Tour Highlights

Day 01 - Jan 04, 2025:  Sat - FLYING TO NEW ZEALAND
The tour begins with a flight from Canada/USA into New Zealand. You will cross the International Date Line and lose a day. [IFM]

Day 02 -Jan 05, 2025:  Sun - LOSE THIS DAY
This is a lost day because of the International Date Line.  You will cross over the International Date Line once more and gain a day back on your return home.

Day 03 -Jan 06, 2025:  Mon - AUCKLAND ~ NAPIER, NZ
Upon arrival into Auckland International Airport, clear New Zealand Customs.  Mid-day flight from Auckland into Napier, New Zealand, for a 2 night stay. Transfer to a hotel with the balance of the afternoon free until “Welcome Dinner” this evening hosted by Select Holidays. [IFM/D]

Day 04 - Jan 07, 2025: Tue – NAPIER, NZ
A morning tour of the Napier and Hawke's Bay regions. Lunch will be at a local winery, with the balance of the day and evening free.    [B/L]

Day 05 - Jan 08, 2025:  Wed –NAPIER ~ ROTORUA, NZ
Making your way across New Zealand and to the Lake Taupo region.  Lake Taupo is in the caldera of the Taupo Volcano and is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand. Later you arrive Rotorua on the North Island and check into hotel for a 2 night stay.  This evening enjoy a Maori Hangi Feast and Concert at your hotel.     [B/D]

Day 06 - Jan 09, 2025: Thu – ROTORUA, NZ
A morning visit to an authentic Maori Village for a guided tour with one of the elders.  See first hand how the local native Maori people use the natural hot water and steam from deep in the earth to cook their food and heat their homes.  Then it is off to the “Agrodome”, for a show of sheep and sheep dog demonstration and farm wagon tour to see kiwi fruit on the vine.  Rest of the day at leisure. [B]

Day 07 - Jan 10, 2025: Fri – ROTORUA ~ AUCKLAND, NZ
This morning visit “Waitomo Glow Worm Caves”.  Visit a rural town and have lunch before continuing into Auckland, known as the “City of Sails” and New Zealand’s largest city, for a two night stay.    [B/L]

Day 08 - Jan 11, 2025: Sat – AUCKLAND, NZ
A morning visit to the “Kelly Tarlton Underwater World” with its live penguin and killer sharks display. Drive to Davenport, across the bay from the city of Auckland, for lunch and time on your own. Take a ferry back to the city center and make your own way back to the hotel. Balance of the afternoon and evening is free to explore on your own [B]

Day 09 - Jan 12, 2025:  Sun – AUCKLAND ~ QUEENSTOWN, NZ
Mid-morning flight from Auckland to Queenstown located on the South Island. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for a two night stay. This evening, enjoy a relaxing cruise on the historic coal-fired steamer, the “SS Earnslaw”, crossing to the “Walter Peak Sheep Station” for dinner and a sheep dog demonstration. Overnight in Queenstown for 2-nights.  [B/D]

Day 10 - Jan 13, 2025:  Mon – QUEENSTOWN, NZ
Drive through the wine region & visit a fruit stand in Cromwell.  A stop will be made at the home of the original Bungee Jumping site. Visit Arrowtown, made famous by the ‘gold rush’ in this region. Balance of afternoon and evening is free in Queenstown. [B]

Day 11 - Jan 14, 2025: Tue - QUEENSTOWN ~ TE ANAU, NZ
The journey today will follow along the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu and past sheep and deer farms on the way to Te Anau. From there, enter Fjordland's National Park, crossing over mountain passes and through scenic valleys enroute to Milford Sound.  Enjoy a luncheon cruise in this breath-taking fjord, watch for numerous fur seals sunning themselves on the rocks and also view numerous waterfalls.  Return to Te Anau for an overnight stay.     [B/L/D]

Day 12 - Jan 15, 2025: Wed - TE ANAU ~ DUNEDIN, NZ
Traveling towards the Gore area, you visit a local dairy located in the rolling countryside and have lunch before continuing unto the Scottish city of Dunedin for an overnight stay.  Known as the Edinburgh of New Zealand, Dunedin wears the country's Scottish heritage with pride. A visit to “Baldwin Street”, the world's steepest residential street with an opportunity to climb up the street if you so wish.  Dinner at the hotel this evening. [B/L/D]

