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Australia/New Zealand

An Odyssey Down Under: Australia and New Zealand

Program No. 16434RJ

Alongside experts, discover natural wonder, Native culture and cosmopolitan cities as you learn what makes Australia and New Zealand so connected and yet both so unique.

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We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

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Jan 9 - Feb 8, 2025

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16,299

Jan 23 - Feb 22, 2025

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Feb 6 - Mar 8, 2025

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Oct 2 - Nov 1, 2025

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Oct 23 - Nov 22, 2025

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Oct 30 - Nov 29, 2025

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DATES & starting prices

PRICES

Filling Fast!

Jan 9 - Feb 8, 2025

Starting at

18,799

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Jan 23 - Feb 22, 2025

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18,799

Feb 6 - Mar 8, 2025

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Feb 20 - Mar 22, 2025

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Mar 13 - Apr 12, 2025

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Mar 27 - Apr 26, 2025

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Apr 3 - May 3, 2025

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Sep 4 - Oct 4, 2025

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Sep 11 - Oct 11, 2025

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Oct 2 - Nov 1, 2025

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Oct 9 - Nov 8, 2025

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Oct 23 - Nov 22, 2025

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Oct 30 - Nov 29, 2025

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31 days

30 nights

73 meals

28B 22L 23D

In Transit to Program

In Flight

In Transit to Program, Crossing International Dateline

In Flight

Arrive Auckland, Check In

Auckland

Orientation & Introductions, Walk Through Central Auckland

Auckland

NZ History, Yacht Excursion, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland

Mangere Mountain, Auckland's North Shore, Beachside Lunch

Auckland

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Orientation to Rotorua

Rotorua

Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Maori Culture & Performance, Hangi

Rotorua

National Kiwi Hatchery, Antarctic Centre, Riccarton House

Christchurch

Banks Peninsula, Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise, City Walk

Christchurch

Fly to Invercargill, Te Hikoi Museum, Te Anau

Te Anau

Piopiotahi Milford Sound Cruise, Gondola to Dinner

Queenstown

Lake Wakatipu Cruise to Sheep Station

Queenstown

Arrowtown, Fly to Wellington, New Zealand Political System

Wellington

NZ Parliament, National Library, Free Time

Wellington

Zealandia Urban EcoSanctuary, Cable Car, Te Papa NZ Museum

Wellington

Wellington's Wild Coastline, Fly to Sydney, Australia

Sydney

Sydney's Colonial History, Cruise on Sydney Harbour

Sydney

Australian History, Sydney Opera House, Sydney's Coast

Sydney

Taronga Zoo, Sydney Opera House Performance

Sydney

Fly to Melbourne, Shrine of Remembrance, Botanic Gardens

Melbourne

Contemporary Australia, Melbourne Skydeck, Penguins

Melbourne

View Full Itinerary

At a Glance

Geographically isolated, rich in indigenous heritage and home to diverse and fragile ecosystems, Australia and New Zealand have much in common. Yet, separated from one another by more than 1,200 miles of open sea, they each bear distinctions that run deeper than can be perceived from afar. Find out for yourself what these island nations share and what makes each unique on this in-depth odyssey of discovery.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to three miles at a time over varied terrain. Standing at least three hours daily; climbing stairs, getting on/off buses, carrying own luggage. Elevations up to 3,100 feet. If you believe you require wheelchair assistance to get through an airport you are not fit enough to participate in this program.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

Learn the story of New Zealand’s settlement by Maori and Europeans.
Witness the eruptions of spectacular geysers in the Rotorua geothermal region and experience the magnificent Piopiotahi/Milford Sound.
Examine a delicate natural wonder — the Great Barrier Reef — and learn about efforts to protect it.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

David O'Brien

Originally from the island state of Tasmania, Dave O’Brien has lived in North Queensland for more than 30 years. Working as a biologist almost his entire career, Dave has been involved in reptile research, aquaculture, government organizations, private enterprise and owning his own business. Outside of work, Dave’s interests include birding, photography and long-distance running. He has been married since 1986 and has two adult children, presently living in Melbourne, Australia and Alberta, Canada.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

David O'Brien View biography

Ruth Pullin View biography

Dr. Ruth Pullin wrote her Ph.D. thesis on the Australian colonial artist Eugene von Guérard and was guest curator of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2011, “Eugene von Guérard: Nature Revealed.” She is the principal author and commissioning editor of the book of the same title. She derives great joy in discussing with Road Scholars the relationship of Australians to the land as a key way in which Australian artists have established a sense of our cultural identity.

Hamish Campbell View biography

Hamish Campbell earned a Ph.D. in paleontology from Cambridge University, and went on to serve as a senior scientist at GNS Science — the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences — in Wellington, New Zealand, and as geologist at the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Hamish channeled his expertise to write several popular books on New Zealand geology. His passion for New Zealand, geology and learning have made him an exceptional long-time instructor for Road Scholar.

Sue Grebenschikoff View biography

Sue Grebenschikoff is an instructor and site coordinator in Cairns. Originally from Sydney, Sue moved to Cairns 20 years ago after she fell in love with the tropical region. Sue has a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a concentration in marketing, is a keen gardener, and loves to travel and meet people. She has worked in various capacities for many years on award-winning wilderness adventure programs around tropical North Queensland.

Andrew Fitzgerald View biography

Andrew Fitzgerald is a keen astronomer with considerable experience presenting information on stars, planets, our solar system, and the galaxy to large groups. He regularly presents a session on the local radio station informing locals and visitors of current astronomical features and events. Andrew’s wealth of knowledge enhances sessions exploring the features of Southern Hemisphere skies.

Peter Ackroyd View biography

Peter Ackroyd graduated from the University of Canterbury with a master’s degree in engineering geology. Over the course of his professional career, Peter has done geological assessments for land use investigations, managed a range of natural resource usage projects and helped shape policy and resource management for commercial fishing. Peter and his wife Cathrine have three adult children and, as per New Zealand tradition, one lives overseas.

Rayleen Brown View biography

Rayleen Brown is an Aboriginal who worked as a project officer to help Aboriginals secure their traditional land. She now owns and operates a successful catering business that’s been specializing in traditional bush products and foods for the past 10 years. In addition, Rayleen is a member of the national Bush Foods Council, an educator for schools across Central Australia and a mentor with the local Desert Leadership Program. She continues to be a strong advocate for the Aboriginal people to this day.

Peter Burns View biography

Peter Burns is our Site Coordinator for Melbourne, as well as being an experienced Group Leader. Peter grew up in suburban Melbourne and graduated as a civil engineer, with further qualifications in natural resource management and education. Peter has had an eclectic career, working as a civil engineer, teacher, and in National Park management. Peter has also led groups of Australians and New Zealanders on numerous trips to Scotland, Central Asia, India, and the Caucasus.

Michael Kidd View biography

Michael Kidd is a retired secondary school principal and teacher. After teaching mathematics at four Sydney high schools, he was appointed the principal of Hurlstone Agricultural High School, a school on 200 acres of farmland with 300 boarders, mostly from the country in New South Wales. He and his wife Robyn (also a retired secondary school principal and Road Scholar group leader) have traveled extensively with their two daughters. As group leader, Michael loves to share his passion for his homeland with Road Scholars.

Richard De Gille View biography

Richard De Gille has recently retired after practising as a lawyer for the past 30 years. For the last 20 years, he was a partner of a large suburban legal practice in outer Melbourne. He holds degrees from Monash University in economics and politics, education and law. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, bushwalking, gardening and reading.

Fergus Sutherland View biography

Fergus Sutherland lives in the Catlins region of New Zealand’s South Island. He is an award-winning conservationist who has run Catlins Wildlife Trackers Ecotours with his wife Mary for 25 years. He holds a master’s degree in geology from the University of Otago as well as a teaching diploma. Fergus was chairman of a local branch of New Zealand’s Forest and Bird Protection Society for ten years and has worked in soil conservation. His interests include painting, photography, hiking, writing and house restoration.

Margaret Copland View biography

Margaret Copland is a graduate of the University of Canterbury and the Christchurch College of Education. As a historian, she has enjoyed researching the stories of the early Canterbury immigrants, which she will share with us in her capacity as the Te Puna Ora storyteller. Margaret is an experienced history teacher and she has been a heritage storyteller and local historian for 20 years. Her original stories have been researched and developed to create 13 characters who bring New Zealand history to life.

