Description

Day 1   Auckland Arrival

After passport control and baggage claim, meet your driver in the Arrivals Hall for a private transfer to your hotel.

In the afternoon, enjoy a self-guided walk through Auckland. Visit Albert Park, with its fountains, historic statues, and views of the University of Auckland Clock Tower.

Continue along Victoria Street to the Sky Tower, then head to Viaduct Harbour for waterfront scenery and views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Walk along Quay Street to Queen’s Wharf to admire its Edwardian Baroque architecture, and end in Britomart, where historic buildings blend with modern design, conveniently close to your hotel for dinner.

Day 2   Auckland – Hobbiton – Rotorua (D)

Today, join a small-group tour (maximum 16 guests) from Auckland to Rotorua.

Travel through the rolling Waikato countryside, New Zealand’s main farming region, with a brief coffee stop in the village of Pirongia. Continue to the Hobbiton Movie Set, where you board the iconic green bus for a two-hour guided tour of the Shire, including hobbit holes, gardens, the Green Dragon Inn, and a complimentary drink.

Continue to Rotorua via Tirau, known for its corrugated-iron buildings. On arrival, visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to explore colorful hot pools, volcanic craters, and steaming vents. A short city tour follows, passing Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, the Rotorua Museum, Rachel Spring, and the Blue Baths, before hotel check-in.

In the evening, walk to Te Pā Tū for an immersive Māori cultural experience with traditional performances and a three-course seasonal fusion dinner. Activities conclude around 22:30.

Day 3   Rotorua – Flight To Christchurch (B)

The morning is free to explore Rotorua independently. You may stroll through the downtown area, lakefront, and geothermal zones, or browse Rotorua Central and the Arts Village. For relaxation, consider visiting the lakeside Polynesian Spa, renowned for its 28 mineral hot pools with both acidic and alkaline waters.

After check-out, you will be transferred to Rotorua Airport for a short flight to Christchurch. On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Suggested activities include a walk through Hagley Park, with its mature trees and conservatories, followed by a visit to Riverside Market, the city’s lively indoor food hall. You may also stop at Ōi Manawa, the National Earthquake Memorial, before continuing to New Regent Street, a pedestrian mall known for its pastel-colored Spanish Mission–style buildings.

Day 4  Christchurch – TranzAlpine Train to Greymouth – Franz Josef

Early this morning, you are transferred to the railway station to board the TranzAlpine, New Zealand’s most renowned scenic train, departing Christchurch at 8:15 AM for the crossing of the Southern Alps to Greymouth. Considered one of the world’s great rail journeys, the 223-km route takes just under five hours, with panoramic windows and open-air viewing carriages offering outstanding alpine scenery.

Arriving in Greymouth around 1:10 PM, you meet your guide and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, continue by road toward Franz Josef, stopping at scenic highlights including Cobden Breakwater, Hokitika, the vividly turquoise Hokitika Gorge, and Lake Ianthe, a tranquil glacial lake surrounded by native forest and wetlands.

Arrive in the alpine village of Franz Josef, known for its dramatic landscapes and proximity to the glaciers, and check in to your hotel for a two-night stay

Day 5   Explore Franz Josef & Fox Glacier

Spend the day exploring Franz Josef, located in New Zealand’s unique West Coast Glacier Country—one of only two places in the world where glaciers descend into temperate rainforest. While the town itself receives little snowfall, heavy snow in the surrounding Southern Alps sustains the glaciers year-round.

Independent hikers may walk from the hotel to the Franz Josef Glacier via the Roberts Point Track. This return hike is approximately 15 km and takes 4–5 hours. The trail passes through lush rainforest, bridges, and boardwalks, including the impressive Douglas Bridge over the Waiho River. Built in the early 1900s, the track leads to the Roberts Point View Platform, offering the best panoramic views of the glacier and valley without taking a helicopter.

Return to the hotel for leisure time.

