The Best of Australia and New Zealand

The waves of its crystal-clear blue waters wash onto silver beaches beneath the warm sun. It comes as no surprise that the Whitsundays are celebrated as some of the finest beach spots in the country. The chain of 74 islands in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland is home to luxury resorts and the underwater wonders of a marine paradise.

Airlie Beach, in particular, is a great starting point, a coastal town from where you can set off on your adventures, exploring the hidden secrets of the region and the allure of the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy great snorkelling spots or scuba diving sessions amongst the coral, interacting with curious fish and other marine creatures. Or simply relax on a stylish cruise, cocktail in hand and camera at the ready.

The Whitsundays are renowned as a yachting destination, also operating as a hub for kayaking, sailing and powerboating. But it’s not all about the ocean. There are numerous rivers, creeks and streams that run through brilliant trails and walking routes. Because of its high number of uninhabited national parks, there is always the chance to go on nature tours and journeys and spot wildlife such as enormous saltwater crocodiles.

Experience the best views of the Whitsundays with a helicopter trip over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Heart Reef, Great Barrier Reef and various islands.

Join other qualia guests for a relaxing sunset cruise around the sheltered waters of Hamilton Island. The Whitsundays are famous for breathtaking sunsets. Take in the magnificent palette of colours as the sun sets into the horizon on this cruise of the local waters adjacent to Hamilton Island.

Whilst aboard qualia's luxury charter cruiser Atomic you will enjoy a selection of mouth-watering canapes and beverages as you take in a spectacular sunset over the Whitsunday Islands. You will be transfered from qualia's Long Pavilion to the Hamilton Island Marina where your Atomic charter awaits.

The city of Sydney on the east coast of Australia is as idyllic is it appears from its instantly recognisable cityscape. It boasts a rich and intriguing history, famous beaches and iconic landmarks, with a diverse and friendly population, all spread around an elaborate shoreline of Port Jackson’s yacht-filled inlets, bays and rivers.

Pubs, markets, modern restaurants, theatres and galleries old and new add an exciting, sophisticated cultural air, while the fine weather and surrounding natural wonders of New South Wales make it a very outdoorsy place, and a great base from which to explore nearby beaches, mountains and national parks.

Enjoy a morning of sailing through one of the most beautiful harbours in the world aboard the Iluka yacht. Your skipper will guide you through Sydney’s intriguing history, explaining all about the city's waters, luxury homes, leafy parks, beaches and iconic landmarks.

The Sydney Opera House was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon who in 2003 received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honour. The citation stated that 'There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece. It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent.'

On your private tour, you'll see inside the world's most recognisable sails - a work of art that came into existence against impossible odds - to become one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. Working with new, rich audio-visual components, where images are projected onto the fabric of the building - the guide will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns. Some 1,500 performances, from opera to circus, rock and cabaret, are staged each year to audiences of around 1.5 million

After leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the Sydney, stop at a wildlife park to meet some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife, arriving early to beat the crowds. Continue your journey into the Blue Mountains and walk through spectacular scenery. See the famous ‘three sisters’, take a stroll around Katoomba and visit our pick of the best remote lookouts before lunch.

From the towering alpine ranges that envelop Queenstown, to its laidback lakeside sister Wanaka and the incredible Milford Sound, this is easily one of the most spectacular regions of the country. Seek out one of the endless thrills on offer here from skiing, white water rafting, canyon swinging, jet boating, mountain biking and bungy jumping, or slow down to the cosmopolitan pace of life in Queenstown and cool Wanaka and you’ll discover its flourishing arts scene, excellent vineyards, fine dining and quiet lakeside shores where you can take in the incredible scenery. And, of course, Milford Sound with its spectacular 1692m-high Mitre Peak (Rahotu in Maori) is unmissable.

Explore Milford Sounds stunning fiord from the air. Fly the length of Milford Sound past sheer cliffs and gushing waterfalls, out to the Tasman Sea where we land on a wild West Coast beach. In Milford, enjoy a short nature walk and gain that iconic Mitre Peak photo. Enjoy an exhilarating flight past spectacular rivers, valleys and mountains with blue-green ice falls, and land upon Mt Tutoko glacier in the heart of Fiordland National Park.

A relaxed one-hour drive over Queenstown Hill will bring you to Bannockburn in historic Central Otago. The first stop is Amisfield Estates for a 90-minute private behind-the-scenes tour with the winemaker, who will personally take you through the vineyard and winery to show you how they craft their award-winning wines from how they grow and harvest the grapes through to bottling. Continue on through Bannockburn’s rugged landscape to the Cellar Door at Mt Difficulty, located on famed Felton Road, to sample some more wines.

Heading back to Queenstown, stop in at a new boutique tasting room, Wet Jacket Cellar Door, which is located in a beautifully converted 150-year-old former wool shed. After enjoying the full range of Wet Jacket wines, which are only available here and in a few of the top restaurants in the country, duck around the corner for a late lunch at the multi-award winning Amisfield Bistro where William and Kate dined during their tour of New Zealand. Finally drive through Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town, before returning to your hotel.

Sitting on the Waikato River, Huka Lodge is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your beautiful natural surroundings. Go trout fishing, hiking, white water rafting or explore the nearby Huka Falls. Of course, you can simply choose to unwind at the lodge itself and enjoy delicious food and drink and unwind in the pool.

The Bay of Islands encompasses 144 islands dotted between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. Take to the sparkling waters and paddle through its turquoise inlets in a sea kayak, try your hand at deep-sea fishing, discover the underwater world on a diving excursion, or head into the maritime playground to swim with dolphins. Back on dry land, explore the many walking trails that wind their way through verdant forests and past secluded beaches, and set aside some time to relax in the quaint seaside towns.

The Kauri Cliffs Golf Course was designed and built by renowned American golf course designer David Harman. The par 72 Championship Course measures 7,119 yards or 6,510 metres and offers five sets of tees. Ranked #39 in the world by Golf Digest's Top 100 golf courses in the world, it has 15 holes that view the Pacific Ocean, with six played alongside dramatic plunging cliffs. Other holes wind through the marsh, forest and farmland - making this a unique golfing experience. The onsite golfing complex also includes a world class practice range, putting and chipping greens, a golf shop and locker rooms.

On this exclusive, private Bay of Islands sightseeing tour you will visit the historically important towns of Kerikeri, and Waitangi. On this private guided Bay of Islands tour your personal driver-guide, a local Kaumatua (Maori elder) with old family connections in the area, will recount first hand stories of the rich history of Maori and European engagement in this historical area.

The historic town of Russell is steeped in the early history of New Zealand - an early Maori settlement, European whaling port and where New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between Maori chiefs and the British Crown which established a British Governor of New Zealand, recognized Māori ownership of their lands, forests and other properties, and gave the Māori the rights of British subjects.