Mark Pugh View biography

Born and raised in the Whitsunday region of North Queensland, Mark Pugh has lived in every state in Australia and worked in various arenas such as banking, engineering, hospitality, teaching, agriculture and aquaculture. He found his calling as a trek excursion leader in Tasmania nine years ago, and this has led to him basing himself in Cairns doing long-haul 4wd safaris during the cooler months. He also works with hot-air ballooning in the wetter season. In his free time, Mark enjoys trekking, diving and travel.

Robbie Selwyn View biography

A native of Wellington, Robbie Selwyn graduated with a commerce degree from Victoria University, and worked for ExxonMobil in financial, corporate planning and marketing roles. His career allowed him the wonderful opportunity to live and work in various locations around the world, fueling his interest in travel and international culture. An active golfer, Robbie is married and has two children and five grandchildren.

Martin Ludgate View biography

Martin Ludgate was a lecturer at Charles Darwin University in Alice Springs, where he lectured and managed the educational travel program. Now semi-retired (although still doing some lecturing and leading educational excursions), Martin has a keen interest in local history and culture as well as the landscapes, flora and fauna of the Northern Territory. “The great pleasure of enabling Road Scholar participants to bring alive their desire to experience a sense of Outback Australia, which they have heard so much about, makes my involvement so rewarding,” Martin says.

Allan Wills View biography

Allan Wills has had a 35-year career in the New Zealand education system, specializing in primary and special needs education. He served in Samoa with Volunteer Service Abroad, and has served as a Red Cross volunteer in Christchurch following its disastrous earthquake. An avid gardener, Allan was once Head Gardener at a quarry in Auckland. Allan has led numerous Road Scholar programs in New Zealand and Australia. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Jennie.

Rodney Grapes View biography

Dr Rodney Grapes has wide research interests in the fields of mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry and also in tectonic geomorphology, historical earthquakes in New Zealand, and the history of New Zealand geology. He has published (scientific papers and books), and taught in all these areas. His leisure time, when he has it, is occupied by writing on aspects of the geology of New Zealand.

Ron Turner View biography

Ron Turner had a long career in the New Zealand Army, including serving in Vietnam and as a military attaché in Canberra. Since retiring from the army, Ron has been chief executive of a child health care provider and undertaken security and transport contracts. Ron has been a Judicial Justice of the Peace, and has been heavily involved in community activities including New Zealand and Australian Lions Clubs. A long-term Wellington resident, Ron has since moved to Auckland. Ron's interests include people, travel, and reading.

Andrea Powell View biography

Andrea Powell has extended her business skills in finance and HR into her passion for travel, learning and meeting people. While working in corporate industries, including publishing, superannuation and private education, the next travel adventure always had to be on the near horizon. After re-training in group leading and attaining professional industry accreditation, Andrea is thoroughly enjoying exploring Australia. Andrea has always lived in Sydney but has stepped foot on all continents. She loves suburban culture, cafes and the quirky side of life.

Robyn Morag Laing View biography

Robyn Laing first visited Japan on a youth exchange program in the mid-70s, which altered the course of her life. After four years living and studying in Kyoto, her fluent language skills were in demand in her native New Zealand, leading to stints teaching in a high school, working for the Japanese Embassy, and then for New Zealand’s dairy export organization. The New Zealand Dairy Board posted her to Japan for 6 years; she also undertook posts in Australia, the UK, Europe, and the USA.

Sylvia van der Peet View biography

Sylvia van der Peet — born in a coal-mining village in Lancashire, England — came to Australia as a teenager. She has had roles as varied as assistant to a horse dentist, volunteer zoo guide, quoll keeper, wool shop owner, and in the IT industry before deciding there was more to life than computing. She spent 13+ years as a Park Ranger and accredited General Firefighter. Sylvia is now semi-retired and a member of the local Country Fire Authority. She and her husband are Hooded Plover monitors.

John Watkins View biography

John Watkins has a passion for fostering cross-cultural understandings and the building of trusted relationships between individuals and organizations. His passion emanates from his involvement in and love of sport, outdoor recreation and experiential education. John considers travel to be the ultimate teacher. He worked in an extensive career in sports management and corporate business development. John is a recognized change agent and business development manager. In his free time, John enjoys skiing, swimming and bush walking and follows rugby, American football, cricket and tennis.

Shane Cave View biography

Shane Cave is a former journalist and broadcaster. In a journalism career lasting over two decades, Shane was a presenter New Zealand's national radio service, a feature writer for a leading national magazine and editor of magazines published by the United Nations Environment Program at its World Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Shane then embarked on a new career advising on the combat of corruption. He is a co-founder of the New Zealand Chapter of Transparency International.

Ian Smith View biography

Ian Smith is a full-time livestock farmer with his wife Heather. They own and farm 1000 acres running 1,000 sheep, 480 dairy cows and 200 supporting dairy stock. Ian bought his first land in 1971 and farmed in a three-generation partnership before going on to farm with Heather. Parallel to running a successful farming business, Ian has always had interests beyond the farm gate whether it is advocacy for fellow farmers through to the national level or taking an active interest in research and training.

Les "Harry" Day View biography

Les Day has had a 40-year career working in the customer service, marketing and promotions fields. For a lot of that period, Les was running his own businesses. Les has many years' experience leading groups of overseas visitors throughout Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. He has also led groups of Australians throughout parts of the UK, Europe, Asia and the U.S.

Mary Gordon View biography

Mary Gordon has had a career full of variety, with university qualifications in science, wildlife and park management, and occupational health and safety. Her roles across Australia have ranged from caring for reptiles at the Museum of South Australia and looking after visitors to the Northern Territory Wildlife Park to running an ecology project at the University of Melbourne and setting up her own vineyard. Having returned to South Australia, Mary is thrilled to be able to educate visitors about her homeland.

Russell Boswell View biography

Russell Boswell is the manager of Savannah Guides and Savannah Way Limited. A long-term Cairns resident, Russell’s background is in education and marketing. His travel career has included group and safari operation, magazine publishing, and training local experts. Russell sits on several industry committees and has been the proud recipient of a Cassowary Award for services to Wet Tropics nature-based travel.

Fiona Barker View biography

Fiona Barker is a senior lecturer in comparative politics at Victoria University of Wellington. Born and raised in New Zealand, she earned her Ph.D. from Harvard University and had research stays in Italy, Canada, Belgium, and France before returning to Wellington to teach and research the politics of immigration, nationalism, representation, and electoral politics. Her recent research examines topics including immigrants’ political participation and representation in New Zealand and Europe, and the role of the ethnic media in democratic politics in New Zealand.

Bill Rout View biography

Bill Rout moved from the South Auckland/Waikato area to live in the Catlins on the East Coast of Southland in 2012 after having spent many years tramping, hitchhiking and cycling around the South Island. Bill is a former primary school teacher, technical writer and workplace trainer. He has also worked as a disc jockey at a roller skating rink, surf-lifesaving lifeguard and a violence prevention facilitator. He currently works part-time as a therapist and volunteers as an ambulance officer.

Kris Lockett View biography

A fine arts graduate of the University of Canterbury, Invercargill-born Kris Lockett initially worked in graphic design before doing her OE and living overseas for three years. She returned to New Zealand and began working in the tertiary sector, becoming Head of Faculty in Arts & Design at the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill before moving to the Open Polytechnic in Wellington where she designed and produced distance learning materials. She is co-owner of DIY Publishing Ltd, helping people publish their books.

Kate McMillan View biography

Kate McMillan is an associate professor in comparative politics and head of the political science and international relations program at Victoria University of Wellington. Her research and teaching focuses on immigration politics, media politics and citizenship politics, with a particular focus on New Zealand and its region. Kate grew up in Christchurch but has spent much of her adult life in Wellington, with stints also living and working in Melbourne, London, San Diego and Lund.

Wendy Black View biography

Wendy Black is a born and bred Southlander who has worked in a variety of jobs. She began her tertiary education with an office management course at Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and in her time off worked at a local florist. From there, she managed a local veterinary clinic and, once married, worked part-time at SIT helping run educational programs with New Zealand College for Seniors. As children arrived and the family grew, they have undertaken extensive overseas travel: 48 countries and counting.

