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Australia & New Zealand Encompassed

34 days, Melbourne to Queenstown

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This itinerary is valid for all 2019 departures. To view the itinerary for departures beginning in January 2020, click here.

The fascinating lands of Australia and New Zealand are waiting to be discovered on this in-depth 34-day tour. You'll cover not just the major cities (it wouldn't be a trip to Australia without a requisite snap of the Opera House) but venture into the country's Red Centre to explore the animal-filled bush and see Uluru at sunset. Save some room on that memory card for the last leg of your trip in New Zealand, where you'll visit a geothermal park, hike around Mt Cook, and cruise through Doubtful Sound, capturing incredible shots all along the way.

34 days

Melbourne to Queenstown

Sold Out

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Trip Code: OAMQ

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

The fascinating lands of Australia and New Zealand are waiting to be discovered on this in-depth 34-day tour. You'll cover not just the major cities (it wouldn't be a trip to Australia without a requisite snap of the Opera House) but venture into the country's Red Centre to explore the animal-filled bush and see Uluru at sunset. Save some room on that memory card for the last leg of your trip in New Zealand, where you'll visit a geothermal park, hike around Mt Cook, and cruise through Doubtful Sound, capturing incredible shots all along the way.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

34 days

Melbourne to Queenstown

Sold Out

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Trip Code: OAMQ

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 34

Map of the route for Australia & New Zealand Encompassed

Places visited

Itinerary Notes

Please note that due to operational reasons the Dec 15, 2019 departure of Australia & New Zealand Encompassed, will be staying in Kingscliff instead of Byron Bay. Please see the full itinerary for additional details.

Itinerary

Day 1Melbourne

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula

Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture before travelling to the Mornington Peninsula. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Mornington Peninsula

Enjoy a free day in the Mornington Peninsula. Opt to visit a winery or hit one of the many incredible beaches in the area.

Day 4Mornington Peninsula/Port Campbell

Hop on a ferry to Queenscliff before spending the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, enjoy views of the 12 Apostles, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Port Campbell/Halls Gap

Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Walk to the stunning Balconies and visit MacKenzie Falls.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 6Halls Gap/Adelaide

Visit the Brambuk Indigenous Cultural Centre before continuing on to Adelaide. The CEO will point out important highlights of the city while driving in, before free time to explore the city.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Adelaide/Ikara-Flinders Ranges

Stop in the Clare Valley for a wine tasting and light gourmet lunch featuring regional produce. Afterwards, drive through the Flinders Ranges.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Wine Tasting

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8Ikara-Flinders Ranges

Visit Wilpena Pound, a 800-million-year old natural amphitheatre, before enjoying free time for optional activities in the Flinders Ranges like hiking or a 4WD tour of the rugged area.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 9Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Coober Pedy

Travel to Coober Pedy, the world's opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 10Coober Pedy/Uluru

Travel further into the Outback and experience a colourful sunset at Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11Uluru

Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aborigines.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 12Uluru/Cairns

Fly to the oceanside city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Cairns/Cape Tribulation

Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 14Cape Tribulation

With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 15Cape Tribulation/Cairns

Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 16Cairns/Airlie Beach

Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach with time to explore the town.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 17Airlie Beach

Set sail for a day in the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.

Meals included:

Lunch

Day 18Airlie Beach/Byron Bay

Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.

Day 19Byron Bay

Spend the day wandering the town or taking part in a multitude of optional activities like skydiving, visiting Cape Byron Lighthouse, or relaxing on the beach.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 20Byron Bay/Port Macquarie

Hit the waves with an included surf lesson. Head to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.

Day 21Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains

En route to the Blue Mountains, opt to stop at the Koala Hospital to learn about vital wildlife conservation work in the area.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 22Blue Mountains

Explore the area around Leura and Katoomba including the Three Sisters. Visit the Jenolan Caves, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.

Day 23Blue Mountains/Sydney

Day 24Sydney

Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.

Day 25Sydney/Auckland

Fly to Auckland, New Zealand and enjoy free time in the city.

Day 26Auckland

Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.

Day 27Auckland/Rotorua

Visit the Waitomo Caves, famous for their glow-worms and adventure activities. Continue to Rotorua, notable for its geothermal activity and culture.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 28Rotorua

Take advantage of free time in the adrenaline capital of the North Island, and opt to go whitewater rafting, check out a geothermal park with technicolour pools, hit up a nearby spa, or journey to Middle-earth on an excursion to the Hobbiton Movie Set. This evening, learn more about Maori culture with a local experience and dinner.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 29Rotorua/Christchurch

Catch a flight to Christchurch on the South Island. Walk around town with a local guide and learn about how communities have rebuilt after the earthquake in 2011. This evening, enjoy free time and get a feel for the city.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 30Christchurch/Lake Ohau

Drive to beautiful Lake Ohau with a stop at Lake Tekapo along the way. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and admire the stunning alpine scenery that surrounds this local landmark.

Spend the afternoon hiking the region around Aoraki/Mt Cook. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Aoraki/Mt Cook Visitor's Centre.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 31Lake Ohau/Queenstown

Drive to Queenstown, with a stop at Wanaka and a local vineyard for a wine tasting.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Winery Visit

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 32Doubtful Sound

Take in the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Keep an eye out for the waterfalls and wildlife in this breathtaking area. Return to Queenstown in the evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 33Queenstown

Enjoy a free day in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving, paragliding, hiking or mountain biking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 34Queenstown

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour, Christchurch
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Foodie Moment: Wine Tasting, Clare Valley
  • Your Discover Moment: Byron Bay
  • Your Foodie Moment: Winery Visit, Central Otago District
  • Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
  • Guided Melbourne laneways walk
  • Brighton bathing boxes visit
  • Rainforest walk in Great Otway NP
  • 12 Apostles visit
  • Grampians NP visit
  • Tower Hill Nature Reserve visit
  • Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre visit
  • Wilpena Pound visit
  • Underground mine tour (Coober Pedy)
  • Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru
  • Mala Walk around Uluru and cultural centre visit
  • Guided rainforest walk
  • Whitsunday Islands sailing excursion
  • Blue Mountains stay with hikes
  • Scenic Railway
  • Jenolan Caves visit
  • Jamison Valley walk
  • Waitomo Caves visit
  • Maori cultural experience
  • Wine tasting
  • Aoraki/Mt Cook NP visit with hiking opportunity (weather permitting)
  • Aoraki/Mt Cook NP Visitor's Centre visit
  • Fiordland NP visit
  • Doubtful Sound day cruise
  • Orientation walk in Sydney
  • Free time in Cairns, Byron Bay, Sydney, Rotorua and Queenstown
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (30 nts), rainforest cabin (2 nts), underground hotel (1 nt).

Meals

23 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Allow USD1335-1735 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, ferry, sailboat, plane, boat, walking

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Departures

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.

Australia & New Zealand Encompassed

| 34 days - Melbourne to Queenstown - Sold Out