Australia – New Zealand the Best of the Lands Down Under
Day 1: Arrive New Zealand, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Kayaking
Arrive and Transfer: You arrive at Auckland International Airport and are warmly greeted by your guide at the airport. You then travel north to Paihia, gateway to the Bay of Islands and the “winterless north”. (Departing airport at 8:30 am)
Maori Meeting House and Waitangi Treaty House: Your first introduction to the culture of New Zealand’s indigenous people – the Maori – begins at a traditional carved wood wharenui (meeting house) at Waitangi. You follow in the footsteps of Maori chiefs and a lone delegate of the British crown, learning of treaty controversies and why this is the birthplace of New Zealand as we know it.
Kayak the Waitangi River: In the care of experienced instructors, you kayakamong the mangrove trees and up the picturesque and gentle Waitangi River to the Haruru Falls, meaning “thundering noise” in the local Maori language. [Note that this activity will not be possible if Auckland arrival is not in the early morning]
Games and Orientation: As part of your welcome to New Zealand, you receive an orientation and participate in some fun ice breaker games with your guide.
Accommodation: Paihia Budget Accommodation
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Kauri Forest, Cape Reinga Sand Boarding and 90 Mile Beach
Kauri Forest: This morning you travel to Puketi Kauri Forest, named for the grand evergreens that grace this part of New Zealand. You trace a boardwalk that winds among these gentle giants, listening for fantails and wood pigeons cooing. This is one of the last remaining swaths of kauris, prized by settlers for their tall straight timber.
Mangonui: Once a port for whalers and traders, the historic town of Mangonui is your next stop for morning tea at a café and a comfort stop.
Cape Reinga: Craggy windswept headlands tumble into the sea at New Zealand’s tip, where, according to Maori legend, souls depart the earth on their way back to their original homeland of Hawaiki. You experience a different kind of descent with a “sand surfing” lesson and an exhilarating plummet down massive dunes on a body board. Always a highlight for students!
90 Mile Beach: Later you enjoy a frolic on the sweeping 90 Mile Beach, which, true to its name, offers up an expanse of sea, surf and sun.
Accommodation: Paihia Budget Accommodation
Included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Bay of Islands Cruise & Dolphin Watching/Swimming, Russell and Pakiri Beach
Bay of Islands Cruise: 144 tiny islets dot The Bay of Islands like a necklace of green gumdrops, and this is one of New Zealand’s most enchanting sites. You hop aboard a cruising vessel that takes you around the Bay, weaving among a tapestry of scenic vistas.
Dolphin Watching/Swimming: The Bay of Islands also happens to be a favourite playground of the lively bottlenose dolphin. While there are no guarantees of sightings, there is a strong possibility you’re able to enter the water with these magical and intelligent creatures for a swim. This is an once-in-a-lifetime experience with wild dolphins.
Russell Village: Next you enjoy some free time in sweetly historic Russell, former capital of New Zealand. Sipping tea at an outdoor café, strolling tidily trimmed gardens or browsing gift shops of hand-made crafts, it’s easy to forget this town was once dubbed “the Hellhole of The Pacific.” The town abounds in tales of rough whalers and boozy sailors, convicts and prostitutes, doing dirty deeds in a place Charles Darwin said attracted “the refuse of society”. Odd reminders of an unsavoury past include New Zealand’s oldest church that’s riddled with bullet holes. You return to the mainland by ferry.
Pakiri Beach: You travel south again today to stroll along beautiful deserted Pakiri Beach,over white sand dunes and through lush pohutukawa groves, with magnificent views of Little Barrier and the Hen & Chicken Islands.
Accommodation: Overnight Pakiri Beach Motor Camp
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4: Travel to Rotorua, Te Puia Valley & Cultural Presentation
Rotorua: Today you travel to the “bubbling” town of Rotorua, which is synonymous with thermal activity. For sizzling displays of thermal magic, this town does not disappoint.Let your feet dance in hot mud pools, watch geysers spurt, and soak in the town’s lively Maori culture.
