Australia and New Zealand Panorama

15 Days, 14 Nights

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!

On arrival in Melbourne, you will be transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. Join a welcome reception and dinner to meet your fellow travelers. Enjoy a city sights tour and private walk-through Melbourne’s laneways on your first full day. There is plenty of free time in the afternoon to relax or join an optional excursion.

Fly to Cairns (not included) and on arrival join a private wildlife journey at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Enjoy a boat cruise and encounter koalas, wallabies, birds, crocodiles and more before transferring to your hotel for a three-night stay.

Travel by high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef on your first full day. Snorkel and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided) or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft, just one meter underwater. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns. There is one-full free day to relax or join an optional excursion before rejoining your group for a dining experience at Ochre Restaurant.

Continue to Sydney (flight not included) where your evening starts with a dinner cruise on the famous Sydney Harbour. Pass under the Harbour Bridge, cruise past the Opera House and see many magnificent waterfront homes, beaches, and parklands. 

Discover all the city sights on a tour of Sydney. Visit Dear Delicious Café and meet the owner Greg in his sustainable garden to learn about how he has brought urban farming to the community before enjoying a tasty meal made with fresh local produce. After lunch meet Andrew the founder of Batch Brewery and take part in a masterclass on site and learn how they combine creatively inspired limited release batches with sustainable practices.

Your last day in Sydney includes a visit Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay, overlooking Sydney Harbour.  Meet a local volunteer and learn the story of how the garden was formed from unused wasteland and how it is beautifully maintained by a group of volunteer gardeners. Take the opportunity to walk along the Sydney Harbour foreshore and make the most of some free time before joining the group for dinner at a harbor front restaurant.

Depart Sydney and fly to Queenstown (not included) where your first stop will be at the faithfully restored gold mining settlement of Arrowtown. Amble down the beautiful tree-lined avenues, past the 19th century wooden buildings, and you will feel like you have stepped into a movie set. There is free time to explore Queenstown in the afternoon.

Get a feel for real country life and meet Laura who has raised sheep and deer all her life. You can try your hand at sheep mustering and whip cracking and meet the local farm residents. Early evening, enjoy a peaceful evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue highlight dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.

Enjoy a free day in Queenstown or optional tour before flying to Auckland (not included) for an overnight stay including free time to explore the city.

Travel south to Rotorua, stopping at the Ruakuri Caves where you can see a starry wonderland of twinkling bright green and blue glow-worms. On arrival in Rotorua, enjoy an authentic introduction to Maori culture and experience a delicious Hangi feast and cultural performance. 

Your final day in Rotorua includes a visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, where you will learn about the work being done to save New Zealand’s national bird. Continue to the Living Maori Village Whakarewarewa and gain in-depth insights into the lives of the Māori people and the special bond they share with this ancient land before joining the group for a final dinner at the Terrace Kitchen.

The tour concludes with a transfer to the airport.

Highlights

• Mebourne Lanes & Arcades
• Cairns, Hartleys Crocodile Adventures
• Great Barrier Reef
• Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise
• Queenstown, Walter Peak Country Farm
• Rotorua, Maori Experience

Inclusions

• 2-nights Melbourne, Crown Plaza Hotel Melbourne
• 3-nights Cairns, Hilton Cairns
• 3-nights Sydney, Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour
• 3-nights Queenstown, Millennium Hotel
• 1-night Auckland, The Grand by SkyCity
• 2-nights Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua
• 23 Meals; 14 breakfast, 2 lunches and 7 dinners
• Travel Director and Driver Guide
• Transfers and touring

 

 

Based on Departure	Price per person from Based on Double Occupancy
Feb 11; Mar 9, 2023	8482
Apr 13, May 11; Jun 29; Aug 31; Sep 28, 2023	7780
Oct 12, 2023	7930
Nov 9, 30, 2023	8120
Jan 18; Feb 1; Mar 7. 2023	8120

Group Size

48

Dates

2023: Feb 16; Mar 9; Apr 13; May 11; Jun 29; Aug 31; Sep 28; Oct 12; Nov 9,30.
2024: Jan 18; Feb 1, 15; Mar 7, Apr 11; May 9

Price

From $7780 per person based on double occupancy*

Trip Terms

*Prices are quoted in USD and are ‘from’, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplements apply.  Black-out dates apply. Pricing is subject to availability and all prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change without notice. Prices are current at the time of posting (10/31/2022) and may differ when you book your travel. Please call for our current pricing and itinerary details. Must be booked by January 31, 2024, 2023 NZETA Visa is required to travel to New Zealand and an ETA for Australia. CA CST: 2076233-40 | WA ID: 601 684 531 | PC-1282498.

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