Best of Down Under: Australia & New Zealand

We don’t just say any trip is the “best of”. But when you’re 38 days in length and loaded with the best experiences Australia and New Zealand have to offer, well, that’s the only way to do this level of adventure justice. Starting in Adelaide, you’ll make your way to the beaches of Victoria, Grampians National Park, the Daintree Rainforest, the Blue Mountains, Fiordland National Park, and a unique Maori experience — and that’s not including a million-ish other places in between. If you’re looking for the total Down Under experience, this is it.

Day 1 Adelaide
Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome meeting.

Day 2 Adelaide
Today is a free day to enjoy Adelaide, capital of South Australia and famed for its churches and gardens. Opt to stroll the city streets or hop on a tram to the coastal village of Glenelg.

Day 3 Adelaide/Halls Gap
Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art.

Day 4 Halls Gap
Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Visit the culturally significant MacKenzie Falls for a short hike. Walk to the stunning Balconies, then spend the afternoon relaxing with the locals - our resident wild kangaroos and emus.

Day 5 Halls Gap/Port Campbell
Travel further south along the coast to Port Campbell. Drive along Australia's Great Ocean Road and take in the views of London Bridge and the amazing 12 Apostles.

Day 6 Port Campbell/Mornington Peninsula
Spend the the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, enjoy views from Loch Ard Gorge and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.

Day 7 Mornington Peninsula
Visit the Cape Schanck lighthouse in the morning. Then, enjoy some free time in the Mornington Peninsula to explore, grab some lunch, or hit one of the many incredible beaches in the area. In the afternoon the group will visit a winery where you can opt in for a tasting. If not the visit will consist of wandering through the beautiful sculptures on the grounds.

Day 8 Mornington Peninsula/Melbourne
Continue on to Melbourne but first make a few stops along the way. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.

Day 9 Melbourne
Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture, and pick up some great pointers for your free afternoon of exploration.

Day 10 Melbourne/Cairns
Fly to the oceanside city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 11 Cairns/Cape Tribulation
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.

Day 12 Cape Tribulation
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.

Day 13 Cape Tribulation/Cairns
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas and opt to have lunch at a local market.

Day 14 Cairns/Airlie Beach
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way.

Day 15 Airlie Beach
Spend the day out on the water boating around the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.

Day 16 Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.

Day 17 Byron Bay
Spend the morning down at the beach with a morning yoga session and before hitting the waves for a surf lesson.

Day 18 Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.

Day 19 Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
Travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains today. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn’t matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you’ll still spot beauty around every turn.

Day 20 Blue Mountains
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.

Day 21 Blue Mountains/Sydney
This morning, leave the Blue Mountains behind and continue onward to Sydney. Once you arrive head out for an orientation walk before taking advantage of some free time to keep exploring. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.

Day 22 Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.

Day 23 Sydney/Auckland
Say goodbye to Australia and hop on a flight to Auckland, New Zealand. After transferring from the airport, enjoy some free time to explore this vibrant city.

Day 24 Auckland
Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.

Day 25 Coromandel Peninsula/Hot Water Beach
Depart early for the stunning Coromandel Peninsula. Take a walk to Cathedral Cove or opt out in favour of sea kayaking. If the tide is right, grab a shovel and dig a natural jacuzzi in the sand on Hot Water Beach.

Day 26 Coromandel Peninsula/Rotorua
Visit Rotorua and opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment.

Day 27 Rotorua/Wellington
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.

Day 28 Wellington
Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the botanical gardens.

Day 29 Wellington/Kaikoura
Fly to the South Island, stopping en route for a wine tasting at a local winery, then travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life.

Day 30 Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs
Opt to swim with dolphins or go whale watching during a free morning in Kaikoura before travelling to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.

Day 31 Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef
Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near the world's fastest moving glacier.

Day 32 Franz Josef
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.

Day 33 Franz Josef/Queenstown
Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there's something for everyone. Enjoy the great night life.

Day 34 Queenstown
With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving, hiking or mountain biking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.

Day 35 Queenstown
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night.

Day 36 Queenstown/Twizel
Head through the centre of the South Island to Twizel, near New Zealand's highest peak, Mt Cook. Visit Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor's Centre.

Day 37 Twizel/Christchurch
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.

Day 38 Christchurch
Depart at any time.