Independent Australian & New Zealand Explorer

16 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
Upon visiting Australia, Oprah Winfrey proclaimed to the locals in Sydney, “You’re so darned friendly, you must go to friendly class!” If Oprah says it, it must be true! And now Independence by Globus makes it easy for you to experience this friendliness yourself! On this 16-day Australia & New Zealand vacation, we’ve arranged your hotel reservations, dai...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

What's this trip about?

    Upon visiting Australia, Oprah Winfrey proclaimed to the locals in Sydney, “You’re so darned friendly, you must go to friendly class!” If Oprah says it, it must be true! And now Independence by Globus makes it easy for you to experience this friendliness yourself! On this 16-day Australia & New Zealand vacation, we’ve arranged your hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing, and private transfers to/from the airports from/to your hotels for your intra-vacation flights. Plus, a one-of-a-kind feature: the Globus Local Host®, someone who is there throughout your stay (in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, and Queenstown) to ensure your vacation runs smoothly and to help you make the most of your vacation. Your vacation begins the moment you arrive. Globus can pick you up at the airport and whisk you seamlessly to your selected hotel. Your Local Host will greet you with a smile and information to help you get settled. The next day, after your included breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour with a local expert. You’ll hear inside stories behind the must-see sights, like the Opera House and Bondi Beach. And never fear...we’ve scouted the city for the best place to capture a photo of Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge. In Melbourne, your guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide includes the Royal Botanic Gardens and Queen Victoria Market. On the third day in each city, you have a free day to explore on your own (with your Local Host support, of course). You may want to follow in Oprah’s footsteps and climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge; explore the cobblestone streets of the Rocks, the harborside area where the first convicts settled; or participate in a game of lawn bowling. In Melbourne, visit one of Australia's leading opal companies or take an excursion to see the little penguins emerge from the sea and waddle across the beach in the world-famous Penguin Parade. It's not just the cities you'll experience on this Australia vacation. In Cairns, we’ll take you to the Outer Great Barrier, where you can snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. You'll be amazed by the clarity of the water and the variety of fish that will swim all around you. You may even see a green sea turtle glide by! You will also have a day at leisure so perhaps take an excursion via the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the quiet mountain village of Kuranda or explore one of the markets to try locally grown mangoes and bananas. After seeing the highlights of Australia, fly over the “ditch” to Queenstown, New Zealand, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” We’ll take you on what will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip: a cruise on Milford Sound which boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Continue to Rotorua where you’ll visit Agrodome to learn about New Zealand’s sheep industry and Te Puia to explore a geothermal wonderland. End your vacation in vibrant Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start City SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
End CityAUCKLAND

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Auckland
  • Cairns
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Melbourne
  • Milford Sound
  • Queenstown
  • Rotorua
  • Sydney
  • Waitomo

Activities

  • Culture

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

• Welcome to beautiful Sydney, Australia’s largest city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for independent activities. Your Globus Local Host will make contact with you and meet to discuss your vacation, answer questions, and give suggestions to make the most of your stay.

SYDNEY-OPERA-HOUSE-AND-BRIDGE.jpg

Day 2: SYDNEY

• Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes an Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop. Visit stunning Bondi Beach, considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in Sydney.

(Breakfast) Today's I-Time Tips The remainder of the day is yours to...

Day 3: SYDNEY

• Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city. Choose from our selection of optional excursions, including a cruise on Sydney Harbour and a climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

(Breakfast) Today's I-Time Tips Spend the day in Hunter Valley, sampl...

Day 4: SYDNEY–CAIRNS

• Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Enjoy a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring.

(Breakfast)

CAIRNS-GREAT-BARRIER-REEF.jpg

Day 5: CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF

• Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Choose to snorkel, take a s...

Day 6: CAIRNS

• A full day at leisure.

(Breakfast) Today's I-Time Tips Take a trip into the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest living rainforest, and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include relaxing by your resort’s pool, visiting Hartley’s Crocodile A...

Day 7: CAIRNS–MELBOURNE

• Transfer to Cairns for your flight to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

(Breakfast)

MELBOURNE-KILDA-BEACH.jpg

Day 8: MELBOURNE

• Morning guided sightseeing tour includes Federation Square, St. Patrick’s Park, Queen Victoria Market (when open), Albert Park Lake, the Shrine of Remembrance, and St. Kilda Beach. Your tour ends at the Melbourne Skydeck for awe-inspiring views of Melbourne from th...

Day 9: MELBOURNE

• Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent activities.

(Breakfast) Today's I-Time Tips Join an optional excursion to Phillip Island to watch the world-famous Penguin Parade, travel on the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the magnificent 12 Apostles or explore the hidden lanes and arcades of the city.