Peter Lawson View biography

Peter Lawson has lived in Wellington for 44 years after graduating from Christchurch’s Canterbury University with a Bachelor of Science in Pure Maths and Operations Research. He started his career in the Government Railways Department in their Economic Planning and Research unit when the Railways employed approximately 20,000 people. During 22 years, Peter worked as a marketing manager, in General Management, and Project Management. He then had a career change, working as a self-employed investment adviser and sharebroker before retiring in 2021.

Hazel Petrie View biography

Hazel Petrie is an Honorary Research Fellow in the University of Auckland Department of History. She has a and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Maori Studies, a Master of Arts in History, and a Ph.D. in Maori Studies, all from the University of Auckland. Her published books include “Chiefs of Industry: Maori Tribal Enterprise in Early Colonial New Zealand” that was a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards, and “Outcasts of the Gods?: The Struggle Over Slavery in Maori New Zealand.”

Peter Wilson View biography

Peter Wilson has qualifications in fine arts, economics, and education. He was an education officer at the National Gallery of Victoria and foundation manager of Brambuk Cultural Centre, established by Aboriginal traditional owners of Gariwerd-Grampians National Park, Victoria. He established Antipodes, a gallery for authentic Australian arts and crafts. With the University of the Third Age, he has conducted numerous courses on Australian art and culture. Peter enjoys meeting Road Scholars and discussing the revelations art can provide about the land and people of Australia.

Steve Garland View biography

Steve Garland is a born and bred Cantabrian whose family has had a significant connection to the early settlement of Christchurch. He is a graduate of the University of Canterbury with an M.A. (Hons) in History. He is a retired teacher who taught History and Social Studies at a boys' secondary school in Christchurch for 42 years. He was also actively involved in organizing and coaching school sport and has a wide range of sporting interests from cricket and rugby to golf and sailing.

Lizzie Johnston-Walker View biography

Lizzie Johnston-Walker graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Science in zoology and microbiology. She completed a Bachelor of Nursing at Otago Polytechic and a Master of Health Sciences at the University of Otago. She has worked in clinical areas and hospitals in New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S. For the past 15 years, Lizzie has been an RN in the Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital. She is also involved in undergraduate and postgraduate nursing education at the University of Otago.

Margaret Logan View biography

Margaret Logan raised a family and served 23 years as a child and family social worker in Timaru. She then joined her husband, Richard, in establishing the freshwater salmon farming industry in the hydro system waters in the Mackenzie Country on the South Island. Now “retired,” she is still involved with High Country Salmon as an owner-director. Margaret loves living in Wellington where Probus activities keep her well occupied, along with walking, reading, bridge, planning for more overseas travel, and meeting with friends and family.

Ian Selwyn View biography

Ian Selwyn grew up in Wellington Ian and has lived on the North Shore of Auckland for more than 40 years. He held executive positions in the insurance industry before establishing a brokerage dealing in all aspects of Insurance. After selling the business, he was able to pursue his passion of rugby coaching and held a liaison role for visiting international teams. He has always had an interest in history and world affairs and has enjoyed his overseas travels including the United States of America.

Stephen Hoadley View biography

Stephen Hoadley is Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland. He has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a Life Member of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. Steve is a regular commentator on international affairs in the New Zealand media and enjoys giving public lectures to diverse audiences.

Sue Hume View biography

Sue Hume retired from a career as a secondary school teacher and principal. She led her school through difficult periods including the Canterbury earthquakes in 2011, the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Sue was awarded a Christchurch City Council Earthquake Award in 2012 for service during the earthquakes, a Woolf Fisher Fellowship in recognition of educational excellence in 2012, and a Queen’s Service Medal in 2022 for services to education. A keen traveler, Sue has always resided in the South Island.

Karen Chopping View biography

Karen Chopping has been introducing international visitors to Australia for over 20 years. She holds the sought-after certified accreditation qualifications for both Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Travel is both a personal and career life passion. When she is not working, she is travelling the world with her own two children, introducing them to the worldwide classroom. When COVID-19 hit Australian shores, Karen relocated to Outback Queensland to continue working in the travel industry while homeschooling her children.

Hirani Kydd View biography

Hirani Kydd has a background in biology and zookeeping, and began leading groups in the Wet Tropics in the mid-2010s. Hirani loves anything to do with natural history, but particularly enjoys the interconnectedness of all lifeforms within an ecosystem, and how they work together or against each other. The Wet Tropics is a fantastic place to see this. When she is not thinking about biology in a landscape, Hirani is probably thinking about geology instead.

Jane Gardiner View biography

Jane Gardiner was born and educated in the United Kingdom and emigrated to Aotearoa, New Zealand in 1973. Jane's career in packaging and sustainability was navigated around a busy family life with two children who have now settled on the North Shore of Auckland. Jane has always been very active in her community, serving as president of Takapuna Tennis Club (where she still plays twice a week), secretary for Kennedy Park Petanque Club, advisor/secretary to the Albany Choir, and volunteer English language tutor (TESOL).

Leigh Anstey View biography

Leigh Anstey has led groups across Australia for over 20 years and has a real affection, in particular, for Central Australia and the Northern Territory. Leigh's areas of expertise encompass indigenous culture and Australian history in general, and he has a passion for bringing to life the inspiring stories of the pioneering characters, both men and women who paved the way in making the Australian outback what it is today. Leigh has a keen interest in the flora and fauna of Australia.

Helen Bull View biography

Helen Bull grew up on a sheep farm in the South Island. After graduating with an economics and finance degree, she worked in the oil industry in New Zealand and the UK. Returning to New Zealand with her engineer husband and three children, she set up an accounting business. In her 50s, she decided to follow her passion for anthropology and history and trained as a museum docent. Concurrently, she served as the treasury administrator and advisor of a charity advocating for children in poverty.

Sue Chamberlain View biography

Sue Chamberlain grew up on a farm in Canterbury, but has been a proud Wellingtonian since 1987. Sue has a B.A. in history and an M.B.A. She has worked as a teacher/trainer, an international development delegate for the Red Cross, and in communications and fundraising. Sue also set up Walk Wellington, which provides expert-led walking expeditions. Sue loves the arts and is a member of three choirs and a singing duo.

Jill Bunning View biography

Jill Bunning originally trained as a school teacher before moving into travel over 40 years ago. For many years she was based in the UK and Europe, organizing and personally leading groups for various companies. Now back in Australia, Jill enjoys welcoming Road Scholar visitors to Sydney. She speaks conversational German and Italian and loves spending time with her family and attending the many shows that Sydney has to offer.

Evan France View biography

Evan France retired in 2023, ending a three-decade career as a secondary school teacher. Prior to embarking on a teaching career, Evan spent 15 years living on Rakiura Stewart Island - New Zealand's third-largest island - where he variously worked for the Department of Conservation on the kakapo program, as a group leader, commercial fisherman, and as a partner in a salmon farm. Evan and his wife live in Invercargill where he coaches volleyball and rowing and enjoys mountain biking, orienteering, and golf in his spare time.

Julian Thomson View biography

Julian Thomson has a background in geology and an interest in the outdoors. For about 15 years, he was a secondary school science teacher in Lower Hutt near Wellington, before taking up a position as the educational outreach facilitator at GNS Science in 2008. In 2020, he started his own geoscience communication and education consultancy.

Mark Grant View biography

Mark Grant lives beside Royal Park in central Melbourne and has a deep knowledge of the city, its planning history, and its broader connection to rural Victoria. In addition to a five-week self-directed trek through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, he previously traveled widely across Europe and Southeast Asia. He enjoys creative writing, music, photography, camping, and cycling. Mark is a member of the Friends of Royal Park and the Montrose Environmental Co-operative, which maintains a reserve west of the Grampians National Park at Wartook.

Pat Bonisch View biography

Pat Bonisch has lived in Christchurch for nearly three decades. He is retired after a career in the banking industry and more recently in the financial services sector. Over the last two decades, he has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Asia, and North America. His interests include running, golf, rugby, cycling, photography, hiking, and the arts. He enjoys meeting new people from all walks of life.

Sandy Greenwood View biography

Sandy Greenwood was born a Novacastrian but lives in Sydney, Australia. She has worked extensively in the Australian and international tourism industry, specializing in managing small group expedition companies. Sandy holds postgraduate degrees in business management and education, and a bachelor’s degree in visual arts. Sandy has been on the Boards of Oxfams International Youth Parliament and The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, and was co-chair of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO). She collaborated with the Mawson's Huts Foundation and the Australian Antarctic Division to instigate the restoration of Mawson's Huts in Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica in 2006. Her interests include the visual arts, hiking, live music, Scrabble, house renovation, and traveling to remote locations.

