Australia & New Zealand Highlights

Cross an item off the Bucket List

Journey into the heart of Sydney on a private guided walking tour through The Harbour City. After meeting your private guide in your hotel lobby, your tour begins with a walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens, a beautiful 30- hectare garden in the heart of the city. Wander in the shade of the majestic trees, see vibrantly colored flowers, and listen to the serene soundscape of birdlife. During your walk, you’ll pass by the world-famous Sydney Opera House, one of Australia’s iconic landmarks. Visit the grand Art Gallery of New South Wales where you’ll see some of the best Australian and European artwork on display before exploring the open spaces of The Domain parkland, home to the prominent gothic-styled St Mary’s Cathedral. Continue to Hyde Park, Australia’s oldest public parkland, before reaching the ornate Sydney Town Hall, a testament to intricately crafted 19th-century design. Walking back through the heart of the city you’ll pass by the mighty Sydney Tower and the spectacular Queen Victoria Building, a late 19th-century structure housing designer shopping boutiques and unique eateries.

Later today, enjoy an evening in The Rocks, one of the city’s most lively neighborhoods. We suggest a reservation at one of this area’s outstanding restaurants, specifically Pony Dining on the Rocks for modern, wood-fired Australian cuisine or Sake Restaurant and Bar for its exceptional Japanese cuisine and its vibrant, rustic-chic dining room with inventive sushi and sashimi.

Discover the mystery and majesty of the Sydney Opera House Tour on a guided tour of this iconic performing arts center. Become privy to the stories and secrets, some controversial, behind the commissioning and construction of Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece, and afterward, relax and enjoy a delicious tasting plate for two overlooking sparkling Sydney Harbour. On this Tour and Tasting Plate Experience, you’ll find yourself seated at the al fresco Opera Kitchen, where Sydney’s finest culinary treats are coupled with one of the world’s best views. With a three-tiered sample menu consisting of fresh salads, bread rolls, beef, and chicken burgers, dumplings, and more, it’s the perfect end to your Sydney Opera House discovery tour. Please note, there are approximately 200 steps on this tour. As well, access to individual theaters is subject to availability and may be limited due to performances, rehearsals, or other events.

All Aboard!

Experience Sydney’s iconic city landmarks and opulent waterfront sights from the comfort of a shared boat cruise. Sail by the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House, observing stunning mansions on the water’s edge. Visit the charming village of Watsons Bay before indulging in a restaurant lunch followed by a guided walk to the Pacific cliffs. You’ll next visit idyllic Store Beach, perhaps choosing to enjoy a refreshing swim if the weather’s warm enough. Tour the historic North Head Quarantine Station, where migrants arriving at a new Australia were first sent if they had fallen ill during their sea voyage. Now transformed into a museum, the station chronicles this significant chapter in Australia’s heritage. Afterward, enjoy a spot of afternoon tea before sailing back to the harbor. Immerse yourself in this truly authentic Sydney experience – a boat cruise, local pub lunch, beach, nature, history, and lamingtons!

En Route

You will be privately transferred between your accommodations and Sydney Airport alongside a professional driver.

Board a flight in Sydney with service to Cairns. The approximate direct flight duration is three hours and 5 minutes.

This flight is not included in the price and must be purchased separately.

Transfer between Cairns airport and the beautiful town of Port Douglas with private vehicle and driver.

Port Douglas is a vibrant tropical village home to an array of fantastic local restaurants. Among our very favorites include Zinc and Hi-Tide by the Beach, two modern Australian eateries celebrated for their fresh seafood and creative flair. Tonight, consider making a reservation at one of these excellent establishments. For a more casual evening, stroll along Macrossan Street and you’re sure to find some delicious pizza and gelato.

