Oceania Explorer - Australia & New Zealand

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1: Fly to Australia via Singapore

  Start your Australian adventure with an overnight flight this evening.

• Day 2: Onboard the aircraft

  Continue your journey to Australia, stopping over in Singapore in the late afternoon, and catch a connecting flight to Melbourne.

• Day 3: Arrive in Australia

  Touch down in Melbourne, Australia’s bustling second city, meet your friendly, local tour manager, and drive a short distance to your first hotel, where you’ll be free to settle in at leisure.

• Day 4: Morning at leisure and afternoon Melbourne city tour

  Have breakfast at your own pace with your first morning at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. You can also make use of the hotel’s amenities, including the restaurant, fitness suite, and swimming pool, or head out into the city for some self-guided exploration. This afternoon, set out for sightseeing around the city. Often known as the country’s cultural capital, Melbourne encapsulates life down under, and you’ll see its major highlights. Weaving through the city’s park-lined streets, you’ll see the Old Treasury Building, which was designed to store bullion during the Victorian gold rush. Another impressive sight will be the Exhibition Building, an exquisite glass landmark set amongst leafy Carlton Gardens. Learn about Victoria’s sporting heritage with a drive past the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere, and the Melbourne Tennis Centre, which hosts the Australian Open each year. Your final stop today will be a poignant one as you visit the Shrine of Remembrance, a WWI-era memorial commemorating the lives of all of Australia’s military dead. Head back to the hotel for the evening at leisure.

• Day 5: Morning at leisure and included Phillip Island excursion

  It’s a late start this morning with more time at leisure in Melbourne, and you can enjoy breakfast at your own pace at the hotel. Later this afternoon, head out to the coast for your first taste of Australia’s magnificent natural world. After a scenic drive south, with glorious views out over Western Port Bay and French Island National Park, you’ll stop at the Nobbies Centre, where you’ll learn about the region’s unique marine life. From Australian fur seals to the unusual weedy seadragon, learn about the rich biodiversity of Australia’s south coast and the conservation efforts. After your visit, stop in Cowes for dinner. Continue to Phillip Island for a stop at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, where you’ll meet the bay’s native penguin colony. These flightless birds, which are now the only wild penguins in Australia, nest on a protected reserve. You'll arrive back at your Melbourne hotel late tonight.

• Day 6: Included Dandenong Ranges excursion

  After breakfast, board your coach for the drive to Belgrave, a leafy suburb on the outskirts of Melbourne. From here, stop at Belgrave train station and step onboard the beautifully preserved Puffing Billy steam train for a scenic journey through the nearby Dandenong Ranges. First opened in 1900, this heritage narrow gauge railway passes through a series of towns, and its open-air carriages offer unrestricted views. Continuing by coach, you’ll have some time to explore some of the local villages, before driving back through to Melbourne. This evening, you’ll be free to find dinner locally and unwind.

• Day 7: Included Great Ocean Road drive to Warrnambool

  Having had breakfast and checked out of your Melbourne hotel, sit back and enjoy panoramic views of the southern Australian coast from the coach as you travel along the Great Ocean Road. Originally built to honour the country’s WWI veterans, this route is a National Heritage-listed landmark and encompasses 150 miles of rainforest, coves, and seaside vistas. Driving along the ‘Shipwreck Coast’, so called after more than 700 vessels fell victim to its treacherous currents in the 19th century, you’ll pass Port Campbell National Park. From here, view the Twelve Apostles, a series of unique limestone stacks which were carved by the tide over the course of almost 20 million years. You’ll then continue to Warrnambool, a seaside town surrounded by protected coastal reserves.

• Day 8: Drive to Adelaide via Mount Gambier

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning and bid Warrnambool farewell with a scenic transfer to Adelaide. Heading west along South Australia’s Limestone Coast, the journey will take you through Mount Gambier. Having once been home to a number of active volcanoes, many of which are now dormant or extinct, this pretty region is characterised by limestone peaks and crater lakes. You’ll have the chance to make a stop in Mount Gambier, and enjoy views of the Blue Lake, the largest of these impressive bodies of water. Continue through the Coonawarra region, famed for its ‘terra rossa’ vineyards which produce some of Australia’s most acclaimed red wines, before crossing the Murray River. Arrive in lively Adelaide later, check into your hotel, and enjoy an evening at leisure.

