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Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand

$9,528$10,875/

Per Person
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18 Day Australia and New Zealand Tour from Melbourne to Christchurch

Want a taste of it all? This 18-day journey through Australia and New Zealand delivers the perfect mix of sunshine, city vibes, and jaw-dropping wilderness. Dive into the technicolour world of the Great Barrier Reef, sip coffee in Melbourne’s laneways, and stroll the sparkling harbourfront of Sydney. Then, swap city skylines for alpine peaks as you venture into New Zealand — from adrenaline-charged Queenstown to the mirror-like waters of Milford Sound, and on to Rotorua, where Māori legends and living traditions bring the land’s spirit to life.

Travel & Accommodation

18 days, 2 country and 9 cities
17 nights accommodation

Meals

17 Breakfasts 4 Lunch 8 Dinners

Activity Level

Balanced

Trip code:

Day by day itinerary

Welcome to Melbourne
Day 1
Welcome to Melbourne
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Day 1 : Welcome to Melbourne

Stylish, buzzing Melbourne rolls out the welcome mat for the start of your epic Aussie-Kiwi adventure. Your hotel sits right on the Yarra River, placing you in the thick of the action. Tonight, toast to your first night in town over dinner at a popular South Wharf restaurant, the city skyline glittering around you.    

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Melbourne Meals: Dinner
Melbourne’s Hidden Lanes & Local Life
Day 2
Melbourne’s Hidden Lanes & Local Life
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Day 2: Melbourne’s Hidden Lanes & Local Life

This morning, duck into Melbourne’s laneways and arcades, alive with street art, quirky cafés, and Victorian façades. Smell the fresh-ground coffee, admire the murals, and spot the blend of old and new that makes the city so irresistible. Later, learn about the heritage of the Koorie people before enjoying a relaxed afternoon to wander, shop, or sip a flat white by the river.    

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Melbourne Meals: Breakfast
Tropical Cairns & Crocodiles
Day 3
Tropical Cairns & Crocodiles
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Day 3: Tropical Cairns & Crocodiles

Fly north to sunny Cairns, gateway to the tropics. At Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, cruise past wetlands where crocs, birds, and wallabies roam. Take part in a rainforest restoration project before heading back to town, where the lively Cairns Night Markets tempt you with food stalls and souvenirs.    

Accommodation: Hilton Cairns Meals: Breakfast
The Great Barrier Reef, Up Close
Day 4
The Great Barrier Reef, Up Close
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Day 4: The Great Barrier Reef, Up Close

Get ready for a bucket-list day! Board a high-speed catamaran bound for the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure. Snorkel through kaleidoscopic coral gardens or hop aboard a semi-submersible to spot marine life without getting wet. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on deck before sailing back to shore.    

Accommodation: Hilton Cairns Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Your Cairns, Your Way
Day 5
Your Cairns, Your Way
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Day 5 : Your Cairns, Your Way

Today is yours to design. Stay poolside, ride the Scenic Railway to Kuranda, float over the canopy on the Skyrail, or explore Cape Tribulation. Tonight, regroup at Ochre Restaurant overlooking the inlet, dining on local Aussie flavours with mountain views.    

Accommodation: Hilton Cairns Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Sydney, Shimmering Harbour City
Day 6
Sydney, Shimmering Harbour City
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Day 6 : Sydney, Shimmering Harbour City

Say goodbye to the tropics and fly to Sydney. Check into your central hotel, then take your pick: a stroll around Circular Quay, time in the Botanic Gardens, or simply soak up those first breathtaking views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.    

Accommodation: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Meals: Breakfast
Icons of Sydney
Day 7
Icons of Sydney
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Day 7 : Icons of Sydney

Kick off with a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House — secrets, stories, and sails included. Head to Bondi for lunch overlooking the Pacific and a behind-the-scenes peek at the surf lifesavers. Later, hop aboard a harbour cruise, snapping photos of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the water.    

Accommodation: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Sydney, Free & Easy
Day 8
Sydney, Free & Easy
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Day 8: Sydney, Free & Easy

A full free day to make Sydney yours. Head for the Blue Mountains, brave the Harbour Bridge climb, or wander Darling Harbour and The Rocks. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group — a last toast to Australia before New Zealand awaits.    

Accommodation: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Kia Ora, Auckland
Day 9
Kia Ora, Auckland
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Day 9 : Kia Ora, Auckland

Fly to New Zealand’s "City of Sails." Settle into your hotel, then head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.    

