Kia Ora, Dianne. Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip. There was not even one little hiccup in our itinerary: each time there was supposed to be someone there to pick us up – there they were with big smiles and greetings. The tours were well organized and interesting. We enjoyed the hotels in each place and would highly recommend the boutique hotels. (…) We couldn’t have done it without your help. Ka Kite Ano.
23 Days
Australia & New Zealand
Nature & Culture
From Queenstown to Melbourne to Sydney in 23 Epic Days
We were contacted by a couple in Toronto, Canada, who needed an Australia and New Zealand Expert to design them a unique itinerary based on beautiful scenery and culture. This South Island New Zealand and Australia Tour shows some of the experiences they enjoyed.
Why take this tour?
Absorb the natural beauty of stunning landscapes like Lake Wakatipu, Milford Sound, and the Great Ocean Road
Visit the Great Barrier Reef in Port Douglas, Australia, the most extensive coral reef ecosystem in the world
Enjoy Melbourne and Sydney on small group tours
What To Expect
Below is an example Itinerary – there are no prices listed on these tours because, just like every lid does not fit every pot, the same goes for the trip designed for you. We tailor-make tours to suit your own needs, and the below is an example of what someone on a journey from Canada or the USA might experience with the same amount of time to see Australia and New Zealand when booking with an expert.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Departure Day
Canada or the USA to Queenstown, New Zealand.
Day 2 - Travel Day
Travel day due to time zones.
Day 3 - Arrive Queenstown, New Zealand
After clearing customs and immigration formalities in Auckland, you will need to make your way over to the Domestic terminal for your connecting flight to Queenstown.
Upon arriving in Queenstown, be met by your transfer driver and transferred to your hotel.
Day 4 - Queenstown
Today you will be taken on a scenic tour that offers breathtaking mountain and forest views along the shores of Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy and on into Paradise. This tour includes the film locations of Isengard and Ithilien Camp, plus beech forests near those used for Lothlorien (Lord of the Rings).
Day 5 - Queenstown
Today enjoy a day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound where you will board a boat and enjoy some world-class scenery. There is the option to return to Queenstown via Helicopter or small plane at an extra cost; this is all subject to weather!
Day 6 - Queenstown
Today you will enjoy a relaxed day of fine cuisine, good company, sampling local cheeses and tasting premium cool-climate wines. Your tour will consist of tasting at 5 vineyards.
Day 7 - Queenstown To Wanaka
Today please make your way to the car rental office. A car has been reserved for you until drop off at Greymouth Railway Station. Please commence your drive to Wanaka, this is a journey of approximately one hour and 10 minutes.
Day 8 - Wanaka
Today meet your guide for a morning hike and then join a small group kayaking tour.
Day 9 - Wanaka to Franz Josef
This morning start your drive up the beautiful West Coast of the South Island to Franz Josef.
Day 10 - Franz Josef to Greymouth to Christchurch
Today make your way to Greymouth. On your arrival into Greymouth, return your Rental Car to the Greymouth Railway Station.
Depart Greymouth on-board the Tranzalpine train
Upon arrival at Christchurch Railway Station, you will be met & transferred to your accommodation by private vehicle.
Day 11 - Depart Christchurch, New Zealand - Melbourne, Australia
You will be met & transferred by private vehicle to the Christchurch International Airport for your flight to Melbourne, Australia.
Upon arrival in Melbourne, you will be met by your transfer driver and transferred to your hotel.
Day 12 - Melbourne, Australia
This morning you will be collected for your half-day small-group city tour of Melbourne.
Enjoy a free afternoon to look around the city.
Day 13 - Melbourne, Australia
This morning you will have an early start for your full day tour to the famous Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles.
Day 14 - Melbourne, Australia
Enjoy a free morning before joining your transfer down to Phillip Island. Upon arrival you will join a special small group tour with a local Penguin Ranger followed by viewing the beautiful Fairy Penguins coming to shore. Upon conclusion you will be transferred back to Melbourne to your hotel.
Day 15 - Melbourne To Cairns/Port Douglas, Australia
Today be transferred to the Melbourne Airport for your flight to Cairns Australia.
Upon arrival into Cairns meet your transfer driver and be transferred approx. 1 hour north to Port Douglas.
Day 16 - Port Douglas, Australia
This morning be collected for your tour to the Great Barrier Reef. Depending on what you wish to do out on the reef we will choose an appropriate tour company to match your needs.
Day 17 - Port Douglas, Australia
This morning be collected on your full day small group tour to Mosman Gorge and Daintree Rainforest. Enjoy hunting for Crocs on the Daintree River as well.
Day 18 - Port Douglas - Cairns, Australia
Enjoy a free morning in Port Douglas before being transferred to Cairns for 2 nights.
Day 19 - Cairns, Australia
This morning you will be collected from your hotel to commence your tour to Kuranda. Enjoy the Skyrail up over the Rainforest and stop at boardwalks on the way. After visiting Kuranda you will then journey back down to Cairns on a beautiful old train.
Day 20 - Cairns To Sydney, Australia
Be transferred to the airport for your flight to Sydney, Australia. Upon arrival, you will be met by your transfer driver and transferred to your city hotel.
The rest of the day is free for your own enjoyment.
Day 21 - Sydney, Australia
This morning you will be collected for your small group half day city tour of Sydney and its surrounding suburbs. This afternoon is free at your own leisure.
Day 22 - Sydney, Australia
This morning make your way to the Sydney Opera House and enjoy your one hour tour. This afternoon make your way to the jetty to join your small group on a lazy afternoon cruising the Sydney Harbour.
Day 23 - Sydney Australia – North America
Today you will be collected and transferred to the Sydney International Airport to commence your flight home to Canada or the USA.
What Our Past Travelers Have to Say
G’day Dianne. Thank you! You listened well and organized our trip extremely well. Pick up and delivery times were spot on. The hotels were all good to great. (…) I just wanted to let you know that we appreciated everything you did to arrange a wonderful trip.
