When we think of Australia, we recall many enchanting experiences .. listening to the Aboriginal creation story and learning ancient bush skills in the shadow of Uluru (Ayers Rock); traversing the bush on a camel for sunset views of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas); four-wheel driving and sand-boarding down the immense dunes of pristine Stockton Beach; hot air ballooning near Alice Springs; gazing in wonder at incredibly skillful and varied paintings of Utopia’s Aboriginal artists; taking a dolphin and whale watching cruise through the sparkling blue waters of Nelson Bay; wine-tasting in the Hunter Valley; feasting on a gourmet bush barbecue while listening to an award-winning astronomy presentation on the southern night sky; taking a Dot Painting workshop from an Aboriginal artist; snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef; horseback riding through natural Australian bushland to a lagoon; smiling at a big-eared bilby at Desert Park; cruising through Sydney Harbour in a Benetau yacht; and quad biking through sandy river beds and alongside kangaroos!

New Zealand recalls spectacular scenery, exhilarating adventures and the exotic Maori culture. Highlights include funyaking through the remote wilderness of Mount Aspiring National Park, observing stunningly scenic locations featured in the movie Lord of the Rings; cruising through the tranquil waters of Milford and Doubtful Sounds; bicycling or punting through picturesque Christchurch, stopping to visit a local winery; whale watching or swimming with dolphins near Kaikoura; phenomenally scenic hiking, crusing and/or kayaking along the idyllic coastline of Abel Tasman National Park; attending a traditional Maori concert and hangi dinner; heli-hiking on Fox Glacier, observing pristine ice caves and arches; tube rafting or floating in a boat through the incredible Waitomo Caves to view the magical phosphorescent lighting created by glowworms; hiking amidst Rotorua’s geothermal activity; taking the TranzAlpine train over the highest and most spectacular route in the Southern Alps; jet boating down the Dart River; and visiting the art studios and wineries of picturesque Nelson.

All included adventures are elective and low-intensity.

. Australia

BALLOONING & BANDICOOTS

Highlights: Peering through goggles at the multi-colored fish and corals of' the Great Barrier Reef. Hot air ballooning and winetasting in the fertile Hunter Valley. Listening to the Aboriginal creation story and learning ancient bush skills in the shadow of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Four-wheel driving and sand-boarding (easy and safe) down the immense dunes of pristine Stockton Beach. Panoramic bushwalking in the Blue Mountains. Camel trekking through the bush for sunset views of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas); . Feasting on a gourmet bush barbecue while listening to an award-winning astronomy presentation on the southern night sky. Taking a Dot Painting workshop from an Aboriginal artist. Horseback riding through natural Australian bushland to a lagoon. Smiling at a big-eared bilby at Desert Park. Cruising through Sydney Harbour in a Benetau yacht. Quad biking through sandy river beds and alongside kangaroos. Gazing in wonder at incredibly skillful and varied paintings of Utopia’s Aboriginal artists.

Lecture options: Aboriginal Culture and Beliefs; Wildlife of the Australian Outback; The Great Barrier Reef; Aboriginal bush foods, medicines, didgeridoos, spears and boomerangs; Flora and Fauna of the Australian Rainforests; Overview of Australian History.

15 Days

. New Zealand MAORI & MILFORD

Highlights: Funyaking through the remote wilderness of Mount Aspiring National Park, observing stunningly scenic locations featured in the movie Lord of the Rings. Cruising through the tranquil waters of Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Bicycling or punting through picturesque Christchurch, stopping to visit a local winery. Whale watching or swimming with dolphins near Kaikoura. Phenomenally scenic hiking, crusing and/or kayaking along the idyllic coastline of Abel Tasman National Park. Attending a traditional Maori concert and hangi dinner. Heli-hiking on Fox Glacier, observing pristine ice caves and arches. Tube rafting or floating in a boat through the incredible Waitomo Caves to view the magical phosphorescent lighting created by glowworms. Hiking amidst Rotorua’s geothermal activity. Taking the TranzAlpine train over the highest and most spectacular route in the Southern Alps. Jet boating down the Dart River. Visiting the art studios and wineries of picturesque Nelson.

Lecture options: Overview of New Zealand History; Maori art, symbols and carving techniques; Maori musical instruments; Maori spiritual and religious beliefs; Maori healing; Ornithology; New Zealand Art; New Zealand cuisine; Maori martial arts; Rugby.

15 Days

Day 14