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2026 Dates Now Opened!!
February 26 or March 19 Same itinerary as the sold out 2025 tours shown in the Brief Itinerary. MAX 34 GUESTS! 
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$6,590 per person double occupancy.
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MORE THAN 20 TRIP EVENTS/HIGHLIGHTS:
"We've been to NZ 3 times and it took us 3 times to see as much as you're seeing in one trip!" Ginger H. (That's why she signed up to go again.)
Call or text Liz 801.669.1777
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Note from Mark: Liz and I curate and personally escort Bucket List tours. We have run this tour several times. Liz's mother is from Australia, her father served a mission there and they later served as senior missionaries. I served in Sydney and Canberra.
We keep our groups small so we can make this a personal experience where you can go at your own pace - fast or slow with many options along the way. Yet so many things included. Call or text Liz at 801.669.1777 today The itinerary is below. Note how many great events are included in the price: Airplane sightseeing ride, Māori and Aborigine shows and dinners, sheep station show and BBQ, Glowworm cave cruise, Milford Sound cruise, Great Barrier Reef cruise , snorkeling and scuba expedition, Hobbiton meal and film set tour, and many many more events are INCLUDED. Warning: this tour will be amended from time to time as airlines and trains change times resulting in itinerary adjustments. We guarantee you will see the essential things we promise and probably a lot more.
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our Itinerary -- New Zealand/australia
Day 1 - Thursday Depart LAX
(lose Friday, but you'll get it back!!!) Day 2 - Saturday Arrive in the morning in Auckland. Enjoy a harbor sailing cruise tour of the famous sailboat city. Plus enjoy lunch at the wharf and explore the Maritime Museum to keep you awake! Plenty of downtown tours & walks to enjoy on this beautiful March day in Auckland. Aquarium. |
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Day 3 - Sunday Auckland LDS Church service option. Head to Hamilton after stopping at the newly completed Auckland Temple. Overnight at Temple View with a tour of the only Church History Museum outside SLC. The curator and director will give us a personal tour of the famous Māori membership rooms. Then a special fireside just for our group.
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Day 4 - Monday On to a boat ride in Waitomo at the famous Glowworm Caves before being treated to a sheep shearing contest and dog/sheep show followed by the Kiwi Hatchery exhibit. We cap off today with a tour of the Matai Māori village followed by a Hāngī BBQ and Māori Show in Rotorua,
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Day 5 -Tuesday Today is a much needed rest and free time. We love the zip line through restored forests, exploring the thermal hot springs, viewing the old town built on the thermals, walk through giant redwoods with a guide, tube the rushing rapids to the lake, take a duck boat tour or just enjoy the park by the hotel and lake. Yours to choose and enjoy. We will provide a list of optional tours to choose from before we leave.
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Day 6 - Wednesday Hobbiton, where you might meet some Hobbits. They take us to the movie set and throughout the charming countryside and then we are treated to a lunch feast in the shire. Plan to take lots of photos for your grands to be thrilled with. We catch an evening flight to Queenstown, crown jewel of the south island.
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Day 7 - Thursday
Get ready for a ride on jet boats that shoot up the picturesque Dart River where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Our 2 hour safari is wonderful with skilled drivers who skim the surface of tributaries whose 6" depth changes daily. All around are spectacular mountains that were used to film Coors Beer-- high in the Rockies!
Get ready for a ride on jet boats that shoot up the picturesque Dart River where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Our 2 hour safari is wonderful with skilled drivers who skim the surface of tributaries whose 6" depth changes daily. All around are spectacular mountains that were used to film Coors Beer-- high in the Rockies!
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Day 8 - Friday (Subject to weather, this could be a drive instead.) Fly-Cruise-Fly over Fjordland National park. We land in magnificent Milford Sound for a cruise up the fjord or sound before we fly back to Queenstown. This breathtaking scenic day will be one of the highlights of this entire trip. Both the flight and the cruise are unforgettable . However, if high winds cancel the flight, our bus is standing by to take you on the magnificent scenic drive to Milford.
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Day 7 -Saturday
FREE DAY: So many choices of things to do including Walter Peak Farm, Golfing, Biking, luge from Bob's Peak, bungee jumping, and more. Tonight, we take you on a gondola ride up BOB'S PEAK for an incredible view of the Remarkable Mountains and then a great buffet dinner. With optional star gazing after dinner. 
