Australia & New Zealand in 18 Days from $4,999 USD

Travel Team > Australia – Independent Tours > Australia & New Zealand in 18 Days from $4,999 USD

Days 1 – 3 AUCKLAND SKYCITY 4 1/2 star Premium Room – TWIN (Breakfast included) (or similar hotel)

You will be met at Auckland airport and transferred to your hotel.

Located in the heart of Auckland City with over 323 rooms, this modern and spacious hotel allows you to relax in style while enjoying the world-class casino, more than 20 restaurants, cafes and bars, a theatre, free live entertainment on selected nights and the iconic Sky Tower – all right on your doorstep!

Days 2 AUCKLAND Auckland City Revealed – Morning Tour

Experience the best sights of Auckland City in the morning. Auckland is set on 53 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. You will travel through Auckland’s central business district, past the Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as the Domain. Then continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby with its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland’s North Shore for a stroll on one of the white sand beaches before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City and the historic Devonport. You will then travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere.

Day 3 -You will be transferred from your hotel to Auckland Airport.

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

You will be met at Queenstown airport and transferred to your hotel.

Days 3-6 QUEENSTOWN, NZ Superior Lakeside Room NOVOTEL QUEENSTOWN LAKESIDE 4 Star (or similar hotel)

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is located right on the waterfront of spectacular Lake Wakatipu, and just a step from the cosmopolitan centre of Queenstown. Relax in the spa, take in the amazing views across Queenstown Bay to Walter Peak while lunching in the hotel’s renowned Rose Garden or enjoy the myriad of adventure and leisure activities in this four-season resort town. The hotel’s international facilities and professional team are committed to ensuring their guest’s enjoy the definitive Queenstown experience.

Day 4 – 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 thru the rolling countryside to Te Anau. After a morning tea break in Te Anau continue along the spectacular Milford Road, reaching Milford Sound. Board the boat 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 5  Queenstown free day

Day 6 Discover Mount Cook – Queenstown/Mt Cook/Christchurch (Lunch)
Today you will set off from Queenstown, travelling through ruggedly beautiful landscape and over the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country. You will enter the amazing Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain, where there is time to stop for lunch and a chance to enjoy the amazing alpine scenery. During your stop at Mount Cook Village, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at the famous Hermitage Hotel. Also on offer is the chance to take a scenic flight over this spectacular region (additional cost, weather permitting – this flight can be arranged with your driver-guide on the day). In the afternoon, travel past Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd against the backdrop of this vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Then continue through the diverse farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the Garden City, where your tour concludes.

Days 6-8 CHRISTCHURCH NOVOTEL CHRISTCHURCH Superior Room 4 Star (or similar hotel)
The Novotel Christchurch is a premium, landmark hotel located in the heart of Christchurch. Featuring 154 contemporary rooms, high-end amenities and WIFI internet (surcharge). Hotel facilities include a gym, guest laundry, restaurant, bar and meeting rooms catering for up to 250 delegates. The Novotel Christchurch is only moments to main attractions, Cathedral Square, Cashel St Pop-Up Mall, New Regent Street, Avon River, Hagley Park, Christchurch Business District and 30 minutes from Christchurch Airport. The hotel re-opened for business in August 2013 effectively like a brand new hotel

Day 7 City Sightseeing – Discover Christchurch (Afternoon Tour)
This afternoon enjoy a tour that covers the central city highlights. The tour includes several parks and gardens including Mona Vale Gardens and Hagley Park. Your tour then moves on to Riccarton House, Riccarton Bush, and the University of Canterbury. Continue to the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and to the Southern Alps. Your tour concludes with a drop off in the central city or a return to the original pickup points.

Day 8 – You will be transferred from your hotel to Christchurch Airport.

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

You will be met at Melbourne airport and transferred to your hotel.

Days 8 – 11 MELBOURNE, VIC Guest Room Savoy Hotel Melbourne 4 Star (or similar hotel)
You will love the convenience of staying in the very heart of all the action in the Melbourne city centre. Blending the zest of the Vibe Hotel brand with the beautiful façade of a heritage building, Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne is located only a couple of blocks from the hub of Melbourne’s Collins Street. The exciting Melbourne CBD is made up of precincts – distinct enclaves, each with their own flavour and charm. Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne is the perfect Melbourne hotel to base yourself; you are ideally located to take advantage of the Melbourne’s tram and rail network as well as easy access to the Etihad Stadium and exciting Southbank precinct as well as the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Day 9 Phillip Island Tour w/Guided Ranger Melbourne

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 10 Free Day

Day 11 – You will be transferred from your hotel to Melbourne Airport.