Day 13 - Jan 16, 2025:  Thu – DUNEDIN ~ MT COOK REGION, NZ
This morning you will visit the "Moeraki Boulders", mysteriously spherical stones scattered across a beach, and each weighing several tonnes and some up to two metres high.  A microbrewery lunch and tasting before and visit to a local farm.  This afternoon we travel up the Waitaki River valley past the hydro lakes and irrigation schemes that have transformed the lower country from dryland to dairying. Flanked by the dry hills which are home to tens of thousands of sheep, this valley has also become a popular route for the many visitors cycling the Alps to Ocean cycle track (Mount Cook to Oamaru). We’ll make a short stop at a salmon farm in the hydro canal before arriving at hotel for the night. [B/L/D]

Day 14 - Jan 17, 2025:  Fri - MT COOK REGION ~ ASHBURTON, NZ
Visit the stunning aqua blue hydro lakes of Pukaki and Tekapo, the source of the majority of New Zealand’s electricity. Continue on to the Geraldine area, a beautiful, sub alpine village on the Canterbury Plains. Visit the “Tin Shed" with probably New Zealand's most extensive range of quality New Zealand-made merino woolen products for sale.  No trip would be complete without a visit to a local machinery dealership , before arriving at our hotel in Ashburton, for a two night stay. The Canterbury Plains, a major area utilizing irrigation farming and the bread bowl region of New Zealand.  [B/D]

Day 15 - Jan 18, 2025: Sat - ASHBURTON/CANTERBURY PLAINS, NZ
Visit a farm on the Canterbury Plains, the largest area of flat land in New Zealand, with approximately 500,000ha of irrigated land. Irrigation makes varied land-use possible - arable and vegetable cropping is found on the best soils, and many large-scale dairy farms are present on the lighter soils. Also visit a potato, seed and cereal producer and learn how this region regularly produces world-record wheat yields. Depending on conditions, perhaps a chance to see arable crops being harvested.   [B/D]

Day 16 - Jan 19, 2025: Sun - CHRISTCHURCH, NZ ~ MELBOURNE, AU
Travel to Christchurch with a tour of this beautiful city and a stroll through the Botanic Gardens. This afternoon take a flight to Melbourne, Australia. Upon your arrival, clear Australian Customs, and overnight at the airport hotel. [B/IFM]

Day 17 - Jan 20, 2025: Mon - MELBOURNE ~ BALLARAT, AU
Enjoy a city tour of Melbourne. After lunch, continue into the farming community of Ballarat and check into the hotel for a 2-night stay.  Ballarat is Victoria's largest inland city, a thriving hub of contemporary arts, events and food and wine, with a fascinating heritage backdrop.   [B/D]

Day 18 - Jan 21, 2025: Tue – BALLARAT, AU
Today’s farm visits will include a visit to a sheep sales yard, as well as a potato, corn farm.  Afternoon visit to a local company who make Australian sprayers. [B/L/D]

Day 19 - Jan 22, 2025: Wed – BALLARAT - BORDERTOWN, AU
Travel through the region, known as the “Victorian Wheat Belt”.   This afternoon visit to a carrot farm followed by a visit to a large scale  cereal grain operation. The small farming community of Bordertown is home base for the night.  [B/L/D]

Day 20 - Jan 23, 2025: Thu – BORDERTOWN ~ ADELAIDE/GLENELG, AU
This morning, visit a seed cleaning operation then continue into Murray Bridge. This afternoon, travel onto Adelaide/Glenelg for an overnight stay. Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth largest Australian capital city. The city of Adelaide is surrounded by the hills on the east, and over 70 kilometres of coastline on the west. Glenelg is a beach-side suburb of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. [B/D]

Day 21 - Jan 24, 2025: Fri – ADELAIDE ~ CAIRNS
Transfer to the Adelaide Airport for the flight to the tropical city of Cairns. Upon arrival transfer to hotel with the balance of the day free. [B]

Day 22 - Jan 25, 2025: Sat – CAIRNS, AU
Following breakfast, travel to “Freshwater Train Station” to board the “Kuranda Rail” for a scenic train journey up the mountainside to “Kuranda Station” and a visit to the Kuranda village.  The picturesque mountain village is surrounded by the “World Heritage Rainforest”.  Later, board the “Skyrail Rainforest Cableway”, the world’s longest gondola, for an epic aerial ride over the rainforest canopy as you make your way back down the mountain and visit “Tjapukai Aboriginal Park” for a dance and boomerang throwing performance.  It is both an entertaining spectacle, and an educational experience for everyone.  This evening, take time to explore the foreshore promenade and shop at local markets, eat tropical fruits and seafood.  [B]

