New Zealand by Rail, Road and Sea & The Very Best of Australia

Arrive into the wonderful city of Singapore and transfer to the four-star M Hotel Singapore.

Known as ‘the crossroads of Asia’, Singapore is a city where the east meets west; a cosmopolitan melting pot with an inspirational identity. This morning, enjoy a tour of this wonderful city. Included is a stop at Merlion Park with impressive views of Marina Bay. See the historic Civic District, Thian Hock Keng Temple, and the fabulous orchid gardens set within Singapore’s botanical gardens. Return to the hotel where the rest of our day is free to spend as we please.

A day at leisure follows in Singapore to further explore the city, until it’s time to leave for our evening flight to Auckland. Possibly visit historic Raffles for high tea or discover the wonderful Gardens by the Bay.

If flying with Qantas & Emirates your flight will travel via Australia before arriving into Christchurch. We transfer to the centrally-located Distinction Hotel Christchurch, where we spend our first night in New Zealand. On arrival we meet our Tour Manager in New Zealand.

We travel south, first making a stop at Oamaru, where we stroll through New Zealand’s best-preserved Victorian streets. A stop is then made in Moeraki to view a collection of huge spherical boulders which are scattered along a beautiful stretch of beach. Maori legend says that the boulders are gourds washed ashore from a voyaging canoe called Araiteuri, which was wrecked when it made landfall a long time ago. Scientists have discovered the boulders are actually calcite concretions, created about 65 million years ago, which have been raised from the seabed and uncovered one by one by the elements. We continue to the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin is South Island’s second-largest city and is considered New Zealand’s architectural heritage capital, with its lovingly restored Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Upon arrival, we will check in to Southern Cross Hotel for a two-night stay.

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour, taking in the city’s neo-Gothic churches, town hall, opulent theatres, and other 19th-century buildings. In the afternoon, why not join an optional wildlife cruise to the Otago Peninsula? Enjoy uninterrupted views of the world’s only mainland colony of royal albatross. We may also encounter sea lions, blue penguins and Hector’s dolphins.

This morning, we say goodbye to Dunedin. Fresh, green farm scenery will accompany us to Balclutha, which has a distinctive arched concrete bridge. We travel onwards via Gore and Lumsden until we reach Te Anau. We spend tonight at Distinction Hotel Luxmore.

Enjoy incredible scenery today as we travel via Lake Dunstan, created by the mighty Clyde hydro dam in 1994. Continue along the shores of Lake Wanaka and across the Haast River Bridge and via Clark Blu , along one of the most exciting scenic roads ever built. Later in the afternoon we reach Westland National Park and the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.

A relaxing day follows to take in the beauty of Franz Josef and the surrounding area at our leisure. A transfer has been arranged to the Franz Josef glacier valley. From here, we can stroll through the amazing rainforest to a viewpoint, from which there is a wonderful vista of the steep glacier valley and the glacier terminal in the distance. Weather permitting, we may also take an optional scenic flight, which is at an additional cost, over the glacier and the awe-inspiring Alpine region.

This morning, we discover Christchurch on an orientation tour. Later, we journey out of the city to the Waipara Valley, whose warm and dry summers, followed by cool autumn nights, make this region perfect for growing olives, lavender, hazelnuts and grapes. We explore this pretty area and sample its cool climate wines during a tasting and lunch in one of its wineries.

This morning, we tour some of Rotorua’s most famous sights, including its tudor-inspired Bath House. We explore Te Puia, home to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and its spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and hissing fumaroles. Our afternoon is free to relax at your leisure. For those interested, a floatplane flight over Mount Tarawera offers breathtaking aerial views. This evening, we attend a concert featuring traditional song and dance, including the world-famous war dance – The Haka. Also included is a buffet dinner.

We journey north from Rotorua, crossing a landscape of rolling hills and dairy farmland. We cross the Waitemata Harbour on the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge and spend time at one of Auckland northern beaches. In the afternoon, we continue into the Northland region, which is known as the ‘winterless north’, as its lovely climate is influenced by subtropical conditions. We drive past Whangarei and our journey ends in Paihia, gateway to the Bay of Islands, and our next three nights are spent at the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands.

