Sorry! There are no remaining departures for "Explore Australia & New Zealand" (OANNG), but here are some similar trips.
To view the itinerary and available departure dates from April 2019 and beyond click here.
Please note that due to seasonal weather the itinerary on Day 20 in Doubtful Sound varies from winter to summer months. The winter itinerary runs approx from mid-May to early Sept. The remaining departures will follow the summer itinerary.
Arrive at any time.
Please make your own way to the joining hotel. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and enjoy exploring the city before joining the welcome meeting at 6pm.
If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city to visit The Rocks neighbourhood, the Australian Museum, Bondi Beach, or Darling Harbour.
Want to start your Down Under adventure with an adrenaline rush? Add the 'Sydney Adrenaline Bundle' or 'Sydney Bridge Climb' extra to your tour. Get an incredible view of the iconic Sydney Harbour from the top of the Harbour Bridge, then zip through the waterways on a jet boat ride if you book the 'Adrenaline Bundle'. PLEASE NOTE: if booking either of these extras a pre-night in Sydney is highly recommended as the Bridge Climb starts early in the morning on Day 1.
Please try to arrive before 6:00pm for an important group welcome meeting where you can meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members.
This is a busy trip with a lot of early mornings to catch connecting flights, enabling you to see as much of Down Under as possible.
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Enjoy a traditional Indigenous welcome and a walkabout around The Rocks area and Sydney Harbour to learn the history of the Indigenous people’s saltwater heritage and their spiritual connection to the area. In the afternoon, board a private vessel and enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise with a barbecue dinner. While navigating the bays and coves, sit back and enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Get around underground via public transit.
Board a private yacht and enjoy a four-hour cruise navigating the bays and coves of Sydney Harbour. Relax and enjoy the iconic scenery as our crew share stories of Sydney and its famed harbour. Enjoy a casual Aussie BBQ as the sun sets over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and watch the city lights come alive across the water.
Enjoy a traditional Indigenous welcome and acknowledgement of the Earth Mother in a clapstick ceremony. Continue on a walkabout around The Rocks area and Sydney Harbour to learn the history of the Indigenous people’s saltwater heritage and their spiritual connection to the area. Our Indigenous guide will explain how the cosmopolitan Sydney of today continues to weave the Dreamtime Southern X text into it’s modern environment. Explore how to experience contemporary Indigenous society and ancient wisdom right in the heart of the city.
Fly to Cairns then travel up the coastal road to Mossman Gorge. Take an interpretive walk with a local Indigenous guide and learn about traditional ways of life and survival techniques in the Daintree Rainforest. Continue on to the resort in Port Douglas, our home for the next two nights.
We catch a very early flight to ensure we make the most of the day.
Please note that the max luggage allowance on domestic flights within Australia is 1 checked bag (20 kgs) and 1 carry on (7 kgs) per person. Any additional luggage is subject to airline fees and is not included.
Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Follow an Indigenous guide and learn about bush food, medicinal plants and the lasting relationship of the Kuku Yalanji people with their natural environment. Find out how to make bush soap, watch an ochre painting demonstration and sample some bush tea.
Enjoy the colourful resort town of Port Douglas. Take time to stroll the main streets and enjoy the beach.
Please be aware that if you decide to book the optional scuba diving activity in the Great Barrier Reef and are taking any prescription medications, you will need a doctor’s release giving you permission to dive.
Today is a free day, but we recommend going on an optional snorkelling or diving trip of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world.
Experience the largest coral reef in the world from beneath the ocean's surface on a scuba diving day trip. The Great Barrier Reef teems with 1500 species of tropical fish, as well as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Bring an underwater camera and go crazy!
Please be aware that if you decide to book the optional scuba diving activity in the Great Barrier Reef and are taking any prescription medications, you will need a doctor’s release giving you permission to dive.
Return to the tropical city of Cairns. Take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the James Cook University research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic grant recipient Dr Jamie Seymour. Enjoy a private tour of the facility and get an up close look at some of these marvelous creatures. We'll also hear about the latest research from Jamie or one of his colleagues.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free time to explore the famed city of Cairns.
