Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

Explore Melbourne on a city sights tour then discover its eclectic little laneways, arcades, café society and street art on a private walking tour. The rest of your day is free. You may like to take an optional experience to Phillip Island to see the famous penguin parade or maybe you'd prefer to relax or even experience some of Melbourne's well known food and culture.

Today is free for you to explore the delights of Melbourne. You may like to take a full day optional experience to the Great Ocean Road to discover the stunning coastline and the Twelve Apostles. Or maybe treat yourself to a theatre production or indulge in some world class fare at one of the city's famous eateries.

Today you fly from Melbourne to Alice Springs. On arrival visit School of the Air and hear how this school delivers education to children living in remote areas. Next stop is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where you'll learn about this facility that provides a 'mantle of safety' to the people of the outback. This evening Joe, Dan, Tommy and Ben Falzon invite you to 'Be My Guest' for a home cooked gourmet BBQ dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. Join them as they share stories of ecology, culture and astronomy and even lead you on a sing-a-long accompanied by the didgeridoo and guitar. It will be a night to remember!

Travel through the West MacDonnell and James Ranges and pause to view majestic Atila (Mt. Conner) often mistaken for Uluru, before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the resort's facilities. Later, travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Witness and photograph the striking colour changes of Uluru at sunset whilst enjoying canapés and wine.

This morning, view the magical Uluru (Ayers Rock) sunrise. Afterwards, gain insight in to the traditional owners of the land, the Anangu, as you tour the caves at the base of Uluru discovering ancient rock art and hearing stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta and take a walk at Walpa Gorge. Later experience a Kata Tjuta sunset with sparkling wine and nibbles.

Join an Aboriginal artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. Your Anangu artist will provide you with cultural insight, explaining the meanings of their totems, before assisting you to complete your own painting to take home as a memento of your experience. In the afternoon you will fly from Ayers Rock to Cairns.

Today is free for you to do as you choose! Maybe visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for an insightful look at indigenous culture or journey to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals. You may choose to travel to Kuranda on the historic scenic railway or just sit back and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

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. This evening enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront.

This afternoon fly to Sydney where you will have a free evening to do as you please.

A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Discover Sydney's famous Eastern Suburbs and put your feet in the sand at famous Bondi Beach. Next return to the city for a guided tour of iconic Sydney Opera House before taking to the water on a Captain Cook lunch cruise, sailing around the glistening harbor while you enjoy a fresh seasonal menu. Spend the rest of your day seeing the sights of your choice or maybe even take an optional experience to climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

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. Spend your last evening in Sydney together along with your Travel Director and companions in a local restaurant by the water.

This morning you say goodbye to Australia and fly to New Zealand! This evening meet your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel in Auckland.

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