You wil never forget this amazing combination of Australia & New Zealand.
Your holiday in a nutshell:
We start at Sydney Airport where you will meet your driver. You’re about to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world – stunning harbour views, golden beaches, exciting shopping, dining options galore and a vibrant nightlife.
Transfer back to Sydney Airport and take a direct domestic flight to Cairns (3 hours and 15 mins). From Cairns, transfer to the Port Douglas area (1 hour drive away). Your accommodation is located in the tropical holiday town of Port Douglas.
Get collected from your hotel for a drive through rich farm land towards the World Heritage forest region of the famous Daintree National Park. Step aboard a personalized craft for a cruise on the Daintree River. Cruise close to riverbanks and under the overhead canopy of the rainforest. Seek out the vivid Ulysses Butterfly, Kingfishers and other wildlife. As you glide through silent backwaters, enjoy the sight of those magnificent crocodiles basking on the riverbanks.
A driver will transport to Cairns airport. Take a domestic flight to Ayers Rock (either direct or via Alice Springs). Experience the powerful force of the real Australian outback. Here, the skyscrapers are made of rock and best shows in town is the million-star night-time display. This arid environment is home to unique animals, birds and reptiles. Wallabies, dingoes, emus, geckos and huge eagles are just some of the locals you’re going to meet.
Transfer back to Ayers Rock Airport and take a domestic flight to Adelaide in Southern Australia. Adelaide is a cosmopolitan city, renowned for its museums, art galleries and wine. This wine region is unique for its combination of rich European heritage and the fresh vitality of the Barossa lifestyle. There are many hidden treasures and much to see, including historic churches, cottages and famous wineries.
Today you’ll be treated to the highlights of South Australia’s premier naturebased destination, Kangaroo Island. After pick-up from your hotel at 6.45am you’ll be transferred to the Cape Jervis ferry terminal. Take a 45-minute ferry trip to Penneshaw to visit the Seal Bay Conservation Park. A Park Ranger will accompany you to see Australian Sea-lions. Enjoy a two-course lunch in a beautiful bush setting at Vivonne Bay Bistro. After lunch, visit the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to see koalas. Spend the afternoon at Flinders Chase National Park and walk around Remarkable Rocks to see New Zealand Fur Seals at play. Return to Adelaide via Rex Air at 7.30pm.
Transfer from your Adelaide hotel to the airport to catch a domestic flight to Melbourne. A driver will meet you at the arrival hall. Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city and known for its stately 19th-century buildings and treelined boulevards. At the centre of Melbourne is the modern Federation Square complete with plazas, bars, restaurants and cultural events along the Yarra River. In Southbank, the Melbourne Arts Precinct has a series of galleries displaying Australian and Indigenous art.
Seize the morning and taste your way around Melbourne’s top ‘foodie’ destinations. Take a shopping tour of the Queen Victoria Market or discover hidden secrets found in Melbourne’s lanes. In the afternoon or evening, see Australian wildlife. A not-to-be-missed highlight is the Penguin Parade. Join a Wild Ocean Eco-Boat Tour, see the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and Nobbies Centre. Enjoy a bush walk across Phillip Island which traverses stunning beaches and wetlands.
Fly from Melbourne to the Adventure Capital of New Zealand that is Queenstown. Collect your rental car and drive to Te Anau/ Fiordland.
Next day, enjoy a tour of the beautiful Milford Sound.
Depart Te Anau for Queenstown/Wanaka. The drive to Queenstown takes 2.5 hours and to Wanaka, 3.5 hours. Wanaka township is located on Lake Wanaka and has a relaxed village atmosphere. It is only an hour’s drive from busier Queenstown. For a more relaxed ‘vibe, stay in Wanaka and explore the area from there. If you crave the nightlife, world-class tourism facilities and action tours, stay in Queenstown. Either way, the Wanaka-Queenstown region (with Cromwell and Cardrona in between) offers an endless supply of adventure. Queenstown and Wanaka have a variety of outdoor adventures. Once in Central Otago, the rainforests of the Fiordland area are replaced by lakes and tussock grassland. This area is renowned for its stunning wines and boutique vineyards. Stay 2 nights.
Wanaka is located on the shore of sparkling Lake Wanaka. Adventure and lifestyle tour options are endless. From sky diving, jet boating, horse trekking to wine tasting and fine food. The Wanaka River Journey tour is the ideal combo and includes a guided walk through an ancient forest and a jetboat ride down the Matukituki River. There are of hiking trails and walks in the area as well!
Take a 4 hour drive to Fox Glacier (or Franz Josef Glacier). Travel via Wanaka and Haast Pass. Stop at key scenic sites on the way. Take a short walk to the beautiful ‘Blue Pools’ near Makarora. Just before you reach Haast, visit the Twin Falls. Take the lovely ‘Shipwreck Cove’ walk along the West Coast main road. Take your time to explore on one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand. The terminal face of Fox Glacier is only five kilometres from the Fox township, so a late afternoon walk is possible.
The West Coast region is one of the most sparsely populated parts of the country. There are few towns on the 600 kms of coastal road between Karamea and Jackson Bay. It is a visually stunning area of native forest and beaches.
At Ross, explore the goldfield walkway and stop for a picnic by the shores of Lake Ianthe. A visit to the White Heron colony near Whataroa is a must-do. Stop at Hokitika for a coffee then visit the local museum to see the historic slideshow.
Hokitika is famous for Pounamu (Jade) and the gold rush from 1860-80.
The Great Coast Road is one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Coastal Drives and connects between Greymouth and Westport.
Travel by the ancient limestone cliffs of Paparoa National Park, home to the world’s smallest penguin. Stop on the way to go underground rafting at Charleston or caving at Fox River.
Visit the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Continue north on Highway 6 through the dramatic Buller Gorge – there’s a beautiful photo stop here (but do remember to use th e correct pullover area). Further ahead is Lyell and its historic walkway and viewpoint.
The beautiful Nelson-Tasman region contains New Zealand’s smallest National Park, the Abel Tasman National Park. Golden beaches and azure waters stretch from Kaiteriteri to Collingwood in Golden Bay. Walk at least one of the inland tracks through the centre of the park – the beautiful coastal track, and the inland track. Bring your own supplies and hiking gear. Visit nearby Marahau, then take a short drive from Motueka to Kaiteriteri Beach – this is a popular holiday spot with a beautiful swimming beach.
Discover the heart of the North Island and its stunning landscapes. The Rotorua and Lake Taupo region is situated in New Zealand’s volcanic heartland and is rich in Maori tradition. There are a number of recommended thermal areas to visit – Orakei Korako, Waiotapu and the Waimangu Valley. Arrive in Rotorua in the afternoon, considered to be the ‘capital of Maori culture’. Do some mountain biking, join a farm tour or fly by helicopter to a spectacular volcano.
Travel to Auckland airport for your return international flight. Remember, every part of this itinerary can be amended to your personal requirements.
