Spend New Year’s in Sydney. Ring in the New Year Down Under on this special departure. Start your vacation with a New Year’s Eve dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour with music and dancing, followed by a champagne toast and some of the most amazing fireworks you will ever see. Continue with all the must-see sights of Australia and New Zealand, including the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Melbourne, Queenstown, Mount Cook, Rotorua, and Auckland. Enjoy a sunset toast as you watch the changing colors of Uluru, go inside the famous Sydney Opera House, cruise through beautiful Milford Sound, take part in a traditional Māori Hangi dinner, enjoy spectacular views from atop Sky Tower and more. Please refer to tour, “New Year’s Eve Down Under” (Tour code PY and PYE) for more information on this special departure.
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
A Māori Welcome Welcome to Aotearoa, Māori for “land of the long white cloud.” Your room is available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 4:30pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing and dinner. AUCKLAND-CITYSCAPE.jpg
Dinner
Day 2 AUCKLAND
The City of Sails Start your day with a visit to the All Blacks Experience followed by a sightseeing tour of Auckland. See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining. TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS OF THE GAME Emerge yourself into the legacy, culture and people who have made the All Blacks rugby team an important part of the history of New Zealand. You’ll experience first-hand the excitement and emotion of game day and be inspired by the full force of the haka. Hear about past and present legends of the game and enjoy hands-on interactions. You’ll quickly understand how deeply this team and sport are intertwined with the heart and heritage of the country. AUCKLAND-ALL-BLACKS.jpg
Breakfast
Day 3 AUCKLAND–WAITOMO–ROTORUA
New Zealand Treasures Depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the Famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue over the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Enjoy a 
Hangi dinner this evening. LOCAL FAVORITECULTURE & TRADITION Journey back to a time of proud warriors and ancient Māori traditions. Tour the village and learn about Māori traditions and customs followed by a delicious Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones). You’ll be entertained by master storytellers and singers, and you might even be asked to join in a Haka, the traditional war dance. TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Your visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves starts with a guided tour through the limestone chambers, delicate formations, and passages of the cavern. Next, discover an ancient world of 30 million years in the making and marvel at Mother Nature’s light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. See the lights of thousands of these tiny creatures as they radiate their light in a subterranean world. The glowworm (Arachnocampa Luminosa) is unique to New Zealand making the Waitomo Glowworm Caves an absolute must-do. WAITOMO.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 4 ROTORUA
Earthly Wonders This morning, enjoy a guided tour and a special visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery. Then, visit the Agrodome to learn more about one of the country’s major industries–sheep! Continue to Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area. The remainder of the day is at leisure. LOCAL FAVORITECONSERVATION HEROES Only about 5% of all Kiwi birds hatched in the wild survive to adulthood making them endangered. At The National Kiwi Hatchery, you’ll see conservation in action. Known as the national leader in hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing, you’ll see each stage a kiwi chick goes through before being released into the national parks. 100% of your entry goes straight back to the Kiwi hatching program. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Rotorua with an optional floatplane for flightseeing of this beautiful region, join a New Zealand family for dinner in their home, or indulge yourself in the relaxing hot springs, sumptuous spa treatments, and massage therapies at the Polynesian Spa. These and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.ROTORUA-KIWI.jpg
Breakfast
Day 5 ROTORUA–CHRISTCHURCH–MOUNT COOK AREA
Night Lights Fly to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, then travel south to magnificent Mount Cook region, named after New Zealand’s highest peak. The Mount Cook region offers some of the darkest skies in the world – perfect for viewing the southern night sky. MOUNT-COOK.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 6 MOUNT COOK AREA–QUEENSTOWN
Alpine Adventures Start the day with a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre for unique insight into the history and culture of this region. Then, time to explore on your own. Continue to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with one of the many spectacular scenic walks or perhaps an optional scenic flight that lands on nearby Tasman Glacier.QUEENSTOWN-CITYSCAPE.jpg
Breakfast
Day 7 QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND
Fjords, Forest & Falls Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously described by author, Rudyard Kipling, as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Late evening return to Queenstown. NOTE: The excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 8 depending on weather and road conditions today. TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Cruise on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. Experience dense rainforest, towering mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Have your cameras ready for marine life such as playful dolphins, seals, and penguins. It will be a day to remember as you experience New Zealand’s wild side at its absolute best!MILFORD-SOUND.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 8 QUEENSTOWN
