Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 29 Day Highlights of Australia and New Zealand. No one should ever have to choose between adventuring across Australia or New Zealand — so we created this 29-day tour that hits the highlights of both. Featuring guided walks through the Daintree Rainforest, Doubtful Sound day-cruises in Fiordland National Park, a cultural experience and visit to a Maori village, and heaps of other awesome experiences, this tour is proof you really can have the best of both worlds. Well, countries. But you get what we mean.
Itinerary
There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting. Stay: Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Stay: Cape Tribulation Beach House (B/L)
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park. Stay: Cape Tribulation Beach House (B)
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas and opt to have lunch at a local market. Stay: Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns (B)
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way. Stay: Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments (B)
Spend the day out on the water boating around 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. Stay: Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments (L)
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise. Stay: Byron Beachcomber
Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional experience on your tour. Stay: Byron Beachcomber
Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading 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. Stay: El Motor Inn Port Macquarie
Travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains today. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn’t matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you’ll still spot beauty around every turn. Stay: Leisure Inn Spires (B)
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world. Stay: Leisure Inn Spires
This morning, leave the Blue Mountains behind and continue onward to Sydney. Once you arrive head out for an orientation walk before taking advantage of some free time to keep exploring. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House. Stay: Rydges Sydney Central
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group. Stay: Rydges Sydney Central
Say goodbye to Australia and hop on a flight to Auckland, New Zealand. After transferring from the airport, enjoy some free time to explore this vibrant city. Stay: Nesuto Stadium Hotel & Apartments
Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island. Stay: Nesuto Stadium Hotel & Apartments
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. Take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark. Stay: Sudima Lake Rotorua
Rotorua sits over an active volcanic zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. Opt to visit one of the sites, or go whitewater rafting nearby. Stay: Sudima Lake Rotorua (B/D)
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington. Stay: Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington (B)
Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the botanical gardens. Stay: Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington
Fly to the South Island and travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life. Stop en route for a wine tasting at a local winery. Stay: The White Morph (D)
Enjoy a free morning in Kaikoura. Opt to go on a whale watching tour and search for giant sperm whales. Or head out on a tour to swim in the open ocean in a place often visited by wild dolphins. In the afternoon, travel to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs. Stay: Drifters Inn Hanmer Springs
Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near the world's fastest moving glacier. Stay: Rainforest Retreat (B)
There are plenty of optional activities in the area to suit just about any budget and preference. Try heli hiking, scenic helicopter flights, skydiving or lake kayaking. Stay: Rainforest Retreat (B)
Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there's something for everyone. Enjoy the great night life. Stay: Heartland Hotel Queenstown
Opt to pre-book the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour. Stay: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (B)
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night. Stay: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (B/L)
Travel north through the centre of the South Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor's Centre, before a short but scenic journey to Tekapo Village. Stay: Godley Hotel (B)
Travel to the Garden City of Christchurch, a little piece of England in New Zealand, still recovering from a devastating earthquake. Stay: Bealey Quarter
Depart at any time. (B)
Trip Inclusions
Follow an Indigenous guide through the Daintree Rainforest.
Spend the day boating around the scenic Whitsundays.
Hike and stay overnight in the Blue Mountains.
Cruise around the fjords of Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park.
Soak in the scenery of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
Discover Maori culture.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
Indigenous Peoples Interpretive Walk at Mossman Gorge
Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion
Barrier Reef Visit
Blue Mountains Excursion
Byron Bay surf lesson
Jamison Valley Walk
Blue Mountains Scenic Railway
Winery Visit
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visit
Internal flights
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Hotels/motels (26nts), Rainforest cabin (2nts)
Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Private vehicle, plane, boat, walking
Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Brochure
G Adventures Earth (2024)
We’ve been the leaders in small-group adventure travel since 1990. How’d we get here? By listening to our travellers and giving them what they want: flexible itineraries, freedom to explore, smaller groups, safety and peace of mind, and locally based guides who show you your destination in a way you’d miss travelling any other way. Check out how we’re l...moreeading the world when it comes to travel.
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate.
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Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from G Adventures. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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