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Australia: Melbourne, Alice Springs, the Outback, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney | New Zealand: Christchurch, Hokitika, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, Auckland
Includes airfare
During your trip, you will have the opportunity to join optional tours to further your discoveries—all of which are noted below. Most of these tours can only be reserved onsite with your Trip Experience Leader, however due to limited space and other special requirements, some optional tours must be reserved before your departure from the U.S. If this trip has optional tours that need to be purchased in advance, they will be noted with a disclaimer below.
Day 12 | $135 per person
Day 12 | $135 per person
Fly above the waves and enjoy the sweeping panorama of the Great Barrier Reef aboard a helicopter. You’ll soar for 10 minutes, taking in incredible views of the cerulean waters and colorful coral formations that make up this expansive aquatic wonder before rejoining your fellow travelers at sea level to participate in the activities of your included tour of the reef.
Day 13 | $150 per person
Day 13 | $150 per person
On this half-day tour, you can discover the best of Australia's wildlife all in one place, from alligators, cassowaries, and wombat to koalas, emus, kangaroos, wallabies, and more. You'll also enjoy a boat cruise on Hartley’s Lagoon to view crocodiles and other wildlife up close in a coastal wetland setting. There are numerous daily wildlife presentations, along with about 1.5 miles of timber boardwalks and pathways where you can explore on your own. Lunch is included at a beachfront restaurant in Palm Cove before returning to our hotel in Cairns. This optional tour also requires a minimum of six travelers.
Day 22 | $200 per person
Day 22 | $200 per person
On this half-day optional excursion, we’ll explore the Dart River on an unforgettable jet-boat adventure in Mount Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We travel overland along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy, a frontier town at the base of the Southern Alps where we board a jet-boat for a journey across the lake, featuring huge snowcapped mountain backdrops made famous by movies such as The Lord of the Rings. On the return trip to Glenorchy, our driver will demonstrate how the jet-ski can make high-speed precision turns and 360-degree spins. Jet-boats were invented in New Zealand for shallow rivers like the Dart, and this is a thrilling way to view spectacular alpine scenery. From Glenorchy, we ride back to Queenstown.
Day 26 | $131 per person
Day 26 | $131 per person
Venturing deep into the ancient New Zealand forest, we'll walk on swing bridges and cruise on ziplines as we learn about flora and fauna from a personal resident guide, and discover how this eco-focused company has endeavored to regenerate the forest in this region.
Day 5 | $210 per person
Day 5 | $210 per person
The Healesville Sanctuary, a small wildlife refuge nestled in the lush landscapes of along the Watts Rivers, features animals only native to Australia. Our visit here will include a guided walking tours and perhaps opportunities to feed wildlife. A natural oasis located just an hour outside of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges offer visitors a tranquil escape from the bustling city with its fern gullies, mountain ash forests, quaint artists’ villages, and unique gardens. While there, we’ll wander through fern-blanketed glades and lush woodlands with a local guide.
Next, we’ll ascend 2,077 feet above sea level to Dandenong’s Sky High Lookout for a sweeping view of the region below.