February 4, 2024 - February 21, 2024
New Zealand
Australia
Passport Required
3% Cash Discount
Early Booking Discount $ 100 per person
with paid deposit before June 1, 2023
Tour Video
Tour Description
Your package includes airfare, deluxe transportation and accommodations, all listed tour fees, and 31 meals.
Scenic waterways and beautiful skies dominate the small country of New Zealand. On this memory-making adventure, you’ll see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world as you cruise on Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. You’ll also visit Rotorua and see Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser. Discover New Zealand’s cities—Auckland and Queenstown—and experience magnificent Mount Cook National Park. However before we even get to New Zealand we will actually be heading to Australia for a couple days.Day 1:
Brace yourself as we prepare for an adventure of a lifetime! Today, we load up on our coach and make our way to the airport for our flight this evening. *** Please keep the prior day, Feb 3, 2024, open in case of flight changes**
Day 2:
Today we will be in the air and will actually lose a day crossing the Pacific on our way to the wonders of Australia and New Zealand.
Day 3:
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Sydney is the first stop on many Australian itineraries, and for good reason. It’s an inviting blend of exhilarating and easygoing. You can find excitement in the city, but drive just a few kilometers and you’ll hit the golden sand of famous beaches like Bondi and Manly. This evening, enjoy a 3-course dinner with a glass of wine at the hotel or a restaurant close to the hotel.
Day 4:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we enjoy a tour of Downtown Sydney with your guide. This tour is a thorough introduction to Sydney and its neighbors. Tour through the historic Rocks area and take in views of the Hyde Park, St Mary’s Cathedral, Parliament House and the Art Gallery. Guided tour of the Opera House, Experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. When the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in 2007, it was hailed as “one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity”. Leaving here we stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. We then proceed to the world-famous Bondi Beach to enjoy the spectacular scenery. This evening enjoy the Captain Cook Dinner Cruise in the Sydney Harbour, for a world class meal and million-dollar views.
Day 5:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we can look forward to a full day at the Blue Mountains, where we discover the spectacular Blue Mountains and see native wildlife. This rugged and beautiful region forms part of the Great Dividing Range, linking tropical north to temperate south while dividing coastal cities from the vast Outback. Enjoy a stop at Echo Point and see the famous Three Sisters rock formation. Depart for Featherdale Wildlife Park and have your photo taken with a cuddly koala with your own cameras, see kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, and cute little fairy penguins.
Day 6:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we will depart say goodbye to Australia and hop on a plane for New Zealand. Upon landing in Christchurch, we will leave the airport and head to our hotel. Where we will enjoy an included dinner before getting a good night’s rest for the adventure to come.
Day 7:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will be transferred from the hotel to the Christchurch train station to take in the South Island’s stunning mountains and the vast Canterbury Plains aboard the TranzAlpine, New Zealand’s finest inland rail journey. Sit back and marvel at all the sights of the amazing landscapes. As we disembark, we find ourselves on the other side of the island. From there, we will continue to Franz Josef, where we will stay tonight.
Day 8:
Meals: Breakfast
We depart this morning for Queenstown. On the way today, we will see moody mountain ranges, thick native rainforests, and wild rocky shores as you travel comfortably, enjoying the commentary from your local driver guide. *Scenic stops such as Lake Matheson, Ship’s Creek, Wetland Walk, Roaring Billy Falls, and Blue Pools may be included depending on timing.** We will arrive in Queenstown late afternoon and check into our hotel. This evening will be free to explore the town on your own.
Day 9:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you will have nearly the entire day to explore the town on your own. There are several optional tour excursions we would be happy to suggest ideas are needed. You won’t want to miss our next event this evening, we will be heading to the Skyline Gondola for a delicious dinner with an incredible view of the city skyline.
Day 10:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we travel to Milford Sound with scenic stops at Eglington Valley, Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel, and The Chasm. Upon arriving at Milford Sound, we will experience a fantastic lunch cruise. The stunning sheer cliffs surrounding you, the inky blackness of the water, and the snowy alpine peaks looming over the Sound create a captivating tableau. After our scenic cruise, we will have another incredible experience as we take a short scenic flight back to Queenstown, saving us some driving.
Day 11:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we journey to Lake Tekapo via Mt Cook. Mt Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand, helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of Everest. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home to the highest mountains and the longest glaciers. It is alpine in the purest sense - with skyscraping peaks, glaciers, and permanent snowfields. We spend our evening at our hotel on Lake Tekapo, where dinner is included.
Day 12:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
We depart this morning for Christchurch. We will stop for lunch on your own along the way. Christchurch, Upon arriving in Christchurch, we will take a sightseeing tour of the city. This will include Punting on Avon (think of gondola rides in Venice). Admire the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens or the changing face of the city center as you are expertly guided gently along the Avon River. Then, we will make our way to the hotel—the rest of the afternoon at our leisure. We will be transferred to our dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.
Day 13:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we head to the airport for our short flight to New Zealand North Island. Upon arriving in Rotorua we will visit the Agrodome for a Farm Show. The world-renowned Agrodome is a must on every visit to Rotorua. For over 40 years, visitors from around the globe have come to the Agrodome to see the world-famous Farm Show starring a cast of talented animals… and you! Then we will visit the Farmyard Nursery, home to the cutest baby animals available for cuddles and photos all year round! However, the fun isn’t over because we head to the Kiwi Hatchery Tour next. From here, we head to our hotel. Here you have a chance to rest or head out and explore the Lakefront. Late this afternoon, we transfer to the Te Puia Thermal Reserve for a guided tour at the Whakarewarewa Park. (Don’t ask me how it’s pronounced.) Upon completion of your tour, make your way to the Te Puia for your Maori Cultural evening, including song, dance, and a traditional Hangi dinner.
Day 14:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Start your sightseeing tour of Rotorua, including Government Gardens and Ohinemutu Village. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit and towel! Here we enjoy a picnic lunch from a local café to be eaten at Hell’s Gate. Then make your way to Hells Gate Thermal Park for a guided tour followed by a revitalizing soak in the sulfur mineral spa pool. Then we return to our hotel for the evening.
Day 15:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
We first stop at Hobbiton and take a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Here in the heart of the Mighty Waikato region, you can explore the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided walking tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. After the tour, we depart for Otorohanga for lunch at the Crosshills Country Farm. After lunch, we discover the magic of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour. Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glow worm cave, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms. Upon completion, we continue our journey to Auckland.
Day 16:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we depart by ferry to Waiheke Island. Upon arrival, we have a private winery tour of the island. The tour will commence with a drive along the scenic northern route, taking in spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf. After this, we will take the ferry back to Auckland. This evening we make our way to the Sky Tower Elevator and check in at the Orbit Restaurant for dinner. Enjoy the stunning views over Auckland’s two harbors while you enjoy a 3-course farewell dinner. The iconic Sky Tower has stood tall at 328 meters, owning Auckland’s skyline for over 20 years. What a way to end our time in New Zealand!
Day 17:
Meals: Breakfast
Today we head to the airport and begin our long flight home. Something to keep in mind for today, even though we will be looking at a flight of roughly 16-18 today. We will gain a day from crossing so many time zones, meaning we will be home the same day we took off. However, it is safe to say we will be exhausted after this flight, so upon landing in Tulsa, we will head directly to our hotel to rest up. ***This is somewhat dependent on flight times***
Day 18:
Meals: Breakfast
Today we say goodbye to all the new friends we made on this incredible adventure as we return home. **Please keep the following day empty just in case of last-minute flight changes**