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the James Cook University research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic grant recipient Dr. Jamie Seymour. Jamie has studied Australia's venomous marine creatures for over 20 years. We'll enjoy an exclusive tour of the facility (not normally open to the public), get an up-close look at some of these marvellous creatures, and hear about the latest research from Jamie or one of his colleagues.
Enjoy a free day to relax at the beach. Opt to explore North Queensland’s tropical rainforests or get your adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or bungee jumping.
Please be aware that if you decide to book the optional scuba diving activity in the Great Barrier Reef and are taking any prescription medications, you will need a doctor’s release giving you permission to dive.
There's plenty to see and do in Cairns, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, whitewater rafting, and skydiving. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Put on a helmet, grab a paddle and raft the Class 3 & 4 rapids of the mighty Tully River, considered the best rafting river in all Australia & New Zealand.
Experience the largest coral reef in the world from beneath the ocean's surface on a scuba diving day trip. Packages vary and include 1, 2, or 3 dives in a day. The Great Barrier Reef teems with 1500 species of tropical fish, as well as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Bring an underwater camera and go crazy!
Please be aware that if you decide to book the optional scuba diving activity in the Great Barrier Reef and are taking any prescription medications, you will need a doctor’s release giving you permission to dive.
Enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of Cairns from an eagle's perspective. Suit up, get briefed and board the prop plane to soar high above the land and sea. Strap onto your instructor, take a breath and leap into a once-in-a-lifetime free fall. This is what a natural high truly feels like!
Don a mask and snorkel the largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef. Say g'day to Nemo, the clown fish, and some of the 1,500 other species of tropical fish that thrive in the warm waters off Australia's east coast.
Depending on availability of Dive Instructors, an upgrade to SCUBA diving may be possible but is by no means guaranteed. Please speak to your CEO to see if this is available.
Leave your fears at home and prepare to have your breath taken away as you jump from 164ft. Now's the time to release your inner daredevil – what are you waiting for?
Settle into a comfortable 6 seat gondola for a ride with a spectacular view along the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Pass over the canopy one of Australia's tropical rainforests, so close to the tree tops it's as if you could reach out and touch the leaves. After, ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway through a lush tropical paradise framed by rugged mountains, waterfalls and ravines back to Cairns. Travel on authentic timber carriages via hand-hewn tunnels and across towering bridges, through the awe-inspiring Barron Gorge. Experience the exotic beauty of North Queensland’s tropical rainforests, marvelling at the incredible array of plants and animals encountered all along the way.
Catch a flight to Uluru. Visit the cultural centre and learn about ancient beliefs and traditions portrayed in art, food, and music before witnessing an incredible sunset with a glass of bubbly.
Accommodations in Uluru are limited and of varying amenities. We do our best to secure a mid-range hotel, but on occasion a more simple accommodation with fewer amenities may be used.
Airline schedules and flight availability are outside of our control and are always subject to change without notice. While we do our best to book direct flights, on occasion we may have to connect though another city.
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Relax and watch the sunset over Uluru
Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while watching the sunset over Uluru. Marvel at the changing colours over the desert and keep reminding yourself that yes, you really are there.
Learn about Indigenous Australian culture in the area to get a better perspective of the history, beliefs and present-day life of the Anangu people. Discover the wild world of bush tucker (indigenous food), find out which plants are used in bush medicine, and hear creation stories.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Awake before sunrise to watch the colours change over Uluru. Continue on with a guided Mala Walk around the base of Uluru, gaining insight into its significance to the local Indigenous people. Later, take a walk in Kata Tjuta National Park and view the beautiful red-domed rock formations. The afternoon is at your leisure.
View the spectacular scenery from above and opt pre-book the "Uluru & Kata Tjuta Helicopter Ride" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
Between November and March, there is extreme heat with temperatures averaging between 43-46°C (109-115°F) in the middle of Australia, especially around Uluru. This can lead to heat exhaustion and potentially become very dangerous. Be sure to drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes by drinking sports drinks, coconut water or water mixed with electrolyte powder packets.
The Mala Walk at Uluru is not permitted if temperatures exceed 36°C (98°F). During these hot months, we try to offer all walks early in the day to avoid the midday sun. Our CEOs will monitor the weather conditions to gauge the safety of any included walks and may need to call off a given day's walk due to extreme heat.
