Tour Highlights

Day 01 - Jan 12, 2024:  Fri - 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 13, 2024:  Sat - 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 14, 2024:  Sun - AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Upon arrival into Auckland International Airport, clear New Zealand Customs.  Transfer to a flight from Auckland to Queenstown located on the South Island. Upon arrival, journey following along the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu and past sheep and deer farms on the way to Te Anau. [B/D]

Day 04 - Jan 15, 2024: Mon - TE ANAU ~ MILFORD SOUND ~ QUEENSTOWN, NZ
Enter Fjordland's National Park, crossing over mountain passes and through scenic valleys enroute to Milford Sound.  Enjoy a cruise in this breath-taking fjord, watch for numerous fur seals sunning themselves on the rocks and also view numerous waterfalls.  Box lunch before returning to Te Anau for a break before travel back to Queenstown and checking into a centrally located hotel for a 2-night stay. [B/L]

Day 05 - Jan 16, 2024: Tue - QUEENSTOWN, NZ
Travel along the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy for a visit.  Afternoon is free to explore on your own.  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.  Return to Queenstown for the night.      [B/D]

Day 06 - Jan 17, 2024: Wed - QUEENSTOWN ~ CENTRAL OTAGO ~ OAMARU, NZ
This morning we drive via the impressive Clyde Dam with a break for coffee in the beautifully preserved historic town of Clyde. We make a brief visit to a fruit orchard then continue through Central Otago via Alexandra and Ranfurly to the wide-open spaces of the Maniatoto Basin. This a dry, expansive farming region where we visit a diverse fine-wool sheep, deer and cattle farming business adding value with agritourism. Enjoy lunch with your hosts and learn about farming life in this beautiful, yet climatically harsh, location. Continue via “the Pig Route” to Oamaru, renowned for its attractive limestone buildings and home to the world’s smallest penguin, the little Blue Penguin. A free evening with an optional penguin spotting opportunity. Overnight in Oamaru. [B/L]

Day 07 - Jan 18, 2024: Thu – OAMARU ~ WAITAKI VALLEY ~ AORAKI MOUNT COOK, NZ
This morning we visit an interesting family-owned cropping and added-value farming business. This arable farming enterprise has innovatively expanded into a niche business. Also enjoy time in the revived Victorian Precinct - a hub of galleries, stores, cafes, restaurants, museums, a brewery and unique steam punk art. For lunch we travel to a renowned cafe outside of Oamaru - as well as the restaurant, shop and bountiful vegetable gardens, the castle is quite a sight! 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 an interesting salmon farm in the hydro canal before arriving at a village at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook. Time for a stroll or perhaps a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, one of the world’s greatest explorers, before dinner tonight. Overnight at Aoraki Mount Cook. [B/L/D]

Day 08 - Jan 19, 2024: Fri - AORAKI MOUNT COOK ~ MACKENZIE COUNTRY ~ METHVEN, NZ
After time for an optional hike or scenic flight (weather and wallet depending!) amidst the incredible alpine surrounds, continue via the stunning aqua blue hydro lakes of Pukaki and Tekapo; the source of the majority of New Zealand’s electricity. We visit a third generation Angus stud in the Mackenzie Country and learn about the operation. We enjoy a picnic lunch taking in the superb vistas that typify the spectacular Mackenzie Basin. This afternoon we continue via Burkes Pass and the rolling foothills regions around Fairlie and Geraldine. Continuing into the expansive Canterbury Plains, we make our way to the rural township of Methven, lying in the shadow of Mount Hutt, one of New Zealand’s premier ski resorts. Perhaps enjoy a relaxing soak in the new hot pools complex before dinner at the lodge. Overnight in Methven. [B/L/D]

Day 09 - Jan 20, 2024:  Sat - METHVEN ~ MID-CANTERBURY ~ CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
Today we visit farms 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. This morning visit a family-owned dairy farm milking 1000 cows and learn how the farmers are responding to environmental trends. 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. Later we travel to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island with a population of around 400,000. Take an orientation tour of the “Garden City” before checking into your central hotel for a two-night stay. Overnight in Christchurch. [B/L]

Day 10 - Jan 21, 2024: Sun - CHRISTCHURCH, NZ ~ MELBOURNE, AU
Time for a stroll through the Botanic Gardens. Travel to the picturesque Banks Peninsula region and the charming French settlement of Akaroa for lunch. This afternoon take a flight to Melbourne, Australia. Upon your arrival, clear Australian Customs, and overnight at the airport hotel. [B/L]

Day 11 - Jan 22, 2024: 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 12 - Jan 23, 2024: Tue – BALLARAT, AU
Today’s farm visits will include a visit to a sheep sales yard as well as a potato farm.  Enjoy a dinner show this evening at historic Sovereign Hill. Sovereign Hill is where Australia’s history comes to life! It’s just like stepping back in time.   [B/L/D]

Day 13 - Jan 24, 2024: 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 14 - Jan 25, 2024: 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 15 - Jan 26, 2024: 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] Today is “Australia Day”

Day 16 - Jan 27, 2024: 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 17 - Jan 28, 2024: 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] 
*Snorkeling equipment included*

Day 18 - Jan 29, 2024: Mon – CAIRNS, AU
Drive onto the “Atherton Tablelands” where sugarcanes, bananas, tea and peanut farms supply the main income.  Visit the “Giant Fig Tree” followed by lunch at Lake Barrine, a lake formed by an extinct volcano.  Visit a mango and avocado farm before returning to Cairns later in the afternoon. [B/L]

Day 19 - Jan 30, 2024: Tue - CAIRNS, AU ~ NORTH AMERICA
This morning, transfer to the Cairns International Airport for the flight back to North America. [B/IFM]

Ask about extending your stay in Australia by adding a visit to: Brisbane, Sydney, Tasmania, Western Australia, Ayers Rock and/or Alice Springs.

PRICE Per Person, Double - from $14,894.00
Plus Air/Gov't Taxes of $884.00 per person

Single Occupancy - ADD $3,280.00
Airfare included from major North American gateways.
Initial Deposit - $2,500.00 per person at time of booking
Second Deposit of $2,500.00 per person is due before June 30, 2023
Final Payment per person is due before October 25, 2023

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