18-Nights All Over Australia and New Zealand from $16,555

Day 1 Welcome to Auckland
Your first day offers an immersive introduction to Auckland and the landscapes that define it. With your private guide, trace the city's harbors and coastlines, pause at viewpoints shaped by ancient volcanic activity, and gain insight into the Polynesian and Maori influences woven throughout New Zealand's largest city before settling into The Grand by SkyCity in the heart of Auckland's CBD.

The Grand By Skycity

Day 2 Travel to Rotorua via Waitomo
From Auckland, the drive south gives way to rolling farmland, the Waikato River keeping pace alongside the road. The real surprise comes at Waitomo, where the most memorable part of the day happens underground. A boat glides through the Glowworm Grotto in near silence, its ceiling lit by starry bioluminescence. After lunch, it's over the Mamaku Ranges and into Rotorua, where geothermal landscapes and Maori culture await.

On The Point - Lake Rotorua
Meals: B, L

Day 3 Rotorua City Supreme Tour
Spend the day experiencing the many sides of Rotorua, from a lighthearted introduction to sheep farming at the Agrodome to a stroll through Rotorua Gardens and stops at the vivid Green and Blue Lakes. Continue to Te Puia for the afternoon and discover one of New Zealand's most significant geothermal and cultural sites. Here, steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and the powerful eruptions of Pohutu Geyser create the backdrop for an introduction to Maori traditions and the enduring connection between people and place.

On The Point - Lake Rotorua
Meals: B, L

Day 4 Travel to Queenstown
Set off to the South Island for an ultra-luxe stay at the boutique Azur Lodge overlooking Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range.

Azur Lodge
Meals: B

Day 5 Milford Sound Tour
Follow the lakeshore south as the landscape shifts to rolling green valleys, clear braided rivers, and distant snow-capped mountains. Pause at Te Anau, New Zealand's second-largest lake, before continuing into Fiordland, where the road winds deeper into one of the country's most dramatic landscapes. Each bend reveals another shift in scenery until the journey culminates at Milford Sound.

Azur Lodge
Meals: B, L

Day 6 Dart River Wilderness Safari
The Dart River runs through some of the South Island's most remote country, where snow-capped peaks are the backdrop to braided channels, hidden valleys, and waterfalls. A jet boat carries you upriver through the ever-shifting river system before a guided bush walk at Paradise introduces the native forest, its flora and fauna, and the Maori and colonial history woven into the landscape. The return journey by jet boat brings a different perspective on the same remarkable terrain.

Azur Lodge
Meals: B

Day 7 Travel to Christchurch via Mount Cook
Today's transfer is one of New Zealand's great road journeys. From Queenstown, the route moves through the Kawarau Gorge, Central Otago's fruit stalls and vineyards, and the remote Lindis country before Aoraki Mount Cook comes into view. After a midday pause, the afternoon continues through the wide open Mackenzie Country and down onto the Canterbury Plains, arriving in Christchurch in time for a brief orientation of the Garden City.

The George
Meals: B, L

Day 8 Christchurch City Garden Tour
Explore the garden city and the surrounding areas of Christchurch with a small group of guests in a deluxe mini-coach. Departing from your hotel, the tour heads through Christchurch and by the city's center. Next, the tour heads towards the Port Hills, which overlook Christchurch, and offer stunning views of the city, Canterbury Plains, Lyttleton Harbour and the distant Southern Alps. After dropping into Lyttleton Harbour, you will have time explore a private garden that has been growing since 1865 and includes a variety of exotic trees, shrub rhododendrons, camellias and a good variety of New Zealand native plants. Head over the crater rim to another private garden that is 15 years old; the garden has a strong New Zealand theme and a largely formal layout. Within the evergreen structure of totara hedges, there are many native New Zealand plants and hybrids of exotic varieties raised in this country. The tour then heads back towards Christchurch city, stopping for a relaxing lunch, then a visit to the botanical gardens. Here you will see exotic trees that are some of the largest, the tallest or the oldest of their kind in New Zealand. You will see spectacular color, intriguing sculptures and memorial plantings that celebrate local and international history.

