Highlights of Australia & New Zealand

Flights from London Heathrow may travel direct to Singapore. All UK regional flights will travel via Dubai. Arrive into the wonderful city of Singapore and transfer to the four-star M Hotel City Centre, where we spend the next two nights. Occupying a great location in Singapore city centre, our hotel offers a warm welcome and a range of services alongside comfortable, contemporary accommodation.

Known as ‘the crossroads of Asia’, Singapore is a city where 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. Perhaps explore the impressive Gardens by the Bay or enjoy high tea at Raffles Hotel.

A day at leisure in Singapore until it’s time to leave for our evening flight to Auckland.

Following a change of aircraft in Australia, we continue to New Zealand. On arrival into Auckland we transfer to the Legacy Airedale Hotel or the Grand Chancellor Hotel Auckland, where we spend our first two nights in New Zealand. Later, we meet our local Coach Captain, who will be our driver and guide during our time in New Zealand.

This morning, we take an orientation tour of the city. Known as the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland is New Zealand’s most populous city, with a beautiful waterside setting and a landscape dotted with volcanic hills. We travel over Auckland Harbour Bridge to Bastion Point, from where we enjoy the vistas over Waitemata Harbour. In the distance we see Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano, dominating the horizon. Our afternoon is free to spend as we please. Perhaps take a scenic boat trip in Auckland’s harbour to enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Departing Auckland this morning we travel to the world-famous thermal region of Rotorua. Rotorua is also well-known for being the heart of New Zealand’s rich Maori culture, and today we explore Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, with its spurting geysers and boiling mud pools. After a wonderful day soaking up traditional Maori culture, we head to the Distinction Hotel for an overnight stay, where we attend a concert featuring traditional song and dance, including the world famous war dance – The Haka.

This morning we make our way along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Visit the impressive Huka Falls where the Waikato River suddenly narrows to a chasm less than 15 metres across and heaves its vast bulk over an 11-metre ledge to boil furiously in a deep semi-circular basin below. Our destination today is the Art Deco city of Napier, located in an area dominated by orchards and vineyards. Take time this afternoon to explore the city. The seamless line of 1930s architecture is quite extraordinary and one of the best ways to experience the town is on a self-guided walk. We stay overnight at the delightful Scenic Hotel Te Pania, superbly situated on Napier’s sea front.

Our journey continues south via Hastings and the Kapiti Coast as we make our way to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Upon arrival we have a short orientation tour of Wellington, including a visit to the top of Mount Victoria for the finest view of the city and its picturesque harbour. From Mount Victoria we make our way to The Rydges Hotel or the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, where our evening is at leisure.

The capital of New Zealand is compact, cultured and full of character. On our Freedom Day we have the opportunity to explore Wellington as we please. A visit to the Te Papa museum is highly recommended, as it offers a fascinating insight into New Zealand’s rich history and cultural heritage. There is time to ride a cable car to Wellington’s beautiful botanical gardens or simply stroll alongside the beautiful waterfront and enjoy the city’s many galleries, cafes and restaurants.

This morning we leave North Island in our wake as we board the ferry for our inter-island cruise to New Zealand’s South Island. With the possibility of sea birds and dolphins following, we make our way across the Cook Strait to Picton, and enjoy spectacular views as we approach Queen Charlotte Sound. We travel along the beautiful east coast of South Island, until we arrive at the Distinction Hotel Christchurch, located in the heart of the city, where we stay for two nights.

Considered the most English of New Zealand’s cities, today in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, Christchurch has completely reconstructed the city centre. This morning we take a tour to see what this exciting developing city has to offer. We start our day with a visit to the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building on the edge of Christchurch before continuing to view the key landmarks of the city centre. From here we visit the Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1863 with the planting of an English oak tree, Christchurch Botanic Gardens contain an impressive array of flora and fauna. Our afternoon is at leisure to explore further.

On leaving Christchurch, we head south-west across the Canterbury Plains before climbing into Mackenzie Country. A stop is made at The Church of the Good Shepherd and the turquoise-tinted Lake Tekapo, which gains its colour from the melting water of a glacier. We continue through the Lindis Pass and later in the afternoon we arrive at the four-star Rendezvous Heritage Hotel or Millennium Hotel in the stunning alpine resort of Queenstown, which will be home for the next three nights.

