OVERVIEW

Cruise the turquoise waters and unspoiled inlets of the Bay of Islands and see Cape Brett Lighthouse, the Hole-in-the-Rock Sea arch and more. You’ll depart the pier aboard a stable catamaran featuring roomy indoor and outdoor viewing decks, sailing under what could be the earth’s bluest skies into a constellation of 150 unspoiled islands off the North Island’s northeast corner. The Bay of Islands is both magnificent and historically significant: New Zealand’s earliest Maori settlers migrated here 700 years ago, and its first British missionary settlers arrived in 1814. Charles Darwin stopped by not long after, and in more modern times, American adventure writer Zane Grey popularized the islands as a big-game fishing paradise. You’ll journey through these fabled waters today, passing picturesque islets as you make for crisply white Cape Brett Lighthouse, perched high atop a spectacular headland’s cliff. You’ll see Motukokako Island with its dramatic Hole-in-the-Rock arch and visit another major highlight, the majestic Grand Cathedral Cave. Slowly cruising among the inner islands, you may have engaging encounters with the schools of dolphin that frequent these waters. Commentary from the captain will help fill in the natural and cultural history of it all.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise into the Bay of Islands aboard a comfortable catamaran with indoor and outdoor viewing decks.
• Journey through legendary big-game fishing waters en route to the Cape Brett Lighthouse.
• Pass beautiful Motukokako Island and the famous Hole-in-the-Rock sea cliff, and see majestic Grand Cathedral Cave.
• Learn about this region’s key role in New Zealand history from the captain’s commentary.
• Be on the lookout for playful dolphin and other marine wonders as you take in the peaceful beauty of the inner islands.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear layered, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Bring sunglasses and other sun protection as needed.

OVERVIEW

Treat your inner adventurer to an exhilarating multi-transport survey of the Southern Alps high country by coach, offroad touring vehicle and jet boat. It all starts sedately enough, as you head out by motorcoach into the fertile earthen patchwork of the Canterbury Plains – where the island grows its wheat and grazes its cattle. But don’t get too comfortable; the scenery changes dramatically as you reach Rubicon Station on the banks of the spectacular Waimakariri river gorge and make the switch into rugged offroad touring mode. Piloted with skill around Mt Torlesse Station, bouncing heartily across a spectacular landscape framed by jagged Southern Alp peaks and gorges, you’re bound to fill your camera with social media friendly shots. A well-deserved stop for lunch provides a break from the action, but it won’t last. Soon enough, you’ll shift back into thrill gear as you board a lightning-fast jet boat capable of 360-degree spins and strap in for a ride up the steep-walled Waimakariri River gorge to Staircase Viaduct. Learn more about Kiwi Jetboating thanks to the persistence of Bill Hamilton in perfecting the water jet and providing a new way to explore parts of back country New Zealand at the Jet Boat World museum. After that little jaunt, the coach drive back to Lyttelton will feel like slow motion.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience adventure without exhaustion on a thrilling, multi-vehicle tour of the Southern Alps.
• Travel by coach across the fertile Canterbury Plains to the Springfield Adventure Centre and a switch into offroad mode.
• Buckle up for a rollicking drive through rugged high country terrain framed by mountains and gorges.
• Hold onto your hat again later as you zoom up the majestic Waimakariri river gorge on a jet boat nimble enough to make 360-degree spins.
• Enjoy lunch at midday and return back to port with spectacular photos and memories.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing including a water-resistant jacket.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

Explore the heritage aspect of Surabaya visiting the Dutch colonial style building compound and visit the iconic heroes’ monument of Surabaya City. Delve into the cultural heritage of Surabaya by visiting Kampong Lawas Maspati, commemorative war monument and a 5-star hotel that reflects more than a century of local history. A panoramic drive through the city takes you to the Majapahit Hotel, a more than 100-year-old lodging that the Japanese used as their headquarters in East Java during World War II. This classic landmark blends romance and elegance with its graceful colonial architecture. While touring, you will see how the hotel has evolved into a 5-star resort. During the visit have some local coffee and enjoy the local snacks. Continuing on, you will next visit the Heroes Monument, a towering obelisk that commemorates the Indonesian soldiers and civilians that died in the Battle of Surabaya in 1945. The conflict eventually led to Indonesian independence in 1949. Our last stop will be visiting Kampoeng Lawas Maspati, it is now a village being made as community base tourism where historical building is still maintained such as the Residence of Raden Sumomiharjo (the relatives of Sultanate Palace of Solo) and Sekolah Ongko Loro the historical people school since 1917. We will learn how in a crowded kampong with nearly no soil left, the villagers can create the green zone, also have some cultural activities specially presented by the local community and mostly elderlies.

