Exploring Australia & New Zealand Fall 2024 – Winter/Spring 2025

Days 1 & 2: Depart U.S. for Sydney, Australia

We arrive in Sydney this morning and transfer to our hotel, where the day is at leisure to relax and refresh. Tonight, we meet our fellow travelers and Odysseys Tour irector at a briefing followed by a welcome dinner at our hotel. D

Today’s tour of this cosmopolitan city features The Rocks historic neighborhood, Darling Harbour and Mrs. Macquarie’s Point, Rose and Watson’s bays, and popular Bondi Beach. Then we board a catamaran for a lunch cruise around Sydney Harbour. B,L

This morning we tour the iconic Sydney Opera House then visit Featherdale Wildlife Park, where wombats, dingoes, and koalas reside. Our afternoon is at leisure; we dine tonight at a local restaurant. B,D

We fly today to Australia’s Outback, reaching our hotel in time for lunch on our own. Then we depart for Kata Tjutja National Park, site of the Olga Rocks, the dramatic domed rock formations venerated by Aboriginal peoples. Our tour here features sacred Walpa Gorge, the creek that winds through two of the tallest Olgas. Late this afternoon, we watch the sun set over the massive sandstone monolith of Uluru then dine under the stars at a special Sounds of Silence experience. B,D

Early risers have the option to watch the sun rise over Uluru this morning. Then we all spend time here before returning to our hotel for time at leisure. This afternoon we participate in a traditional Aboriginal dot painting experience where we learn about the Anangu culture and way of life. Late afternoon we return to our hotel, where we dine tonight. B,D

It’s a travel day as we depart Uluru for tropical Cairns, gateway to Australia’s Far North. B

This morning we board a boat for a day-long excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, at 1,200 miles long the world’s largest living organism and richest marine resource. We pull up at Michaelmas Cay where we can swim, snorkel, or view the reef from a semi-submersible vessel. B,L

It’s a full day, beginning at Mossman Gorge where we embark on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk conducted by local Indigenous people. Then we travel to the mountain village of Kuranda, surrounded by the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest, where we have time to explore on our own before we descend via the gondolas of Skyrail. B,D

Today we travel via Sydney to Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City. B

Our morning city tour features the Botanic Gardens; Cathedral Square, the beating heart of the city and site of Christchurch Cathedral; and the memorial to victims of the 2011 earthquake. This afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration; dinner is at our hotel. B,D

We depart by coach this morning for the journey south to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. En route we stop for lunch and a visit to a local farm before we reach our hotel late this afternoon. B,L,D

This morning’s tour of alpine Mount Cook Village includes a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center, where we see a 3D planetarium movie about the region. We also visit the Hillary Gallery, commemorating Sir Edmund’s achievements, including the first ascent of Mount Cook’s difficult South Ridge in 1948 (at 12,316 feet, Mount Cook is New Zealand’s tallest mountain). After time in the village for lunch on our own, this afternoon is at leisure to relax amid the breathtaking scenery, hike, or take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). B,D

We depart this morning for Queenstown, stopping en route in the historic gold mining hamlet of Arrowtown followed by a visit to Kawarau Bridge Bungy, the world’s first bungy jump operation open to the public. Mid-afternoon we reach Queenstown. B,D

Our day-long excursion to Milford Sound includes a nature cruise through the breathtaking fjords. We have lunch on board then later have the opportunity to return to Queenstown on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). B,L

Today is at leisure to enjoy New Zealand’s adventure capital as we wish. B

We depart today for the Maori center of Rotorua, with its geysers, bubbling mud pools, and thermal hot springs. Upon arrival, we take a panoramic tour of the city. B

This morning we visit Paradise Valley Springs, which showcases New Zealand’s biodiversity with native flora and wildlife, including alpaca, llama, and wallabies. Then we drive to National Kiwi Trust, dedicated to rehabilitating injured kiwis, the national bird. This evening we visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Cultural Centre for a traditional hangi dinner and Maori performance. B,D

En route to Auckland, we stop this morning at Ruakuri Caves to see the unique glowworms that illuminate the underground grottoes and caves. We reach Auckland late this afternoon; we’re on our own for dinner tonight. B

Our half-day tour of this city set atop 48 volcanic hills features glittering Auckland Harbour and the America’s Cup Village. We also visit the War Memorial Museum, with its prized Maori and Pacific Islander collections. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. B,D

This afternoon we depart for the airport for the flight to Los Angeles (via Sydney) and our return flights home. B

Please note: This trip involves full days of sightseeing and significant amounts of walking on stairs and uneven surfaces. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.

B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included