Australia and New Zealand: An Epic Adventure

Tucked into Port Phillip Bay on Australia’s southeastern coast, Melbourne is known for its lively music, art, festival and restaurant scenes. After immediate check-in, explore the heart of Melbourne, taking in the city’s rich and varied architecture. Stroll its atmospheric arcades and alleyways, home to trendy cafés and eclectic boutiques. Gather tonight for a welcome dinner.

Set out for the renowned Yarra Valley, stopping at a winery for a tasting, followed by a lunch with matched wines.

Fly to Uluru for a two-night stay at amazing Longitude 131° — your luxurious camp set in the wilderness of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in central Australia’s arid Outback, overlooking massive Uluru. Also known as Ayers Rock, this iconic red sandstone monolith bears a deep spiritual significance for Indigenous Australians. Witness the changing light as the sun sets on Uluru, with a chilled glass in hand. Tonight, dine among the dunes, feasting on a four-course meal complemented with premium Australian wines.

Rise early the next day to view sunrise over the majestic domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Walk with your guide through Walpa Gorge before returning to Uluru for a walk at its base, viewing cave paintings and sources of bush tucker. With the walls of Kantju Gorge ablaze with light from the setting sun, toast the inspiring moment with sparkling wine.

Fly to Cairns, gateway to tropical wonders of northern Queensland. Drive up the coast to your lodge and settle into your treetop hideaway, nestled in the unspoiled Daintree Rainforest.

Embark by boat to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel the reef on expeditions to two different locations, delighting in the colorful undersea life inhabiting each.

Travel to Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, which you explore privately with a park ranger, enjoying access to the koala and wallaby enclosures as well as the opportunity to interact with a koala, on an A&K-exclusive experience. Visit the Wildlife Care Center for rescued animals, and then journey to a private portion of the Daintree Rainforest for an interpretive forest walk.

Fly to Sydney. Built around a beautiful harbor, Sydney is one of Australia’s most cosmopolitan cities, a place of outstanding food, live music and an effervescent social scene.

Privately cruise Sydney Harbour, viewing the city’s highlights, such as the Harbour Bridge. Back on shore, tour the iconic Sydney Opera House with a private guide who reveals its secrets. Later, admire alluring Paddington, a neighborhood filled with Victorian and Georgian architecture, and then sink your toes in the sand at the surfer’s paradise of Bondi Beach.

Finish your time in Australia with a day to explore Sydney on your own, checking out the beaches, cafes and boutiques that give this city its distinctive vibe. Tonight, dine at a chef-led experience at a local restaurant.

Fly to Wellington, New Zealand’s trendsetting capital, where you encounter authentic “Kiwi” life. This relatively small city brims with hip galleries, fascinating museums, craft breweries and trendy cafés. Take in Wellington’s highlights and ascend by cable car to a scenic outlook point for incredible views over Wellington Harbour.

Visit New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa as a group in the morning, and then enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

Visit Weta Workshop, the award-winning creative services company that did stellar work on The Hobbit, King Kong, Avatar and far more.

e-Bike the Wellington Waterfront, learning about key historical figures that shaped the city’s heritage as you ride.

Indulge in a Foodie Walking Tour, sampling local dishes at restaurants and food stands.

Return to your hotel.

Fly to Queenstown, located on New Zealand’s South Island. Flanked by soaring mountains, this sophisticated enclave graces the shores of a pristine lake. It was once a Maori settlement and, later, a gold mining outpost. Today it is an adventure capital, a haven for hiking, vineyard tours and fine dining. Visit a famed bungeejump site and Arrowtown. Eat lunch before checking in to your luxurious hotel.

Take a scenic flight to Milford Sound (weather permitting). Cruise this majestic fjord by boat, viewing sparkling waterfalls while watching for wildlife, such as seals basking on the rocks or dolphins frolicking in the water. Return by air to Queenstown for dinner at a local restaurant.

Privately visit the home and gallery of a noted local artist to learn about the artist’s history and techniques. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch served with paired wines and visit a local winery for a private tour and tasting.

Fly to Auckland, on New Zealand’s north island. Set on a narrow isthmus framed by rolling hills, the city is a gleaming urban oasis on the doorstep of New Zealand’s wild frontier. Join a private guide for an interactive experience that showcases New Zealand’s iconic rugby team, the All Blacks, revealing the story behind their pulse-pounding rendition of the haka, a Maori ceremonial dance. This evening, gather for a special farewell dinner.

After breakfast, take your private transfer to the airport for your departing flight.