Must Do New Zealand Australia and Fiji

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand

Relax you are now officially on holiday and everything has been taken care of! We will meet you at the airport and drive you directly to your hotel to freshen up and unwind. Make the most of some free leisure time in the 'City of Sails' - simply relax or take this opportunity to explore the many sights of Auckland. 

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

It’s hard to believe when you drive through the idyllic peaceful countryside of the Waikato, that hidden beneath its surface lies a labyrinth of Glowworm Cave networks that house formations and creatures that are simply out of this world. 

If you are interested in seeing galaxies of beautiful glowworms, then this small group personalized Spellbound Tour allows you to spend 40 minutes under glowworms. This tour is one of the most unhurried glow worm tours in New Zealand, with plenty of time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness - intensifying the effect of thousands of softly shining glow worms.

Sir David Attenborough on the BBC series 'Life in the Undergrowth' described the spellbound Cave as an “Astonishing Cave” And “one of natures most Magical Illuminations!” - This is an easy adventure everyone will enjoy.

A Gross Fact... about the New Zealand Glowworms

Approximate Distance: 372 km | 232 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

Setting off from Rotorua, travel through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions. You will journey to the emerald pastures and rolling hills of The Shire, where Hobbiton was brought to life on a private farm in Matamata. This idyllic village blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Set to the scale of a 3ft Hobbit you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a magical world of smoking chimneys. 

This Evening Enjoy: Te Po Evening Maori Concert & Hangi Dinner

Approximate Distance: 136 km | 82 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 40 min (return trip)

After checking in, why not step back to Edwardian times with a relaxing Private Punting Trip down the Avon River? It's a wonderful introduction to the "Garden City". Gliding gently along the river in a flat-bottomed boat, you will take in Christchurch's 'must-see' historic buildings and Botanic Gardens away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets.

Some other Activities Options for Christchurch

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Travelling via Arthur's Pass to Greymouth on the West Coast. Climb aboard the TranzAlpine. This rail journey is truly something special. Enjoy thrilling vistas over deep gorges as you travel alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri River and traverse the mighty Southern Alps, where spectacular views of the chiseled alpine landscape will take your breath away at every turn. Ranked among the world’s top 6 train journeys, these tracks flow through some of New Zealand's most splendid countryside from the Southern Alps to Greymouth. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see natural grandeur on such a scale. 

On to the west coast glacial village of Franz Josef where you can relax and soak in the thermal pools after an invigorating day.

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 2 nights

From Franz Josef Village fly over both the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, soaring first over the townships and then following the ice flow high up into the upper reaches. This 30-minute helicopter flight with an expert alpine pilot takes you over the twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, with a snow landing at the head of either one.

At the landing site above the icefalls, step out to marvel at the phenomenal glacial beauty of the crevasse-filled landscape below. Your helicopter tour soars above the magnificent carved valleys of the Southern Alps, and includes round-trip hotel transport to the tour base.

Take your time heading south today: you won't want to miss the spectacular scenery as it transforms from rugged coastal mountain ranges and mirror lakes to the winding Kawarau River Gorge. You will finally emerge into the lush green farmland surrounding Queenstown, your destination for tonight.

Approximate Distance: 350 km | 218 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours 

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

For the most engaging way to experience the riches of Fiordland National Park. This option includes three modes of transport (land, sea & air) making this the ‘holy grail’ of combination tours.

Coach: Board a luxury coach for a journey into beautiful Fiordland. The Road to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, and then you’ll ease into a beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Look for the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes and through the rough-hewn Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound.

Cruise: Enjoy a scenic cruise of the entire length of Milford Sound viewing the spectacular waterfalls and famous Mitre Peak. Grand, brooding, serene and wild, Milford Sound draws visitors from all over the globe to cruise its length. The purpose-built cruise boat offers excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains, and wildlife with large windows, spacious decks, and comfortable lounges.

Fly: Experience the “Absolutely Stunning” scenery as you fly over Sutherland Falls and over beautiful Milford Sound and lakes Te Anau and Lake Manapouri on your way back to Queenstown.

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is part of UNESCO's Te Wāhipounamu (The Place of Greenstone) World Heritage region. Here in Mackenzie Country you'll find Australasia's highest mountain - Aoraki / Mount Cook (3,724m) - nestled in the splendid Southern Alps.

Known to Māori as Aoraki or Cloud Piercer, this magnificent mountain is surrounded by over 150 peaks along with countless glaciers, ice and snowfields, mountain lakes, and ranges.

Approximate Distance: 263 km | 164 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Mount Cook - 2 Nights

Mt Cook National Park

This is a Fantasy Land of Ice and Rock. Mt Cook National Park, known for its exquisite alpine beauty and is home to the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt Cook. Its Maori name, ‘Aoraki’ means ‘cloud piercer’ and at 12,016ft (3,755m) it towers above the surrounding snow-covered peaks in the park. Tonight enjoy a Star Gazing Tour - this area also has World Heritage status as a SkyPark for the purity and lack of light pollution.