We journey south from Pahia with a stop in Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve, home to gigantic kauri trees, the most famous of which is Tane Mahuta, ‘Lord of the Forest’. Later, we arrive into Auckland, crossing the city’s imposing Waitemata Harbour Bridge, and stay overnight at the Airedale Boutique Suites.

We say goodbye to our New Zealand travel companions today and transfer to the airport for our flight via Melbourne or Sydney, to Perth. Upon arrival, we clear customs and transfer to the superbly-located Duxton Hotel for our first four nights in Australia.

Named the ‘friendly city’ by tourists from all over the world, Perth is the world’s most isolated city. Following a leisurely breakfast, we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travellers to find out more about our adventure ahead. Later, we enjoy the perfect introduction to Australia’s native wildlife, during a visit to Caversham Wildlife Park. The park showcases many of Australia’s unique and iconic animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, Tasmanian devils and wombats.

Our next day begins with a sightseeing tour of the city and the surrounding area. We visit King’s Park, a landscape of bushland and pretty wild flowers, offering astounding views out over the city’s skyline. Later, we visit the nearby port town of Fremantle to visit the fascinating Shipwreck Galleries. The tour will end with a relaxing cruise along the Swan River back to Perth. This afternoon there is an option to view the spectacular natural landscapes of Nambung National Park, home to hundreds of striking limestone towers known as the Pinnacles.

Our first full Australian Freedom Day follows, allowing us to spend the day as we please. Our Distant Journeys Tour Manager will be on hand with advice on things to do, where to eat, make any arrangements and assist with excursions for you to further explore the area. Perhaps take an optional trip to Rottnest Island, a protected nature reserve with white-sand beaches and secluded coves, and home to the small wallaby-like marsupial, the quokka. Alternatively, travel north of Perth to visit the Swan Valley, Western Australia’s oldest wine area. However you choose to spend your day – enjoy!

In the morning, we make our way to Perth Airport in time for our flight to Adelaide. Surrounded by grassy parkland, picturesque hills and the Mount Lofty Range, Adelaide could scarcely present a more captivating aspect. On arrival, we will be introduced to Adelaide’s streets, fine Victorian buildings and the attractive parks and gardens that surround the city. Later, transfer to the centrally-located Crowne Plaza Hotel, where we will stay for the next three nights.

During this morning’s sightseeing tour, we leave the city to visit Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement in the quaint village of Hahndorf, with its tree-lined streets and original ‘Fachwerk’ buildings. We continue to the famous wine-growing region of the Barossa Valley where, after a visit to a working blacksmith museum, we enjoy wine tasting and lunch in one of the picturesque wineries.

A Freedom Day to spend as we please. Discover Adelaide on foot or perhaps enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in the McLaren Vale. Alternatively, join a scenic lunch cruise on the mighty Murray River, or you may wish to visit Kangaroo Island situated on the Fleurieu Peninsula, offering a unique touring experience combining friendly, native wildlife with natural, unspoilt wilderness.

This morning, we make our way to the airport for our flight to Melbourne, capital of Victoria state and Australia’s second-largest city. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including Treasury Gardens, Victoria Markets, Federation Square, the MCG and Rod Laver Arena. We also head out of the city to see the waterside suburbs of St. Kilda and Port Melbourne. Home for the next three nights is the four-star Pullman on the Park.

Our second day is our first Freedom Day in Melbourne, where we have the opportunity to spend the day exploring its many parks and laneways or enjoy an excursion aboard the Puffing Billy steam train on Australia’s most notable narrow-gauge railway, through the beautiful Blue Dandenong Ranges.

A further Freedom Day follows, an is an opportunity to enjoy an optional tour along one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road. This full day tour meanders along the dramatic coastline to the impressive Twelve Apostles. Alternatively, discover Phillip Island, home to the world’s largest colony of little penguins.

Leaving Uluru this morning we drive through the Outback along the Lasseter and Stuart Highways to Alice Springs. Home for tonight is either the Crowne Plaza Lasseters, or the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. This evening, perhaps enjoy a quintessentially Aussie experience at the Outback Bush Barbecue or the unique Sunset Camel Tour.

