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2026 Dates Now Opened!!
21 days: Feb. 4-25, March 4-25 or Oct. 15-Nov. 4, 2026 MAX 30 GUESTS per tour! All escorted by Liz and Mark Stoddard Brief Itinerary for 2026
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$6,990 pp do with more than 24 "wow" events and meals included! "So many "wows" in one trip!" Bob Arbuckle
"Beyond fabulous! Liz & Mark are great tour guides and this is a wonderful, adventure-filled itinerary!" Michele Call Sundstrom Peggy Haynes "I loved this tour! We did so many things. Empowering!" 'A "don't miss experience." Liz and Mark are the best friends and tour guides. You see so much more doing a land trip than having to rush back to a cruise ship just as the fun begins! Sandee Spencer "My Australian brother-in-law took a look at our itinerary and said he couldn't do what we are doing for this price! We knew this was a deal we couldn't pass up!" Gordon Christiansen 
We are now opening registrations for our THREE (3) tours for 2026. Now is the time to check out what we're offering.
Call Elizabeth Stoddard today to get your questions answered. Her personal line is 801-669-1777. Talk about personal service, she answers your calls between 9 AM and 10 PM every day except Sunday. To then confirm your space you'll send us a $500 deposit per person to secure your place. |
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MORE THAN 24 "WOW" HIGHLIGHTS
Rediscover the kid in you!: "It took us 3 trips years ago to experience as much as you're taking us to 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 a WHOLE lot more.
These are photos taken by customers on the 2025 tours
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our Itinerary -- New Zealand/australia
(NOTE: All itineraries are thoroughly curated but sometimes suppliers -- especially internal airlines -- and weather can change times and prices. We reserve the right to make adjustments to fit the new realities thrust upon us but you can know we always do what is in the best interest of our customers. See our Terms and Conditions on this website. )
Day 1 - Wednesday Depart LAX (lose Friday, but you'll get it back!!!) NOTE: We recommend ALWAYS flying in a day or two early to relax and explore on your own -- just in case airlines are delayed/cancelled. We'll help you with our hotel and things to do. Day 2 - Friday Arrive in the morning in Auckland. Receive a HopOn HopOff bus pass. Be sure to stop at the world famous SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Underwater Aquarium. And take the elevator up on the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland for spectacular views. Or attend the new Auckland Temple. Day 3 - Saturday Morning to finish your personalized bus tour. Then enjoy a harbor sailing cruise tour of the famous sailboat city. Plus enjoy lunch at the wharf and explore the Maritime Museum! Plenty of downtown tours & walks to enjoy on this beautiful March day in Auckland. |
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Day 4 - Sunday Head to Hamilton for optional LDS Church service. Brief stop at the newly completed Auckland Temple enroute. Overnight at Hamilton Novotel. Tour of the only Church History Museum outside SLC. The curator and director gives us a personal tour of the famous Māori membership rooms. Then a special fireside just for our group at the local ward.
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Day 5 - Monday On to a boat ride in Waitomo at the famous Glowworm Caves before being treated to a mobile farm tour where you feed alpacas, sheep, and deer. 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 6 -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 have a list of optional tours.
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Day 7- Wednesday Hobbiton, where you might meet some Hobbits. Guided tour of this movie set and throughout the charming countryside. 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 8- Thursday
Start the day with a visit to the Queenstown Kiwi Experience where we see these fascinating birds in their natural habitat. |
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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! 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 9- Friday (Subject to weather, this could be a drive instead.) Drive-Cruise-Fly over Fjordland National park. We drive to Lake Te Anau where we stop for lunch. Then drive through the magnificent mountains to Milford Sound/Fjord for a 2 hr. fjord cruise to the Tasman Sea. We fly private charters (weather permitting) back over breathtaking mountains, glaciers, lakes, shores and fjords. A striking highlight of the trip. Unforgettable. However, if high winds cancel the flight, our bus is standing by to take us back to Queenstown.
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Day 10 -Saturday FREE DAY:
So many choices of things to do including Walter Peak Farm, Golfing, Biking, Luge from Bob's Peak, Bungee jumping or Swing, Shotover River jet boats, Gold panning, Lake sports. Fishing Lord of the Rings Tour and more. 
