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Exploring Australia & New Zealand

Travel from Australia’s spectacular Great Barrier Reef and the storied Outback to sophisticated Sydney, from New Zealand’s towering Mount Cook and breathtaking Milford Sound to high-spirited Queenstown and nautical Auckland.

Exploring Australia & New Zealand

Travel from Australia’s spectacular Great Barrier Reef and the storied Outback to sophisticated Sydney, from New Zealand’s towering Mount Cook and breathtaking Milford Sound to high-spirited Queenstown and nautical Auckland.

Highlights

  • Experience the best of Sydney with a catamaran cruise, a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park, and an up-close view of the iconic Opera House.
  • Witness the mesmerizing sunrise over Uluru (Ayers Rock) and delve into Aboriginal culture through a dot painting experience with a local artist.
  • Dive into the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with swimming and snorkeling at Mossman Gorge and a day-long excursion to explore its colossal beauty.
  • Be immersed in Maori culture with a traditional hangi dinner in Rotorua, complemented by visits to Mount Cook National Park and Milford Sound’s fjords.
This is an exclusive U-M departure operated by Odysseys Unlimited.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Sydney, Australia
Day 2: En route to Sydney
Day 3: Arrive in Sydney
Day 4: Sydney
Day 5: Sydney
Day 6: Sydney | Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Day 7: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Day 8: Uluru | Cairns
Day 9: Cairns | Great Barrier Reef
Day 10: Cairns
Day 11: Cairns | Christchurch, New Zealand
Day 12: Christchurch
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.

Host

Meadows Guy 1000x800

Guy Meadows

Professor Emeritus, College of Engineering

Fun fact

I spent seven continuous days living on the ocean bottom just offshore of St. Croix, USVI as an aquanaut studying deep water circulation patterns and sediment transport.

U-M Role

I am Professor Emeritus with no current teaching responsibilities. However, I have taught and conducted research in coastal and deep water oceanography and ocean engineering in the department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and CLASP (formerly Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences).

Trip Experience

Australia has been on the bucket list for quite a while! I have a deep interest in southern hemisphere coastal processes (waves, dangerous nearshore currents and extreme ocean events) as well as the effects of climate change on sensitive areas like the Great Barrier Reef. I am also deeply interested in the history and culture of the indigenous populations in this area, having explored underwater archeological artifacts related to these pre-historic cultures in the Great Lakes region.

Waitlist Only
Feb. 19-March 12, 2025

Starting price

$11,684

Deposit per person

$500

Countries Visited

Australia, New Zealand

Activity Level

Medium
Feb. 19-March 12, 2025

Starting price

$11,684
*Single supplement applies

Deposit per person

$500

Countries Visited

Australia, New Zealand

Activity Level

Medium
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