• Day 9: Included tour of Adelaide

  Have breakfast before joining your tour manager for a guided tour of Adelaide. Head up Montefiore Hill and spot one of Australia’s premier cricket stadiums, the Adelaide Oval, from above. First built in 1871, the picturesque Oval has become a staple of Australian sports and now holds over 50,000 spectators. Also, of note nearby is St. Peter’s Cathedral, and you can admire its neo-Gothic architecture and intricate, stained-glass rose window. Continuing into the park-ringed city centre, where you’ll have a few hours to explore, before reconvening this evening and heading back to the hotel with the rest of the group.

• Day 10: Included Hahndorf and the Adelaide Hills excursion

  Following breakfast, start the day with a drive through the Adelaide Hills. On the way, you’ll stop at Mount Lofty to view the city from above before driving further east to Hahndorf. This rural town, which is the oldest German settlement in Oceania, has a distinctly European atmosphere, and you’ll experience a different side to life in Australia with a stroll along its main street. Find the perfect souvenir at one of the town’s gift shops or enjoy lunch (on your account) at a local restaurant, before heading north into the renowned Barossa Valley, the nation’s most celebrated wine region. Spend the afternoon taking in the valley’s scenery and stop at a local winery for a tasting of local labels. Later this evening, head back to Adelaide for your final night at the hotel.

• Day 11: Fly to Alice Springs

  This morning, after breakfast, board a flight into the Northern Territory, landing in the remote town of Alice Springs, the unofficial ‘Capital of the Outback’. Upon arrival, you’ll set out to see some of the town’s outback highlights, stopping first at Anzac Hill, which offers some memorable views over the town and its rugged surrounding vistas. After some time to survey the local area, head to the Old Telegraph Station, which became an important link in Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line in 1871. Built on the site of Australia’s first European settlement, this historic building connected heavily populated southern cities with Darwin in the country’s far north. Later this afternoon, head to the hotel for check-in and the rest of the day under your own steam.

• Day 12: Drive to Uluru and included sunset sightseeing

  Rise early this morning, have breakfast at the hotel, and set out on a coach journey west to fabled Uluru, the towering sandstone monolith which has become a symbol of the Outback. After a few hours on the road, stop at the Erldunda Roadhouse, an oasis in the heart of Australia’s arid central region. Back on the road, continue past impressive Mount Conner, a towering mesa often mistaken for Ayers Rock, and be perfectly placed to soak up the Red Centre’s finest sandstone vistas. After checking into your hotel this afternoon, freshen up and join your fellow travellers for a visit to a nearby viewing platform. Enjoy a chilled glass of local Australian wine as the sunset paints Uluru a brilliant shade of orange, and spend some time admiring the area’s Outback landscapes before heading back to the hotel for the night.

• Day 13: Included Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park excursion and optional Field of Light dinner

  Get up before sunrise this morning and return to Uluru to see its sprawling vistas under the softer morning light. After a few enchanting moments gazing out over the mesas, return to the hotel for breakfast. Later this morning, you’ll head into the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a closer look at Uluru’s imposing, red-rock walls. Soak up the sights with a drive around the monolith’s base before pressing further into the park for the Mutitjulu Waterhole, a sacred site in Aboriginal legend. From here, take a deeper dive into the beliefs and folklore of the region’s indigenous people with a visit to the Uluru Cultural Centre. Return to the resort for time at leisure and perhaps opt to join a truly unique dining experience with an optional Field of Light meal this evening. Head into the desert, to the sound of a didgeridoo, and watch the wilderness become a spectacular display of light and colour as the sun sets. This installation, the product of the internationally renowned artist, Bruce Monroe, uses 50,000 carefully positioned light bulbs to illuminate the desert floor. Enjoy canapes and chilled local wine as the sun sets and sit down to a selection of bush foods under the open Australian skies. Afterwards, pick out each constellation with an expert-led stargazing session and spend some time wandering the trails of the Field of Light before heading back to the hotel.