Jacqué Mandeno View biography

Jacqué Mandeno lives in Auckland’s Torbay, enjoying the surrounding ocean and bush and the diversity of flora and fauna there. She has lived in many different parts of beautiful Aotearoa – from the Catlins in the deep south, to the Tutukaka Coast in the far north, where she is currently developing a small permaculture block. With degrees in history, English literature, and communication, Jacqué teaches public speaking and drama to children and adults. Her interests include the performing arts, history, conservation, and ocean swimming.

Suggested Reading List

View Full List (21 Books)

You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

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Trip details subject to change

Duration

31 days

30 nights

What's Included

73 meals | 28B | 22L | 23D |

16 expert-led lectures

42 expert-led field trips

8 flights during the program

1 hands-on experience

4 performances

An experienced Group Leader

28 nights of accommodations

Taxes and customary gratuity

Road Scholar Assurance Plan

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Day

In Transit to Program

Location: In Flight

Day

In Transit to Program, Crossing International Dateline

Location: In Flight

Day

Arrive Auckland, Check In

Location: Auckland

Meals: D

Stay: Movenpick Hotel Auckland

Activity Note

2:00 p.m. hotel check-in. Those arriving at the hotel prior to 2:00 p.m. will be able to store their luggage at the hotel and head off and explore while waiting for check-in to commence. As water is safe to drink throughout New Zealand and Australia, upon your arrival in Auckland you will be given a Road Scholar water bottle to use throughout your program. This is yours to keep.

Afternoon:

Kia ora! Welcome to Auckland. Auckland, the “City of Sails,” is New Zealand’s largest city and over one-third of all New Zealanders live in the greater Auckland area. It has a cosmopolitan population, and the high proportion of indigenous Maori and other Polynesian peoples from the Pacific Islands have contributed distinctive elements to its cultural mix. This mix has been heightened by increased immigration from a number of Asian nations throughout the last decade or two. A third of the city’s population was born outside New Zealand. The city has a unique setting between two harbours on a narrow isthmus studded with numerous volcanic cones. To the east, the Waitemata Harbour provides New Zealand’s busiest Pacific port and a picturesque setting for the central business district and suburbs. Beyond this harbour lie the superb boating waters of the island-studded Hauraki Gulf. To the west, the broad shallows of the Manukau Harbour provide ideal habitat for large flocks of seabirds in the shadow of the rugged rainforest-covered Waitakere Ranges. Beyond these ranges the wild black-sand surf beaches of the west coast are a dramatic contrast to the gentle golden sand of the tree-fringed beaches of the east coast. Your Group Leader and local Site Coordinator will meet you at the Auckland hotel.

Dinner:

At the hotel. We will have “Welcome to New Zealand” wine with dinner tonight.

Evening:

At leisure. We have an early night tonight to rest up following our long flight.

Day

Orientation & Introductions, Walk Through Central Auckland

Location: Auckland

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Movenpick Hotel Auckland

Activity Note

Walking up to 2 miles, paved surfaces, undulating terrain.

Breakfast:

The breakfast buffet in the hotel's top-floor dining room affords stunning views of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, the North Shore and the central business district.

Morning:

Orientation. The Group Leader and Site Coordinator will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. The Group Leader and local Site Coordinators will provide information and lead field trips at most study sites. The format of meals will vary based on each venue, with some meals being buffets, others plated and served, and some ordered in advance. Beverages typically include coffee, tea and water, with other beverages available for purchase depending on location. Free time is reserved for your own personal exploration. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through independent exploration, attending performances or other events on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader and local Site Coordinator will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. To conclude our Orientation session, we will have an introduction to Auckland.

Lunch:

At the hotel.

Afternoon:

This afternoon our Group Leader and local Site Coordinator will lead us on a walking field trip in central Auckland, introducing us to New Zealand's largest city. We will learn how Auckland utilizes its harbour for both business and pleasure by taking an informative stroll up Queen Street, around the art gallery and through the university grounds. Those who wish may choose to break off from the walk and explore sites of personal interest, returning to the hotel independently. We will return to the hotel in time to freshen up before heading out to dinner. We will catch a public ferry across to Devonport this evening.

Dinner:

At a restaurant in Devonport, we will have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Evening:

At leisure. Those who wish may choose to stay in Devonport longer and make their own way back to the hotel using their return ferry ticket.

Day

NZ History, Yacht Excursion, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Location: Auckland

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Movenpick Hotel Auckland

Activity Note

Walking up to 1.2 miles; flat, paved surfaces.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We begin today with a local academic who will provide an introduction to New Zealand history. We will then walk down to Viaduct Basin for a yacht cruise on Auckland's magnificent Waitemata Harbour giving us stunning views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the city and the surrounding volcanic cones. Our Group Leader, Site Coordinator, and skipper(s) will point out the sights of particular significance and interest. As we sail through the channel, those who wish can have a turn at the wheel, helming the yacht, weather conditions permitting. At the conclusion of the cruise, we will board a motorcoach and transfer to a local cafe close to Auckland War Memorial Museum. We will get an orientation to the layout of the city en route.

Lunch:

At the Wintergarden Cafe. We will have time to explore the gardens briefly on our own prior to or after lunch.

Afternoon:

We walk to Auckland War Memorial Museum. At the museum, a docent will introduce the permanent exhibitions showing patterns of Polynesian and European settlement. Following our time at the museum, we board our motorcoach and return to our hotel.

Dinner:

At the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Mangere Mountain, Auckland's North Shore, Beachside Lunch

Location: Auckland

Meals: B,L

Stay: Movenpick Hotel Auckland

Activity Note

Walking up to 3 miles; undulating terrain with some steep patches, varied surfaces.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will have a field trip to explore Auckland's geography, giving us an understanding of the varied nature of the city’s volcanic and coastal environment. We travel first to Mangere Mountain, one of the many volcanic cones that dot Auckland's landscape. Here we will have an expert-led walk on the mountain, gaining an understanding of the geology and formation of the mountain as well as learning of the archaeological evidence of early Maori settlement here. We reboard our motorcoach and drive across the Auckland Harbour Bridge where we witness the varied nature of the city’s coastal environment.

Lunch:

At a local restaurant, we will have a buffet lunch looking out over picturesque Cheltenham Beach and across to the cone of Rangitoto, Auckland’s most recognisable volcano and an iconic natural landmark.

Afternoon:

We will transfer to Devonport Ferry Terminal and have the remainder of the afternoon and evening to ourselves.

Dinner:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader and local Site Coordinator will be happy to offer suggestions. The Viaduct Basin, formerly the home of the America’s Cup, has a variety of cafés and restaurants a short walk from the hotel. The relatively new development of the Wynyard Quarter is a delightful stroll across the bridge beyond the Viaduct, while the Britomart precinct is located in the streets behind the hotel.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer tomorrow.

Day

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Orientation to Rotorua

Location: Rotorua

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Activity Note

The drive from Auckland to the Waitomo Caves is about 120 miles (190 kilometres), approximately 2.5 hours. The drive from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua is about 90 miles (140 kilometres), approximately 2 hours. At Waitomo Caves, uneven terrain; getting into/out of boats. Out of respect for this fragile environment, photography is not permitted within the caves.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will check out of the hotel and depart for Waitomo, travelling through Waikato's rolling green countryside. On our picturesque journey, we will pass pristine farmland and dense forest.

Lunch:

At a cafe close to Waitomo, we will have a pre-ordered lunch.

Afternoon:

We will continue our ride to Waitomo for an expert-led field trip on foot in the internationally-recognised Waitomo glowworm caves. The glowworm (arachnocampa luminosa) is unique to New Zealand, and thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves' historical and geological significance. After our walk through the caves, where we will be amazed at the clear natural acoustics of the “cathedral cave,” we will enjoy a boat ride out of the cave under thousands of magical glowworms, emerging into a stunning natural stream setting. Reboarding our motorcoach, we will transfer through to Rotorua where we will stay for the next two nights. Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua and nicknamed “Sulphur City,” Rotorua has been sustained by tourism since 1870. It is a thermal wonderland with the most energetic thermal activity in the country including hot springs, geysers and bubbling mud pools. It is also an important centre of Maori culture. In the early 19th century the colonial government attempted to develop it as a European-style spa town. The impressive Tudor-styled Bath House dating from that time is now the Rotorua Museum. The area also has fine trout fishing and scenic wildlife parks. Nearby Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886 resulting in major changes to the landscape and considerable loss of life. The beautiful lakes in the region are part of the legacy of this cataclysm. En route, we will have an introduction to Rotorua before checking in to our hotel.

Dinner:

In the hotel restaurant, we have a pre-ordered, plated meal.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Maori Culture & Performance, Hangi

Location: Rotorua

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Activity Note

In the morning, walking up to 3 miles; gravel pathways, uneven, steep in parts. In the afternoon, walking up to 1.5 miles; paved surfaces, some steep sections.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

Today we will learn about Rotorua’s geothermal background and Maori history and culture. We will travel first to Waimangu Volcanic Valley to learn more about volcanic and geothermal New Zealand. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the only geothermal system in the world wholly created as the direct result of a volcanic eruption, the Tarawera Eruption of June 10, 1886. We will walk through this amazing volcanic landscape serenaded by the songs of the local native birdlife. At the end of our walk, we will have a cruise on Lake Rotomohana, surrounded by pristine bush. We will then return to Rotorua.

Lunch:

At an historic and lovingly-restored hotel beside Rotorua's Government Gardens, we will have a pre-ordered, plated lunch.

Afternoon:

Next, we will take our motorcoach to Te Puia, the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Here we will learn from local experts at the Institute about the role it plays in encouraging young Maori to train in the traditional Maori arts and crafts: carving wood and stone, weaving, traditional building techniques, and the like. We will also view the Whakarewarewa thermal area, renowned for its boiling mudpools and the spectacular Pohutu geyser. After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free.

Dinner:

Tonight we experience a hangi, the traditional Maori method of cooking food in the ground.

Evening:

Performance. During dinner we experience a Maori cultural performance which offers us an introduction to Maori culture and tradition. We will be spellbound by songs and dances demonstrated in a rich cultural performance, culminating with a powerful “Haka” or Maori war dance.

Day

National Kiwi Hatchery, Antarctic Centre, Riccarton House

Location: Christchurch

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square Hotel

Activity Note

The flight from Rotorua to Christchurch is a little less than 2 hours (depending on weather). Air New Zealand typically uses ATR 72 aircraft on this route. Walking approximately 1 mile in Riccarton Bush on natural paths and boardwalks.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

This morning we check out of our hotel and transfer to the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa. Here we have a lecture introducing us to New Zealand's endangered national bird. We will learn of the vital role the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa is playing in rearing young kiwi chicks until they are large enough to be released into the wild. After an expert-led visit to this wonderful facility we board our motorcoach and transfer to the Rotorua airport.

Lunch:

We will have a packed lunch at Rotorua airport.

Afternoon:

We leave the North Island as we fly to Christchurch, situated on the east coast of the South Island. Christchurch is set close to the sea on a broad plain between the towering Southern Alps and the large, extinct volcanic crater that forms Banks Peninsula. It is the largest city in the South Island and the centre of farming, industrial and cultural activities for the province of Canterbury. Due to its excellent transportation facilities, bountiful water supply and abundant hydro-electric power, Christchurch is one of the most important industrial and commercial centres in New Zealand. We will be met at the airport by our local Site Coordinator and transfer to the International Antarctic Centre. Here, we will get as close as possible to experiencing Antarctica without actually going there. We will have a lecture on Christchurch's involvement with Antarctica as the nearest mainland base for US, NZ, Italian and South Korean Antarctic research. We will explore the Centre and have an opportunity to get up close to little blue penguins. We will then transfer to Riccarton House, one of Christchurch's most significant early homesteads. Here we have a ranger-led walk through Riccarton Bush, a unique native lowland podocarp forest close to the centre of New Zealand's "Garden City". We will also have a lecture on the early-settler family responsible for the existence of both Riccarton House and Riccarton Bush. Through this we will gain an insight into the early settlement of the province of Canterbury.

Dinner:

At Riccarton House, we will have a pre-ordered, plated dinner.

Evening:

After dinner our Te Puna Ora storyteller — playing two characters — will introduce the experience of early immigrants to Canterbury.

Day

Banks Peninsula, Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise, City Walk

Location: Christchurch

Meals: B,D

Stay: Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square Hotel

Activity Note

Getting on/off a boat. The drive from the centre of Christchurch over Hilltop to Akaroa is about 50 miles (80 kilometres), approximately 1.5 hours each way.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will head to the delightful Banks Peninsula township of Akaroa, a historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Some of the town's French character is shown by its French street names. En route, we will learn from our Site Coordinator about historical patterns of settlement of the local Maori, French, and other European settler populations. Upon arriving in Akaroa, we will board a boat for a harbour cruise on which we will see sea caves, volcanic formations, high cliffs and myriad nesting sites. Keep an eye out for the delightful Hector's Dolphin, one of the world's rarest and smallest dolphins, as well as blue penguins, fur seals, and abundant bird life.

Lunch:

We return to land and are given free time to explore Akaroa on foot, just as the Christchurch visitors do on their day trips. We will get our own lunch at leisure as we explore.

Afternoon:

We will regroup at the Akaroa Museum and board our motorcoach and drive back over Hilltop to Christchurch. Before dinner our local Site Coordinator will lead a walking tour of the centre of Christchurch for those participants interested in learning more about what makes this city tick as it continues its regrowth.

Dinner:

At the hotel, we will have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer in the morning.

Day

Fly to Invercargill, Te Hikoi Museum, Te Anau

Location: Te Anau

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau

Activity Note

The flight from Christchurch to Invercargill is about 1.5 hours. Air New Zealand typically uses ATR 72 aircraft on this route. The drive from Invercargill to Te Anau is about 125 miles (200 kilometres), approximately 3 hours.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

After checking out of the hotel, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Invercargill. Upon our arrival in Invercargill, we board our motorcoach and take the 45-minute drive through to Riverton on the Southern Scenic Route. The "Riviera of the South", Riverton sits in a picturesque location spanning the estuary of Jacob's River. We have an expert-led visit to Te Hikoi Southern Journey. In this delightful small-town museum we learn something of the unique history of Maori and European settlement in the area.

Lunch:

At a local community centre, we will have a packed lunch from a café in Riverton.

Afternoon:

After lunch we drive to the serenely beautiful hamlet of Te Anau, located on Lake Te Anau, the second largest lake in New Zealand and the largest in the South Island. En route, we will have an introduction to the Southern portion of our program. Te Anau is a small country centre providing community support to the widely-dispersed fishing and farming communities of sparsely-populated Fiordland. It is situated at the edge of the World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park and renowned for its alpine scenery and outdoor lifestyle. Checking in to our hotel, we will have some time to explore the lakefront or freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner:

At the hotel, we will have a buffet dinner.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer in the morning.

Day

Piopiotahi Milford Sound Cruise, Gondola to Dinner

Location: Queenstown

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Activity Note

The drive from Te Anau to Piopiotahi Milford Sound is about 75 miles (120 kilometres) and a little over 2 hours. The drive from Piopiotahi Milford Sound to Queenstown is about 180 miles (290 kilometres), and will take about 4 hours. Stops en route. Walking up to 2 miles. Getting on/off a cable car.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will check out of the hotel, and drive around the side of Lake Te Anau, across some of the scenic splendour of Te Wahipounamu — South West New Zealand, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape. We will drive through the Homer Tunnel, New Zealand's highest, where we may well encounter a cheeky kea (New Zealand mountain parrot) or two as we wait for our turn to proceed. At Piopiotahi Milford Sound, we will board a cruise vessel and glide through one of Fiordland's most picturesque fiords, where mountains stand tall right out of the sea and rainforest clings to sheer rock faces. Our skipper will interpret the stunning scenery we are cruising through. Keep an eye out for the resident pods of dolphins as we sail out towards the Tasman Sea.

Lunch:

Aboard the vessel, we will have packed lunches.

