Solo-ish Down-Under

Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand! After taking your included arrival transfer to the hotel, join your fellow solo-ish travellers for a welcome meeting. Then get hands on with a cooking class! Alongside your new mates, cook up a fresh and delicious Kiwi meal while getting to know the people you're travelling with.

After grabbing your first Kiwi breakfast, join your CEO for a guided walk up to the Mt Eden Summit. This area is incredibly significant to Maori people. The views of Auckland at the top are incredible-so don't forget to take some photos. Later, make your way south to Rotorua where a lunch stop at Eat Street, a local block of popular food stalls and restaurants. In the later afternoon, join your fellow Solo-ish travel mates and board a boat to cross Lake Rotoiti. Together we'll relax lakeside in hot springs, nestled within the bush. A pretty awesome day to enjoy Rotorua and to get to know your group.

Together we head to the Maori-owned Kohutapu Lodge, to explore New Zealand's indigenous culture on this full day excursion. Learn how a hangi lunch is prepared in an underground pit, the traditional way, and enjoy the feast with your Maori hosts. Learn about traditional eel traps and be welcomed into a traditiona marae. Walk through the 800-year-old podocarp trees in the Whirinaki Rainforest to learn about the history of the forest and spot endemic birds and medicinal plants. Today's adventure is one of New Zealand's most authentic and community-based Indigenous programs, and will surely stand out as a highlight of your Solo-ish Adventure.

A full day free gives you the opportunity to explore this unique town how you want. With seemingly endless options, choose to visit some hot springs, go white water rafting or explore from the treetops on a Rotorua Canopy Tour.

This morning we drive from Rotorua to Waitomo to see the magical glow worms illuminate the caves. Ride a boat through the water filled caves, and as the sunlight fades, see how the bright blue glow brightens from the silk worms hanging from the ceiling. After, drive to Auckland for the night, our last evening on the North Island.

Together we fly to New Zealand's South Island this morning. After arriving, sit down for a group lunch in Christchurch before driving to Kaikoura. In the evening, visit the giant and adorable fur seals that live on the peninsula.

Kaikoura is one if the best places in all of New Zealand to see wildlife. Spend today however you wish, but of course we recommend trying to see some of these amazing animals in the wild. Opt to go on a Giant Sperm Whale watching tour or out for a tour in hopes to swim with the Dusky Dolphins.

Drive to Hokitika, a town nudged between the Tasman Sea to the west and the Hokitika River to the south. Full of beautiful nature, wildlife and a history of ship wrecks, gold and green stone miners, Hokitika is not to be missed. The drive takes about 5 hours in total, but we'll make some pitstops along the way in notable towns like Reefton and Greymouth. After arrival, enjoy free time to explore the town.

Hike the remarkable Hokitika Gorge, crossing the suspension bridge and admiring the incredibly blue water. Then drive to Franz Josef, and hike through the rain forest of Franz Josef with views of the beautiful glacier.

A free day today in Franz Josef calls for adventure. Opt to take a scenic helicopter flight up to the impressive glacier, or kayak on Lake Mapourika. Or choose to join the Guided Heli Hike, taking a helicopter to the glacier and hiking through the snow capped mountains and over the bright blue glacier.

Drive with your fellow solo-ish travellers to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. After arrival, settle in and enjoy an evening stroll in this picturesque lakeside town.

Today is your Me Day, which means today is all about me... well you! With so much to do in Queenstown, opt to spend today exploring the adventure capital however you so wish. Or choose to join your CEO and other solo-ish travellers to ride the famous Queenstown gondola. Ride to the top of the mountain and take in the beautiful view of the lake and mountain peaks. Then tonight, choose to join your CEO for a final group dinner. This may be an early dinner because we have an early morning tomorrow, but come together for a bite and a drink before our final day together.

Wake early for a visit to one of New Zealand's most spectacular destinations on a day trip to Fiordland National Park. Drive from Queenstown, board a boat and cruise between the breathtaking mountain slopes, cascades and sea. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and rainbows made by the waterfalls. After the boat ride, drive back to Queenstown and enjoy one last free evening in Queenstown.

Say goodbye to New Zealand today as you fly to Australia and continue your Solo-ish adventures. You'll meet some new Solo-ish mates who will be joining the trip in Australia at a welcome meeting in Melbourne.
You'll say goodbye to your Kiwi CEO at the Queenstown airport and meet your new Australian CEO at your welcome meeting in Melbourne this evening.