Some highly recommended excursions around the National Park.

To make the most of your time in the mountains, why not embark on one of New Zealand's finest short walks before you depart for Christchurch?

This afternoon head via beautiful Lake Tekapo, across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch

Approximate Distance: 332 km | 206 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Crowned "The World's Most Liveable City" for seven years in a row, friendly Melbourne is the perfect place to begin your Australian self-drive adventure.

This compact, diverse metropolis is begging to be explored after settling into your comfortable accommodation. There are hidden charms around every corner, beautiful Botanic Gardens and chic city squares where you can soak up the atmosphere to your heart's content.

Here are some of our favourite things to do in Melbourne:

• Lose yourself in cobbled laneways lined with tempting coffee shops, chic boutiques and cozy bars.
• Admire the always-evolving street art covering every inch of Hosier Lane
• Take a tram to St Kilda beach's historic esplanade and drop into Acland St's irresistible cake shops.
• Make a sporting pilgrimage to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Grab a bite to eat at Queen Victoria Market - it's the largest market in the Southern Hemisphere
• Choose from a dizzying array of restaurants & eateries — you're in Australia's foodie capital.

Accommodation: Melbourne - 3 Nights

Join this indulgent morning walk through Melbourne's beautiful back streets, and get orientated in the life of the city that locals love. Discover local designers and specialty retailers, that often are only found in the city. Some of the quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture, and historical tales are found in these walkways, there is something for everyone, locals and visitors alike.

Morning tea is included before a restaurant lunch with a glass of wine. See over 30 stores on this casual stroll and return to those you like best in the afternoon: make a day of it in Marvellous Melbourne.

Journey to the stunning Dandenong Ranges and experience the wonders of the Puffing Billy & Yarra Valley tour. Be captivated by the towering Mountain Ash Trees and breath in the fresh air as you head into Grant on Sherbrooke to indulge in their beautiful Devonshire Tea and scones. See and photograph the native birds before you head to the heart of the Sherbrooke forest to journey aboard the Puffing Billy.

Once on, relax and take in the beautiful surroundings as the steam train winds its way through the lush forest. Next its time to soak up the stunning view of the Yarra Valley where you will enjoy the tastings at the famous Rochford Winery and journey through to another two wineries.

Bid farewell to the city and fly to Australia's Red Centre for your first glimpse of magnificent Ayers Rock, or Uluru as it is also known.

Ayers Rock stands 348 metres above the ground and reaches over 700 metres underground. Uluru is also home to the World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is of extreme importance to the local Aboriginal people.

The Magical "Field of Light"

Tonight enjoy the Field of Light Installation with a Star Pass. Marvel at this desert spectacle of 50,000 glass spheres of Bruce Munro's amazing Field of Light installation.

You will be welcomed at a raised viewing area for canapés and chilled sparkling wine to the sounds of a didgeridoo. As the sun slowly sets, the coloured lights of 50,000 glass spheres come to life before you. Created by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, this magical installation has to be seen to be believed.

Accommodation: Ayers Rock - 3 Nights

Travel to Kings Canyon - From Ayers Rock Resort, stopping for breakfast at Kings Creek Station along the way.

Climb to the rim of the canyon - Make the rocky climb to the rim of the canyon for marvellous views of Watarrka National Park. Follow the rim of the canyon stopping to look down into the canyon gorge at look-out points. Time permitting, you may choose to descend into the green oasis of the 'Garden of Eden'.

Circuit walk - The circuit walk takes approximately 3 hours to complete and is rocky and steep in parts. It is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Alternatively, you may wish to take an easier, shorter walk to explore the boulder-strewn canyon floor.

Return to Ayers Rock Resort - After lunch (own expense).

Experience the tranquillity of the pre-dawn land under a canopy of stars. Watch the amazing transformation of colours and life as the desert awakens with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as your backdrop. Watch the distant domes of Kata Tjuta come into view and enjoy a traditional Aussie breakfast. Once the sun is up, enjoy a guided tour at the base of Uluru. First stop is Kuniya where you'll take a short walk to the Mutitjulu waterhole.

This evening your journey begins on a lone sand dune. Here you enjoy sparkling wine and a selection of delectable canapés. Dining under the sparkling outback sky as the sun sets, you feast on a BBQ buffet of authentic Australian delicacies complemented by some of Australia's quality wines. Stargazing Attention then turns to some of the world's best stargazing. In winter, guests gather around a campfire to savour a special treat of hot mulled wine.

 Uluru (Ayers Rock) Scenic Flight

Experience the beauty of Uluru on a dramatic scenic flight. Soaring over Uluru and the incredible rock formations of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) gives you amazing views of the area from a whole new perspective.

Fly from Ayers Rock to Cairns

With its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a haven of scuba diving, snorkelling, reef cruises, fishing, rainforest walks, native bird and wildlife watching.

Sun-seekers and locals alike flock to Cairns Esplanade's swimming lagoon on the city’s foreshore. There are picnic areas, birdwatching viewpoints, free barbecues and fitness equipment along the boardwalk, perfect for unwinding after your flight.

