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This past week, the royal power duo that is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set off on their first, post-wedding international tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand. Along the way, they’re embarking on a whopping 76 activities focusing on youth leadership, community development, and environmental conservation. While you may not have a double-digit entourage, a privately-chartered plane, or the scheduling prowess to plan all individual engagements, that doesn’t mean you can’t follow in their royal footsteps (kinda). Scroll down for their complete and detailed itinerary to help you construct a royal vacation.
Sydney, Australia
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kicked off their trip in Australia’s largest city with a visit to the Admiralty House in Sydney, the residence of the country’s governor-general, Sir Peter Cosgrove. While you probably won’t be able to actually enter the Georgian-style mansion with sprawling gardens and views of the harbor, feel free to visit and snap some photos from the outside. It’s located in Kirribilli in the heart of Sydney, so will probably fit in nicely on your Sydney itinerary.
Next, the couple visited the Taronga Zoo and met two koalas and their joeys — activities you can totally do. Pro tip: buy your tickets online to save up to 20%. Wrapping up their initial visit to Sydney, the royal couple attended a rehearsal of the Bangarra Dance Theater at the Sydney Opera House, arguably the most iconic spot in the country.
Dubbo, Australia
Making their way inland to Dubbo, Meghan and Harry visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service — a kind of aerial version of Doctors Without Borders — and met with local farmers suffering from recent drought. They also visited a local school and met with leaders about the current state of education in Aboriginal communities.
The brutal effects of climate change and the lack of resources in Australia’s indigenous communities are two extremely sensitive issues facing the country, which is why the couple decided to tailor their trip around these causes. Check out these 6 Incredible Volunteer Abroad Trips if you’d like to follow suit.
Melbourne, Australia
Heading south to the stunning city of Melbourne, the couple took the iconic Melbourne Tram down to South Melbourne Beach and enjoyed a day in the sun learning about environmental volunteer efforts. Jam-packed with late-night eats, bars, clubs, chic cafes, and a bumping music scene, Melbourne absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary (and is consistently ranked as the best place to live in the world — so the vacation may, in fact, become a staycation).
Fraser Island, Australia
The next part of the trip brought the couple to Hervey Bay (745 miles north of Sydney), and across the water to Fraser Island. While the prince opted for a barge, the ever-elegant pregnant Duchess cradled her baby bump onboard a more comfortable cruiser and arrived looking flawless in a polka dot dress. Harry met with the traditional owners of K’gari, the Butchulla People, and the Premier of Queensland for the site’s dedication and welcome ceremony to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. After a much-needed rest, the couple reunited for a beautiful walk along the Kingfisher Bay Jetty — a definite must-do if you’re looking for a romantic sunset.
Suva, Fiji
Wrapping up their tour of Australia, Harry and Meghan hopped on a charter plane and headed to Suva, the capital of Fiji. Fiji easily boasts some of the Best Beach Getaways Around the World, but it also has bustling markets and exceptional resorts. The two stayed at the Grand Pacific Hotel, which is a great option for treating yourself, and paid a visit to the Fiji War Memorial, the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, and Markets for Change, a UN Women’s project that promotes empowerment across the Pacific.
Upcoming Itinerary
Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Tonga, a Polynesian country and archipelago in the South Pacific, will be the next stop on the royal couple’s itinerary. Tonga is a one and a half hour flight from Fiji and boasts exceptional beaches, undiscovered jungles, and a thriving culture. Here the couple is set to meet with the King and Queen to enjoy a traditional Tongan dinner and night of entertainment.
New Zealand
Wrapping up the journey, the couple will pay a visit to New Zealand. The Kiwi nation is on every avid traveler’s bucket list, and royalty is no exception. Here they have plans to visit Wellington for a ceremony at the Government House and a wreath-laying service at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.
Next up, they’ll head over to Abel Tasman National Park, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with options for kayaking, hiking, catamaran tours, and snorkeling. Harry and Meghan’s philanthropy effort here will be an afternoon of planting trees.
The final few days will be spent in Auckland and Rotorua where the royals will be participating in a “welly-wanging” contest (a boot-throwing sport you definitely need to know about) as well as make an appearance with various community service organizations.
