14 Day Best of Australia & New Zealand from $3999 USD

Travel Team > Australia – Independent Tours > 14 Day Best of Australia & New Zealand from $3999 USD

Day 1 Shuttle Transfer – International Airport to Melbourne city

Days 1 – 4 – Melbourne

Savoy Hotel Melbourne 4 star (or similar hotel)

With a beautiful façade and internal grandeur of an art deco heritage building, The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins is located opposite Southern Cross Station and a couple of blocks from the hub of Collins Street. It is the perfect base to explore Melbourne’s CBD precincts – each with its own cultural flavour. With the tram on your doorstep, you will have easy access to Etihad Stadium and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins encompasses elegance and old-world charm.

Day 2 Melbourne   Half-Day Melbourne City Morning Tour

Welcome to Melbourne, a city of contrasts, world-famous sporting arenas and historic gardens. Bedazzled by the wondrous sights of Australia’s most vibrant city and learn about Melbourne’s fascinating history with your expert guide.

Join a small group tour with to make the most of your stay as you zoom in and around the city, visiting such wonders as Federation Square, the MCG and our world-famous sports precinct, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Albert Park Lake (Formula 1) and over to St Kilda Beach. You can even take a stroll in the gardens and visit St Patrick’s Cathedral when permitted.

Visit world-famous Albert Park, home of the Formula One, Australian Grand Prix as well as our inner-city sports precinct, home to the famous MCG and Melbourne Park where the Australian Tennis Open takes place. Your tour will finish by visiting Eureka Tower.

Day 3 Melbourne    Phillip Island Tour with Guided Ranger Tour

Departing Melbourne at around midday, we journey to the city’s most colourful attraction – the iconic Brighton Beach bathing boxes – for an opportunity to visit the beach and take some time to admire these historic landmarks.

We continue our journey through Melbourne’s bayside suburbs on the way to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. Here, we enjoy a guided wildlife walk where we have the opportunity to meet and hand-feed many species of native Australian animals. Learn about iconic species such as kangaroos, koalas, emus & wallabies, as well as some of our lesser-known favourites including quolls, owls, bandicoots & Tasmanian devils.

Included in our visit here is the spectacular “Conservation in Action” wildlife show, which showcases a number of lesser-known Australian species in a series of interactive and engaging ranger presentations. Continuing on to Phillip Island, a visit to Point Grant and The Nobbies gives us an opportunity to enjoy views over Westernport Bay and the Bass Strait, including Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest population of fur seals.

And then it’s onwards to the main event, where just after dark every night the world’s smallest penguins waddle ashore after spending the day fishing out at sea. You’ll be truly enchanted as the stars of the show emerge from the surf and pass right before your eyes on their journey back to their homes. Your ranger/guide will ensure you are able to get the very best beachfront vantage point to enjoy the Penguin Parade. After the parade, we allow plenty of time to explore the Visitor Centre before beginning our own journey back to Melbourne. With drop off right back to your inner city accommodation, you’ll remember this day as a true highlight of your Australian holiday.

Day 4  Shuttle Transfer  Melbourne City to Melbourne Airport

Fly Melbourne to Cairns (Not Included – Your Travel Team agent will help in booking your flight)

Day 4 Cairns  Shuttle Transfer Cairns Airport to Cairns City

Days 4- 6 Cairns      

Pacific Hotel Cairns 4 star (or similar hotel)

The Pacific Hotel Cairns boasts a magnificent location, personalised service and award-winning hospitality. The hotel features a stunning Cairns Esplanade location, new hotel rooms and suites, one of Cairns’ finest Brazilian inspired churrasco restaurants and an exemplary catering department.

Day 5  Cairns  Full Day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise

Depart directly from Cairns on a fast, stable catamaran providing a smoother ride and reduced travel time, leaving more of your day to experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon, go scuba diving (no experience necessary) or join our Marine Biologist on a Guided Snorkel safari. Not a confident swimmer? Then stay dry and view the reef from the semi-submersible reef viewer, glass-bottom boat or underwater observatory, try a Helmet Dive for a scuba-style experience without getting your hair wet, or soar above it all on a spectacular Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight. With 5 hours at the reef, there is time to do it all. If simply relaxing & soaking up the tropical warmth is more your style then take time out on our spacious sundeck where you will also find the regions only reef-based massage therapist. Best of all you benefit from the expert local knowledge of a Cairns family-owned company and the friendly Australian atmosphere for which we are renowned. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

Day 6 Cairns

Shuttle transfer Cairns Airport to Cairns City

Fly Cairns to Sydney (Not Included – Your Travel Team agent will help in booking your flight)

Day 6 Sydney

Shuttle Transfer Sydney Domestic Airport to City Hotel

Days 6 – 9 VIBE HOTEL SYDNEY 4 star (or similar hotel)

A unique Sydney hotel offering chic accommodation in the heart of Sydney, Vibe Hotel Sydney exudes the style of this fantastic city. This Sydney hotel is perfectly positioned for you to easily discover Sydney’s vibrant CBD fringe villages of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Chinatown and the Sydney entertainment precinct offering live theatre and music year-round. The Vibe Hotel Sydney also features a rooftop swimming pool for you to relax by after a busy day of sightseeing. The rooms are all perfectly adorned with modern amenities to enhance your stay, whether it be a stopover point, or to base yourself for excursions a little further afield.

