22 Day Highlights of Australia & New Zealand Tours

Day 1: Arrive Melbourne

Transfer from the airport to your hotel before dinner onboard the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant as you tour the city.

Days 2 & 3: Melbourne City Sights

A private walking tour provides the chance to visit some of the sights of the city before an afternoon spent at leisure, with the option of an additional tour to Phillip Island to witness the famous Penguin Parade. Further optional tours are available during your second free day, such as wine tasting in the Yarra Valley.

Day 4: Melbourne – Alice Springs

Rise early for a morning flight to Alice Springs where you’ll spend time visiting the School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Telegraph Station. A trip to the top of Anzac Hill provides fine panoramic views of both the town and surrounding ranges before an outback dinner and tour of the night sky at the Earth Sanctuary Nature Centre.

Days 5 & 6: Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kata Tjuta (Olgas)

Travel through the picturesque West MacDonnell and James Ranges before pausing to admire Mount Connor as you head for Ayers Rock resort, where you can enjoy watching the sunset with a glass of sparkling wine. Having seen the sun rise again the following morning, you’ll then take a tour of the caves found below Uluru and listen to Aboriginal tales before visiting the nearby Uluru – Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. In the afternoon, journey through the Kata Tjuta desert plains to discover the magic of the Walpa Gorge before a glass of wine while watching the sun set over the large domed rock formations at Kata Tjuta.

Day 7: Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Cairns

A day of interaction with local Aboriginal artists provides the chance to gain an introduction to Western Desert Art and learn more about the local culture, with the opportunity to create your own painting to take home as a unique momento of your trip. Later take a flight to Cairns for the next leg of your adventure.

Day 8: Great Barrier Reef

In one of the highlights of the tour, take a cruise around the Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran, with the opportunity to view the coral, partake in a spot of fishing or go snorkelling in the clear waters (snorkelling gear included, extra charge for scuba). Also enjoy a reef education presentation as well as a tropical buffet lunch.

Day 9: Cairns 'free time'

A day to spend exploring Cairns at your leisure, although optional tours are available.

Day 10: Cairns – Sydney

Meet an array of wildlife with a trip to the spectacular Cairns Wildlife Dome before taking a flight to Sydney for the final part of the Australian leg of the tour.

Days 11 & 12: Sydney City sights & Harbour Cruise

See the sights of Sydney with a tour of the famous Opera House followed by visits to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Kings Cross before taking a wander along the shoreline on a trip to Bondi Beach. Later on, gain an alternative view of the city with a cruise around Sydney Harbour. A second day is free for you to explore at your leisure, although optional extras such as wine tasting in the Hunter Valley are available if you desire.

Day 13: Sydney – Auckland

Leave Australia behind as you fly to New Zealand where you’ll spend the afternoon in Auckland at your own leisure before dinner.

Day 14: Auckland

Take a cruise on Waitemata Harbour before enjoying the opportunity to take a tour of the city.

Day 15: Auckland – Rotorua

Leave Auckland and travel south to visit the stunning Waitomo Glow-Worm Grotto for a boat tour. From here, head to the geo-thermal area at Rotorua where you’ll visit Te Puia, the living centre of Mu0101ori arts and crafts and home to the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, with a local guide. A traditional Mu0101ori Hangi dinner and concert end the day.

Day 16: Rotorua – Christchurch

Fly to the South Island to Christchurch for a tour of the city to see the way in which it continues to recover from the devastating earthquake that struck back in February 2011.

Day 17: TranzAlpine – Franz Josef

Board the famous TranzAlpine train to leave Christchurch and journey over the Southern Alps through Arthur’s Pass National Park en-route to Greymouth. Travel on to the Franz Josef Glacier for an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).

Day 18: Queenstown

Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Mount Aspiring National Park as you head south to Queenstown, stopping off for a visit to the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown en-route.

Day 19: Milford Sound

Admire the beauty of the Fiordland National Park as you head to one of New Zealand’s most famous landmarks, Milford Sound. Once there, enjoy a cruise with lunch and enjoy the stunning scenery on the fjord overlooked by Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls.

Day 20: Queenstown

Spend the day at leisure exploring Queenstown, with a number of optional trips being available.

Day 21: Christchurch

Travel past Mount Cook National Park to Lake Tekapo to visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd before visiting a typical working sheep farm for a barbecue lunch and the chance to gain an insight into how it operates.

Day 22: Depart Christchurch

Transfer to Christchurch airport for your onward flight home.