The fascinating lands of Australia and New Zealand are waiting to be discovered on this in-depth 34-day tour. You'll cover not just the major cities (it wouldn't be a trip to Australia without a requisite snap of the Opera House) but venture into the country's Red Centre to explore the animal-filled bush and see Uluru at sunset. Save some room on that memory card for the last leg of your trip in New Zealand, where you'll visit a geothermal park, hike around Mt Cook, and cruise through Doubtful Sound, capturing incredible shots all along the way.
Day 1 Melbourne
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula
Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture before travelling to the Mornington Peninsula. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.
Day 3 Mornington Peninsula
Enjoy a free day in the Mornington Peninsula. Opt to visit a winery or hit one of the many incredible beaches in the area.
Day 4 Mornington Peninsula/Port Campbell
Hop on a ferry to Queenscliff before spending the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, enjoy views of the 12 Apostles, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.
Day 5 Port Campbell/Halls Gap
Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Walk to the stunning Balconies and visit MacKenzie Falls.
Day 6 Halls Gap/Adelaide
Visit the Brambuk Indigenous Cultural Centre before continuing on to Adelaide. The CEO will point out important highlights of the city while driving in, before free time to explore the city.
Day 7 Adelaide/Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Stop in the Clare Valley for a wine tasting and light gourmet lunch featuring regional produce. Afterwards, drive through the Flinders Ranges.
Day 8 Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Visit Wilpena Pound, a 800-million-year old natural amphitheatre, before enjoying free time for optional activities in the Flinders Ranges like hiking or a 4WD tour of the rugged area.
Day 9 Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Coober Pedy
Travel to Coober Pedy, the world's opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground.
Day 10 Coober Pedy/Uluru
Travel further into the Outback and experience a colourful sunset at Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand.
Day 11 Uluru
Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aborigines.
Day 12 Uluru/Cairns
Fly to the oceanside city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 13 Cairns/Cape Tribulation
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
Day 14 Cape Tribulation
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
Day 15 Cape Tribulation/Cairns
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city.
Day 16 Cairns/Airlie Beach
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach with time to explore the town.
Day 17 Airlie Beach
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.
Day 18 Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.
Day 19 Byron Bay
Spend the day wandering the town or taking part in a multitude of optional activities like skydiving, visiting Cape Byron Lighthouse, or relaxing on the beach.
Day 20 Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
Hit the waves with an included surf lesson. Head 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 21 Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
En route to the Blue Mountains, opt to stop at the Koala Hospital to learn about vital wildlife conservation work in the area.
Day 22 Blue Mountains
Explore the area around Leura and Katoomba including the Three Sisters. Visit the Jenolan Caves, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.
Day 23 Blue Mountains/Sydney
Day 24 Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.
Day 25 Sydney/Auckland
Fly to Auckland, New Zealand and enjoy free time in the city.
Day 26 Auckland
Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.
Day 27 Auckland/Rotorua
Visit the Waitomo Caves, famous for their glow-worms and adventure activities. Continue to Rotorua, notable for its geothermal activity and culture.
Day 28 Rotorua
Take advantage of free time in the adrenaline capital of the North Island, and opt to go whitewater rafting, check out a geothermal park with technicolour pools, hit up a nearby spa, or journey to Middle-earth on an excursion to the Hobbiton Movie Set. This evening, learn more about Maori culture with a local experience and dinner.
Day 29 Rotorua/Christchurch
Catch a flight to Christchurch on the South Island. Walk around town with a local guide and learn about how communities have rebuilt after the earthquake in 2011. This evening, enjoy free time and get a feel for the city.
Day 30 Christchurch/Lake Ohau
Drive to beautiful Lake Ohau with a stop at Lake Tekapo along the way. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and admire the stunning alpine scenery that surrounds this local landmark.
Spend the afternoon hiking the region around Aoraki/Mt Cook. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Aoraki/Mt Cook Visitor's Centre.
Day 31 Lake Ohau/Queenstown
Drive to Queenstown, with a stop at Wanaka and a local vineyard for a wine tasting.
Day 32 Doubtful Sound
Take in the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Keep an eye out for the waterfalls and wildlife in this breathtaking area. Return to Queenstown in the evening.
Day 33 Queenstown
Enjoy a free day in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving, paragliding, hiking or mountain biking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.
Day 34 Queenstown
Depart at any time.
- Your G for Good Moment: Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour, Christchurch Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Wine Tasting, Clare Valley Your Discover Moment: Byron Bay Your Foodie Moment: Winery Visit, Central Otago District Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
- Guided Melbourne laneways walk
- Brighton bathing boxes visit
- Rainforest walk in Great Otway NP
- 12 Apostles visit
- Grampians NP visit
- Tower Hill Nature Reserve visit
- Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre visit
- Wilpena Pound visit
- Underground mine tour (Coober Pedy)
- Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru
- Mala Walk around Uluru and cultural centre visit
- Guided rainforest walk
- Whitsunday Islands sailing excursion
- Blue Mountains stay with hikes
- Scenic Railway
- Jenolan Caves visit
- Jamison Valley walk
- Waitomo Caves visit
- Maori cultural experience
- Wine tasting
- Aoraki/Mt Cook NP visit with hiking opportunity (weather permitting)
- Aoraki/Mt Cook NP Visitor's Centre visit
- Fiordland NP visit
- Doubtful Sound day cruise
- Orientation walk in Sydney
- Free time in Cairns, Byron Bay, Sydney, Rotorua and Queenstown
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- 22 breakfasts
- 5 lunches
- 5 dinners
Reference : GAH