Te Puia – Whakarewarewa Volcanic Valley: Later you explore the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, where the Pohotu and other geysers dazzle you with their grand sprays of steam. Here a mosaic of geothermal features also include Prince of Whales Feather geyser, “The Blue Pool” and a host of gurgling mud pools. You learn how Maori people used some of the pools for cooking vegetables and eels from the local river, a practice done for centuries. You can find the country’s elusive national bird–and as New Zealander is affectionately called—the kiwi, also at Te Puia.
Maori Cultural Show & Hangi: An evening at this centre gives you an authentic introduction to Maori culture. You are surrounded by a natural bush setting, in which you watch warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream, and then entertain you with a lively cultural performance. A highlight is an all-you-can-eat hangi, a traditional underground-cooked Maori feast.
Accommodation: Rotorua Budget Accommodation
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Huka Falls, Optional Bungy Jump and Lake Taupo
Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: This morning you visit New Zealand’s most colourful natural volcanic environment. Its unique features include the world famous champagne pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, huge volcanic craters and silica terraces. A highlight is swimming a freshwater stream naturally heated by geothermal water on the Wai-o-Tapu field.
Huka Falls: Some of New Zealand’s most spectacular falls! On its way to Lake Taupo, the Waikato River funnels a massive amount of water through a narrow chute of 15 metres as it crosses a hard volcanic ledge, spilling churning falls into a crystalline pool. You view the falls from an easy walk over a footbridge.
OPTIONAL Bungy Jump: New Zealand made famous this adventure sport, which has now become an iconic experience in the country. Watch jumpers as they plummet into from a lofty perch on a platform above the lake or choose to take the plunge yourself! ($140 NZD; students under 18 must have a parent permission form before the trip)
Lake Taupo & National Park: Travel along this lake and in the national park reveals a mosaic of environments: sub tropical rainforest with green Crown Ferns and delicate orchids, silver and mountain beech forests, and a sub alpine environment with bluegrass and curled leaved neinei. On a clear day, both Mt. Ruapehu and Mt. Ngauruhoe (“Mt. Doom” to Lord of the Rings fans) dominate the skyline.
Accommodation:Overnight National Park Lodge
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Hike and Whitewater Rafting the Tongariro River, Hot Pools
Hike at Lake Rotopounamu: You start today with a stunning but easy hike around a crater lake that stands in the shadow of Mt Ruapehu, one of the world’s most active volcanoes and the North Island’s highest mountain.
Tongariro River Rafting: From Mt. Ruapehu tumble the tributaries of Tongariro, one of the North Island’s best rafting rivers. This is one of nature’s finest, fun-filled roller coaster rides! From Rotorua you travel to your put-in at the river. There you are fitted with a life jacket and helmet and after a safety briefing you are on the water. First timers and experienced rafters alike will be spoiled by the Tongariro’s non-stop action and pristine wilderness.
Fun Rapids: For three hours you navigate 60 rousing rapids with evocative names like Mother-in-law’s Nightmare, Oppat’s Ordeal, General Disaster and Kirkham’s Mistake and with each rapid comes a sense of accomplishment and exhilaration that only pure adrenalin can produce.
Teamwork and Accomplishment: You will find that whitewater rafting brings the river to life in a way many have never known and often it is while paddling rapids as a team that young people develop personal inner strength. Between the paddling and excitement, observe the native blue duck, the mystical ancient beech forest, the fantails and swallows chasing their insect meals. (no experience necessary)
Hot Pools Soak: Next at DeBretts you soak in deliciously warm pools at a natural ‘hot spot’ – a geothermal spring known as Onekeneke.
Accommodation: Lake Taupo Budget Accommodation
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
Day 7: Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set & Auckland
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves & Walk: With your guide you creep through craggy caves to view some of New Zealand’s most unusual creatures – glow worms – that catch food through bioluminescence and make tiny twinkles in the darkness. A stunning short walk follows this activity that takes you through collapsed limestone cave system.
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour: A real must-do for every Lord of the Rings fan travelling through New Zealand. Your tour starts with a drive through the picturesque working sheep farm with spectacular views across the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide explains how the Hobbiton set was created and tells the tales of what went on during filming. After filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was complete, the movie set was returned to its natural state. However, it was recently restored for the shooting of the “Hobbit” trilogy.
