Very Best of Australia & New Zealand

In Melbourne, take a Scenic Freechoice excursion to Phillip Island or drive down the expansive Great Ocean Road. Walk amongst Australia’s much-loved marsupials during a Scenic Enrich excursion to a kangaroo sanctuary, before a sunset dining experience at Uluru. Continuing to Cairns, view the coral network of the Great Barrier Reef from above in a helicopter, before Sydney’s sites are unveiled during an evening harbour dinner cruise. A cruise on the ethereal Milford Sound, introduces you to unique New Zealand. Witness the Franz Josef Glacier, go punting on Christchurch’s River Avon and unwind in the geothermal pools of Rotorua, before a Scenic Enrich Mãori experience. Conclude in Auckland with lunch at the award-winning Hamilton Gardens and embark on an excursion to the black sandy beaches and rainforests of Waitakere Ranges.

What's Included:

• 24 nights accommodation the rest in flight
• Return flights from Birmingham
• 37 Meals - 24 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 10 dinners
• Overseas transfers
• Private chauffeur driven door-to-door transfers

Day 1 - Depart the UK

Fly with a world-renowned airline from London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham or Glasgow. Why not include an outbound stopover? Enquire for details (additional expense). Included on board flight meal service and complimentary bar service.

Day 2 - Arrive Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne. You’ll be met at the airport by a Scenic Representative and transferred to your hotel for a three-night stay. Included on board flight meal service and complimentary bar service.

Day 3 - Melbourne

Spend your first day however you please. Why not visit one of the city’s many art galleries and museums, or head to Federation Square?

Enjoy a late afternoon Garden Tour at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne. Explore behind the scenes, uncover the stories of one of Melbourne’s most significant historical landmarks and gain rare access to the national Herbarium and Melbourne Observatory. Following the tour you will experience a 3 course dinner at Jardin TAN. A French / Vietnamese fusion restaurant set within the lush, green embrace of the gardens.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Melbourne

Choose from a collection of Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Take a trip to Phillip Island and see the penguin parade, take a ride down the Great Ocean Road, or explore the city’s treasures on a Lanes & Arcades walking tour, or take a guided tour of the city. If sport is more your thing, celebrate the nation’s rich history at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and National Sports Museum. Learn about sporting triumphs, take a tour of the stadium, and perhaps even see a match.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Melbourne > Alice Springs

Today, fly to Alice Springs and begin your adventure through the “Red Centre” of Australia. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and learn about medical services in the outback. Enjoy an overnight stay.

Take a laid back walk through the bush of the Kangaroo Sanctuary. A guide will be on hand to teach about the significance of the wildlife that inhabits the 90 acres of untouched land, founded by Chris Barnes, star of Kangaroo Dundee.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Alice Springs - Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Travel through Australia’s desert landscape before arriving at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a one-night Scenic Special Stay at your unique luxury retreat.

Enrich Tonight you’re invited to a dining experience set amidst an outdoor exhibit called Field of Light. The mesmerising artwork, created by Bruce Munro, will be created from thousands of bulbs planted in the desert surrounding Uluru in the outback. As the sun sets and the lights twinkle, you’ll enjoy canapés, complimentary drinks and authentic Australian cuisine.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - Uluru - Cairns After watching the sun rise over Uluru, you’ll take a base tour of the gargantuan spectacle, which includes the Mala Walk and Mutitjulu Waterhole. Later, fly to Cairns for a four-night stay in the Tropical North of Australia. The next two-nights will be at your hotel in Cairns.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Cairns

Soar over the Atherton Tablelands on a hot air balloon flight at sunrise, or journey through magnificent rainforest on the Kuranda Scenic Railway before returning by Skyrail. Alternatively, enjoy an Australian wildlife experience at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures or The Best of the Cairns Tablelands including local tastings of smoked meats and native herbs.

Tonight, enjoy the Spirit of Cairns dinner cruise.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 - Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Port Douglas

Travel to Port Douglas and take a catamaran to the Outer Barrier Reef. Snorkel amidst the labyrinth of coral with an instructor and enjoy underwater observatory on a semi-submersible boat. Afterwards, a delicious lunch will be served on the pontoon. Your home for the next two nights is Port Douglas.

One of the highlights of your trip will be taking to the skies for a short helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef. A bird’s eye view really puts this striking phenomenon into perspective, offering unrivalled views of the extensive network of coral below.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 - Port Douglas

Relax today and enjoy the resort lifestyle of Port Douglas.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Port Douglas - Brisbane

Travel back to Cairns to fly to Brisbane. Check into your hotel for a two-night Special Stay. Feel free to peruse the city at your leisure. You’ll find yourself perfectly located, just a short stroll from the Brisbane river and not far from the heritage-listed Anzac Square.