Alternatively, for those who prefer not to hike, an optional helicopter flight and glacier hike is available (NZD 795 / USD 465 / CAD 650 per person). This experience includes a scenic flight over the Southern Alps, a landing on the glacier, and a guided hike through ice caves and pinnacles. Group size is limited to 11 guests, and all equipment, including warm clothing, is provided.

Day 6   Franz Josef – Mount Aspiring National Park – Queenstown

This morning, depart Franz Josef in a small group for Queenstown, with scenic stops along the way. Travel south along the rugged West Coast, where wild beaches, dense rainforest, and the Tasman Sea form some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes.

Stop at Lake Matheson, famed for its mirror-like reflections of Mt Cook on clear days. Continue past Bruce Bay, where rainforest meets the ocean, and stop at Ship Creek for a beach walk and views of the powerful Tasman Sea. Visit Thunder Creek Falls, a 28-metre waterfall plunging into the Haast River.

Journey onward through Mount Aspiring National Park, a pristine wilderness of mountains, glaciers, and river valleys. Enjoy an easy 3-km round-trip walk to the Blue Pools to admire the crystal-clear waters of the Makarora River.

Leaving the park, pass Lake Hawea and stop at a lookout between Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. In Wanaka, walk along the lakeshore to photograph the iconic Wanaka Tree, framed by Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps.

Cross the Crown Range Road and arrive in Queenstown at approximately 7:00 PM for hotel check-in.

Day 7  Queenstown – Milford Sounds Premium Tour (L)

This morning, walk a few minutes to the pickup point for a full-day Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour, including a boutique cruise and picnic lunch.

Depart Queenstown along Lake Wakatipu via the Devil’s Staircase, enjoying sweeping lake and mountain views, before arriving at Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second-largest lake. Stop in Te Anau for a short break, then continue along the lakeshore to Te Anau Downs, the starting point of the Milford Track, for scenic views.

Enter Fiordland National Park, with highlights including Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, the Hollyford River, Falls Creek waterfalls, the Darran Mountains, and the hand-built Homer Tunnel.

Arrive at Milford Sound and board a boutique cruise on a smaller vessel, offering a more personal and informative experience. Enjoy close-up views of waterfalls, sheer cliffs, Mitre Peak, and wildlife such as New Zealand fur seals, with commentary throughout the cruise, including views toward the Southern Alps divide near the Routeburn Track.

Return to Queenstown in the late afternoon.

Day 8   Queenstown – Flight To Melbourne

The morning is free to explore Queenstown. Stroll along the Lake Wakatipu waterfront to the Skyline Gondola and ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere to the top of Bob’s Peak, enjoying panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables. Optional activity: Skyline Luge, a gravity-powered descent (admissions at own expense).

Return to the hotel for check-out. a driver transfers you to the airport for your flight to Melbourne, Australia.

On arrival in Melbourne, Victoria’s capital, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel.

Enjoy a brief city walk on own: visit Town Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral, Federation Square, Royal Arcade (Melbourne’s oldest arcade), Bourke Street Mall with its lively atmosphere.

Day 9   Melbourne – Great Ocean Road

This morning, depart Melbourne for a full-day Small-Group tour along the Great Ocean Road. Begin in Torquay, the official gateway, with a morning tea in this iconic seaside town.

Stop at the Memorial Arch, marking the start/end of the Great Ocean Road, then continue to Kennett for a walk among eucalyptus trees to spot wild koalas and native birds.

Arrive in Apollo Bay for free time to explore the town and enjoy lunch at a local café. Take a guided stroll through the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway Ranges.

In the afternoon, visit the Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps—admire the limestone stacks from the lookout and descend to the beach for a closer view. Stop at Loch Ard Gorge to see dramatic cliffs and learn the story of the 1854 shipwreck.

Return to Melbourne along scenic inland roads, arriving later afternoon.