Return to Auckland: You return to Auckland, “City of Sails” and have the evening for souvenir shopping and a free choice dinner.
Accommodation: Auckland YHA
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Flight to Australia, Orientation and Dangerous Animals Presentation
Flight to Australia & Orientation: You are transferred to the Auckland International Airport this morning you’re your flight to Australia. You arrive in Cairns and are warmly greeted by your guide at the airport. You are then transferred to your accommodation.
Dangerous Animals Presentation: Next you partake in a lively presentation about the myths and realities of Australia’s dangerous animals. Which kills more people in a year – sharks or coconuts? What type of snake strikes multiple times? What’s the difference between a “freshy” and a “salty” crocodile and who would you rather swim with? These questions and more are answered in a fun interactive session that introduces you to Australia’s famous and not-so-famous creatures.
Esplanade and Swimming: As a group you walk to the Esplanade where you have an orientation and time to swim in the giant lagoon.
Accommodation: The Northern Greenhouse
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: National Parks & Waterfalls, Outback Cattle Station and Pioneer Homestead
National Park: Today you enter Wooroonooran National Park—a diverse part of the UNESCO Wet Tropics World Heritage Area which hosts some of the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world.
Josephine Falls: One of the most picturesque places in the entire Wet Tropics! You take an easy walk through the jungle, listening for the call of the king parrot and the bowerbird and emerge at Josephine Falls, where Josephine Creek plunges down a gorgeous set of cascades. Below the falls, boulders surround a fun swimming hole and a natural water slide down a smooth sloping rock face.
Millaa Millaa Falls: First up you visit Millaa Millaa Falls, the icon of tropical north Queensland and one of the most photographed natural sites in the region. For those who are keen, you can swim out to the peculiar columnar basalt and view the falls the falls from behind – a perfect tropical swimming hole.
Outback Cattle Station: Next you cross into classic outback country, where dingoes and kangaroos roam freely. Here you are welcome guests at a traditional working cattle station and homestead, opened only to your group. You have a tour of the station and a classic Aussie BBQ, followed by a bonfire and stargazing.
Accommodation: Your single-gender marquees have bunk beds, all linen, and toilets & showers in an outside block.
Accommodation: Outback Cattle Station Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Outback Cattle Station and Pioneer Homestead, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Farm Activities: This morning you get a sample of true outback life on a cattle station. You visit the cattle yards to learn about the cattle musters and branding, and what this robust rural family does to survive flooding, drought and economic hardships. You learn how to milk the cows and crack a whip properly in true cowboy style. On the homestead, old trinkets, furniture and memorabilia that you can touch also take you back to the age of the early Australian pioneers. Skyrail
Rainforest Cableway: This is Cairns’ premier eco-attraction. Spanning 7.5 kms over Barron Gorge National Park, the Skyrail experience includes a scenic cableway ride and stops at two rainforest mid-stations. You can descend from the cableway onto rainforest boardwalks, where interpretive information is provided through guided boardwalk tours, signage and an interpretive centre. You return to Cairns this afternoon for a free night.
Marine Biologist Reef Presentation: During this unique presentation taught be a marine biologist, you learn what you are likely to see during your time at the Great Barrier Reef. From colourful corals that take whimsical shapes like broccoli, brains and baskets to a host of fish such as the chocolate-dipped damsel, the Picasso triggerfish and the giant Maori wrasse, you learn how to identify the most common creatures at the reef. You find out about threatened species and coral predators–such as the Crown of Thorns—and the consequences of climate change and human activity on the reef. More importantly, you learn about the real hazards at the reef (like the innocent-looking cone shell) versus the imagined ones (like scary sharks) fueled by Hollywood myths. You leave with a greater understanding of the reef environment and an appreciation of the underwater world you are about to experience.
Accommodation: Cairns central budget accommodation
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling
Biodiversity at The Outer Reef: For students, the outer Great Barrier Reef is perhaps the world’s best classroom in which to witness the interconnectedness of species and biodiversity. Today at the outer Barrier Reef you witness why this is one of the most complex natural systems on Earth.
Eco-Friendly Catamaran: Today you sail to the Reef aboard an eco-friendly catamaran, recipient of the Advanced Ecotourism Climate Action Innovator Award and the most eco-friendly reef boat in Cairns.