Venture into the Outdoors

Today you’ll travel through the rich farming areas toward the World Heritage-listed forest region of the Daintree National Park. Step aboard our own personalized craft for a cruise on the mirrored smooth waters of the Daintree River, cruising close to riverbanks and under the overhead canopy of the rain forest seeking out the vivid Ulysses Butterfly, Kingfishers, Pythons, and other wildlife. Once you arrive at the Daintree section of the Wet Tropics World Heritage protected rain forest, your journey then takes you up the beautiful Alexandra Range passing through the local rain forest. Meet your local specialist guide for an informative tour of the Daintree Rain forest. The Grand Fan Palm gallery allows access into the heart of the world’s oldest surviving rain forest. Evolutionary development over 180 million years has created a living museum of rare and primitive flora and fauna. A cathedral-like Amphitheater of towering fan-palms stands in the heart of the forest, protected beneath the canopy of old-growth rain forest giants, and has been a sacred site for generations. You’ll then get to see unusual, exotic fruit originating from all over the globe’s tropical regions at the orchard which is also a host to beautiful species of tropical flowering plants, both native and introduced. Conclude your tour by taking in the outstanding panoramic view at Alexandra Range Lookout of the mouth of the Daintree River, Snapper Island, and on a clear day Port Douglas. Finally, board the iconic Daintree River Ferry for a short ride before heading back to your hotel.

Sunrise, Sunset

Today, spend some time at leisure in the laid-back tropical oasis that is Port Douglas. Restore and revitalize the aquamarine waters of Four Mile Beach. With a small village vibe, Port Douglas is a lovely place to while away the afternoon in its boutique shops and cafes.

Board a luxury catamaran and enjoy the thrill of pure sailing on a sunset cruise off the coast of Port Douglas. Upon boarding your vessel for the evening, indulge in delicious canapes and a welcome beverage from the boat’s licensed bar as you’re setting off on your adventure. Cross the crystal-clear waters of the warm Coral Sea, breathe in the fresh ocean breeze, and soak in a tropical sunset with spectacular mountains of northern Queensland as your backdrop. This truly unforgettable excursion allows you to experience the breathtaking beauty of this part of Australia in style.

Onward and Upward

You will be picked up from your Port Douglas Hotel and taken by private car to Cairns City or airport.

Board a flight in Cairns with service to Melbourne. The approximate direct flight duration is three hours and 25 minutes.

This flight is not included in the price and must be purchased separately. 

You will be privately transferred between your accommodations and Melbourne’s domestic airport alongside a professional driver.

Get a Lay of the Land

Embark on a half-day city tour of incredible Melbourne after meeting up with your private guide and driver at your hotel. You’ll first travel through the government precinct, observing the Treasury Building, Windsor Hotel, State Parliament House, Royal Exhibition Building, and Melbourne Museum. Continue to the inner northern suburbs to enjoy the Bohemia of Fitzroy’s Brunswick Street, home to a vast array of pubs, bars, restaurants, record shops, and local designer shops. Enjoy morning tea among the glorious colors and smells of the Botanical Gardens, where magnificent expanses of lush green lawn slope elegantly towards ornamental lakes and massive trees cast boughs of shade over manicured garden beds. Next, you’ll journey past the sporting precinct that became famous with the 1956 Olympic Games and now roars to the cheers of Aussie Rules crowds each weekend. See the nearby Rod Laver Tennis Centre that hosts the Australian Tennis Open each year as well as the world-famous MCG which has hosted most of the major events that have come to this city. Next, you’ll travel westwards to the historic Station Pier in Port Melbourne, a historic arrival point for Melbourne’s European immigrants. Drive along Port Phillip Bay before arriving at remarkable St Kilda, renowned for its sandy beaches, music venues, restaurants, and cafes. Here you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Melbourne’s city skyline, West Gate Bridge, and the Dandenong Ranges from a historical vantage point. Finish your morning adventure with a drive through St Kilda’s funky Acland and Fitzroy Streets before entering the Australian Formula One Grand Prix track at Albert Lake. Your tour concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel.

Melbourne is one of Australia’s most dynamic cities that continues to grow on you the longer you stay. From its exciting art scene to its Alice and Wonderland-style hidden bars, it is worth taking your time to get to know this city. Home to the Australian Ballet, East End Theatre District, and a slew of international festivals, there is always something exciting happening in Melbourne. Please speak to your Destination Expert for assistance for further suggestions for your time at leisure.