Accommodation: Cairns - 3 Nights

Today you will meet the magnificent sea life of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Go snorkeling with the most beautiful fishes and turtles you've ever seen! Even diving is a great opportunity which can be arranged. Or you can simply relax and enjoy the sun with a cool breeze. When it's time for lunch, there enjoy a delicious hot & cold buffet.

Passions of Paradise holds an exclusive permit for several unique snorkel and dive sites. They pioneered this site in 1995, and have been snorkeling and scuba diving the area ever since. This means no crowds from other boats, and the coral is in magnificent condition. Sea turtles are extremely common and you are also likely to see giant trevally, small black tip reef sharks, bat fish, and hundreds of varieties of colourful reef fish.

On this small-group full-day Daintree Rainforest tour, you will explore all the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation region has to offer. Sit back and relax in comfort in a custom-built 4WD air-conditioned vehicle while listening to informative and entertaining commentary by your local naturalist guide.

Spot crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise, learn about flora, fauna and the history of the Daintree on a guided boardwalk tour, take a 4WD ride through a World Heritage-listed rainforest on the rugged Bloomfield Track, savour a traditional Aussie barbecue, sample traditional 'Aussie' billy tea, damper and tropical fruits in the company of wallabies.

Fly onwards to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis makes a stunning final destination on your Contrasts of Australia Tour.

Settle in with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Harbour Bridge at one end and the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic place to begin your Australian dream vacation?

Accommodation: Sydney - 4 Nights

Enjoy some free time to discover Sydney in-depth, at your own pace.

Take a ferry to Manly for a laid-back beach day, or cruise to Taronga Zoo, where both animals and visitors alike can enjoy jaw-dropping harbour views. Adventurers can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or tackle the Bondi to Bronte walking trail along the rugged sandstone cliffs. Foodies will love visiting the Sydney Fish Market, where you can pile your plate high with freshly caught & cooked seafood and take your haul outside to eat on the pier.

However you choose to spend your day, Sydney is guaranteed to win your heart.

BridgeClimb is an experience that will never be forgotten on one of the world's most modern wonders, The Sydney Harbour Bridge. The BridgeClimb experience begins with a comprehensive briefing and safety demonstration to prepare you for the Climb of Your Life.

The exhilaration and personal satisfaction achieved by reaching the top of the Bridge is rewarded by the breathtaking view that lies before you as you scale up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There is no adventure like it in the world ...no view like it ...no feeling like it!

Relax, get away from the city, and enjoy some fabulous wine and food in Australia's oldest wine-growing region. Just 2 hours north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley combines world-renowned wines with gourmet local produce and stunning countryside - all the makings for a fabulous, relaxing day.

This tour concentrates on the smaller, boutique wineries in this stunning area, where regional variations are even more prominent and the passion of the wine-makers is obvious. These wineries help bring the wine-making process to life, and you will enjoy private tastings with those for whom wine-making is their greatest passion.

Welcome to Viti Levu

Covering an area of 10,400 sq km, Viti Levu or Great Fiji is the largest of the Fijian islands. Roughly circular in shape with a mountainous interior, Viti Levu is thought to be the oldest of Fiji's 300 plus islands. 

On arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Denarau

Only 20 minutes drive from Nadi International Airport, Port Denarau Marina is Fiji's premier marina facility. As the hub of the integrated Denarau Island Resort, Port Denarau Marina is the gateway to exploring the idyllic sun-drenched tropical isles of Fiji's Western Division. 

Accommodation: Denarau - 1 night

Today you'll take a South Seas cruise out to the adult-only Tokoriki Island Resort, which is a delightful secluded Beach Front resort in the quiet outer Mamanuca Islands with stunning sunsets and a romantic ambience. All Bures and Villas at the luxury Fiji Resort are nestled in lush tropical gardens and positioned beachfront, furnishing guests with a front-row seat for that romantic South Pacific sunset.

There are a number of activities to be enjoyed while at Tokoriki Island Resort. The beauty of the coral reefs can be discovered by diving or snorkeling directly from the beach. Guests at Tokoriki enjoy complimentary use of activities such as sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, & tennis.

Accommodation: Tokoriki Island Resort - 2 Nights

Sip cocktails by one of the two swimming pools, enjoy a choice of watersports including stand-up paddleboarding, island sail & snorkel cruise, parasailing, snorkeling, jet-skiing, and paddle-boarding kayaking.

Enjoy daily changing menus of South Pacific and Asian-influenced dishes on the terrace at the main restaurant or feast on Japanese cuisine at Oishii Teppanyaki. For a special occasion, you can arrange romantic dining under the stars experience or a private beach picnic.

Vinaka Vakalevu! After the most amazing trip, today you will be transferred to Nadi Airport to meet your onward flight We know you will enjoy your holiday and our promise is to make your travels as enjoyable, hospitable and hassle-free as possible. On this final day of your holiday, we say farewell and Vinaka vakalevu (thank you very much). You'll be departing today from Fiji with a camera full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your South Pacific holiday!