Australia and New Zealand Highlights 18 Days
Australia and New Zealand (Reversible)
This 18 day tour itinerary combines the best of Australia’s east coast and the stunning landscapes of New Zealand.
Packed with indigenous culture, native animals , the world’s biggest reef and so much more this 18 day itinerary has it all.
Travel Style: Private driver I Self-drive I Trains I Boats I International Flight
Accommodation Style: Motel I Hotel I Boutique Lodges
New Zealand Leg of the Tour
Day 1: Auckland
Suggested activities for Auckland
Explore: Auckland
New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Central museums and galleries can be explored on foot.
Day 2: Auckland to Rotorua
Travel to Waitomo Caves and then onto Hobbiton before arriving in Rotorua
Suggested activities
World Famous: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
In the heart of New Zealand, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Hobbiton is located just outside of Matamata - in the heart of the lush Waikato farming region. Here you can visit such iconic Hobbit locations as Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill, and the Party Tree, with a guide sharing behind-the-scenes tales and insight into the making of the films.
World Famous: Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, take a 45-minute guided tour through impressive underground caverns and learn how stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone structures were formed over millions of years. Your tour includes a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - glide silently along an underground river as you gaze at the twinkling glowworms overhead. After visiting Waitomo and Hobbiton, continue to Rotorua, arriving in the early evening.
Day 3: Rotorua
Suggested Activities for Rotorua
Nature: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Grounds
Wai-O-Tapu has pools of vibrantly coloured water caused by the natural minerals, an impressive geyser that plays daily. Some of the highlights include craters formed by acidic steam, the Devils Bath with its vibrant green yellow colour, Lady Knox Geyser that’s goes off everyday at 10.15am, and the Champagne pool which bubbles like Champagne.
Culture and Food: Te Pā Tū Cultural Tour and Hangi Dinner
Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with the people of Tamaki Maori Village as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Māori way. Discover the Māori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths, and legends and browse throughout the largest after-hours tribal marketplace in Rotorua. Includes a hangi buffet feast that has cooked slowly underground.
Day 4: Rotorua to Christchurch
Take a 1.00 hour domestic flight to Christchurch
Explore: Christchurch
New Zealand's garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it's known for its wide tree-lined avenues and lush gardens. Christchurch is also known for many great restaurants, with the local delicacy being fresh-caught crayfish.
Day 5: Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook
Today you'll drive through the heart of the South Island, crossing the vast Canterbury plains. Catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing through Fairlie. Ascending Burkes Pass, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo. Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mount Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue color. Continue along the lake to your final destination, Mount Cook Village.
Day 6: Aoraki Mount Cook to Queenstown
Suggested activities
Scenery: Heli or Ski Plane Flight
This Mount Cook helicopter tour or ski plane adventure is the ultimate way to see the Southern Alps. Traverse the Main Divide to the West Coast and view the magnificent landscape of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Track north along the Tasman Sea before recrossing the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the Tasman Glacier.
Nature: Big Sky Stargazing
Take a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos as you explore the wonders of New Zealand's night sky; home to planets, stars and a whole other world we only dream about. Our resident astronomy guides will take you on a 90-minute tour of the night sky through high powered telescopes along with discussing incredible features visible to the naked eye.
Scenery: Glacier Explorer
Cruise around the Tasman Glacial Lake and experience the enormity of NZ's largest glacier. The towering ice wall is really quite incredible, with an astonishing history.
Day 7: Queenstown
Suggested activities
Explore: Queenstown and surrounds
Celebrated as New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic, and scenic wonders.
Adventure: Arrowtown and Skippers Luxury 4WD Private Tour
Embark on an immersive journey through the historic charm of Arrowtown and the exhilarating adventure of Skippers Road on our luxury 4WD private tour. With the comfort and safety of our premium vehicle, you'll experience the thrill of this historic route like never before
World Famous: TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak including gourmet BBQ dinner and a farm tour
Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience – a delicious gourmet BBQ buffet meal and a farm demonstration in a stunning lakeside setting.
Take in the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and its surroundings as you cruise across the lake to the historic Walter Peak high country farm aboard the TSS Earnslaw Steamship.
After dinner, watch the farm dogs in action with a sheep-herding demonstration and say hello to the other farm animals.
Day 8: Milford Sound from Queenstown
Suggested activities
Nature: Tour Cruise Tour 12 Hours
This full-day experience journeys to Milford Sound via road with photo stops in Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park. Next, take a Milford Sound cruise famous for its wildlife and epic waterfalls. The experience ends with a return road tour to Queenstown
Optional scenic flight return to Queenstown (this reduces the tour to 7.5 hours)
Nature: Fly Cruise Fly 4 Hours
Take a 30-minute scenic flight of the Southern Alps followed by a 90-minute boat cruise in Milford Sound. Then return to Queenstown by another scenic flight.
Day 9: Queenstown to Melbourne
Transfer to Melbourne via a 3.10 hour international flight for your Australian leg of the tour.