Take a guided walk along the northwest side of Uluru to learn about the history of the area, hear the stories of the Anangu people and gaze upon these awe-inspiring uplifted sandstone rock formations.
Enjoy some time at leisure.
Take a walk in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to explore the beautiful, red, domed rocks that comprise the site. While Uluru is the most famous landmark in the park, we explore a bit further afield to enjoy this stunning landscape.
See some of the highlights of the red centre from a bird's-eye view. Take to the air and choose between a 15-minute loop around Uluru, or opt to also see Kata Tjuta on a 25-minute flight.
Enjoy a tour of the night sky, learning how Indigenous people of Australia used the stars for mythology and seasonal predictions while getting a chance to stargaze through telescopes and binoculars. The Outback is one of the best places to stargaze, with low humidity and surrounding light - take a peek and see whats out there!
Enjoy another sunrise over Uluru before flying to Melbourne for the night.
Flight times today can very depending on airline schedules.
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.
Enjoy a full free day in Melbourne. Opt to visit wineries, explore the Great Ocean Road, or discover hidden gems in the city's famous laneways.
Melbourne is full of things to do – take advantage of this free day and get out to explore!
Enjoy an excursion along the Great Ocean Road showcasing some of Australia's most scenic coastal views.
From St. Kilda to Fitzroy, make the most of your time in Melbourne with a Myki Transportation Pass, giving you access to all tram travel throughout the city.
The Yarra Valley is home to dozens of vineyards and wineries set along the banks of the Yarra River itself. It is considered on of Victoria's premier wine regions making it an idyllic escape from Melbourne. Stroll the grounds of these establishments, sip a glass of chardonnay, and relax in this beautiful setting.
Go on a guided foodie walk through the laneways of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller for a three-course progressive lunch. Later, enjoy free time to explore Melbourne.
Occasionally Monique Bayer may not be available for the Melbourne Foodie Walk. In the event this happens, an equally qualified guide will lead the walk.
Free time to explore the city or take an excursion.
Melbourne has long been considered a major centre for foodie culture in Australia. As home to many immigrant communities, the gastronomic expertise on offer here is both diverse and exciting. Explore this incredible city on a National Geographic Journeys-exclusive guided walk. Enjoy lunch at three popular venues that showcase why contemporary dining in Melbourne is such a special experience. Through European flavours as well as those from across Asia, you’ll gain a greater understanding of the city’s history, its people, and its celebrated (and gorgeous) laneways.
From St. Kilda to Fitzroy, make the most of your time in Melbourne with a Myki Transportation Pass, giving you access to all tram travel throughout the city.
Fly to Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island, and enjoy free time in the city.
If you are interested in visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, your only option for this itinerary is to wait until your tour begins and book a ticket with your CEO (as we will have limited time in the area around Auckland/Rotorua). Please note that there are limited tickets available on the ground.
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Enjoy a morning orientation walk before catching a ferry to Waiheke Island. Visit two local wineries to learn more about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of wine production in the country while sampling some of the local blends, of course.
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Catch the ferry to picturesque Waiheke Island to learn about the evolution of the highly celebrated wine industry in New Zealand in its founding region. Tour picturesque vineyards, tasting well known wines from the region while enjoying the views. Return to Auckland this evening via a scenic ferry ride.
Enjoy the city or choose from the many day excursions available.
Tour the museum’s seven galleries to learn more about New Zealand’s relationship with the sea. Be inspired by the country's most celebrated mariner, Sir Peter Blake, and his many accomplishments, and see maritime art that speaks to the sentiment of a nautical nation.
Drive a scenic route, visiting an eel farm which focuses on developing sustainable aquaculture. Enjoy lunch, featuring food which has been sustainably produced on the farm. Continue to the artsy town of Raglan, stopping at Bridal Veil Falls en route, and enjoy a cruise on the stunning harbour.
Visit a local sustainable eel farm which focuses on developing sustainable aquaculture and biological solutions for dairy farms in an effort to restore lowland wetland eco-systems. Enjoy lunch, featuring food which has been sustainably produced on the farm. Be inspired by their green initiatives – they practice the art of giving more back to the environment than they take out.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Enjoy a scenic trek to Bridal Veil Falls, a plunge waterfall located along the Pakoka River in the Waikato area of New Zealand. Relax on arrival and enjoy the waterfall’s breathtaking natural beauty. The waterfall is 55m (180 ft) high, and, over time, has caused the formation of a large pool at its base.