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

You will be met at Cairns airport and transferred to your hotel.

Day 11 – 14 Deluxe Room Cairns, QLD 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 12 Full Day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise CAIRNS, QLD

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. These modern fast catamarans are never filled to capacity ensuring unmatched space, comfort & attentive service. The all-weather Marine World platform caters for all activity levels. 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.

Day 13 – Cairns Free Day

Day 14 – You will be transferred from your hotel to Cairns Airport.

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

You will be met at Sydney airport and transferred to your hotel.

Days 14 – 18 SYDNEY, NSW Holiday Inn Darling Harbor 4 Star (Or similar hotel)
Emanating a quiet charm right in the middle of all the action, Holiday Inn Darling Harbour has the best that Sydney has to offer right on its doorstep. Situated at the southern end of Sydney’s famous Darling Harbour precinct, the hotel is ideally positioned to allow you to make the most of your visit to Sydney. Take a leisurely stroll through Darling Harbour with its many attractions, such as the Sydney SeaLife Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, and Madame Tussaud’s. The vibrant China Town and Latin Quarter are close by, and there are great shopping adventures to be had at World Square and Market City. You can walk to some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, theatres, and shopping malls, or for something a little different, you can board a ferry and explore the beautiful harbour and its surrounds. The hotel has two restaurants; JB’s is open daily from 11 am and has a casual and inviting menu, or for something a little different, try our unique stone grill menu both are served in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Shipley’s Restaurant is a beautiful historic restaurant that is open for breakfast daily from 6.30 am.

Day 15 SYDNEY, NSW Half Day Panoramic Sydney

Depart your hotel for an unforgettable Panoramic Sydney half day city sights tour. On tour, you’ll visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, QVB, Centre point. Visit Sydney’s trendy new district Oxford Street. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the superb coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach. Visit the beachfront promenade, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at own cost). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers and Sydney’s best panoramic view at Dover Heights. Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquarie’s Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour before returning to the city centre. Passengers can join our optional harbour lunch cruises, seaplane tours or return directly to their hotels. The designated harbour lunch cruise drop-off point is Darling Harbour (adjacent to the aquarium).

Day 17  SYDNEY

Day at leisure; an open voucher for Sydney Opera House Tour

Day 17  SYDNEY  Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Experience

7:00 – 7:30 am    Depart from the hotel for your Blue Mountains Experience.  Our first stop of the day is at Calmsley Hill a working farm also home to Kangaroos, Emus, Wombats and Koalas. Enjoy morning tea and time to wander at leisure.

From Calmsley Hill we continue to ascend the Blue Mountains via the highway.  We will visit one of a range of stunning outlooks of the Jamison Valley seeing beautiful vistas. Where possible this will be away from the crowds of tours that visit the mountains each day with other operators, thus our guests will enjoy a stress and hurry free environment taking in the views and information imparted by their guide.

Continuing on we arrive at Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote lookout points away from the crowds for views of the famous 3 Sisters.  Whilst the Blue Mountains features so much more than this natural attraction you can’t help but admire the unquestionable beauty of this amazing rock formation. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours.  Here your guide will discuss the legends behind this famous rock formation and time available for you to take some great photos.

We then make our way around the mountain towards the village of Blackheath and our lunch venue the Hydro Majestic. Here in this relaxed venue with stunning views. We enjoy a 2-course lunch with tea/coffee. All diets are catered for (excluding Kosher Meals).  Beverages can be purchased at your own expense from the Bar.

The afternoon is spent visiting a selection of lookouts.  Once you clap your eyes on the view from Govetts Leap you’ll know why it’s one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. The magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180m to the base of the cliff. If you’re not mesmerised by the dancing waves of water spray, you’ll be transfixed by the sweeping views down the valley to the Grose Wilderness.  We then stop briefly to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens our last stop, where we enjoy the sweeping views across to Sydney before travelling down the Bells Line of Road to arrive back at your hotel approximately 4.30 – 5.00pm.

Day 18 – You will be transferred from your hotel to Sydney Airport for your flight home.