Day 1

ARRIVE IN CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA. Welcome to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.”

Day 2

CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF. Today, prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR, view the reef from an underwater observatory, watch a fish feeding, or enjoy a marine touch tank. (B,L)

Day 3

CAIRNS. A full day at leisure in this tropical paradise. Your Local Host will have suggestions for sightseeing, shopping, and dining. (B)

Day 4

CAIRNS-MELBOURNE. Fly to Melbourne. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. This evening, join your travel group for a 6 pm welcome briefing and dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 5

MELBOURNE. City sightseeing includes landmarks such as Federation Square, Queen Victoria Market, FITZROY GARDENS, Parliament House, the Shrine of Remembrance, and more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this vibrant city on your own. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining. (B)

Day 6

MELBOURNE. EXCURSION TO YARRA VALLEY. Journey to the Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s premium wine regions. With its cool climate, the valley is perfect for high-quality grape growing and the area is well known for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, and a wide range of varietals. First stop is HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY, world-renowned as the best place to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. See koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey, and platypus during your time here. Then, it’s on to ROCHFORD WINES for lunch along with a tasting of the vineyard’s wines. Before heading back to Melbourne, we’ll stop at the YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATERIE, where they hand-craft over 250 different chocolate products. Here’s your chance to try a variety of chocolates and satisfy your sweet tooth. (B,L)

Day 7

MELBOURNE. A full free day to explore more of Melbourne on your own. You may wish to consider a day tour to the scenic Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles” or travel to Phillip Island and see the famous Penguin Parade. (B)

Day 8

MELBOURNE–ADELAIDE. Fly to Adelaide, where sightseeing includes St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Adelaide Oval, and North Adelaide. Your tour ends at the city’s Central Market, a thriving hub for food and culture for over 148 years. While here, enjoy a [LF] TASTING TOUR of the market. Enjoy a range of delicious samples that represent the multicultural community of South Australia. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Why not indulge in Adelaide’s fabulous food and wine scene this evening? (B)

Day 9

ADELAIDE. EXCURSION TO KANGAROO ISLAND. This morning, travel to KANGAROO ISLAND, one of the best places to see Australia’s native wildlife up close. Visit SEAL BAY CONSERVATION PARK for the chance to walk on the beach and learn more about the rare colony of Australia sea lions. Visit REMARKABLE ROCKS with its stunning views and unique formations. After lunch, explore the lighthouse and rugged cliffs found at ADMIRALS ARCH, a unique rock formation and home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals. Return to Adelaide late this evening. (B,L)

Day 10

ADELAIDE. EXCURSION TO THE BAROSSA VALLEY & HAHNDORF. Wind your way through the picturesque Adelaide Hills to the Barossa, one of the world’s great wine regions, renowned for its food, wine, cultural experiences, and easygoing lifestyle. Our first stop is for a visit to JACOBS CREEK, one of Australia’s most famous wineries. Here, enjoy a walking tour of the vineyard as well as a farm-to-table style lunch. Next, a tasting at SEPPELTSFIELD, which was established in 1851 and is famous for the unbroken lineage of its Tawny Centennial Collection, with every vintage from 1878 to the current year. The estate remains the only winery in the world to release a 100-year-old, single vintage wine each year. Continue to Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German settlement. During your free time here, you can explore the many shops and galleries filled with local arts, crafts, and produce. Return to Adelaide, where your evening is at leisure. (B,L)

Day 11

ADELAIDE–SYDNEY. Board your flight to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Upon arrival, a sightseeing tour includes the famous SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and a visit to the city’s BOTANIC GARDENS for great photo opportunities and sweeping views of the harbor. The remainder of the day is yours to explore more Sydney. (B)

Day 12

SYDNEY. EXCURSION TO HUNTER VALLEY. Today takes us to Hunter Valley, home to over 120 wineries. Our first stop is at MCGUIGAN WINES, named “International Winemaker of the Year” for a world-record four times. Their knowledgeable staff will guide you through a tasting of McGuigan’s wines. Next, enjoy lunch and a tasting at HOPE ESTATE, known for their Shiraz, Sémillon, Chardonnay, and Verdelho. There’s also time to explore the 60 acres of HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS, home to 10 unique gardens including a sunken garden, rose garden, and Italian grotto. Before returning to Sydney, visit a local [LF] CHEESE MAKER to sample some of the artisan cheese and learn how it is made. Evening is at leisure. (B,L)

Day 13

SYDNEY. Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. You may wish to wander the cobblestone streets of the Rocks district, explore vibrant Darling Harbour, or climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city. (B)

Day 14

SYDNEY – QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND. This morning, bid farewell to Australia as you board your flight to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may want to enjoy a stroll along Lake Wakatipu and watch the sunset or enjoy a glass of wine at a local café. (B)

Day 15

QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND. Today, travel to FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. During your CRUISE on the fiord, see cascading waterfalls, wildlife, and experience this pristine natural setting just as early Maori and European explorers did. (B,L)

Day 16

QUEENSTOWN. A full day for you to explore Queenstown on your own. You may want to take an exciting jet boat ride on the Dart River, shop for a favorite souvenir in the many boutiques around town, or take a gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for amazing views below. (B)

Day 17

QUEENSTOWN – WELLINGTON. Today, fly to Wellington, located on New Zealand’s North Island. This capital city is known for its vibrant art scene, world-class restaurant culture, and active outdoor lifestyle. This evening is at leisure. (B)

Day 18

WELLINGTON. Our day begins with a sightseeing tour of Wellington. Take a scenic CABLE CAR ride, visit the beautiful BOTANIC GARDENS, see the famous Beehive and Parliament buildings, and enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the city and harbor from the top of Mount Victoria. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. (B)

Day 19

WELLIINGTON – NAPIER. Travel across New Zealand’s North Island to the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region, known for its gourmet food and world-class wineries. This evening, dinner is served at MISSION ESTATES WINERY. (B,D)

Day 20

NAPIER – LAKE TAUPO – AUCKLAND. This morning’s tour explains how a national disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. Your Local Guide will entertain you with historical stories and point out unique architecture details. On our way to Auckland, we make a photo stop at picturesque Lake Taupo. Then it’s on to the “City of Sails” for a 2-night stay. This evening is at leisure. You may wish to travel to the top of Sky City for amazing views of the city and harbor below. (B)

Day 21

AUCKLAND. EXCURSION TO WAIHEKE ISLAND. This morning, enjoy an orientation tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and the historic Parnell Village. Then, take a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, where you’ll visit a [LF] WINERY for a tour tasting and farewell lunch. (B,L)

Day 22

QUEENSTOWN–NADI, FIJI. Fly from Queenstown to Nadi, Fiji. Spend the next three nights at one of the most majestic islands in the South Pacific. (B)

Day 23

NADI. This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the island. Visit the GARDEN OF THE SLEEPING GIANT to see a private collection of stunning tropical orchids and visit VISEISEI VILLAGE, where the Fijian people first landed centuries ago. Stop at the VUDA LOOKOUT, a tropical fruit farm perched on a cliff, where you’ll sample fruit and juice from the orchard. Visit a local market and explore the stalls selling fresh produce at NAMAKA MARKET; then stop at the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Hindu temple, SRI SIVA SUBRAMANIYA. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 24

NADI. A full day at your leisure. You may wish to take a stroll on Denarau Beach, play a round of golf, enjoy a spa treatment or just relax by your resort’s pool. (B)

Day 25

NADI. Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)