Queenstown overlooks Lake Wakatipu, framed by an incomparable alpine scene. Poplars and willows surround the lake front and the lake seems to glisten every shade of blue. Today has been left free to take advantage of the incredible variety of activities available in and around New Zealand’s most glamorous alpine resort. For a relaxing experience, follow Queenstown’s wine trail, an enjoyable day excursion of wine tasting and sightseeing. The thrill seekers amongst us may wish to try the Shotover Jet – an exhilarating boat ride amongst the crags and boulders of the Shotover River canyon. There is also an opportunity to take an optional leisurely cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw. The cruise includes a visit to Walter Peak Homestead and a sheep shearing show, before returning to Queenstown aboard TSS Earnslaw.

This morning we take a tour to visit the nearby historic mining town of Arrowtown. The heart of its history is Buckingham Street, a procession of small-town heritage buildings that stretch into a tree-lined avenue of tiny miners’ cottages. Be sure to try a cream tea in one of the quaint tea rooms. Sadly we must bid farewell to New Zealand as we head for Queenstown Airport for our flight to Melbourne, Australia. Upon arrival, we meet our Australian Tour Manager and make our way to the Clarion Suites Gateway or Vibe Docklands Hotel, Melbourne.

After a leisurely morning, we take a first look at Melbourne on a sightseeing tour. Sights include Treasury Gardens, Victoria Markets, Federation Square, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Rod Laver Arena. Later, we head out of the city to see the waterside suburbs of St. Kilda and Port Melbourne.

Our first Freedom Day in Melbourne. We have the opportunity to enjoy an optional tour along one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road. Or perhaps, discover Phillip Island to view the Penguin Parade?

Our second Freedom Day in Australia, so we may relax or explore as we please. We have the opportunity to enjoy an excursion aboard the Puffing Billy steam train on Australia’s most notable narrow-gauge railway, through the beautiful Blue Dandenong Ranges.

This morning we return to the airport in time for our flight to Cairns. Upon arrival, and after transferring to our hotel, our afternoon is free to become acquainted with tropical Queensland. Centrally located in the heart of Cairns, our hotel for the next four nights is the perfectly located DoubleTree by Hilton.

Although today 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 up to Kuranda we encounter no fewer than 40 bridges and 15 tunnels as we make our way to Cairns. ‘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 Rainforestation Nature Park, 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. Perhaps take a hot air balloon ride at dawn, of if you prefer to venture further afield, we suggest a day trip to the nearby Daintree Rainforest, home to the oldest rainforest in the world. 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!

Uluru is the icon of Australia’s outback, and the world’s largest monolith. For early risers, a dawn visit to the rock has been arranged. Seeing Uluru at sunrise, from a different position and a different light, offers a totally new perspective on the ever-changing colours and character of the rock. This afternoon we travel east through amazing landscapes as we journey along the Lasseter and Stuart Highways and make our way to the outback town of Alice Springs. Alice Springs was originally established in the 1870’s as a staging post for the overland telegraph line between Darwin and Adelaide. Our next two nights are at the four-star DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

Nestled within the MacDonnell Ranges, Alice was 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. Alternatively, you may prefer to take a trip to the Western MacDonnell Ranges. The half day excursion takes us through the wondrous and picturesque scenery of Simpson’s Gap and the towering granite walls of Standley Chasm. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of this outback town. Visits include the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the School of the Air, and the Old Telegraph Station, now a museum and the site of the old springs from which Alice gets its name. In the evening, we highly recommend joining the Outback Barbecue.

In the morning, we say a fond farewell to the Red Centre as we board our flight to Sydney. Upon arrival we head to the four-star Parkroyal Darling Harbour, ideally located for exploring the city and Darling Harbour’s many eateries. 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 so very easy to understand why Sydney is one of the world’s favourite cities.

Today has been left free, but 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, famous for their annual garden festivals and playing host to many of the region’s local artists.

The morning is ours until it’s time to depart for the airport. Our flights to our chosen UK airport operate via Dubai where there will be a change of aircraft.

We arrive into our preferred airport (London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow) bringing to an end our incredible adventure.