With lots of things to do in Raglan, get out and explore!
Enjoy a cruise on the Raglan Harbour with stunning views of ancient limestone rock formations and local wildlife. Keep an eye out for dolphins and (fingers crossed!) whales.
Drive to Rotorua, stopping for an excursion at Waitomo Caves where you'll take a boat ride through the cave and see thousands of flickering glowworms lighting up the walls.
This evening visit Tamaki Maori Village and enjoy a private welcome and talk from a “Kaumātua” (an elder in Māori society). After, enjoy an extravagant performance about local myths and legends while dining on traditional Hangi cuisine.
Rotorua sits over an active volcano with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. This is a fascinating region with Maori history and culture tied directly to the geothermal aspects of the land.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Enjoy a peaceful boat ride through 30 million year old caverns covered with magical glowworms that are unique to New Zealand. Hundreds of thousands of these tiny creatures radiate luminescent light in underground caves carved by rivers and time. Take in more than 136 years of cultural and natural history on this unique excursion.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Enjoy a “mihi” (private welcome) in Tamaki Village from a “Kaumātua” (an elder in Māori society). Sit down to an exclusive talk with the elder and learn about the community’s traditions, myths, and legends, including the Sky Father and Earth Mother. You’ll also learn about the history of the Maori people and their deep connection to Rotorua landscape and its geothermal aspects.
Visit the Tamaki Maori Village. Receive the traditional Powhiri welcome ceremony followed by a captivating stage performance explaining Maori history, myths and culture. For dinner, enjoy a traditional Hangi meal, similar to the Hawaiian Luau, with dishes such as chicken, sweet potatoes (kumara), and lamb steamed over heated rocks.
Enjoy free time this morning in Rotorua before catching a flight to Christchurch. This afternoon, meet with a local guide and take a unique walking tour of the city.
With free time in Rotorua this morning, opt to relax in one of the hot pools fed by water coming directly from the natural springs.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meet with a local expert and explore lesser-known paths around Christchurch on this walking tour of the city. This tour, specially designed for National Geographic travellers, provides a unique perspective and insight about Rekindle — a social enterprise where resourcefulness skills are shared among members to build self-confidence and create art out of under-valued materials. Learn about the history of the program, its plans for the future and how it's helping to transform the community of Christchurch after the devastating earthquake in 2011.
Soak tired muscles in the area's natural hot springs and let the mineral water work its magic. Rotorua is home to a number of amazing geothermal parks – be sure you don't miss the healing and relaxing benefits of the city's naturally heated waters.
Experience a unique Maori owned geothermal, cultural, and geothermal mud bath spa, with erupting waters, steaming fumaroles and pools of boiling mud.
Enjoy one of the world’s great scenic train trips on the TranzAlpine train, crossing the scenic Southern Alps to New Zealand's glacier region. Disembark and finish the journey over the highest pass in the Southern Alps in a private vehicle before transferring to a beautiful rainforest lodge, our home for two nights.
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Options are plentiful. Choose from a helicopter hike, ice walking on the glacier, or soaking in the hot pools amongst the stunning scenery.
Opt for various hiking adventures in the area, the most popular being trekking to view Franz Josef glacier. If relaxing is more your style, there are shorter day hikes and bush walks or local hot pools to take a dip.
Hop aboard the two-seater ATV quad and drive along ancient glacial pathways carved into the landscape by ice and water. Be amazed at what lies around every twist and turn as you are guided through rainforests, riverbeds, grasslands, sand and mud. Feel the thrill of fresh air in your face and the excitement of riding in the wild.
Enjoy spectacular views on a guided interpretive walk that follows a riverbed along the Franz Josef Glacier's retreat. At the end, you'll be rewarded with a great view of the glacier off in the distance.
Take your pick of many scenic and memorable treks in Franz Josef – a true hiker’s haven. Get prepared before heading out, and be mindful of signs along the track. See majestic mountains, glaciers, rivers, and amazing views that you’ll definitely want your camera on hand for.
