Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

23 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
96%
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Group Tour
Connect with the Outback, untamed fiords, and fascinating Māori legends as you explore the highlights of Australia and New Zealand - every bit as enchanting as looking up with a sense of awe and wonder at New Zealand's dark night sky.

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • 21 Breakfast (B)
    • 2 Be My Guest (BMG)
    • 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
    • 2 Dinner (D)
    • 5 Regional Dinner (RD)
    • 2 Lunch (L)
    • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
    • Bondi Beach: Rub shoulders with the bronzed, beautiful people of Bondi Beach, as you join a surf lifesaver who will take you through the Members Only facility of Australia's oldest surf lifesaving club, followed by lunch with views over the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
    • Lake Tekapo: Join retired sheep farmers Angie and Stan Taylor at their home on Lake Tekapo for a barbecue lunch, and hear about their lifetime spent farming in the Southern Alps.
    • Rotorua: Immerse yourself in Maori traditions at a fun and entertaining evening, including a cultural performance and traditional Hangi meal atTe Pa Tu Maori Experience.

What's this trip about?

    Connect with the Outback, untamed fiords, and fascinating Māori legends as you explore the highlights of Australia and New Zealand - every bit as enchanting as looking up with a sense of awe and wonder at New Zealand's dark night sky.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityMelbourne (VIC)
End CityChristchurch (Nz)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Education / Learning
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic Sightseeing

Trip includes

    • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
    • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
    • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
    • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
    • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
    • All land transport shown. All transfers shown
    • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
    • Optional Experiences and free time
    • A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Melbourne to Ayers Rock, Ayers Rock to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney, Sydney to Auckland, Auckland to Queenstown

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne

Melbourne’s elegant façades and broad boulevards are your launchpad to an immersive encounter with the highlights of Australia and New Zealand (flights to arrive prior to 12pm). You'll be transferred and welcomed to your hotel on the banks of the city’s own Yarra Rive...

Day 2: Uncover Melbourne's Eclectic Laneways

Jump into city life joining your Travel Director on a walking tour admiring Melbourne’s Victorian architecture, arcades, and eclectic little laneways revealing some of the world’s most incredible street art. Encounter the aroma of Melbourne’s coffee culture around eve...

Day 3: Melbourne, It's All Yours

Enjoy a day exploring stylish Melbourne just the way you like, indulging in world class fare at one of the city's famous eateries and stopping in unique shops. Browse Brunswick Street’s quirky boutiques and pop into one of laneways’ cafes to people watch and refuel on...

Day 4: Journey to Spiritual Uluru Stays With Stories

The rusty red landscapes of Uluru beckon as we leave Melbourne for Ayers Rock Resort, near the sacred ancient site of Uluru and your home for the next two days in Aussie’s cultural heartland. You’ll fly over dry salt lakes and red desert before your first of many mesm...

Day 5: Magical Uluru Sunrise and Kata Tjuta

Watch night turn to day as you head to the National Park at dawn - hot cocoa in hand - to witness a magical sunrise as the dawn creeps across the desert and lights up Uluru. Then, day underway, hear stories about the Anangu, caretakers of this remote arid landscape, t...

Day 6: Head to Tropical Cairns Dive Into Culture Make Travel Matter

Rise with the birds on an exclusive visit to the kaleidoscopic Field of Light art installation of artist Bruce Munro. Set against the darkened desert, walk through the lights and watch the changing colours of this innovative art bring the land to life, feeling as if y...

Day 7: Explore Cairns in Your Own Time

Ease into the laidback lifestyle of Cairns with a full free day to explore this tropical city or take your pick of the many tempting Optional Experiences. There’s something for everyone, no matter what you’re looking for. Take to the skies for a bird’s eye view with a...

Day 8: Great Barrier Reef Up-Close

Get ready for a bucket list adventure today as you board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. It’s up to you how you’d like to experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site and underwater wonderland: Don your mask and fins (equipment provided)...

Day 9: Sparkling Sydney

We say farewell to Cairn’s flying south to Sydney and spend the rest of the day exploring the beauty of this harbour city. From your centrally located hotel, take a stroll around the waterfront Circular Quay enjoying the peaceful Royal Botanic Garden, visit of one of ...