• Day 14: Fly to Cairns

  This morning, have breakfast and trade Uluru’s barren red-rock landscapes for Australia’s tropical north with a short flight to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Touch down early this afternoon and enjoy a brief orientation tour of the city from the comfort of your coach. Your tour manager will take you around some of the city’s most popular spots, including Cairns Esplanade and the mangrove-lined Trinity Inlet. Later, you’ll arrive at your next hotel, where you’ll be free to spend the rest of the day at leisure.

• Day 15: Day at leisure with optional Cape Tribulation, Daintree, and Mossman tour

  Your first full day in Queensland will be spent under your own steam, and you can opt to join an optional excursion taking in the highlights of Australia’s wild north coast. Rise early for the drive to Mossman Gorge, home to the world’s oldest living rainforest, where you’ll be served hot drinks ahead of a walk along the valley floor under the guidance of a local expert. As you make your way across a series of canopy walkways, your guide will offer insights into its unique species that rely on this incredible ecosystem and the vital role they play in preserving it. Your next stop today will be the Daintree River, a biodiverse haven in the heart of the rainforest, where you’ll board a cruiser for wildlife spotting on the water. Home to a remarkable variety of plant species, including the world’s highest concentration of primitive flowering plants, the river is also a popular feeding ground for waterfowl, tree snakes, and saltwater crocodiles. Returning to land, head to a heritage lodge on the banks of Cooper Creek for lunch and sprawling views of the rainforest and clear waters below. Afterwards, join your tour manager for a gentle stroll along the beaches of Cape Tribulation, the meeting point between the rainforest and the colourful Great Barrier Reef. This evening, head back to your Cairns hotel for time at leisure.

• Day 16: Morning at leisure and afternoon Melbourne city tour

  Get ready for one of your tour’s major highlights awaits today, with breakfast at the hotel, and join your tour manager for a walk to the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal for a cruise across the spectacular underwater ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef. This biodiverse haven, the largest string of coral reefs in the world, is home to over 9,000 species, and you’ll follow a specially chartered route to make the most of every moment. Call at Michaelmas Cay, a pristine island bordered by vast coral reefs, for your first taste of this magnificent region’s diverse marine wildlife. While here, you’ll have the chance to snorkel in the shallows or set sail on a semi-submersible to view the Outer Reef’s remarkably colourful coral garden and tropical fish. The cay is also a key nesting area for a wide variety of seafaring birds, and you can spot them as you tuck into a buffet-style meal back on the ship. Later, head back to shore for an evening at leisure.

• Day 17: Included Kuranda Scenic Railway tour

  Have breakfast this morning and get ready for a different take on travel as you head north to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Witness Queensland’s UNESCO-listed Wet Tropics area from above on a seven-kilometre ride onboard a panoramic, glass-domed cable car, passing over the densely vegetated Barron Gorge National Park. Continue to Kuranda, an idyllic rainforest village known for its eclectic street markets and thatched buildings, and perhaps find lunch locally. You’ll then board a vintage carriage for a panoramic journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a heritage route showcasing Barron Falls National Park’s picturesque rainforest stretches. The journey will take you to Freshwater, a green suburb on the outskirts of Cairns, where you’ll be met by your coach for the drive back to the hotel.

• Day 18: Fly to Sydney

  Enjoy a last breakfast in Cairns this morning and head to the airport for a flight to Sydney, the coastal capital of New South Wales. Once you’ve landed, you’ll transfer to your next hotel on the Darling Waterfront for an evening at leisure.

• Day 19: Included tour of Sydney and a harbour cruise

  After breakfast, Sydney’s iconic harbourfront will be yours to explore, and you’ll see its most popular coastal landmarks on a coach tour. Discover The Rocks, a trendy neighbourhood with a wide array of colonial-era buildings and open-air markets, before taking in Circular Quay, ‘the Gateway to Sydney’. This charming district marks the point on Sydney Cove where Australia’s first European settlers landed in 1788 and remains the country’s busiest ferry port to this day. Pass the Royal Botanic Gardens and watch the world go by from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, which overlooks Sydney Harbour, before heading east to Watson’s Bay. Positioned on South Head, this coastal neighbourhood boasts some of Sydney’s finest beaches and a charming collection of park viewpoints. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Bondi Beach, perhaps finding lunch locally, before heading back to the city centre for a sightseeing harbour cruise. On your sailing, you’ll see Sydney’s most recognisable landmarks, from the domed Sydney Opera House to historic Fort Denison. This evening, you’ll be free to find dinner locally.

