Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
- 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
Trip Details
Product Code: 2643
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Private vehicle, plane, boat, walking
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: OAQC
Starts: Cairns, Australia
Finishes: Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration: 29 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- 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
Accommodation
- Hotels/motels (26nts), Rainforest cabin (2nts).
- 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicle, plane, boat, walking
Group Leader
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $9,719 ($335 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairns
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting.
Day 2: 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 3: Cape Tribulation
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
Day 4: Cape Tribulation/Cairns
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.
Day 5: Cairns/Airlie Beach
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way.
Day 6: Airlie Beach
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.
Day 7: Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.
Day 8: Byron Bay
Spend a free morning exploring Byron or opt to prebook a kayaking tour. In the afternoon, you'll head to the beach for a surf lesson with a trained surf instructor. Enjoy a few hours of instruction before hitting the waves for some practice rides.
Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional experience on your tour.
Day 9: Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
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.
Day 10: Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
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.
Day 11: Blue Mountains
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.
Day 12: Blue Mountains/Sydney
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.
Day 13: Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.
Day 14: Sydney/Auckland
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.
Day 15: Auckland
Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.
Day 16: Auckland/Rotorua
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.
Day 17: Rotorua
Visit Rotorua and opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment.
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.
Day 18: Rotorua/Wellington
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.
Day 19: Wellington
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.
Day 20: Wellington/Kaikoura
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.
Day 21: Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs
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.
Day 22: Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef
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.
Day 23: Franz Josef
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.
There are dozens of optional activities in the area to suit just about any budget and preference. Try heli hiking, scenic helicopter flights, skydiving, lake kayaking or a hot pools visit.
Day 24: Franz Josef/Queenstown
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.
Day 25: Queenstown
With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving or hiking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.
Opt to pre-book the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 26: Queenstown
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.
Day 27: Queenstown to Tekapo
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.
Day 28: Tekapo to Christchurch
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.
Travel to the Garden City of Christchurch, a little piece of England in New Zealand, still recovering from a devastating earthquake.
Day 29: Christchurch
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Max D. - Traveled, November 2023
The group and the organisation was incredible and our tour guides were great
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2023
Brigitte L. - Traveled, November 2023
Travelling with G allows peace of mind, there are no worries about transportation or accommodations. There are planned activities with the group which are usually like minded people and there is free time to plan your own thing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/07/2023
Richard L. - Traveled, November 2023
We find there is a good mix of planned activities and free time. Accommodations are usually clean and comfortable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/07/2023
Joy H. - Traveled, November 2023
While your style of travel is very attractive to me, there are those I know who would rather travel independently, or in more luxury. I would encourage them to try G, but realize it's not for everyone.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/07/2023
Hayley K. - Traveled, November 2023
I think the demographic of the group can impact enjoyment and there are a couple of tweaks to the itinerary that could have been improved
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/07/2023
David H. - Traveled, November 2023
We have travelled with G several times and it has always been a positive, meaningful and enlightening experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/07/2023
Lindy S. - Traveled, October 2023
These G trips are mostly good value for money spent, variety of activities, small groups
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/30/2023
Joley S. - Traveled, October 2023
the guides and tours are great but the before trip documentation could be improved. Also When I want to check on my flights that you have booked I want to talk to the air staff but not by email.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/30/2023
George S. - Traveled, October 2023
too much bus travel
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/30/2023
Lorraine K. - Traveled, October 2023
The CEO.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2023
Lawrence H. - Traveled, October 2023
Most of the itinerary was handled well by the CEO ..
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/16/2023
Judith H. - Traveled, October 2023
Local guides and all organized No need to drive in foreign countries. Itinerary but free time as well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/16/2023
Michelle S. - Traveled, October 2023
well organised and friendly staff
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/16/2023
Louise d. - Traveled, October 2023
Consistent quality tours
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/16/2023
Cathy M. - Traveled, October 2023
Several reasons. 1 Both CEOs were amazing. Very skilled and responsive to the needs of the group.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/16/2023
Janice H. - Traveled, October 2023
I am always looking for small group adventures. G offers tours that appeal to that size. They have proven themselves to offer interesting tours that take in unusual places often away from the heavily touristed areas.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/16/2023
Deirdre K. - Traveled, September 2023
The tour guide in Australia Graham
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2023
Donna T. - Traveled, September 2023
Good balance of planned activities and personal choice activities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2023
Larry C. - Traveled, September 2023
The small travel group size and we had some free time to explore on our own.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2023
Rebecca F. - Traveled, September 2023
I had a very positive experience on this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2023
Abby W. - Traveled, September 2023
Because G Adventures is something I have done and something I have highly enjoyed and would recommend others looking into it if they wish to
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2023
Karen H. - Traveled, September 2023
I have travelled with g before and I would definitely recommend g again
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2023
Araceli V. - Traveled, July 2023
I had such a wonderful experience I wish for them the same.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2023
Shoshana S. - Traveled, June 2024
Great trip with interesting places to go
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/20/2024
Michael J. - Traveled, June 2024
This tour was great but it was not what we had hoped for. We should have signed up for just 15 days instead of the 29.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/20/2024
Brittany M. - Traveled, June 2024
I think that this type of traveling is for specific types of people. While some of my family members would be good with this, the other would struggle and might ruin the experience of other passengers
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/20/2024
Alan G. - Traveled, June 2024
if you're gonna travel, you can't go wrong with 'G' .......... love the CEO!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/20/2024
Joseph S. - Traveled, May 2024
Size of group being 16
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2024
Jessica D. - Traveled, April 2024
a few issues with Australia and New Zealand tours.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2024
Nina P. - Traveled, March 2024
it was spectacular. guide, sam, in australia, and amy, in new zealand, went above and beyond, and became our friends. Amy, without anyone asking her to, put up a happy birthday banner for me, planned a birthday dinner, and ran around looking for a cake. The sights we saw were wonderful, the trip was well planned, few little glitches, but overall, an amazing experience for my dream vacation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/27/2024
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