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Explore Australia & New Zealand

23 days, Sydney to Queenstown

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Discover the highlights of Australia and New Zealand on this epic adventure, exploring vibrant cities, breathtaking natural wonders, and unique cultural traditions. Experience an indigenous welcome in Sydney and witness the dazzling marine life of the Great Barrier Reef on an optional snorkelling or diving excursion. Enjoy a Maori feast in Rotorua, glide through majestic, wildlife-rich fjords, and end your journey in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.

23 days - Sydney 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: OAZNG

Need a flight? We can help.

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

Discover the highlights of Australia and New Zealand on this epic adventure, exploring vibrant cities, breathtaking natural wonders, and unique cultural traditions. Experience an indigenous welcome in Sydney and witness the dazzling marine life of the Great Barrier Reef on an optional snorkelling or diving excursion. Enjoy a Maori feast in Rotorua, glide through majestic, wildlife-rich fjords, and end your journey in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys

Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.

Service Level: Upgraded

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

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

23 days - Sydney 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: OAZNG

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: 23

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 97

New Zealand reveals something new, different and jaw-dropping around every corner. Its beauty is unique in that it constantly transforms from one stunning landscape to another: mountains to deserts, deserts to rainforests, rainforests to glaciers, glaciers to rolling farm-lands.” —Carrie Miller, contributing writer for National Geographic Traveler

Map of the route for Explore Australia & New Zealand

Places visited

Itinerary Notes

Please note that due to seasonal weather the itinerary on Day 20 in Doubtful Sound varies from winter to summer months. The winter itinerary runs approx from mid-May to early Sept. The remaining departures will follow the summer itinerary.

There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.

Itinerary

Day 1Sydney

Arrive at any time.

Day 2Sydney

Enjoy a traditional welcome ceremony this morning, followed by a guided tour of the historic Rocks district. This waterfront neighbourhood marks the spot of the first European settlement in Australia, and holds a spiritual significance for the area’s indigenous people. In the afternoon, board a private yacht for a sunset cruise and barbecue dinner on the Sydney Harbour, taking in views of the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment The Rocks Indigenous Dreaming and Welcome Tour

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 3Sydney/Port Douglas

Fly to Cairns and travel up the scenic coastal road to Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Embark on an interpretive walk with an indigenous guide at the lush Mossman Gorge, learning about the traditional ways of life of the region’s Kuku Yalanji people. Continue to the resort town of Port Douglas, our home for the next two nights.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Port Douglas

Enjoy a day of leisure in charming Port Douglas. Stroll the town’s boutique-lined streets and idyllic beaches.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Port Douglas/Cairns

Return to the tropical city of Cairns and visit James Cook University for a behind-the-scenes tour of its research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic Grantee Dr Jamie Seymour. Get an up-close view of some of the aquarium’s fascinating creatures, from sea snakes to box jellyfish, and hear about the latest aquatic research from Jamie or one of his colleagues.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment James Cook University Research Aquarium

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Cairns

Spend the day on your own in beautiful Cairns, relaxing at the beach or setting out on an optional excursion. Choose to go scuba diving or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, which teems with thousands of marine species, or enjoy spectacular views along the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Cairns/Uluru

Catch a flight to Uluru, in the heart of the Australian outback. Visit the Cultural Centre of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and learn about the beliefs and customs of the Anangu, the area’s traditional indigenous owners. Cap off the day with a glass of sparkling wine as you witness a crimson sunset over the fabled Uluru monolith.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Uluru

Awake at dawn to take in an unforgettable sunrise over Uluru, then delve into a full-day exploration of the ancient, red-hued landscapes of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Set out on a guided walk around the base of the monolith, gaining insight into its sacred significance to the Anangu. Later, make your way to Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s neighbouring natural wonder. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Uluru/Melbourne

Enjoy one last sunrise over spectacular Uluru before catching a flight to Melbourne, known as the cultural capital of Australia.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Melbourne

Spend the day exploring vibrant Melbourne. Set out on an optional excursion on the Great Ocean Road, one of the most picturesque coastal drives in the world; visit some of the region’s top wineries; or wander the city’s narrow cobbled lanes and alleys, discovering quirky cafés and colourful murals.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11Melbourne

