Morning: Depart Brisbane (BNE) on Qantas flight QF 8 at 07:30 AM (local) and enjoy in‑flight meals while reviewing sunrise times for the upcoming destinations.
Afternoon: Arrive at Narita International Airport (NRT) at 14:10 PM JST, clear customs, and transfer via Narita Express to your hotel in Shinjuku (≈1 h).
Evening: Settle into the hotel, have dinner at a local izakaya, and rest early to prepare for a pre‑dawn excursion to Mt Fuji the next day.
Find HotelsMorning: Take an early highway bus (04:30 AM departure) to the Kawaguchi Five Lakes area; reach Lake Kawaguchi – Mt Fuji Sunrise Viewpoint by 06:00 AM for a spectacular sunrise over Japan’s iconic peak.
Afternoon: Return to Tokyo, enjoy lunch in Shibuya, and explore the Meiji Shrine and Harajuku districts.
Evening: Head to the Tokyo Skytree just before 18:30 PM; watch the sun set over the city from the observation deck, followed by a night‑time city lights view.
Find HotelsMorning: Check out of the hotel and transfer to Haneda Airport for a direct flight (NZ 462) departing 09:15 AM JST, arriving Auckland (AKL) at 22:45 NZST (same calendar day).
Afternoon: After a short layover, take a taxi to your downtown Auckland hotel (≈30 min) and enjoy a late dinner at the waterfront.
Evening: Rest and adjust to the time difference; brief walk along the Viaduct Harbour to stretch legs before bedtime.
Find HotelsMorning: Take a quick taxi ride (10 min) to the Mount Eden Summit; arrive at 05:45 NZST to witness the sunrise casting golden light over Auckland’s skyline.
Afternoon: Return to the city, explore the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Domain gardens.
Evening: Board a sunset cruise to Rangitoto Island; watch the sun dip behind the volcanic cone while enjoying a BBQ dinner on the beach.
Find HotelsMorning: Fly from Auckland to Queenstown (Air New Zealand NZ 231, 07:15 AM departure, 09:30 AM arrival) and connect to a chartered shuttle to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park (≈3 h). Arrive in time for a sunrise hike at 06:30 AM, marveling at the alpenglow on the mountain.
Afternoon: Guided glacier walk and lunch at the Hermitage Hotel, then drive to Lake Tekapo (≈1 h).
Evening: At the Lake Tekapo shoreline, enjoy a serene sunset reflected off the turquoise waters, followed by stargazing in the UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Lake Tekapo for Queenstown Airport (≈2 h), catch a mid‑day flight back to Auckland (Air NZ NZ 232, 11:45 AM departure, 13:30 PM arrival).
Afternoon: Check into an Auckland city hotel, relax at the Auckland Domain, and shop for souvenirs.
Evening: Optional dinner at the Sky Tower’s revolving restaurant, offering panoramic night views of the harbor.
Find HotelsMorning: Check out, take a taxi to Auckland Airport for the Qantas flight QF 9 departing 08:45 AM NZST.
Afternoon: In‑flight meal and rest; cross the International Date Line, arriving back in Brisbane at 14:20 PM AEST.
Evening: Conclude the challenge, reflect on the sunrise and sunset experiences, and submit the final report.
Find HotelsTotal Estimated Cost: $5,035
To extend the adventure, consider adding a day in Kyoto to witness sunrise at Kiyomizu‑dera and sunset over the Philosopher’s Path, or a detour to Fiordland for an unforgettable night‑time star gazing experience. If time is limited, you can compress the New Zealand leg by flying directly from Tokyo to Christchurch and focusing on Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, which reduces travel fatigue while still capturing both sunrise and sunset spectacles.