22 DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TOUR

Best 3 week tour of Australia and New Zealand. World class coastlines, beaches and marine wildlife.

Explore the highlights of both Australia and New Zealand by luxury coach. This is the best time to visit Australia and New Zealand. Start your vacation in Melbourne, and end it in New Zealand.

When is the best time to visit Austrailia and New Zealand? Any time.

Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne. Transfer to your hotel and rest before dinner. You probablyadmired the Colonial Tramcar wending its way on the streets of Melbourne. Tonight is your chance to experience dinner onboard.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Melbourne, 3 nights. (D)

Day 2: Melbourne Sights

See the city sights this morning. Get to know Melbourne from the ground up. Enjoy a walkalong the city streets or visit our gardens and parks. Explore unique history and features as you go.. (B)

Day 3: Melbourne 'Free Time'

Enjoy a free day. We recommend an optional trip to see the famous Twelve Apostles along the Victoria oceanfront. (B)

Day 4: Melbourne – Alice Springs

This morning you’ll fly to Alice Springs. On arrival visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and learn how this unique facility operates to provide a ‘mantle of safety’ to the people of the outback. Next stop is the School of the Air, which provides an educational facility for children living in remote areas. Then visit the historic Telegraph Station. ‘You’re invited’ this evening to experience the Aussie outback at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. Enjoy a barbecue dinner and hear from Tom and Danny Falzon about the sustainable lifestyle they have established.
Hotel: Chifley Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs. (B, D)

Day 5: Alice Springs – Ayers Rock

Travel through the West MacDonnell and James Ranges and pause to view majestic Atila (Mt. Conner) often mistaken for Uluru, before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the resort’s facilities. Later, travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Witness and photograph the striking colour changes of Uluru (Ayers Rock ) at sunset while enjoying gourmet canapés and wine.
Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. (B)

Day 6: Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)

This morning view the magical Uluru sunrise. Afterwards, gain insight in to the traditional owners of the land, the Anangu, as you tour the caves at the base of Uluru discovering ancient rock art and hearing stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and take a walk at Walpa Gorge. Later experience a Kata Tjuta sunset with sparkling wine and nibbles. (B)

Day 7: Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Cairns

This morning interact with local Aboriginal artists at a fun dot painting workshop. Your host will introduce you to Anangu culture and show how this is expressed in their artwork. Complete your own painting to take home as a memento of your experience.
Later you’ll fly to Cairns.
Hotel: Hilton Hotel, Cairns, 3 nights. (B)

Day 8: Great Barrier Reef

Join your Tour Director at a local gallery to introduce you to the significance of art in Aboriginal culture. Later, cruise on a high-speed catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. View the colourful coral and tropical fish from a semi-submersible vessel. There is the opportunity to go snorkelling and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided). Enjoy a reef education presentation on this living wonder and a tropical buffet lunch on board the pontoon. This evening you'll dine at Dundee's Restaurant enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Cairns 'Free Time'

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cairns. You may like to join an optional tour to Kuranda. Board the train for a historic journey through the scenic countryside behind Cairns. Return by the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the tropical rainforest or maybe take a day trip to Cape Tribulation. (B)

Day 10: Cairns – Sydney

Spend time at the Cairns Wildlife Dome where you’ll encounter unique Australian animals before your flight to Sydney.
Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour, Sydney, 3 nights. (B)

Day 11: Sydney Sights & Harbour Cruise

A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Join a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House before discovering Sydney's Eastern Suburbs and putting your feet in the sand at famous Bondi Beach. Take to the water on a Captain Guided Holidays Cook highlight lunch cruise, sailing around the glistening harbour while you enjoy a fresh seasonal menu. Spend the rest of your day seeing the sights of your choice or maybe even take an optional experience to see an opera under the famous sails of Sydney Opera House. (B, L)

Day 12: Sydney 'Free Time'

Today you’ll have a full day free to explore Sydney, your way. Spend your last evening in Sydney together along with your Travel Director and companions in a local restaurant by the water. (B, D)

Day 13: Sydney – Auckland

You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your flight to Auckland. Meet your Kiwi Tour Director for a ‘highlight dinner’ at The Langham. Your personal degustation is prepared for you from the freshest, quality ingredients, including mouth-watering seafood and delicious desserts.
Hotel: The Langham, Auckland, 2 nights. (B, D)

Day 14: Auckland Sights

A morning cruise on Waitemata Harbour is followed by a sightseeing tour including Bastion Point, the War Memorial and Viaduct Harbour. Later spend some free time exploring on your own or relaxing at your hotel. (B)

Day 15: Auckland – Rotorua

Travel into the Waikato region for a boat tour through the Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto. Continue to Rotorua and visit Te Puia with a local guide. ‘You’re invited’ to join the Tamaki family for a traditional Maori Hangi dinner and unique cultural experience at their family Marae.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. (B, D)

Day 16: Rotorua – Christchurch

Explore Rainbow Springs Nature Park with a local guide. You may even spot a kiwi! Next stop is the Agrodome Sheep Show for a taste of farm life. Later, you’ll take your flight to Christchurch..
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 17: Christchurch – Franz Josef

Board the famous Tranz Alpine train and travel over the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. At Hokitika visit a local greenstone (jade) factory then follow the coastal road to Franz Josef Glacier, where you may take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef. (B, D)?

Day 18: Franz Josef – Queenstown

Travel through spectacular rainforest and past Lake Wanaka. Then enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell, the stone fruit capital. Next visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown before arriving in adventure-capital Queenstown.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights. (B, D)

 

Day 19: Milford Sound

Super highlight day! Discover the stunning scenery of Fiordland. Drive through the Homer Tunnel and stop briefly at the Chasm en route to Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise with lunch on the waters of this natural wonder, with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls high above you. (B, L)

Day 20: Queenstown Included Choice

Today choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. Take a Shotover Jet ride, join a wine tour, play a round of golf or take a gondola to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner. Perhaps take a 4WD minibus through Skippers Canyon, relax with a spa treatment at Millbrook Resort or explore Queenstown on a Segway. (B)

Day 21: Queenstown – Christchurch

Travel past Mount Cook National Park. Stop at Lake Tekapo and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. ‘You’re invited’ to lunch at Morelea Farm, a typical working sheep farm, to discover an authentic taste of country life. This afternoon continue to Christchurch. Celebrate your vacation this evening at a farewell dinner with your Tour Director.
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. (B, L, D)

Day 22: Farewell from Christchurch

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You’ll be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. It has been the best 3 week tour of Australia and New Zealand! (B)Departure Dates

• An experienced, professional Tour Director and Driver
• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats & panoramic windows
• 21 nights accommodation with private bathrooms
• 21 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 7 dinners
• Round trip airport transfers

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Select a departure date 2023 departures from From $12,480. Ask for dates