Highlights of Australia & New Zealand

Overnight flight from London to Melbourne

Meet the Tour Manager and travel group at London Heathrow. Board overnight flight to Melbourne via Singapore or Hong Kong.

Welcome to Melbourne

Arrive in Melbourne this evening. Met by a local guide and transferred to the five-star hotel on South Wharf beside the Yarra River. Free to settle in and dine independently.

Getting to know Melbourne

Free morning to relax and explore. Afternoon sightseeing tour by coach taking in Old Treasury, UNESCO-listed Royal Exhibition Building, Federation Square, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Skydeck (highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere). Evening dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Yarra River.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Along Australia's Great Ocean Road

Full-day excursion along the Great Ocean Road by coach. Pass wild forests, powerful waterfalls and the Indian Ocean. Through Lorne, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park (chance to see koalas). Lunch at a local winery in Laver Hill. Continue past the Twelve Apostles with free time to explore. Return to Melbourne; dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

To Cairns on the northern coast

Early start; coach transfer to Melbourne airport for morning flight to Cairns. Introductory coach tour of Cairns on arrival. Check in to hotel on the Esplanade. Free evening to dine independently.

Exploring Rainforestation & Kuranda Scenic Railway

Coach transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park. Army Duck ride through local flora, guided Dreamtime Walk and pamagirri dance performance. Barbeque lunch. Travel to Kuranda village, browse craft market, then board the 125-year-old Kuranda Scenic Railway through the Barron River Gorge back to Cairns. Free evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

A day on the Great Barrier Reef

Full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Board air-conditioned catamaran from Cairns harbour. Two hours at leisure on Green Island coral cay. Continue to pontoon for reef presentation, buffet lunch, underwater observatory, snorkelling and glass-bottom boat. Return to Cairns; free evening. Optional visit to Cairns Night Market.

Meals: Breakfast

Relaxing in tropical Cairns

Free day. Options include the hotel pool and spa, the Lagoon saltwater swimming pool on the Esplanade, Cairns Art Gallery, Cairns Museum, Cairns Aquarium, or nearby beaches. Dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Travelling to Sydney

After breakfast, transfer to airport for mid-day flight to Sydney. Arrive late afternoon; transferred to hotel on Darling Harbour. Free evening to explore and dine independently. Note: for 20th October departure, hotel is Novotel Sydney Darling Square.

Meals: Breakfast

Sydney's iconic sights

Comprehensive coach tour of Sydney and eastern suburbs: Mrs Macquarie's Chair, The Rocks, Circular Quay, Watson's Bay, Bondi Beach (free time for lunch). Evening dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour, viewing the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge with dinner and live music.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A free day in cultural Sydney

Free day to explore. Options include Westfield or Queen Victoria Building shopping, Chinese Garden, The Rocks, Museum of Contemporary Art, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House, or the revolving restaurant in Sydney Tower Eye. Dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Flying in to Queenstown, New Zealand

Early transfer to Sydney airport for flight to Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island. Transfer to hotel on arrival. Dinner together in the on-site restaurant.

Meals: Dinner

Fiordland National Park and cruise on Milford Sound

Early start for full-day coach excursion into Fiordland National Park. Cruise on Milford Sound from Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea with picnic lunch on board. Watch for seals and dolphins. Return to Queenstown via Cleddau Bridge viewpoint, Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel. Free to dine locally or at hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Queenstown at your own pace

Full free day in the 'adventure capital of the world'. Options include Queenstown Gardens, boutique shops, art galleries, jet boat rides, 4x4 tours, winery visits in the Central Otago wine region. Dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Franz Josef Glacier via glacial lakes and mountain passes

Coach journey through Kawarau Valley Gorge to Cromwell, stop at Jones Family Fruit Stall, around Lake Dunstan, past Wanaka and Hawea glacial lakes, over Haast Mountain Pass through the Southern Alps, north through rainforest to Franz Josef. Check in to hotel in sight of the glacier. Free afternoon; optional helicopter tour (payable locally). Dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The TranzAlpine to the Southern Alps

Depart Franz Josef by coach with alpine and Tasman Sea views. Stop in Hokitika at the Greenstone Factory to see Māori-style jade jewellery crafting. Continue to Greymouth for free time through lunch. Board the TranzAlpine train at Arthur's Pass through the Southern Alps, crossing viaducts, gorges and river valleys to Christchurch. Check in to hotel; free evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Getting to know Christchurch

Panoramic coach tour of Christchurch: highlights of the rebuilt city, the cathedral, Botanic Gardens, and punting along the Avon River. Tour concludes by midday; free afternoon. Options include Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and local dining.

Meals: Breakfast

Spending a day at leisure in Christchurch

Free day with complimentary all-day tram pass on Christchurch's heritage trams. Circuit includes Botanic Gardens, New Regent Street Precinct, The Terrace, Riverside Market, SALT District and Arts Centre. Optional Christchurch Gondola for views over the city and Southern Alps. Dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast

To New Zealand's North Island

Coach transfer to airport for morning flight to Auckland. Guided coach tour en route to hotel: Bastion Point, Viaduct Harbour, Parnell Village, Auckland Museum (admission included). Check in to city centre hotel; free evening to dine locally.

Meals: Breakfast

A day to explore Auckland

Free day in Auckland. Options include Viaduct Harbour, Aotea Square, Auckland Art Gallery, or a ferry excursion to Waiheke Island (payable locally). Farewell dinner at the Auckland Sky Tower with 360-degree views.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wrapping up your New Zealand adventure

Relaxed morning in Auckland. Around midday, coach transfer to Auckland airport. Board evening flight to Singapore or Hong Kong, then overnight flight to London Heathrow.

Meals: Breakfast

Homeward bound

Arrive at London Heathrow. Free to make your way home.