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Day 10 - Sunday Sadly, we say goodbye to beautiful Queenstown, but, quickly we'll be into the "cold-water rainforests" of New Zealand's west coast. We stop at Fox Glacier where you can take an optional helicopter ride up the glacier, (we'll pay $100) stop in the snow fields near Mt. Cook, and then fly down Franz Josef Glacier. If you prefer to stay on the coach, we'll also stop at some forests for a stroll and other for a vigorous hike. We spend the night in Hokitika.
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Fox Glacier by Helicopter
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Day 11 - Monday Hokitika is ground zero for the mining and crafting of New Zealand pounamu or Greenstone or Jade. After some morning shopping for jade, we take the scenic drive through the New Zealand Alps and Arthurs Pass to Christchurch. Beautiful stops along the way. Depending upon how much time we dawdle at quirky villages enroute (hey-- you're on vacation!) we'll have a brief driving tour of Christchurch before flying to Sydney, Australia.
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Day 12 - Tuesday From Sydney, our coach takes us south to the ACT -- Australia Capital Territory and Canberra. We pass through sheep country in the famous Aussie Outback at stop at Gold Creek Station, the Starr family's sheep station they've worked for more than 80 years. They'll have their dogs do their work with the sheep, and take us in for a sheep sheering contest followed by a BBQ. Then an afternoon in Canberra where we'll see the planned city of Walter Burley Griffin with Parliament buildings and more.
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Day 13 - Wednesday Head back to Sydney. We see more of the real Aussie outback and get a taste of the real, small town Australia in Mittagong. After lunch we take a little known road through magnificent MacQuarie pass that has vertical mountain walls that cascade down to the coastal city of Wollongong where we'll stop at the beach for some beachcombing. Then on to Sydney an hour or so away. You'll have your Hop-On, Hop-Off BUS & BOAT tickets to start using this afternoon and evening to expore this great city.
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Day 14 - Thursday
You can start at 6:30 AM!! if you want an extensive Backstage tour this free day to explore at your will. We provided Hop On bus and boat tickets, so board the cruise ship for a Sydney Harbor Cruise or hop on and off the bus. It's a great way to see what you want to see in Sydney. We do recommend The Rocks walking tour that tells the stories of The Rocks where the British penal colony was established -- the founding of Australia as a British colony. That afternoon we fly to Cairns so make the most of the morning hours. |
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 Great Barrier Reef
Day 15 - Friday What may be the most anticipated part of our trip is the catamaran ride out to the marvelous Great Barrier Reef where we'll go to a reef near Green Island to snorkel, scuba (lessons for beginners given at no charge) to see the exotic fish, fluorescent coral growths, etc. Best reef we've visited in the world. Those who chose not to swim can choose the glass bottom boat and view the reef from above for another amazing view. It's a great day for everyone at the reef.
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Day 16 - Saturday A free day to return to the Great Barrier Reef with Elizabeth, rent a car to tour the outback, enjoy downtown Cairns, go biking, see a crocodile show, run the rapids, grab a dinner cruise or choose from many more amazing options we'll share with you.
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Day 17 - Sunday Church in Cairns with an anticipated Linger Longer with the members. Then we head up the coast for a Sunday drive to Port Douglas. We stop at the Wildlife Park to "pet the roos and feed some crocs. A Sunday drive along the coast may be just what we need at this point.
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Day 18 - Monday Board the Kuranda Scenic railroad through the jungle. Then we head to the Aborigine Experience where Aborigines teach us to through their spears, boomerangs and play the digeridoo. They then perform their famous dances, followed by an authentic Aussie BBQ. We return by way of the sky-rail and Barron Falls where we get off and later a stop for a walk through the rainforests! Tonight we fly back in Sydney.
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Day 19 - Tuesday Koalas & Blue Mountains
We board our coach for a beautiful drive to the Blue Mountains where we stop at a wildlife sanctuary to see the Koalas, Kangaroo and other Aussie animals and birds. Then we see the Three Sister’s (like the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon) before taking the cogged train down the mountain into the rainforests, take hikes in the forests to falls, take the cable car up and then the gondola past a giant water fall and rock face. Even after all of this... ...there is time to attend a session at the Sydney Temple at about 6 PM. Your option.
