Australia-New Zealand October 2018
This trip was certainly our longest, at three and a half weeks, and one of our best!
Watch our slide show
This trip was certainly our longest, at three and a half weeks, and one of our best!
Watch our slide show
SYDNEY
As soon as we arrive at our hotel after a journey of 18+ hours, our private city tour begins with Scott, whom everyone loves. While he tells us about this beautiful place, he drives us from the center to a view of the Bridge and Opera House, to suburbs and Bondi Beach. It's the perfect balance of time on the bus and time walking around. It's not easy to keep us awake and engaged, but he does it. This turns out the be the warmest and sunniest day in this city. The next morning we have a private tour of the opera house, followed by a memorable Aboriginal tour of the botanic gardens. The skies open up just as the tour begins and half the group returns to the hotels or drier spots. Those who stay are treated to a discussion with the young guide who "tells all" about life in their culture--from tattoos and knocked-out teeth to love marriages v. tribal ones. Several of us later visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales, very close to the gardens. Later, 3 of us secure last-minute tickets to Evita, playing at Sydney Opera House. What a treat!
The following day we have a private walking tour of the historic Rocks section, then we take a ferry to Manly where we enjoy a lovely 2-course lunch overlooking the beach. Our final day is a free one. Some visit the Sydney Fish Market, others museums, others shops. Our stay culminates in a private dinner cruise on the bay where our captain and crew member grill a prawn and steak dinner for us once we've anchored in an inlet.
PORT DOUGLAS
We take a 3-hour flight to Cairns and check into our resort hotel. Happily the next day is a nice one as we sail on a small boat to the Low Isles at the Great Barrier Reef. The group enjoys snorkeling, a glass bottom boat, guided island walk and delicious lunch buffet. That evening we shuttle into town for dinner at a nice tapas place. The following day we go to the Kuranda rainforest. It turns out to be fortunate that both the train and Skyrail are down for maintenance; we practically have the place to ourselves! We visit the wildlife park with its various indigenous animals, walk with an Aboriginal who lets us all throw a boomerang after a brief instruction, tour the rainforest in an amphibious vehicle, enjoy a buffet lunch, and get our pictures taken with a koala. We spend a little time in the village shops afterwards. Our final day includes some free time at the resort and a crocodile and wildlife cruise on the Daintree River. It's a good thing the fruit bats put on such a nice display, as it's high tide and no crocs are to be seen. Our stay here culminates in a dinner and Aboriginal cultural show at Flames of the Forest. The place is a bit out of town and the walkway is dark except for candles lighting the way. We're greeted with glasses of champagne and various passed hors d'oeuvres in a courtyard filled with lit-up trees. The multi-course dinner is delightful, as are the stories the Aboriginal tells. The fave is about how the platypus came to be.
ADELAIDE
Another 3-hour flight gets us to Adelaide in the South. On the way to our hotel, we get a panoramic tour. The city is totally surrounded by parks, which the residents appreciate and enjoy. The next day we go to Kangaroo Island; we fly on a small airplane in and out to save us 2 hours each way in travel time. Here our 5th-generation KI guide, Glen, shows us seals on the beach, kangaroos, koalas, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. That evening most of us gather at our hotel's rooftop bar for wine and light bites. On day 3, we do a private tour of the Barossa Valley, stopping at a trio of unique wineries and enjoying a pizza lunch along the way.
MELBOURNE
A short, 1-hour evening flight takes us to Melbourne. We start our sightseeing the next morning with enthusiastic Michelle who shows us so much of her city in under 5 hours. We end at Victoria Market where we have some lunch and browse the booths. The following day we have a foodie walking tour with John that ends with a tasty Asian lunch. Late that afternoon our private driver takes us to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade. We're stationed at the underground viewing. Dozens of penguins, under a foot tall, emerge from the sea up the beach then waddle by just a foot from our windows. They're too cute.
We say farewell to two of our travelers who are headed home and the rest of us continue to New Zealand.
QUEENSTOWN
We leave our hotel at 4a to take the only nonstop flight to Queenstown and arrive there about noon. After settling into our lake view rooms, we take the gondola ride up the mountain for some nice views of the town. And what a pretty place it is--with the lake, snow-capped mountains, and evergreens. We enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant with various food stations and a great vantage point over the lake--which we can enjoy as sunset isn't until 830. After a morning to recover, we have a private afternoon tour of the town and environs--with our wonderful guide Stephen, including a stop at a bridge to watch bungy-jumping (they can stop just short of the water or choose a wet landing). We also tour the gallery of a very friendly American and prolific painter. We have a delicious dinner tonight at Botswana Butchery. The next day is a full one, as we travel to Doubtful Sound--via minibus, boat, bus and boat--then back. The following day most of us wander over to the Saturday market featuring the arts and crafts of only South Islanders. Later we take the TSS Earnslaw vintage boat across the lake to Walter Peak Farm. We enjoy a sheep-sheering and sheep dog demo before sitting down to an amazing BBQ lunch. All too soon, we depart for Auckland.
AUCKLAND
It's less than a 2-hour flight from Queenstown and we get to our hotel on the Harbor quickly. As added excitement, Prince Harry and Meghan are staying at our hotel! The following morning we're introduced to the city by Michael on a 3.5-hour tour. We have a free afternoon, then dine at an excellent, unpretentious Italian restaurant that makes its own pasta. The next day we tour the Coromandel Peninsula with husband and wife team John and Rose. We take a wet trek through the rainforest to see vegetation, glow worms and other flora and fauna. We stop at the outlook where Capt Cook landed and have a tasty lunch along the way. The day after, we have a Maori-focused tour that takes us to the Auckland Museum and its cultural performance. We have a nice picnic lunch and drive out to a black beach with incredible birds. Our final day we take the short ferry ride to Devonport where there are lots of shops and eateries to explore. Later that afternoon it's time to head to the airport for our homeward bound flights.