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Day 11 - Sunday We depart Queenstown very early to head into the fjords of the West Coast "cold water rainforests" and mighty glaciers. In Franz Josef our helicopters await us to take us up the Fox Glacier, set down in the snowfields of the Franz Josef Glacier, before (weather permitting), we take off to circumnavigate New Zealand's two highest peaks -- Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman. We then overnight at the beach hotel in Hokitika.
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Fox Glacier by Helicopter
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Day 12 - Monday After seeing the Jade Factory and shops of Hokitika, we drive up the Alpine pass to Arthur's Pass. The New Zealand Alps are all around us. We stop at Castle Hill to view the unique boulders and setting used in the final battle scene of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lunch is at Sheffield's World Famous Pies before we head to Christchurch Airport and our flight to Sydney. In Sydney we stay at the Meriton Suites near the airport. The Suites are near the train that easily lets you go a few stops to the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Circular Quay, and the world famous Sydney Opera House.
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Day 13 & 14 - Tuesday & Wednesday Time to explore this great city with the 48-hour Hop-On-bus and cruise with great options along the way at the wharf, at the Rocks where the convicts were first housed, Botanical Gardens, optional tour of Sydney Opera House, walk the top of the Harbor Bridge, and enjoy Bondi Beach where the locals hang out. We buy the bus and harbor cruise pass and the rest is up to you, when you like or where you like. Be sure to book a concert at the Opera House before you come-- it's one of the favorite experiences for visitors here.
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Walking on the bridge was another favorite adventure for some of our friends.
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Day 15 Thursday
We take an early flight to Cairns. The bus picks us up and takes us a short distance to the Sky Rail gondola that carries us high above the rainforest jungles. We stop at a rainforest tour site and later stop where we get off at Barron Falls for great vistas. We arrive in Kuranda and head to the Aborigine Experience where Aborigines teach us to throw their spears, boomerangs, play the digeridoo, and perform their VERY authentic dances. We go back to Kuranda where we have lunch and attend the Koala Gardens. After our bus takes us down the mountain we head back to Cairns and the night markets! |
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 Great Barrier Reef
Day 16 Friday What may be the most anticipated part of our trip is the sailboat 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 about $60 US) to see the exotic fish, fluorescent coral growths, etc. A word of caution. Many have experienced snorkeling in tranquil bays. The Great Barrier Reef is actively in the ocean where the currents are strong. Those who chose not to swim can choose the glass bottom boat at Green Island and view the reef from above for another amazing view. AND, there is good snorkeling in the bays of Green Island, It's a great day for everyone at the reef. WARNING: If the weather is bad, the sailboat will cancel the cruise.
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Day 17 - Saturday A free day to return to the Great Barrier Reef with Elizabeth, rent a car to tour the outback, visit the Cairns Aquarium - a real favorite, go tubing down a river, grab a dinner cruise or choose from more amazing options we'll share with you.
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Day 18 - Sunday Church in Cairns. We then drive up the coast to the wonderful Hartley's Wildlife Reserve. We take their safe boat into the lagoon where there are 10+ crocodiles that we spot and the guide dangles chicken from a fishing pole. We then can leisurely tour the park where there are live demonstration shows with cassowaries, koalas, kangaroos, a special snake show, and, the best of all, a "Croc Attack" show.
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Day 19 - Monday We fly back to Sydney. Our hotel is the Meriton Suites hotel.
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Day 20- Tuesday We board our coach for a beautiful drive to the Blue Mountains where we see the Three Sister’s (like the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon) before taking the steepest grade viewing train down the mountain into the rainforests where we can take hikes in the forests to falls. Take the cable car up and then the large gondola past a giant water fall and rock face. Ride each as often as you like.
We also visit the outback town of Leura where you can grab a sandwich, roo burgers and other meals or explore/shop the town. We return to Sydney in time for you to board our special Finale Sydney Harbor Dinner Cruise. A great way to end this trip.
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Day 21 - Wednesday '
Fly to the USA and GAIN A DAY RETURNING!! |
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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 most breakfasts and a 7 special meals (see above).
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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 |