Day 7

Half-Day Sydney City with Bondi Beach Including Opera House Tour

Morning Sydney City Tour Highlight include Spectacular Darling Harbour, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Chinatown, Sydney Aquarium and the Monorail, Sydney Opera House, The Rock’s – Sydney’s birthplace, Conservatorium of Music, Parliament House, Hyde Park, St James Cathedral, St Mary’s Cathedral, Art Gallery and the Domain, Visit Mrs Macquarie’s Chair – superb views of the harbour and city skyline, Royal Australian Naval Base at Garden Island, Kings Cross – Sydney’s ‘hot spot’, Exclusive Double Bay and Vaucluse, The Gap – stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Heads, Visit Bondi Beach – Australia’s most famous surf beach, Historic and trendy Paddington, Sydney Tower, Sydney Town Hall.

Sydney – Optional Sydney Bridge Climb (not included but can easily be added

Day 8

Full-Day Blue Mountains – Premium Small Group
Exclusive luxury small group touring with the comforts of a large coach. A unique experience where the travel is as much of a highlight as the sightseeing! Experience all the Blue Mountains has to offer! A rugged wonderland of sandstone outcrops, deep ravines, pristine bushland, rainforest and dramatic cliffs. Early access to an award-winning Wildlife Park VIP Koala Encounter.

Includes: own private VIP encounter with a koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park, High Tea lunch/museum entrance, River Cruise, free Wi-Fi including bottled water/snacks on the coach.

Day 9 Sydney  

Shuttle Transfer – Sydney City Hotel to International Airport

Fly Sydney to Queenstown NZ (Not Included – Your Travel Team agent will help in booking your flight)

Day 9  Queenstown, NZ

Shuttle Transfer Queenstown Airport to City

Days 9 – 12 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON QUEENSTOWN 4 star (*or similar hotel)

As part of one of the largest resorts in the region, DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown is an upscale, full-service hotel conveniently located five minutes south-west of Queenstown Airport and 10 minutes from the centre of Queenstown.

Situated within Kawarau Village, the hotel sits against a spectacular backdrop of majestic mountains and the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. The hotel is well-equipped to suit both business and leisure, featuring modern conveniences combined with superior comfort. Our guest rooms incorporate contemporary character with stunning views, a range of guest amenities and soothing décor.

Day 10 Queenstown, NZ  Milford Coach & Nature Cruise

Today you will board your luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown and enjoy a trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. After a morning tea break in Te Anau continue along the spectacular Milford Road. On reaching Milford Sound, board the Milford Mariner for a relaxing cruise of Milford Sound. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. Following your cruise reboard the coach for the return journey to Queenstown.

Day 11  Queenstown, NZ  Day of Leisure

Today enjoy a day of leisure.

Day 12  Queenstown  Shuttle Transfer  Queenstown City – Airport

Fly Queenstown to Auckland (Not Included – Your Travel Team agent will help in booking your flight)

Day 12 Auckland

Shuttle Transfer Auckland Airport to City

Days 12 – 14  Auckland   GRAND MILLENNIUM AUCKLAND 4 star (or similar hotel)

Welcome to Grand Millennium Auckland, superbly located in the city centre with some of the city’s finest dining, shopping and entertainment venues at your doorstep. Whether travelling for business or leisure, you will appreciate being situated in the very heart of cosmopolitan Auckland.

Grand Millennium Auckland strives to provide you with a superior experience through excellent service and attention to detail. All of the 452 stylish rooms and suites at our hotel, combine smart design, chic decor, floor to ceiling windows for natural light and modern amenities to ensure your comfort. Take advantage of quality facilities during your stay, whether it’s enjoying a swim in the heated indoor pool, a workout in the gym, relaxing at the Atrium Bar, appreciating the delights of the Grand Millennium Brasserie, or savouring a delicious teppanyaki meal at Katsura Japanese Restaurant. The hotel offers a business centre, business services and versatile conference facilities including 16 modern function rooms and a dedicated event management team to help ensure your event is a success. 3 hours of complimentary wifi is available to all guests per 24 hour period – charges apply for any additional use. Auckland Airport is only 30-45 minutes by taxi from the hotel, and public transport is easily accessible from the hotel. There is an on-site taxi rank to help you get to where you are going in a hurry, and undercover parking is available for hotel guests.

Day 13 Auckland    Auckland Highlights- 1/2 day tour

See the highlights of Auckland city with its 48 volcanoes and the marine village of Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore on a small group tour with TIME Unlimited Tours, winner of multiple global awards. Be amazed by spectacular views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, dramatic views of several volcanoes and the marine village of Devonport. On these Auckland Tours, you will see why Auckland is known as one of the most beautiful cities and regions in the world!

Tour highlights:
* Magnificent views of several ancient volcanoes including Rangitoto Island, which at 600 years is the largest and youngest of all the volcanoes in Auckland.
* Auckland Domain, home of the Auckland Museum and Wintergarden.
* The boutique suburb of Parnell with its many colonial homes.
* Tamaki Drive with sweeping views across the Waitemata Harbour toward Bastion Point and Mission Bay, Auckland city’s most well-known beach.
* The Auckland Harbour Bridge and the marine village of Devonport

Day 14  Auckland

Shuttle Transfer Auckland  City to Airport