Epic Luxury Trip to Australia and New Zealand

Arrive in Queenstown and transfer to Glenorchy, or Blanket Bay, in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks and endless trails, it’s a haven for outdoor adventure. Settle into your luxury alpine lodge tucked at the head of Lake Wakatipu, then toast your first evening in New Zealand with cocktails and a chef-prepared dinner. 

Two full days in this alpine wonderland will be filled with unforgettable outdoor adventures. On the first morning, saddle up for high-country horseback riding in New Zealand. With flower-studded meadows, tumbling rivers, and dramatic mountains as the backdrop, this scenic ride suits every level. Next, spend a day fly fishing in New Zealand’s most legendary rivers, reachable only via helicopter—for anglers, this is bucket-list territory. For those who aren't fishing, this helicopter tour is no less spectacular, and you’ll enjoy a lakeside picnic in a remote valley.

A helicopter flight is the only way to access Minaret Station, a remote alpine escape of glacier-carved valleys and wild ridges. Explore the valley, soak in your hot tub under dark, starry skies, and settle in at your chalet for an unmatched wilderness retreat that’s equal parts adventure and indulgence. 

Fly to Aoraki Mount Cook for a full day of adventure weaving through ice caves, hiking glaciers, and savoring a gourmet picnic in the mountains. The perspective of this mountain wilderness from the air and on the ice is unforgettable. Choose your own adventure for the remainder of your time here: ride horses, e-bike along alpine trails, or explore the high-country farm on a rugged four-wheel drive excursion. End these spectacular days in the outdoors with lakeside fishing or wine-paired, al fresco feasts under the stars. 

Fly to Sydney and check in at Capella Sydney, a luxury heritage property in the heart of the city. You’ll explore this cosmopolitan city in a way that blends must-see icons with hidden highlights. This evening, head out on a private Sydney harbor cruise at sunset with a glass of sparkling wine in hand as the ocean shimmers in the fading golden light. 

Spend a full day exploring this dynamic harbor city like a local with an expert guide. Wander some of Sydney’s oldest streets in the historic Rocks area, and then explore the coastline from Bondi Beach, where you’ll get a feel for the city’s famous surf culture, to Tamarama and Bronte Beach. Later, peruse an Aboriginal art gallery, viewing art from some of the most remote Aboriginal communities in Australia.

Continue to uncover Sydney’s culture scene, from ancient Aboriginal art to contemporary opera. Head north to Ku-ring-gai National Park to explore Aboriginal rock engravings amidst rainforest and craggy cliffs, and then take in coastal views over a long-table lunch overlooking the Pacific. An exclusive tour takes you behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, a masterpiece of modern architecture. Then, taste your way through the vibrant and eclectic Surry Hills neighborhood on a food tour, sampling dumplings and gin cocktails.

Arrive on Lord Howe, a subtropical Australian island that feels blissfully untouched, like a secret preserved in time. Settle into the luxurious Capella Lodge, with its coastal chic style and sweeping lagoon views, and get ready to explore pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and beautiful coral reefs.

Explore this less-visited part of Australia by kayak, paddling over clear water and around vibrant coral reefs, then kick back with a beach barbeque at one of the island’s secluded coves. Take a boat out to Ball’s Pyramid, the world’s tallest sea stack, where you can dive or snorkel amidst technicolor underwater scenery. End your trip with a day at Ned’s Beach, feeding schools of fish in the shallows, snorkeling over colorful coral, and sharing a final toast with your group over a sunset dinner. 

Fly back to Sydney to catch your international flights home. Depart with your group, bonded by adventures that have spanned alpine peaks and island lagoons.