Australia and New Zealand by Private Jet

The island countries of Australia and New Zealand are graced by superlatives: the oldest rainforest on Earth, the largest barrier reef, world-renowned wine regions, sacred monoliths, a host of species that evolved here alone, and ancient indigenous cultures that are deeply entwined with it all. There is perhaps no better way to take in the scope of these two countries than exploring them by private jet. Experience their glorious diversity on an expedition that encompasses stunning landscapes from the Southern Alps to Rotorua and from Tasmania to Uluru. Enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of wildlife centers and museums, and soak up the history and culture of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.

Our Experts

A team of National Geographic Experts will accompany this trip.

Award-winning Australian photographer Jason Edwards has been at the forefront of wildlife and environmental photography since beginning his career at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Zoo over two decades ago. An associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Jason’s work has been featured in hundreds of publications including National Geographic magazine, BBC Wildlife, and the New Yorker. Jason is also an author of science education books, and his imagery has appeared in everything from environmental campaigns to Hollywood blockbusters.

Kennedy Warne co-founded New Zealand Geographic magazine in 1988, and served as editor until 2004, when he stepped down to pursue his own writing and photography. He has written 14 stories for National Geographic since 2000, including four on New Zealand. He writes mostly about natural history topics, and specializes in underwater assignments. His work for National Geographic has taken him from the sea ice of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the mangrove swamps of Bangladesh, and from the rainforests of Fiordland to the coral reefs of Arabia. Kennedy lives in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, but prefers to spend his time in the overlooked and undiscovered parts of his country—especially its forests, mountains, and multitude of islands.

ITINERARY | 2 0 DAYS

MAY 1–20, 2023

QUEENSTOWN, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2, AND 3

Meet fellow travelers, experts, and staff at a welcome reception and dinner in the evening. The next day, soar high up into the mountains in a charter helicopter, and land at Moonlight Lodge for a lovely farm-style lunch. Take the long route on the way back, flying over the spectacular Milford Sound and alighting for a panoramic view of Lake Wakatipu. On our final day in Queenstown, choose from two excursions. Meet a park zoologist at the Kiwi Birdlife Park to learn about wildlife conservation efforts and witness a kiwi feeding. Or head into the Central Otago region for lunch and a wine-tasting tour at some of the area’s finest wineries. Meet up in the evening for dinner at Rātā, a modern eatery surrounded by an urban forest of native trees.

Hotel St. Moritz

ROTORUA AND NAPIER, NORTH ISLAND

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, MAY 4 AND 5

Our first flight by private jet brings us to Rotorua, a city built partially upon a steaming, bubbling geothermal area on the North Island. This land of mud pools and geysers is considered sacred by the indigenous Maori people, who have adapted their beliefs and lifestyles to the unpredictable earth. Immerse yourself in this ancient and intriguing culture and learn about their ancestral connection to nature during an exclusive lunch at the Turama Retreat. Continue by private jet on a short flight to Napier and settle into our delightful lodge, a working sheep and cattle farm on the North Island’s eastern coast. Join a shepherd for a tour of the farm, and watch a demonstration of the farm dogs mustering the sheep. Then choose from a variety of activities. Explore the farm grounds by ATV, or venture into the Cape Sanctuary to observe rare native birds and reptiles.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

KOALA | AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MAY 6 AND 7

Fly to Auckland and continue across the Tasman Sea to Sydney. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel on Sydney Harbour. The next morning, head for the historic Rocks district on a guided walking tour. Trace early colonial history as you stroll past old pubs and cottages where Australia’s first European settlers built their lives. End the tour at the legendary Sydney Opera House and explore this masterpiece of architecture and engineering with a private guide. Then set sail on a luxury cruise on Sydney Harbour, learning its history as we glide past iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, and sail into beautiful bays and coves.

Park Hyatt Sydney

ULURU, ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK | AUSTRALIA

HOBART, TASMANIA

MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 9, AND 10

Fly south to the beautiful island state of Tasmania and touch down in the port city of Hobart. Visit the Cascade Females Factory to hear real-life accounts of Australia’s female convicts from the 1800s. Then meander amid charming Battery Point, one of Hobart’s oldest areas. Encounter Tasmanian devils at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and learn about recent conservation successes that have brought the largest carnivorous marsupials back from the brink of extinction. Sample handcrafted whiskeys at Sullivans Cove Distillery, then visit the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), which features subterranean galleries built into the side of a cliff. Enjoy a private opening of the museum and a self-guided tour, followed by dinner in the Nolan Gallery. Choose from several excursions the following day. Step back in time on a private tour of the haunting ruins of Port Arthur, a 19th-century penal settlement set on a stunning peninsula. Sample local cheeses and charcuterie, cool-climate wines, and pastries on a foodie tour; or trace the colorful history of Australia’s second-oldest city on a walking tour of Hobart.

