Day 1 Arrive Auckland
After arriving in Auckland transfer to your hotel.  En route travel to the top of Mt Eden (one of the extinct volcanic mountains scattered throughout Auckland) for a panoramic view of the ‘City of Sails’ which has more boats per person than any other city in the world. Check in to your hotel and rest of day at leisure until city sights mid to late afternoon including Sky Tower, the Auckland Museum and Kelly Tarltons Underwater World. Dinner at leisure. Overnight Auckland

Day 2   Auckland        
One of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf is home to a conservation initiative to preserve New Zealand fauna and flora. Tiritiri Matangi is an Auckland island sanctuary that provides pest-free habitat for a number of rare and endangered species. It is one of the most successful conservation projects in the world.  Today cruise to Tiritiri Matangi Island bird reserve.  Late afternoon return to Auckland and dinner at leisure. Overnight Auckland

Day 3   Auckland - Omapere
Depart Auckland via Auckland Harbour Bridge. Visit the Kauri museum at Matakohe. Lunch at a café and then travel through Dargaville to the Waipoua Kauri Forest, home of Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest, the largest Kauri tree in the world at 52 metres).  Take some short walks to see some of these magnificent trees.  From here continue to Oamapere on the Hokianga harbour.  Dinner in your hotel. Overnight Omapere, Hokianga   

Day 4 Omapere – Bay of Islands
Travel to Paihia this morning and visit the Waitangi National Reserve where the Treaty of Waitangi was negotiated with the Maoris by Captain William Hobson representing the British in 1840.  Late morning travel by ferry to Russell where you can enjoy lunch in a café and explore this town which had a seamy reputation in the 1800’s and where the Ngapuhi chief Hone Heke cut down the British flagstaff four times in 1844 and 1845.  This afternoon cruise out to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Overnight Waitangi, Bay of Islands

Day 5 Bay of Islands - Rotorua
This morning drive south on State Highway One to Whangarei and Auckland and then over the Bombay hills with their rich red volcanic soil, through the lush green Waikato to Hamilton and then over the Mamaku range to Rotorua, for a 2 night stay.  A gondola ride this evening to dinner in the Skyline Restaurant overlooking Lake Rotorua. Overnight Rotorua

Day 6  Rotorua.
Visit Te Puia (the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute). See the Maori carvers at work and walk around the thermal reserve where you see boiling mud pools and the spectacular Pohutu geyser.  Next enjoy the entertaining farm show at the Agrodome followed by lunch at the Farmview café.  Optional leisure activities this afternoon. This evening travel a short distance from Rotorua for a Maori hangi (meal cooked in an underground oven) and cultural experience. Overnight Rotorua

Day 7  Rotorua – Palmerston North
A short journey this morning past dairy farms and pine plantations to the Orakei Korako thermal valley.  After exploring this exciting area of thermal activity continue to the Huka falls.  Stop in the attractive township of Taupo for lunch at leisure.  Time for some shopping and then head south alongside the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake, through the Tongariro National Park and past many hill country sheep and beef farms to Palmerston North.  Dinner at leisure. Overnight Palmerston North     

Day 8  Palmerston North
An exciting day to participate in an authentic Maori cultural experience.  At ‘Kai on the Farm’ you will join in the preparation of a hangi and other activities which may include a visit to a local marae, Maori art and craft and a forest walk to view native plants and birds.  Return to your hotel late afternoon and dinner at leisure. Overnight Palmerston North

Day 9  Palmerston North – Auckland / Sydney
This morning fly to Auckland and to meet your flight to Sydney, Australia. Arrive Sydney. Orientation tour of this beautiful harbour city and its parklands. Overnight Sydney

Day 10  Sydney Region
Morning tour of the Botanic Gardens before travelling north to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.  Only 45 minutes from the city, this park abounds in rare native plants and has a number of significant sites of Aboriginal settlement.  A guided tour will include the opportunity to see unique carvings and learn about Aboriginal culture with an explanation of the mythology of the Aboriginal people. Return to Sydney for a welcome dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. Overnight Sydney      

Day 11  Sydney – Blue Mountains – Dubbo
Depart Sydney and travel west in the footsteps of the early European explorers to the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park.  Guided tour in the park with interpretation of plant species and unique fauna.  Depart and travel west through the Great Dividing Range to Orange and the regional city of Dubbo. Overnight Dubbo

Day 12  Dubbo – Coonabarabran
Dubbo presents a complete change in habitat from both coastal Sydney and the Blue Mountains.  This western region of the state has open plains woodlands and grasslands.  Visit Western Plains Zoo for a guided interpretive tour of Australia’s indigenous wildlife. Depart Dubbo travelling east to the spectacular Warrumbungle National Park for a tour and short guided walk.  Continue to Coonabarabran. Evening visit to the Skywatch Observatory for a night time astronomy tour and the opportunity to learn about the southern solar system. Overnight Coonabarabran

Day 13  Coonabarabran – Armidale
Today travel east to the university city of Armidale via open savannah woodland.  Stop en route at the small regional town of Gunnedah for a talk on the koala, one of Australia’s unusual mammals. Continue northeast from Gunnedah to the New England region. (Optional night guided ranger spotlight tour into a nearby National Park) Overnight Armidale

Day 14  Armidale – Coffs Harbour
Today you will witness the great habitat diversity of Australia.  Travelling east of Armidale from an altitude of 1000 metres (3000 feet) to sea level, you will see and visit four distinct habitats. The dry woodland and steep gorges of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park with Australia’s largest pockets of dry rainforest.

Alpine to cool temperate rainforest of New England National Park.  Reaching 1500 metres (4500 feet) in altitude, this park features tall rainforest trees and the ancient beech forests which date back to Gondwana. (Guided tour led by a National Parks Ranger.) Sub tropical rainforest at Dorrigo National Park with a visit to the Dorrigo Rainforest Interpretive Centre. Coastal plains and littoral rainforest before reaching the resort city of Coff Harbour. Overnight Coffs Harbour

Day 15  Coffs Harbour – Byron Bay – Brisbane
Opportunity for early morning walk along white sandy Pacific Ocean beaches – may see several of the sea bird and coastal bird species. Depart and travel north along the Pacific coast to the resort town of Byron Bay for lunch, then continue north to Brisbane. Overnight Brisbane

Day 16  Brisbane – Depart
Optional day tours in Brisbane and a visit to the Koala Park or depart for Brisbane International Airport and the flight home.

Services Included
Transport in air conditioned coach.
Share twin accommodation in good quality hotels ranging from 3 to 4 star.
All breakfasts plus dinners and lunches as indicated in the itinerary.
Sky Tower, Auckland Museum, Kelly Tarltons Underwater World, Titiri Matangi Island, Matakohe Kauri Museum, Cape Brett cruise, Te Puia (Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute), Agrodome, Maori hangi and concert, gondola rides in Rotorua,  Kai on the Farm, Sydney Harbour dinner cruise, Blue Mountains National Park, Western Plains Zoo. Warrumbungle National Park. Skywatch Observatory, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, New England National Park, Dorrigo National Park and Rainforest Interpretive Centre , Koala Park.
New Zealand guide and Australian guide.
New Zealand Government Goods and Services Tax at 12.5% and Australian Goods and Services Tax at 10%
 
Services Not Included
International and Domestic Airfares
Travel insurance
Departure taxes
Items of a personal nature such as beverages, laundry, telephone