OVERVIEW

Travel to a rural wildlife park for up-close looks at Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and some most-unusual other animals, then enjoy a driving overview of Burnie. Your leisurely drive inland toward Mount Dial Nature Recreation Area traverses idyllic terrain and scattered villages where life has changed little over the centuries. Once at Wings Wildlife Park, you’ll have ample free time to ramble the trails and encounter famous fauna like the Tasmanian devil and Australia’s trademark kangaroo, as well as obscure ones like the bettong, a tiny marsupial that hops around like a mini-kangaroo. Other strange and unfamiliar creatures who call the park home include boobook owls, crab-eating macaques, quolls and long-nosed potoroos. Somehow, even American bison and Japanese quail are on the resident list. The more you learn about this immense menagerie of Tasmanian wildlife and their behaviors, the more interesting they seem. Back in Burnie, you’ll enjoy a downtown drive before returning to the pier. Founded in 1828 around an excellent natural harbor on Emu Bay and surrounded by vast eucalyptus forests, the timber industry dominated the town for the next 100 years. Today, the creative arts and culinary endeavors are what Burnie is most known for.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel by coach to Wings Wildlife Park, the largest collection of Tasmanian wildlife in Australia.
• Spend about two hours meandering the park’s paths and encountering its residents.
• See Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, bettongs, quolls, potoroos and others in this curiosity-shop of indigenous fauna.
• Settle in for a scenic return drive across an unspoiled landscape, followed by an informative orientation spin around Burnie itself.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended; no heels.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed

Board one of the world’s most scenic railways as you journey through the spectacular Taieri River Gorge. Welcomed aboard by a friendly crew, settle into your carriage, and get ready for a breathtaking trip into a landscape only accessible by this train. First tracing Otago Harbor, then traversing suburban Dunedin and a fertile plain, you’ll soon be climbing into the sheer cliff faces and plunging ravines of the Taieri River Gorge. Much of the ride takes place high atop soaring stone-and-lattice viaducts that early engineers, masons, and railway gangs somehow managed to build through extremely challenging wild New Zealand terrain. The fact that they succeeded is a true marvel – which you get to experience firsthand today. As you relax and watch in awe, your carriage will pass one unspoiled panorama after another, winding its way through the gorge over dramatic bridges suspended high above the placid river below, and through no fewer than 10 tunnels carved out of solid bedrock. You’ll enjoy a light picnic style boxed lunch while on board. Your journey concludes either at Dunedin Railway Station, a suitably grand Victorian landmark, or continue back to your awaiting ship.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Settle back and experience one of the world’s most breathtakingly scenic railway journeys.
• Travel over countless latticed-steel and stone bridges and through 10 tunnels as you traverse the rugged Taieri River Gorge.
• Take it all in from the civilized comfort of your carriage with morning tea and a light lunch served.
• Disembark at Dunedin’s landmark Victorian railway station, where you can opt to remain in town awhile or return straightaway to the port.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Return to Tasmania’s colorful past in historic Richmond, a village largely built by convict labor, then get immersed in colorful nature at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. A brief, scenic drive into the countryside brings you across Australia’s oldest bridge and into the area where Tasmania was first settled. You’ll see the spire of St. John’s Church from Richmond Bridge, just one of the lingering reminders of the devout 19th-century settlers who first brought Christianity to this island. Dating from 1824, well-preserved Richmond village still boasts fine Georgian buildings made of native sandstone, the handiwork of conscripted convict labor. These days, visitors are free to roam the galleries, shops, and cafés now housed in those same venerable structures at will. You, too, will have time to explore at leisure. Don’t forget to bring your favorite camera; this place is outstandingly photogenic. So are the residents of your next stop, Bonorong Sanctuary, where you’ll be invited to get up close to some of the country’s most legendary wildlife. Top on the list is the endangered Tasmanian devil, but wombats, koalas and free-roaming kangaroos round out the roster nicely. Knowledgeable park guides can provide fascinating background on this fascinating and often downright bizarre menagerie.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel by coach into the countryside around Hobart, a region rich in history, flora and fauna.
• Cross a graceful stone bridge built in 1823 to visit one of Tasmania’s earliest-settled villages.
• Browse the cafes, shops and galleries of Richmond, housed in Georgian sandstone buildings dating back to the convict era.
• Enter a world of free-roaming ‘roos, plump wombats and rare Tasmanian devils at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Get up close to a bettong and other native animals unique to Australia.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the natural beauty of the Sapphire Coast while exploring its most emblematic seaside villages. The views from the Rotary Lookout will set the stage for the gorgeous scenery that lies ahead as this renowned whale-watching spot offers a sweeping view of Twofold Bay. You will also pause at sheltered Cocora Beach, where you will likely hear the resident bellbirds communicating through tinkling bell-like calls. At Cocora Beach you will also find the starting point of the Bundian Way, an ancient path used by the Yuin people to traverse from the sea to the mountains, a 328km path leading to Mt Kosciuzko. At Quarantine Bay, where watch for stingrays and pelicans typically gathering to feast on the fish trimmings that anglers toss into the sea. Other coastal experiences await you during a leisurely walk on Boydtown Beach and in the village of Merimbula, where ancient Aboriginal oyster middens line the shore. The highlight in the Killer Whale Museum will be seeing the skeleton of the massive orca Old Tom and hearing the legend of how he helped whalers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit several spectacularly scenic villages that rim the deep-blue waters of the Sapphire Coast.
• Gaze out over beautiful Twofold Bay from atop the Rotary Lookout in Eden.
• Listen for the distinctive call of bellbirds and watch for stingrays feeding at the water’s edge.
• See large oyster middens that the ancient Aboriginal people left along Merimbula Lake.
• Stand before the massive skeleton of a six-ton orca in the Killer Whale Museum.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take an orientation spin through Adelaide, gaze in awe at the views from Mount Lofty, and share some up-close time with Australia’s most iconic fauna. The lush, leafy Adelaide Hills spread into wine country to the east of metropolitan Adelaide – and the narrated coach drive across the city and through natural bushland to get there is quite a scenic treat. But then, the real showstoppers on this excursion have fur, paws and pouches and hang out at Cleland Wildlife Park on the slopes of Mount Lofty. With two of hours to free-range around the venue’s natural environment, where the marsupials free-range around right with you, you’ll become personally acquainted with classic Aussie beasts like kangaroos, wallabies, potoroos – maybe even an emu or two. Less obviously cuddly but no less fascinating are the wombats, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils that live here too. Kudos to this sizable, sustainable place for bringing people and critters together for mutual observation since 1967. On the way back from the Park, you’ll drive to the lookout terrace on Mt Lofty’s summit. The panoramic views across the city skyline and to the coast from here are especially breathtaking on a clear day.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in notable sights of central Adelaide on a narrated drive out of the city toward leafy Mount Lofty.
• Spend a couple delightful hours wandering among wallabies and ‘roos in a cage-free natural environment at Cleland Wildlife Park.
• Feed them, have close-up encounters, and capture unforgettable photos of these Australian icons.
• Interact with less fuzzy creatures, too, like wombats and dingoes – even a Tasmanian devil.
• Weather permitting, experience jaw-dropping views over the city from the summit lookout atop Mt Lofty.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience local life in the tiny village of Keamu on the neighboring island of Aneytium.

On the short boat ride over, you can take in the beautiful tropical setting and prepare for the experience that lies ahead. As an introduction to the island, a group of warriors decorated with body paint will greet you somewhat ominously to demonstrate what the first meeting between the Europeans and islanders might have been like in 1793.

