Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
Day 3: Auckland • Rotorua
Meet your Field Director at the airportTravel to Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and Maori influences
Visit the Maori Cultural Centre and learn about Maori legends and customs
Visit the Whakarewarewa geothermal area, where you can marvel at bubbling pools of mud, crystal springs of hot mineral water, geysers, and richly colored craters
Day 4: Rotorua
Enjoy a Rotorua Duck Tour, an amphibious duck boat, and see Rotorua’s historic landmarks and natural wonders
Ride the Skyline Gondola and view Mount Ngongotaha from hundreds of feet up
Learn about jade carving in a local craftman's shop
Enjoy a traditional Hangi feast and Maori song and dance in Rotorua
Day 5: Rotorua • Auckland
Travel to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and most populous city
Take a tour of Auckland where you will see:
- Domain, a hilltop park
- The bustling downtown area
- Head to the waterfront for beautiful views of Rangitoto Island and the Harbor Bridge
- Browse the goods and wares at Victoria Park Market
Day 6: Auckland • Sydney
Fly to SydneyTake a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood, a well-preserved neighborhood where Australia’s first fleet of European settlers landed in 1788
Enjoy dinner in Sydney
Day 7: Sydney
Take a tour of Sydney, one of Australia's biggest and best-known cities, with your Field Director
Enjoy a ferry ride to Watson's Bay
Visit the observation deck of Sydney Tower, which at 1,063 feet is the second-tallest building south of the equator
Visit the National Opal Collection and learn about Australia's national gemstone
Visit the Barracks Museum, where tens of thousands of convicts were transported and housed from 1819 to 1848
Day 8: Sydney
Add this in-depth excursion:
Sydney Opera House
This multi-venue performing arts center hosts over 1,600 performances every year—and also happens to be one of the 20th century’s most famous buildings. During this excursion, you’ll tour the world-famous Opera House for an up-close look at areas that are off-limits to the public—and even have the chance to capture photographs from rare vantage points.
Day 9: Sydney • Cairns
Fly to CairnsDay 10: Cairns
Visit the Great Barrier Reef by boat, one of the natural wonders of the world and home to 1,500 species of fish
Enjoy lunch
Add this in-depth excursion:
Snorkeling with a marine specialist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
Day 11: Cairns
Add this in-depth excursion:
Kuranda
Your full-day optional excursion begins with a scenic train ride to the quaint rainforest village of Kuranda. On your way up you will pass through the lush Atherton Tablelands, a tropical rainforest home to waterfalls and dramatic mountain lookouts. After free time, descend via a gondola where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the rainforest canopy below as rangers provide you with informative details about the rainforest. Upon reaching the valley, visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Park and learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs through live dancing and boomerang throwing. (Please note: Due to uneven terrain comfortable walking shoes are recommended.)
Enjoy dinner in Cairns
Day 12: Depart for home
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