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Douglass Payne
Douglass Payne
Senior Coordinator of Alumni Education and Travel
Catherine Nichols
Catherine Nichols
Senior Coordinator of Faculty Relations and Travel
Audrey Liles
Audrey Liles
Coordinator of Alumni Enrichment

2024 Exploring Australia and New Zealand

Feb. 28 – March 20, 2024 – Join the waitlist.
Second Departure: March 18 – April 8, 2024
Tour Operator: Odysseys Unlimited
Price: From $10,284 (airfare included)
Tour Length: 22 days
View Brochure (PDF)
View all UNC-Odysseys tours (digital catalog)

The Lands Down Under and small group touring – limited to 24 travelers – make for a perfect combination on this journey from Australia’s spectacular Great Barrier Reef, the storied Outback, and Ayers Rock to sophisticated Sydney; from New Zealand’s towering Mt. Cook and breathtaking Milford Sound to high-spirited Queenstown and nautical Auckland.

The 22-day journey begins in Cairns with a ride on the historic railway to Kuranda, then the descent via a Skyrail gondola.  Swim and snorkel at the colossal Great Barrier Reef during a day-long excursion.  With two nights in Alice Springs, embark on an Aboriginal “dreamtime” tour to learn about the Walpiri tribespeople’s ancient culture, and enjoy a traditional bushman’s dinner.  At Ayers Rock, watch the sun set over this fabled monolith.  Highlights of a three-night Sydney stay include a catamaran cruise around Sydney Harbour; Featherdale Wildlife Park, where koalas roam; and the iconic Opera House; along with ample leisure time to get better acquainted with this fascinating city.

Discover Christchurch, New Zealand’s “Garden City,” with a tour, then stop at a local farm to see sheepdogs work.  Spend two nights in splendid Mt. Cook National Park.  On a day-long Milford Sound excursion, cruise through the stunning fjords.  Explore Queenstown, New Zealand’s “adventure capital.”  In geothermal Rotorua, experience Maori culture at a traditional hangi dinner and see kiwis at a nature park.  The journey ends with a two-night stay and sightseeing in vibrant Auckland.  Enjoy additional time in the sparkling “City of Sails” with an optional 3-day/2-night post-tour extension.

Schedule of Events

  • Day 1 : Depart U.S. / In transit
  • Day 2 : Depart U.S. / In transit
  • Day 3 : Cairns
  • Day 4 : Cairns / Kuranda
  • Day 5 : Great Barrier Reef
  • Day 6 : Cairns / Alice Springs
  • Day 7 : Alice Springs
  • Day 8 : Alice Springs / Ayers Rock
  • Day 9 : Ayers Rock / Sydney
  • Day 10 : Sydney
  • Day 11 : Sydney
  • Day 12 : Sydney / Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Day 13 : Christchurch / Mount Cook National Park
  • Day 14 : Mount Cook
  • Day 15 : Mount Cook / Queenstown
  • Day 16 : Milford Sound
  • Day 17 : Queenstown
  • Day 18 : Queenstown / Rotorua
  • Day 19 : Rotorua
  • Day 20 : Rotorua / Auckland
  • Day 21 : Auckland
  • Day 22 : Depart for U.S.

Eligibility

We offer the Tar Heel Travel program as a service to our alumni and friends of the University. As travel is a Carolina Alumni member perk, we require one traveler per room to be a Carolina Alumni member in order to be eligible to travel. For more information or to become a Carolina Alumni member, contact the membership office at (800) 962-0742 or become a Carolina Alumni member online.

Additional Information

Note: Tour schedule is subject to change due to local conditions. Many excursions in this program involve an element of walking as some of the finest attractions are located in areas not closely accessible by motorcoach.

Join Tar Heel Travel’s listserv, and don’t forget to connect with Tar Heel Travel on Facebook and Twitter.

All prices and itineraries (including port order) are tentative and subject to change; final pricing adjustments may occur after the release of marketing materials.

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