The Grand Australia, New Zealand & Bora Bora Tour

A More than 18 day trip to Australia, New Zealand & Tahiti

From streets of Australia s biggest cities to the bright and clear air above Milford Sound, the Southern Hemisphere will dazzle you at every turn. Tingling taste buds and the smell of the sea, the sight of Sydney Harbour and the feel of the sand under your toes: there s no denying that this unforgettable tour is a total-sensory experience.

General Information

Photos
Detailed Itinerary

Places Visited 

Auckland, Queenstown, Dart River, Milford Sound, Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Phillip Island, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Bora Bora

Departure Dates 

Dates are flexible and customizable for private departures.

Detailed Itinerary 

DAY ONE

WELCOME TO AUCKLAND!

Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails . Auckland offers all of the things associated with a sophisticated cosmopolitan city, from beautiful scenery to adrenaline pumping adventure - and first-class food and wine.

PRIVATE TRANSFER

Auckland International Airport to hotel

SOFITEL AUCKLAND VIADUCT HARBOUR

2 nights SUPERIOR ROOM

Sofitel Auckland Harbour Auckland is New Zealand s newest five star waterfront hotel. Overlooking Auckland s Viaduct Harbour, the Sofitel Auckland celebrates its maritime location with sweeping marina views and spacious promenades leading to restaurants and the Customhouse, High Street, and shopping districts nearby.

Superior Rooms (365 square feet) feature floor to ceiling windows, balcony, oversized bathrooms with separate deep soaking bathtub and shower, Bose stereo system as well as the legendary Sofitel My Bed .

DAY TWO

AUCKLAND'S BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Experience the best sights of Auckland City in the morning and wilderness in the afternoon. Auckland is set on 48 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbors, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Travel through Auckland's central business district, past the Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as the Domain. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby with its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland s North Shore for a stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport. Travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Then visit the Auckland Fish Market, before continuing on to the Viaduct Harbour.

In the afternoon we take a 30 minute drive from downtown Auckland to the Arataki Centre, in the Waitakere Ranges. Sweeping decks give breathtaking panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the local history and admire the magnificent Maori carvings that stand guard there. Head further west and experience the power of the wild west coast. With knowledgeable and experienced guides your eco-tour continues on to the lush rainforest where you hear native birdsong as you walk the easy bush tracks amongst New Zealand's famous kauri trees and giant tree ferns. Refreshments included; does not include lunch.

DAY THREE

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Hotel to Auckland Airport

AUCKLAND TO QUEENSTOWN

WELCOME TO QUEENSTOWN!

Queenstown is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four season alpine and lake resort. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the majestic Remarkables Range, Queenstown is the perfect destination all year round.

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Queenstown Airport to hotel

BROWNS BOUTIQUE HOTEL

3 nights DELUXE ROOM (Includes breakfast)

Designed along traditional European style pensions and albergos, this small boutique hotel features 10 rooms. All have their own French doors opening onto Juliet balconies on the two upper floors. Superb style and quality furnishings give the hotel a timeless feel. Each room is well appointed offering optimum comfort with super-king sized beds (or twin rooms). The walled courtyard leading from the guest dining room and lounge is reminiscent of European holidays yet with New Zealand touches. Relax in the guest lounge with open fire and enjoy cooked and continental breakfast in the fine dining room or alfresco in the courtyard.

DAY FOUR

DART RIVER FUNYAK SAFARI

2 x Full day adventure touring

Today you will enjoy a truly unique outdoor adventure safari. The journey begins with an exciting 1 1/4 hour jetboat ride up the Dart River with all the thrills of shallow river jet boating and famous jet spins. You will be introduced to your Funyak - a unique inflatable canoe. After full instructions you will be free to paddle and drift (under the watchful eye of our guide) for 2 hours downstream, taking in all the awe-inspiring sights amidst the Dart River channels. You will stop amongst the ancient beech forest to enjoy a wilderness buffet lunch and explore hidden side streams, rock stream, rock pools before continuing downstream to Paradise. From here you will be taken by 4WD coach to Glenorchy, stopping to view the stunning scenery that has inspired films the world over like Lord of the Rings. On completion of your tour you will be dropped back off to Downtown Queenstown.

DAY FIVE

MILFORD SOUND HELICOPTER TOUR & CRUISE

2 x Helicopter Adventure

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound by helicopter. Enjoy spectacular views of mountains, lakes and fiords of Fiordland National Park. Connect with Mitre Peak Cruises for your relaxing cruise. Return to Queenstown by helicopter with an alpine landing for the ultimate experience. (Weather permitting).

NEVIS BUNGY JUMP

Want an outdoor adventure, beautiful scenery and extreme highs? Then the Nevis Bungy, 440 feet above the rugged Nevis River, combines all these elements into a mind blowing series of unforgettable events. With 8.5 seconds of falling it s a breathtaking ground rush like no other. Your Nevis Highwire Bungy experience kicks off with a rugged 35 minute back-blocks 4x4WD drive before you're harnessed up.