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Day 20 - Wednesday '
Fly to the USA and GAIN A DAY RETURNING!! You’ll actually get home on the 19th even though it takes a day to get there. Of course, if you want to stay to visit Uluru (Ayres Rock), Perth or other points of the globe, you can go directly to Jetstar.com for the best prices of airline connecting flights. That’s how we’ve booked your in-country flights. Or talk to Madina to book any pre or post extensions. |
Booking Your Airline Tickets Made Easy
When arranging your travel, please consider the following recommendations: 1. Coordinate with Your Tour Schedule: Before securing your flights, ensure they align with our tour itinerary. It is crucial that you arrive on the recommended date and time, as our coach will be there to transport you. If your plans require you to arrive earlier or later than scheduled, alternate transportation such as Uber, Taxi, or Lyft will be necessary. 2. For Arrivals Before the Tour Start Date: Should you choose to arrive a day or more in advance of the tour, personal arrangements for accommodation and transportation are required. Our group stays at the Ohtel Hotel in Auckland near the wharf so that's the best hotel for the extra nights. For assistance with bookings, Elizabeth can secure preferred pricing for guests. 3. Explore Airline Options Early: A. Given the fluctuating nature of airline prices, it is advisable to begin your search promptly to locate the most competitive fares. B. Consult with SG Travel Two: For expert guidance, we strongly suggest contacting Suzy Gustafson at SG Travel Two. Based in West Jordan, Utah, her team is well-equipped to assist with your international travel needs. Available from 8 AM to 6 PM, their personalized service ensures you'll engage with the same dedicated team, providing exceptional customer experiences. C. Unlike many booking agencies operating outside of the USA, often 9+ time zones away, Suzy’s Utah-based air team includes Suzy herself, along with Ivan and Meghan, ready to support you any time, including after hours. Suzy Gustafson: - CEO of SG Travel Two. 40 years in ticketing luxury, group, and corporate travel. Meghan Terry - 5 years travel logistics and airline ticketing. Ivan Novikov - Air Specialist - Speaks Fluent Russian - 18 years experience. Nicole Holland - Luxury Land Specialist - 12 years travel experience Booking Fee: While an international airline booking fee is applicable, you get to apply the entire booking fee as a credit toward any future Bucket List tour. Tailored Travel Arrangements: Trust SG Travel Two to expertly manage your travel arrangements according to our tour's arrival and departure requirements, ensuring seamless coordination with optimal flight schedules and pricing. To explore these travel opportunities, reach out to Suzy and her team at SG Travel Two by calling: 801.280.4796. Mention that Mark and Liz referred you for personalized service.SG Travel Two Service Fees Include:
Contact information: SG Travel Two 801-280-4796 www.sgtraveltwo.com Why You Need Trip Insurance-SG Travel Two can also provide you a quote on trip insurance.
Travel Insurance is an investment in your peace of mind and security as you embark on your adventures. Contact information: SG Travel Two 801-280-4796 www.sgtraveltwo.com |
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18 nights, 20 days, 21 days elapsed time
INCLUDED:
Most events listed are included in the price including all internal air flights: + Sydney RT to Cairns, Sydney to Queenstown, NZ, Christchurch NZ to Rotorua. Plus:
-- entry fees for events stated in itinerary
-- Quality 4-Star hotels w/breakfast, ground transport and guides where needed. About 50 breakfasts and 7 special event meals included: Māori Hangi BBQ, Hobbiton brunch, Bob’s Peak buffet, Aborigine special BBQ, Mittagong Lunch, Great Barrier Reef Lunch, and Sydney Harbor Dinner Cruise.
--Tips for guides & Bus Drivers
--Escorted by Mark & Liz Stoddard
NOT INCLUDED
INCLUDED:
Most events listed are included in the price including all internal air flights: + Sydney RT to Cairns, Sydney to Queenstown, NZ, Christchurch NZ to Rotorua. Plus:
-- entry fees for events stated in itinerary
-- Quality 4-Star hotels w/breakfast, ground transport and guides where needed. About 50 breakfasts and 7 special event meals included: Māori Hangi BBQ, Hobbiton brunch, Bob’s Peak buffet, Aborigine special BBQ, Mittagong Lunch, Great Barrier Reef Lunch, and Sydney Harbor Dinner Cruise.
--Tips for guides & Bus Drivers
--Escorted by Mark & Liz Stoddard
NOT INCLUDED
- International air - Call Suzy, Ivan or Meghan at 801-280-4796. They will get you the best priced air (around $1,000 pp) and help with extensions. No obligation to use them, but they are a great resource.
- Travel Insurance - We recommend you call Suzy, Ivan or Meghan at 801-280-4796 for travel insurance as noted above.
- Visas - Australia and New Zealand both require visas, but don't worry, they are simple to get online and don't cost a lot. We'll help you with them when we are about six weeks before departure.
- Free-day events are optional. These are up to you and we’ll help you book them before departure.
- Souvenirs (everyone needs a spare boomerang).
- Less than half the meals are on your own - we find group meals take too much time and money and feed us too much. So we provide breakfasts and a 7 special meals (see above).
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