Highlights of Australia & New Zealand

On arrival in Melbourne, you will be met and transferred to the Crowne Plaza for 3 nights. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner on board the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. (D)

Morning walking tour taking in Melbourne’s eclectic little alleyways, arcades and cafe society. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day at leisure in Melbourne. Optional excursions to Yarra Valley, Mornington peninsula, Phillip Island or the Great Ocean Road can be booked locally. (B)

Morning flight to the outback town of Alice Springs. On arrival, visit the School of the Air, which provides an educational facility for remote families of the outback. Continue to the Royal Flying Doctors Service and historic Telegraph Station. Stay overnight at the Chifley Alice Springs Resort. Barbecue dinner at the Earth Sanctuary Nature Centre. (B, D)

In the morning, travel to Uluru via the MacDonnell and James ranges. En route, view the majestic Attila, a distinctive mountain which, in pioneering times, was often mistaken for Uluru. On arrival, transfer to the Desert Gardens Hotel for 2 nights. Late afternoon excursion to view the striking colour changes of Uluru as the sun sets. (B)

Early morning sunrise tour of Uluru, where you will learn about the significance and history of the site to local Aboriginal tribes. Afternoon visit to the rock formations known as Kata Tjuta for a walk along the creek bed between two of the tallest domes, before watching the sun set over them with a glass of sparkling wine. (B)

Join a local artist for an introduction to the indigenous art of the Western Desert. Afternoon flight to Cairns, then transfer to the Hilton Cairns for 3 nights. (B)

Travel out to the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef on board a catamaran to a pontoon situated on the reef. During the day, there will be opportunities to go snorkelling and also view the reef from a semi-submersible. (B, L, D)

Day at leisure in Cairns. Optional excursions may be booked locally and include a hot air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands or a visit to the mountain retreat of Kuranda. (B)

Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to Sydney. On arrival, transfer to the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth for 3 nights. (B)

Morning tour of Sydney, including visits to the Sydney Opera House, Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and Bondi Beach. Return to the city for a cruise with lunch in Sydney harbour. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (B, L)

Day at leisure in Sydney. Optional excursions may be booked locally and include visits to the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley. In the evening there will be a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Transfer to the airport and fly from Sydney to Auckland. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to The Langham for 2 nights. Dinner at Eight restaurant, featuring eight different kitchens. (B, D)

Morning cruise in Waitemata harbour, followed by a city tour. (B)

Continue to Rotorua, visiting the glow-worm caves at Waitomo en route. On arrival, visit Te Puia for a guided tour of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Evening Maori hangi (food cooked using heated rocks) and concert. Stay 1 night at the Millennium Hotel Rotorua. (B, D)

This morning explore the Rainbow Springs Nature Park and stop at the Agrodome sheep show. Afternoon flight to Christchurch. Stay overnight at the Novotel Hotel Christchurch. (B)

Morning rail journey aboard the TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass, followed by a factory visit at Hokitika, the home of native greenstone (jade). Continue by coach to Franz Josef and stay overnight at the Te Waonui Forest Retreat. (B, D)

Travel to Queenstown, visiting Arrowtown en route, a historic gold-mining settlement. Stay 3 nights at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown. Dinner at The Boatshed. (B, D)

Travel to Milford Sound for a nature cruise. (B, L)

Day at leisure to relax. (B)

Travel back to Christchurch, visiting Lake Tekapo and a working farm for lunch en route. Overnight at the Novotel Hotel Christchurch. Farewell dinner (B, L, D)

Transfer to Christchurch airport to fly home, or continue your holiday. (B)