MELBOURNE-SKYLINE.jpg

Day 10: MELBOURNE–QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

• Fly to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Your Local Host is available for sightseeing, shopping, and dining suggestions.

(Breakfast)

QUEENSTOWN-CITYSCAPE.jpg

Day 11: QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND

• Enjoy a full-day excursion to Milford Sound. First, travel by motorcoach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. View the Mirror Lakes as you pass through Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel, emerge into Cleddau Valley. ...

Day 12: QUEENSTOWN

• Enjoy a full day at leisure in beautiful Queenstown.

(Breakfast) Today's I-Time Tips Choose an optional thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River, visit a local winery, or tour some of the sites used to film The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Hike, bike, or...

Day 13: QUEENSTOWN–ROTORUA

• Fly to Rotorua on New Zealand’s north island. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

(Breakfast)

ROTORUA-MAORI-CARVING.jpg

Day 14: ROTORUA

• Guided sightseeing includes a visit to Agrodome, where you’ll learn about New Zealand’s sheep industry, the National Kiwi Hatchery, and to Te Puia, where you’ll explore this geothermal wonderland

(Breakfast) Today's I-Time Tips Choose to join our optional Māo...

Day 15: ROTORUA–WAITOMO–AUCKLAND

• Head north to Waitomo, where you will take a boat trip through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue on to Auckland where your evening is at leisure.

(Breakfast,Lunch)

WAITOMO.jpg

Day 16: AUCKLAND

• Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Auckland and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.

(Breakfast)

AUCKLAND-CITYSCAPE.jpg

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,629
Price per day$289
Last Updated: 4/15/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
27 Apr 2024
12 May 2024
$4,679
Sold Out
28 Apr 2024
13 May 2024
$4,659
Sold Out
29 Apr 2024
14 May 2024
$4,649
Sold Out
30 Apr 2024
15 May 2024
$4,629
Sold Out
01 May 2024
16 May 2024
$4,629
Sold Out
02 May 2024
17 May 2024
$4,629
Sold Out
03 May 2024
18 May 2024
$4,629
Sold Out
04 May 2024
19 May 2024
$4,629
Sold Out
05 May 2024
20 May 2024
$4,629
Sold Out
06 May 2024
21 May 2024
$4,629
Sold Out

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Globus.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Globus Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
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Disappointing
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Terrible
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Other Globus Reviews

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kit

Mar 2024

Written on

guide Sites are amazing, but tour ruins it

This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the exper...

m

mike

Feb 2024

Written on

Never Again

Just returned from Italy. Guides were very informative. Hotels went downhill with each city. Dinners which were included were absolutely horrible - vegetable lasagna...

I

In country help

Jan 2024

Written on

Tour company help is most needed in-country

This is an upcoming trip that I haven't taken yet - the Sicilian Escape. I booked my own international flights for round trip to the launch point in Palermo. My erro...

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Why Travel with Globus?

Perfectly Planned. Seriously Stress Free.

After 90-plus years of sharing the world with travelers, Globus has set the gold standard for award-winning touring across virtually every continent. Our global network of premiere travel partners, operations experts, and hospitality pros share one goal in mind—an exceptional travel experience no matter where we travel together.

Beyond the Guidebooks.

While Italy is synonymous with spectacular food, it is the close family connection that brings generations of tradition to the table. Globus goes beyond typical tours to introduce you to local legends and local experiences not found on just any map. Meet the Bonajuto family at Antica Dolceria—the oldest confectionery in Sicily. More than 150 years after the dolceria was founded by Francesco Bonajuto, the family still serves its heavenly chocolates in the same spot, while also serving as international ambassadors of Sicilian cuisine. Che dolce!

Don’t Miss the Must Sees.

Why stand in line to catch a fleeting glimpse of ancient ruins and remarkable historic sites? Globus gives you VIP access with an expert Local Guide to go deeper, get closer, and soak it all in. From the Parthenon to the Vatican museums, you’ll explore Europe’s most beloved locations without getting lost in a crowd or waiting in line. Don’t just file past masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David or get only a hurried look at the Crown Jewels in Edinburgh Castle. Experience Europe’s extraordinary sights—and historic sites—with the VIP access you deserve.

Dreams Realized.

The Colosseum. The Prado. Saint Paul’s Cathedral. Each Globus tour always includes the legendary landmarks, the major attractions, and the must-see sites. Going beyond the iconic exteriors, we lead you to the front of the line, straight through the door, and inside the walls of Europe’s most awe-inspiring places for an exclusive look behind the scenes. With priority access, we ensure you behold the sights you’ve long dreamed of—without waiting any longer!