• Day 20: Day at leisure with optional Blue Mountains tour

  Spend the day the way you want to with a full day at leisure, perhaps setting out to explore Sydney under your own steam. If you’d prefer a more structured day, venture into the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains on an optional excursion. Start the day at Sydney Zoo, where you’ll be introduced to Australia’s native wildlife with up-close views of the resident kangaroos, wombats, and koala bears, before settling in for a ‘First Nations’ talk. This cultural experience will highlight the region’s indigenous cultures and the Blue-Mountain landmarks on which local legends are based. From here, head to Echo Point to see the Three Sisters, a cluster of free-standing pillars which feature prominently in Aboriginal folklore, and travel to nearby Scenic World, which showcases the best of the Jamison Valley, for time at leisure. While here, enjoy a ride on board the gravity-defying Scenic Skyway, which offers 360-degree views of the Blue Mountains as it crosses between two cliff tops. You can also take a ride on the Scenic Cableway, which travels from the valley floor to Eaglehawk Lookout, or view the alpine scenery up close on the world’s steepest passenger train service, the Scenic Railway. Finish today’s tour at Sydney Olympic Park, the home of Australia’s 2000 Olympic games. Here, you’ll have the choice to ride a ferry along the Paramatta River for some self-guided exploration or return to the hotel.

• Day 21: Day at leisure with optional Sydney Harbour Bridge climb and Sydney Harbour dinner cruise

  It’s your final full day down under, and you’ll be free to spend it at leisure. For a final memorable experience, brave an optional Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. With harnesses, wind-breakers, and a specialist climb leader by your side, you’ll ascend to the top of the bridge’s steel arch, taking in the city’s sprawl as you go. Discover the history of New South Wales, the city and its famous harbour with your guide and admire the grandeur of its seaside landmarks before returning to the ground. Please note: To participate in this optional tour, you'll need to have a good level of health and fitness and the ability to climb stairs, and/or ladders, independently. You'll also remain standing for the duration of the excursion. Later this evening, head back to the waterfront for an optional dinner cruise across Sydney Harbour. Boarding the vessel at sunset, you’ll see the city’s major landmarks in a different light before tucking into a three-course dinner alongside your fellow guests. Later, return to the hotel for a final night in New South Wales.

• Day 22: Fly to Auckland

  This morning, cross the Tasman Sea with a flight to New Zealand’s North Island, touching down in Auckland. Meet your new tour manager and transfer to your centrally located hotel ahead of an afternoon at leisure. 

• Day 23: Included tour of Auckland

  Join your tour manager after breakfast for an introduction to New Zealand’s pretty former capital, Auckland. Start the day’s exploration at Bastion Point, a scenic point which promises panoramic views of the harbours below, and see Savage Memorial, which commemorates the country’s first Labour Prime Minister. Next, continue along Tāmaka Drive for a stop in stylish Parnell, soaking up views of sandy Okahu Bay Beach and the leafy suburban stretches of Judges’ Bay along the way. Amongst Parnell’s upscale boutiques and trendy bars, you’ll get a taste for the city’s enduring European influences as you drive past its colonial-era buildings. The Viaduct Harbour is next, and you’ll learn why Auckland is often referred to as the ‘City of Sails’ with its bustling wharves and yacht-lined quays. From here, you’ll be within walking distance of your hotel and will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore the area’s pretty waterside promenades, bustling restaurants and shops.