Day 10   Melbourne – Flight to Cairns – Kuranda Scenic Railway

This morning, transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight to Cairns, the tropical gateway to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Upon arrival, meet your driver and check in at the hotel.

At 1:00 PM, walk to the SunBus Stop at Night Markets, Abbott Street, for pickup at 1:10 PM and transfer to Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal. Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway from Smithfield up to Kuranda, enjoying spectacular rainforest views.

Arrive in Kuranda Village and enjoy free time. Optional visits include Kuranda Koala Gardens (kangaroos, wallabies, Nocturnal Wonders, and Aussie Bush Collection) and Birdworld, home to rainforest birds from around the world (admissions at own expense).

At 3:30 PM, board the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a 1.5-hour journey back to Cairns Station. The train winds through lush rainforest, past waterfalls and steep ravines, and through hand-carved tunnels—one of Australia’s most scenic rail experiences. Walk back to your hotel to conclude the day.

Day 11  Great Barrier Reef & Green Island

This morning, walk a few minutes to the Reef Fleet Terminal to join Great Adventures for the Green Island and Great Barrier Reef tour, departing at 8:30 AM.

Enjoy a 45-minute catamaran ride to Green Island, a 6,000-year-old coral cay, with two hours to explore its vibrant coral reef and lush rainforest.

Continue to Great Adventures’ multi-level reef activity platform at the Outer Reef, where the marine biodiversity is at its peak. Activities include snorkeling, diving, the underwater observatory, semi-submersible tours, or simply relaxing on the sundeck.

A hot and cold buffet lunch, plus morning and afternoon tea and coffee, are included. Optional activities—such as scuba diving, scenic helicopter flights, and the Scuba-Doo underwater scooter—are available at an additional cost.

Return to the Reef Fleet Terminal at approximately 5:30 PM.

Day 12   Cairns – Flight to Sydney

Morning is free at leisure to enjoy Cairns on own.

As Cairns has a booming craft scene, we may visit Brewery & Distillery like Coral Sea Brewing Company and Hemingway’s Brewery.

This afternoon at 13:30, we are picked up from the hotel and transfer to Cairns Airport for flight to Sydney.

Arrive Sydney tonight and we are met by our driver and transferred to the hotel located in Darling Harbour.

Day 13   Sydney – Harbour Dinner Cruise (D)

Today, we will hop on Sydney bus tours using 48 hours pass to discover iconic Sydney landmarks and attractions.

We will focus on the RED ROUTE, which will bring us to the attractions such as Sydney Opera House, The Rocks & Circular Quay, Royal Botanical Gardens, St Mary’s Cathedral, Art Gallery of NSW, El Alamein Fountain, Kings Cross Distillery, Australian Museum, Central Station, Sydney Fish Market, Chinatown, King St Wharf, Sydney Harbour Bridge.

At 19:00, we board Captain Cook Cruises from Darling Harbour King St Wharf 1. The Gold Dinner Cruise is the quintessential Australian gourmet food experience on Sydney Harbour.

Savy a 6-course degustation menu whilst enjoying stunning views of Sydney Harbour. Beverages are available to purchase onboard. Cruise concludes approximately 3 hours after commencement.

Disembark 10:00 pm and we make our own way back to our hotel. (20 minutes walk)

Day 14  Sydney – Explore Sydney on own

Another day to explore Sydney with the hop-on, hop-off pass. We may focus on the BLUE ROUTE.

We can make stops at Alfred Street, Queen Victoria Building, Oxford St, Centennial Park, Bondi Beach, Double Bay, Australian Museum, Hyde Park (St James Station)

The open-top double decker bus tours has 34 stops along Sydney City and Bondi Beach and Harbour Bay and informative audio commentary available in 8 languages. We will explore Sydney’s glorious harbor and stunning beaches, experience city’s multi-cultural lifestyle, exuberant festivals and events, dynamic food scene and a striking cityscape of modern and colonial architecture.

Day 15  Sydney Departure

This morning, we will be transferred to the airport for onward flights.