Australia & New Zealand

AUSTRALIA &

NEW ZEALAND Epic glaciers, Aboriginal art, buzzing cities, and the world’s largest coral reef

AUSTRALIA &

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand outdoor adventure

Travel through Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World, to combine soft adrenaline tours with day hikes and fishing in lakes heaving with brown trout.

A view over Lake Wakatipu

HIGHLIGHTS ● Set off on a full-day hike on the Pouakai Crossing trail at sunset. ● Fly fish for brown trout in Lake Taupo. ● Visit Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the Southern Alps. ● Enjoy a game of golf at the Kinloch Golf Course in Taupo. ● Jet boat and kayak down the Dart River.

TRIP DESIGNED BY

“Queenstown is by far my favorite destination on the South Island for its raw beauty and countless adventure options. I have been visiting Milford Sound since my first trip to New Zealand in 1999 and I am struck by its beauty in new ways each time.” John Perry

STARTING PRICE $5,390 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

10 -DAY SAMPLE IT INERARY

2 NIGHTS New Plymouth & Taranaki

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Take a short flight from Auckland to arrive in New Plymouth, a town known for its arts scene. Enjoy a full-day hike on the Pouakai Crossing trail, with views of massive waterfalls, and Mount Taranaki.

3 NIGHTS Taupo

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Enjoy a day of fly fishing on Lake Taupo. Play a game of golf at the Kinloch Golf Course. Learn about both the Maori culture and geothermal activity in the area at the WaiO-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

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4 NIGHTS Queenstown Settle in at your own lakeside apartment with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Ranges. Take a private tour of Milford Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the Southern Alps. Enjoy a game of golf, go kayaking, or jet boat down the Dart River.

EXPLORE FURTHER

Fly to the Cook Islands and stop at Rarotonga, renowned for its world-class beaches.

The Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu

Mount Taranaki

SPECIALIST TIPS 1 While in Queenstown, make sure to go to Fergburger, a small burger joint that has tasty meat and veggie burgers. 2 For a unique souvenir, head to Lava Glass in Taupo, which has handblown pieces inspired by the scenery. 3 The local Maori culture treats Mount Taranaki as a living being and asks locals and visitors to afford it the same respect as you would a family member.

Australia: the inside story Christine Donohue, one of our Australia and New Zealand specialists, shares her tips for an unforgettable vacation down under.

Jervis Bay, on the New South Wales coast

Why is Australia such a great destination? It’s so vibrant and varied – there really is something for everyone. Most of the cities are set right on the ocean, so you can combine cultural sights with beach hopping. The landscapes are wonderfully diverse, from white-sand beaches and farflung islands to mighty mountains and the arid outback. Plus, of course, the endemic wildlife is amazing – what’s cuter than kangaroos and koalas?

What is your personal history within the country? My family moved from the US to Brisbane when I was in high school. I finished my senior year there, then took a gap year to explore. Living in Australia gave me real insight into local life, and inspired me to pursue a career in travel. My whole family loves Australia, and we’ve returned many times together – we’ll be going for Thanksgiving this year.

What is Australia’s best-kept secret? Not many people have heard of the Flinders Ranges, a beautiful mountainous region about five hours north of Adelaide. It’s a breathtaking Outback experience without all the crowds you get at Uluru. There is so much wildlife, and the eco-friendly villas at Rawnsley Park Station are gorgeous. Each one has a retractable ceiling, so you can stargaze from your bed.

Why is Australia best explored on a tailor-made trip? It’s incredibly diverse, so planning a vacation can be daunting if you don’t have expert help. Australia is about the size of the US, so I have put together hundreds of completely unique itineraries – each one designed for that particular client. We have the connections and exclusive experiences that would be hard to find if you independently booked your trip online.

What’s your most memorable Australia experience? I traveled with my mom to Tasmania, and met up with Craig, one of our best guides in the country. He showed us some of the wild island, then took us to his home, where he made a bush fire and cooked us dinner with plenty of Tassie wine, of course. As the sun set, the wildlife came out. There were kangaroos, wombats and quolls all around us. It was magical.

Where are you most excited to explore next time you visit? I’ll be visiting Western Australia, which often makes a really good destination for clients who’ve already visited Australia. I’m excited to check out the Margaret River wine region, and to do a new eco-friendly humpback whale swim on Ningaloo Reef.

Visit the remote wildlife of Tasmania and the white-sand beaches of Western Australia, hike two of Australia’s ‘great walks,’ sip wine in the sunshine, and take a seaplane over the island of Rottnest.

Spot kangaroos in the Australian outback

HIGHLIGHTS ● Visit Maria Island on a guided four-day hike. ● Discover the towering karri forests, premium wineries, pristine coastline, and diverse wildlife of the

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Cape to Cape track. Tour an experimental vineyard at Hobart’s weird and wonderful Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Explore the biggest city

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park in the word, King’s Park and Botanic Garden. Experience a seaplane flight over Rottnest Island, home to the adorable quokka and some of Australia’s best beaches.

TRIP DESIGNED BY “As an avid hiker and photographer, remote destinations have always been a big draw for me. There are so many opportunities to explore local cultures here while going

4 NIGHTS Hobart

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Explore Hobart, Tasmania’s capital – historically home to convicts, smugglers, and whalers – with a local guide. Visit the artisanal markets in Salamanca Place. Take a ferry to MONA, an experimental art gallery and vineyard. Drive to the top of Kunanyi/ Mount Wellington for panoramic city views. Taste ciders in the Huon Valley at family-owned Willie Smith’s Apple Shed.

Lichen-covered stones on Mount Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania

3 NIGHTS Maria Island

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Enjoy a guided four-day hike on Maria Island – remote Tasmania at its best. Head to Haunted Bay, where you might spot a rare fairy penguin. Marvel at the island’s abundance of wildlife – Tasmanian devils, forester kangaroos, wombats, Cape Barren geese, dolphins, whales, and seals, as well as 125 species of birds.

4 NIGHTS Perth

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Travel to Perth, Australia’s sunniest city, on a new direct flight from Hobart. Visit the Little Creatures

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Brewery in Fremantle to sample some of Australia’s best craft beers. Roam King’s Park and Botanic Garden, the biggest city park in the world. Fly over Rottnest Island by seaplane for panoramic aerial views of this wild protected nature reserve.

3 NIGHTS The Margaret River Region

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Enjoy three nights of luxury clifftop accommodation in front of Injidup Beach. Embark on the Cape

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to Cape track, which encompasses more than 76 miles of trail. Walk the best sections of the Cape to Cape track with an experienced guide, including the scenic section from Redgate to Boranup, above Contos Beach. Enjoy gourmet picnic lunches and your own private chef in the evenings.

W H E R E TO S TAY

The Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart With harbor-front views and heritage features, this old converted jam factory is a Hobart icon.

Injidup Spa Retreat, Margaret River Region This deluxe reimagining of a classic beach shack is the perfect place to relax after a long day on the trail.

EXPLORE FURTHER

After your time in Tasmania, fly to Adelaide and take the Indian Pacific train to Perth for a true Australian Outback experience.

on secluded adventures, finding unique wildlife along the way.” Matt Malkin

S TA R T I N G P R I C E $6,330 per person, includes all accommodations, excursions, and transfers.

SPECIALIST TIPS 1 On a cloudy day, you might want to visit Mount Nelson rather than Mount Wellington near Hobart – Mount Nelson is a little lower so affords better views. You can pick up a picnic from Salamanca Market on the way. 2 Bib & Tucker in North Fremantle is the perfect spot for a true Aussie sundowner on a clear day.

Fly over Rottnest Island