Vineyards & Views A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. TOUR HIGHLIGHTAN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE This evening, take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains. Make sure to have your camera ready for fantastic photo opportunities.ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with an optional visit to a local vineyard, or maybe take a thrilling jet boat ride on the Dart River. These and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.QUEENSTOWN-SHOTOVER-JET.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 QUEENSTOWN–MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
On to Australia Board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne. Enjoy three nights in the city often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital. Melbourne is a blend of world-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and interesting hidden laneways. MELBOURNE-SKYLINE.jpg
Breakfast
Day 10 MELBOURNE
G’day Melbourne! Today’s sightseeing tour includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Visit beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, then drive past the Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll soon discover the different architectural influences of this city as you see the Victorian Arts Centre and other buildings of significance. Following lunch at a local restaurant, travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck. Enjoy free time the remainder of the day. TOUR HIGHLIGHT REACH NEW HEIGHTS Be ready to be wowed when you travel to the top of the Melbourne Skydeck, the southern hemisphere’s highest observation deck. The city comes to you when you take it all in from nearly 1,000 feet/300 metres high. Enjoy awe inspiring views of Melbourne from the observation deck. The Skydeck will change the way you look at Melbourne and maybe the world. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Tonight’s optional excursion is a visit to see the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Experience the magic of little penguins returning home at sunset to one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia. Watch as these beloved fairy penguins waddle from the ocean to their burrows in the sand around you. You’ll get up close and personal from the special Penguins Plus grandstand. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.MELBOURNE-PHILLIP-ISLAND-PENGUIN-PARADE-SIGN.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 11 MELBOURNE
Cosmopolitan Cool Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Melbourne by dining at a local restaurant to immerse yourself in Melbourne’s passionate food and wine scene, or walk along Chapel and Brunswick Streets, famous for great shopping. Take a trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.” MELBOURNE-YARRA-VALLEY-VINEYARDS.jpg
Breakfast
Day 12 MELBOURNE–ALICE SPRINGS
Into the Outback Today, fly to the Outback where sightseeing includes a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station. Tonight, a unique Outback Barbecue features typical campfire fare and awe-inspiring Outback ambiance. NOTE: Due to the remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Melbourne to Alice Springs.LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES A fun filled evening of entertainment and outback cuisine is in store for you this evening. Huddle around a cozy campfire, learn about bush damper cooking, enjoy music, local storytelling, and a boomerang demonstration. Sink your teeth into a mouth-watering meal of prime Australian beef and wet your whistle with a cold drink. There’s even time for some star gazing to finish off this memorable evening. TOUR HIGHLIGHT FLIGHT FOR LIFE The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was established in 1928 to bring much needed medical care to the residents of the remote Outback. Learn the history of Reverend John Flynn, the founder, and hear the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the RFDS. Through the interactive displays you can experience what it’s like to fly with an RFDS pilot and the issues they have faced from dirt runways, inadequate maps, and more. ALICE-SPRINGS-OLD-TELEGRAPH-STATION.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 13 ALICE SPRINGS–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)
Rock Stars Travel by coach to Uluru. Upon arrival, visit a popular lookout to enjoy views of the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological spectacle of some 36 brilliant domes. There is time to take photos before visiting the “Sunset Strip” for a drink and to witness the changing hues of light painting the rock. TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Experience a spectacular way to end the day at Uluru. This fascinating icon stands 1,141 feet (348 meters) high, however, most of its mass is below ground level. You’ll be overwhelmed by its incredible size, presence, and inherent spirituality. As the sun sinks over the horizon and the evening sky brings out the many shades of color for which Uluru is famous, you’ll enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles and say goodbye to another wonderful day.ULURU-KATA-TJUTA.jpg
Breakfast
Day 14 ULURU–CAIRNS
Sunrise & Wheels Up Your Outback adventure continues with free time this morning. Later, fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. NOTE: Due to this remote location and limited flights, you may be booked on a connecting flight from Uluru to Cairns. Arrival in Cairns may be late in the evening. Luggage restrictions may apply to this flight. Please speak to your Tour Director for full details. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with the extraordinary experience of an optional camel ride to watch the sunrise at Uluru. For an even more amazing view of Uluru, perhaps take an optional aircraft ride to see this scenic region. CAIRNS-AQUARIUM.jpg
Breakfast
Day 15 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
