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Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

Australia

29 days / 28 nights


Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
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Guide Price €8,091 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
Duration: 29 days/28 nights

No one should ever have to choose between adventuring across Australia or New Zealand — so we created this 29-day tour that hits the highlights of both. Featuring guided walks through the Daintree Rainforest, a Doubtful Sound day-cruise in Fiordland National Park, a cultural experience and visit to a Maori village, and heaps of other awesome experiences, this tour is proof you really can have the best of both worlds. Well, countries. But you get what we mean.

Price

from €8,091

per person (based on 2 people sharing)
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Itinerary

Day 1 - Cairns
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 - Cairns/Cape Tribulation
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take a Dreamtime walk through the Daintree Rainforest.

Day 3 - Cape Tribulation
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.

Day 4 - Cape Tribulation/Cairns
Depart the Rainforest and return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas for lunch and opt to check out the local market.

Day 5 - Cairns/Airlie Beach
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way, including some of Australia's 'Big Things' such as Tully's Golden Boot & the Big Mango.

Day 6 - Airlie Beach
Spend the day out on the water boating around 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.

Day 7 - Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights. A blend of laid-back surf culture and stunning natural beauty, it is Australia’s easternmost point and the first to see the sun each morning.

Day 8 - Byron Bay
Spend a free morning exploring Byron or opt to prebook a kayaking tour. In the afternoon, you'll head to the beach for a surf lesson with a trained surf instructor. Enjoy a few hours of instruction before hitting the waves for some practice rides.

Day 9 - Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading 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 10 - Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
Before departing Port Macquarie stop at Guulabaa - Place of Koala, to see the work they are doing to protect the local koala population. Then travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn’t matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you’ll still spot beauty around every turn.

Day 11 - Blue Mountains
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.

Day 12 - Blue Mountains/Sydney
This morning, leave the Blue Mountains behind and continue onward to Sydney. Once you arrive head out for an orientation walk before taking advantage of some free time to keep exploring. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.

Day 13 - Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.

Day 14 - Sydney/Auckland
Say goodbye to Australia and hop on a flight to Auckland, New Zealand. After transferring from the airport, enjoy some free time to explore this vibrant city.

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.

Day 16 - Auckland/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. Take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.

Day 17 - Rotorua
Today is yours to explore Rotorua, opt to check out the geothermal area, go whitewater rafting, or one of the many other activities in the area. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment.

Day 18 - Rotorua/Wellington
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island as you travel to the capital, Wellington. Stop along the way at places like the mighty Huka Falls and the 'Gumboot capital of NZ', Taihape.

Day 19 - Wellington
Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the botanical gardens.

Day 20 - Wellington/Kaikoura
Fly to the South Island and travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life. Stop en route for a wine tasting at a local winery.

Day 21 - Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs
Enjoy a free morning in Kaikoura. Opt to go on a whale watching tour and search for giant sperm whales. Or head out on a tour to swim in the open ocean in a place often visited by wild dolphins. In the afternoon, travel to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.

Day 22 - Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef
Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near Franz Josef Glacier, or, as its known in local Māori legends, Kā Roimata-o-Hine Hukatere (the frozen tears of Hine Hukatere).

Day 23 - Franz Josef
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.

Day 24 - Franz Josef/Queenstown
Hit the road to the adventure capital of the world — Queenstown. Sit back, relax and gaze out the window as you drive away from Glacier Country and wind through lush forests back to the coast and into the mountains over Haast Pass. The photo opportunities will seem endless (make sure those cameras are charged).

Day 25 - Queenstown
With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving or hiking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.

Day 26 - Queenstown
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night.

Day 27 - Queenstown to Tekapo
Travel north through the centre of the South Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor's Centre, before a short but scenic journey to Tekapo Village.

Day 28 - Tekapo to Christchurch
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation drive with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.

Day 29 - Christchurch
Depart at any time.

Departs: Selected departures January - April, July - December

Map

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

Price & Inclusions

Guide Price €8,091 per person (based on 2 people sharing)

Inclusions
  • Hotels/motels (26nts), Rainforest cabin (2nts)
  • 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Exclusions
  • International flights not included

  • Please Note: If you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops
    New offers every day!

    We negotiate new offers daily from discounted flights, tours and vehicle hire to free upgrades, added value and unique inclusions. Please call for our latest offers.

    The tour itinerary, inclusions and departures are based on travel from 30/01/2025 to 31/12/2036. For holiday guide price terms and conditions, click here.

    Flights

    As we can offer you such a flexible choice of flights, we don't include international airfares with our tour prices. The price you pay will be determined by the time of year you travel, your departure airport, airline and availability.

    Your Trailfinders Travel Consultant will be able to find the best flights to suit you and your choice of tour. Contact us for our latest flight offers or take a look at our flights pages for a general idea of prices.

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