Recreate the adventures of Captain James Cook, taking in many of the locations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Ocean where the British voyager dropped anchor from 1768 to 1779.
Time Well Spent: Following in the footsteps of James Cook
Recreate the adventures of Captain James Cook, taking in many of the locations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Ocean where the British voyager dropped anchor from 1768 to 1779. Crafted in collaboration with James Wallman, time design expert and best-selling author of Time and How to Spend it, this exclusive itinerary combines his philosophies with our chartering know-how to create a life-affirming journey that’s only possible by private jet.
Day 1
Your journey begins in Tasmania, an Australian island state famous for its rugged landscapes and diverse wildlife. First stop is a Tasmanian Devil sanctuary, where you’ll meet some of these endangered animals and learn about the quest to save them from extinction. Later, hike up Cradle Mountain to watch the sun go down.
You’ll sleep in a luxurious suite at Saffire Freycinet for the next two nights. This award-winning coastal retreat in the heart of Freycinet National Park boasts spectacular views over Great Oyster Bay and The Hazards beyond.
Day 2
This morning, go sea-kayaking around the park’s beautiful coastline, spotting vibrant marine life and marvelling at the landscape of pink granite mountains and white sandy beaches.
After working up an appetite, stop at Freycinet Marine Farm in picturesque Coles Bay for an alfresco lunch of freshly-caught seafood. The farm’s Pacific oysters and Tasmanian blue sapphire mussels aren’t to be missed!
Day 3
Your last stop in Tasmania is Adventure Bay, a scenic spot on remote Bruny Island off the southeastern coast. Learn about Captain Cook’s visit here at the fascinating little museum, try a range of watersports, or go fruit picking at the local raspberry farm.
Later, board a private jet to New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds. Check-in for a two-night stay at Picton Boutique Hotel, a stylish home-from-home overlooking Picton’s marina.
Day 4
Set sail on a scenic cruise around the sounds, learning about the area’s history and wildlife along the way. Setting off from Picton, your boat will head up through Queen Charlotte Sound to one of Captain Cook’s favourite anchorages, Ship Cove. Paddle in the creek where Cook made home brew for his crew and snap a photo by the monument commemorating his visits.
This afternoon, learn the Maori tradition of greenstone carving. Local carver Timoti Moran will take you to the streams where the stone is collected, before showing you how to sand and polish your own stone to take home as a memento of the trip.
Day 5
Today begins with a thrilling helicopter journey to Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, taking in sweeping aerial views along the way. After lunch, pass alpine terrain and sprawling glaciers on a trek up the mountain before witnessing a spectacular sunset at the top.
Now it’s back in the helicopter to New Zealand’s buzzing capital city, Wellington, where you'll stay overnight at The Intrepid Hotel before departing on the next leg of your trip.
Days 6-8
Board your private jet to Tonga in the South Pacific, an idyllic archipelago of over 170 tropical islands prized for their powdery beaches, pristine coral reefs and lush rainforests.
Explore the islands on a magical three-night yacht cruise, snorkelling with brightly-coloured fish and, if you’re lucky, swimming with humpback whales. Return to the mainland for a private charter to Tahiti in French Polynesia.
Days 9-10
Enjoy a two-night stay at the InterContinental Resort Tahiti, a luxury hotel set in tropical gardens by a lagoon. If you can tear yourself away from your stylish water bungalow, make the most of the spa, infinity pools, scuba diving and watersports on offer.
Hop in a jeep to Matavai Bay, Captain Cook's main base here, for a thrilling lavatube canyoning adventure through rivers and tunnels. The next day bid Tahiti farewell with a sunrise hike up Mount ‘Orohena, before you depart on a private jet for the rugged beauty of the Aleutian Islands, which separate the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska. Landing on Unalaska, check-in for two nights at The Grand Aleutian, a chalet-style retreat with spectacular mountain views.
Day 11
Today there’s time to explore the Aleutian Islands, home to a rich diversity of species including whales, porpoises, sea otters, seals, sea lions and seabirds. Unalaska boasts America’s biggest and busiest fishing port, Dutch Harbor, and is a hotspot for sport fishing and bird-watching.
After dinner, travel to Front Beach on the shores of Iliuliuk Bay, where you’ll gather around a roaring campfire while a local resident tells you all about the islands.
Day 12
This morning you’ll take in spectral views at English Bay, where Captain Cook landed. Choose how you get there – either by overland hike or a boat charter along Cook’s route.
Now fly back to Hawaii, landing on the Kona-Kohala coast for a two-night stay at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. This luxury hotel has an award-winning golf course, seven pools, a spa and the island’s only Forbes star-rated restaurant.
Day 13
Start the last full day of the trip by kayaking to the Captain Cook monument, a 27-foot-high obelisk in a coastal forest. An expert will explain the history of the site before you snorkel in Kealakekua Bay, hoping to spot the underwater acrobatics of resident spinner dolphins.
Your discovery of the local marine life continues into the evening with a boat ride out to sea, watching the sun go down and night snorkelling with manta rays.
Day 14
Enjoy a relaxing morning at your hotel, reflecting on your voyage, before departing for your return journey.
*Subject to availability