Spend the evening indulging in Japanese cuisine in the hotel’s Kabuki Teppanyaki restaurant as you taste the TSUBAKI set menu. Alternatively, enjoy a delicious three-course menu at the hotel’s The Brasserie or experience the Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal show and dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 - Brisbane

Climb the city’s iconic Story Bridge, marvelling at the metropolis below. Alternatively, take the Croc Express to Australia Zoo, or cruise along Brisbane River to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. If you’d prefer, visit Lamington National Park and experience a thrilling Tree Top Canopy Walk at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Brisbane - Sydney

Welcome to Sydney, upon arrival check into your hotel for a three-night stay. One of the newest hotels in Sydney enjoy its central location in the Darling Harbour Leisure precinct of Sydney.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 14 - Sydney

Tour the famous Sydney Opera House, visit Taronga Zoo, wander around Sydney’s Botanical Garden, or take a day trip to the Blue Mountains and discover some local wildlife along the way.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 15 - Sydney

Discover the city independently. Stroll the famous Bondi and Bronte beaches or bush-walk through Sydney Harbour National Park. Take a fabulous cruise, which includes dinner, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, dine at the hotel restaurant ABODE, or enjoy a seafood platter for two at Nick’s Seafood Restaurant, Darling Harbour.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16 - Sydney - Queenstown, New Zealand

Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Queenstown. Enjoy a three-night stay. The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure, taking in the magnificent views of the lake and the Remarkables Mountains.

Take a steamship cruise on TSS Earnslaw and enjoy dinner at Walter Peak, ride the Skyline Gondola and dine overlooking Queenstown or simply relax at the hotel’s restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17 - Queenstown

Journey to Fiordland National Park for an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. The sublime landscape is an isolated utopia, carved by ancient glaciers.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 18 - Queenstown

Take the Dart River Wilderness Jet or tour local wineries. Alternatively feel exhilarated on the Shotover jet, a 4WD tour of Skippers Canyon or Safari of the Scenes tour exploring The Lord of The Rings film set.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 19 - Queenstown - Franz Josef

Travel to the West Coast via the picturesque town of Wanaka. Arrive in Franz Josef and stand in wonder at Franz Josef Glacier with its ever changing face. Stay overnight in Franz Josef.

Optional Flight - Take a helicopter flight over Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and experience the wonder of landing in this natural alpine landscape. (Additional expense).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 20 - Franz Josef - TranzAlpine - Christchurch

Visit the home of New Zealand’s native greenstone, Hokitika. Join the TranzAlpine this afternoon for your rail journey across the Southern Alps back to Christchurch, considered one of the top six train journeys in the world. Enjoy a two-night stay at your hotel in Christchurch, situated just moments from Cathedral Square and Hagley Park. This evening, you’re invited to dinner at your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 21 - Christchurch

Go punting on the tranquil River Avon or explore the nearby Botanical gardens. Visit the award-winning Antarctic Centre for a truly immersive experience, or if you’d prefer, embark on an open top bus tour of the city.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 22 - Christchurch - Rotorua

After transferring to the airport and flying to Auckland in the North Island, you’ll travel to Rotorua for a two-night stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 23 - Rotorua

Attend the Agrodome Sheep Show and see the rare Kiwi at Rainbow Springs, or embark on an amphibious duck tour of Rotoura’s city and lakes. If you’d prefer, you can relax in the region’s famous geothermal pools on a Polynesian Spa Day or enjoy a ride on the gondola to Skyline with an opportunity to taste local wines. Alternatively visit the movie set of Hobbiton.

This evening, you’ll be warmly welcomed at Tamaki Village by local Mãori people, who will put on an insightful cultural show before telling stories of their ancestors. A delicious dinner will then be served, which has been cooked using a traditional Hangi.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 24 - Rotorua - Auckland

Be amazed by Rotorua’s unique geothermal activity during a breakfast visit to Te Puia.

Discover the award-winning Hamilton Gardens on a guided tour. They are all themed and explore civilisations, recreating important garden styles throughout history. Enjoy lunch in one of the private themed gardens.

Later, continue on to Auckland for a two-night Special Stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 25 - Auckland

Today, Auckland is yours to discover.

Explore Waiheke Island’s history, nature, beaches and cuisine, or take a morning cruise through the ‘City of Sails’ harbour. Alternatively, you can visit the Waitakere Ranges, walk the rainforest and stroll the black sand beaches, or explore the city of Auckland on a guided tour.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 26 - Auckland - UK

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. If you’re not ready for your journey to end, we can arrange an inbound stopover in one of many exciting destinations, enquire for details. Included on board meal service and complimentary bar service.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 27 - Arrive UK

Welcome home.