• Day 24: Included visit to Parry Kauri Park and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

  Following breakfast, check out and drive north through idyllic stretches of coastal farmland to Warkworth’s Parry Kauri Park. This magnificent reserve is home to hundreds of ancient kauri, a resilient tree species which are native to the North Island. You can take in the towering McKinney Kauri, which numbers amongst the oldest trees in New Zealand, whilst discovering the trees’ significance in Māori culture. You’ll then travel to coastal Paihia, considered by many to be the birthplace of New Zealand. Nestled on the Bay of Islands, a web of 144 smaller islets connected by shallow waters, few destinations boast as picturesque a location as this delightful seaside town. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, one of the most significant sites in Aotearoa (Māori New Zealand). Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your guide and will discover the significance of this historic site with an escorted tour. As you explore the marae, the focal point of local tribes, you’ll learn about the first agreements between the British Empire and Māori tribes which laid the foundation for co-habitation of the two islands. You’ll also have the chance to admire the striking facades of the marae’s carved meeting house, discover the Ngātokimatawhaorua, the world’s largest ceremonial waka (war canoe), and see the area’s history unfold at Waitangi’s interactive museum. Later, drive to your nearby hotel with its waterfront location.

• Day 25: Included Bay of Islands Cruise

  Rise early this morning, have breakfast at the hotel and head out for a cruise around the Bay of Islands, with its 144 subtropical islets. Begin at Cape Brett, home to rugged granite cliffs and a famous hilltop lighthouse which has stood watch over Otuwangha Island for over a century. Though its lighthouse is a recent addition, Cape Brett has guided sailors to New Zealand’s shores for over a millennium with its crystalline rocks glittering in the sunlight. Continuing north, you’ll arrive at Piercy Island, also known as Motu Kōkako, home to the striking Grand Cathedral Cave or the ‘Hole in the Rock’. This striking 60-foot sea cave acts as a tunnel through the southern tip of the island and your boat will pass through (weather permitting). As you glide across the water, watch the waves for the marine wildlife that thrives beneath the surface, from manta rays to migratory orcas. Call at Urupukapuka Island, the largest of the bay’s islands, for some free time to explore. If you like a closer look at New Zealand’s pretty coastal landscapes, venture out on one of the island’s scenic walking trails, or perhaps unwind with ocean views at its beachfront café. You’ll then have the choice to return to Paihia or continue with a ferry ride to the coastal town of Russell (payable locally).

• Day 26: Scenic drive to Rotorua and included orientation tour

  Having enjoyed breakfast, leave Paihia behind and head back south toward the delightful spa town of Rotorua, soaking up views of Auckland’s lush farmland and charming rural towns as you go. Cross the Bombay Hills, which mark the border between the Auckland and Waikato regions, before passing through picturesque Matamata, the gateway to the iconic Hobbiton film set. Drive along the leafy country roads of Fitzgerald’s Glade and the Mamaku Plateau before arriving in Rotorua. After checking into your new hotel, join your tour manager for a brief orientation tour of the town, with time to view Lake Rotorua and the Government Gardens, a picturesque public park crowned by the impressive Rotorua Museum building. From here, you’ll be free to discover more of the town at leisure, unwind amongst the gardens’ lush scenery or head back to the hotel.

• Day 27: Optional excursion to Hobbiton, included tour of the National Kiwi Sanctuary and visit to Te Puia Springs

  Enjoy breakfast this morning ahead of a morning under your own steam, perhaps with a visit to the hotel’s spa or a stroll along the lake’s waterfront. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to the original Hobbiton filming set used in Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptations of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. At Matamata, you’ll enter the 1,250-acre sheep farm that helped bring the Shire to life, calling first at the popular Hobbiton Sign for a brief photo stop. Accompanied by an expert guide, you can then walk around the Hobbiton set, a sprawling site spanning over 10 acres, which was purpose-built under Jackson’s instruction. See Bag End amongst the iconic hobbit holes, stop for a drink at the Green Dragon Inn and discover how Tolkien’s vision for Middle Earth was realised amongst the Waikato’s mountainous farmland. At the end of the tour, visit the Shire’s Rest café, before returning to Rotorua. This afternoon, an excursion to New Zealand’s National Kiwi Hatchery will showcase the invaluable impact of wildlife conservation. As you explore the sanctuary’s incubation centre, the world’s most successful kiwi hatchery, learn about the initiatives which aim to combat the threats to native kiwi, enjoying up-close views of the centre’s newest hatchlings. Your visit will also make a positive impact on kiwi conservation across New Zealand with all proceeds going towards rehabilitation projects. Rotorua’s spectacular geothermal park, Te Puia, will be your next stop today and you’ll experience the best of its dramatic landscapes on a guided evening tour. Descend into the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, where you’ll be immersed in silica terraces, colourful mud pools and steaming lakes. The undeniable highlight will be the Pohutu Geyser, a particularly active spout where you might even see an eruption in action. After exploring Te Puia, settle in for a Te Po experience, highlighting the customs, local delicacies and rich cultural heritage of the region’s native tribes. Throughout the evening, you'll enjoy live performances of a Māori waiata (song), a mōteata (ceremonial chant) and the famous haka in the park’s meeting house, before visiting the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where young local people keep the unique carving and weaving methods of their ancestors alive. Finally, head to the park’s restaurant for a traditional buffet dinner.