Minimum age 13 years; minimum weight 99lbs, maximum 285lbs.

DAY SIX

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Hotel to Queenstown Airport

QUEENSTOWN TO SYDNEY, SYDNEY TO CAIRNS

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Cairns Airport to Port Douglas

Welcome to Port Douglas!

This is a tropical holiday destination of choice for A-list celebrities, heads of state and sports stars from all over the globe. Port Douglas, affectionately known as Port , is a sophisticated, but laid back seaside village just over 40 miles north of Cairns. The closest town to the Great Barrier Reef with no traffic lights or parking meters in sight, Port Douglas is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life while still enjoying cosmopolitan convenience and contemporary style in a tropical climate.

PORT DOUGLAS PENINSULA BOUTIQUE HOTEL

4 nights POOL VIEW SUITE Including full breakfast

The Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel represents a unique concept in Orient-Travel accommodation - the comfort and facilities of a hotel with the friendliness and personal service that only a small property can provide. Port Douglas Peninsula Hotel is ideally located on the Coral Sea and is stunningly positioned, being only a one-minute walk from the town centre, shopping and restaurants.

DAY SEVEN

GREAT BARRIER REEF

2 x Low Isles Great Barrier Reef cruise

Sailaway Port Douglas invites you to enjoy a day to remember with a reef and island sail for snorkeling and exploring Low Isles, an unspoilt coral cay on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. With only 1 of 4 reef tour licenses to moor at Low Isles there is limited access. With a maximum of 33 passengers personal attention from our friendly and helpful crew is ensured.

DAY EIGHT

AT LEISURE

DAY NINE

HOT AIR BALLOONING

2 x 30 minute flight

Experience the fun & unique sensation of a hot air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands. Enjoy the picturesque landscape at sunrise and breathe in the wide-open spaces! You will be picked up early from your hotel to commence your scenic colorful balloon flight. Enjoy the experience of watching your balloon being prepared and filled by our crew as the sun gently rises to unveil the surrounding beauty.

After we're back down to earth, you have the option to enjoy a breakfast at a local cafe with a choice of budget, moderate or superior venue (breakfast not included). Note: Aviation Insurance Levy of AUD$30.00 per person is not included - please pay for this direct.

DAY TEN

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Port Douglas to Cairns Airport

CAIRNS TO MELBOURNE

WELCOME TO MELBOURNE!

Australia s second-largest city, Melbourne boasts great festivals and shopping, a passion for food and wine, and fabulous arts. Outside Melbourne, you ll find a host of regional attractions, from the Little Penguins to the spectacular Great Ocean Road. Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city itself, laid out in a large rectangle and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse, sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River.

Average high / low temperature while you are in Melbourne: 75F / 55F

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Melbourne Domestic Airport to hotel

CROWN PROMENADE HOTEL

4 nights CORNER ROOM

Stylish, affordable, and thoroughly modern, Melbourne's Crown Promenade Hotel offers you a fresh perspective on how good a hotel really can be. Located in the heart of the action - Melbourne's vibrant Southbank entertainment precinct and directly linked to the exciting Crown Entertainment Complex. The natural tones of the decor and the illuminating light from floor to ceiling windows give the rooms a calm, natural, minimal feel.

DAY ELEVEN

AT LEISURE

DAY TWELVE

KANGAROOS, KOALAS AND AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE, IN THE WILD

2 x Small Group Ecotour

See Koalas and Kangaroos in the wild! Interact with wild animals in their natural habitats on this full day, fully inclusive small group (max 8 people) eco-tour, led by an experienced Wildlife Guide. Walk through natural bushland to meet wild koalas, then learn about each one's history and social life from your Wildlife Guide and Koala Researcher. Help collect important data, remove Boneseed (a weed) and make a difference to koala habitat. Join wild mobs of Kangaroos on the plains and in open forests. Their natural instinct is to flee humans, but with care we often get close enough to take photographs and observe their complex social life. While we walk, help your Guide record sightings of all native wildlife.

The natural environments we visit are also home to parrots, fairy-wrens, emus, honeyeaters, possums, wallabies and lizards. Your Wildlife Guide will help you find and understand them, and teach you survey techniques that will be useful to you wherever you go. At the end of the day you will receive a certificate of thanks for helping wildlife, and an opportunity to stay in touch with each of the Koalas seen on the day. The tour is vehicle-based, with short walks during the day; includes a substantial picnic lunch and pick up/drop off to Melbourne city.

DAY THIRTEEN

PHILLIP ISLAND AND PENGUIN PARADE

2 x Full day tour includes Penguins Plus

If you re a lover of fine food, fabulous fauna and Australian animals then this is definitely the tour for you! Our first destination is the delightful Bass River Winery. This boutique winery is set amongst the Gippsland hills and offer stunning outlooks while we sample and learn about the range of estate produced wines, and will also enjoy a sampling of Gippsland s finest cheeses & other gourmet produce. Our next stop, the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and the world s largest chocolate waterfall. For those interested by the processes of chocolate-making, Panny s World of Chocolate also features an educational exhibition. Of course, there are lots of chocolate varieties to purchase, including Panny s famous hot chocolate shots!

