've always wanted to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, today could be your chance on a thrilling 'BridgeClimb'. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a farewell to Sydney with dinner on the harbourfront.

On arrival in Auckland, you are transferred to your hotel. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a welcome reception followed by dinner at your hotel.

A morning sightseeing tour including Bastion Point, the War Memorial and Viaduct Harbour is followed by a cruise on Waitemata Harbour. Spend some free time exploring on your own or relaxing at your hotel.

You're invited to a Be My Guest lunch at the home of Lance and Bridgette O'Sullivan, New Zealand horse racing royalty. Enjoy a sumptuous country-style lunch at the Red Barn on their beautiful Waikato farm. This evening you're guests at the Tamaki Family Marae for a traditional Hangi Highlight Dinner and cultural performance.

This morning visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Discover native flora that grows around the crystal clear mineral water springs and you might even spot a kiwi or two! Next visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve where you'll be accompanied by a Local Guide to view New Zealand's biggest geyser, bubbling mud pools and thermal springs before flying to Christchurch. On arrival, board your coach for a tour to see how the city is slowly being rebuilt as a consequence of the devastating earthquake of February 2011. Later, continue to your hotel. Tonight, speak with your Travel Director about dining recommendations in Christchurch's inner city.

First up this morning you will board the TranzAlpine train and head out through the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass. This spectacular train journey dates back to 1914, and is rated as one of the world's most scenic train trips. The train forges through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. At Hokitika you'll visit a New Zealand greenstone (jade) factory. Travel along the Coastal road to Franz Josef Glacier for a short walk to view the glacier and perhaps take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). Tonight, enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel.

Enjoy a coastal drive with views of the Tasman Sea. Climb over the Haast Pass winding through Mount Aspiring National Park. Then your journey takes you past Lakes Wanaka and Hawea and heads along the Kawarau River through the Kawarau Gorge. Finally, you will visit the historic village of Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world's richest rivers, before arriving in Queenstown. An orientation tour completes your day.

Journey over the Devil's Staircase and along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and its lake, the largest in the South Island. Travel through the rainforest of World Heritage Fiordland National Park, sighting glaciers and mountain ranges. Drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to the mumerous photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop's lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch and a cruise on this wonder of nature. Later, return to Queenstown for the evening.

Today is a full day to explore Queenstown at your leisure. Choose from a range of optional experiences. You have the option to ride the Shotover Jet, join a wine tour, Perhaps, take a 4WD through Skippers Canyon, or enjoy a cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw over to Walter Peak Station for a BBQ lunch and farm show. This evening, join your Travel Director for dinner at the Boatshed. Set in the restored historic Railway Shipping Office and relocated to its lakefront setting in 1936, The Boatshed wth its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, it is the perfect venue for your exclusive Farewell Dinner.

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Throughout today you will be transferred Queenstown Airport for your onward flight.