• Day 28: Scenic drive to Wellington via Taupo and included Wellington cable car ride

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing through Kaingaroa’s, New Zealand’s largest pine tree forests. Your journey will pause at thundering Huka Falls, home to whitewater rapids and cascading waterfalls, before continuing south with another stop at the fishing town of Taupo, built on the country’s largest lake. You’ll then be treated to more picturesque natural landscapes crossing the Tongariro Volcanic Plateau, with its colourful alpine peaks. As you drive, your tour manager will point out the unmistakable cones of the region’s three active volcanoes, Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. The final leg of today’s journey will feature panoramic views of the pretty Kapiti Coast and will conclude in Wellington, the stylish national capital. Built around a striking natural harbour, this delightful hilltop city is the political and culinary capital of New Zealand. On arrival in the city, you’ll have the chance to view its striking parliament buildings with a drive past the 20th-century Parliament House and the neighbouring ‘Beehive’, the executive wing of the country’s government. Cap the day’s exploration with a memorable view of the city – from above – on an easy-going cable car ride through Kelburn’s trendy suburbs and its hillside overlooks.

• Day 29: Included ferry crossing to the South Island and local winery visit

  Draw your time on North Island to a close this morning with breakfast in Wellington before crossing the Cook Strait by ferry. During the sailing, you’ll soak up your first few sights of the South Island’s magnificent coastal vistas, passing through Marlborough Sounds, a vast series of drowned sea valleys. Later, moor at the lively harbour town of Picton before heading further inland aboard a coach through wine-making Blenheim. Here, you’ll stop at an award-winning winery where you’ll learn about Marlborough’s rapidly developing vineyards before sampling some of the finest local labels. You’ll then pass through the Rai Valley before reaching Nelson, New Zealand’s largest fishing port and a popular artists’ retreat on the exquisite Tasman Bay.

• Day 30: Included Abel Tasman National Park cruise and optional Pitt Head Loop Walk

  An excursion into one of South Island’s most celebrated national parks follows breakfast today. Enjoy a brief journey east along the island’s idyllic Tasman coast, which numbers amongst the sunniest spots in New Zealand, before arriving at the popular Abel Tasman National Park. Your exploration will begin with a cruise along the park’s northern coast, where you can admire its rugged granite cliffs, gold-sand beaches and crystal waters. Amongst each scenic corner, spot seals, dolphins and kororās, the world’s smallest penguin species, alongside the reserve’s colourful birdlife. You’ll then stop in Anchorage, where you can opt for a walk along Abel Tasman Track. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can embark on a 90-minute walk along the Pitt Head Loop Trail. On the way, pass through thriving manuka forests and dense bushland, with animal-spotting opportunities abound, to Te Pukatea Bay, one of the park’s most picturesque beaches. Afterwards, reboard the vessel and enjoy a complimentary packed lunch as you start the voyage back to Nelson.

• Day 31: Scenic drive to Christchurch via Hanmer Springs

  Today, bid farewell to sunny Nelson after breakfast and drive to Christchurch, getting a taste of South Island’s glorious mountain scenery along the way. Pass the town of Brightwater, the former home of New Zealand’s atom-splitting nuclear physicist, Lord Rutherford, before continuing through the evergreen woodland landscapes of Golden Downs Forest. Continue through Murchison, a remote gold rush town on the expansive Four Rivers Plain, where you’ll get a glimpse of the region’s famous whitewater rapids. Drive through the colourful beech groves of Maruia Forest, which were saved from mass deforestation following widespread protests in the 1970s, before climbing through Lewis Pass. Here, you’ll witness a striking array of mountain valleys before coming to the charming alpine town of Hanmer Springs to find lunch (payable locally). Complete the day’s road trip with a drive across Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s largest stretch of flat lowland, for historic Christchurch.