Suggested Activity
History and Shopping: Explore Melbourne
Melbourne is the cool, artsy capital of the state of Victoria. Renowned for its laneway art, cafes, bars, restaurants and museums, there is no shortage of things to do, see, eat and drink. On the opposite side of the city, the Docklands open-air entertainment precinct boasts a myriad of public artwork, family fun activities, and a variety of dining options lining the marina. Get there easily on the free City Circle tram, or wander over the Bourke Street footbridge.
Australian Leg of The Tour
Day 10: Melbourne
Suggested activities
Nature: The Penguin Parade
Phillip Island is home to the largest Little Penguin colony in the world. You can experience the magic of watching these amazing seabirds waddle home from the ocean to their burrows any night of the year from our viewing platforms and boardwalks.
Day 11: Melbourne
Suggested Activities
Nature: Great Ocean Road Private Tour
The Great Ocean Road is an iconic, must-do route that stretches along the south-eastern coast of Victoria, from famed surf capital Torquay, westward across to Allansford, just before the regional city Warrnambool. The Great Ocean Road tourist drive covers 243 kilometres of National Heritage listed area which hosts an abundance of awe-inspiring natural landscapes including the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge just to name a few. The road is also shouldered by the Great Otway National Park where you can explore rainforest walks, treetop walkways, waterfalls towering over fern-fringed pools and dramatic cliffs sheltering secluded beaches. Kennett River also hosts a rare opportunity to see koalas living in large numbers in their natural habitat, and is well worth the stop.
Day 12: Melbourne to Great Barrier Reef
Take a 3.00 Hour domestic flight to Hamilton Island
Suggested activities for Rotorua
Explore: Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is one of the 74 tropical islands in the Coral Sea, between the Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s the largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays, situated 1,222 km north of Brisbane and 655 km south of Cairns. Hire a golf buggy and explore the island.
Day 13: Great Barrier Reef
Nature: Heart Reef & Whitehaven Scenic Flight and Beach Landing
Enjoy two hours of scenic views looking over the iconic picturesque Whitsundays. Beginning with a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef, Hill Inlet, and the Whitsundays be amazed at the stunning views as you look down over the beaches and white sand. Landing on the gorgeous Whitehaven beach you will be greeted with a glass of bubbles and some spare time to explore the beach and relax before getting collected by your pilot and taken back to the hanger.
Day 14: Great Barrier Reef
Suggested activities
Adventure: Great Barrier Reef Full Day Adventure
Spend a full day exploring the Great Barrier Reef, the World Heritage-listed wonder off the Queensland coast.
Beyond the Whitsundays, your destination is Reefworld, a multilevel reef facility permanently moored 39 nautical miles from shore at spectacular Hardy Reef. Snorkel, swim, dive and explore – an undersea encounter with this amazing ecosystem is unforgettable. Or if you’d rather stay dry, experience the reef from the underwater observatory or take a ride in a semi-submarine. After a sumptuous buffet lunch, you’ll have more time to explore before you head back to shore with lifelong memories of this epic Australian icon.
Day 15: Great Barrier Reef to Sydney
Take a domestic 2.20h flight to Sydney
Suggested Activity
History and Shopping: Explore Sydney
Sydney is Australia's largest city, home to beautiful beaches such as world-famous Bondi Beach, iconic buildings, historic landmarks, acclaimed restaurants, and a vibrant culture. From the breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour to the tranquillity of the Royal Botanic Garden, the city is a delight for everyone. If you're looking for a holiday adventure, planning a honeymoon, or searching for a fun-filled getaway, Sydney is a great destination.
Day 16: Sydney
Suggested Activity
Nature: Blue Mountains Private Tour
The World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains is a wilderness area showcasing ancient rock formations, vast canyons and waterfalls plummeting into valleys below. The breathtaking views over the region stretch to the hazy blue horizon, while the historic village towns nestled amongst the rainforest are dotted with tea rooms, cellar doors and breweries hosted by local producers. There is no shortage of adventure in the Blue Mountains with the rugged sandstone escarpments, underground caves and deep canyons providing the perfect playground for rock climbing, abseiling, canyoning and more. Of course, relaxation is also on the cards with a number of resorts, boutique guesthouses and day spas throughout.
Day 17: Sydney
Suggested Activity
Nature: Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Explore Australia’s largest private collection of native animals and bird life at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Located 40 km from Sydney’s CBD see unique wildlife in a natural bush setting.,you will have the chance meet and hand feed their roo family with Featherdale’s special kangaroo food! For an additional cost you can meet and interact with a Koala and learn more about this fascinating creature.
Culture: Sydney Opera House Private Tour
You’ve seen the outside but that’s only half the story. Beneath our magnificent sails lies incredible spaces and stories. Learn about the controversial history, unforgettable performances and exciting future of the Sydney Opera House. Walk through and see the House up close and personal. Each perspective brings a unique and breathtaking experience.
Day 18: Sydney
its time to say goodbye to your Australia New Zealand Vacation