Australia & New Zealand Discovery
23 days
From
$ 7099
Duration23 days
Discover the lands down under on this 23-day tour through Australia and New Zealand's greatest hits. Venture along Australia's east coast from Cairns to Sydney, stopping to snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef and explore the caves of the Blue Mountains. Afterwards, jet over to New Zealand where you'll get a glimpse into Maori culture and satiate your adrenaline-seeking spirit in the birthplace of bungee jumping. Your bucket list will be significantly shorter once this tour is complete.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 23 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: CairnsPhysical Grading: Average
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairns
Start place: Cairns
There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
End place: Cairns
Day 2: Cairns/Cape Tribulation
Start place: Cairns
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
End place: Cape Tribulation
Meals: B, L
Day 3: Cape Tribulation
Start place: Cape Tribulation
Up for a ziplining adventure? Opt to pre-book the "Jungle Surfing Through The Daintree Rainforest" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
End place: Cape Tribulation
Meals: B
Day 4: Cape Tribulation/Cairns
Start place: Cape Tribulation
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city.
End place: Cairns
Meals: B
Day 5: Cairns/Airlie Beach
Start place: Cairns
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach with time to explore the town.
End place: Airlie Beach
Meals: B
Day 6: Airlie Beach
Start place: Airlie 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.
End place: Airlie Beach
Meals: L
Day 7: Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Start place: Airlie Beach
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.
Please note that due to operational reasons the following departures will be staying in Kingscliff instead of Byron Bay:
Best of Australia - Nov 21, 2019 & Dec 26, 2019
Best of the Red Centre & Eastern Australia - Nov 10, 2019 & Dec 15, 2019
Australia & New Zealand Encompassed - Dec 15, 2019
Australia & New Zealand Discovery - Dec 26, 2019
Best of Australia - Nov 21, 2019 & Dec 26, 2019
Best of the Red Centre & Eastern Australia - Nov 10, 2019 & Dec 15, 2019
Australia & New Zealand Encompassed - Dec 15, 2019
Australia & New Zealand Discovery - Dec 26, 2019
End place: Byron Bay
Day 8: Byron Bay
Start place: Byron 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.
If staying active is more your speed, why not try sea kayaking? Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
If staying active is more your speed, why not try sea kayaking? Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
End place: Byron Bay
Day 9: Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
Start place: Byron Bay
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.
End place: Port Macquarie
Day 10: Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
Start place: Port Macquarie
En route to the Blue Mountains, opt to stop at the Koala Hospital to learn about vital wildlife conservation work in the area.
End place: Blue Mountains
Day 11: Blue Mountains
Start place: Blue 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.
End place: Blue Mountains
Day 12: Blue Mountains/Sydney
Start place: Blue Mountains
Travel to Sydney and enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.
End place: Sydney
Day 13: Sydney
Start place: Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional final night out with the group.
For a rush of adrenaline, opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or zip through the harbour on a jet boat. Pre-book the "Sydney Bridge Climb" or "Sydney Adrenaline Bundle" activity on the checkout page to add these optionals to your tour.
For a rush of adrenaline, opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or zip through the harbour on a jet boat. Pre-book the "Sydney Bridge Climb" or "Sydney Adrenaline Bundle" activity on the checkout page to add these optionals to your tour.
End place: Sydney
Day 14: Sydney/Auckland
Start place: Sydney
Fly to Auckland, New Zealand and enjoy free time in the city.
Please note that your flight from Australia to New Zealand and first night in Auckland will be unescorted.
Day 15: Auckland
Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.
If you are interested in visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, we recommended purchasing a day trip from Auckland for this day on your tour. OR, upon meeting your CEO, you can opt to book a ticket with them (please note that there are limited tickets on the ground - which could result in you missing out if you wait to book with your CEO).
Day 16: Auckland/Rotorua
Visit the Waitomo Caves, famous for their glow-worms and adventure activities. Continue to Rotorua, notable for its geothermal activity and culture.
Meals: B
Day 17: Rotorua
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.
Enjoy a traditional Hangi dinner, cooked in an underground pit.
Meals: B, D
Day 18: Rotorua/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.
Meals: B
Day 19: Christchurch/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.
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.
End place: Lake Middleton
Meals: B, D
Day 20: Lake Ohau/Queenstown
Start place: Lake Middleton
Drive to Queenstown, with a stop at Wanaka and a local vineyard for a wine tasting.
Meals: B
Day 21: Doubtful 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: B, L
Day 22: Queenstown
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.
Pre-book the Queenstown Jet Boating activity on the checkout page to add this exhilarating optional to your trip.
Pre-book the Queenstown Jet Boating activity on the checkout page to add this exhilarating optional to your trip.
Meals: B
Day 23: Queenstown
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Resourceful Ĺtautahi Walking Tour, Christchurch Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Byron Bay Your Hands-On Moment: Surfing Lesson, Byron Bay Your Foodie Moment: Winery Visit, Central Otago District Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
- 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
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Transport
Private vehicle, Sailboat, Plane, Boat, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (19 nts), Rainforest cabins (2 nts), Maori Village (1 nt multishare)