Nurtured by Nature

Enjoy a remarkable exploration of Melbourne’s wildlife in this family-friendly private-guided adventure. Meet your private guide and driver at your hotel before driving through beef and dairy cattle farms, horse breeding studs, and swampland. Enjoy afternoon tea en-route before crossing the bridge to Phillip Island. Recognized as a world leader for environmental conservation, Phillip Island’s sandy and rocky shorelines teem with wildlife, including over 200 species of birds. On Phillip Island’s northern side, you can look out for masked lapwings, spoonbills, ibis, herons, and black swans. Your next visit is the Koala Conservation Center, one of the few areas in Victoria where you can see a protected koala colony. Walk among the treetops in nature reserve bushland and observe the wild marsupials within touching distance, perhaps also spotting a wild wallaby or two. Time permitting you’ll pass by Swan Lake, the island’s largest freshwater lake, and head to the ‘Nobbies’, a magnificent headland with views that stretch over Mornington Peninsula and the Bass Strait. Just under one mile offshore are Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest Australian Fur Seal colony. You’ll witness the incredible Penguin Parade at dusk, where Little Penguins arrive in groups on the beach after their day of fishing. Watch as they waddle their way into the dunes where their burrow nests are situated. Observing and learning about penguins’ behavior and their daily routines is an amazing learning experience and a great memory for the whole family. Your evening finishes with dinner in the township of Rhyll before returning to Melbourne in the late evening.

A Change of Scenery

You will be privately transferred between your accommodations and Melbourne’s domestic airport alongside a professional driver.

Board a flight in Melbourne with service to Queenstown. The approximate direct flight duration is three hours and 15 minutes.

This flight is not included in the price and must be purchased separately.

A private vehicle will provide a transfer between the airport and your hotel.

A Bird’s Eye View

Today you will explore Milford Sounds stunning fiord from the air and on the water. Upon landing in Milford, join an unforgettable cruise, past sheer cliffs, gushing waterfalls, and perhaps even spot dolphins, seals, and penguins. Enjoy an exhilarating flight past spectacular rivers, valleys, and mountains with blue-green icefall, and land upon Mount Tutoko glacier in the heart of Fiordland National Park. The trip takes approximately four hours and has a maximum group size of six guests. Please note: The Department Of Conservation recently reduced the number of concession landings on Ngapunatoru ice plateau (Mt Tutoko). Therefore, a glacier landing on Milford Sound flights can no longer be guaranteed. Alpine landings are offered in lieu.

Taste and Tipple on a Vineyard Visit

Today your private driver-guide will meet you at your Queenstown accommodation and take you on an outstanding wine tour through the Central Otago region. Your afternoon begins among boutique vineyards and splendid scenery, highlighted by wine tastings at four of the best wineries in the Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Cromwell regions. This outing also includes a delightful gourmet platter lunch at the award-winning Carrick Winery, followed by a leisurely stroll through Old Cromwell Town and a drive through the stunning Kawarau Gorge where you’ll learn about the gold history of the region (time and weather permitting). The duration of the tour is approximately five hours and operates with a maximum of five guests. The tour departs at 12:00 pm and returns at approximately 5:00 pm.

Stretch your Legs

Only 19 miles from downtown Auckland is the city’s largest regional park, the Waitakere Ranges. No other city in New Zealand has such a wonderful asset so close to it. In just 30 minutes, leave behind the bustle of the city and step into the tranquility of the rainforest. Travel to the Arataki Center perched high on the ridge of the Waitakere Ranges and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Learn about and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings. Continue on to the lush rainforest where you can walk the easy bush tracks among giant tree ferns and view New Zealand’s famous kauri trees. Unwind by a spectacular cascading waterfall or swim beneath it. Move on to experience the power of the wild and rugged west coast where you’ll feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along some of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer.

Jet Off

A private vehicle with a driver will provide a transfer between the Auckland airport and your hotel.