Day 1
Arrive in Melbourne
Today you’ll arrive in Melbourne where you’ll meet with your tour guide and group. You’ll enjoy a reception dinner in a riverside restaurant. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Melbourne (dinner with wine included)
Day 2-3
Melbourne
Across days two and three you’ll explore Melbourne firstly taking a walking tour around the main sights of the city before enjoying some free leisure time where you can take it in at your own pace. You can go on optional excursions including a trip to a winery in the Yarra Valley, take a trip along the Great Ocean Road to see the famous Twelve Apostles monoliths or simply relax and experience some of Melbourne's well known food and culture.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Melbourne (two breakfasts included)
Day 4
Alice Springs
Today you’ll fly to Alice Springs in the morning. Something of an outpost city for a long time, The Alice (as it’s known to locals) has blossomed into vibrant modern town. When you arrive you’ll visit the School of the Air, Later you’ll enjoy a special Be My Guest home-cooked barbeque dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. You'll hear about the stories of ecology, culture and astronomy and also about their sustainable lifestyle - you may even get to sing-a-long to the didgeridoo and guitar, an evening to remember!
Overnight: Mercure Alice Springs Resort (breakfast and Be My Guest dinner included)
Day 5-6
Uluru/Kata Tjuta
On day five you’ll travel through the Red Centre to reach Ayers Rock Resort, enjoying all the landscape and stopping off in places along the way including the majestic Atila (Mt. Conner). The afternoon is free for you to explore and enjoy the resorts facilities. By evening you enjoy watching the sunset over Uluru – a truly magical sight.
In the morning rise early for the equally beautiful sunrise, you’ll then take a tour of the caves near the base of the rock. In the afternoon of day six you’ll travel across the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (known as The Olgas). Here you’ll enjoy another breathtaking sunset with sparkling wine.
Overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort (two breakfasts included)
Day 7-9
Cairns/Great Barrier Reef
On the morning of day seven start with a viewing of Bruce Munro's Installation Field of Light at Dawn then you will join an indigenous artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. You’ll then fly to Cairns where you’ll spend the next three nights.
Day eight is a full free day in Cairns where you can choose from a number of different activities including a train ride into the beautiful nearby countryside - village in a rainforest on the Kuranda Railway and returning on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway with some spectacular views riding above the canopy of the rainforest. You could also take a day trip to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park or Hartey's Crocodile Adventures to encounter native animals.
On day nine you’ll be heading out on a high-speed catamaran to one of Australia’s most stunning natural attractions, the Great Barrier Reef. Here you can go snorkelling and take in the astounding beauty of the reef from an underwater perspective on your semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch onboard before returning to Cairns in the afternoon and dining in a restaurant overlooking the waterfront.
Overnight: Hilton Hotel Cairns (three breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner with wine included)
Day 10-12
Sydney
On day ten you’ll have free time to perhaps spend some time in the Cairns Wildlife Dome before taking a flight south to Sydney – arguably the country’s most famous city. Here you’ll settle into your hotel with an evening at leisure.
Over the next two days you’ll explore the city and surrounds, first with a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House before visiting legendary Bondi Beach followed by a lunch cruise on the iconic Sydney Harbour. You’ll also enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Sydney on your own terms, there's lots to do and see, your tour guide will gladly give advice on the best attractions or day trips to take. Enjoy dinner with your tour guide on the waterfront tonight.
Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney (three breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner with wine included)
Day 13-14
Auckland
On day 13 you’ll transfer to Sydney Airport for your trip to Auckland. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel and then enjoy a dinner at your hotel with your new tour guide for New Zealand. The next day you’ll take a morning sightseeing tour around the city followed by an afternoon of free time to explore at your leisure.
Overnight: Horizon by SkyCity Auckland (two breakfasts and one dinner with wine included)
Day 15
Rotorua
Get up close to New Zealand's national bird, the endangered kiwi, at a working nursery and hatchery. Discover how breeding programmes help sustain the population. Then, immerse yourself in the Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, celebrating Maori history, traditions, and future aspirations, accompanied by forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) with a chef's choice aperitif, followed by a delightful three-course meal.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel Rotorua (breakfast and dinner included)
Day 16
Rotorua-Auckland-Queenstown
Leave the hustle and bustle of Auckland behind and embark on a scenic countryside escape for an exclusive family-style Be My Guest experience in the charming Red Barn of a working dairy farm. Enjoy a farm-to-table morning tea prepared by the talented on-site chef, and immerse yourself in rural life as you're invited to try your hand at making butter – complete with churners and tiny mason jars!
The positive energy will stay with you as you continue on to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. From thrilling ski slopes and white-water rafting to bungy-jumping bridges, excitement awaits at every turn. Not to mention, Queenstown boasts some of the country’s top dining spots. Whether you're craving a hearty burger or lakeside tapas, we’re happy to share our top recommendations for this unforgettable leg of your Queenstown journey.
Overnight: Millenium Hotel Hotel (breakfast included and be my guest Morning Tea)
Day 17
Milford Sound Cruise
Bring your stamina and sense of adventure – today promises to be a wild one. Nature takes centre stage as you journey around Queenstown’s shimmering Lake Wakatipu and tackle the Devil’s Staircase on your way to Te Anau, the alpine gateway to the World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park. As you stop to admire the dramatic views at Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout, and Cleddau Valley, you’ll start to understand why Rudyard Kipling called this the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’.
And this is just the beginning – you haven’t even seen Bowen Falls or Milford Sound/Piopiotahi yet. The best Milford Sound/Piopiotahi cruise has an expert guide on hand, who will not only share the fascinating geological history of the area but will also point out sunbathing fur seals and playful dolphins along the way.
Overnight: Millenium Hotel Hotel (breakfast and lunch included)
Day 18
Queenstown Free time
Take today’s Queenstown tour at your own pace. If you’re craving adventure, feel the rush of the wind in your hair on a thrilling jet boat ride. Prefer something a bit more relaxed (and with a glass of wine in hand)?
Glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a guided farm tour, followed by a morning or afternoon tea in a stunning alpine setting. Wherever your day takes you, make sure to save room for tonight’s Highlight Dinner at Postmasters Café, a charming historic cottage in Arrowtown complete with a picket fence and Instagram-worthy gardens.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (breakfast and highlight dinner)
Day 19
Depart Queenstown - Lake Takapo
Arrowtown, known for its charm, and Cromwell, for its stone fruit. Take a bite. Call in at the quaint, lakeside Church of the Good Shepherd welcomed by its friendly bronze sheepdog statue.
As evening falls, you’re treated to a guided stargazing experience in the world-renowned UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. See the famous Southern Cross, Magellanic Cloud, and Milky Way and getter a better look at these sparkling wonders with a powerful optical telescope.
Overnight: Peppers Bluewater Fesort (Breakfast included, Dinner with wine)
Day 20
Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
Arrive into the beautiful English city of Christchurch for a guided visit. The city is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library.
Overnight: Distinction Christchurch (breakfast)
Day 21
Tavel north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, for a Be My Guest experience with the Bamford Family. Enjoy warm kiwi hospitality from Scotty and the team, who have been farming at Hurunui since 1884 with six generations focused on producing premium Merino sheep, wool and Angus Cattle. You will hear from Maria in the woolshed and view a sheep dog demonstration. Continue to local vineyard Waipara Springs Winery, where you will enjoy a platter style lunch among the vines.
Overnight: Distinction Christchurch (Full Breakfast, Be My Guest Morning Tea, Lunch, Farewell Dinner)
Day 22
Farewell from Christchurch
Your tour ends today
(Breakfast included)
