DETAILS
Explore the land “down under” on this 15-day journey, featuring 3 nights in cosmopolitan Sydney, Australia, and a 9-night cruise of New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Immerse yourself into the heart of cosmopolitan Sydney and see inimitable natural wonders that exist nowhere else on the planet as you cruise New Zealand’s North Island and circumnavigate the South Island. Savor stunning harbor views when you visit the iconic Sydney Opera House; the Yiribana Aboriginal Art Gallery; the famous Bondi Beach; and The Gap at Sydney Harbour National Park. Continue to New Zealand to experience Māori culture in the “thermal city” of Rotorua and enjoy a panoramic tour of the Art Deco city of Napier. Cruise for 2 days through Fiordland National Park for up-close views of deep fjords, untamed gorges, and the glacier‑grooved landscapes of Milford Sound and Dusky Sound.
- Pricing from
- $8,595
Early booking savings extended! No Single Supplement!
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Ocean & Sea Voyages
- Departure Dates
-
Jan 11, 2024 - Jan 25, 2024
Queenstown Post-Program Option
Discover New Zealand’s interior in Queenstown with a dynamic 3-night tour extension. Enjoy sweeping views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Southern Alps on the Skyline Gondola from Bob’s Peak. Continue to the historic mining settlement of Arrowtown, once rich with gold, for a glimpse into the town’s 1860s Gold Rush days. Visit the Lakes District Museum and see exhibits that celebrate the region’s early Māori life and settler history. Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the legendary T.S.S. Earnslaw, a 112-year-old, coal-powered steamship to visit Walter’s Peak, a high-country sheep station. Accommodations are in a centrally located luxury hotel.
The Post-Program Option is available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
Airport transfers and luggage handling abroad are only included if air arrangements are booked through Gohagan & Company. If travelers make their own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling are not included; transfers can be organized through Gohagan & Company and purchased by the traveler.
A non-refundable administrative fee of $300 per person will apply for all cancellations received more than 7 days after booking and before other fees take effect at 120 days:
120 days $300 per person admin fee after 7-day grace period from booking
120 – 91 days 25% of full invoice fare
90 – 61 days 50% of full invoice fare
60 – 31 days 75% of full invoice fare
30 – 0 days 100% of full invoice fare
Separate airfare Terms & Conditions apply
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
-
day 1&2
Depart the U.S.
Depart home city and cross the International Date Line.
-
day 3
Sydney, Australia
Arrive in cosmopolitan Sydney and check into the Shangri-La Sydney. Enjoy lunch on your own and a walk through the historic “Rocks” district, which marks the place where Australia was first founded.
-
day 4
Sydney, Australia
Explore the city on a sightseeing tour that includes visits to The Royal Botanic Garden, the Yiribana Aboriginal Art Gallery, and the renowned Bondi Beach. Conclude your evening with the Sydney Harbour Cruise, featuring cocktails and incredible views. (b,l)
-
day 5
Sydney, Australia
Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and architectural marvel. Attend an evening reception with special guest speaker Nova Peris. (b,r)
-
day 6
Sydney/Fly to Auckland, New Zealand
Fly from Sydney to Auckland before boarding Le Lapérouse and sail to Waiheke Island. (b,d)
-
day 7
Auckland
Enjoy visiting the island’s famed vineyards, including wine samples, a food pairing, and a honey and olive oil tasting. (b,l,r,d)
-
day 8
Whakatane/Rotorua
Journey to the “thermal city” of Rotorua to experience rich Maori culture and other spectacular marvels. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and cascading Pohutu geyser that make Rotorua famous. Finish your tour with a lively Maori performance, which includes the world‑famous haka dance. (b,l,d)
-
day 9
Napier
Two options await as you arrive in Napier. You may embark on the city’s Art Deco Tour, which begins with a drive to suburban Marewa to see Napier’s legendary Art Deco homes from the 1930s and 1940s and other architectural landmarks such as the Municipal Theatre, the former Hotel Central, and the Masonic Hotel. From there, you will visit the Art Deco Trust building to watch a short film that documents the Hawke’s Bay earthquake in 1931 and the determination that resulted in the city being rebuilt over the course of two years. A second option is to immerse yourself in the 1850s-era wine‑making history of Hawke’s Bay, which includes tastings. (b,l,d)
-
day 10
Picton, South Island
Choose from three excursion options as the ship arrives in Picton. You may opt for a guided sea kayak adventure on the west end of Queen Charlotte Sound, cruise to Arapawa Island for a tour of a Blue Pearl farm, or visit three wineries in the Marlborough Wine Region, with tastings. (b,l,d)
-
day 11
Cruising the Tasman Sea
Cruise the Tasman Sea and attend educational lectures. (b,l,d)
-
day 12
Milford Sound
Milford and Dusky Sounds comprise Fiordland National Park, which is a part of the UNESCO‑inscribed Te Wahipounamu. Look for New Zealand fur seals, the Bottlenose Dolphin, and the Little Blue Penguin from the ship and spectacular scenery as the ship enters Milford Sound—which author Rudyard Kipling referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. (b,l,d)
-
day 13
Cruising Dusky Sound
Cruise through Dusky Sound for views of sheer cliffs, dramatic wilderness, and tumbling waterfalls. Look for cormorants, seagulls, and New Zealand fur seals on Zodiac excursions. In 1773, the British navigator James Cook spent a few weeks at Dusky Sound, which is noted by a plaque that can be seen at Astronomer’s Point. (b,l,d)
-
day 14
Dunedin
Arrive in Victorian-era Dunedin and choose from several included excursions. The first is a city tour to see such landmarks as its famous Octagon city center, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the First Church of Otago, and the Dunedin Rail Station. You will also visit Olveston House, a 35-room, early 20th century Jacobean-style mansion. Another option is to journey to the Otago Peninsula for a visit to a private working farm where you will board an
8-wheel drive vehicle known as an Argo for a scenic off-road journey. Along the way, look for some of the peninsula’s most spectacular wildlife, including the New Zealand seal. Be on deck with a team of naturalists as the ship continues from Otago Peninsula to cruise past a rookery of Northern Royal Albatross. (b,l,r,d) -
day 15
Lyttleton/Christchurch/Auckland/Return to home city
Spend your final day in New Zealand in the storied city Christchurch for a tour that showcases the highlights—including the Mona Vale Gardens and the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial. Enjoy lunch before returning to your home city. (b,l)
Everything you need to know about the tour
Save this information for later by downloading the full tour brochure.
Be prepared with the National Trust Travel Plan
Since 1973, USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services has served travelers just like you, to help protect their travel plans