As soon as we arrive at our hotel after a journey of 18+ hours, our private city tour begins with Scott, whom everyone loves. While he tells us about this beautiful place, he drives us from the center to a view of the Bridge and Opera House, to suburbs and Bondi Beach. It's the perfect balance of time on the bus and time walking around. It's not easy to keep us awake and engaged, but he does it. This turns out the be the warmest and sunniest day in this city. The next morning we have a private tour of the opera house, followed by a memorable Aboriginal tour of the botanic gardens. The skies open up just as the tour begins and half the group returns to the hotels or drier spots. Those who stay are treated to a discussion with the young guide who "tells all" about life in their culture--from tattoos and knocked-out teeth to love marriages v. tribal ones. Several of us later visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales, very close to the gardens. Later, 3 of us secure last-minute tickets to Evita, playing at Sydney Opera House. What a treat!
The following day we have a private walking tour of the historic Rocks section, then we take a ferry to Manly where we enjoy a lovely 2-course lunch overlooking the beach. Our final day is a free one. Some visit the Sydney Fish Market, others museums, others shops. Our stay culminates in a private dinner cruise on the bay where our captain and crew member grill a prawn and steak dinner for us once we've anchored in an inlet.
PORT DOUGLAS
We take a 3-hour flight to Cairns and check into our resort hotel. Happily the next day is a nice one as we sail on a small boat to the Low Isles at the Great Barrier Reef. The group enjoys snorkeling, a glass bottom boat, guided island walk and delicious lunch buffet. That evening we shuttle into town for dinner at a nice tapas place. The following day we go to the Kuranda rainforest. It turns out to be fortunate that both the train and Skyrail are down for maintenance; we practically have the place to ourselves! We visit the wildlife park with its various indigenous animals, walk with an Aboriginal who lets us all throw a boomerang after a brief instruction, tour the rainforest in an amphibious vehicle, enjoy a buffet lunch, and get our pictures taken with a koala. We spend a little time in the village shops afterwards. Our final day includes some free time at the resort and a crocodile and wildlife cruise on the Daintree River. It's a good thing the fruit bats put on such a nice display, as it's high tide and no crocs are to be seen. Our stay here culminates in a dinner and Aboriginal cultural show at Flames of the Forest. The place is a bit out of town and the walkway is dark except for candles lighting the way. We're greeted with glasses of champagne and various passed hors d'oeuvres in a courtyard filled with lit-up trees. The multi-course dinner is delightful, as are the stories the Aboriginal tells. The fave is about how the platypus came to be.
ADELAIDE
Another 3-hour flight gets us to Adelaide in the South. On the way to our hotel, we get a panoramic tour. The city is totally surrounded by parks, which the residents appreciate and enjoy. The next day we go to Kangaroo Island; we fly on a small airplane in and out to save us 2 hours each way in travel time. Here our 5th-generation KI guide, Glen, shows us seals on the beach, kangaroos, koalas, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. That evening most of us gather at our hotel's rooftop bar for wine and light bites. On day 3, we do a private tour of the Barossa Valley, stopping at a trio of unique wineries and enjoying a pizza lunch along the way.
MELBOURNE
A short, 1-hour evening flight takes us to Melbourne. We start our sightseeing the next morning with enthusiastic Michelle who shows us so much of her city in under 5 hours. We end at Victoria Market where we have some lunch and browse the booths. The following day we have a foodie walking tour with John that ends with a tasty Asian lunch. Late that afternoon our private driver takes us to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade. We're stationed at the underground viewing. Dozens of penguins, under a foot tall, emerge from the sea up the beach then waddle by just a foot from our windows. They're too cute.
We say farewell to two of our travelers who are headed home and the rest of us continue to New Zealand.
QUEENSTOWN
We leave our hotel at 4a to take the only nonstop flight to Queenstown and arrive there about noon. After settling into our lake view rooms, we take the gondola ride up the mountain for some nice views of the town. And what a pretty place it is--with the lake, snow-capped mountains, and evergreens. We enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant with various food stations and a great vantage point over the lake--which we can enjoy as sunset isn't until 830. After a morning to recover, we have a private afternoon tour of the town and environs--with our wonderful guide Stephen, including a stop at a bridge to watch bungy-jumping (they can stop just short of the water or choose a wet landing). We also tour the gallery of a very friendly American and prolific painter. We have a delicious dinner tonight at Botswana Butchery. The next day is a full one, as we travel to Doubtful Sound--via minibus, boat, bus and boat--then back. The following day most of us wander over to the Saturday market featuring the arts and crafts of only South Islanders. Later we take the TSS Earnslaw vintage boat across the lake to Walter Peak Farm. We enjoy a sheep-sheering and sheep dog demo before sitting down to an amazing BBQ lunch. All too soon, we depart for Auckland.
AUCKLAND
It's less than a 2-hour flight from Queenstown and we get to our hotel on the Harbor quickly. As added excitement, Prince Harry and Meghan are staying at our hotel! The following morning we're introduced to the city by Michael on a 3.5-hour tour. We have a free afternoon, then dine at an excellent, unpretentious Italian restaurant that makes its own pasta. The next day we tour the Coromandel Peninsula with husband and wife team John and Rose. We take a wet trek through the rainforest to see vegetation, glow worms and other flora and fauna. We stop at the outlook where Capt Cook landed and have a tasty lunch along the way. The day after, we have a Maori-focused tour that takes us to the Auckland Museum and its cultural performance. We have a nice picnic lunch and drive out to a black beach with incredible birds. Our final day we take the short ferry ride to Devonport where there are lots of shops and eateries to explore. Later that afternoon it's time to head to the airport for our homeward bound flights.