Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Kia Ora! Welcome to Auckland! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4:30 pm in order to attend the evening’s welcome meeting and dinner. Tonight, enjoy 360-degree views of Auckland below as you dine atop SkyCity at the Orbit Restaurant. AUCKLAND-CITYSCAPE.jpg
Dinner
Day 2 AUCKLAND. EXCURSION TO WAIHEKE ISLAND
New Zealand Treasures Enjoy an orientation tour of Auckland, including bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and the historic Parnell Village. Then, take a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island and visit an olive grove and a winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch. Return to Auckland where the remainder of the day is yours to explore. LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES A hidden gem known to local New Zealanders and discriminating travellers, Waiheke Island is known to many as the jewel of the Hauraki Gulf. Just 40 minutes by ferry from Auckland, this oasis of white sand, rolling hills, olive groves, and world-class vineyards is yours to enjoy! Tour this island paradise and sample wines at Stonyridge Vineyards – named one of the top 10 must-visit wineries in the world. After all – queens, kings, and world dignitaries can’t be wrong! WAIHEKE.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 3 AUCKLAND–WAITOMO–MATAMATA–ROTORUA
Home, Hobbits, Home Depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Next, stop at a picturesque farm near Matamata, which was transformed into the Hobbiton movie set of the Lord of the Rings films. Continue on to Rotorua for a 2-night stay. TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM Step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided walking tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. With the mighty Kaimai Mountain ranges towering in the distance, your guide will escort you through the 12-acre movie set, recounting details of how this location was transformed and how movie magic was made here. As you meander down the paths of the enchanted village, see the most iconic sites, the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the world-famous Green Dragon Inn where you’ll enjoy a cold beverage. The perfect ending to your Middle-Earth adventure!WAITOMO.jpg
Breakfast
Day 4 ROTORUA
The Living Earth This morning visit Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. Next, visit Agrodome to experience New Zealand’s sheep industry. There’s time to watch a sheep shearing demonstration, visit the farmyard nursery, and see the remarkable farm dogs as they demonstrate their ability to respond to commands and keep the sheep in line. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hangi dinner. LOCAL FAVORITECULTURE & TRADITION Explore an ancient culture of the Māori. You’ll learn the history of the area, hear storytelling, be captivated by songs and dance, and experience the famous Haka (war dance). Afterward, sit down in the Wharenui (ancestral meeting house) for an authentic Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones) and be entertained with music and dancing. ROTORUA-TE-PUIA.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 5 ROTORUA–QUEENSTOWN
Adventure Awaits! Fly to Queenstown, the “Adventure capital of the World.” In addition to the non-stop action available in Queenstown, you’ll find top-notch restaurants and cafes, art galleries, shopping, spas, and wine tasting rooms. Dinner tonight is served with a view. TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE 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. QUEENSTOWN-CITYSCAPE.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 6 QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND
Fjords, Forests & 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.” Return to Queenstown late this evening. NOTE: Excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 7 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 7 QUEENSTOWN
Vineyards & Views A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages – or maybe take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. 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.QUEENSTOWN-SHOTOVER-JET.jpg
Breakfast
Day 8 QUEENSTOWN–MELBOURNE
Australia Bound This morning, board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne. 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 9 MELBOURNE
Sights & Heights Today’s sightseeing includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Drive past the lush Royal Botanical Gardens and then enjoy a guided tour of beautiful Fitzroy Gardens and a visit to Cook’s Cottage. Afterward, enjoy a delicious high-tea lunch. Enjoy free time the remainder of the day. LOCAL FAVORITEBEAUTY BLOOMS Set aside as a reserve in 1848, Fitzroy Gardens follows a classic Victorian-era design. Your guided tour will explain the history of the gardens while highlighting a variety of flowers, ornamental shrubs, and expansive lawns. There’s also time to explore Cook’s Cottage, originally built by the parents of Captain James Cook in Yorkshire, England and brought to Melbourne in 1934. MELBOURNE-COOKS-COTTAGE.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 10 MELBOURNE
Cosmopolitan Cool Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. ENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE in Melbourne with 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.” You may also enjoy an optional visit to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade.MELBOURNE-PHILLIP-ISLAND-PENGUIN-PARADE-SIGN.jpg
Breakfast
Day 11 MELBOURNE–CAIRNS
A Kaleidoscope of Coral Today, fly to Cairns, the “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. CAIRNS-ESPLANADE.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 12 CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
Under The Sea 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 dazzling kaleidoscope of coral and sea creatures. 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 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 the dazzling hues 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 13 CAIRNS
Sights & Bites Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore more of Cairns. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with a trip into the Daintree Forest, the world’s oldest living rainforest and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, relaxing by your resort’s pool, or checking out the shops and galleries along Cairns’ famous Esplanade. Don’t miss the Night Markets for a bite to eat and a special souvenir. CAIRNS-SKYRAIL.jpg
Breakfast
Day 14 CAIRNS–SYDNEY
Aussie Adventures Today, fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest and oldest city. Known for its beautiful harbor, superb beaches, and iconic Opera House, Sydney is a city that dazzles. From its convict history to modern skyscrapers, you’ll discover a city with hidden gems, a thriving art and culture scene, unique shopping, beautiful gardens, and amazing opportunities for dining with a view. SYDNEY-BONDI-BEACH.jpg
Breakfast
Day 15 SYDNEY
Spectacular Sydney Visit the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interiors and theaters. Travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s Botanic Garden for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor. Next, visit world-famous Manly Beach with time to explore the shops or perhaps go for a stroll on the beach. Afterward, take a ferry back across Sydney Harbour to Circular Quay and enjoy some of the city’s best views. Make sure to have your camera ready! TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL 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-HARBOR.jpg
Breakfast
Day 16 SYDNEY
Celebration in Sydney Enjoy a full day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner at a waterside restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Sydney with an optional excursion to the Blue Mountains 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! 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.BLUE-MOUNTAINS-THREE-SISTERS.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 17 SYDNEY–NADI, FIJI–CORAL COAST
Island Dreams Board your flight and fly to Fiji for three nights in this tropical paradise. 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. Arrive in Nadi and transfer to your resort on the Coral Coast. The remainder of your day is at leisure. CORAL-COAST-BEACH-HAMMOCK.jpg
Breakfast
Day 18 CORAL COAST
Living on Island Time Today is at leisure. ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with 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. An underwater adventure should be high on your to-do list and will not disappoint. Your Local Guide and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time. CORAL-COAST-KAYAK.jpg
Breakfast
Day 19 CORAL COAST
Sea Treasures 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 & 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-FIJIAN-FOOD.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 20 CORAL COAST–NADI
Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. CORAL-COAST-KAYAK.jpg
Breakfast