Hop in the saddle and explore Franz Josef’s amazing glacier landscape on horseback. Ride amid rainforests and mountain scenery, and enjoy fresh open air and natural beauty on this unforgettable trip.
Take a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride high up on Franz Josef Glacier. Hop out on the snow to soak up the experience, before flying back to land. Cool!
The sheer size and power of Franz Josef is something you need to see to believe. Board a chopper for a leisurely flight over the glacier before landing directly on the ice. From there, get up close and personal on a three-hour guided hike past towering peaks and stunning blue ice. The constantly shifting ice flows and crevices ensure your visit will be one-of-a-kind!
Explore the stunning Lake Mapourika by kayak. This lake was created as the Franz Josef glacier retreated 14,000 years ago, and the still water has created a natural mirror allowing you to soak in the incredible panoramic views.
Travel through the rugged rainforest along the west coast to Queenstown. Enjoy an evening gondola ride with spectacular views of the city.
Early start to travel to the picturesque Lake Matheson. When the weather is right, you can get a great photo of the Southern Alps reflected in the lake. Follow the wild West Coast Road, through the rainforest before stopping for some short walks and waterfall visits.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Take a ride up to the top of the mountain by cable car gondola. Get a spectacular 220º view of Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountain range, and Lake Wakatipu below.
Embark on an amazing wilderness cruise through Fiordland National Park. Led by onboard naturalist guides, we have the chance to see dolphins, fur seals, birds, and penguins along with an option to kayak. Spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins with time to relax on deck, stargaze, and enjoy some New Zealand wine.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious three course buffet dinner prepared by our onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines at our licensed bar (additional price) and if the skies are clear in the evening, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars.
*Please note that the itinerary for this day varies in the winter:
Winter Schedule 18 May – 20 Sept Fiordland National Park/Te Anau
Drive the scenic route around Lake Wakatipu to the town of Manapouri. Travel by boat and bus to arrive at an eco cruise boat. Spend the afternoon cruising through Milford or Doubtful Sound, two of the most untouched, remote places in the world. Marvel at the steep cliff walls and cascading waterfalls. The boat offers excellent chances for wildlife viewing in the area. Dolphins, penguins, seals and a variety of birds are some examples of what you can hope to see. In the evening, head to Te Anau for the night. We take in a screening of the award winning ‘Ata Whenua – Shadowland‘ Fjordland on Film documentary at the local cinema before having a group meal.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Cruise through stunning Fiordland National Park, one of the most untouched, remote places in the world. Depending on the departure, the cruise will be in either Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound – two of the most stunning regions within the park. Marvel at the steep cliff walls and cascading waterfalls, and keep an eye out for area wildlife: dolphins, penguins, seals, and a variety of birds. Want to get closer to the water? Feel free to use one of the boats' sea kayaks to explore the area more in-depth.
After the day, moor at a secluded bay for the night, and sit back and relax on the spacious viewing decks.
Enjoy morning wildlife viewing along the fiord as we cruise back to port, then return to Queenstown for the final night. Opt for a farewell dinner with your group.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Depart at any time.
For more time to explore Queenstown, we recommend booking post nights with your agent if you are interested in the countless adrenaline-packed activities in the town known as the "adventure capital of the world." Jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking, and sky diving are some of the activities available.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Jet boating is a typical New Zealand activity— go as fast you can in a boat over water. Hang on tight as you fly across the surface of the water. Shoot through narrow rocky gorges and dare to watch as the driver takes hairpin turns frighteningly close to the cliffs.
Visit vineyards in New Zealand's fastest growing wine region. Taste some of Queenstown's finest Pinot Noir, as well as Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc and learn more about the grape varietals that flourish here. Pick up a few bottles to savour back home.
Adrenaline junkies will be happy with a stop at the world's original commercial bungee site (bungy in New Zealand!). Opt to take the plunge or simply observe where it all started from the comfort of solid ground. Shoot some amazing photos of those brave enough to dive into the abyss.
Discover the breathtaking Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a 103 year old traditional steamship. This 90 minute cruise highlights that stunning alpine scenery that surrounds Queenstown, and lets you check out the views while relaxing on deck.