Uncover the natural qualities that make Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand spectacularly unique during an 18-day combination cruise and inland tour. Drift along a river in the iconic UNESCO Daintree Rainforest, earth’s oldest and most continuous tropical forest. Swim or snorkel offshore in the Great Barrier Reef. Scan sandy beaches and shoreline grasslands of Freycinet National Park for waddling fairy penguins. Swirl and savor deep crimson hues and layered flavors in Australian Shiraz wines made from Barossa Valley old vines. Sample sweet Lamingtons—sponge cake dipped in chocolate and dusted with shredded coconut—paired with bush tea’s earthy, roasted-nut flavors. Peer skyward at towering coastal ranges and misty veiled waterfalls along Fiordland National Parks’ steep coastlines. Fly to Stewart Island and hike among countless waterfowl in a predator-free bird sanctuary. Admire Maori artwork and watch Waiata performances at Wellington’s Te Papa Museum. Take in North Island views in the Sky Tower while perched a thousand feet above Auckland.

Arrive at the Cairns Airport to be met by a tour guide and take a private transfer to your Port Douglas  accommodations at the Thala Beach Nature Reserve inside the rainforest. Settle into your treehouse bungalow at Port Douglas’ Thala Beach Nature Reserve Resort, a 4.5-star luxury resort on a private headland. Spend the rest of the day on your own – complimentary activities vary but may include guided nature or garden walks, bird and butterfly walks, conversations with the local aboriginal community, and sea kayaking. Possibly end the day with dinner at the treetop restaurant and stargazing from the resort’s custom-built outdoor observatory.
 
(Includes overnight at Thala Beach Nature Reserve bungalow and transfer from airport)

Rise early today and after breakfast at the hotel take a scenic drive to UNESCO-inscribed Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest on the planet, noteworthy for its complex ecosystem and a lush beauty that’s said to have inspired the movie Avatar. Stroll the boardwalk from the Kulki Lookout, viewing the scenic mountain peaks and pristine white beaches and witness the rare sight of two UNESCO sites together – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef at Cape Tribulation. Board the Daintree River Cruise to learn about the wildlife of this diverse river system. Watch for crocodiles, tree snakes and other creatures you may spot. After lunch visit the Mossman Gorge Center, cultural hub of the Kuku Yalanji indigenous people and learn about how these indigenous people have lived here for 50,000 years.
 
(Includes breakfast at the hotel, lunch and overnight at Thala Beach Resort)

Your full day at the Great Barrier Reef begins with a boat ride to the Outer Reef – an area rich with coral, fish, dolphins, stingrays, and turtles. You’ll have plenty of time to snorkel and swim in the Outer Reef environment, witnessing the majestic panoramas of colorful tropical fish and intricate coral gardens that help form the protective ocean walls, filled with hard and soft corals as well as the reef’s most iconic species – sharks, stingrays, turtles, groupers, cod, maori wrasse and parrotfish. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch aboard the vessel. Return to Port Douglas in the late afternoon and have dinner and the evening at your leisure.
 
Please note: The Great Barrier Reef Cruise is not exclusive to Windstar Guests.
 
(Includes breakfast at the hotel, lunch, and overnight at Thala Beach Resort)
 

Breakfast at the hotel prior to check out and transfer to the Cairns Airport for your included flight to Melbourne. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the Stamford Plaza Melbourne Hotel where the evening is at your leisure.
 
(Includes breakfast at the hotel, and overnight at the Stamford Plaza Melbourne Hotel)

Following breakfast at the hotel board a motor coach for a tour of Melbourne. Pass many magnificent buildings including The Treasury, Parliament House, the Windsor Hotel, the Princess Theatre and the beautiful Gothic buildings on Collins Street. Take a short photo stop at the Shrine of Remembrance, a World War I memorial. Stop at heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens and see Cooks’ Cottage, the Conservatory, the Fairies’ Tree and the Model Tudor Village. Take to the heights of Melbourne’s tallest attraction, Eureka Skydeck 88. The fastest elevators in the southern hemisphere take you from the ground to the 88th floor view in 40 seconds. Pass the Southbank Precinct, the waterfront entertainment area on your way to your waiting yacht.
 