Afternoon:

Disembarking the cruise vessel, we will board our motorcoach and continue to Queenstown. We will travel back through the Homer Tunnel, down the Hollyford Valley past Lake Te Anau, across verdant farmland, and between mountain ranges along Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown is situated on the lake, nestled among the majestic Southern Alps. Its setting is stunning with the surrounding mountain ranges, the Remarkables and the Eyre Mountains, forming a breathtaking backdrop. It has more to offer than just magnificent landscape, however; the town strives to be the “adventure capital of the world”. We will check in to our hotel upon arrival. We then transfer by motorcoach to board the gondola that will take us to the top of Bob's Peak. We will have time to take in the spectacular views before dinner.

Dinner:

Buffet dinner at the restaurant atop Bob’s Peak overlooking Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.

Evening:

After taking in the stunning views over dinner, we will hop a gondola back down the hill and board our motorcoach back to our hotel.

Day

Lake Wakatipu Cruise to Sheep Station

Location: Queenstown

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Activity Note

Getting on/off a boat.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

Today we will cruise across Lake Wakatipu to a local high country farm for an expert-led exploration during which we gain insights into the training and usage of farmers' working dogs, the backbone of New Zealand sheep farming. It is hard not to be amazed watching farmer and dog working together in complete unison. Unless the pesky sheep have other ideas…

Lunch:

At the farm, we have a buffet lunch.

Afternoon:

We have some time to explore the lakeside farm after lunch before we cruise back across the lake and return to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore Queenstown independently.

Dinner:

In the hotel restaurant, we have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Evening:

Prepare for check out and transfer tomorrow.

Day

Arrowtown, Fly to Wellington, New Zealand Political System

Location: Wellington

Meals: B,D

Stay: Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay

Activity Note

The drive from Queenstown to Arrowtown takes less than 1/2 hour. The flight from Queenstown to Wellington is a little less than 2 hours. Air New Zealand typically uses ATR 72 aircraft on this route. Occasionally Airbus A320 aircraft are used. Walking up to 2 miles; paved surfaces, predominantly flat.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

Checking out of the hotel, we will board our motorcoach and head to the historic little former gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown at the head of the Arrow Valley just outside Queenstown. We carry on to Queenstown airport and check in to our flight. We will fly to Wellington, located at the southern extremity of the North Island, and the capital of New Zealand since 1865. Its magnificent amphitheatre-like harbour, hemmed in by rugged hills, was formed by the flooding of the crater of a very large and long-extinct volcano. It provides a picturesque setting for the city’s distinctive wooden houses (many visitors have been known to draw parallels with San Francisco) set precariously on the steep hills. In addition to its role as the seat of government, Wellington is a major seaport, rail and ferry centre and a commercial and manufacturing hub. Its compact city centre is immensely walkable and is full of life and interest. It has a vigorous cultural and artistic scene and is the home of many national cultural institutions. Thanks partly to the fact that it is the home town of Sir Peter Jackson (the director of the “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy), Wellington is the focal point of New Zealand's thriving film industry.

Lunch:

Lunch is at own arrangements today. You may get lunch at Queenstown airport before you board your flight or in Wellington after you arrive.

Afternoon:

Upon our arrival in Wellington we have an orientation to Wellington with our local Site Coordinator. We will pause for a stroll along the coast and visit a favourite local lookout offering us commanding views of Wellington and its layout. We then transfer to our hotel and check in. After some down time we regather for a lecture by a local academic on New Zealand’s political system and politics.

Dinner:

At the hotel, we will have a buffet dinner. Our lecturer will join us, affording an opportunity to ask any further questions you may have.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

NZ Parliament, National Library, Free Time

Location: Wellington

Meals: B,L

Stay: Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay

Activity Note

Walking up to 2 miles, on our feet most of the morning.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We transfer to New Zealand’s parliament buildings — including the aptly-named Beehive — for an expert-led exploration. We will then walk across Lambton Quay to view New Zealand’s Supreme Court, provided it is not in session. You may be surprised by the differences between the Supreme Court of NZ and that of the US. We carry on to the National Library. Here at He Tohu we are introduced to three constitutional documents that shaped Aotearoa New Zealand.

Lunch:

At a restaurant around the corner from the National Library, we will have pre-ordered, plated lunches.

Afternoon:

Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader and local Site Coordinator will be happy to offer suggestions. Put on your walking shoes and get amongst it! As the locals like to say, "You can't beat Wellington on a good day!"

Dinner:

On your own to enjoy what you like, allowing you to sample the many fine restaurants, cafes and bars Wellington has to offer.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Zealandia Urban EcoSanctuary, Cable Car, Te Papa NZ Museum

Location: Wellington

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay

Activity Note

Walking up to 3 miles; paved surfaces, uphill and downhill.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We board our motorcoach to Zealandia, a sanctuary of native forest and lakes 10 minutes from the city centre. Here we will learn about some of New Zealand’s unique and fascinating birdlife. Expert volunteers will introduce these wonderful birds and explain the challenges of conserving rare and vulnerable species in New Zealand. We will learn the story of how local residents lobbied and volunteered to get this valley sanctuary set aside as a reserve and have it fully enclosed by predator-proof fencing. We will gain an understanding of the positive effect this facility has had on the native birdlife of the greater Wellington area. At the conclusion of our field trip, en route to lunch, we will transfer to the Wellington Cable Car. From the top of the cable car, we gain excellent views of Wellington Harbour and its hilly backdrop.

Lunch:

At a local cafe, we have pre-ordered, plated lunches.

Afternoon:

We will take the short walk to Te Papa Tongarewa: National Museum of Aotearoa New Zealand where a docent will introduce the key displays of this magnificent facility. We will then have time to explore the museum on our own and return to our accommodation independently at leisure.

Dinner:

At the hotel, we will enjoy a farewell to New Zealand dinner. Share your favourite Kiwi experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening:

At leisure. Time to do final packing and prepare for your last day in New Zealand tomorrow.

Day

Wellington's Wild Coastline, Fly to Sydney, Australia

Location: Sydney

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Mercure Sydney

Activity Note

Field trip combines viewing from motorcoach with short walks. The flight from Wellington to Sydney takes approximately 3 hours 45 minutes. Qantas typically uses Boeing 737-800 aircraft on this route.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

After checking out of the hotel, we will load our bags on to our motorcoach. We will then be joined by an eminent local scientist who will lead our field trip exploring Wellington's fascinating coastline. We will learn how tectonic forces have shaped the rugged environment surrounding the New Zealand capital.

Lunch:

At a sheltered scenic spot along the south coast, we will have a boxed lunch.

Afternoon:

We coach to Wellington International Airport and check in for our international flight to Sydney. Upon our arrival, we will be met by the local Site Coordinator and transferred to our hotel in Sydney's Darling Square precinct. Sydney’s stunning natural harbour forms the centrepiece of a dynamic city that has grown dramatically since its beginnings as a prison colony. Situated in the temperate area of Australia, Sydney is surrounded by National Parks and has a beautiful range of flora and fauna. It is Australia’s largest city with over 5 million citizens thriving in a multi-cultural society in a congenial climate. Sydney is dominated by Sydney Harbour, of which Port Jackson is only a small part. The city covers a large area, twice the size of London with half the population, and has large parks and sparkling sandy Pacific Ocean beaches, such as the well-known and very popular Bondi and Manly.

Dinner:

We will have “Welcome to Australia” wine with dinner tonight.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Sydney's Colonial History, Cruise on Sydney Harbour

Location: Sydney

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Mercure Sydney

Activity Note

Walking approximately 3 miles; predominantly flat surfaces, some stairs and cobbled laneways. Getting on/off a harbour cruise vessel.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

This morning we have an overview of our program in Sydney. We will then head to the harbour on foot and via public transit. Beginning at the base of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, led by our Site Coordinator, we will have a walking exploration of The Rocks area giving us insights into Sydney’s colonial past. The Rocks was the area of Sydney first settled by the British, and it has a fascinating history and wonderful sandstone buildings. We walk to Circular Quay where we board a vessel for a cruise on magnificent Sydney Harbour. On our cruise we take in the stunning scenery and gain an understanding as to how Sydneysiders interact with their gorgeous natural highlight.

Lunch:

We have a platter lunch on board.

Afternoon:

We disembark the vessel and return to our hotel with our Site Coordinator on foot and by tram, exploring as we go. We have some free time before dinner.

Dinner:

We will take a short walk along the fringe of Darling Harbour to a restaurant where we have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Evening:

At leisure. We will walk back to our hotel. You may wish to stay longer and explore some more of the vibrant Darling Harbour precinct as you wend your way back to the hotel on your own.