Day 10: Discover Sydney Connect with Locals

A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Begin your day with a behind-the-scenes (entering through the stage door!) guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House with a Local Specialist, delving into the story of a building 'that changed the image...

Day 11: Sydney, the Choice is Yours

Enjoy a full free day to explore Sydney or consider joining an Optional Experience to discover even more further afield. Take a day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains, whose eucalypt haze you’ll see looming in the distance, for fresh mountain air and stunning natu...

Day 12: Sydney Through Your Eyes

Now you’ve found your bearings in Sydney, you have a final day in the city for more sightseeing. Perhaps begin in the Rocks District, dating to before the arrival of British settlers in the late 1700s, to explore the historic buildings or view Aboriginal artefacts at ...

Day 13: Hoo Roo Sydney - Kia Ora Auckland

Set your sights on New Zealand as you fly to Auckland, the City of Sails. You’ll see how the city got its nickname as you fly in over the islands and boats in the harbour. In fact, one in four New Zealanders owns a boat! On land, Auckland is known for being built on 5...

Day 14: Sights of Auckland, City of Sails

Embark on a city sightseeing tour this morning including Mission Bay, Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial to New Zealand's first Labour Prime Minister. Admire the sunken pool and landscaped gardens as you’re treated to sweeping views of Waitemata Harb...

Day 15: Rotorua, Cultural Capital Make Travel Matter Dive Into Culture

Begin your journey to Rotorua through the dramatic scenery and landscapes of Waikato, passing through Cambridge, ‘The Town of Trees and Champions.’ Learn about Cambridge’s claim to fame as the training grounds for thoroughbred racehorses and famous jockeys as you crui...

Day 16: Take off to Adventure in Queenstown

Step into the land of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies as you spend an unforgettable morning in the charming village of Hobbiton. Your big day begins over breakfast “on set” at Hobbiton before a guided tour where you’ll be mesmerized by the rolling green...

Day 17: Cruise on Magical Milford Sound

Journey along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and over the Devil's Staircase to Te Anau. Experience magnificent scenery afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm. Emerge from the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel towards Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls before reaching Mi...

Day 18: Your Choice in Queenstown

The day is yours to explore Queenstown as you like, and good news...you have plenty of options to choose from. Take to the water riding the thrilling Shotover Jet boat through cliffs and gorges. Or explore a slice of Kiwi farming history and soak in the views cruising...

Day 19: To Turquoise Lake Tekapo Stays With Stories

Today you say farewell to Queenstown as you make your way to another beautiful destination, Lake Tekapo. The journey alone will have you falling in love with the South Island as you travel to Cromwell on the banks of Lake Dunstan. On arrival in Tekapo you’ll be greete...

Day 20: Innovative Christchurch Connect with Locals

Connect With Locals and enjoy some warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea, the home of Angie and Stan Taylor. Indulge in a Be My Guest barbecue lunch and hear about a lifetime spent in farming in New Zealand. You'll also get to witness Angie preparing her famous pavlova des...

Day 21: Sights of Creative Christchurch

Start your day in Christchurch with a sightseeing tour including the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Earthquake Memorial, Bridge of Remembrance, and many streets lined with bars, cafes, and riverside markets. Stop at the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square, the t...

Day 22: Farewell Christchurch

Bid farewell to your newfound friends as your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast as you're transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. You’ll surely leave with plenty of stunning photos and, most importantly, memories of this beautiful part of the world (flights anytime).

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $13,105
Price per day$570
Last Updated: 4/22/2025

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

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.

Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
35,506
Great
9,351
Average
2,792
Disappointing
852
Terrible
561
T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

When we signed up from the trip one of the side trips was to go to Hobbiton and then you changed this in March 1,2024. This side trip was now an optional trip with o...

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

The tour encompassed many diverse places and we were treated extremely well wherever we went. The hotels were mostly five star and situated near where we needed to ...

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

The itinerary changed from the one I booked (the Highlights of Australia and NZ), to the one I actually travelled on. No notice was given, I only found out about the...

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Crowne Plaza
  • Desert Gardens
  • Hilton
  • InterContinental
  • The Grand by SkyCity
  • Millennium
  • Peppers Bluewater Resort
  • Distinction
Travel Insurance
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Visa requirements
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
trafalgar-IMZBF1M24

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