Finally, the first day of your Australia and New Zealand Adventure is here! Your trip of a lifetime begins in beautiful Auckland, New Zealand, nicknamed the City of Sails. We will check in to the Grand Millennium Auckland hotel, located near the energetic and bustling waterfront. We'll experience the thrill of sailing an authentic America's Cup Yacht on Waitemata Harbour, taking in the city's iconic landmarks. Work hard on the grinders, hoist the mainsail, and take the helm of this magnificent vessel. The adrenaline will be pumping during on-water maneuvers such as 360 degree spins, fishtails, and powerbrakes on our action-packed Jet-Boat ride! You'll have the rare opportunity to view New Zealand's only colony of Antarctic penguins at the Sea Life Aquarium. We will enjoy the Auckland skyline and city views from the iconic Sky Tower as we make new friends and start bonding with fun introductions and ice-breakers at our group orientation.

We travel north and check into the comfortable Kingsgate Hotel near the beautiful Bay of Islands. We'll visit the traditional carved wood Waitangi Wharenui (meeting house) as we follow in the footsteps of Maori chiefs and British delegates and learn how this important historic site became the birthplace of modern New Zealand. Our travels take us to the northernmost point of New Zealand, home to magnificent Cape Reinga and 90-Mile Beach. Plummet down massive dunes on a body board during our exhilarating Sand-Boarding adventure! Next, we hop aboard our catamaran for our relaxing cruise through the Bay of Islands. We'll weave throughout the 144 tiny islets that dot this most scenic bay on our way to the Hole in the Rock, a cave thought of as good luck by Maori warriors. The Bay of Islands also happens to be a favorite playground of Bottlenose Dolphins. If we're lucky we'll get to watch the dolphins frolicking in the bay!

Our next stop is "bubbling" Rotorua, a town synonymous with thermal activity and rich Maori culture. Our home is the Millenium Hotel, located on beautiful Lake Rotorua. Get ready for an afternoon of thrills at Velocity Valley Adventure Park, home to the Agrojet, Freefall Body Flying, and the Schweeb Racer. Explore Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, where geysers dazzle you with their grand sprays of steam. Next, we will experience the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour and see some of the actual locations where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed. Ride the gondola up Mt. Ngongotaha for the ultimate exhilarating experience, the Zoom Zipline! Race your friends and soar over the majestic Redwoods on these amazing dual ziplines. An evening at Maori Cultural Show gives us insight into authentic Maori culture. Experience the ancient ceremony of powhiri as we are welcomed into the pre-European Maori village. Our group will be entertained by a powerful cultural performance, including action songs, poi, stick games, and the world-famous Haka, the Maori War Dance. Next, get ready for an incredible White-Water Rafting Adventure down the highest rafted waterfall in the world on the Kaituna River!

Get ready to go Down Under as we board our flight to bustling Brisbane, known as the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and the hub of Queensland culture. Australia’s third largest city offers a peek at the past and a glimpse of the future. We check in to the centrally located Novotel Brisbane South Bank, located in the heart of this exciting city. We'll head to the world-renowned Australia Zoo, made famous by the crocodile hunter himself, Steve Irwin! Cuddle a koala, feed kangaroos, check out the growling Tasmanian Devils, and watch the crocodile shows at this unique Australian animal kingdom. We’ll take on the high ropes adventure course at the Tamborine Mountain Treetop Challenge, home to 9 acres of amazing bushland and stunning rainforest. Stroll along Queen Street and take in the views over the Brisbane River as you soak up the energy of this fast-moving, modern city.

A short drive takes us to the Gold Coast, world-renowned for having some of the most popular beaches in Australia. We'll stay at Hilton Surfers Paradise, located right in the middle of the action and just steps to all this exciting area has to offer. Spend time soaking up the sun on the coast's beautiful white-sand beaches and enjoy the atmosphere as you stroll down famous Cavill Avenue. Get your feet wet in the clear azure waters as you learn to catch waves during our Professional Surf Lessons! We’ll immerse ourselves in Aboriginal history and culture at Spirits of the Red Sands, an award-winning theatre experience where the true stories and vibrant spirit of Aboriginal Australia unfold before our eyes. Grab your paddle and glide across the pristine turquoise waters on our guided Kayak Tour.

We board our flight to vibrant Cairns, gateway to the tropics and home to some of the most stunning scenery in Australia. Our home for the next several nights is the centrally located DoubleTree Cairns, located close to all the action. Grab your snorkel and fins as we cruise out to one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders, the amazing Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the otherworldly views from the underwater observatory, snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear waters, and soak up the sun on the deck as you enjoy paradise. Next, we'll pass spectacular waterfalls and the stunning Barron Gorge as we ride the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway on the way to Rainforestation Nature Park. You'll be able to hand feed the roaming kangaroos and wallabies and enjoy a cuddle with a koala bear! We will travel deep into the rainforest aboard an amphibious vehicle as we explore the local flora and fauna in this incredible corner of the world. Soak up the tropical atmosphere as we stroll through the vibrant Cairns Night Markets.

We catch our flight to Sydney and settle in to our hotel, the Rydges Sydney Harbour, located just steps from the city's famous waterfront. Take in a performance at one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, the Sydney Opera House. We'll weave among historic buildings and narrow laneways in the historic Rocks District, home to Australia's first settlement. We'll hop aboard a ferry for our cruise through Sydney Harbour and explore famous Bondi Beach. No visit to this incredible city would be complete without experiencing the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. We'll climb to the bridge's summit, 440 feet above Sydney Harbour, for incomparable views of the city. When you reach the top, you will have a sense of achievement that you will remember forever - you've conquered an Australian icon recognized the world over!