We also visit the Koala Conservation Centre to meet some of the friendly locals. We ll walk among the treetops and view and learn about the numerous wild koalas up close at this iconic wildlife attraction. We then make our way to the beach where, as dusk falls, it s time for the stars of the show the Little Penguins. You ll be truly enchanted as the stars of the show emerge from the surf and pass right before your eyes on their journey back to their homes. Your viewing experience is from the more personalized Penguins Plus viewing platform. With numbers limited to 150, you ll enjoy special ranger interpretation in a more natural setting and a complimentary hot beverage. Time is allowed to explore the Visitor Centre and to shop for souvenirs before commencing the journey back to Melbourne.

DAY FOURTEEN

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Hotel to Melbourne Airport

MELBOURNE TO SYDNEY

WELCOME TO SYDNEY!

Stylish Sydney a cosmopolitan international city filled with vibrant life, character and a sense of daring. The multiculturalism means a wealth of amazing dining experiences. While you will find all the icons you know, such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, you will also find interesting people, cultural vibrancy and a positive spirit.

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Sydney Domestic Airport to hotel

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SYDNEY

4 nights DELUXE CITY VIEW ROOM

The Four Seasons Sydney captures all of Sydney's most celebrated icons from the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House. Combining a premier location with fabled standards in service and amenities, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney has gained a position among the finest hotels in the world. Situated in historic George Street, the hotel puts the charm of The Rocks on your doorstep, linger at outdoor cafes, explore the weekend markets or visit galleries of Aboriginal arts and crafts.

Located on the 10th to 32nd floors, these Orient-Travel rooms in Four Seasons Hotel Sydney offer panoramic views over Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. 280 sq ft, One king bed or two single beds.

DAY FIFTEEN

DELUXE BLUE MOUNTAIN ECO ADVENTURE

Today you ll take a real Australian journey into the heart of a unique World Heritage Region. From temperate rainforests to towering sandstone escarpments, you'll see it all. Departing the city, you arrive at Featherdale Wildlife Park where you enjoy a special environment free of other tourists. Enjoy meeting Australian animals including kangaroos, emus, wombats, dingos and more. We depart Featherdale Park as it opens to regular visitors and travel to the Blue Mountains. We head up through the northern section of the Blue Mountains National Park, stopping at a number of spots for short walks to enjoy the stunning views of these remote regions and learn about the flora.

Our lunch destination is in the heart of the Blue Mountains, where we relax to enjoy a delicious 2 course lunch. We then continue to Govetts Leap for magnificent Valley and waterfall views and then on to see the views of spectacular Megalong Valley. We stop for views of the 3 Sisters away from the crowds. Traveling down the mountains head into the national park to Euroka Clearing where you will see kangaroos in their natural environment while enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne or fruit juice. Then return to the city crossing over the ANZAC bridge. NOTE: Please wear comfortable, casual clothes with good flat walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, camera and a rain coat if rain is predicted.

DAY SIXTEEN

AT LEISURE

DAY SEVENTEEN

BRIDGECLIMB

BridgeClimb is Australia's most exciting and accessible adventure on one of the world's most modern wonders: The Sydney Harbour Bridge. Experience the incredible three hour adventure that will take you to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge some 440 feet above the Harbour. The Climb is a 3 hour guided journey to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It takes you along the outer arch of the Bridge on catwalks and ladders all the way to the summit.

You ll be led by one of BridgeClimb s professional Climb Leaders on an adventure of the world s most recognizable Bridge. The steady incline to the summit leaves you free to focus your attention on your Sydney experience, with opportunities to witness 360 degree views of Sydney, including east to the Sydney Opera House, west to the Blue Mountains and the Harbour city surrounds. BridgeClimb is the ultimate Sydney experience.

DAY EIGHTEEN

SHUTTLE TRANSFER

Hotel to Sydney Airport

DAY SEVENTEEN

AIR TAHITI

PAPEETE TO BORA BORA

BOAT TRANSFER

Airport to Hotel

ST REGIS BORA BORA RESORT

4 nights OVERWATER VILLA

Offering the most exclusive island accommodations in the region, this sprawling 44-acre resort matches blissful Polynesian paradise with flawless signature service.

The Over Water One Bedroom Villa features 1,550 square feet of space, with standard views. Tastefully designed in exotic woods and marble and featuring a private terrace and gazebo, they easily translate to islands of peace and tranquility.

DAY EIGHTEEN TO TWENTY

AT LEISURE

DAY TWENTY ONE

BOAT TRANSFER

Hotel to Airport

Price

Price 

Please inquire for a custom quote. The price is customized based on final hotel choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences.