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Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Australia

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

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Personal planning

Speak with a Destination Expert who knows the region.

A real conversation with someone who understands pace, routing, hotels, and the details that make a trip feel personal.

  • Ian SwainIan S.Co-President
  • Catherine LandowskiCatherine L.Africa, Oceania

Overview

(land only)

Embark on a 22-day fully-guided tour of Australia and New Zealand. From the Red Centre of Australia to the glaciers of New Zealand, you get the perfect sampling of these two unique countries on this all-encompassing adventure. Enjoy amazing highlight meals as you travel in luxury touring vehicles experiencing all the must do and see activities that Australia and New Zealand have to offer.
Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Day by day

Your journey, day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Melbourne

    On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow traveling companions.
    • Dinner

  2. Day 2

    Melbourne

    Enjoy a morning tour of Melbourne including the Royal Botanic Gardens, St. Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take an optional tour to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade.
    • Breakfast

  3. Day 3

    At leisure, Melbourne

    Enjoy a day at leisure in cosmopolitan Melbourne. You may like to join an optional tour and ride on Puffing Billy followed by wine tastings in the Yarra Valley or tour along the famous Great Ocean Road.
    • Breakfast

  4. Day 4

    Alice Springs

    You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your early morning flight to Alice Springs. Enjoy a tour of this unique outback town. Visit the Telegraph Station, Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air and enjoy panoramic views of Alice Springs from the top of Anzac Hill.
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner

  5. Day 5

    Uluru

    Depart early for Ayers Rock Resort, stopping at a camel farm where you can try your hand riding 'a ship of the desert' (own expense). This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at Ayers Rock Resort. Enjoy a glass of wine this evening while watching sunset over Uluru (Ayers Rock) from the special viewing area known as the 'sunset strip'. The subtle color changes are truly amazing.
    • Breakfast

  6. Day 6

    Uluru

    Rise early to view Uluru at sunrise. There is the opportunity to climb to the summit (optional). Tour the caves at the base of Uluru and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Later, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. This afternoon travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta (Olgas). The size and grandeur of these 36 massive domes of conglomerate red rock will amaze you. Take a walk to through Walpa Gorge following the natural creek bed between two of the domes. After sunset with sparkling wine, enjoy a delicious Australian barbecue dinner and stargazing.
    • Breakfast

  7. Day 7

    Cairns

    This morning enjoy free time at Ayers Rock Resort. You will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight to Cairns (flights anytime, airfare not included). On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is at leisure.
    • Breakfast

  8. Day 8

    Great Barrier Reef

    Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. View the coral and fish from a semi-submersible vessel. Snorkeling gear is included (extra charge for scuba). Enjoy a reef education presentation on this living wonder and a tropical buffet lunch on-board the pontoon. Return to Cairns.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch

  9. Day 9

    At leisure, Cairns

    Today is at leisure in Cairns to relax by the hotel pool or go shopping. You may like to join an optional tour to Kuranda including a scenic rail journey on the Kuranda Train, Skyrail Cableway ride above the canopy of the rain forest and visit to the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
    • Breakfast

  10. Day 10

    Sydney

    You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival at Sydney Airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
    • Breakfast

  11. Day 11

    Sydney

    This morning, tour Sydney and see the Sydney Opera House, Botanical Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair and Kings Cross. Visit famous Bondi Beach, with time to stroll along the beach, then return to the city for a Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge and stop at Milson's Point to photograph fabulous views of the city skyline. Later, visit the Manly surf beach, before returning to the city.
    • Breakfast

  12. Day 12

    At leisure, Sydney

    Explore the beautiful harbor city of Sydney further today. Perhaps take an optional tour to the Blue Mountains to see the spectacular Three Sisters or enjoy some wine tasting in the Hunter Valley.
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner

  13. Day 13

    Sydney to Auckland

    You will be transferred to Sydney Airport to connect with your flight to Auckland. On arrival in Auckland you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy views from Mount Eden and the War Memorial.
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner

  14. Day 14

    Auckland

    This morning visit Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter. Later, visit the America's Cup Village. Time at leisure this afternoon to explore Auckland further.
    • Breakfast

  15. Day 15

    Rotorua

    Travel into the Waikato District today and visit the Waitomo Glow-Worm Grotto for a guided boat tour. Enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch, before continuing to Rotorua. Visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and see boiling pools of mud and geysers of all sizes, followed by a delicious Hangi dinner and concert.
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner

  16. Day 16

    Rotorua to Christchurch

    This morning visit Paradise Valley Springs, followed by an entertaining look at life on the farm at the Agrodome Sheep Show. This afternoon fly to Christchurch.
    • Breakfast

  17. Day 17

    Franz Josef

    Board the famous TranzAlpine train this morning and travel over the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. Continue to Greymouth, then follow the coastal road south to Franz Josef, home of the Franz Josef Glacier where you will have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner

  18. Day 18

    Queenstown

    Continue through Mount Aspiring National Park. Visit Arrowtown, before traveling to Queenstown.
    • Breakfast

  19. Day 19

    Milford Sound

    Journey through the Homer Tunnel. Stop briefly at the Chasm, before arriving at Milford Sound. Cruise on Milford Sound with Mitre Peak and Bowen falls high above you.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch

  20. Day 20

    At leisure, Queenstown

    Enjoy a full day at leisure in Queenstown.
    • Breakfast

  21. Day 21

    Christchurch

    Travel past Mount Cook National Park. Stop at Lake Tekapo and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, before continuing this afternoon to Christchurch.
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner

  22. Day 22

    Depart Christchurch

    You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport to connect with your onward flight.
    • Breakfast

Pricing

Package level

Superior

Pricing for this package is on request. Please call a Swain Destinations Specialist to customize this journey.


Good to know

Terms and conditions

This escorted tour is operated by AAT Kings. *Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. Price includes 3% discount for paying with cash or check. Credit card payment applies 3% to booking. Travel may be restricted to certain days of the week and be available from one or multiple US departure points. Add on fares are available from most US cities and surcharges may be applicable for travel on particular days of the week. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. US and Foreign Govt. taxes and fees vary depending on the itinerary selected and may range from $90 to $395 per person and are included in the fare. Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per person, are included. After ticketing changes may not be permissible in some circumstances, or a change fee may be applied. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note that some air segments may be served by an associated carrier under a Code Share Agreement and will be advised at time of booking. Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Some airlines charge additional for checked baggage. CST #2012413-20
Make it yours

Start with this itinerary, then make it yours.

Every Swain Destinations trip is fully customizable. Speak with a Destination Expert about pace, hotels, dining, and experiences.

  • Kathryn McCueKathryn M.Africa, Oceania