Photo: The Royal Family/Official Facebook

Every Stop on Prince Harry and Meghan’s First Royal Tour Through Oceania

Insider Guides Entertainment
by Aryana Azari Sep 14, 2018

It’s only been three and a half months since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, but royal duties wait for no one. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will head out on their first royal tour together in just a month, hitting several countries in Oceania. And while fans may not be able to travel alongside the pair, they can follow their exact itinerary on trips of their own.

The official visit will last two weeks, from October 16 to October 31, and span multiple cities in the Commonwealth countries of Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Tonga. It’ll focus on youth leadership, as well as environmental and conservation efforts. It also includes attendance at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, a multi-sport event created by Prince Harry to promote the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded servicemen and women.

An exact, day-by-day outline of the schedule was released on the royal family’s official website:

October 16: Sydney, Australia

Harry and Meghan start their trip by arriving in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales in Australia. It’s best known for must-see attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach.

October 17: Dubbo, Australia

Next, they move further inland to the city of Dubbo. Despite the smaller population, the city has several heritage-listed sites like the Dubbo railway station, Dundullimal Homestead, and National Australia Bank building. Another draw to the area is the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, home to 4,000 animals from over 350 species.

October 18: Melbourne, Australia

The capital of Victoria is known for being artsy and cool, hosting a number of museums — like the National Gallery of Victoria, which is dedicated to Australian and indigenous art — performing arts centers, and tons of incredible street art. Other points of interest include Federation Square, the Queen Victoria Markets, and the Yarra River, where visitors can partake in water sports.

October 19, 20, and 21: Sydney, Australia

The couple will head back to Sydney in preparation for the 2018 Invictus Games, which officially begin on the 20th.

October 22: Fraser Island, Australia

Fraser Island is the largest island in the world, spanning approximately 160 miles. The UNESCO World Heritage site boasts a number of scenic locations, including the Champagne Pools — famous due to its pools of bubbling water caused by waves crashing over volcanic rocks — and Lake McKenzie with its white-sand beaches. Harry and Meghan will be visiting as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project to preserve natural environments.

October 23 and 24: Suva, Fiji

The next stop will be in Suva, the largest city in Fiji, as well as the South Pacific. Here, visitors can explore the Colo-i-Suva Forest Reserve, Thurston Gardens, and Albert Park.

October 25: Nadi, Fiji and Nuku’alofa, Tonga

The royal couple will split their time between two countries on this day. First, they’ll arrive in Nadi, a town on Fiji’s main island that’s most people’s first stop in the island nation. Then they’ll head over to the capital of Nuku’alofa in the Kingdom of Tonga, home to Tonga’s own royal family.

Friday, October 26: Nuku’alofa, Tonga and Sydney, Australia

Saturday, October 27: Sydney, Australia

Sunday, October 28: Wellington, New Zealand

After a brief return to Sydney, Harry and Meghan will head over to New Zealand’s capital on the North Island. It’s also home to the Weta Cave and Weta Workshop, the production company behind the props and special effects for series like the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. But if you aren’t into seeing movie magic, there’s always the Wellington Botanical Gardens and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Monday, October 29: Wellington and Abel Tasman, New Zealand

Next up is Abel Tasman National Park, a wilderness reserve on New Zealand’s South Island. Whether you want relaxation or adventure, you’ll find both here with activities like kayaking, cruises, helicopter tours, sailing, swimming, and hikes.

Tuesday, October 30: Auckland, New Zealand

They’re back to the North Island with Auckland and its harbor boats aplenty, which give Auckland its nickname of “City of Sails.” The seafood is excellent, and with access to vineyard-filled islands like Waiheke and Rangitoto, so is the wine scene. The Sky Tower is where you can test the limits of your bravery by either walking along the rim of the tower over 600 feet up or jumping straight down (all in a harness, of course).

Wednesday, October 31: Rotorua, New Zealand

Last but not least, the trip will end with a stop in Rotorua. Home to several lakes, geysers, and spas, it’s the perfect place to wind down and end a two-week jaunt.

With this, you can spend two full weeks following in Harry and Meghan’s royal footsteps. You can book those plane tickets for the same dates and follow the itinerary exactly. You may not be able to always spot the couple performing their royal duties, but you’ll be able to visit some pretty amazing places.

H/T: Lonely Planet

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