Expedition Down Under

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Overnight Flight

Cross the International Dateline.

Day 3: Rotorua

Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand and meet your local ACIS Tour Manager who will travel with you for the entire tour. On the way to the hotel in Rotorua, drive to Waitomo, for a magical adventure through the Glowworm Caves, which are lit by thousands of glowworms. The visit includes a boat ride through the grotto, discovering unique cave formations and learning about the importance of these caves to the indigenous Maori culture. Arrive later in Rotorua, the heartland of Maori culture.

Day 4: Rotorua

This morning explore Rotorua with sightseeing of this popular tourist town. Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery, which will showcase how Kiwi conservation efforts are playing their part to bring this treasured bird back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland. Waimangu Valley is the next stop on your journey. After time for a picnic lunch, discover some of the local geothermal activity during a scenic boat cruise across Lake Rotomahana. Then visit Te Pa Tu, a traditional Maori Village, and learn about indigenous customs as you participate in hands-on activities such as the Haka dance, and indulge in an authentic hangi feast.

Day 5: Queenstown

After breakfast, transfer to the Auckland airport for a flight to Queenstown, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Then board your coach for a sightseeing tour of Queenstown, which includes a visit to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown and the hands-on displays of the Lakes District Museum. This evening a gondola takes you to the Skyline Queenstown restaurant for an unforgettable dinner with panoramic views.

Day 6: Queenstown

Today head to Fiordland National Park, through Hollyford Valley and into breathtaking Milford Sound. Experience the fiord in the best way—from the water—with a scenic cruise featuring spectacular views of towering peaks, cascading falls, diverse wildlife like seals and dolphins, and plenty of local history and geology. Then return to Queenstown.

Day 7: Queenstown

Today a 4WD vehicle picks you up for your Lord of the Rings Safari tour. The adventure brings you to the heart of New Zealand's high country and gives you a spectacular look at the diverse scenery of the area, where much of The Lord of the Rings and several other movies were filmed. Lunch is included today instead of dinner. Return to Queenstown and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Day 8: Sydney

This morning, transfer to Queenstown Airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival a Sydney Harbour Cruise aboard a luxurious ship will offer you panoramic views of the city's skyline, show you the Opera House from different angles and allow you to marvel at the towering Sydney Harbour Bridge. Then enjoy dinner tonight in the sky at SkyFeast at Sydney Tower, a famous revolving restaurant located almost 1,000 feet up and offering yet more breathtaking views of the city.

Day 9: Sydney

Travel to the town of Calga for an immersive visit to the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is a haven for Australian native wildlife and a place of cultural significance. It is home to free-roaming kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and other iconic Australian animals, as well as rescued wildlife that require lifetime care. Enjoy a fascinating journey into the heart of Australian bush culture and ecology. During this experience, knowledgeable rangers guide you through the sanctuary's pristine bushland, bush tucker, and bush medicine, sharing insights into traditional Aboriginal practices. Return to Sydney for the evening.

Day 10: Departure

Depart for the USA.