The George
Meals: B

Day 9 Travel to Sydney
Takeoff to Sydney and continue on the next stage of your adventure.

Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: B

Day 10 Essential Sydney Tour
Your host greets you in the lobby of your hotel. A private Mercedes van then drives through the historic ‘Rocks' area with stories of Australia's wild colonial past. Your guide will point out Sydney's best downtown shopping places and restaurants on the way to Barangaroo, the hot, new place for wining and dining.

Next, visit the most famous building of the late 20th century, the Sydney Opera House. Join your Opera House guide and begin a group tour of this iconic building.

Drive historic Macquarie Street past State Parliament, the ‘Rum Hospital', World Heritage listed Hyde Park Barracks, the Great Synagogue and St Mary's Cathedral. Enjoy a short stroll in The Royal Botanical Gardens. Hopefully you'll spot a cockatoo or three between taking pictures of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Mrs Macquarie's Chair.

Wind through fashionable Paddington and Woollahra, featuring century old terrace houses, art galleries and boutiques. Reach the coast and be swept away by famous Bondi Beach. Promenade the boardwalk and explore the shops before your waterside lunch.

See the famous Macquarie Lighthouse and spectacular Sydney Heads before driving back to Rose Bay and taking a picture rich ferry service to Circular Quay past Sydney's most exclusive homes. Alternatively, your guide will drive you back to your hotel via Double Bay Village and Kings Cross. Either way, you'll definitely know the Sydney essentials.

Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: B, L

Day 11 BridgeClimb Summit - Day Climb & Sydney At Leisure
BridgeClimb is a 3.5 hour guided journey to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It takes you along the outer arch of the bridge on catwalks and ladders all the way to the summit, 400 feet above Sydney Harbour. In climb groups of up to 14 people, you'll be led by a professional BridgeClimb leader on an adventure of the world's most recognizable bridge. The steady incline to the summit leaves you free to focus your attention on your Sydney experience, with opportunities to witness 360-degree views of Sydney, including east to the Sydney Opera House, west to the Blue Mountains and the Harbour city surrounds. When you reach the top you will have a sense of achievement that you will remember forever - you've conquered an Australian icon recognized the world over! The professional Climb Leaders will take pictures of you on the climb and at the end you will receive a commemorative Climber Certificate, a complimentary Climber Cap and group photograph, with all climbers in the group receiving an identical photo.

It is no surprise that when the British first arrived in Sydney they named the area Botany Bay. Even today, with a population of over 4 million people and a reputation for fun rather than flora, one is still surrounded by bush land in this bustling city. Native Waratah wind their way through the historic Rocks area, palm trees frame long stretches of pristine beach, and Eucalyptus embrace the endless and beckoning bays of Sydney Harbour.

It is Sydney's man-made wonders, however, that draw most visitors. The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are the most photographed icons on the continent. Choose a Seaplane Safari experience and enjoy a bird's eye view of the Opera House's signature sails. See the Harbour Bridge up close and personal by climbing the metal monolith to enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the glittering vista below with BridgeClimb as you climb to the top. Whether it is an early morning visit to the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere, or your very first surfing lesson on Bondi Beach, in this vibrant metropolis you will find no lack of energetic escapes and dynamic distractions.

There are many ways to enjoy the harbor: on a small luxury motor cruiser or sailing yacht, or ferries that take you to Taronga Park Zoo or Manly and the harbor suburbs. Take the Darling Harbour Rocket that connects Circular Quay to Darling Harbour where there are many restaurants and attractions such as The Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World, The IMAX Theater and the Naval Museum. For a more leisurely afternoon, take a walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park, or learn about Australia's National Gemstone, the Opal, at Altmann; Cherny or The National Opal Collection, right in the heart of the city on Pitt Street.

Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: B

Day 12 Travel to Uluru & A Night at Field of Light
Take off to Uluru and continue on the next stage of your adventure.

