Tauck Australia and New Zealand

Breathtaking Australian landscapes, exotic wildlife, world-class wine, and innovative cuisines await on this 15-day journey off the beaten path. Start with three nights in Adelaide, gateway to South Australia's famous wine country; tour the ethnically-diverse, gourmet-friendly town by pedicab; embark on an off-road adventure in Onkaparinga National Park; tour wineries in Barossa Valley, Australia's premier wine-making region. On to Melbourne to explore its trendy backstreets and laneways (and taste its famous coffee); take the Great Ocean Road to stunning seascapes of sheer cliffs, beaches and towering rock formations. Fly to Tasmania and spend two nights at a world-class resort on the Freycinet Peninsula for a choice of outdoor activities. In Hobart, explore the town's exciting food scene; tour the remains of Port Arthur prison; and meet Tassie devils, blue-tongued lizards, bettongs, koalas, quolls and other exotic residents on a visit to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Go on a wildlife safari on Bruny Island, and a wine and cheese tasting excursion in Richmond; and cruise the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, teeming with birds and marine-life, for close-up views of its breathtaking cliffs and rock towers. Fly to Sydney for a private tour of the Opera House, a luncheon cruise in the harbor, and guided neighborhood tours with a local from your base at a waterfront luxury hotel.

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscapes, cultures, and cuisines of New Zealand on this 14-day journey far off the beaten tracks. Your journey begins with two nights in Christchurch at a luxury hotel overlooking the River Avon; tour the city sights by foot, bicycle, or motorcycle... go punting on the River Avon... Stay at a lodge inside Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park where the landscape of rugged peaks and glaciers calls you to its hiking trails; ride a plane and/or helicopter to Tasman Glacier; lose yourself in the spectacular night sky (the park is one of the best places in the world for stargazing)... Hike the Arrow River and pan for gold in Queenstown... ride a jet-boat on the Dart River, bicycle-ride, zip-line, play golf, or take a 4WD "safari" to landscapes featured in the Lord of the Rings movies...  Stay two nights in the heart of New Zealand's winemaking region at Blenheim, where you'll visit a winery and a sheep farm, and cruise the fjord-like sunken valleys of the Marlborough Sounds...  Discover the town of Napier, a treasure-trove of 1930s Art Deco architecture... Dance at a Gatsby-style evening... Fly to Auckland on North Island for two nights at a waterfront luxury hotel, your base for exploring the city; tour the Auckland Museum with a private Maori dance performance... visit the artisan village of Matakana... and more.