Journey Down Under
From afar, New Zealand and Australia may seem similar.
An up-close look reveals distinct cultures and personalities. Both descend from the same British colonial family tree, so you may struggle to tell the accents apart in the streets of Auckland and Sydney. But as you dig deeper in the Māori culture in Rotorua and Aboriginal roots along the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, each country's individual identity becomes clear.
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Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
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Day 2: Fly to New Zealand
Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Auckland • Cairns
Meet your Tour Director at the airport
Fly to Cairns
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Day 4: Cairns
Take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
Add this in-depth excursion:
Snorkeling with a Marine Biologist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by opting for a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
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Day 5: Cairns
Full day to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Kuranda
Continue on to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs through live dancing and boomerang throwing at Tjapukai Cultural Center. A short walk from Tjapukai is the Skyrail train, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
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Day 6: Cairns • Sydney
Morning Flight to Sydney
Take a walking tour of The Rocks
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Day 7: Sydney
Visit Sydney Tower
Take a tour of Sydney
Enjoy a harbor cruise
Visit Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Take a walking tour of The Rocks
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Day 8: Sydney
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Taronga Zoo and Opera House
Discover two sides of Sydney on this optional excursion linked by Aboriginal culture. At Taronga Zoo listen to your Aboriginal guide’s personal stories and discover their connections back to the land, animals and nature. Take a tour of the world-famous Opera House where you’ll go behind-the-scenes and see what it takes to get a live production on stage. Enjoy lunch with your group and then learn about the indigenous elements of the Bennelong Point site. -
Day 9: Sydney • Auckland • Rotorua
Fly to Auckland
Travel to Rotorua
Visit the Whaka geothermal area
Visit the Whaka Maori Village
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Day 10: Rotorua
Ride the Skyline Gondola
Participate in an “Introduction to Jade in New Zealand” experience
Take a Rotorua Duck Tour
Enjoy an authentic Hangi Feast
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Day 11: Rotorua • Auckland
Visit the Agrodome
Travel to Auckland
Take a tour of Auckland
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Day 12: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 12: Auckland • Honolulu
Fly to Honolulu
Cross the International Date Line
Receive a lei greeting
Make a photo stop at the Dole Plantation
Visit the Waimea Valley
- Botanical Gardens
- Waterfall
Add this in-depth excursion:
Luau Evening
Join your friends for a traditional Hawaiian feast under the stars and swaying palm trees. Be amazed by an unforgettable display of the Polynesian art form of hula, as dancers in grass skirts and flowing gowns perform in perfect time to the beat of the drum. A luau feast usually features chicken, fish, pork, and a variety of fresh island fruits and vegetables, so be sure to bring your appetite.
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Day 13: Honolulu • Depart for home
Take a tour of Honolulu
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
Depart for overnight flight home / Arrive home
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Day 14: Arrive home
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Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
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Day 2: Fly to New Zealand
Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Auckland • Cairns
Meet your Tour Director at the airport
Fly to Cairns
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Day 4: Cairns
Take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
Add this in-depth excursion:
Snorkeling with a Marine Biologist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by opting for a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
-
Day 5: Cairns
Full day to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Kuranda
Continue on to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs through live dancing and boomerang throwing at Tjapukai Cultural Center. A short walk from Tjapukai is the Skyrail train, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
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Day 6: Cairns • Sydney
Morning Flight to Sydney
Take a walking tour of The Rocks
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Day 7: Sydney
Visit Sydney Tower
Take a tour of Sydney
Enjoy a harbor cruise
Visit Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Take a walking tour of The Rocks
-
Day 8: Sydney
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Taronga Zoo and Opera House
Discover two sides of Sydney on this optional excursion linked by Aboriginal culture. At Taronga Zoo listen to your Aboriginal guide’s personal stories and discover their connections back to the land, animals and nature. Take a tour of the world-famous Opera House where you’ll go behind-the-scenes and see what it takes to get a live production on stage. Enjoy lunch with your group and then learn about the indigenous elements of the Bennelong Point site. -
Day 9: Sydney • Auckland • Rotorua
Fly to Auckland
Travel to Rotorua
Visit the Whaka geothermal area
Visit the Whaka Maori Village
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Day 10: Rotorua
Ride the Skyline Gondola
Participate in an “Introduction to Jade in New Zealand” experience
Take a Rotorua Duck Tour
Enjoy an authentic Hangi Feast
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Day 11: Rotorua • Auckland
Visit the Agrodome
Travel to Auckland
Take a tour of Auckland
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Day 12: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 12: Auckland • Honolulu
Fly to Honolulu
Cross the International Date Line
Receive a lei greeting
Make a photo stop at the Dole Plantation
Visit the Waimea Valley
- Botanical Gardens
- Waterfall
Add this in-depth excursion:
Luau Evening
Join your friends for a traditional Hawaiian feast under the stars and swaying palm trees. Be amazed by an unforgettable display of the Polynesian art form of hula, as dancers in grass skirts and flowing gowns perform in perfect time to the beat of the drum. A luau feast usually features chicken, fish, pork, and a variety of fresh island fruits and vegetables, so be sure to bring your appetite.
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Day 13: Honolulu • Depart for home
Take a tour of Honolulu
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
Depart for overnight flight home / Arrive home
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Day 14: Arrive home
Reviews
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Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach; 2 internal flights; ferry
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Hotels
9 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily.
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Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director (4 with extension); 1 walking tour
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Entrances
Great Barrier Reef; “Introduction to Opal in Australia” experience; harbor cruise; Hyde Park Barracks Museum; Sydney Tower; Agrodome; Rotorua duck tour; Rotorua geothermal area; Māori Village; Skyline gondola; “Introduction to Jade in New Zealand” experience (with extension: lei greeting; USS Arizona Memorial; Waimea Valley)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.