MACq 01 Hotel

ADELAIDE

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, MAY 11 AND 12

Arrive in Adelaide, South Australia’s cultural hub. Encounter the continent’s most iconic creatures on a behind-the-scenes tour of Cleland Wildlife Park, home to kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas, and more. In the evening, indulge your palate with an unforgettable food and wine experience at the Penfolds Magill Estate, where wines have been crafted since 1844. Then head into the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s best known wine regions. Experience the rare mix of Australian and German heritage as you sample excellent vintages at renowned wineries.

Mayfair Hotel

ULURU AND BROOME

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MAY 13 AND 14

Rise early for a tour of the Adelaide Central Market, where merchants and producers offer tastings of their gourmet concoctions. Then fly to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home to Australia’s sacred monolith. Experience Uluru, a mass of red sandstone that measures nearly six miles in circumference and rises 1,142 feet. Hear the creation story of the people who have lived here for tens of thousands of years, and witness the mystical beauty of the rock and its gorges. Enjoy a tea at the base of Uluru before a visit to the cultural center to learn more about the area’s indigenous Anangu people. Later, continue by private jet to Broome on Australia’s northwestern coast, and enjoy time to relax on gorgeous Indian Ocean beaches. The next day, travel by seaplane into the heart of the Kimberley for a fast boat adventure through Horizontal Falls.

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

WINTON/DAINTREE RAINFOREST AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 16, AND 17

Fly to Winton to see the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils on a guided tour of the impressive Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum. Our next flight brings us to the coastal city of Cairns, the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Venture into the Copper Creek Wilderness, part of the oldest-surviving rainforest in the world, which dates back some 180 million years. The next day, cruise to the Great Barrier Reef’s Mackay Coral Cay. In the company of marine biologists, explore by glass-bottom boat or snorkel, discovering spectacular coral gardens and an abundance of marine life including parrotfish, angelfish, green turtles, and gardens of giant clams. Gather in the evening for a talk by an Aboriginal guide.

Silky Oaks Lodge

MELBOURNE

THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY, MAY 18, 19, AND 20

Land in Melbourne, one of the world’s great cosmopolitan cities, which blossomed in the 1850s when gold was discovered nearby. Head for Phillip Island, just off the coast, and follow treetop boardwalks to view wildlife up close. Witness the famous Penguin Parade, when little penguins emerge from the surf and waddle to the dunes at dusk. Alternatively, tour the Old Melbourne Gaol and learn about the site’s storied past before a private dinner at the City Watch House. On our final day, stroll through the historic district with a guide, admiring art deco and Victorian buildings and visiting artists and craftspeople. Then cruise the Yarra River for a different perspective, seeing Melbourne’s contemporary neighborhoods from the water and stepping ashore for a sculpture walk on Herring Island. Celebrate our adventure at a farewell reception and dinner, and transfer to the airport the next day.

Park Hyatt Melbourne

INFORMATION

DATE: May 1–20, 2023

COST: $74,995

Price is per person, double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Transportation by Fokker 70 and other conveyance, as noted in the itinerary, is included in the expedition cost. Airfare to Queenstown, New Zealand and return from Melbourne, Australia is not included. This trip will be operated by National Geographic Expeditions on flights operated by Alliance Airlines. Visit natgeoexpeditions.com/AusT&C to view the Terms and Conditions and Operator-Participant contract for this trip. Australia and New Zealand by Private Jet will be operated on a Fokker 70 customized for 46 guest travelers. Visit our website or call for details.

YOUR TRIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The National Geographic Society funds research, conservation, and exploration, including a study of fossilized coral reefs in Western Australia to determine the effects of an ancient sea level rise; research on how island ecosystems in Oceania recover from mammal eradication; and the development of low-cost systems for monitoring water quality in traditional Maori fishing areas.

NATGEOEXPEDITIONS.COM/PRIVATEJET | 1-888-227-7265