• Day 32: Included Christchurch tour and ‘punting in the park’ experience

  Join your tour manager this morning for an insightful introduction to the ‘Garden City’, Christchurch. Having been badly damaged by an earthquake in 2011, the city has since undergone large-scale restoration work, and you’ll learn about the innovations that are reshaping its neighbourhoods. Your first stop today, the Cardboard Cathedral, exemplifies the project, using a series of lightweight cardboard tubes as supports which are able to better withstand tremors. You’ll then visit the city’s art gallery, with its unique, tremor-resistant facades, which was used as the Civil Defence headquarters during the earthquakes. Two poignant stops at the Bridge of Remembrance and the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial follow where you can pay your respects to the victims of the 2011 tremors. Afterwards, continue to the bustling New Regent Street, a row of 40 Spanish-inspired boutiques, for some shopping at your own pace. Complete the day’s exploration amongst the city’s famous botanical gardens and board a traditional punt for an easy-going ride along the River Avon. Accompanied by specialist boaters in traditional dress, you’ll explore the city’s botanical gardens by small boat and will enjoy fascinating insights into the city’s history and this treasured pastime. You’ll receive a complimentary full-day tram pass and will have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish.

• Day 33: Drive to Twizel via Mount Cook National Park with optional scenic helicopter flight

  Today’s scenic journey will take you through Canterbury Plain’s bucolic farmland stretches towards university-city Dunedin. Have breakfast in Christchurch before leaving the city for the next leg. Drive through Burke’s Pass, a quaint small town with period architecture, before continuing into Mackenzie Country, a major centre of Otago’s gold rush. Stretch your legs with a brief stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd, for its sprawling views over Lake Tekapo. Continue along the nearby Lake Pukaki, a spectacular glacial lake, before arriving at Mount Cook Village, home to the imposing Mount Cook, Australasia’s tallest peak. Here, you’ll have the choice between admiring this 3,700-metre-tall wonder from the ground or taking to the skies on a wish-list optional helicopter ride above the magnificent glacial valleys of the Mount Cook National Park. Comprising over 70,000 hectares of glacial valleys, snow-capped summits and rugged shrubland, your soaring 20-minute flight will showcase the best of the reserve’s dramatic vistas. After a time in the sky, you’ll land on a snowfield high in the mountains for truly inspiring views over Otago’s surrounding landscapes before reconvening with the rest of the group below. This evening, you’ll arrive at the beautiful small town of Twizel for your next overnight stay.

• Day 34: Drive to Dunedin

  Your destination today will be South Island’s charming Scottish enclave, Dunedin, known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Start your journey after breakfast with a drive along Omarama’s Waitaki River, passing the towering Aviemore and Benmore hydroelectric dams. Take a break in coastal Oamaru, home to impressive streetscapes adorned in the town’s characteristic local limestone. A short way further south, you’ll come to Moeraki, a seaside village made famous for its peculiar spherical boulders before passing through the Otago Hills to welcoming Dunedin where you’ll stay for the next two nights.

• Day 35: Included Dunedin city tour and afternoon at leisure with optional Royal Albatross colony visit

  After breakfast, embrace Dunedin’s Scottish heritage today with a guided tour of the city’s most historic landmarks. Starting at the magnificent University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest academic institution, view its ornate, blue-stone buildings and manicured gardens. Your next stop, the Octagon, promises an abundance of neo-Gothic buildings to admire and the city’s 19th-century town hall at its centre. Finals stops at St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Robert Burns statue, dedicated to Scotland’s national poet, conclude the morning’s sightseeing. You’ll have the afternoon at leisure for further exploration, perhaps with a visit to the Museum of Natural Mysteries for an introduction to the peninsula’s diverse local wildlife or the city’s Public Art Gallery. If you’d prefer an afternoon’s wildlife-spotting, you can join an optional trip to the Royal Albatross Colony. Travel along the Otago Peninsula to spot playful sea lions, before heading to Taiaroa Head’s Royal Albatross Centre for an introduction to these majestic seabirds. Accompanied by an expert guide, learn about the Northern Royal Albatross’ unique behaviours and its significance in Māori culture before catching a glimpse of the birds in the wild from the centre’s observation decks. Afterwards, head out in search of the elusive hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, with a visit to a nearby conservation centre, before returning to your Dunedin hotel.

