Duration: 15 Days
Just how many legendary Antipodean attractions can you tick off in one journey? This comprehensive Melbourne to Auckland tour does both Australia and New Zealand justice. There’s the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of Queensland, Sydney Opera House, electric Melbourne lanes, Queenstown’s Remarkable Range, Rotorua’s steamy thermals and Auckland’s just-as-hot restaurants, just to name some highlights… phew! Day 1
Welcome to Melbourne
We recommend arriving early in Melbourne – there’s so much to see in the Victorian capital before you meet your fellow travel companions
Day 2
Melbourne
Today, reach for rainbows in Melbourne’s eye-popping street art. Follow the lead of a local to discover alleys emblazoned with murals by some of the world’s greatest aerosol artists. Take note of the hidden bars and restaurants you pass – we can help you make a booking for tonight.
Day 3
Melbourne - Cairns
Koalas, birds, wallabies, crocodiles – oh my! They all live side by side at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures in Cairns, as you’ll discover on a boat cruise you’ll with a private guide through this wilderness reserve. The Daintree Rainforest here is part of the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics of Queensland, and you’ll help protect it on a restoration project.
Day 4
Great Barrier Reef
Did you know that the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef is home to 1,500 species of fish, 215 different birds, 3,000 molluscs, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, and 30 species of dolphins and whales are residents? Get ready for an experience of a lifetime when you board a high-speed catamaran and cruise to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Strap on a snorkel and mask to view this marine menagerie up close and personal.
Day 5
Cairns Free Time
If you’re in the habit of getting up early now, you may wish to begin your day with a horizon-bending hot-air-balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands. Prefer to stay grounded? Sign up for a guided walk through the Daintree Rainforest, or surround yourself with nature riding the Scenic Railway to Kuranda returning on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Tonight, join your companions for dinner, with native ingredients highlighted at Ochre Restaurant on the waterfront.
Day 6
Cairns - Sydney
You flew over Sydney Harbour to get here from Cairns; tonight you enjoy a front-row seat on a sunset cruise that takes you bast the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge. Talk about a mesmerising way to end a day.
Day 7
Sydney
Discover one of the great highlights of Sydney, the beautiful Sydney Opera House with a guided tour inside this iconic building. If there was ever a place that slipped from the pages of a fairy-tale, Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay is it. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, this pocket of floral paradise is explained by a local volunteer – did you know this was once unused wasteland? Your visit provides a contribution to the ongoing maintenance of the enchanting garden. Explore Sydney’s inner west and enjoy a lunch with the locals at the pub. Then drive through Sydney's hip Inner West to Batch Brewery where you will take part in a masterclass and learn how they combine creatively inspired limited release batches with sustainable practices.
Day 8
Sydney Free Time
The day is yours to explore at your leisure or book one of our hand-crafted selection of optional experiences. There are so many sights and activities to be had in this city and further afield. Enjoy your farewell Dinner tonight with your fellow travellers
Day 9
Sydney - Queenstown
It's time to say Hoo Roo Australia and Kia Ora New Zealand as you fly to Queenstown’s adventure capital. Take in its alpine, mountain town vibe, where the evening is free for you to enjoy one of its many lakefront restaurants and bars. Why not try some of the famous New Zealand lamb with a Pinot Noir from the local Otago wine region?
Day 10
Queenstown
Flying over New Zealand, the first thing you’ll notice is that there’s a lot of farmland. It’s fitting, then, that one of the first people you’ll meet is southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm she was born and raised on. Think sheep mustering and whip cracking as well as the chance to feed and pet the farm animals. Then you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you arrive at former gold-mining town of Arrowtown. Come dusk, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw; the only thing more inspiring than the peaks of the Remarkables that surround is the festive atmosphere welcoming you to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet barbecue at the Colonel’s Homestead awaits.
Day 11
Queenstown Free Time
You could spend a long time in and around Queenstown. But on your free day, we highly recommend either venturing into the end-of-the-Earth wilderness that is Milford Sound, to cruise past sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks and waterfalls. Or blissing out on an obligatory wine tour of the Otago region. It’s a difficult decision.
Day 12
Queenstown - Auckland
Touching down in Auckland, you’ll immediately understand why it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’ – New Zealand’s largest city has two lovely yacht-filled harbours, which you can explore at our leisure this afternoon.
Day 13
Auckland - Rotorua
Today is set to sparkle – quite literally – as thousands of bright green and blue glowworms light up your next destination: the cavernous Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo. From overhead attractions to those below the ground… this evening your Highlight Dinner is prepared in an earthen Hangi at Te Puia. Your meal, succulent meats and vegetables, hot chocolate and steamed pudding, is served while you overlook the spectacular geothermal valley. Cap it off with a moving Māori cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It’s an insightful and fun evening that will surely leave you with a newfound understanding and love for New Zealand.
Day 14
Rotorua
Cute and cuddly, NZ’s national bird, the kiwi, is also endangered. Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping the population thrive. The natural drama reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a geothermal reserve and the country’s only living Māori village, home to famous Pohutu Geyser and the bubbling beauty of mud pools. You’ll cap off your day joining your Travel Director and companions for a Farewell Dinner at Poco Tapas & Wine, where the menu is designed for sharing.
Day 15
Farewell from Rotorua and Auckland
Two countries, multiple adventures, an abundance of new friends… Just how do you say goodbye to a journey like this?
- Melbourne Laneways Walking Tour
- Hartley’s Boat Cruise Great Barrier Reef Cruise
- Sydney Harbour Cruise Sydney Opera House
- Locally Guided Tour
- Mrs Macquarie Chair with views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
- TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak BBQ Dinner Real Country Farm Experience (BMG)
- Ruakuri Cave Tour, Waitomo
- Mitai Village, Concert and Dinner
- Rainbow Springs and Kiwi Hatchery Whakarewarewa Living Village Tour
Start Date: 2023-10-12
End Date: 2023-10-26
twin
Adult Price: $11730
Child Price: $10780
twinShare
Adult Price: $11730
triple
Adult Price: $11255
Child Price: $11255
single
Adult Price: $14875
Start Date: 2023-11-30
End Date: 2023-12-14
twin
Adult Price: $12015
Child Price: $11040
twinShare
Adult Price: $12015
triple
Adult Price: $11525
Child Price: $11525
single
Adult Price: $15265
Start Date: 2023-12-28
End Date: 2024-01-11
twin
Adult Price: $11905
Child Price: $10940
twinShare
Adult Price: $11905
triple
Adult Price: $11420
Child Price: $11420
single
Adult Price: $15120
Start Date: 2024-01-18
End Date: 2024-02-01
twin
Adult Price: $12015
Child Price: $11040
twinShare
Adult Price: $12015
triple
Adult Price: $11525
Child Price: $11525
single
Adult Price: $15265
Start Date: 2024-02-01
End Date: 2024-02-15
twin
Adult Price: $12015
Child Price: $11040
twinShare
Adult Price: $12015
triple
Adult Price: $11525
Child Price: $11525
single
Adult Price: $15265
Start Date: 2024-02-15
End Date: 2024-02-29
twin
Adult Price: $12015
Child Price: $11040
twinShare
Adult Price: $12015
triple
Adult Price: $11525
Child Price: $11525
single
Adult Price: $15265
Start Date: 2024-03-07
End Date: 2024-03-21
twin
Adult Price: $12015
Child Price: $11040
twinShare
Adult Price: $12015
triple
Adult Price: $11525
Child Price: $11525
single
Adult Price: $15265
