Independent Best of Australia & New Zealand

This is Jeopardy! Answer: Astronauts can see this coral reef system from space. Question: What is the Great Barrier Reef? But have no fear! You don’t have to start training to become an astronaut to see the largest coral reef system in the world! Independence by Globus has you covered with this 9-day vacation, where you not only get to see the Great Barrier Reef, but your journey will also take you to Australia’s Outback. We’ve arranged for you to have a Local Host, someone who is there to answer questions, offer suggestions, and help make your vacation the trip of a lifetime. But that’s not all. We’ve also arranged your hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing, and transfers from/to your hotel to/from the airports for all intra-vacation flights, and visits to help you really understand life in Australia's Outback.

Your vacation begins the moment you arrive in Cairns. We can pick you up at the airport and whisk you to your selected hotel, where your Local Host will offer you a warm greeting and a set of materials to help you get settled and personalize your trip. The next morning, after your included breakfast, you'll cruise on a catamaran to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the most amazing natural wonders on Earth! We've arranged for you to either snorkel or take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or you can attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Regardless of what you choose, you’ll be amazed at the beauty all around you. A photo cannot capture it; you must experience it for yourself.

After a full day in Cairns to explore on your own (with the support of your Local Host, of course), you'll fly to the Outback, where you’ll see the sunrise at Uluru (Ayers Rock) and enjoy drinks & canapés while watching the sunset at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). While in the Outback, we've also arranged for you to visit the Uluru-Kata Cultural Centre with its amazing collection of Aboriginal arts.

Then it’s on to Sydney, where we will have a Local Host waiting to welcome you to this bustling city. The next day, after your included breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel for guided sightseeing with a local expert. Hear the insider stories around the must-see sights, such as the Opera House and Bondi Beach. A full day in Sydney gives you time to explore on your own or to take one of the many optional excursions we offer. Perhaps climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge, shop for a special souvenir, or take an excursion to the Blue Mountains. Your Local Host will have plenty of suggestions.

After seeing the highlights of Australia, fly over the “ditch” to Queenstown, New Zealand, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” We’ll take you on what will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip: a cruise on Milford Sound which boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Continue to Rotorua where you’ll visit Agrodome to learn about New Zealand’s sheep industry and Te Puia to explore a geothermal wonderland. End your vacation in vibrant Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.

Between the sightseeing we've included and the transportation we've arranged, including the catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef, and the time you save by letting us take care of the details, with all the I-Time you deserve!