Below the Surface Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a brilliant kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure. TOUR HIGHLIGHTBUCKET LIST. CHECK! The only living structure on Earth that can be seen from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Comprising of over 3,000 individual reefs and spanning over 135,135 miles (350,000 square kilometres), your day at the Reef will be one to remember. After your scenic catamaran cruise, the day is yours to explore the Reef how you like. Choose to snorkel amid a dazzling array of fish and coral, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attend an informative presentation by a marine biologist, or just relax and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings.CAIRNS-GREAT-BARRIER-REEF.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 16 CAIRNS
Ticket to Paradise A full day at leisure. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE For a truly amazing experience consider an optional trip to Kuranda via the old scenic rail route. See magnificent scenery from the comfort of a restored, historic mountain train. For the return journey, you may choose to take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway; or maybe spend the day in the magical Daintree Rainforest thought to be the planet’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest. Your Tour Director will have recommendations for shopping, dining, and additional sightseeing. CAIRNS-SKYRAIL.jpg
Breakfast
Day 17 CAIRNS–SYDNEY
Koalas, Crocs & Roos, Oh My! This morning, enjoy a special visit to the Koala Gardens. Later, fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Sydney is home to first-class restaurants, grand shopping arcades, and top tourist attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Taronga Zoo. TOUR HIGHLIGHTWILD & WONDERFUL See Australia’s famous animals this morning with a visit to the Koala Gardens. See kangaroos, wombats, quokkas, wallabies, gliders and of course the famous salt-water crocodiles. You’ll also have a chance to see koalas doing what they do best – eating, sleeping, and looking adorable. Before your visit ends, you’ll have a photo taken with a koala – the perfect souvenir! SYDNEY-KOALA.jpg
Breakfast
Day 18 SYDNEY
Sights & Bites Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Visit the Sydney Opera House and travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s botanic gardens for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. Next, visit world-famous Bondi beach for an insider’s tour of Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club with one of the lifesavers. Afterward, a cruise on Sydney Harbour Highlights some of the city’s best views. LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORIC SPOT Enjoy lunch at the historic North Bondi Returned Servicemen’s Leagues Club. Learn about the history of this place and the courageous “Rats of Tobruk” that stopped the Nazis in North Africa during WWII. You’ll enjoy delicious food while looking out at amazing waterfront views. TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEM The Sydney Opera House is one of the most well-known buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was designed by Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, and was finally completed in 1973, after sixteen years of construction, at a cost of over $100 million dollars. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the Opera House and see its interiors and theaters. Hear untold stories, be awed by the acoustics, and learn the history and future of this amazing hall beneath the sails.SYDNEY-OPERA-HOUSE-AND-BRIDGE.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 19 SYDNEY
Spectacular Sydney Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE You may choose to take an optional excursion to the Blue Mountains for a wilderness experience or to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to help you make the most of this exciting city.BLUE-MOUNTAINS-THREE-SISTERS.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 20 SYDNEY–NADI, FIJI–CORAL COAST
Island Bound Board your flight and fly to Fiji for three nights in this tropical paradise. Arrive in Nadi and transfer to your resort on the Coral Coast. Composed of more than 300 islands, you are sure to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle and friendly Fijians. From white sandy beaches to tropical rainforests and mountain peaks, there is lot to explore on land as well in the water. Fiji is known as the Soft Coral Capital of the world with the Great Astrolabe Reef surrounding its islands and atolls. An underwater adventure should be high on your to-do list and will not disappoint. The remainder of your day is at leisure. CORAL-COAST-BEACH-HAMMOCK.jpg
Breakfast
Day 21 CORAL COAST
Sand & Sees This morning, cruise up the magnificent Sigatoka River to visit an authentic Fijian village. Return to your resort where the remainder of the day is yours to explore the beautiful beaches or perhaps sample some local cuisine. TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Aboard a custom-built safari jet boat, you’ll be transported deep into the heart and soul of Fiji. As you journey up the river, hear the history of the region. Children from the villages that line the river and wave as you cruise past. When you reach the village, you are given a warm welcome by the villagers and then are escorted to the village Chief’s bure (house) or to the community hall. Take part in a kava ceremony, then tour the village before sitting down to a traditional Fijian lunch. Your visit ends with traditional Fijian singing and dancing. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to join in! After heartfelt goodbyes, board your jet boat for the return trip. It’s sure to be a highlight of your time in Fiji. Bula! CORAL-COAST-VILLAGE.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 22 CORAL COAST
Living on Island Time Today is at leisure. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Make sure to check the daily activities offered at your resort. You may wish to take a dip in the pool, enjoy a Fijian handicraft demonstration, spend some time in the water with kayaks or paddleboards, or simply enjoy an amazing sunset with a cool drink. Your Local Host will have suggestions for sightseeing, shopping, and dining.CORAL-COAST-FIJIAN-FOOD.jpg
Breakfast
Day 23 CORAL COAST–NADI
Until We Meet Again! Transfer from the Coral Coast to the Nadi International Airport today where your vacation ends. CORAL-COAST-KAYAK.jpg
Breakfast