29-Day Exploration in Australia and New Zealand from £8,499pp!
No one should ever have to choose between adventuring across Australia or New Zealand — so we’ve found this 29-day tour that hits the highlights of both. Featuring guided walks through the Daintree Rainforest, Doubtful Sound day cruises 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.
What’s Included?
- Return flights with Singapore Airlines, including bag allowance and in-flight meals
- Accommodation throughout (hotels/motels 26 nights, holiday park cabin 1 night, and Rainforest cabin 2 nights)
- Selected meals as outlined in the itinerary below (13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners) – Allow £980-£1580 GBP for meals not included
- Transportation – internal flights, and in-destination transport to and from included activities (private vehicle, plane, boat, walking)
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and Local Guides throughout
- Selected activities including:
- Your Wlecome Moment: Meet your CEO and the rest of the group
- Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
- Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
- Indigenous Peoples Interpretive Walk at Mossman Gorge
- Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion
- Barrier Reef Visit
- Blue Mountains Excursion
- Byron Bay Surf Lesson
- Jamison Valley Walk
- Blue Mountains Scenic Railway
- Hahei Cathedral Cove Scenic Walk
- Winery Visit
- Hanmer Springs
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
- Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visit
Itinerary
Day 0: UK – Cairns (9th January – 10th January)
Fly from London Heathrow into Cairns with Singapore Airlines with a 2-hour layover at Singapore Changi Airport. This flight includes a 30kg bag allowance and an in-flight meal. Upon your arrival on 10th January in Cairns, transfer to 4-Star Rydges Esplanade Hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 1: Cairns (11th January)
Spend the day at leisure, before meeting the rest of the group and beginning your tour Down Under!
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Welcome Moment Welcome Meeting – Meet Your CEO and Group
Day 2: Cairns/Cape Tribulation (12th January)
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 3: Cape Tribulation (13th January)
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4: Cape Tribulation/Cairns (14th January)
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas and opt to have lunch at a local market.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5: Cairns/Airlie Beach (15th January)
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: Airlie Beach (16th January)
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.
Meals included: Lunch
Day 7: Airlie Beach/Byron Bay (17th January)
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this “hippie” paradise.
Day 8: Byron Bay (18th January)
Spend the morning down at the beach with a morning yoga session and before hitting the waves for a surf lesson.
Day 9: Byron Bay/Port Macquarie (19th January)
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 (20th January)
Travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains today. 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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11: Blue Mountains (21st January)
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world. Explore the area around Leura and Katoomba and view the Three Sisters.
Day 12: Blue Mountains/Sydney (22nd January)
Continue to Sydney and head out for an orientation walk. With some free time stroll the botanical gardens or visit the iconic Opera House.
Day 13: Sydney (23rd January)
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.
Day 14: Sydney/Auckland (24th January)
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 (25th January)
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 (26th January)
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 (27th January)
Visit Rotorua and opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 18: Rotorua/Wellington (28th January)
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 19: Wellington (29th January)
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 (30th January)
Fly to the South Island, stopping en route for a wine tasting at a local winery, then travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 21: Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs (31st January)
Opt to swim with dolphins or go whale watching during a free morning in Kaikoura before travelling to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.
Day 22:Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef (1st February)
Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near the world’s fastest-moving glacier.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 23: Franz Josef (2nd February)
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Discover Moment
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 24: Franz Josef/Queenstown (3rd February)
Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy the great nightlife.
Day 25: Queenstown (4th February)
With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving, hiking or mountain biking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Discover Moment
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 26: Queenstown (5th February)
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.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 27: Queenstown to Tekapo (6th February)
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 28: Tekapo to Christchurch (7th February)
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.
Day 29: Christchurch (8th February)
Your flight back to the UK departs at 12 pm, via Singapore with a 15-hour layover. The flight includes an in-flight meal and a 25kg bag allowance. Arrive at London Heathrow in the afternoon of 9th February.
Meals included: Breakfast
Available Extras
Auckland Sailing: America’s Cup Experience (Pre-Tour) – From £97.00
As part of the boat crew, you’ll work together with your teammates to sail around Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour in this competitive yacht. Either take the helm and participate or sit back and enjoy the spectacle – the choice is yours.
Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking – From £48.00
Slice through the waters of the iconic Byron Bay on this half-day kayaking adventure. Paddle past the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, see the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, and ride the waves into shore. On top of it all, keep a close eye out for dolphins and whales (in season) who call these waters home. Epic? Definitely.
Queenstown Shotover Jet – From £79.00
Take a thrilling jet boat along the Shotover River of Queenstown – strap in and get ready to get wet.
My Own Room – From £3779.00
If you’re travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.
Price is correct as of 12/10/2023