• Day 36: Included excursion to Te Anau Caves and Cavern House

  Following breakfast, venture into Otago’s dairy-farming heartland, the Taieri Plains, on the next leg of your journey towards Te Anau, a region of exquisite natural beauty. As you drive, watch the fertile pastures give way to rugged grassland hills and mountain deer farms. Arriving in Te Anau, the idyllic gateway to Fiordland National Park, delve beneath the surface for a tour of the region’s sprawling cave systems. Start your experience above ground, glide across the misty waters of Lake Te Anau, the largest body of water on South Island, before learning about the caves with a visit to the Cavern House centre. Here, you’ll learn about the captivating ecosystems that thrive underground with interactive exhibits introducing the caves’ famous glowworm species, which can only be found in New Zealand. Led by an expert guide, descend beneath the ground for a tour of the winding limestone passages and roaring subterranean waterfalls of this 12,000-year-old cave system. Marvel at the spectacular rock features, carved over the centuries by rushing waters, and watch the process in action as you explore on foot. A gentle ride by a small boat follows and will take you deep into one of Te Anau’s grottos, dimly lit by luminous glowworms, for a magical end to the day’s excursion. Later this evening, head back across Lake Te Anau to the hotel for check-in.

• Day 37: Included Milford Sound cruise

  One of your tour’s undeniable highlights awaits today with an exploration of the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. After an early breakfast, drive along the reserve’s dramatic glacial valleys to Milford Sound where you’ll board a vessel for a scenic cruise around the fjord’s impressive landmarks. Home to a diverse range of snow-capped peaks, still waters and temperate rainforests that line its banks, this spectacular natural wonder was carved over more than two million years by ice age glaciers. Keep an eye out for the diverse species of seals and dolphins that are known to reside nearby – you might even catch a rare glimpse of the Southern Right Whale, which is occasionally sighted in Milford Sound. You’ll also be given a packed lunch, which you can enjoy while looking out for wildlife, or admiring the ice-age landscapes. You’ll see the cascading Bowen and Stirling Falls, the park’s only two permanent waterfalls, as well as the imposing Mitre Peak, a cluster of five mountains which mark the mouth of the fjord. You’ll then sail back along the fjord, for more opportunities to soak up the sights, before boarding a coach for the drive through Cleddeau Gorge, Eglinton Valley and the Homer Tunnel back to Te Anau, before continuing to the alpine town of Queenstown.

• Day 38: Day at leisure in Queenstown with optional TSS Earnslaw lunch cruise

  Your final full will be yours to enjoy as you wish, with time at leisure in alpine Queenstown. For the very best views over the town’s glorious mountain vistas, consider a gondola ride up to the Skyline Queenstown Skydeck, or stroll along the banks of Lake Wakatipu to explore Queenstown’s lush waterside gardens. Later this afternoon, step aboard a traditional coal-fired steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, for an optional cruise across Lake Wakatipu. Soak up Queenstown's picturesque lakeside vistas before arriving at Walter Peak High Country Station for an engaging live farming show. Learn about the rural lifestyle of the local ranchers, see a sheepdog display in action and meet the farm animals. Afterwards, settle into a dining room at the Colonel’s Homestead for a buffet-style lunch. Later evening, return to the ship for the journey back across the lake and enjoy a sing-along on the water courtesy of the ship’s pianist before mooring at Steamer Wharf.

• Day 39: Morning at leisure and return flight

  After breakfast, spend a few final hours at leisure in idyllic Queenstown. Later this afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight.

• Day 40: Land back in the UK

  Arrive back in the UK at the end of a once-in-lifetime holiday.