Do as the Locals Do.

When in Rome—or London, Paris, or Barcelona—we arrange for you to do as the locals do, not just what the tourists do. In every itinerary, we include hands-on, authentic experiences for a true taste of a day in the life. Board a private water taxi through the Grand Canal of Venice, bake scones in an Irish farmhouse, or sample Geysir Schnapps in Iceland. By striking a golf ball at St. Andrews or dancing the Sirtaki while sipping ouzo, you truly get to step into someone else’s shoes and experience the world from an insider’s perspective.

Adventure, a la Carte

While Globus vacations get you up close and personal to the world's must-see sights and unforgettable experiences, we also know the value of spending time on your own to explore as you please. After all, travel is meant to be filled with memorable moments of your own with serendipitous surprises that can’t be planned or scheduled. We build free time into every itinerary so you can leisurely explore the beckoning bookstore, tempting café table, or whimsical window shopping that's schedule free. Don’t wait a lifetime for that once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s waiting just around the corner!

Pick your Passion.

Maybe you’re an art lover, a foodie, or a history buff. Perhaps you’re moved by music, art, cuisine, or theater. Or maybe making tracks in the great outdoors is more your speed. We offer a wide array of optional excursions and activities—tailored to a variety of fitness levels and interests—so you can customize your adventure with your own personal passions and preferences. Each Globus excursion and activity has been personally tested by us and handpicked to allow you to really get to know each destination. You never have to choose between included and optional excursions, since optional activities fit seamlessly with your vacation schedule!

A Friend in Every City.

Join us and a few of our friends in your next dream destination. After all, we’ve spent over 90 years making friends in virtually every city and country in the world who let us in on local secrets, like where to find the best scone, stein, or spumoni; the best people-watching table; or the best view of wide-open spaces. Every Globus vacation includes local experts who share the stories behind the sights and Local Favorites you won’t find in the guidebooks. Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides hail from the region through which you’re traveling. No one is more familiar, passionate, or eager to share insider knowledge than our local pros!


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Accommodation

Swissotel Sydney The Swissotel Sydney is surrounded by Sydney's most exclusive shopping centres, such as the beautiful Queen Victoria Building and iconic Westfield Sydney and is within walking distance to all of Sydney's famous landmarks and cultural attractions. Enjoy a seasonally inspired dinner menu at JPB or delight in a unique buffet high tea at Crossroads Bar. The hotel offers a wide choice of treatments at the Day Spa as well as a gym, heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi.SydneyAustralia68 Market Street Pullman Cairns InternationalPullman Cairns International is an upscale hotel exuding the architectural grandeur of the city's rich colonial past. Overlooking Cairns Harbour and the lush mountain hinterland, this 321-room hotel is perfectly positioned in the CBD to take advantage of all the city has to offer. After a great day of sightseeing, dine in Coco's Restaurant, grab a drink at the Lobby Bar, or pamper yourself at Vie Spa. Laundry is available through the hotel for a fee.CairnsAustralia17 Abbott StThe Savoy Hotel on Little CollinsSituated in the heart of downtown Melbourne, The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins is ideally located for exploring the city. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, bar, gym, and complimentary Wi-Fi. MelbourneAustralia630 Little Collins StreetCopthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown LakefrontWithin a tranquil, garden setting, the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront blends superior facilities and comfort with friendly, personal service and offers panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain peaks. The resort is a short stroll from the town center, and minutes from Queenstown's key tourist attractions and adventure activities. After a great day of sightseeing, relax at the Impressions Cocktail Bar and Impressions Restaurant with views over the lake and mountains or take a dip in the two spa pools. Wireless broadband internet access is available in all public areas (fee may apply). The hotel also features coin-operated, self-service laundry.QueenstownNew ZealandCorner Frankton Rd & Adelaide StDistinction Hotel RotoruaSituated adjacent to the Whakarewarewa Forest, Distinction Hotel Rotorua is located minutes away from the city center of Rotorua. The hotel features a heated outdoor pool and spa, underground private grotto spas, on-site restaurant and bar, laundry facilities and dry cleaning, and complimentary Wi-Fi. RotoruaNew Zealand390 Fenton St. PO Box 983Adina Auckland Britomart Situated in downtown Auckland, Adina Auckland Britomart is only minutes away from the City's best offerings. The hotel features a fitness center, on-site restaurant and bar, apartment-style guestrooms with laundry available, and complimentary Wi-Fi. AucklandNew Zealand2 Tapora Street,
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Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
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