Australia and New Zealand North Island

Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.

Before you see Rotorua, you may smell it first: sulfur. It’s a fitting introduction to a city shaped by geothermal forces. Rotorua offers a striking look at volcanic activity, with steam rising across the city from several thermal areas. One of its geysers erupts multiple times each day, sending water high into the air.

Explore Rotorua’s geothermal and cultural landscapes on a guided visit through Whakarewarewa Valley. See bubbling mud pools and steaming vents, visit a thermal reserve, and learn how Māori communities live alongside this environment. Observe kiwi in a nocturnal habitat and see traditional carving and weaving at the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

Located in the heart of scenic farmland, this world-famous farm show offers a fun and educational look at New Zealand’s agricultural traditions. Learn about the various breeds of sheep found across the country, and when in season, enjoy a visit to the Farmyard Nursery.

Experience Māori culture through a traditional hāngī feast, where food is cooked using natural geothermal steam. Vegetables and meats are wrapped in leaves and slow-cooked underground, offering insight into an age-old, community-centered cooking tradition.

Stop to see the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, first explored in 1887 by a local Maori Chief, Tane Tinorau, and an English surveyor, Fred Mace. Enter as they did, and as your eyes adjust to the darkness, imagine how they must have felt upon discovering the Glowworm Grotto--thousands of lights on the ceiling that are actually insects. See the caves' dry valleys, streams that disappear down funnel-shaped sinkholes and craggy limestone outcrops and formations.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided visit, Glowworm Grotto visit

Experience Auckland through Tour Director–led sightseeing that highlights New Zealand’s diverse landscapes and bicultural foundations. Visit Mission Bay to see how the harbor shapes city life, then travel to Maungawhau (Mount Eden), once a major Māori settlement. From the summit, enjoy sweeping views of Auckland and the Waitematā Harbour while learning how geography and culture are closely connected.

Step into the world of New Zealand rugby on an interactive guided visit. Explore immersive exhibits, test your skills, and learn about the legacy of the All Blacks and other national teams. Discover the history, traditions, and cultural significance of the sport, including the meaning and power of the haka.

Explore Sydney on foot through The Rocks, where cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and lively shops bring the city’s past and present together. Walk across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge for sweeping harbor views, then stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens to discover native plants and scenic waterfront landscapes.

Explore the Sydney Opera House and learn the story behind its iconic design. Discover architect Jørn Utzon’s vision, get a close look at the famous shell tiles, and step inside to visit performance spaces. Take in the craftsmanship and experience one of the world’s most recognized cultural landmarks.

Visit Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most famous stretches of sand, known for its surf culture, lifesaving history, and vibrant atmosphere. Learn what makes Bondi unique, then enjoy free time to relax, explore, or try surfing. Continue to The Gap for coastal views and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for iconic harbor views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Grab a board and learn to surf at Bondi Beach. Start on the sand, then head into the water as experienced surfers and lifeguards guide you through the basics. With about 90 minutes of instruction, plus surfboards and wetsuits included, you’ll build confidence and catch your first waves.

Hop aboard the Manly Ferry, one of Sydney’s most iconic experiences. Departing regularly to and from Manly to Circular Quay, the ferry cruises past the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House before passing Kirribilli House the official residence of the Prime Minister.

Get to know the vibrant Manly, known for its stunning beaches, outdoor cafés, and cool restaurants. The streets are lined with surf and beach-ware shops and little boutique stores. Get active with a scenic coastal walk or go for a swim, hire a bike or walk to Fairy Bower Beach, where the little penguins reside.

Spend a day at the scenic Blue Mountain National Park - the traditional homelands of six groups of indigenous people – Darug, Gundungurra, Wiradjuri, Wanaruah, Darkinjung and Tharawal. Travel through rainforests and encounter new plants and wildlife. Observe the amazing sandstone rock formation known as the Three Sisters. The Blue Mountains offer a variety of lookout points for you to take in the views.