Day

Australian History, Sydney Opera House, Sydney's Coast

Location: Sydney

Meals: B,L

Stay: Mercure Sydney

Activity Note

Walking approximately 1 mile on a series of short walks from our motorcoach. Depending on the theatres available to visit, the Opera House guided visit involves between 150 and 200 stairs.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will be joined by a local educator who will lecture on the history and settlement of Australia. We board our coach and transfer to the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House. We will have an expert-led exploration of this truly wonderful, iconic building, a masterpiece of late modern architecture. Exactly which areas of the Opera House we see will depend upon what performances and rehearsals are taking place at the time. There are five main performance spaces at the Sydney Opera House — the Concert Hall, the Dame Joan Sutherland Theatre (formerly the Opera Theatre), the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse and the Studio — and the availability of these spaces for public visits changes from day to day. We then re-board our coach to visit Sydney's sought-after eastern suburbs and South Head to see the narrow entrance to the harbour. Our exploration concludes in the renowned beach-side suburb of Bondi.

Lunch:

At a typical, local Australian RSL (Returned Services League) club in Bondi, we will have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Afternoon:

Free Time. Those who wish can stay and explore Bondi and the coastal suburbs, making your own way back to town via the easily-negotiated public transport system. The motorcoach will return to the city centre and do a drop-off there en route to our hotel. Enjoy more of this wonderful city on your own.

Dinner:

On your own to enjoy what you like. Sample what Sydney's restaurant scene has to offer.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Taronga Zoo, Sydney Opera House Performance

Location: Sydney

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Mercure Sydney

Activity Note

On our feet most of the morning, walking approximately 3 miles at zoo; undulating, paved surfaces.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will take our motorcoach across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo, located on the north shore, with delightful views across the harbour to the city. Here we will begin our study of Australian fauna. As well as meeting kangaroos, koalas and wallabies — and hoping for a glimpse of the rather more elusive wombat, echidna, and platypus — we will have a lecture from one of the keepers introducing some of Australia’s more dangerous inhabitants: spiders and snakes.

Lunch:

At Taronga Park Zoo, we have a packed lunch.

Afternoon:

Next, we will take a ferry back across Sydney Harbour to Circular Quay. We have some time to explore Sydney at leisure before coming together at our hotel for an early dinner.

Dinner:

We will have an early buffet dinner at our hotel allowing us to get to tonight's performance in plenty of time.

Evening:

We will attend a performance in the Sydney Opera House. Program 16434-103124 will attend Sydney Theatre Company's "Sunday" in the Drama Theatre. We will return to the hotel via motorcoach. Prepare for check out and departure in the morning.

Day

Fly to Melbourne, Shrine of Remembrance, Botanic Gardens

Location: Melbourne

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Melbourne Marriott Hotel

Activity Note

Field trip combines viewing from motorcoach with short walks. The flight from Sydney to Melbourne takes about 1 hour 35 minutes. Qantas typically uses a mix of Boeing 737, Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 aircraft on this route.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

This morning we check out of our Sydney hotel and coach to Sydney Domestic Airport for our flight to Melbourne. Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, is the capital of Victoria, a state in the south-eastern corner of Australia. During the gold era Melbourne possessed great wealth and many of the city’s fine buildings were built during this period of prosperity. Its magnificent streetscapes and extensive parks and gardens provide an ideal setting for its many elegant buildings. In the past, Melbourne was a larger business centre and city than Sydney, and today the two cities continue a friendly rivalry. Both are cosmopolitan and multicultural and Melbourne has many strong ethnic communities from three major periods of migration: Chinese and German (after the gold rushes), Italian, Greek and southern European (post-World War II) and, more recently, Asian. We will be met by our local Site Coordinator and transferred into the city.

Lunch:

At a local café.

Afternoon:

After lunch we will walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens. We will visit the Shrine of Remembrance, a National War Memorial of great significance to Melburnians. During our field trip, our Site Coordinator will give us an overview, introducing us to Melbourne and the State of Victoria. We transfer to our hotel and check in.

Dinner:

At the hotel, we will have a pre-ordered, plated meal.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Contemporary Australia, Melbourne Skydeck, Penguins

Location: Melbourne

Meals: B,D

Stay: Melbourne Marriott Hotel

Activity Note

Walking approximately 2 miles; flat, paved surfaces. The drive to Phillip Island is about 90 miles (140 kilometres), approximately 2.5 hours each way. Please note that tonight will be a late night - the penguins do not start to come ashore until dusk.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will begin today with a lecture on contemporary Australia, touching on areas of interest such as health, education, and the political system. With our local Site Coordinator we will then walk from our hotel through some of Melbourne's famously funky laneways. As we wander through the back streets and laneways, we will gain an understanding of how liveable Melbourne is and how the city interacts with its river. We will conclude our morning exploration at the Melbourne Skydeck, on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, where the expansive views will give us an understanding of the city’s layout and allow us to track where we have walked.

Lunch:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. There are a multitude of options along the river and throughout the central business district.

Afternoon:

We will have some time to explore on our own before returning independently to the hotel. We will then board our motorcoach bound for Phillip Island.

Dinner:

At a small-town bistro in San Remo near Phillip Island, we will have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Evening:

We will move on to Phillip Island Nature Park in time for the Penguin Parade. Here we can watch the gorgeous little penguins come ashore at dusk after their day out fishing. After viewing these wonderful creatures, we will board our motorcoach and return to our hotel and bed.

Day

National Gallery of Victoria, Australian Art, Free Time

Location: Melbourne

Meals: B

Stay: Melbourne Marriott Hotel

Activity Note

Walking approximately 2 miles on flat, urban surfaces.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

At the hotel, a local art historian will give us a lecture on Australian art. We will then walk the short distance to the National Gallery of Victoria where our art historian will lead us on an exploration of the Australian art collection.

Lunch:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon:

Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in this cosmopolitan city. The Group Leader and local Site Coordinator will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner:

On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader and Site Coordinator will be happy to offer suggestions for Melbourne's renowned restaurant scene.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer tomorrow.

Day

Fly to Alice Springs, Aboriginal Bush Tucker

Location: Alice Springs

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Mercure Alice Springs Resort

Activity Note

The flight from Melbourne to Alice Springs is approximately 2 hours 55 minutes. Qantas typically uses Boeing 737 aircraft on this route.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will check out of our hotel and transfer to Melbourne domestic airport for our flight to Alice Springs, gateway to the Red Centre. Alice Springs is located almost exactly at the geographic centre of Australia and has been a home for Aboriginal Australians for in excess of 30,000 years. Many of the physical features of the land have great cultural significance. Originally established in 1888 as Stuart, the town developed due to the need for an overland telegraph line to assist Australia with its communications to the world. Today, “The Alice” is a pleasurable, modern town and is a major access point for the many tourist attractions of central Australia. On arrival we are met by our Red Centre Site Coordinator and have an overview of Alice Springs and the Red Centre on the way to our hotel.

Lunch:

At the hotel, we will have a plated lunch before we check in to our rooms.

Afternoon:

After check-in, we have an orientation to our Red Centre program. Our local Site Coordinator will follow the orientation with a lecture introducing the culture, art and heritage of the Indigenous Australian peoples of the Red Centre. After our lecture we have some free time to settle in to our surroundings. Those who wish may choose to take the short walk into the town centre.

Dinner:

At a local restaurant, an Aboriginal caterer and businesswoman will introduce native Aboriginal bush foods, describe their traditional use and explain how they are being incorporated into contemporary cuisine. We will have dinner at the restaurant where our taste buds will discover for themselves just how contemporary Australian cuisine is utilising traditional Aboriginal flavourings.

Evening:

Weather permitting, a local astronomer will introduce the stars of the southern sky. We can look for the Southern Cross and other southern constellations in the clear air of Australia's Red Centre. We return to the hotel on our motorcoach.

Day

Desert Wildlife, Flying Doctors, ASSOA, BBQ, Bush Ballads

Location: Alice Springs

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Mercure Alice Springs Resort

Activity Note

On our feet most of the morning, walking approximately 2.5 miles; well-cared-for dirt surfaces. In the afternoon, walking approximately 1 mile; fairly even surfaces, some sand.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will visit Alice Springs Desert Park where our local Site Coordinator will help us gain an understanding of the beauty and mystery of the Australian desert and the life that exists there.

Lunch:

At Alice Springs Desert Park, we will have a buffet lunch.