Nestled within the MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs is an iconic town made famous by its rich pioneering history and ancient indigenous culture. This morning you may wish to take an optional hot air balloon trip over the outback landscapes or enjoy a morning tour of the Western MacDonnell Ranges. Later, we enjoy a sightseeing tour. Visits include the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the School of the Air, and the Old Telegraph Station.

Following breakfast, The Ghan rolls into Katherine. Here we visit nearby Nitmiluk National Park, home to the spectacular Katherine Gorge. The gorge is a series of 13 sandstone gorges carved over many millions of years by the Katherine River. As we cruise up the river with our Aboriginal guide, listen to stories of how the gorge was named, whilst marvelling at the sheer walls, etched by time and the elements, and home to a myriad of plant and animal life. Afterwards, return to The Ghan in time for lunch as we continue our journey to Darwin. Upon arrival, we transfer to the DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade or Hilton Darwin, which overlook Darwin Harbour.

Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory and is known for its laid-back fusion of frontier outpost and modern city. Your day has been left totally free to spend in your own particular way. Perhaps visit the thundering waterfalls, rainforest pockets and sacred sites of Litchfield National Park. For those wishing to venture further afield, a full-day flightseeing excursion to Kakadu National Park can be arranged.

An early start, as we leave for the airport in time for our one-stop flight to Cairns. Upon arrival, we shall transfer to the perfectlylocated Hilton Cairns Hotel, which will be our home for the next four nights.

Our first full day has been left free, you may wish to take an optional trip to Kuranda. We ascend to Kuranda on one of the most unique rail journeys in Australia, the Kuranda Scenic Railway. During our journey, we encounter no fewer than 40 bridges and 15 tunnels. ‘The village in the rainforest’, Kuranda, awaits. It’s a lovely place to while away a few hours visiting the markets, butterfly sanctuary or the Koala Gardens. We continue our adventure with a visit to Rainforest Station, where we spend time with the Pamagirri Aboriginal people and learn about one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. Travel back to Cairns by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a beautiful experience gliding over the rainforest canopy with stunning views out over the Cairns coastline.

Another Freedom Day to enjoy tropical northern Queensland. Surrounded by rainforest and mountains, Cairns boasts over 200 walking tracks; there are also numerous interesting museums and art galleries to explore. Perhaps take a hot air balloon ride at dawn, or if you prefer to venture further afield, we suggest a day trip to the nearby Daintree Rainforest, where the oldest rainforest in the world meets the reef at the World Heritage-listed Cape Tribulation. Alternatively, why not take a trip to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures? Just a short drive from Cairns, there are miles of timber boardwalks and paths winding through woodlands and rainforest where we can see an array of wildlife. In the evening, you may wish to complete your day with a sunset cruise. Enjoy your day!

This morning, we make our way to Cairns Airport in time for our flight to Sydney. Sydney is a city that takes full advantage of its natural setting – its sparkling harbour is host to the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the spectacular Sydney Opera House. Sydney’s suburbs are blessed with lush native bushland and pristine sandy beaches. Add to this the excellent restaurants and cafés, endless shopping opportunities and a vibrant culture and it’s very easy to understand why Sydney is one of the world’s favourite cities. Upon arrival, we head to the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, in the heart of central Sydney.

This morning offers three very different treats: a guided tour of Sydney’s Opera House; a stroll through Sydney’s famous Botanic Garden with an Aboriginal guide; and a glimpse into the convict origins of Sydney at the interactive Hyde Park Barracks Museum – a world heritage site. The afternoon has been left free for you to explore as you please. Catch up on some shopping, climb the impressive Harbour Bridge, or enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over Sydney Harbour. Whatever you wish to do, our Tour Manager will be very happy to assist.

Although the following day has been left free, for those that so desire, we shall be taking an optional trip to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are a perfect example of native Australian bushland, with gum trees, majestic peaks and deep gorges stretching as far as the eye can see. Experience the panoramas from a series of lookouts, including Echo Point – the prime position to view the Three Sisters rock formation. The excursion also visits the pretty village of Leura and includes afternoon tea at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel.

The day is ours until it’s time to depart for the airport. Our flight to our chosen UK airport operates via Dubai or Singapore, where there will be a change of aircraft.

This morning, we arrive into our chosen airport (Choose from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stanstead, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow) bringing an end to our incredible adventure.