Today, get to know your follow Solo-ish travellers, CEO and the city of Melbourne with a full day immersion into this vibrant city. Start at the Queen Victoria Markets. Your CEO will point out some dishes that are likely unfamiliar to you and dig in and sample a few. Multiculturalism is king in Melbourne, so expect to try dishes with origins in Turkey, Greece, Malaysia or Vietnam. Continue your day with a cooking class in the heart of Melbourne CBD's Little Italy. Dive head first into Australian-Italian cuisine and cook up some pizza pies alongside your new travel mates. After the delicious feast, join your CEO for a tour of Melbourne's laneway street art.

When we say one epic day- we do mean one.epic.day. On a full day trip to French Island, join your CEO on an off roading tour through the national park. French Island National park is home to Victoria's healthiest and most abundant wild koala population. With beautiful beaches, rocky coastline, and protected mangroves as the backdrop, join your local guides for an incredible adventure trying to spot koalas, long-nosed potaroos and potentially the incredibly rare bandicoots. End the day with an incredible G Adventures-style surprise.

Board a flight bound for Yulara, the gateway to Uluru and the Red Centre. Together with your Solo-ish mates and CEO, spend your epic G Day exploring the Australian outback, starting first with Kata Tjuta National Park and the Walpa Gorge walk. Watch the sunset bow behind Uluru before making your way to the tented camp. Enjoy an outdoor meal cooked at camp with lots of local ingredients and some bonding time under the stars with your fellow Solo-ish friends.

Rise early this morning and catch the breathtaking sunrise over Uluru, Australia's most iconic indigenous landmark. This morning, explore Uluru on foot on a guided walk through some of the most culturally significant areas of the site. These sacred spaces are some of the oldest on the planet, and understanding the interpretation behind them makes them even more impactful. In the afternoon, drive to Kings Canyon overland, to your next tented camp in the bush.

In the cool desert morning, head out for an early hike throughout Kings Canyon. Choose between the harder 3 hour Rim hike and a more approachable 1 hour option. The Rim walk is a 6km walk along the upper rim of Kings Canyon. The most difficult part of the hike is the very beginning with a 500 step ascent, but the landscapes and views you are rewarded with are more than worth the effort. You won't even remember the effort it took to get up there. (Sort of!) If you prefer to take it easy, enjoy a 2km hike through canyon valley. In the afternoon, rest your legs on the drive to Alice Springs.

Fly from Alice Springs to Sydney on a morning flight. Arrive to Sydney in the afternoon and enjoy free time to settle in or explore. Opt to visit Spice Alley with your CEO and other hungry solo-ish mates for an Asian inspired dinner in this cool and unique spot.

Join your CEO as you climb aboard the local ferry and travel from Sydney to Manly Beach. Manly is one of Australia's most famous beaches, which is quite the praise for a giant island nation. With world class surfing, beautiful water and lined with pine trees, you'll quickly learn why its so popular amongst locals and travelers alike. Take a surf class, relax on the beach, grab some fish n chips and ice cream or take the easy coastal walk to Shelly Beach. Return to Sydney CBD this evening for a dinner together out on the town.

Spend today in Sydney however you'd like. It is your Me Day after all! Opt to join your CEO and other fellow Solo-ish travellers for a guided kayaking adventure in Sydney Harbor or choose to enjoy some solo time. Opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, take a tour of the Sydney Opera House or whip through the bay on a Jet Boat ride.

Leave the city behind and fly north to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This afternoon, have a chance to explore Kuranda Village tucked away in Kuranda National Park. Do some shopping in the local market and visit the beautiful gardens. Then ride the Skyrail down towards Cairns. Pass over the top of the tropical rainforest, admire the incredible view and makes stops at a waterfall and other incredible lookout points.

A free day in Cairns means one thing for most people, an adventure to the Great Barrier Reef! Book a tour out to sea to snorkel or scuba dive through the biggest coral reef system in the entire world. In the evening, opt to join your fellow Solo-ish travellers for one last hoorah together.

You arrived a solo traveller and are leaving with many new friends. Say goodbye to your fellow Solo-ish friends and depart at any time.