Embark on a food tour of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller. Home to many thriving immigrant communities, Melbourne has long been considered one of Australia’s gastronomic hubs. On this foodie walk through the city’s famed laneways, we’ll enjoy lunch at three popular venues and experience a range of flavours and cuisines. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Melbourne Foodie Walk

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 12Melbourne/Auckland

Fly to Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island, and enjoy free time in the city.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Auckland

Take an orientation walk in Auckland, one of the most multicultural cities in the Southern Hemisphere. We’ll then catch a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, a haven of world-class vineyards and idyllic beaches. Visit two wineries to learn about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of viticulture in the country while sampling some of the local blends.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Waiheke Island Wineries

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 14Auckland/Rotorua

Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 15Rotorua

Spend a free day in fascinating Rotorua. Opt to explore a geothermal park, walking past bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools, or go on a white-water rafting excursion. This evening, visit Tamaki Maori Village and enjoy a private welcome ceremony; then sit down for an exclusive talk with a Maori elder, learning about the community’s traditions, myths, and legends. Later, we’ll witness a captivating performance of Maori folklore while dining on an array of traditional foods prepared in a hangi, or underground oven.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Meet a Maori Elder

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 16Rotorua/Christchurch

Enjoy time at leisure this morning before catching a flight to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. Take some time to explore this small city on your own.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 17Christchurch/Franz Josef

Board the TranzAlpine train—one of the world’s most scenic rail routes—for a breathtaking journey through verdant plains, beech forests, and majestic, misty mountains. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass—the highest pass in the Southern Alps—and continue on a private vehicle to a rainforest lodge near the town of Franz Josef, our home for the next two nights.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 18Franz Josef

Discover the natural wonders of the Franz Josef area on your own today. Opt to take a helicopter up to the stunning Franz Josef Glacier and hop out for an unforgettable hike on the jagged ice; embark on a guided interpretive walk that follows a riverbed along the glacier’s retreat; soak up in natural hot pools surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery; and more.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 19Franz Josef/Queenstown

Set out towards Queenstown on a drive along the South Island’s magnificent west coast. Stop at tranquil Lake Matheson, where, on a clear day, you can capture a postcard-perfect image of New Zealand’s highest peaks reflected in the water. Continue to Queenstown, pausing for short walks through the rainforest and visits to picturesque waterfalls.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 20Queenstown/Fiordland National Park

Discover the glacially carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park on a cruise. Glide past shimmering waterfalls and towering cliffs, and look out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and little blue penguins with our naturalist guides. Depending on the season, we’ll spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins, enjoying time to relax on deck and watch the stars.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 21Fiordland National Park/Queenstown

Rise early for a wildlife viewing cruise along the pristine fjord. Then navigate back to Queenstown and spend the rest of the day at leisure in this fun-loving lakeside town, known as the adventure capital of the world.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 22Queenstown

The day is yours to explore Queenstown. Choose to cruise lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer; experience a thrilling jet boat ride; or visit a local winery to sample the region’s award-winning vintages. This evening, enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic vistas of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 23Queenstown

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: The Rocks Indigenous Dreaming and Welcome Tour, Sydney
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: James Cook University Research Aquarium, Cairns
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Melbourne Foodie Walk, Melbourne
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Waiheke Island Wineries, Waiheke Island
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Meet a Maori Elder, Rotorua
  • Your Discover Moment: Cairns
  • Sydney Harbour dinner cruise
  • Aboriginal walk through the Daintree Rainforest
  • Sunrise interpretive walk at Uluru
  • Melbourne orientation walk
  • Visit glowworm caves
  • Scenic TranzAlpine train
  • Queenstown gondola ride
  • Wilderness day cruise (winter) or overnight cruise (summer) in Fiordland National Park
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotel (21 nts), cruise boat (1 nt, seasonal).

Meals

22 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Allow USD925-1205 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, plane, train, 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.

Explore Australia & New Zealand

| 23 days - Sydney to Queenstown - Sold Out