A Night at Field of Light combines the award-winning Sounds of Silence buffet BBQ dinner under the Outback sky with the once-in-a-lifetime Field of Light art installation. Your evening begins with a convenient hotel pick-up and transfer to the remote desert location with majestic views of Uluru. As the sun sets on the horizon to the music of a lone didgeridoo, enjoy gourmet canapés and chilled sparkling wine. As darkness falls and the colored lights of the 50,000 glass spheres gently come to life, join your table of fellow travelers for an exceptional three-course menu infused with bush tucker flavors. As the night ignites with countless stars, settle back and listen to the resident star talker decode the southern night sky.

The host will provide insights to the art installation that awaits you, before you're invited to immerse yourself in the Field of Light, its pathways glistening softly with rhythms of colored light, beckoning you to explore. Take a lasting look back at Field of Light from the dune top viewing area before boarding the return transfer to your resort.

Sails In The Desert
Meals: B, D

Day 13 Kata Tjuta Sunrise Tour & Uluru and Sunset Tour
Revel in the early morning serenity of a truly spiritual place as the sunrise colors change on Kata Tjuta. Enjoy an outback picnic breakfast. Learn about this diverse environment while walking between the mighty conglomerate rock walls and into Walpa Gorge. Hear how the many domes that make up Kata Tjuta have evolved over millions of years. Take time to listen to the wind (Walpa) far above and view the scale of the rock walls that surround you. The spirituality of this amazing location embraces everyone who ventures here.

Later you will travel through the landscape to the entrance of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. From this point, it is only a matter of minutes before the spectre of Uluru rises from the sand dunes to demonstrate its enormity and presence - the first stop allows you a photographic opportunity of this amazing icon. With Uluru looming in front, walk with your guide to a place of tranquility at the base. The closer you wander, the more you surrender to the realization of the sheer size of this monolith. Driving around the base, immerse yourself in the area. Stops are made for a short walk into Mutitjulu Waterhole. There, you will visit rock-art sites and the local waterhole with your guide to learn of Uluru's significance to the Anangu (local Aboriginal peoples). As you continue the drive around the rest of the base, experience the Mala walk before adjourning to the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area where you will observe a sunset from a different perspective over Uluru with Kata Tjuta in the distance. Enjoy sparkling wine and light refreshments.

Sails In The Desert
Meals: B

Day 14 Travel to Cairns
Takeoff to Cairns and continue on the next stage of your adventure.

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Day 15 Reef and Rainforest Helicopter Flight
This awe-inspiring flight combines sights of both the Reef and Rainforest - an opportunity to witness the only place in the world where two world heritage-listed sites meet. Departing over Port Douglas and 4 Mile Beach, first enjoy sights offered on the 30 Minute Rainforest Scenic over the town of Mossman and Mossman Gorge, followed by the Daintree River mouth, Cape Kimberley and past Snapper Island with views of Cow Bay and Cape Tribulation. The flight concludes with breathtaking views of Low Isles and sights of the Great Barrier Reef.

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Meals: B

Day 16 Daintree Dreaming - Art & Culture Tour
Join an experienced local guide and embark on a spectacular Aboriginal cultural journey on the traditional lands of the Kuku Yalanji people, where you will discover both natural beauty and ancient culture. Explore the lush tropical rainforest, mangrove & mudflats along with Aboriginal art and culture.

A Kubirri Warra clan member will guide you on an authentic coastal adventure across the beach, mudflats, and mangroves of their ancestral fishing grounds. Learn about traditional bush medicines and foods, and try your hand at throwing a traditional fishing spear. At Mossman Gorge, stroll along trails and elevated boardwalks through the World Heritage Listed Rainforest as your driver-guide shares stories and insights. Afterwards enjoy a delicious lunch infused with bush flavors served in the Mayi Cafe at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre overlooking the tropical rainforest's edge. Then visit Janbal Gallery for an immersive art experience with renowned Aboriginal artist Brian ‘Binna' Swindley. Explore how Dreamtime stories about animals, the environment, and language are expressed through cultural art.

You will need a medium level of fitness to fully enjoy todays tour, as you will be walking across the beach and wading through coastal waters up to knee height.

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Meals: B, L

Day 17 Depart Cairns
Ahead of your flight, you will be transferred from your accommodations to the Cairns Airport.

Meals: B