Day 23 - Jan 26, 2025: Sun – CAIRNS, AU
A fast 45 minute catamaran ride will take you to beautiful Green Island to enjoy this unique coral reef, which is situated on part of the “Great Barrier Reef" - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.  Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride over the coral as well as a lunch on the island before returning back to Cairns.  [B/L]  Today is “Australia Day”
*Snorkeling equipment included*

Day 24 - Jan 27, 2025: Mon - CAIRNS ~ BRISBANE, AU
This morning, transfer to the Cairns International Airport for the flight to Brisbane.  Visit the “Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary” where you can see koalas, kangaroos and other amazing animals. Then transfer to the hotel with the balance of the time at leisure.    [B]

Day 25 - Jan 28, 2025: Tue – BRISBANE ~ TOOWOOMBA, AU
Depart Brisbane and travel west to a fertile area known as the Darling Downs. Visit one of the largest cattle feedlots in the region. A visit will also be arranged to visit a local rural supplies store – services include merchandise, livestock, horticulture, real estate, finance and insurance. This region is also the center for agricultural equipment dealerships – showcasing the equipment being used by farmers in the surrounding area. A visit to a local dealership will also be included. Check in to centrally located hotel in the city of Toowoomba for the night. Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. [B/L]

Day 26- Jan 29, 2025: Wed - TOOWOOMBA ~ STANTHORPE, AU
Depart Toowoomba and travel to an area located to the southwest. Visit a family with a mixed cropping enterprise. Intensive cropping and irrigation practices have made this area of Queensland famous with both summer and winter crops such as cotton, soybeans, maize and sorghum, many grown utilising innovative water harvesting and production techniques. Further southeast, visit a leading breeder of stud Charolais and commercial composite beef cattle. Make a stop at Kent Saddlery for a workshop tour. This successful family business has a connection to the Outback and country people, built on servicing and their annual visits to Outback cattle stations for over 30 years. Arrive in the town of Stanthorpe and check in to our hotel. [B/L/D]

Day 27 - Jan 30, 2025: Thu – STANTHORPE ~ ARMIDALE, AU
Following the New England Highway (the inland highway connecting Brisbane to Sydney) to Guyra to visit a successful mixed livestock farmer, with cattle and sheep for both wool and meat. Arrive in the city of Armidale - at an elevation of almost 1,000 m above sea level, it is Australia’s highest city. Visit the University of New England’s Smart Farm & Innovation Centre – showcasing the latest on-site technologies for improving productivity, sustainability and support for Australian farms. Check into your centrally located accommodation for the night. [B/L]

Day 28 - Jan 31, 2025: Fri - ARMIDALE ~ SCONE, AU
Depart Armidale and travel to visit a leading family Poll Hereford and Merino breeding operation, which actively uses BREEDPLAN (a modern genetic evaluation system for beef cattle which is used by breed societies across the world). The family will share with you their strategies for managing their property under previous unseen drought conditions. Visit a large dairy with a Friesian herd. Then continue travelling to an area known as the Liverpool Plains, where there will be a visit to a successful cropping enterprise. Travel on to Scone – located in a very well-known area called the Hunter Valley. Check into hotel. [B/D]

Day 29 - Feb 01, 2025: Sat - SCONE - SYDNEY, AU
Depart Scone and continue the journey south towards Sydney. A visit to a thoroughbred stud farm in the Murrurundi area. The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s famous wine regions. Enjoy wine tastings and lunch at a winery. Continue into Sydney and checking into the hotel, situated on the Darling Harbour, for a 2-night stay. [B/L]

Day 30 - Feb 02, 2025: Sun - SYDNEY, AU
Enjoy a morning cruise on the world's most beautiful Harbour, Sydney Harbour. The beauty and splendor of the Sydney Harbour, is something that has to be experienced first-hand - no picture or video can do justice to it. After lunch, take a tour of the world-famous “Sydney Opera House”. The balance of the afternoon and evening is free to explore on your own. [B]

Day 31- Feb 03, 2025: Mon – SYDNEY ~ END OF TOUR
All good things must come to an end. Depart for the Sydney International AIrport for your return flight back to North America. [B/IFM]

Ask about extending your stay in Australia by adding a visit to one of these other amazing regions; Tasmania, Western Australia, Ayers Rock and Alice Springs.

PRICE Per Person, Double - from $24,570.00
Plus Air/Gov't Taxes of $1,288.00 per person

Single Occupancy - ADD $4,944.00
For airfare included from major North American gateways, ADD $450.00 to above pricing.
Initial Deposit - $3,000.00 per person at time of booking
Second Deposit of $3,000.00 per person is due before June 30, 2024
Final Payment per person is due before October 04, 2024

Gallery