(Includes breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the yacht)

The capital and most populated city of the state of Victoria, Melbourne is located on the large natural bay of Port Philip. The abundance of parks and gardens here has resulted in Melbourne being referred to as Australia’s “Garden City.”  The Story of the Kelly Gang, the world's first feature film, was shot in Melbourne in 1906 and On the Beach was filmed here in 1959. The city’s delightful mix of architecture includes the UNESCO-listed Royal Exhibition building, the Venetian-gothic style Old Stock Exchange, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Flinders Street Station.

Encircling Emu Bay on Bass Strait, Burnie is known for delicious cheese and whisky and claims to have the best milk in the world for cheese making. Even with only 20,000 residents Burnie has a delightful number of restaurants and cafes to tempt you. The area around Burnie is rich with impressive gardens and parks and lovely beaches.

Freycinet National Park is full of natural assets, pink granite peaks, secluded bays, including iconic Wineglass Bay, white-sand beaches and an abundance of birdlife including black swans. Swimming, snorkeling and diving are all excellent activities in the pristine waters here.

Be prepared for an island setting of stunning landscapes, old-growth forests, picturesque harbor and the rugged Mount Wellington in Hobart’s background.  Hobart offers excellent local produce, interesting Tasmanian wines and eclectic art in the galleries. The capital of Tasmania is not only an Antarctic gateway, but also the gateway to the UNESCO Tasmanian wilderness.

Be out on deck to experience the beauty of Fiordland National Park, the largest of the 14 national parks in New Zealand. It is a major part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO site. Two rare bird species live here – the Takahe, thought to be extinct was found in the mountains here, and the Kakapo, the world’s only flightless parrot has refuge here as well.

Dusky Sound is 25 miles (40 kilometers)in length and 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide at its widest point and over 300 islands in this Sound. Keep an eye out for the endangered Fiordland Penguin with its distinctive wild yellow-striped eyebrows.

This small town is the country's closest port to Australia, making it an access point for immigrants: something that may account for the hint of a Scottish burr in the local dialect. World famous for Bluff Oysters, the city is also the gateway to Stewart Island with its rare kiwis.

Scottish Dunedin offers the best of both worlds. Take in grand Victorian and Edwardian building like the iconic Railway Station and New Zealand's only castle. Head to the Otago Peninsula to see rare yellow-eyed penguins. Or ride a historic train through spectacular Taieri Gorge.

If Dunedin is a bit of Scotland then Christchurch is a bit of England, right down to the Avon River flowing through the city and its plethora of parks and gardens. The Botanical Garden is well worth a trip, or set your sights on a different terrain. This city has been a gateway to the Antarctic since the early 1900s and you can gain insight into the frozen frontier at the International Antarcrtic Center.

The inviting compact capital of New Zealand has a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, an interesting working harbor and colorful wood houses in the surrounding hills. Strong winds frequently through the strait here have given it the nickname “Windy Wellington.” Work in a visit to Te Papa, an interactive and innovative national museum that showcases Maori culture, art heritage and the fascinating history of New Zealand.

Picton is the starting point for exploring the Marlborough region of New Zealand and their delicious sauvignon blanc wines.  Tiny and picturesque, Picton is ideal for the naturalist or the foodie. Hike or bike along the 43-mile Queen Charlotte Track, explore the nearby wildlife sanctuaries, indulge your taste buds with refreshing white wine and taste the famous green-lipped mussels indigenous to Marlborough Sounds.

Beautiful Tauranga with its sparkling harbor, warm climate and blue skies is New Zealand’s fifth largest city and is known for the relaxed lifestyle there.  Among the attractions is the Waitomo Glowworm Caves where a glowworm species exclusive to New Zealand can be found. This is also the home of The Hobbit on the movie set where many scenes from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed.

The first thing to notice when you see Auckland is the 1,076-foot-high Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere offering amazing panoramic views.  The area was settled by the Maori around 1350 and was settled by Europeans in the early 1800s.  The land here is rich and fertile and the economy is good.  Take a ferry to Waiheke Island, known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves or stroll along Ponsonby Street known for arts, cafes, culture and historic villas.