Australia & New Zealand Tours: Trip & Vacation Packages

Trip Overview

Explore the world’s oldest tropical rainforest alongside an Indigenous guide, and witness a spectacular sunset over the Uluru monolith.
Journey across New Zealand’s Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s most scenic railways.
Take a private tour of the James Cook University research aquarium in Cairns, founded by a National Geographic Grantee.
Join naturalists on a cruise through magnificent Fiordland National Park, and seek out dolphins, seals, and penguins from the deck.

Itinerary

Discover the highlights of Australia and New Zealand on this epic adventure, exploring vibrant cities, breathtaking natural wonders, and unique cultural traditions. Experience an indigenous welcome in Sydney and witness the dazzling marine life of the Great Barrier Reef on an optional snorkelling or diving excursion. Enjoy a Maori feast in Rotorua, glide through majestic, wildlife-rich fjords, and end your journey in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.

This trip is operated in collaboration with G Adventures.

Arrive at any time.

Accommodations:Vibe Hotel Sydney (or similar)

Enjoy a traditional welcome ceremony this morning, followed by a guided tour of the historic Rocks district. This waterfront neighbourhood marks the spot of the first European settlement in Australia, and holds a spiritual significance for the area’s indigenous people. In the afternoon, board a private yacht for a sunset cruise and barbecue dinner on the Sydney Harbour, taking in views of the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodations:Vibe Hotel Sydney (or similar)

Fly to Cairns and travel up the scenic coastal road to Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Embark on an interpretive walk with an indigenous guide at the lush Mossman Gorge, learning about the traditional ways of life of the region’s Kuku Yalanji people. Continue to the resort town of Port Douglas, our home for the next two nights.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Mantra PortSea (or similar)

Enjoy a day of leisure in charming Port Douglas. Stroll the town’s boutique-lined streets and idyllic beaches.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Mantra PortSea (or similar)

Return to the tropical city of Cairns and visit James Cook University for a behind-the-scenes tour of its research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic Grantee Dr Jamie Seymour. Get an up-close view of some of the aquarium’s fascinating creatures, from sea snakes to box jellyfish, and hear about the latest aquatic research from Jamie or one of his colleagues.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Pacific Hotel Cairns (or similar)

Spend the day on your own in beautiful Cairns, relaxing at the beach or setting out on an optional excursion. Choose to go scuba diving or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, which teems with thousands of marine species, or enjoy spectacular views along the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Pacific Hotel Cairns (or similar)

Catch a flight to Uluru, in the heart of the Australian outback. Visit the Cultural Centre of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and learn about the beliefs and customs of the Anangu, the area’s traditional indigenous owners. Cap off the day with a glass of sparkling wine as you witness a crimson sunset over the fabled Uluru monolith.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Awake at dawn to take in an unforgettable sunrise over Uluru, then delve into a full-day exploration of the ancient, red-hued landscapes of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Set out on a guided walk around the base of the monolith, gaining insight into its sacred significance to the Anangu. Later, make your way to Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s neighbouring natural wonder. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Enjoy one last sunrise over spectacular Uluru before catching a flight to Melbourne, known as the cultural capital of Australia.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne (or similar)

Spend the day exploring vibrant Melbourne. Set out on an optional excursion on the Great Ocean Road, one of the most picturesque coastal drives in the world; visit some of the region’s top wineries; or wander the city’s narrow cobbled lanes and alleys, discovering quirky cafés and colourful murals.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne (or similar)

Embark on a food tour of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller. Home to many thriving immigrant communities, Melbourne has long been considered one of Australia’s gastronomic hubs. On this foodie walk through the city’s famed laneways, we’ll enjoy lunch at three popular venues and experience a range of flavours and cuisines. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodations:Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne (or similar)

Fly to Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island, and enjoy free time in the city.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:CityLife Auckland (or similar)

Take an orientation walk in Auckland, one of the most multicultural cities in the Southern Hemisphere. We’ll then catch a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, a haven of world-class vineyards and idyllic beaches. Visit two wineries to learn about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of viticulture in the country while sampling some of the local blends.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:CityLife Auckland (or similar)

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, and take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Millennium Rotorua (or similar)

Spend a free day in fascinating Rotorua. Opt to explore a geothermal park, walking past bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools, or go on a white-water rafting excursion. This evening, visit Tamaki Maori Village and enjoy a private welcome ceremony; then sit down for an exclusive talk with a Maori elder, learning about the community’s traditions, myths, and legends. Later, we’ll witness a captivating performance of Maori folklore while dining on an array of traditional foods prepared in a hangi, or underground oven.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodations:Millennium Rotorua (or similar)

Enjoy time at leisure this morning before catching a flight to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. Take some time to explore this small city on your own.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Chateau on the Park Hotel (or similar)

Board the TranzAlpine train—one of the world’s most scenic rail routes—for a breathtaking journey through verdant plains, beech forests, and majestic, misty mountains. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass—the highest pass in the Southern Alps—and continue on a private vehicle to a rainforest lodge near the town of Franz Josef, our home for the next two nights.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Rainforest Retreat - Comfort (or similar)

Discover the natural wonders of the Franz Josef area on your own today. Opt to take a helicopter up to the stunning Franz Josef Glacier and hop out for an unforgettable hike on the jagged ice; embark on a guided interpretive walk that follows a riverbed along the glacier’s retreat; soak up in natural hot pools surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery; and more.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Rainforest Retreat - Comfort (or similar)

Set out towards Queenstown on a drive along the South Island’s magnificent west coast. Stop at tranquil Lake Matheson, where, on a clear day, you can capture a postcard-perfect image of New Zealand’s highest peaks reflected in the water. Continue to Queenstown, pausing for short walks through the rainforest and visits to picturesque waterfalls.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Peppers Beacon Hotel (or similar)

Discover the glacially carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park on a cruise. Glide past shimmering waterfalls and towering cliffs, and look out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and little blue penguins with our naturalist guides. Depending on the season, we’ll spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins, enjoying time to relax on deck and watch the stars.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodations:Doubtful Sound Cruise (or similar)

Rise early for a wildlife viewing cruise along the pristine fjord. Then navigate back to Queenstown and spend the rest of the day at leisure in this fun-loving lakeside town, known as the adventure capital of the world.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Peppers Beacon Hotel (or similar)

The day is yours to explore Queenstown. Choose to cruise lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer; experience a thrilling jet boat ride; or visit a local winery to sample the region’s award-winning vintages. This evening, enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic vistas of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Accommodations:Peppers Beacon Hotel (or similar)

Depart at any time.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Iconic Australia & New Zealand

Trip Overview

Trip Overview

Itinerary

Itinerary