Accommodation: Horizon by SkyCity Auckland Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore Auckland
Day 10
Explore Auckland
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Day 10: Explore Auckland

Start with the interactive All Blacks Experience, then tour the city’s highlights: Mission Bay, Bastion Point, the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, and Auckland Museum perched on Pukekawa volcano.    

Accommodation: Horizon by SkyCity Auckland Meals: Breakfast
Hobbiton & Rotorua
Day 11
Hobbiton & Rotorua
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Day 11: Hobbiton & Rotorua

Journey south to the lush pastures of Hobbiton, wandering among Hobbit Holes and gardens from the Lord of the Rings films. Continue to Rotorua, where steaming geysers, Māori traditions, and a hangi feast with cultural performance await at Te Puia.    

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Kiwis & Queenstown
Day 12
Kiwis & Queenstown
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Day 12: Kiwis & Queenstown

Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery to see chicks up close and learn about conservation efforts. Fly south to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. This evening, discover the alpine town at your own pace.    

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown Meals: Breakfast
The Magic of Milford Sound
Day 13
The Magic of Milford Sound
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Day 13: The Magic of Milford Sound

Travel through Fiordland National Park, pausing at Mirror Lakes and Knobs Flat. Then, board a cruise through dramatic Milford Sound, spotting seals, dolphins, and waterfalls. A picnic lunch is served onboard. Return to Queenstown for a relaxed evening.    

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Alpine Adventures in Queenstown
Day 14
Alpine Adventures in Queenstown
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Day 14: Alpine Adventures in Queenstown

Your final Queenstown day is free for thrills or chill. Try wine-tasting in Otago, jet boating on the Shotover River, or a gondola ride up the mountain. Tonight, dine in historic Arrowtown, enjoying local food in a cosy restored cottage.    

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lake Tekapo by Day, Stars by Night
Day 15
Lake Tekapo by Day, Stars by Night
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Day 15: Lake Tekapo by Day, Stars by Night

Travel past Lake Dunstan en route to stunning Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the bronze sheepdog statue. After dark, marvel at the Milky Way during a guided stargazing session in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.    

Accommodation: Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Charming Christchurch
Day 16
Charming Christchurch
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Day 16: Charming Christchurch

Journey through South Canterbury to Christchurch, a city mixing heritage and innovation. Visit the Cardboard Cathedral, Earthquake Memorial, Canterbury Museum, and the Bridge of Remembrance before checking into your hotel.    

Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel Meals: Breakfast
Kiwi Farm Life & Farewell Dinner
Day 17
Kiwi Farm Life & Farewell Dinner
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Day 17: Kiwi Farm Life & Farewell Dinner

Head into the countryside to meet a local farming family, learning about sheep and cattle rearing. Stop at Waipara Springs Winery for a relaxed vineyard lunch. Tonight in Christchurch, celebrate with your fellow travellers over a final farewell dinner.    

Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Goodbye New Zealand
Day 18
Goodbye New Zealand
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Day 18 : Goodbye New Zealand

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to New Zealand and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.    

Meals: Breakfast

About this trip

Sightseeing Highlights

  • Explore the Sydney Opera House, the interactive All Blacks Experience in Auckland, the magical Hobbiton Movie Set, the National Kiwi Hatchery, Highlands Museum, and the world-famous Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
  • Discover the vibrant cities of Melbourne, Sydney, and Cairns in Australia, and Auckland, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo, and Christchurch in New Zealand.
  • Visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures in Cairns, enjoy a Te Po Māori cultural experience in Rotorua, and meet locals at a Merino Sheep Farm in North Canterbury.
  • View geothermal wonders in Rotorua and the turquoise-blue waters of Lake Tekapo.
  • Scenic Cruise on the Great Barrier Reef and through the dramatic fiords of Milford Sound.

Travel Highlights

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted for comfort and location
  • Porterage at hotels, where available
  • Daily breakfast and up to half of your evening meals included
  • Must-see sightseeing experiences with local specialists
  • All land transport and transfers as shown in the itinerary
  • Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi (in most countries) or alternative transport such as rail journeys
  • Plenty of Optional Experiences and free time to make the trip your own
  • All Intra-Air Flights included: Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney, Sydney to Auckland, and Auckland to Queenstown.

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