Australia & New Zealand Encompassed
34 days
From $ 10749
Duration34 days
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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.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 34 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Melbourne
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 12+
Australia & New Zealand Encompassed - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Melbourne

Start place: Melbourne

There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, head into the city to take in the 'cultural capital of Australia'. Get lost in the city's famous laneways, go on the hunt for the perfect flat white (hint: Melbourne loves its coffee shops), catch the tram to St. Kilda, or wander around the über-cool Fitzroy neighbourhood.
Arrive at any time.

End place: Melbourne

Day 2: Melbourne

Start place: Melbourne

Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture, and pick up some great pointers for your free afternoon of exploration.

End place: Melbourne

Meals: B
Day 3: Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula

Start place: Melbourne

Although fairly small in size, the Mornington Peninsula packs a big punch with the amount of things to do here. Be awed with the stunning coastal scenery while driving through quaint towns and past stunning beaches.
Continue your exploration of Australia's cultural capital 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: B
Day 4: Mornington 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 5: Mornington 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.

End place: Port Campbell

Meals: B
Day 6: Port Campbell/Halls Gap

Start place: Port Campbell

Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art.

End place: Halls Gap

Meals: B, D
Day 7: Halls Gap

Start place: Halls Gap

Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Visit the culturally significant MacKenzie Falls for a short hike. Walk to the stunning Balconies, then spend the afternoon relaxing with the locals - our resident wild kangaroos and emus.

End place: Halls Gap

Meals: B
Day 8: Halls Gap/Adelaide

Start place: Halls Gap

Travel to Adelaide. Your CEO will point out important highlights of the city while driving in, before free time to explore the city.

End place: Adelaide

Meals: B
Day 9: Adelaide

Start place: Adelaide

Today is a free day to enjoy Adelaide, capital of South Australia and famed for its churches and gardens. Opt to stroll the city streets, hop on a tram to the coastal village of Glenelg, take in a full day wine tour of the famed Barossa Valley, or for the truly adventurous, take a day trip to Kangaroo Island.

End place: Adelaide

Meals: B
Day 10: Adelaide/Uluru

Start place: Adelaide

Cross the border into the Northern Territory, where Australia's most iconic view awaits.
Board your flight to Yulara, in the heart of Australia's Red Centre and only a short distance to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Experience a colourful sunset at Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand.

End place: Uluru

Meals: B
Day 11: Uluru

Start place: Uluru

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

End place: Uluru

Meals: B
Day 12: Uluru/Cairns

Start place: Uluru

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

End place: Cairns

Day 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 16: 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 17: 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 18: 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

End place: Byron Bay

Day 19: Byron Bay

Start place: Byron Bay

Opt to pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
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.

End place: Byron Bay

Day 20: 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 21: 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 22: 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 23: 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 24: Sydney

Start place: Sydney

Opt to pre-book the "Sydney Bridge Climb" or "Sydney Adrenaline Bundle" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include one of these optionals on your tour.
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional final night out with the group.

End place: Sydney

Day 25: 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 26: 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 27: 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 28: 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 29: 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 30: 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.

End place: Lake Middleton

Meals: B, D
Day 31: 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 32: 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 33: Queenstown
Opt to pre-book the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
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.
Meals: B
Day 34: Queenstown
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour, Christchurch Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Adelaide 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 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
  • 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 flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Ferry, Sailboat, Plane, Boat, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hotels (31 nts), Rainforest cabin (2 nts)

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