New Zealand is home to more than just beautiful landscapes and hobbits. A melting pot of different cultures, its blend of European, Pacific Islander, and indigenous Māori heritage give the island its unique charm. To get a real sense of the colonial, geographic, and indigenous forces that have shaped this city, be sure to check out the Auckland Museum, located in the heart of the city. Nature lovers might find themselves more drawn to the volcanoes, beaches, and caves nearby.

The Bay of Islands is a sweeping sub-region of northern New Zealand. The enormous inlet holds 144 islands and dozens of cities and towns, each more charming than the last. Breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful rainforests, and clear waters teeming with marine life await, and the region also has a fascinating history marked by clashes between the colonists and the region’s indigenous Māori people.

Overnight

The vibrant cultural capital of Australia, Sydney is a must-see city for anyone visiting the Land Down Under. From the silhouette of its iconic opera house perched on the edge of the water to the idyllic green hills of the Blue Mountains sprawling from the city, Sydney is guaranteed to capture your heart. With its pristine beaches, landmark architecture, and charming islands, you may never want to leave Sydney Harbor - but venture outside the city and you'll be rewarded with a world of incredible nature just waiting to be discovered.

The vibrant cultural capital of Australia, Sydney is a must-see city for anyone visiting the Land Down Under. From the silhouette of its iconic opera house perched on the edge of the water to the idyllic green hills of the Blue Mountains sprawling from the city, Sydney is guaranteed to capture your heart. With its pristine beaches, landmark architecture, and charming islands, you may never want to leave Sydney Harbor - but venture outside the city and you'll be rewarded with a world of incredible nature just waiting to be discovered.

The harbour city of Newcastle is home to over 240,000 peopple and is located in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. A short distance fom Newcastle, one finds Lake Macquire, the largest saltwater lake in Australia. The city itself has much to offer, for example, the Newcastle Regional Museum and Newcastle Art Gallery. Newcastle enjoys a sunny climate, with numerous sandy beaches such as Merewether Beach, combined with an upbeat relaxed attitude, providing the perfect combination for some downtime.

Townsville, sitting beneath Castle Hill, is a bustling city which enjoys sunshine for more than 300 days a year. Townsville offers lots of it's stunning naturally occurring features to the public such as the Great Barrier Reef, The Strand beach promenade, and hill walks to Castle Hill. The abundant plant and wildlife are proud features of the town with Townsville Bontanic Gardens and Reef HQ Aquarium providing education and experiences on the tropical weather, plant life and wild life. Townsville boasts its raw culture with side streets filled with restaurants, Federation style architecture and tours to Australia's largest intact ship wreck the SS Yongala.

The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a paradise for outdoor explorers. With picturesque islands dotting its waters, magnificent rainforests just a short distance inland, and miles of sweeping beaches in between, you’ll truly experience the best that Australia has to offer. From hidden coral cays to secret forest swimming spots, Cairns is also one of the best places in Australia to get your feet wet – so don’t forget your bathing suit!