Snorkelling From Sand Cay: First stop is Michaelmas Cay at The Great Barrier Reef – an important seabird island refuge and marine park. At its height (during the summer breeding season), as many as 20,000 birds nest on the island. Snorkelling can be done right off the sand cay, giving you access to beauties such as luminescent parrot fish, the chocolate-dipped damsel, and the Picasso triggerfish.
Snorkelling Paradise Reef: Second stop is the gorgeous Paradise Reef, that truly lives up to its name. For snorkelers, giant clams, angel, butterfly and parrot fish, turtles, sea stars and corals of a thousand hues are all within reach. Among the 1,800 species of fish and 450 species of coral, you can expect to see Wally the giant wrasse, fan corals, sea cucumbers and just about the entire cast of “Finding Nemo”.
Accommodation: Cairns central budget accommodation
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Wildlife Sanctuary, Aboriginal-Guided Rainforest Walk and Daintree National Park
Wildlife Park: You visit a refuge for Australian animals such as crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas, and countless exotic birds. Covering 8 acres, this wildlife immersion exhibit is made up of three open and interactive environments (the Rainforest, the Wetlands and the Grasslands) for guests and animals to mingle in a natural setting. The park uses funds raised from donations and park entries to operate their Wildlife Rescue Program which includes a dedicated wildlife care centre.
Optional Photo – You and a Koala! If you have always wanted to get a quintessential photo with a koala- here’s your chance (extra cost).
Aboriginal-Guided Rainforest Walk:The Kuku Yalanji are one of the only tribal rainforest people in Australia who still have their own culture and language, and this afternoon you are welcomed by an Aboriginal guide for a walk to see the Daintree rainforest through indigenous eyes. You wander rainforest paths, discovering with your guide how these Aboriginal people found their way through dense rainforest, made shelter and learned what native plants were tasty to eat. You learn such things are how the seasons dictated life, what falls under men’s and women’s “business”, how to make fire in the rainforest and how to make fish very easy to catch. You have a chance to swim among the boulders, and perhaps paint your faces with traditional ochre rock paint. You then sample billy tea and wattle seed damper (bread) made on the fire topped with jam from rainforest berries.
Daintree Rainforest: Then enter the Daintree, home of the magical ancient rainforest. At one hundred and thirty-five million years old, the Daintree is some of the oldest rainforest in the world.
Accommodation: Your Daintree lodge boasts two attractive swimming pools, games room, and a superb location immersed in the rainforest.
Accommodation: Daintree Rainforest Cabins
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation & Jungle Canopy Zip Line
Cape Tribulation and Swimming Hole: After a night of immersion in the rainforest, you wake to birdcalls and the chatter of the jungle. Nearby is a crystal-clear rainforest swimming hole used by locals and a perfect place to cool off.
Rainforest Canopy Zip Line: At Cape Tribulation experience the art of “jungle surfing”: an exhilarating zip line ride among the tree tops. By clipping into a series of steel cables arranged in the trees, you can fly across the rainforest canopy and get a bird’s eye view of the world. This is a great way for students to safely challenge themselves in the care of naturalist guides.
“Jungle Surfing”: At the highest point you fly over 22 metres above the valley, and the flight choice is yours – slow, fast, or even upside down. During this unique adventure, you learn more about the rainforest while keeping an eye out for Boyd’s Forest dragons and the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly.
Beach BBQ: In the afternoon, you head to the beach for music, games and a BBQ cookout. This will be a fun way to end your week, and will give you a chance to recount your adventures over the past 2 weeks.
Accommodation: Cairns central budget accommodation
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Optional Urban Challenge, Free Time and Depart
If you have an afternoon flight, you can choose to spend the morning souvenir shopping, swimming at the lagoon or participating in Small World Journeys’ Urban Challenge! (no extra cost) The Urban Challenge is a fun team-building exercise that allows students to learn more about the history, nature, art and culture of Cairns. Small group teams compete against time in this treasure hunt-type activity in Cairns central business district. This is a popular activity for students and the winning team gets a prize!
Later you are transferred to the Cairns airport for your flight home.
Included: Breakfast