Your private Essential Sydney tour starts in the historic Rocks precinct. Wander through the birthplace of Sydney and explore the convict-built cottages, pubs and the first church in Australia. Climb Observatory Hill for views of Anzac Bridge and Darling Harbour.

Drive across the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of Australia’s most recognised landmarks. Pass by Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay, before traversing along the coastline to Sydney’s most famous beach, Bondi. Here, you will have some time to soak up the atmosphere of the beachside mecca. Stroll down the esplanade with the locals or go for a swim, the choice is all yours.

Your journey to the Blue Mountains takes you through picturesque villages and past spectacular views and waterfalls. Stop for morning tea at Calmsley Hill, a working farm which is also home to kangaroos, emus, wombats and koalas. Continue on to a scenic lookout point where you will learn all about the unique trees of the Australian forest, and find out the cause of the blue haze which gives the region its name.

Eat lunch at the Hydro Majestic Hotel with magnificent valley views before you, then spend the afternoon visiting a selection of stunning Blue Mountains lookouts. The view from Govett’s Leap is one of the most famous in Australia: the magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180m | 590 ft to the base of the cliff.

The last stop is the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens where you admire the sweeping views and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice before travelling back to your hotel.

Soar over secluded alpine lakes, dramatic waterfalls, snow-covered mountain peaks, pristine glaciers and native beech forest. And just when you think the scenery can’t get any better; Milford Sound and Mitre Peak appear from over the rise.

Add a boat cruise along the fjord, an alpine landing or extended flying time to your scenic helicopter flight for the full Milford Sound experience.

Fly over Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier on a spectacular helicopter tour that includes a landing right on the snow. Seeing both glaciers on a single helicopter flight offers an incredible perspective and understanding of New Zealand’s massive ice sheets, and you touch down on one of the glaciers to snap up-close photographs of the frozen terrain.

• Spectacular aerial views of Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier
• The live pilot commentary points out landmarks and unique features below
• Walkout onto the snow after an exciting glacier landing
• Bring home photographs of the glaciers and the stunning Southern Alps

The TranzAlpine is one of the world’s great train journeys covering 223 kilometres (139 miles) one-way, taking just under 5 hours. You’ll traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains, to the backdrop of the mighty Southern Alps – the journey of a lifetime.

Enjoy a fun-filled tour of the Nelson/Tasman region on your own private sailing catamaran. With no set timetable, you have the freedom to make the most of the opportunities that arise on the day. The full day tour (6 hours) provides exclusive use of the boat, skipper, and equipment. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Abel Tasman National Park, including secluded coves, golden sand beaches, pristine waters, and native wildlife. Take your time to explore tidal lagoons, secluded beaches, or stretch your legs with a small walk in the park.

Your tour starts with a drive through the picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your personal guide will escort you through the twelve acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton Movie set was created.

The Hobbit Holes™, Green Dragon™ Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth.

SYDNEY

A city of iconic attractions and brilliant beaches, Sydney is a destination you’ll never forget. Sydney is home to must-visit icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, but this Harbour City is constantly evolving. New rooftop bars, theatre shows and designer shops pop up at every turn, and the urban excitement is perfectly balanced by afternoons spent lying on the sand. With diverse destinations at its doorstep, Sydney is the perfect base for day trips and weekends away.

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Discover the Blue Mountains, Sydney’s backyard playground. A World Heritage-listed wilderness where ancient rock formations cast their golden glow over vast canyons carpeted in eucalypts.

A natural wonderland where waterfalls plummet into valleys clad with rainforest, and breathtaking views stretch to the hazy blue horizon. A region where quaint, historic villages nestle amongst trees painted with the colours of the seasons and creativity is inspired by the bounty of nature.

Queenstown, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the magnificent Southern Alps, is New Zealand’s most celebrated destination. Offering a wealth of accommodation to suit all travellers, there is huge diversity in the experiences to be enjoyed – from adrenaline activities such as bungee jumps and sky diving, adventurous excursions like jet-boating and hiking through to superb golf, gourmet food and wine tours, alpine tours and hiking.

Moody Dramatic and Stunning – Milford Sound is simply stunning. Milford Sound offers what is probably the most spectacular fiord scenery in the southern hemisphere, and the well-known and striking views of Mitre Peak from the head of the fiord form the subject of innumerable paintings, postcards, posters, and pictorial postage stamps. Whatever the fiord’s mood, teeming with rain or with sun glistening on deep water, it will inspire you.

Wanaka Town is located on the southern shores of Lake Wanaka, embraced by the Southern Alps, Wanaka is Otago’s second resort town after Queenstown. The crystal-clear waters of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand’s fourth largest lake, reflect the snow-capped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park. Here you can absorb the unstoppable beauty of pristine wilderness and know that it will be easy to find a great restaurant for dinner. The township of Wanaka is a magnet for visitors who want to find the perfect combination of outdoor adventure and indoor luxury.

Franz Josef village is small (only 500 locals) and is located only ten minutes from the Glacier. The Franz Josef is a glacier located in Westland National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Together with the Fox Glacier 20 km to the south it is a unique in the fact that it descends from the Southern Alps to just 200 metres above sea level amidst the greenery and lushness of a temperate rainforest. The glacier is currently 12 kilometres long and terminates 19 km from the Tasman Sea. The glacier exhibits a cyclic pattern of advance and retreat, driven by differences between the volume of meltwater at the foot of the glacier and volume of snowfall feeding the neve.

Christchurch is the city of exploration, where urban regeneration and heritage thrive. The city is constantly evolving, always giving locals and visitors something new to explore. Expect street art and innovative projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces. Christchurch is the newest city in the world, and it’s time the world rediscovered its secrets.The central city is filled with cutting-edge architecture alongside some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand. The Avon River intersects the city, bringing a natural landscape to the urban environment.

Few places in the world can boast of such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in Kaikoura. Situated midway between Christchurch and Picton on the rugged east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Kaikoura is overlooked by majestic mountains, which are snow-capped for many months of the year. This unique combination of ocean and mountains offers stunning coastal alpine scenery and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities, including Whale watching, Dolphin and Seal swimming, walks, and much more!

Nelson – City of Sunshine. A haven for artisans seeking a lifestyle amid a landscape of mountains, valleys, unspoilt shores and National Parks, including the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park. The idyllic climate has enabled a winery, art and orchard trail to explore by car or relaxing bike ride.

Rotorua is surrounded by steaming lakes, bubbling hot pools and bursting geysers, host to some of the world’s most incredible natural forces. A heartland of Maori culture, the local people have embraced this turbulent land. For the traveller there is a breadth of attractions – families will enjoy viewing farm attractions and native wildlife, adventure seekers can experience world class white water rafting or mountain biking, while culture enthusiasts can experience indepth vibrant Maori traditions.

As the name belies, ‘The City of Sails’ – as Auckland is fondly known – is a stunning sea side city. The city centre surrounds a large harbour that bustles with life, both on water and on land. In the Auckland region, the North Island is geographically narrow and the city straddles a slim piece of land with coastline facing both the Pacific Ocean, and, on the wild West Coast, the Tasman Sea. Boutique shopping, pulsing, Pacific-inspired markets and a passionate cafe culture make this city a charming place to visit.