Australia & New Zealand

Day 1: Arrive on your flight from the UK.

Day 2: Explore Sydney Harbour and walk to the Botanical Gardens and the iconic Opera House. In the afternoon, board a private yacht and enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise with barbecue dinner. Navigating the bays and coves, sit back on the sunbed and relax and enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Day 3: Fly to Cairns then travel up the coastal road to Mossman Gorge. Take an interpretive walk with a local Aboriginal guide and learn about traditional ways of life and survival techniques in the Daintree Rainforest. Continue on to the resort in Port Douglas, our home for the next two nights.

Day 4: Enjoy the colourful resort town of Port Douglas. Take time to stroll the main streets, enjoy the beach or opt to go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 5: Return to the tropical city of Cairns. Take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the James Cook University research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic grant recipient Dr Jamie Seymour. Enjoy a private tour of the facility and get an up close look at some of these marvelous creatures, and we'll hear about the latest research from Jamie or one of his colleagues.

Day 6: Travel to Tully for an authentic and interactive Indigenous experience.. Enjoy a private lecture about the history and culture of the Janbanbarra Jirrbal Rainforest people. Learn about their deep connection to the land and how they have continued for thousands of years, to live in harmony with nature. Our cultural immersion continues with a traditional lunch and participation in a painting class with Jirrbal Aboriginal artists.

Day 7: Catch a flight to Uluru. Visit the cultural centre and learn about ancient beliefs and traditions portrayed in art, food, and music before witnessing an incredible sunset with a glass of bubbly.

Day 8: Awake before sunrise to watch the colours change over Uluru. Continue on with a guided Mala Walk around the base of Uluru gaining insight into its significance to the local Aboriginal people.

Later, take a walk in Kata Tjuta National Park and view the beautiful red-domed rock formations. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 9: Enjoy another sunrise over Uluru before flying to Melbourne for the night.

Day 10: Enjoy a full free day in Melbourne. Opt to visit wineries, explore the Great Ocean Road, or discover hidden gems in the city's famous laneways.

Day 11: Go on a guided foodie walk through the laneways of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller for a three-course progressive lunch. Later, enjoy free time to explore Melbourne.

Day 12: Fly to Auckland, New Zealand and enjoy free time in the city.

Day 13: Catch a ferry to Waiheke Island and visit two local wineries to learn more about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of wine production in the country – while sampling some of the local blends, of course! Later, enjoy a short orientation walk and some free time to explore the city.

Day 14: Drive a scenic route, visiting an eel farm which focuses on developing sustainable aquaculture. Enjoy lunch, featuring food which has been sustainably produced on the farm. Continue to the artsy town of Raglan, stopping at Bridal Veil Falls en route, and enjoy a cruise on the stunning harbour.

Day 15: Drive to Rotorua, stopping for an excursion at Waitomo Caves where you'll take a boat ride through the cave and see thousands of flickering glowworms lighting up the walls.

This evening visit Tamaki Maori Village and enjoy a private welcome and talk from a “Kaumātua” (an elder in Māori society). After, enjoy an extravagant performance about local myths, and legends while dining on traditional Hangi cuisine.

Day 16: Enjoy free time this morning in Rotorua before catching a flight to Christchurch. Take an orientation walk with the CEO to get a feel for the city.

Day 17: Enjoy one of the world’s great scenic train trips on the TranzAlpine train, crossing the scenic Southern Alps to New Zealand's glacier region. Disembark and finish the journey over the highest pass in the Southern Alps in a private vehicle before transferring to a beautiful rainforest lodge, our home for two nights.

Day 18: Options are plentiful. Choose from a helicopter hike, ice walking on the glacier, or soaking in the hot pools amongst the stunning scenery.

Day 19: Travel through the rugged rainforest along the west coast to Queenstown. Enjoy an evening gondola ride with spectacular views of the city.

Day 20: Embark on an amazing wilderness cruise through Fiordland National Park. Led by onboard naturalist guides we have the chance to see dolphins, fur seals, birds and penguins and an option to kayak. Spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins with time to relax on deck, stargaze and enjoy some New Zealand wine.

Day 21: Enjoy morning wildlife viewing along the fiord as we cruise back to port, then return to Queenstown for the final night. Opt for a farewell dinner with your group.