Day 1  Arrive New Zealand - Christchurch - Queenstown
This morning fly to Queenstown via Christchurch. Visit historic Arrowtown, which thrived in the gold rush days and where you can enjoy lunch in a café.  Explore the area’s gold mining history before carrying on to Queenstown, situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu amongst magnificent alpine scenery.  This evening ride on the gondola to Bob’s Peak where you dine while enjoying the magnificent view of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Overnight Queenstown

Day 2  Queenstown
This morning travel over the Crown Range to the picturesque town of Wanaka, a popular ski resort in winter and lake resort in summer.  Visit a local farm, which runs red deer, sheep and beef cattle. Lunch on the farm where you are entertained with the sights and stories of farming in central Otago.  Then travel to Queenstown via Cromwell and the Kawerau Gorge.  The route takes you alongside Lake Dunstan, which was formed when the Clyde dam which is designed to move in an earthquake, was built.  Stop at one of the many wineries to taste some of New Zealand’s premiere wines including Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.  Dinner at leisure. Overnight Queenstown

Day 3  Queenstown – Milford Sound – Te Anau
Travel alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Southland, into the Te Anau basin and then through the spectacular Southern Alps and the Homer tunnel to Milford Sound.  Take the Nature Cruise to the mouth of the Sound and enjoy a picnic lunch on board.  Dolphins, seals and majestic waterfalls are among the magnificent sights in this part of Fiordland National Park.  Dinner in your hotel. Overnight Te Anau

Day 4  Te Anau – Doubtful Sound – Te Anau
Discover the hidden treasures of Doubtful Sound.  The catamaran cruise from Pearl Harbour on Lake Manapouri takes you to the West Arm.  A coach trip over Wilmot Pass, is followed by an unforgettable cruise on Doubtful Sound taking in the beautiful alpine scenery.   On returning to West Arm you have the opportunity to travel by coach down a 2km spiral tunnel to the machine hall of the underground power station.  Return across Lake Manapouri.  Dinner at leisure. Overnight Te Anau

Day 5  Te Anau - Dunedin
Travel past productive sheep, deer and dairy farms to Dunedin, called the Edinburgh of the South because of its Scottish heritage. The University City of Dunedin has a special place in the beginning of New Zealand’s colonial history. A tour of Dunedin offers a chance to look at some of the city's historic buildings before checking in to your hotel.  Dinner in your hotel. Overnight Dunedin

Day 6  Dunedin
This morning take a tour of the Otago Peninsula, which includes the Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head.  This is the only mainland breeding colony of the Northern Royal Albatross in the world.  Return to Dunedin for lunch. This afternoon board the Taieri Gorge Train for a spectacular 4 hour trip which follows the Taieri River through rugged scenery.  The train will stop 2 or 3 times for you to get off and look around.  Dinner at leisure. Overnight Dunedin

Day 7  Dunedin - Christchurch
Travel on State Highway 1 this morning to Christchurch. The journey takes you through North Otago hill country and then across the Canterbury Plains.  Stop for lunch on a dairy farm near Rakaia.  Enjoy a stroll in the beautiful garden and talk to the owners about New Zealand’s biggest export industry.  Continue to Christchurch and city sights before checking in to your hotel. A farewell party this evening to celebrate your New Zealand experience.    Overnight Christchurch

Day 8  Christchurch – Sydney/Australia
A day at leisure for sightseeing and shopping. Visits to the Arts Centre and Canterbury Museum, which has a magnificent display of the Moa hunter culture, are recommended. Transfer to Christchurch airport this afternoon and meet your flight to Sydney, Australia. Arrive Sydney from New Zealand. Orientation tour of this beautiful harbour city and its parklands. Overnight Sydney

Day 9  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 10  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 11  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 12  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 13  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 14  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 15  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.
Gondola ride in Queenstown, winery visit, Milford Sound cruise, Doubtful Sound cruise, Taieri Gorge Railway, Royal Albatross Colony, 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  
Travel insurance
International departure taxes
Domestic Airfares in Australia
Meals not itemised above
Items of a personal nature such as beverages, laundry, telephone