Journey Down Under
From afar, New Zealand and Australia may seem similar. An up-close look reveals distinct cultures and personalities.
Both descend from the same British colonial family tree, so you may struggle to tell the accents apart in the streets of Auckland and Sydney. But as you dig deeper in the Māori culture in Rotorua and Aboriginal roots along the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, each country's individual identity becomes clear.
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Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
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Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Auckland • Rotorua
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTravel to Rotorua
Watch a sheep and dog show at the Agrodome
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Day 4: Rotorua
Take a Rotorua duck tour
Take a tour of a Rotorua geothermal park
Ride the Skyline Gondola
Learn about jade carving in a local craftsman's shop
Visit a Māori Village for a traditional hāngi feast
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Day 5: Rotorua • Auckland
Travel to Auckland
Take a tour of AucklandExplore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
All Blacks Experience rugby showcase or Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Choose between two memorable, hands-on experiences: the All Blacks Experience rugby showcase or Wētā Workshop Unleashed. In the former, you’ll learn about rugby’s history and get to test your skills firsthand in an interactive play zone. At Wētā Workshop Unleashed, you’ll journey into the world of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi filmmaking as you explore make-believe film sets and participate in a hands-on crafting workshop.
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Day 6: Auckland • Sydney
Fly to Sydney
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Day 7: Sydney
Guided sightseeing of Sydney
Take a tour of Sydney
Visit the National Opal Collection
Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay
Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Visit the Sydney Tower
Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood
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Day 8: Sydney
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Sydney Harbor & Opera House
Explore the Sydney Harbor area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbor Bridge and its stunning pylon lookout offering 360-degree views. Then, take in the sea and sky—perhaps upside down—while enjoying rollercoasters and other rides at the iconic Luna Park. Lunch is included (just try not to lose it!). Finally, take a tour of the world-famous Opera House where you’ll go behind the scenes and see what it takes to get a live production on stage.
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Day 9: Sydney • Cairns
Fly to Cairns
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Day 10: Cairns
Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Snorkeling with a marine biologist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by opting for a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
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Day 11: Cairns
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Kuranda
Take an excursion to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs, along with a guided walk through the rainforest, at the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. Then head to the Skyrail gondola, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
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Day 12: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 12: Cairns • Honolulu
Explore Cairns on your own
Fly to Honolulu
See the Dole Plantation
Visit the Waimea Valley
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Day 13: Honolulu
Spend the day relaxing on the beach or exploring more of Honolulu
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Luau evening
Follow the gentle sounds of the ukulele to tonight’s luau, a traditional Hawaiian feast under the stars and swaying palm trees. Once you’ve put on your lei, sit back and enjoy the Polynesian art form of hula, as dancers in grass skirts and flowing gowns perform in perfect time to the beat of the drum. A luau feast usually features chicken, fish, pork and a variety of fresh island fruits and vegetables, so be sure to bring your appetite.
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Day 14: Honolulu • Depart for home
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
Tour Honolulu with an expert local guide
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Day 15: Arrive home
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Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
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Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Auckland • Rotorua
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTravel to Rotorua
Watch a sheep and dog show at the Agrodome
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Day 4: Rotorua
Take a Rotorua duck tour
Take a tour of a Rotorua geothermal park
Ride the Skyline Gondola
Learn about jade carving in a local craftsman's shop
Visit a Māori Village for a traditional hāngi feast
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Day 5: Rotorua • Auckland
Travel to Auckland
Take a tour of AucklandExplore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
All Blacks Experience rugby showcase or Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Choose between two memorable, hands-on experiences: the All Blacks Experience rugby showcase or Wētā Workshop Unleashed. In the former, you’ll learn about rugby’s history and get to test your skills firsthand in an interactive play zone. At Wētā Workshop Unleashed, you’ll journey into the world of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi filmmaking as you explore make-believe film sets and participate in a hands-on crafting workshop.
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Day 6: Auckland • Sydney
Fly to Sydney
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Day 7: Sydney
Guided sightseeing of Sydney
Take a tour of Sydney
Visit the National Opal Collection
Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay
Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Visit the Sydney Tower
Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood
-
Day 8: Sydney
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Sydney Harbor & Opera House
Explore the Sydney Harbor area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbor Bridge and its stunning pylon lookout offering 360-degree views. Then, take in the sea and sky—perhaps upside down—while enjoying rollercoasters and other rides at the iconic Luna Park. Lunch is included (just try not to lose it!). Finally, take a tour of the world-famous Opera House where you’ll go behind the scenes and see what it takes to get a live production on stage.
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Day 9: Sydney • Cairns
Fly to Cairns
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Day 10: Cairns
Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Snorkeling with a marine biologist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by opting for a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
-
Day 11: Cairns
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Kuranda
Take an excursion to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs, along with a guided walk through the rainforest, at the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. Then head to the Skyrail gondola, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
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Day 12: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 12: Cairns • Honolulu
Explore Cairns on your own
Fly to Honolulu
See the Dole Plantation
Visit the Waimea Valley
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Day 13: Honolulu
Spend the day relaxing on the beach or exploring more of Honolulu
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Luau evening
Follow the gentle sounds of the ukulele to tonight’s luau, a traditional Hawaiian feast under the stars and swaying palm trees. Once you’ve put on your lei, sit back and enjoy the Polynesian art form of hula, as dancers in grass skirts and flowing gowns perform in perfect time to the beat of the drum. A luau feast usually features chicken, fish, pork and a variety of fresh island fruits and vegetables, so be sure to bring your appetite.
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Day 14: Honolulu • Depart for home
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
Tour Honolulu with an expert local guide
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Day 15: Arrive home
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; 2 internal flights; ferry
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Hotels
9 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily.
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Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director (4 with extension); 1 walking tour
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Entrances
Rotorua geothermal area; Māori village; Skyline gondola; “Introduction to Jade in New Zealand” experience; Rotorua duck tour; Agrodome; Great Barrier Reef; Sydney Tower; “Introduction to Opal in Australia” experience; harbor cruise; Hyde Park Barracks Museum (with extension: lei greeting; USS Arizona Memorial; Waimea Valley)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