It’s all in fun, as the warriors will then lead you into Keamu to meet the chief and show you how the villagers live. You will learn about their way of life, how they prepare and store food, and weave mats and baskets from palm fronds. You will also see how they live off the land by hunting and fishing. The villagers in Keamu are extraordinarily resourceful and still practice many of the traditional ways of their ancestors.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the Fijian culture and the natural world that flourishes on Dravuni Island. You will begin your immersion into the local lifestyle by sitting in on a kava ceremony. The national drink of Fiji, kava is made with pulverized pepper root and its preparation can be a complex process. Although drinking this intoxicating, mouth-numbing concoction was once reserved solely for chieftains and priests, you will be invited to sample the kava, which is typically ladled from a communal wooden bowl. As the guide leads you on a nature walk, you will see crops such as yams and cassava and a variety of medicinal plants that the villagers use to ease pain, reduce inflammation and stanch bleeding. While exploring the island’s wooded interior, you can expect to see birds such as the Kadavu musk parrot, an endemic species that is easy to identify by its bright red, blue and green feathers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a kava ceremony that honors Fiji’s national drink and sample it.
• See traditional crops grown on the island and plants used for medicinal purposes.
• Look for colorful tropical birds while following the guide on a nature walk.
• Shop for local handicrafts at stalls along the beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Tour a captivating museum filled with Royal New Zealand Air Force planes and memorabilia, then explore a one-of-a-kind experiential museum dedicated to all things Antarctic. Located in Christchurch on the site of a former base, the Air Force Museum showcases the country’s long and valiant aviation history through hands-on exhibits – including dozens of vintage aircraft, WWI-era aviation barracks, rare uniforms and medals, and moving stories of the proud men and women who have served in the New Zealand and Allied flying services. After a leisurely guided visit, leave the museum behind as you move into cooler surroundings. Much cooler. At the International Antarctic Centre, you can experience an indoor blizzard, visit a snow cave, endure life at Scott Base and learn about other intrepid Antarctic explorers, even watch rescued Little Blue Penguins – smallest of their kind – cavort in a plush indoor/outdoor habitat. You can also take a virtual voyage down to Antarctica in the 4D Extreme Theatre and experience an epic thrill ride in the Hagglund, a genuine amphibious Antarctic transport that doesn’t let anything stand in its way. A drive back through central Christchurch reveals how well it’s recovered from the devastating 2011 earthquake.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle back for a 30-minute narrated coach drive from Lyttelton to the outskirts of Christchurch.
• Tour the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum, home to a vast collection of meticulously preserved aviation memorabilia including dozens of historic aircraft and a vintage barracks.
• Enjoy an immensely fun, guided tour and interactive experience at the International Antarctic Centre, next best thing to traveling to the South Pole yourself.
• • Survive an ice storm, learn about life in modern Antarctica and visit historic Scott Base, watch Little Blue Penguins play, and crawl over an obstacle course inside a Hagglund amphibious vehicle.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing including a light jacket or sweater.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Sit back and enjoy this panoramic orientation drive through Australia’s ‘most livable city.’ It’s vibrant, multi-cultural, sporting, fashionable, food-and-culture-loving and the capital of Victoria – and all that’s just for starters. You’ll visit the bayside suburb of St. Kilda, with its lovely beaches, Esplanade and hopping café scene. See the F1 Grand Prix circuit wrapping around Albert Park Lake, and stop for photos at the landmark Shrine of Remembrance War memorial, maybe strolling across to the Royal Botanic Gardens’ gift shop. Drive past the Rod Laver Tennis Center, where the Australian Open is played each January, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground made famous as the venue for the 1956 Olympic Games, now home to thundering Aussie Rules Football and stadium concert crowds. In the heart of the city’s historic and governmental quarter, see The Treasury, Parliament House, the Windsor Hotel, Princess Theatre and the impressive Gothic buildings that line Collins Street. And travel through the Carlton district, where the rococo Royal Exhibition Building stands alongside the ultramodern Melbourne Museum. Throughout the drive, your professional guide’s commentary will bring the city’s history and backstories to life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic introduction to Melbourne, seeing the top sights and learning about their history.
• See everything from the beachside Esplanade in St. Kilda to the ornate Princess Theater built in 1854.
• Pass sporting icons like the Rod Laver Tennis Center, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the lakeside Formula One race circuit in Albert Park.
• Visit the colonnaded Shrine of Remembrance, War memorial.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.