Afternoon:

Next, we will we travel to Simpson’s Gap in the Western MacDonnell Ranges and view the permanent waterhole in its stunning location under the towering cliffs of the Simpson Range. Returning to Alice Springs, we will learn about the ways in which inhabitants of the Red Centre have addressed the challenges of living spread across vast distances. We visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and learn how aircraft and technology are used to deliver medical services in the huge distances of central Australia. Founded in 1928, the RFDS is now one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people over an area of nearly 3 million square miles (7.3 million square kilometres). We move on to the Alice Springs School of the Air (ASSOA). In Australia’s vast territories, most people live near the coast. Those in the Outback — remote, rural, sparsely populated interior regions — often suffered from a lack of educational opportunities. The School of the Air was established in 1951 as a radio network for two-way teaching and learning broadcasts. New technology and the internet have since made things much easier. We will visit the School of the Air Visitor Centre to gain an understanding of the techniques employed to provide education across the isolated and remote expanse of the Outback.

Dinner:

At a local café, we will have a BBQ dinner. As we dine, a local musician will entertain us with ballads and yarns of the Australian bush. From the official Australian government website: “The bush has an iconic status in Australian life…especially as expressed in Australian literature, painting, popular music, films and foods. The bush was something that was uniquely Australian and very different to the European landscapes familiar to many new immigrants…revered as a source of national ideals.”

Evening:

We return to our hotel via motorcoach. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer in the morning.

Day

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Sunset at Uluru

Location: Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Outback Hotel & Lodge

Activity Note

The drive from Alice Springs to Uluru is about 310 miles (500 kilometres), approximately 6.5 hours. Walking approximately 2 miles in a series of short walks; flat surfaces.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will check out of the hotel and board our motorcoach for the journey to Uluru. We will pause for morning tea at a typical Outback roadhouse. Rising from the arid heartland of Australia are the haunting geological marvels of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). They lie within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is owned by the local Aboriginal Australian people. Uluru is a red sandstone monolith, the world’s second largest at 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometres) around, with smooth slopes rising to 1,098 feet (335 metres). For thousands of years this rock has been the focus for religious, cultural, territorial and economic inter-relations among the Aboriginal peoples of the Western Desert. Caves around the base of the rock were used by Aboriginal peoples for shelter and were decorated with their paintings. Kata Tjuta is a collection of smaller, more rounded rocks that are very captivating. The tallest rock, Mt Olga, is nearly 656 feet (200 metres) higher than Uluru.

Lunch:

At Uluru, we will have a buffet lunch.

Afternoon:

We will explore Uluru by motorcoach and on foot. This sacred Aboriginal site is truly awe-inspiring. Our Red Centre Site Coordinator will explain something of the significance of the Rock to the local Aboriginal peoples. We will then transfer to our hotel and check in. In the late afternoon we will take in a sunset viewing of Uluru, watching the amazing colours of the Rock as the sun sets.

Dinner:

In the hotel, we will have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Kata Tjuta, Fly to Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Lecture

Location: Cairns

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Activity Note

The flight from Uluru to Cairns is approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes. Qantas typically utilises Embraer E190 aircraft on this route.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We check out of the hotel and travel out to the lookout for Kata Tjuta, the spectacular formation of 36 rounded domes. Kata Tjuta means "many heads" in a local language. We transfer to the airport and check in for our flight to Cairns.

Lunch:

Upon our arrival in Cairns, we will transfer to our hotel and drop off our luggage. We will take the short walk around the corner to a local café for lunch.

Afternoon:

Cairns, on the east coast of Australia, is the most northerly city in the state of Queensland. It is always green and lush with abundant tropical plants and flowers. It is also one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities and, in addition to its role as a regional centre for dairy, timber and sugar production, it is an important tourist destination. Cairns is uniquely situated between two UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. We will walk back to the hotel and check in. After some down time, we will join our Site Coordinator for a walking exploration of the downtown and lagoon area. We return to the hotel and have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Dinner:

At our hotel.

Evening:

We are joined by a local marine biologist for a lecture on the Great Barrier Reef. We will gain insights into what we might encounter on our study cruise out to this natural icon.

Day

Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Snorkel

Location: Cairns

Meals: B,L

Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Activity Note

Getting on/off a large catamaran and on/off a small tender shuttling between the boat and the cay. Walking on a sandy cay, snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkels, masks, flippers, flotation jackets and lycra sun suits provided.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

Sure to be one of the highlights of our program, we will have a full day cruise on the Great Barrier Reef where we can view the coral reefs. We will be able to snorkel among the spectacular coral reef and/or view the reef from a semi-submersible vessel. As UNESCO notes, “The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc.”

Lunch:

Aboard our cruise vessel, we will have a buffet lunch.

Afternoon:

Our cruise continues this afternoon as we return to Cairns. We return to our hotel via motorcoach.

Dinner:

On your own to enjoy what you like. The Esplanade's wide range of restaurants is only a block or two from our hotel.

Evening:

At leisure.

Day

Rainforest, Kuranda, Skyrail

Location: Cairns

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Activity Note

Getting on/off gondolas; walking approximately 2 miles; flat surfaces, some stairs at cable car.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We begin this morning with a lecture introducing us to one of Cairns’ World Heritage-listed features, the Wet Tropical Rainforests of North Queensland. We will gain an understanding of the abundance of life in the tropical rainforest. We board our motorcoach and transfer to the village of Kuranda, a mountain retreat surrounded by rainforest. We will have some time for self-directed exploration around lunch.

Lunch:

At a local restaurant in Kuranda, we will have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Afternoon:

We will have a walk with our local expert, exploring the local environment. We then walk to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to take the stunning cableway journey sweeping above the canopy of the rainforest. At the Rainforest Interpretive Station, our lecturer will lead a walk on a circular track of boardwalk as we learn more about this special environment. We return to our hotel. Prior to dinner, we will come together to review our program and share highlights.

Dinner:

In our hotel, we will have our farewell dinner. We will have "farewell to Australia" wine with dinner.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer in the morning.

Day

Mandingalbay Hands on Country, Fly to Sydney

Location: Sydney

Meals: B,D

Stay: Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel

Activity Note

Getting on/off a river vessel. The flight from Cairns to Sydney is approximately 3 hours. Qantas typically uses Boeing 737 aircraft on this route.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet.

Morning:

We will begin with a 15-minute walk to Cairns wharf. We board our vessel and cruise across the gentle waters of Trinity Inlet. As we cruise we learn of the cultural landscape and the creation stories of the Yidinji Nations. We cruise along Hills Creek through a regenerated mangrove forest as we keep an eye out for freshwater fish, crocodiles and numerous bird species. We are welcomed ashore with a traditional smoking ceremony conducted by the Mandingalbay Yidinji Rangers. They then introduce us to their Indigenous Protected Area. Here we learn of the conservation programs they have instigated to take care of Country since being recognised as Traditional Owners in 2006. We cruise back across to town and return to our hotel to check out. We transfer to the airport for our lunchtime flight to Sydney.

Lunch:

On your own although a light snack will be served on your flight.

Afternoon:

Upon our late-afternoon arrival in Sydney, we transfer in our motorcoach to our Sydney international airport hotel in the safe hands of our Group Leader. We have some down time in the hotel before dinner.

Dinner:

At our accommodation, we will have pre-ordered, plated meals.

Evening:

At leisure. Prepare for departure tomorrow.

Day

Program Concludes

Location: In Flight

Meals: B

Activity Note

Hotel check out is by 10:00 a.m. Participants can make the two-minute walk to the international terminal independently.

Breakfast:

Hotel buffet

Morning:

We will check out of our hotel independently and make our own way across to the terminal to check in to our flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

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MEALS

73 Meals

28 Breakfasts

22 Lunches

23 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt

Oct 31, 2024 - Nov 30, 2024

Oct 31, 2024 - Nov 30, 2024
Jan 09, 2025 - Feb 08, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Jan 23, 2025 - Feb 22, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Feb 06, 2025 - Mar 08, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Feb 20, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Mar 13, 2025 - Apr 12, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Mar 27, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Apr 03, 2025 - May 03, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Sep 04, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Sep 11, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Oct 02, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Oct 09, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Oct 23, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)
Oct 30, 2025 - Nov 29, 2025 (Auckland to Sydney)

An Odyssey Down Under: Australia and New Zealand

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